Chapter 68 Backing You Up: You Were Not Invited
Shi Jin and the Yu family elders worked together, pointing the finger at Gu Zhinan. The phrase "Demon Clan Crown Princess" was like a spark falling into boiling oil, instantly igniting the tense atmosphere at the bottom of the lake.
"Yes! Gu Zhinan is connected to that devil, and this must be made clear!"
"Qingyuan Sect took in the Demon Prince, and the Peak Master is also the Demon Prince's Consort... What kind of behavior is this!"
"No wonder Yan Nanqiu was able to hide for so many years, it turns out he had someone helping him!"
The sounds of discussion, accusations, and doubts mingled together. Many gazes, some skeptical, some disdainful, and some angry, shot towards Gu Zhinan, who stood in the middle, like cold arrows.
Gu Zhinan, dressed in black, stood tall and straight, but his face was so pale it was almost transparent, and fine beads of cold sweat could be seen on his forehead. He pressed his lips tightly together, his eyes unfathomable, and he was speechless in the face of the overwhelming doubts.
He said he didn't know Qiu Nan was Yan Nanqiu, and that it was impossible for him to have had an affair with Yan Nanqiu. But even Gu Zhinan himself didn't quite believe these words.
After all, Gu Zhinan felt a deep sense of familiarity when he first met Qiu Nan.
Countless sharp words and fragments of memories that kept appearing and disappearing in his mind were intertwined, making Gu Zhinan feel very confused, as if he had fallen into an ice cave, and even his fingertips were cold.
Seeing that the crowd's emotions had been stirred, Shi Jin was secretly pleased, but his face remained even more stern. He stepped forward, staring intently at Gu Zhinan, his voice booming, each word piercing the heart: "Peak Master Gu, now that things have come to this, what do you have to say? As the master of a peak, you have actually pledged your life to the Demon Clan's Crown Prince and become his 'Crown Princess'! Where do you place the Qingyuan Sect's century-old reputation? Where do you place the righteous path of the world?! If you don't explain yourself clearly today, I'm afraid you won't be able to convince the crowd!"
"Sect Leader Shi!" Gu Zhinan finally spoke. "It's no secret that my memory is damaged. If you want me to answer, I certainly can't give a proper answer. But I dare to swear to the heavens that I will never do anything that is detrimental to Qingyuan Sect or damages its reputation, in the past, present, or future."
Qin Lianyue also spoke up at the right time: "Pang Ren was a former subordinate of Yan Ji. His words before he died are not credible. Perhaps he was deliberately trying to frame us and sow discord among our major forces."
"Sowing discord?" Elder Yu sneered. "Those demonic runes can't be faked; you're protecting the demons!"
Ji Yuanbai, who had been observing coldly, suddenly chuckled softly.
He paced slowly, his gaze landing on the aggressive elder of the Yu family. His tone was calm, yet every word was like a needle: "Elder Yu, your sect's Yu Jiangxuan colluded with the demon race, set up a blood array, and harmed our fellow cultivators. He has just been executed. This matter is witnessed by everyone, and the evidence is conclusive. What, has the Yu family failed in its discipline, producing such a rebellious son? Instead of giving the world an explanation, you have the leisure to harp on old accusations made by others?"
These words were like a bucket of cold water poured over the heads of the Yu family elders, and also served as a wake-up call to some of the incited cultivators.
The Yu family elder's face turned from red to green, his lips trembling: "You... Ji Yuanbai! Don't make false accusations! Jiang Xuan... he was bewitched by the demon and was confused for a moment! He has... he has already atoned with his death!" By the end, his voice was weak and his confidence was clearly lacking.
The Yu family elder was so eager to nail Gu Zhinan to the pillar of shame in order to divert attention and prevent everyone from mentioning Yu Jiangxuan, that troublemaker. He didn't expect Ji Yuanbai to expose him, and he instantly became angry, but he couldn't do anything about Ji Yuanbai, so he could only silently make a fuss in his heart.
Ji Yuanbai remained unmoved and said calmly, "Whether you were bewitched or did it willingly, colluding with the demons and harming your fellow cultivators are facts."
"How the Yu family disciplines its children is their business, but right now, shouldn't we first settle this undeniable crime before discussing anything else?"
These words subtly shifted the focus, pointing out the "stain" on the Yu family itself, leaving the Yu family elders speechless and utterly embarrassed.
Seeing this, Shi Jin knew he couldn't let the topic veer off course, so he immediately interjected, raising his voice to bring the focus back: "What Patriarch Ji said is true, but one thing is one thing! Yu Jiangxuan is, after all, dead and gone, and his past is impossible to investigate. But Peak Master Gu's identity as the 'Crown Princess' was personally confirmed by Pang Ren, and there are demonic markings to prove it. This is a matter of great importance concerning the safety of the righteous path and the stance of the Qingyuan Sect. How can it be compared to that misled junior, Yu Jiangxuan?!"
His gaze was intense as he pressed Gu Zhinan, Fu Yunshu, and Song Wenzhuo once more: "Qingyuan Sect must provide a clear explanation! Otherwise, how can the people of the world believe that Qingyuan Sect has no connection with the Demon Clan? How can they believe that this 'Crown Princess' Peak Master won't become another thorn in the side of the Demon Clan?!"
Countless eyes were fixed on the Qingyuan Sect members, the pressure was immense.
Gu Zhinan's face paled further, his lips pressed into a thin line. He knew that anything he said at this moment would seem inadequate. That missing memory had become his greatest weakness.
Fu Yunshu's eyes were sharp. He actually disliked reasoning with people. In the cultivation world, strength was paramount. No matter how much he talked, it was not as good as a real fight. Whoever had the stronger fist was naturally right.
Just as Fu Yunshu was pondering how to proceed, a clear and steady voice, like jade striking stone, resounded clearly throughout the stagnant lake bottom.
"Sect Leader Shi, Elder Yu, fellow Daoists."
Everyone turned to look at the source of the sound. There stood Song Wenzhuo, who had been silently standing beside Fu Yunshu with a cold expression, slowly emerging. He walked steadily to Gu Zhinan's side and stood shoulder to shoulder with him. Then, to everyone's astonishment, he naturally reached out and gently grasped Gu Zhinan's cold, trembling hand.
This move stunned everyone.
Song Wenzhuo ignored the surprised gazes around him. He raised his eyes, his gaze calm yet penetrating, sweeping over Shi Jin and the others, finally settling on Gu Zhinan's pale profile, lingering for a moment. Deep within his eyes, a complex mix of emotions surged, ultimately settling into a resolute expression.
He turned to the crowd and spoke clearly, word by word:
"Gu Yuan is not some demon prince's consort."
He paused, and as everyone held their breath in anticipation, he uttered the second half of his sentence with unwavering resolve:
“He is the Daoist partner of Song Wenzhuo, the sect leader of my Qingyuan Sect, and the rightful ‘Sect Leader's Wife’ of my Qingyuan Sect.”
These words caused an uproar in the room!
Same-sex couples are already rare in the cultivation world, and Song Wenzhuo and Gu Zhinan are both in high positions, plus the current situation...
All I can say is that your Qingyuan Sect is just too amazing.
Even Fu Yunshu's eyes widened slightly, not expecting Song Wenzhuo to confess in public at this moment. Yin Lisheng and the other juniors were even more shocked and speechless, looking at Song Wenzhuo and then at Gu Zhinan, whose hand was being held tightly by him and who also looked astonished.
Gu Zhinan felt the firm and warm force of Song Wenzhuo in his palm. Looking at his profile as he stood up for him and spoke nonsense in public, a warm current seemed to flow into his heart. His cold and chaotic heart seemed to be warmed, and the violent turmoil gradually subsided, turning into an indescribable bitterness and shock.
Shi Jin's smugness and coercion froze instantly, turning into disbelief and anger: "Sect Leader Song! You would go so far as to fabricate such an absurd lie to protect him?"
"Absurd?" Song Wenzhu sneered, his eyes sharp as knives. "How could I joke about such an important matter as my life? Gu Yuan and I have already pledged our lives to each other under the witness of our grandmaster uncle. We originally planned to become Daoist partners after returning from this Immortal Sect Competition."
Shi Jin was furious: "Then how come I've never heard of you planning a grand ceremony to unite people?"
“He just has bad interpersonal relationships,” Ji Yuanbai said quietly. “Sect Leader Shi might as well look for the reasons within himself. After all these years, why is he still so unpopular? Sect Leader Song extended an invitation to me just two days ago.”
Qin Lianyue covered her mouth and chuckled, "Oh my, I remember now, Ah Xuan did bring me back an invitation from the Qingyuan Sect a few days ago."
Duan Xuan, who was behind her, nodded frantically.
Shi Jin looked at Lu Yanci, who smiled slightly and said, "Sect Leader Song and Peak Leader Gu are destined to be together."
Shi Jin: "..." So I was the only one who wasn't invited?
His gaze swept over the people from the other factions present, but he avoided them all.
The other factions aren't stupid; they know all too well that what Song Wenzhuo is saying is pure nonsense. But since several big shots insist on protecting Gu Zhinan, what can they say? Can they just wish for a long and happy marriage and many children?
"Very well, very well," Shi Jin seemed to have gone a little crazy, gritting his teeth as he said, "In that case, when does Sect Leader Song plan to hold the grand ceremony for the joint registration of members? I will definitely present a 'grand gift' at that time."
Ji Yuanbai spoke at the opportune moment, his voice calm yet weighty: "Since Sect Leader Song has made it clear, this matter can be considered resolved. Peak Master Gu may have had some hidden past, but now that he has severed ties with the past and is now Sect Leader Song's Daoist partner, it is not appropriate to hold him accountable for past matters. The most urgent task is to find out Yan Nanqiu's whereabouts and his purpose in lurking for so many years. Qingyuan Sect must also fully cooperate with the investigation to prove its innocence."
Fu Yunshu also said calmly, "Qingyuan Sect will investigate Qiu Nan's matter thoroughly. As for other unfounded speculations, it's best to stop now."
It is both a warning and a threat.
A disturbance was temporarily quelled by Song Wenzhuo in an unexpected way. However, the matter was not over; it was merely the calm before the storm.
Meanwhile, Yan Nanqiu, the source of the incident, was also not having an easy time.
The Bone Wasteland, a desolate cliff.
Yan Nanqiu staggered to a stop. He leaned against the cold rock wall, his chest heaving as he gasped for breath.
All around was deathly silent, with only the mournful sound of the wind.
"I'm not...I'm not..." He covered his forehead, his fingertips touching the line, but then pulled back as if burned.
"Heh... Hahaha..." Yan Nanqiu suddenly chuckled, the laughter growing louder, filled with endless despair and madness, echoing across the empty cliff, finally turning into a violent cough. He coughed so hard he bent over, as if he were coughing up his internal organs, but his eyes were dry, unable to shed a single tear.
Just as this extreme chaos and self-loathing were about to engulf him, his heart suddenly skipped a beat without warning.
"I've found you."
The cold, violent voice seemed to come from the depths of his soul, startling Yan Nanqiu so much that goosebumps rose all over his body, and the intense disgust he felt for the voice made him want to vomit.
Who is it?
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