Chapter 9: The Accusation

The gleaming towers of Tianhua Realm stood tall against the blue sky as Mo Ren and Yingluo arrived at the central palace. The golden gates shimmered with heavenly energy, and the atmosphere was unusually tense. Guards in silver armor stood at attention as the two passed, their eyes curious, whispering quietly about the return of the missing disciple.

Yingluo walked beside Mo Ren, her thoughts a storm of confusion and doubt. She couldn't forget the softness in his voice when he spoke to that girl, Yueqing. It clung to her like shadow.

They entered the Grand Hall, the chamber of celestial judgment—also known as the Hall of Concord—where all deities, immortals, and celestial masters gathered to resolve matters of the realm.

At the head of the chamber stood Master Qinliang, a stern figure cloaked in violet robes embroidered with stars. His cold eyes met Mo Ren's the moment the young man stepped in.

"Mo Ren!" he barked, the room falling silent at the thunder in his voice. "Where did you vanish to after the demon incident?"

Mo Ren stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Master Qinliang. After the demon ambush, I was gravely injured and lost consciousness. I woke in the depths of the Yuling Forest, saved by a young woman named Yueqing. Her grandfather, an elder named Ziyan, treated my wounds and helped me recover."

There was a murmur among the gathered immortals and gods.

"Yueqing?" Qinliang scoffed. "No one resides in Yuling Mountain. That place is barren and cursed. You expect us to believe this?"

Mo Ren lifted his gaze. "I speak the truth, Master."

Yingluo stood slightly behind him, her arms crossed, but her heart beating faster. She whispered under her breath, "So it's true. He was only helped… But why does it sound like he hopes to see her again?"

One of the Immortal Council members, Master Shenxu, stroked his beard. "There are records from three centuries ago of a hermit residing near Yuling's southern cliff. It's not entirely impossible…"

"But unlikely," Qinliang interrupted sharply. "No immortal or god has ever sensed life there for decades. Mo Ren's story is… fabricated. Perhaps even aligned with the demons themselves."

The room stirred. Accusations were not thrown lightly in Tianhua Realm.

Mo Ren's fists clenched. "Master! I swear upon the Heavens, I have no ties to the demons. I have fought them my entire life!"

Qinliang's eyes darkened. "You went missing the exact moment the remaining demon fled. The very same demon that injured Yingluo. Convenient, isn't it?"

"I pursued that demon into the forest!" Mo Ren protested. "He was stronger than expected—his power wasn't ordinary. He nearly killed me."

Yingluo stepped forward now, her voice shaking. "It's true. I saw the battle wound. It was from a cursed demon blade."

"You will remain silent," Qinliang snapped. "You are emotionally compromised."

"Emotions have nothing to do with the truth!" Yingluo shouted back, her voice echoing in the hall.

Another master raised a hand. "Enough!" The voices grew louder. Sides were being drawn.

In the chaos, Qinliang stepped forward. "Let me remind you all why this is important. If Mo Ren truly did collude with the demon, it threatens the fabric of celestial law. He must be judged accordingly."

The High Sage of the Immortal Court, Master Wuji, an ancient being with a thousand-year gaze, finally spoke. "If the boy is lying, the heavens will reject him. But if he speaks the truth…"

Mo Ren fell to his knees. "I am innocent. I will take a Heaven Oath."

Whispers gasped across the room.

Yingluo's eyes widened. "No—don't. It could destroy your soul if they find the tiniest doubt."

Mo Ren remained firm. "I would rather die than live with this shame."

He raised his palm toward the golden celestial flame that floated in the center of the hall. "I, Mo Ren, child of the Immortal Clan, swear upon the heavens that I have never colluded with demons. I am innocent. If I lie, may my spirit scatter into dust."

The hall fell silent.

The flame trembled… but did not extinguish.

A few murmurs turned to sighs of relief. Some even nodded.

But Qinliang stepped forward, his tone venomous. "Even so, the story remains unproven. A girl no one has seen. An old man in a cursed forest. There is no real evidence."

At that moment, one of the older immortals, Master Ruichen, stood. "Enough, Qinliang. The boy has sworn an oath. The flame accepted him. That must be respected."

Reluctantly, the room began to settle.

But Yingluo's heart remained unsettled. She turned to look at Qinliang. His eyes, once cold, now gleamed with something else—darkness. Something she couldn't place.

What no one knew… was that Qinliang was not an immortal at all.

He was a demon in disguise. One of the loyal shadows of Baihao—the Demon King.

And why had he targeted Mo Ren?

Because Baihao had seen the prophecy. That Mo Ren, child of the once-great Immortal General who died protecting the Heavenly Gate, would one day destroy the demon lineage. Baihao feared that bloodline. Qinliang had been sent to ensure Mo Ren never rose.

Meanwhile, far away, atop a quiet mountain beneath the clouds, Yueqing sat on the bamboo porch outside her small home. A pot of tea steamed beside her, untouched.

She looked toward the distant horizon, troubled.

"Why did I hear the word 'accused' in his voice before he left…?" she whispered. "What is happening in Tianhua Realm?"

The birds chirped, the wind whispered, but her heart remained restless.

She didn't know it yet—but the ripple that began in that chamber would soon reach even the quietest corners of the mountains.

And her place in it all... was far greater than she ever imagined.