Translator: CinderTL
As time passed, Xu Sanyan's patience wore thin. He stood up and said, "Elder Song, please ponder this carefully. I have other matters to attend to. I hope to receive a satisfactory answer when I return."
Song Wuqiu clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth. He knew Wu Xin all too well. He had already offended him by disobeying his orders earlier. The only reason Wu Xin hadn't punished him then was because Xu Sanyan was present, acting as a deterrent.
Once this matter was resolved, Song Wuqiu's position as Hall Master was likely doomed.
If Xu Sanyan won, he would surely be ousted. If Wu Xin won, he would face retribution. It was better to make a decisive move and pledge allegiance to the Holy Son. At least that offered a slim chance of retaining his position.
Straightening up, Song Wuqiu hesitated before speaking. "The accounts are fraudulent. Last year's total profit was 160,000 spirit stones. Wu Xin took 40,000, which was then distributed equally among the elders!"
Xu Sanyan stopped in his tracks and gestured to a nearby chair. "Sit down and explain."
He no longer rushed to confront Wu Xin at the Internal Affairs Hall. If Song Wuqiu defected, Wu Xin's faction would soon collapse. As an elder, Song Wuqiu possessed enough insider information to bring Wu Xin down.
"This old one is guilty and dares not sit," Song Wuqiu said, his posture humble, completely lacking the dignity expected of an Initial Stage Soul Refinement cultivator.
Xu Sanyan finally smiled, turning to Meng Zhuer and saying, "Why are you standing there like a statue? Hurry and brew Elder Song some Sea Blossom Tea."
"Yes, Master."
Xu Sanyan chuckled and stepped forward, taking Song Wuqiu's hand. "Now that you've abandoned darkness for light, we'll let bygones be bygones. It all depends on whether you can redeem yourself through meritorious service. If you succeed, this Holy Son guarantees you'll keep your position as Hall Master!"
Xu Sanyan's gaze was earnest, his words resolute.
"Is this truly the Holy Son's promise?"
This was precisely the assurance Song Wuqiu had been waiting for. He wasn't worried about his life; even if his past misdeeds were exposed, it wouldn't cost him his head. His sole objective in coming here was to preserve his position as Hall Master, and Wu Xin shared the same goal. Xu Sanyan could at most strip him of his Hall Master title, but he couldn't simply execute him.
After all, Wu Xin was a Soul Refining Realm elder. Could he really be executed for embezzling a few spirit stones? Not only did Sect Rules forbid such a punishment, but even the Mad Daoist wouldn't resort to it. Soul Refining Realm cultivators were the backbone of the sect. The elders stationed in various locations, such as the merchant house manager in Three Mountains City, were all Soul Refining Realm cultivators. If Wu Xin and the others were caught, the Sect Rules would only mandate their reassignment to another post.
Xu Sanyan nodded heavily. "The Hall Master appointed me to manage Crimson Dragon Mountain, but Wu Xin and his faction have consistently opposed me. Driven to desperation, I had no choice but to confront them. We are all of the same lineage. As the Holy Son, how could I willingly engage in internal strife?"
"Elder Song's profound wisdom and righteousness are truly admirable. To quell the conflict, he willingly stepped forward to publicly denounce Wu Xin. His contribution is far too great to be recognized solely by the position of Corpse Blood Hall Master. If this succeeds, Elder Song should rightfully oversee the Hall of Affairs!"
Xu Sanyan clasped Song Wuqiu's hand tightly, spinning a grand vision.
The Hall of Affairs was considered the foremost among all halls, second only in authority to the Hall Master and the Holy Son himself.
Song Wuqiu froze, sensing something amiss. When had he ever said he would personally denounce Wu Xin?
If he were to do so, wouldn't he be making mortal enemies of Wu Xin and his faction?
He could leak some information, but he absolutely could not step forward and make the accusation himself. Had the Holy Son misunderstood something?
Song Wuqiu felt it was imperative to clarify. He quickly began, "Holy Son, you may have misunderstood. My intention was..."
Xu Sanyan accepted the tea Meng Zhuer had prepared, placing it on the table himself. He listened intently, his respectful demeanor clearly evident.
Seeing this, Song Wuqiu swallowed the rest of his words and sighed heavily inwardly. Xu Sanyan's actions were clearly putting him in a difficult position.
It was like the emperor personally serving tea to a minister—clearly, he was seeking a favor. If you agreed, all would be well, and everyone would be happy. But if you refused...
You'd be in for a world of trouble.
Song Wuqiu had already offended Wu Xin. If he offended Xu Sanyan as well, he would have no place left to stand on Crimson Dragon Mountain.
He could only reply with a heavy tone, "If this old man were to come forward and testify, I fear Wu Xin and his ilk would retaliate..."
Xu Sanyan reassured him, "Elder Song, rest assured. Once a conclusion is reached, I will immediately transfer them away. You have nothing to worry about, Boss."
"This old man..."
Song Wuqiu's lips trembled as he tried to decline further, but Xu Sanyan wouldn't give him the chance. He slammed his hand on the table, sealing the decision. "Elder Song, do you intend to go back on your word?"
Song Wuqiu felt dejected. When did I ever agree to this?
It all felt both inexplicable and perfectly logical.
Seeing his hesitation, Xu Sanyan assumed he had tacitly agreed. He turned to Liu Tang and said, "Summon all the elders to Crimson Heart Hall. This Holy Son will purge these parasites that have been sucking the lifeblood out of our sect!"
"Yes, this old man will arrange it immediately!" Liu Tang said briskly, turning to leave.
Song Wuqiu futilely reached out a hand, wanting to call Liu Tang back, but didn't know how to speak.
Xu Sanyan wore a broad smile. Song Wuqiu's surrender had caught him off guard. He hadn't expected the surprise to come so suddenly. With Song Wuqiu's testimony, Wu Xin's chances of turning the tables were now slim.
Xu Sanyan patted Song Wuqiu's shoulder, praising him. "Elder Song, you deserve the greatest credit. Please wait here while I fetch the Hall Master. He must witness Wu Xin and the others' crimes with his own eyes."
With things having come this far, Song Wuqiu had abandoned all resistance. He now had no choice but to go all the way. Rising to his feet, he said, "This old man will accompany the Holy Son."
"Excellent!" Xu Sanyan exclaimed, delighted. He understood that Song Wuqiu had made his decision. He knew that to deal with someone like Song Wuqiu, one had to push him to the brink, completely cutting off his retreat.
The two men descended the mountain, inquiring about the Hall Master's whereabouts along the way. They finally found the Mad Daoist snoring soundly under a tree.
The Mad Daoist was addicted to alcohol but had a low tolerance. He often drank himself into a stupor, collapsing wherever he happened to be and sleeping it off. This was his usual routine.
Moreover, he never used his Spiritual Power to dispel the alcohol's fumes, perhaps because he enjoyed the tipsy sensation.
Xu Sanyan was about to step forward and wake him when, in an instant, countless strands of his hair stood on end, as if surrounded by a sky full of sharp blades. The overwhelming sense of danger, piercing straight to his heart, made it impossible for him to take another step.
He felt a chilling premonition: if he took another step, he would be utterly annihilated!
Xu Sanyan swallowed hard, his entire body soaked in cold sweat. For the first time, he had felt the threat of death so vividly.
Is this the power of the Void Harmony Realm?
Even in his sleep, an ordinary person couldn't approach him.
Song Wuqiu, locked in by the Mad Daoist's aura, dared not move either. Though he possessed a Soul Refining Realm cultivation level, seemingly only a step away from the Void Harmony Realm, the gap between them was immeasurable.
He could sense the Mad Daoist's terrifying power even more directly!
(End of the Chapter)
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