Chapter 1268: White Deer Institute

Chapter 1268: Chapter 1268: White Deer Institute

Liu Xuanji now appeared like a withered eggplant, full of grievances and sorrows but without any outlet for relief. Grasped by Pei Yan’s wrist, he helplessly said, "Pei Yan, I’m already beyond defense. No matter what I say, you won’t believe it. You are bent on taking down our Hongjun Sword Furnace to quell your anger, but I must tell you, this matter has nothing to do with our Hongjun Sword Furnace. If you truly act like this, you are letting the real culprit go and committing an act that will only pain those who care and please those who hate."

"Alright! Elder Liu, I’ll believe whatever you say! But my belief is useless. You need to make the victims who suffered and underwent hardship because of this believe. Don’t worry! I, Pei Yan, won’t wrong your Hongjun Sword Furnace. Come with us first, and we will investigate thoroughly before concluding." Pei Yan, holding Liu Xuanji’s hand, turned his head to Lin Daozi and Feng Tianhe and the others, saying with a smile, "I’m taking the members of Hongjun Sword Furnace for investigation now. No one has any objections anymore, right?"

Lin Daozi and the remaining elders looked at each other. With so much evidence unearthed, no one raised an objection. Even Feng Tianhe shut his mouth obediently, merely shaking his head and sighing.

Liu Xuanji did not resist because he knew resistance was futile. Though those seated in separate courtyards were not incompetent, this was the main base of the Immortal Palace. Not to mention that if Spirit Lord himself acted, escape would be impossible even with wings. Any one of these few inside the chamber could delay him, while the others outside could join forces to flood the courtyard with blood. Rather than dying in vain and sealing his own guilt, it was better to wait for the sect to devise a way to rescue him.

As Liu Xuanji was taken out of the chamber by Pei Yan, other elders and disciples from Hongjun Sword Furnace stood dumbfounded. Before they recovered, the Embroidered Robe Envoys surged forward, pushing them to the ground, restraining their acupoints, and securing them with the Immortal Trapping Rope. Naturally, some tried to resist but gave up in unwilling surrender after Liu Xuanji rebuked them, and those who resisted inevitably suffered some physical punishment, something Liu Xuanji wished to prevent but was powerless to stop.

Once all members from the Hongjun Sword Furnace had been restrained, including those captured previously, their numbers greatly exceeded the forces Pei Yan had brought. Fortunately, Shi Taichu and Zhu Zhengqing, who had now fully taken over the defenses of the Immortal Palace, arrived with the second wave of reinforcements. With their assistance, the captives were escorted to a temporary residence commandeered by the Embroidered Robe Envoy for strict supervision.

Feng Tianhe, seeing the defeated, downcast prisoners being escorted away, felt relieved for causing no major disaster to the sect and turned to look at Pei Yan, who was still holding Liu Xuanji, remarking in a heartfelt manner, "Pei Xiaoyou, your objective has been achieved tonight. Can this farce end now?"

"Hiss, Elder Feng, what do you mean by this? Isn’t there still the White Deer Institute that hasn’t been searched?" Pei Yan tilted his head thoughtfully upon hearing Feng Tianhe, then asked in confusion.

"The culprit has already been found, hasn’t it? What more are you searching for? Do you still want to stir up trouble?" Situ Maocai immediately retorted, displeased by the proposition.

Situ Maocai realized he misspoke and glanced sideways to find Liu Xuanji looking at him with a grim expression. Pei Yan chuckled and said, "Elder Situ, when did I say Hongjun Sword Furnace was the culprit? I only mentioned they’re the most suspicious! Since we’re searching tonight, let’s do it thoroughly. If we stop now, it might be unfair to Hongjun Sword Furnace!"

"Indeed! If it ends now, I will not acquiesce!" Liu Xuanji immediately echoed, now vaguely guessing something but unable to openly disclose it. Since Pei Yan wanted to investigate further, it could only benefit his sect, leaving him no choice but to support.

"Hehehe, if you don’t mind the hassle, suit yourselves!" Situ Maocai found himself in a lose-lose situation and, with a wry smile, retreated to the side without further comment.

Seeing no objections from those present, Pei Yan didn’t delay and continued leading the team towards the White Deer Institute secondary courtyard. Upon reaching the gates of the White Deer Institute, they were stopped in their tracks by a surprising sight: a woman awaited, self-bound, at the entrance, awaiting judgment.

"Who is this?" Pei Yan turned to Mei Simiao by his side for an inquiry.

"Judging by the attire, she must be an important figure in the White Deer Institute. The White Deer Institute is academic in nature. The head and the others are called ’Mountain Leaders,’ named Su Fengchen. Except in special situations, they usually reside in the sect rather than the Immortal Palace. During the time I mingled with the Immortal Palace, Su Fengchen was there, and I heard he recently returned to the main sect of the White Deer Institute, replacing the previous in-charge of the courtyard. Those replacing him should either be the deputy mountain leader or the overseer of the White Deer Institute. As for who she is between the two, I haven’t had the chance to verify due to being busy compiling documents," Mei Simiao answered awkwardly to Pei Yan’s inquiry.

"She is the deputy mountain leader of the White Deer Institute and also the dean of the women’s institute, Li Ang." At this moment, Liu Xuanji, still held by Pei Yan, added coldly.

"Oh!" Pei Yan acknowledged without further words and approached with the group. Before he could ask, the ever-kind Elder Feng stepped forward to assist Li Ang, expressing concern, "Fellow Daoist Li, what are you doing! If there’s anything, speak up."

"Elder Feng, it was my inadequacy in management that led to a grave mistake, bringing calamity to the sect. I specifically awaited here to plead guilty and submit to the envoy’s judgment," Li Ang declined Feng Tianhe’s assistance, remaining kneeling and speaking with lowered head and sadness.

Once these words were spoken, all eyes returned to Pei Yan, who was scrutinizing the woman through the camera. Noticing the crowd’s focus, he feigned a sudden realization, exclaiming, "Envoy? Oh, referring to me! Ah, Elder Li, our first meeting need not be so formal. Even if there is a fault, please stand up and speak first."

"That’s right; Fairy Li, please stand up first."

"Fellow Daoist Li, please stand up quickly."

Under the persuasion of the surrounding crowd, Li Ang slowly rose, allowing Pei Yan the first chance to behold her appearance. While her looks weren’t remarkable, not a peerless beauty, she wasn’t difficult to look at either. With slight makeup, she appeared graceful yet not seductive, composed yet elegant despite her predicament; she might be what others call a woman of charming disposition.

"Mr. Pei, Mr. Pei!"

"Oh! Pardon, I lost myself for a moment! Elder Li, you mentioned committing a major mistake and binding yourself here to plead guilty. Can you tell us what mistake was so serious as to warrant this kind of action?" The calls brought Pei Yan back to reality, making him chuckle awkwardly and ask.

"It was due to my failure to manage subordinates appropriately. After the incident, I didn’t realize the severity of the problem. A sect elder wished to escort a friend out before the blockade and pleaded with me earnestly. I succumbed to his pleas and opened the Teleportation Array for them. Not realizing the escalating tension until later, I now understand my actions might have endangered the sect, hence I’m here to atone and explain the situation to the envoy. The fault lies with me alone, not with the sect."