Chapter 232: Peng Clan [2]

Peng Tianyuan straightened his back and allowed his gaze to sweep across the surrounding crowd.

He could feel their attention fixed on him, waiting to see how the young master of the Peng Clan would handle the situation. Some whispered among themselves, while others watched with undisguised curiosity, eager to witness how this confrontation would unfold.

He had spent years building his reputation, and he would not allow an unknown young man to ruin it with a few accusations.

Even if Lin Shuxuan truly belonged to the Lin Clan, that did not mean Peng Tianyuan had to tolerate his behavior.

“Since you have pledged your family’s honour, I assume you understand the seriousness of your words,” Peng Tianyuan said, his expression settling into a composed smile. “However, before you continue making accusations, perhaps you should explain exactly what evidence you possess.”

He deliberately kept his tone measured, making himself appear like the reasonable party in this confrontation.

“If I have truly committed the crimes you claim, then present your evidence before everyone here. If you cannot, then I hope you understand that making false accusations against another clan is no trivial matter.”

Peng Tianyuan paused before adding, “The Peng Clan has never been afraid to answer for its actions, but neither will we allow our reputation to be trampled upon by someone who cannot substantiate his own words.”

His statement was carefully constructed.

He neither admitted guilt nor openly threatened Lin Shuxuan. Instead, he shifted the burden of the confrontation onto the young man, forcing him to prove his claims before the gathering crowd.

At the same time, Peng Tianyuan made sure everyone understood that he was defending not merely himself, but the honour of the entire Peng Clan.

He watched Lin Shuxuan closely, expecting the young man to hesitate or perhaps attempt to retreat from his earlier declarations.

After all, making accusations was easy. Proving them was another matter entirely.

Yet Peng Tianyuan remained wary.

The young man had deliberately obstructed his path, attracted public attention, and sworn upon his family’s honour without the slightest hesitation.

Such behavior was either the recklessness of an ignorant fool or the confidence of someone who believed he had nothing to fear.

Peng Tianyuan disliked both possibilities.

If Lin Shuxuan was merely an idiot, then this matter could be settled without much difficulty. But if he had come prepared, then Peng Tianyuan needed to understand his intentions before making another move.

He had no desire to become a laughingstock because he had underestimated the son of an otherwise insignificant clan.

So he stood his ground, his chin raised slightly as he waited for Lin Shuxuan to respond.

Lin Shuxuan did not appear troubled by Peng Tianyuan’s response. Instead, he reached into his storage pouch and pulled out several thick ledgers.

Peng Tianyuan’s eyes briefly settled on the documents.

He actually brought evidence?

His expression remained composed, but a hint of caution stirred within him. He had expected the young man to produce a few witnesses at most, not arrive with enough records to fill several ledgers.

Lin Shuxuan opened the first one and began reading aloud, listing dates, names, and incidents involving the Peng Clan. With each entry, his accusations became more specific, leaving little room for Peng Tianyuan to dismiss them as empty slander.

Then Lin Shuxuan turned to the matter of the Feng Clan, describing them as one of the families oppressed by the Peng Clan’s influence.

Peng Tianyuan’s expression did not change.

The Feng Clan?

He knew the name well enough. They were not a particularly powerful family, and their influence could hardly compare to that of the Peng Clan. However, hearing Lin Shuxuan bring them into this confrontation made him reconsider the situation.

Peng Tianyuan had initially suspected that the young man wanted to provoke him into losing his temper. Now, with those ledgers in hand, Lin Shuxuan appeared to be attempting something more troublesome.

He was turning a personal confrontation into a public accusation against the entire Peng Clan.

Peng Tianyuan took a slow breath before responding.

“Those are serious allegations. However, records alone do not necessarily tell the whole story. If you believe the Peng Clan has wronged these families, then the proper course is to investigate each matter thoroughly rather than reach a conclusion based on your own interpretation.”

His voice remained calm, and he made no attempt to snatch the ledgers or silence the young man.

He had no intention of giving Lin Shuxuan the satisfaction of seeing him lose his composure.

Besides, even if some of the incidents described in those records were genuine, that did not automatically mean the Peng Clan had committed every wrongdoing being alleged.

There were always circumstances outsiders failed to understand, and Peng Tianyuan intended to make use of that uncertainty.

At least, that was what he told himself as he watched Lin Shuxuan turn another page.

The young man then lifted his head and spoke as though he had suddenly remembered something.

“Ah, there is another interesting matter concerning the Feng Clan. By sheer coincidence, their patriarch has recently broken through to the Golden Core Realm and is now applying for a promotion to Rank Nine.”

Peng Tianyuan’s expression remained unchanged yet the moment those words entered his ears, his thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

The Feng patriarch has reached Golden Core?

That was unexpected.

A family seeking promotion to Rank Nine was hardly unusual, but the timing made the news considerably more troublesome.

If the Feng Clan’s application brought these accusations before the authorities, the ledgers Lin Shuxuan held could become more than an attempt to embarrass the Peng Clan in a marketplace.

They could become evidence in a formal investigation.

Lin Shuxuan continued speaking, his tone almost casual.

“When the application is reviewed, these matters will naturally come to light. After all, the Feng Clan will have an opportunity to explain what it has experienced, and the relevant authorities can determine whether the records are genuine.”

Peng Tianyuan kept his face still.

So that’s your plan.