Chapter 76: The Confrontation

"Lin Yun, what are you talking about?"

"Poisoned wine? What does any of this have to do with Chang Le?"

Wu Boyan was playing dumb. He frowned at Lin Yun. "What exactly happened? Tell us everything, step by step. If you have been wronged, our Beast Taming Sect will see that justice is done for you."

Lin Yun had to admit, he almost admired Wu Boyan's hypocritical performance.

"Elder Wu is truly so considerate of his disciples," Lin Yun said, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. "Funny, I don't recall you being so benevolent back at the beast yard."

Seeing that smile, even if Wu Boyan was a complete fool, he would have understood what this boy was planning. His expression grew grave.

"You child, the matter at the beast yard was merely a test from a senior to a junior. If you can't even endure a little hardship, how could we ever entrust you with important responsibilities? Of course," he added, his eyes darting away, unable to meet Lin Yun's gaze, "you have already proven your capabilities to the sect."

Lin Yun listened to this speech and just shook his head. Well then, I suppose I should thank you for your 'guidance'.

He turned to Jiang Zhengqing and cupped his hands in a bow. "Sect Master, this disciple has something to say."

Jiang Zhengqing glanced at the trembling Zhao Fa and sighed. "Speak."

"That day, Senior Xu and I were both at Mingtai Mountain when we saw Elder Zhao Fa. However, Senior Brother Zhou discovered him as well. Fearing exposure, Elder Zhao had Senior Brother Chang Le attempt to poison Senior Brother Zhou, but this disciple drank that poisoned wine instead."

The eyes of Ning Changkong and Duan Wuya went wide. What a kid. He drank a cup of poison and didn't even kick the bucket?

Zhou Damao stepped forward to stand beside Lin Yun, letting out two hearty laughs. "Master, if it weren't for Junior Brother Lin, this disciple fears he would have already fallen prey to that villain's scheme. Thankfully, Junior Brother Lin is a sword cultivator with a special constitution. After a bout of vomiting and diarrhea, he was fine, and we planned the events of today together."

The two of them looked at Jiang Zhengqing and spoke in unison: "We ask Master (Sect Master) to grant us justice!"

Lin Yun had said it before: anyone who offended him would meet a bad end. He wasn't joking. After arriving at the Beast Taming Sect, he had originally intended to be amicable with everyone. He never expected to be targeted by this old goat Wu Boyan on his very first day, who then threatened to kill him again and again.

Today's entire setup had been forced upon him. But in doing this, the stars had aligned perfectly, allowing him to help Jiang Zhengqing eliminate this scourge.

The key to the problem, however, still rested with Zhao Fa.

Would he confess, or not?

Jiang Zhengqing looked at Zhao Fa, his tone softening considerably. "Junior Brother Zhao, you and I… how many years has it been?"

Zhao Fa looked at him timidly and whispered, "Seventy-two years, Sect Master."

"How quickly the time flies," Jiang Zhengqing sighed. "Regarding today's matter, even I, your Senior Brother, cannot protect you. What you should do now depends entirely on what you have to say next."

Zhao Fa's expression was grim.

Thump!

He fell directly to his knees. "Sect Master, I did this all on my own!"

Hearing this, Wu Boyan breathed a sigh of relief.

Lin Yun, however, just sneered. "While I may not be familiar with Elder Zhao's personality, everyone in the sect knows it well. With your usually conservative and timid nature, would you dare to undertake such a massive scheme alone? If you didn't have someone guiding you from behind, you wouldn't have even dared to approach Mingtai Mountain!"

Zhou Damao nodded in agreement. "Junior Brother Lin is right. There must be more to this story."

Jiang Zhengqing said nothing, merely watching Zhao Fa. Everyone knew there was a hidden story. But what would Zhao Fa do now?

Seeing that Lin Yun was still pressing the issue even after Zhao Fa had confessed, Wu Boyan grew anxious. He thought he had handled everything perfectly, but the sooner this case was closed, the better. If they kept talking, it could lead to much bigger trouble.

"Lin Yun, what is the meaning of this?" he snapped. "Zhao Fa has already admitted his guilt! What more do you want? I think you're clearly using this as an opportunity to settle a personal score and frame one of the elders present!"

Everyone in the hall knew exactly what he was implying. Normally, such an accusation from Wu Boyan would have garnered some support. But today, both Ning Changkong and Duan Wuya remained silent, having become completely invisible. Even his usual sycophants, Fang Yan and Cao Yuke, said nothing more.

Any discerning eye could see that this was a trap deliberately set by Lin Yun and Jiang Zhengqing.

"Elder Wu, this matter is of grave importance. It concerns our sect's Geomancy Map. What's wrong with asking a few more questions to be clear?" Lin Yun asked, a sly smile spreading across his face as he looked at Wu Boyan. "You seem to be in such a hurry. Could it be that you actually have something to do with this?"

Wu Boyan's expression shifted instantly. "Lin Yun, I'm warning you, don't you spout nonsense! How could this possibly have anything to do with me?"

Lin Yun gave a dry laugh.

Jiang Zhengqing waited for a long moment, but seeing that Zhao Fa still refused to talk, he sighed. "Junior Brother Zhao, I had intended to give you a lifeline. I never thought you would remain so stubbornly unrepentant. Since that is the case, do not blame your brother for being discourteous."

At this, Lin Yun smiled. "Elder Zhao, even now, you still wish to cover for someone else. But have you ever considered that the person you're protecting can only rest easy once you are dead?"

He stared intently at Wu Boyan as he spoke. The gaze made the hairs on Wu Boyan's entire body stand on end.

"You brat, why are you staring at me?"

Lin Yun remained silent.

Sweat began to bead on Wu Boyan's back. Zhao Fa, however, continued to deny everything, as if he would take the secret to his grave.

Just then, Lin Yun spoke again. "Actually, Elder Zhao, whether you confess or not is irrelevant. Because the Geomancy Map… I know where it is."

The entire reason Lin Yun had faked his own poisoning was to find the map's location.

The moment he said this, Wu Boyan's face drained of all color.

Zhao Fa shook his head frantically. "Impossible! I already sent the map out!"

"It was the people from the Flowing Cloud Sect who…"

Lin Yun burst out laughing. "The one who took the Geomancy Map from your hands was our very own Elder Wu. How could someone from the Flowing Cloud Sect so easily approach our territory without being discovered by the Sect Master? Doesn't that sound a bit difficult?"

Hearing Lin Yun's words, Zhao Fa was even more bewildered.

"Lin Yun, you're lying!" Wu Boyan roared. "I have been worried about the new disciples these past few days! When would I have done such a thing?"

Lin Yun sneered. "It doesn't matter if you deny it. You've hidden the Geomancy Map. All we have to do is go look for it, and the truth will be revealed!"

Sweat poured down Wu Boyan's forehead like rain. Damn it, how does this kid know everything? It's as if he orchestrated this entire play, and I was just a fool, stepping into his trap one step at a time.

Lin Yun knew that Zhao Fa couldn't hold out much longer. He pressed his advantage.

"I don't know what Elder Wu promised you on behalf of the Flowing Cloud Sect," he said, his voice calm and clear. "But I can guarantee you this: he can't deliver."