Watching the enraged Gu Xiande, Liao Changping found it laughable. And here I thought you actually valued that kid Lin Yun. I never would have guessed that the only thing the Sect Master values is the Ancestor Liuyun.
Liao Changping's expression relaxed. "Sect Master, there's no need to be so worried about this matter. As far as I know, this Lin Yun is only a disciple of Qingxia Peak in name only. The disciple the Ancestor truly took is someone else."
Sure enough, upon hearing this, Gu Xiande's expression softened somewhat. Was he worried about Lin Yun going missing? He was only worried about the Ancestor blaming him. This Ancestor Liuyun hadn't meddled in sect affairs for many years, but she had specifically asked about this one kid. How could that not make Gu Xiande concerned?
"Is that so?"
Liao Changping nodded repeatedly. "That kid has some talent, but when has our Flowing Cloud Sect ever been short on geniuses? One died this time, but aren't there others? I think that Ye Qian is a good choice."
Gu Xiande snorted coldly. "You handled this matter poorly. As punishment, you will enter secluded cultivation for one month. You may leave!"
"Yes, Sect Master."
Just as Liao Changping was leaving, he saw a disciple rush in hurriedly. "Sect Master, we've found Lin Yun."
A smile instantly blossomed on Gu Xiande's face. Just then, he saw Liao Changping. "Elder Liao, wait a moment. You may leave first." After the other disciple had gone, he finally asked, "Was the relationship between Lin Yun and Duan Heng really that deep?"
Liao Changping turned around. "Sect Master, it is absolutely true. Many disciples within the sect can testify to it. This time, if it weren't for Duan Heng coordinating from the inside, our losses would not have been so severe."
Hearing this, Gu Xiande snorted in anger. "And isn't that your failure of duty? You already knew he was a problem, yet you failed to stop him in time."
"Sect Master, please forgive me. I have a way to atone for my mistake." Liao Changping had Gu Xiande wrapped around his finger. "The Ancestor was only asking casually. But if Lin Yun and Duan Heng truly have a close relationship, when he returns, he will certainly try to stir up trouble between you and Ancestor Liuyun. What if Ancestor Liuyun, in a moment of confusion, makes a move against you? Therefore, I suggest we solidify the fact of Lin Yun's betrayal."
The moment Liao Changping finished speaking, he was sent flying by a palm strike. He crashed into a pillar by the door, spitting up blood, but he didn't dare say a word.
"As an elder, you dare to speak so presumptuously about Ancestor Liuyun. I'm only giving you a lesson this time. If there is a next time, I will not spare you. Now, get out."
...
Lin Yun traveled with Chen Jingrou for three full days before finally returning to the Flowing Cloud Sect. By now, the matter concerning the Red Ghost Sect had finally subsided.
But the moment Lin Yun's front foot stepped into the sect, several disciples blocked him at the gate.
"Excuse me, is there a problem?" Lin Yun asked, confused.
"We are law enforcement disciples from the Disciplinary Hall. Lin Yun, you have secretly conspired with the Red Ghost Sect and leaked our Flowing Cloud Sect's secrets. We have been ordered to take you away."
Hearing the disciples' answer, Lin Yun's expression changed. Leaked secrets? The Flowing Cloud Sect must have found out that Duan Heng was the traitor. Because the two of them were often seen together, Lin Yun was naturally being treated as a prime suspect.
However, Lin Yun wasn't worried. On his way back, he had hidden the Chen family's secret treasure, the Jade Hornless Dragon Lamp, and the Mysterious Yuan Embryo in his bracelet. This item had also been taken from Duan Heng's body. He didn't know what kind of treasure it was, but it was able to conceal all traces of what was inside. Few people could even discover the existence of this treasure. For safety's sake, Lin Yun had made preparations early on and had stored all his secret items inside the bracelet.
Lin Yun was escorted by the law enforcement disciples all the way to the Disciplinary Hall. This was his first time here.
"Senior Brothers, the matter of me leaking sect secrets is a complete fabrication. Junior Sister Chen beside me can testify to that."
The law enforcement disciples had no intention of listening to his explanation. "You can tell that to the elders of the Disciplinary Hall yourself. It's useless to tell us. Lin Yun, I advise you not to have any unrealistic ideas. You did indeed make a name for yourself at the Inner Sect Grand Competition, but the Flowing Cloud Sect suffered heavy losses this time. You cannot escape responsibility for this."
Countless thoughts flashed through Lin Yun's mind. Now he finally understood why he would be stripped of his inner-sect disciple status. So this is what was waiting for me.
Having figured out the whole situation, Lin Yun couldn't be bothered to say any more. The two of them entered the Disciplinary Hall, and an elder immediately walked up to them. He was stunned for a moment when he saw Chen Jingrou. Having witnessed her father die before her eyes, Chen Jingrou's mentality had undergone a huge change. She hadn't spoken a single word to Lin Yun these past few days. Now, facing these elders, she naturally wouldn't say anything either.
Fortunately, as the heir of the Chen Family Fort, her identity was quickly confirmed, and she was sent to Qingxia Peak. But Lin Yun was not so lucky.
"Lin Yun, you see this elder, yet you do not kneel?" Elder Hong Hai's face was cold as he questioned Lin Yun.
"This disciple has done nothing wrong. In the battle against the Red Ghost Sect, I nearly lost my life. If it weren't for me and Family Head Chen fighting desperately, how could a bloodline of the Chen family have been preserved?"
The moment he finished speaking, Hong Hai slapped him across the face. "You bastard, you dare to talk back?"
The slap sent Lin Yun flying. But he quickly got back to his feet, his face dark as he looked at Hong Hai.
"Elder Hong Hai, you dare to speak such nonsense without any evidence. Are you not afraid of the Sect Master's wrath?" Lin Yun threatened. "I am a disciple of the Qingxia Peak Ancestor. Are you sure you've thought about how you're going to explain treating me like this to the Ancestor?"
Hong Hai hadn't expected Lin Yun to still dare to threaten him at this point.
"Haha, Lin Yun, oh, Lin Yun, you have truly opened my eyes! To still dare to spout such nonsense at a time like this? Let's not even mention that there's no such thing. Even if there were, so what? Today, even if Ancestor Liuyun herself came, she could not protect you."
After speaking, Hong Hai slammed his hand on the table. "Men, bring the Soul-Suppressing Nails!"
As his voice fell, several disciples rushed in from outside. They pushed Lin Yun to the ground. One of them held a tray, upon which sat a six-inch-long nail. And on each nail were intricate, golden, hollowed-out carvings.
"These Soul-Suppressing Nails are excruciatingly painful. Not only will they exhaust your body and mind, but they will also make your very soul suffer endlessly. Lin Yun, if you confess now, there is still time. Otherwise, once these nails go in, your life will be over."
Lin Yun's face was indeed grim now. So what if he had colluded with the Red Ghost Sect? According to the rules, the Disciplinary Hall was absolutely not allowed to use such a terrifying instrument of torture, let alone when he hadn't even confessed.
Are they trying to torture a confession out of me?