Faced with Shen Yunhao's probing question, all the high-ranking members of the righteous path fell silent.
In private, they might simply gloss over it with "evil heretics, everyone has the right to kill them," but at this moment, with thousands of cultivators below watching and countless eyes observing, they represent not only themselves, but also the face and principles of the entire righteous path, and must be treated with utmost care.
Daoist Qianhe broke the silence with a cold laugh, his tone mocking: "So you think this demonic vine is innocent? It caused chaos in Wanren City today, disturbing all living beings. Isn't that a crime?"
Shen Yunhao shook his head, his expression calm: "Whether she is guilty or not, I dare not make a judgment. There will be public opinion. I am just a little curious. If my sister has never done anything immoral, is she really going to suffer this kind of calamity of suppression just because of her birth, her race, and her powerful strength?"
At this moment, the master from Lingyin Temple put his hands together, chanted a Buddhist chant, stepped forward from the crowd, and said in a calm voice: "Amitabha! Benefactor Shen, if it is verified that this female benefactor has indeed not committed any evil deeds of killing and is pure in body and mind, we righteous people would naturally not do such a thing as falsely accusing the good."
Ouyang Jingfeng pondered for a moment before replying, "Master Gu's words are reasonable, but not entirely accurate. Although we are of the righteous path and cannot indiscriminately kill the innocent, we also have a responsibility to protect the peace and tranquility of the people in this region. Even if this demonic vine is indeed as you say, and has not actively committed evil, as a high-level demon and a creature of the Dark Abyss, it possesses immense power and unique characteristics. We absolutely cannot allow such an unrestrained and unpredictable being to remain in the core area of the righteous path, where humans gather, for an extended period!"
Unless… there is something concrete and credible that proves she truly will not and cannot harm innocent people, and that this will put our minds at ease, then any potential threat is still a threat!
He looked directly at Shen Yunhao, then added, "You can say we have prejudices, but those in positions of power must bear their responsibilities. I am responsible for the safety of all cultivators within this Myriad Blade City. Even if it weren't for the Dark Abyss Demon Vine, but any other high-ranking demon of unknown origin and uncontrollable nature here, I would have the same attitude! This is not directed at anyone, but simply my duty!"
These words were reasonable and justified, demonstrating the principle of not killing indiscriminately and emphasizing the bottom line of risk prevention and control, which made many people present nod in agreement.
As a leader of the righteous path, one cannot simply allow an extremely dangerous individual to exist based on the statement "she didn't kill anyone." One must not harbor foolish kindness.
Mo Yan, standing in the formation, sneered and muttered under her breath, "So high and mighty, as if nobody cares about this wretched place of yours... The spiritual energy is thin, and there are so many rules... Oh dear!"
Before he could finish speaking, Shen Yunhao turned around and offered her a chestnut, then shut his mouth in a huff, silently accusing her with his resentful little eyes.
Shen Yunhao nodded, then turned around and asked his second question: "According to what Pavilion Master Ouyang just said, if I can prove today that my sister Mo Yan has not committed any murder and is not a bloodthirsty demon, can I be spared the punishment of being killed on the spot and instead... be banished back to the Dark Abyss?"
The second question once again stumped Ouyang Jingfeng precisely.
If they persist in not letting go, it would contradict their earlier statement of "not killing innocent people indiscriminately," and they would inevitably give others grounds for criticism.
If we release it... after all, this is the Dark Abyss Demon Vine, which is extremely dark and evil, and has a terrifying existence that is half a step into the ninth realm. Just letting the tiger return to the mountain like this makes me feel extremely uneasy.
Just as Ouyang Jingfeng was pondering his dilemma, the woman in black robes from the Misty Pavilion suddenly stepped forward, her voice carrying a hint of languor and amusement:
"I cannot speak for other sects, but if this... cough cough, your younger sister, is truly as young friend Shen said, and has never done anything immoral or harmful to the interests of my Misty Pavilion, then naturally the people of my Misty Pavilion will not take the initiative to make trouble for her... In business, harmony is the key to making money; fighting and killing are not good!"
Several high-ranking members of the righteous path exchanged glances, seemingly having vaguely guessed the true identity of the woman in black robes, and did not raise any questions about her statement.
With the Misty Pavilion taking the lead in expressing its stance, the high monk of Lingyin Temple spoke up again: "Amitabha, our Lingyin Temple only guides the guilty. If someone is truly innocent, our temple will not intervene."
The burly man from the Great Wilderness Sect laughed heartily, his voice booming like thunder: "Our Great Wilderness Sect is located in a remote area and has always believed in the law of the jungle, but we also have a sense of reason! We never meddle in other people's business unless it's our fault! You can handle this yourselves..."
Upon seeing this, Nie Qingshuang subconsciously raised her chin, and her cold voice rang out: "My Guanghan Palace naturally also... um..."
Before she could finish speaking, Murong Xi behind her quickly covered her mouth.
Murong Xi chuckled twice and explained to everyone, "It's nothing, it's nothing! She didn't say anything!"
Everyone: "..."
Nie Qingshuang glared back angrily, "What's going on? Aren't we supposed to make a statement?"
"Your statement is so hypocritical. Who are you trying to fool?"
"..."
As a result, four of the seven righteous sects have now expressed the attitude of "not taking the initiative to make things difficult if there is no guilt".
Medicine King Valley, Azure Sky Sword Pavilion, and Tai Xuan Dao Sect, the leader of the righteous path, remain silent.
The woman in black robes added with a smile, steer the conversation back to the core issue: "Of course, all of this is based on the premise that... the Demon Vine has indeed done nothing wrong. But everyone witnessed the Demon Vine injuring people today, and those remaining fragments of vine cannot be faked. Young friend Shen, you can't possibly say... that this was the work of another Demon Vine, can you? Such an explanation would hardly be convincing."
Shen Yunhao clasped his hands in a fist salute towards the woman in black robes, his expression frank: "Senior is absolutely right, and I would never try to deny it. I can admit that those injuring vine fragments were indeed taken from my sister..."
Upon hearing this, the woman in black simply looked at him curiously, waiting for her further explanation.
Sure enough, Shen Yunhao changed the subject, "But those who died were definitely not killed by my bratty little sister!"
Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was stunned!
On one hand, she admits that the vines came from Mo Yan, but on the other hand, she firmly denies that she killed the person.
Isn't this a contradiction? A double whammy?
"Esteemed seniors, I will not keep you in suspense any longer."
Shen Yunhao took a deep breath and scanned the entire room. "The evidence is actually quite clear!"
As he spoke, he turned around and, under everyone's astonished gaze, came back behind Mo Yan and gave her little bottom, which had just been beaten and seemed to still be throbbing, another hard slap without any mercy!
"Smack!"
The crisp sound of a slap echoed through the sky once again.
Everyone: "6!"
Mo Yan: "???"
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