Exposure
Yun Wei seemed oblivious to the commotion and whispers below the arena behind her.
Her expression was calm. She didn't even glance at the unconscious Lin Fengyu on the ground. She simply bent down to pick up the fallen white gauze, then rolled down off the stage and walked forward.
The crowd unconsciously parted to both sides, allowing her to pass by calmly.
She never intended to hide her appearance forever.
Now that she has returned and is standing in the very place where she was falsely accused and killed, she was already prepared to be exposed.
Xie Lanchen stood in the crowd, his cobalt blue eyes fixed on her face ever since his veil fell. Others assumed he was angry because he had seen someone who resembled his "arch-enemy".
On the high platform, the moment Elder Wu saw Yun Wei's face, his expression changed drastically, all color drained from his face, his finger trembled slightly as he pointed at her, his lips quivered, and he was momentarily speechless.
Elder Duan's pupils also contracted sharply, his face filled with disbelief.
"Halt!" Elder Wu finally leaped down from the platform, blocking Yun Wei's path. His voice trembled. "Yun Wei! It's you?! You're not dead?! How dare you come back?" He was breathing heavily, his gaze sweeping over her with suspicion. "You even dared to participate in the competition under an assumed name! Speak! What are your true intentions?!"
Yun Wei stopped, looked up at him, her gaze cool and calm, even carrying a perfectly appropriate hint of bewilderment. "Elder, what makes you say that? I am not Yun Wei, but Wuming."
Elder Duan landed gracefully, his tone steady, "This woman's appearance is indeed very similar to Yun Wei's, but in this vast world, there are many who look alike. Moreover..." His voice deepened, "We both know about Yun Wei's situation. Under the Xuan Tian Demon-Slaying Seal, her soul and spirit were annihilated; how could she possibly survive? How can we make hasty judgments based solely on a resemblance in appearance?"
Elder Wu, though slightly calmed by his words, was still filled with astonishment and doubt. "But...but this is too similar! Moreover, her swordsmanship—"
"I know this person."
Xie Lanchen slowly stepped out from the crowd, walked to Yun Wei's side, gave a perfunctory bow to the two elders, and curled his lips into a half-smile.
The disciples of Guiyun Sect couldn't help but whisper among themselves:
"Senior Brother Xie has gone..."
"He must have been furious to see that face, right? Everyone knows he and Yun Wei are sworn enemies..."
"This is going to be interesting..."
Yun Wei could feel the gaze beside her, but she didn't look back, maintaining her aloof expression. She knew in her heart that his intervention wasn't out of anger. With their shared life bond, he was no longer an outsider, and he certainly wouldn't expose her now.
Xie Lanchen spoke, his voice calm: "Regarding this person, I was just about to report back." He glanced at her, "She is not Senior Sister Yunwei. I saw her a few days ago outside Biyue Manor. At that time, she was seriously injured and on the verge of death, her spiritual power was in chaos, and after she woke up, she had forgotten everything from her past, including her name and origin."
The young man turned his gaze back and chuckled lightly: "As for appearance... there are so many people in the world who look alike. I saw that she had nowhere to go, so I took her in for the time being and named her 'Nameless'. I brought her back to the sect to participate in the competition, hoping that someone would recognize her and perhaps find out her origins. I didn't expect her to look so much like Senior Sister Yunwei, which caused the elders to misunderstand."
"He's written it quite thoroughly," Yunwei thought to herself.
With Xu E overseeing things at Biyue Manor, even if someone were to investigate, it would be difficult to find any flaws.
Elder Wu frowned, his doubts still unresolved.
Xie Lanchen, as the adopted son of the clan, was arrogant but not an untrustworthy person. However, this matter was too strange, and he could not rest easy.
“Even so, it’s too much of a coincidence! Lan Chen, it’s not that I don’t believe you, but this woman’s appearance is extremely similar to Yun Wei’s, and her appearance in the competition is really unsettling. In my opinion, we should immediately report to the sect leader and let him make a decision!”
The young man frowned, but before he could speak, Yun Wei spoke up, her tone calm and even: "Very well." She looked at Elder Wu, "I wish to meet the Sect Master."
Is she finally going to meet the "father" who killed her with his own hands?
Yun Wei sneered inwardly; she had been waiting for this moment for a long time.
Xie Lanchen seemed surprised that she agreed so readily and glanced at her sideways.
Their eyes met briefly before looking away, both seeing the seriousness and unspoken understanding in each other's eyes.
Elder Duan pondered and nodded: "That's fine. This matter is of great importance, and it is most appropriate for the sect leader to make the final decision." He then looked at the young man, "Lan Chen, you stay here. I have some questions for you."
Xie Lanchen should be able to handle Elder Duan's probing with ease, Yun Wei thought to herself.
She wasn't worried that he would reveal any flaws; the boy would surely cover them up for his own safety.
Elder Wu snorted heavily and impatiently flicked his sleeve, saying, "What are you standing there for? Hurry up and come with me!" His tone was rude, as if even looking at her would bring bad luck.
Yunwei silently followed.
When Elder Duan called out to Xie Lanchen, his face remained expressionless. He merely gave a lazy bow, still maintaining his nonchalant demeanor: "What do you need me to ask, Elder?" Out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of Yun Wei's departing figure with Elder Wu, and a hint of darkness flashed across his cobalt blue eyes.
As if sensing the bond of life and death, his heart skipped a beat.
Elder Duan scrutinized him, his tone slow and deliberate: "Lan Chen, you have always acted recklessly, and the sect leader has often indulged you. But bringing this woman back this time is far too rash. Her appearance is exactly the same as Yun Wei's; how could such a coincidence exist? Are you truly certain that she has lost her memory? Have you investigated her carefully?"
Upon hearing this, the young man's lips curled into his usual slightly sarcastic smile, but the smile did not reach his eyes: "Elder, do you suspect that I am bad at judging people, or do you suspect that I have ulterior motives?"
He paused, glancing at the disciples eavesdropping around him, and deliberately raised his voice so everyone could hear: "I don't want her to be Yun Wei more than anyone else. If she really is that person... does the elder think I would protect her?"
Elder Duan sighed and waved his hand, "Never mind, the sect leader will decide this matter."
The boy bowed respectfully, but there was little warmth in his eyes.
On the other side.
Yunwei followed Elder Wu, passing pavilions, towers, and martial arts training grounds, where every tree and blade of grass remained as before.
Her gaze swept calmly across the room, recalling her childhood when everyone else had the care and protection of their parents and teachers, but she, as the daughter of the sect leader, seemed to be invisible.
Her father never gave her a single instruction. His gaze always passed over her and landed on Xie Lanchen.
The elders didn't like her either. Was it because she was aloof and didn't know how to flatter or fawn over the other disciples?
Or is it because she progressed too quickly and her kendo talent was too amazing, thus catching the eye of some people?
She didn't know, nor did she want to bother to find out.
I felt that the sword in my hand was more reliable than people's hearts.
Since there is no one to rely on, then I will rely on the sword in my hand.
Through years of arduous practice and tireless dedication, she wore out the thousands of sword manuals in the library and finally became the unparalleled master of swordsmanship in the Guiyun Sect.
But this title of leader only brought him deeper loneliness and more resentment.
As they were walking, Elder Wu suddenly stopped and shouted sternly, "Yun Wei!"
Yun Wei stopped in her tracks, slightly raised her eyes, and showed just the right amount of bewilderment: "Who is the elder calling?"
She thought to herself, "So, he can't resist testing me already? He's really not making any progress."
Elder Wu turned around, his eyes fixed on her face, as if trying to find a trace of panic, but to no avail.
Disappointment flashed across his eyes, and he could only mutter, "It's nothing, go on your way."
How could such a clumsy attempt possibly reveal anything about her?
She was no longer the Yunwei of the past who would still harbor any illusions about camaraderie with her fellow disciples or the honor of being a teacher.
After walking a while, she spoke up, her voice calm and composed, as if she were merely curious: "Elder Wu, who exactly is this 'Yun Wei' that you and Elder Duan were talking about? Is she really so similar to me? It's enough to make you two lose your composure."
She wanted to hear how her "crimes" were presented in the mouths of these people.
Elder Wu's expression changed slightly, his voice filled with disgust: "Her? A traitor to the sect, a wicked creature fallen into demonic ways! A month ago, she was ordered by the sect leader to kill the demonic dragon that was wreaking havoc in Shitang Town, but she became greedy and wanted to keep the demon core for herself. In the end, she failed to kill the demon and was instead corrupted by demonic energy, falling into the demonic path. She even cruelly slaughtered hundreds of innocent people in the surrounding villages! Fortunately, the sect leader was a man of great righteousness and used the Xuan Tian Demon-Slaying Seal in time to completely eliminate this wicked creature and cleanse the sect!"
He spoke with gritted teeth and deep sorrow, as if every word he uttered was true: "Although you resemble her, you'd better have absolutely no connection with her, otherwise... humph, you will surely be punished by heaven!"
Yun Wei listened calmly to these distorted and slanderous words, her expression indifferent, but her fingers twitched slightly inside her sleeve.
It was these hypocritical people, her biological father and her mentor, who conspired to set up this scheme, falsely accusing her of demonic possession, driving her to the brink of despair, and trying to destroy her body and soul.
Do they know that all she sought in this life was to protect the peace of the region with the sword in her hand?
Even though her father disliked her, the elders didn't love her, and her fellow disciples weren't close to her, she still considered it her duty to protect the Guiyun Sect and the ordinary, ignorant, and peaceful people living down the mountain.
Where the sword is pointed, it is for the sake of the common people.
But this belief ultimately became the sharpest sword that pierced her.
She was too lazy to argue with Elder Wu's slander.
How can a dead person speak? Even if they did, who would believe them? She has returned today to demand repayment, to collect blood, and to bring the truth to light.
For now, let this old scoundrel bark a few more words.
As Yun Wei passed a slightly mottled stone step, she paused, and a wisp of spiritual energy overflowed from her fingertips hanging in her sleeve, prying a loose pebble at the edge of the step, causing it to quietly roll to where Elder Wu was about to step next.
"Ouch!" Elder Wu was caught off guard and stepped on a smooth pebble, lost his balance, cried out in surprise, stumbled forward and almost fell to the ground, looking quite disheveled.
Yun Wei watched expressionlessly, even taking a slight step back, and said in a flat tone: "Elder, you are getting old and your footing is unsteady. You need to be careful."
Elder Wu's face flushed red. He hurriedly steadied himself, then angrily flicked his sleeve, seemingly feeling he had lost face, and cursed, "How could this road be so dilapidated! The Hall of Affairs is becoming increasingly negligent!"
Before long, the two arrived in front of a magnificent palace.
The hall is built of huge white jade stones, with high eaves and upturned corners. The hall door is tightly closed, and a black plaque hangs above the door with the three characters "Chengxin Hall" written in large gold lacquer.
The area around the palace was quiet and deserted, with only the sound of the wind passing through the gaps, adding to the chill in the air.
Yunwei raised her head and looked at the familiar palace.
The Hall of Clear Mind... Clear mind and bright nature? What a huge irony.
She recalled that night in Shitang Town, when she was surrounded by her father and elders, and no one would listen to a single word of her explanation.
The excruciating pain of the Xuan Tian Demon-Slaying Seal is still as vivid as yesterday.
Elder Wu straightened his disheveled robes, cleared his throat, and adopted a dignified posture: "You wait here while I go in and inform the sect leader—" Before he finished speaking, the two palace doors suddenly opened silently from the inside.
Elder Wu's words caught in his throat, and he stood frozen on the spot, a hint of surprise and uncertainty flashing across his face.
Yun Wei's gaze suddenly sharpened. Her father already knew she was here? Good, it saved her the trouble of this insincere announcement.
The hall was dimly lit, and a chill far more intense than that outside swept over you.
She turned her head and glanced at Elder Wu, then without further hesitation, she stepped straight into the darkness.
As soon as Yun Wei stepped inside, the palace door behind her slammed shut with a loud bang, leaving Elder Wu outside.
"Sect Master! This woman's identity is suspicious; how can we let her go in alone!"
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