Chapter 1313: Candid Confessions

Chapter 1313: Chapter 1313: Candid Confessions

"To what extent do you plan to go? Right now, that lord is like a pile of dry wood, and a little spark can immediately ignite it," Pei Yan said in a secret voice transmission, helpless under a series of hints from Lin Ruxue.

"Do you really think I invited them today just to speak of the bond between ruler and minister? We’ve already had our meal, and it’s time to unveil those matters. You go ahead, I’ll be here to oversee and ensure no major issues arise. But remember, the Hongjun Sword Furnace and Celestial Sword Manor will still need to work together in the future. Try to resolve their grudges, at least until the great war is over, and keep them from causing trouble," Lin Ruxue instructed underhandedly.

With these words, Pei Yan felt reassured. He poured himself another cup of wine, and after glancing around the room, he slammed the cup onto the table with a heavy thud.

The people present were already filled with their own thoughts, and some observant individuals had noticed the change in Pei Yan’s expression earlier. At this action, the room immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned to Pei Yan. He feigned mild drunkenness and looked discontentedly at Wan Qianli, "Today, the Spirit Emperor is hosting a banquet, and everyone should be enjoying themselves. But why does Elder Wan look so displeased and full of bitterness? Are you dissatisfied with the food and wine? Or are you still angry with me, Pei Yan?"

Being singled out in public, Wan Qianli was stunned. Unlike others, he had observed Pei Yan’s rise and was well aware of his skills and methods. Since the incident, Wan Qianli had been imprisoned in the Celestial Prison and was only released yesterday. He had heard of Pei Yan’s reputation, but didn’t have a direct understanding. To him, Pei Yan was at best an outstanding figure among the younger generation, who gained the Spirit Emperor’s favor through his master’s status and his own capabilities, crediting Pei Yan with clearing Celestial Sword Manor’s name. But to be publicly accused by a junior like this, and seeing the amused expressions of others at the table, Wan Qianli couldn’t help but feel his dignity being challenged.

His usual bad temper, coupled with the resentment built up over time, made his triangular eyes flash with anger, ready to erupt. Yet, he was restrained by his senior brother who knew his temperament well. Chu Luochen smiled at Pei Yan, offering an apology, "Pei Xiaoyou is overthinking. My junior brother is reclusive and not fond of speaking, and he’s naturally grim-faced. So, he’s not accustomed to lively settings. It’s definitely not directed at you, Pei Xiaoyou."

"No way! Although I, Pei Yan, am young, I have roamed the secular world for some years. Elder Wan is clearly discontent with a long-held grudge. Today, with the sect leaders present and even the Spirit Emperor here, why don’t you tell us about it? Perhaps we can help resolve it," Pei Yan persisted as if drunkenly unreasonable.

At this point, Wan Qianli, prompted by his senior brother, understood that Pei Yan wasn’t targeting him personally, but was hinting at something. He looked towards Spirit Emperor Lin Ruxue and found her drinking a bowl of soup brought by a maid, seemingly indifferent to the ongoing conversation, as if tacitly approving Pei Yan’s words.

"Pei Xiaoyou is not wrong. I do have matters weighing on my heart, but today is a feast hosted by the Spirit Emperor, and I can’t dampen everyone’s spirits over a minor issue. So, I’ll just let it go and punish myself with a drink as an apology," Wan Qianli cautiously said while lifting his glass.

"If there’s displeasure, just say it! I want to hear it too!" Lin Ruxue put down her spoon, wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief, and smiled, stopping Wan Qianli before he could drink.

This was essentially Lin Ruxue giving Wan Qianli an opportunity to challenge Celestial Sword Manor. Wan Qianli couldn’t let this chance slip and pressed on, "Qianli, thank the Spirit Emperor for her grace! Fellow cultivators, since the Spirit Emperor has allowed me to speak about my grievances, I will not hold back. Everyone should know that Celestial Sword Manor recently suffered a disastrous framing that nearly led to its ruin. But do you know who framed us?"

"It was me!" Without waiting for Wan Qianli to answer his own question, Liu Xuanji, who had been targeted since entering, took the initiative to claim responsibility, pressing down on his senior brother Mo Baiqi. While Mo Baiqi, as Sect Leader, was undoubtedly aware of such actions, Liu Xuanji could at least take responsibility, as it was a matter of the sect’s honor.

"Good! Liu Sanjian! At least you have some courage! Tell everyone about your vile actions!" Wan Qianli scoffed with a cold laugh, surprised that Liu Xuanji dared to confess.

"Vile actions? Fine! Then vile actions it is! My sect’s long-embedded disciple in Celestial Sword Manor cooperated with the Bloodfiends on the night of their attack to activate the Teleportation Array inside the Immortal Palace, framing Celestial Sword Manor for collusion with the Bloodfiends. This was all done by me alone! I feel remorse and am willing to take full responsibility!" Liu Xuanji said with some shame in his voice.

"You still know remorse, Liu Xuanji? Do you think you can bear such a huge burden alone?" Wan Qianli pressed on.

"Ha ha ha! Wan Qianli, you’ve misunderstood! My remorse isn’t for you or your sect. I have no regrets for what I’ve done to this day!" Liu Xuanji replied with a cold laugh to Wan Qianli’s accusations.

"You~!" Wan Qianli, enraged by these words, wanted to act but was stopped by his senior brother. This was the Spirit Emperor’s dwelling; accusations were one thing, but causing physical damage might incite the Spirit Emperor’s wrath, making right seem wrong.

"For how many years have our two sects fought for the title of the top Sword Dao? Over the years, haven’t we all schemed, usurped, and claimed lives? When it comes to planting agents and spies, didn’t my Hongjun Sword Furnace also do that? Didn’t Celestial Sword Manor do the same? In the end, it was your sect’s infiltration by Bloodfiends that allowed us to use your crisis to frame you. Given the same position and incident! Wan Qianli, from what I know of you, I can’t believe you wouldn’t make the same choice!"

Liu Xuanji’s compelling words left Wan Qianli speechless, as every word rang true. Chu Luochen sighed beside him, "Xuanji’s right. Over the years, we’ve failed in education within our sect. In our desire to surpass the Hongjun Sword Furnace, we focused solely on expanding power and attracting talents, neglecting to understand their pasts, virtues, or associates thoroughly. Our laxity led to unbeknownst infiltration by treacherous elements, almost leading to our downfall."