"Nothing... Hehe, I was just reading a book and got startled when I heard you guys making noises."
Ning Chengfeng explained, but his eyes were darting around and his expression was obviously panicked.
"Something's wrong, second brother, have you done something bad without telling me? Let me see!"
Ning Zhishui looked spoiled and ran over without saying a word, reaching out to pull him back to look.
"No, don't—"
"Whatever, show me now!"
"Stop it!"
“Get out of the way!”
The brother and sister were fighting each other, but Ning Zhishui was more agile and snatched the thing from Ning Chengfeng's hand when he was not paying attention.
"Huh, it really is a book? It's just a book, what do you have to hide?"
Ning Zhishui smiled after seeing that it was a book. He wanted to return the book to Ning Chengfeng without any interest, but Ming Zhen behind him said with a stern look, "Wait!"
With a shout, she successfully made Ning Zhishui and Ning Chengfeng stop their actions.
"Senior Sister Ming, what's wrong?" Ning Zhishui asked puzzledly.
"This book is called 'The Immortal in the Puppet'?" Ming Zhen frowned and walked forward, snatching the book from Ning Chengfeng's hand. His face became even colder when he saw it.
"What?!"
"The Immortal Puppet!"
Deng Xi and Yu Wanfeng cried out in shock one after another, and their expressions changed drastically.
Ning Zhishui looked bewildered. "Is there something wrong with this book?"
"Of course there are problems. It's listed as an evil book and is absolutely forbidden! Upright disciples are absolutely forbidden to practice it!"
Ming Zhen took a deep breath, then looked at Ning Chengfeng sharply, "Junior Brother Ning, is this book yours? Are you secretly practicing evil arts?"
Ning Chengfeng's face turned pale, but he said nothing.
Ning Zhishui was stunned and looked at Ning Chengfeng in disbelief, "Second brother? How could you practice evil magic! This is impossible, it can't be like this!"
"Junior Sister Ning." Yu Wanfeng couldn't bear to watch, so he stepped forward and whispered, "This matter is very serious. It's definitely a major taboo in the sect. This matter... I'm afraid we can't suppress it."
"Don't even mention that Junior Brother Ning is privately studying this book. Even if you, Yu Wanfeng, were to practice it, I would still tell my father."
Mingzhen turned around and said calmly.
Ning Zhishui looked confused and frightened.
Ning Chengfeng lowered his head and clenched his teeth, but did not say a word to defend himself.
Seeing this, Ming Zhen asked Yu Mingfeng to capture Ning Chengfeng without saying a word, and the group headed towards the main peak!
On the way, Mingzhen informed the head of the sect, her father, about the matter, and also reported it to the head of the Law Enforcement Hall.
By the time they reached the main peak, several people were already waiting.
"...Sect Master, that's it."
Mingzhen didn't call him daddy, but called him sect leader, and calmly explained what had just happened.
"Master, listen to me. My second brother is absolutely not that kind of person. It's impossible for him to practice evil magic!" Ning Zhishui argued anxiously. "He's still so young, and his spiritual roots are not bad. He clearly has the opportunity to practice properly, so why would he take such a big risk? I think there must be a misunderstanding!"
"Junior Brother Ning, please explain." Deng Xi looked anxious. "If you have any difficulties, please tell us now. Maybe there is still a chance to turn things around! This matter is of great importance. No one can protect you!"
"This involves sorcery. No matter what your reasons are, you've already practiced it. There's absolutely no turning back." The head of the Law Enforcement Hall had a cold face, looking at Ning Chengfeng as if he were a dead man. "Will you confess yourself, or will you let us use soul-searching techniques to investigate for ourselves?"
The art of soul-searching is actually an evil art. Only the head of the Law Enforcement Hall in the entire sect can practice it, but once practiced, it cannot be abused. It is only used to interrogate disciples who have made serious mistakes.
Moreover, soul-searching is mostly used in matters related to sorcery or sect traitors.
Because using this method will harm the cultivator's consciousness and may even cause death.
Ning Chengfeng now possesses the evil method that is expressly forbidden by the righteous sects in the world of immortal cultivation. With both human and material evidence, even if he uses such an extreme method as soul-searching, no one can say a word against the Xianlai Sect.
Upon hearing the soul-searching technique, Ning Chengfeng suddenly raised his head and moved his lips, "I don't practice any evil magic."
"Whose book is this then?" the hall master asked.
Ning Chengfeng seemed to be caught in some kind of dilemma. A struggle flashed across his face, but he finally closed his eyes.
Deng Xi suddenly exclaimed, "Wait, didn't we see this book in Uncle Zhao's cave? Could it be related to Uncle Zhao?"
"Indeed, no matter whether it is true or not, it's always a good idea to ask Uncle Zhao." Yu Wanfeng nodded.
"No! Don't look for him!" Ning Chengfeng said fiercely, "This matter has nothing to do with Master!"
His sudden strong emotions were as if a few big words were written on his forehead: Yes, it was my master who did it!
So everyone, including the sect leader, looked at him, with vague guesses and strange expressions on their faces.
"Tell me! Is this Zhao Zhengqi's book!" The hall master suddenly shouted, staring at Ning Chengfeng with his eyes, as if he wanted to look into his heart.
His shouting came so suddenly that not only Ning Chengfeng but even Ning Zhishui was startled and trembled.
Ning Chengfeng's reaction was even more intense. His body trembled at first, and then his eyes became straight and he stared blankly at the hall master.
Then, he seemed to be unable to control himself and said, "It's Master's book..."
After he finished speaking, the room fell silent.
"Have you practiced "The Immortal in the Puppet"? " the hall master asked again.
"No."
The hall master didn't say anything else. He blinked, and Ning Chengfeng finally regained consciousness as if he had just come to his senses. He looked around in horror, "What just happened? Did I say something nonsense?"
Ming Zhen was puzzled. "Just now, Hall Master Li used the Suppression Spell, and you spoke your true feelings... But I don't understand why you are shielding Uncle Zhao? You were almost soul-searched just now, weren't you afraid?"
The art of suppressing words is an advanced technique that can only be performed by people with strong cultivation and spiritual awareness, and using it once is also very mentally taxing.
As long as the person being cast the spell has lower cultivation and spiritual awareness than the caster, he will be intimidated and will obediently reveal the truth.
There is no doubt that Master Li is definitely stronger than Ning Chengfeng, so what Ning Chengfeng said must be the truth, and no one doubts it.
In other words, Ning Chengfeng is innocent and the crime was committed by Zhao Zhengqi alone.
Ning Chengfeng's face was filled with pain. "Once a teacher, always a father. Master has been very kind to me. Even if he... I can't kill my own relatives for the sake of justice."
Some people disagreed with his words, but others expressed their appreciation.
Because looking at Ning Chengfeng's expression just now, he would rather have his soul searched than take the initiative to reveal Zhao Zhengqi's name. This master-disciple friendship is very touching.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
