Chapter 31: Reversal! Come at Me if You Dare
Chen Yin's voice was steady, and even as he faced a group of seasoned elders, not a trace of fear showed on his face.
Behind him, Yu Xiang stood in a slight daze.
She couldn't understand why Chen Yin had suddenly stepped forward to defend her. After all, he had only spoken to this version of her once before.
Why is senior brother helping me?
And how could he so effortlessly block that unexpected strike of mine?
For a moment, the familiar silhouette of her senior brother before her seemed strange and enigmatic.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she heard Chen Yin's clear and confident voice ring out:
"Elders, there must be some misunderstanding."
"We can't casually accuse Miss Yin of being from the demonic faction, can we?"
Mo Jie frowned, clearly displeased with this upstart who seemed to have come out of nowhere.
"Young man, while I appreciate you stepping in to save our senior disciple, I advise you not to meddle in matters that don't concern you."
"I wouldn't dare," Chen Yin replied with a respectful yet composed tone. "However, I cannot stand by while a friend is wrongfully accused. Might I ask why Elder Mo Jie is so certain Miss Yin is of the demonic faction?"
"Hmph! The technique she was about to use is unmistakably the demonic faction's forbidden art, the Refined Nether Arts!"
"Are you sure, Elder? Forgive my ignorance, but I am unfamiliar with this Refined Nether Arts. What exactly is it?"
Mo Jie snorted coldly. "Hmph, of course a young brat like you wouldn't know."
"Centuries ago, the demonic faction was at its peak. The Demonic Overlord, who mastered the Refined Nether Arts, single handedly challenged all the righteous sects. It took the combined strength of the righteous cultivators to barely bring him down, restoring peace to the world."
Chen Yin immediately put on a face of sudden realization. "Ah, so that's how it is! Thank you for enlightening me, Elder."
"But... I have one more question. How many years has Elder Mo Jie been cultivating?"
Mo Jie froze on the spot.
He had only reached the Upper Clarity Realm a few decades ago and had been cultivating for no more than two hundred years in total.
"I'm confused," Chen Yin continued innocently. "If I, as a junior, wouldn't know, how could the Elder be so sure of what the Refined Nether Arts looks like?"
Chen Yin clasped his hands in respect, his gaze calm and unassuming, but his words sparked murmurs among the crowd.
Mo Jie's expression darkened. He was indeed confident that Yu Xiang had used the Refined Nether Arts, but the reason for his certainty wasn't something he could reveal in front of so many people.
After a long pause, he finally gritted his teeth and said, "You impudent boy, do you think I would stoop so low as to slander a young girl?"
"That would never cross my mind," Chen Yin feigned alarm and quickly bowed. "I only fear that the Elder might have misjudged in the heat of the moment."
"If the Elder has irrefutable evidence proving Miss Yin's wrongdoing, then I, for standing on the side of a friend instead of justice, will publicly apologize to the righteous sects today."
Chen Yin's words were flawless, polished to perfection. The elders exchanged glances, and even Wan Yunhai, the Pavillion Master of Wanxiang Pavilion, tapped his folding fan thoughtfully before speaking:
"This matter... does seem like we may have been a bit hasty."
"Perhaps we should investigate further to prove Miss Yin's innocence before taking any action—"
"Impossible!" Mo Jie's sharp voice interrupted, breaking the tentative calm.
All eyes turned to him. His gaze was dark, and he wasn't just staring at Yu Xiang now; he was glaring at Chen Yin as well.
"The matter of the demonic faction is of utmost importance and cannot be treated lightly! If this girl truly has nothing to hide, let her come with us to the Misty Spirit Sect for investigation!"
His words caused the audience to erupt in whispers again, and even Wan Yunhai's face showed a hint of hesitation.
Chen Yin narrowed his eyes deeply.
—He finally understood.
The others were at least trying to remain rational, but this Elder Mo Jie wasn't here to expose a member of the demonic faction.
He looked as if he couldn't wait for Xiang'er to die.
Coupling that with the way Xiang'er had looked at him earlier, Chen Yin's heart began to piece together a possible truth.
If Yu Xiang were to follow Mo Jie back to Misty Spirit Sect…
What might happen to her there would be entirely beyond the control of outsiders, no matter how much they wished to know.
After a brief moment of thought, Chen Yin took a deep breath and shifted his tone.
"Elder, although I am also a disciple of the Misty Spirit Sect..."
"I cannot stand by and watch a friend be unjustly accused."
"I implore you to reconsider."
He stepped forward slightly, and though his movement was subtle, the respect in his voice from before had completely vanished.
To Mo Jie, this act was already a display of severe disrespect. His expression darkened further as he asked,
"Which branch of Misty Spirit Sect are you from? Do you not fear the consequences of shielding a demonic witch?"
"Disciple Chen Yin, of the Misty Spirit Sect branch sect at Yushan Mountain," Chen Yin replied softly, adding, "My master is Immortal Yu Ling."
The name sparked a stir among the crowd. Mo Jie's expression flickered with uncertainty as he muttered under his breath, "That woman, Yu Ling..."
Chen Yin noticed the evident tension in Mo Jie's demeanor upon hearing his master's name.
However, Mo Jie was a seasoned manipulator and quickly regained his composure. He barked sharply,
"Our Immortal Yu Ling is known for her intolerance of evil. If she were to find out you're protecting a demonic witch, wouldn't she immediately sever ties with you?"
Chen Yin's expression remained unchanged, though he almost wanted to laugh.
—That loli-faced old lady cut ties with me?
Why don't you try cleaning up after her every time she stirs up trouble?
With your tiny stash of resources, she'd bankrupt you in no time.
Unbothered, Chen Yin replied, "Upholding justice and aiding the innocent—I am unashamed of my actions. I believe my master would not blame me for this."
His words left Mo Jie at an impasse.
Mo Jie didn't dare escalate this matter to Immortal Yu Ling, as it would raise complications he wouldn't be able to explain.
As the atmosphere grew tense, something unexpected happened.
A soft, trembling voice spoke from behind Chen Yin.
"Young—Young Master Chen."
"Thank you for everything today."
"But you needn't involve yourself in this mess for my sake."
"...Please, just leave."
It was Yu Xiang.
Her words startled Chen Yin, and he couldn't help but turn to look at her.
She stood with her head slightly lowered, the veil obscuring her delicate and mysterious features. Beneath it, her eyes were tinged with sadness, and she bit her lip lightly, her voice carrying a faint tremor.
"Don't... trouble yourself for me anymore. Don't bring trouble upon yourself because of me."
Chen Yin fell silent for a moment.
Yu Xiang kept her head down, seemingly unable to meet his gaze.
She had always wished for Chen Yin to stand before her like a hero, shielding her from slander and malice, standing up to the world on her behalf.
But now that it was actually happening, she found herself overwhelmed by fear and hesitation.
—She didn't want her senior brother to sink into the mire because of her.
He was her only pillar of support now.
If even he got into trouble because of me, what would I do?
As she bit her lip, lost in her swirling thoughts, a lazy sigh suddenly reached her ears.
"Ah."
"You're always causing me trouble."
The tone was laced with an inexplicable warmth, a hint of indulgence that made Yu Xiang's eyes widen slightly.
"Reversal, huh? To be honest, I didn't step in today to uphold justice or play the righteous hero."
Chen Yin suddenly dropped his previously refined demeanor. With a cheeky grin, he spread his arms wide and announced loudly,
"No more pretending. I'm laying my cards on the table. This woman is under my protection."
"Don't like it? Come fight me then, you decrepit old fossil!"
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