Zhao Ling sat cross-legged, trying to stabilize his shaken soul. He didn't know how much time had passed. Though his soul was still unsteady, it had at least barely settled.
Zhao Ling stood up, his expression shifting. After a moment, he went straight to request an audience with Lin Xiao.
Ji Wusi had appeared in Qingxiao Pavilion and killed his son. No matter what, Zhao Ling wanted an explanation. Surely, the sect master would be glad to seize this as leverage against Ji Wusi.
Lin Xiao agreed to meet Zhao Ling.
His expression was cold. "Zhao Ling, the last time I saw you, the result wasn't ideal. You still dare to come again?"
Because of past events, Lin Xiao had always treated Zhao Ling with a frosty attitude. Zhao Ling understood this. But now that Zhao Wuji had died at Ji Wusi's hand, there was no one else he could turn to. Tears streamed down Zhao Ling's aged face as he fell to his knees. "Sect Master, Wuji… Wuji is dead."
Wuji?
Lin Xiao had to think for a moment before he remembered. His voice was indifferent. "Zhao Wuji? I know him. Your illegitimate son, right? But what does this have to do with me?"
Zhao Ling's eyes were red. "Sect Master, I have Zhao Wuji's life tablet. I used it to witness the moment of his death. The one who killed him was Ji Wusi!"
Zhao Ling suddenly kowtowed hard. "Sect Master, Wuji was an honest child. All these years in Tianxing Sect, even if he earned no accolades, he still gave everything he had. I truly don't understand why Ji Wusi would travel so far just to kill him. After thinking it over, it must be because of Yun Jin. Wuji had some past conflict with Yun Jin. Ji Wusi killed him because of that! Sect Master, even if he is the number one among the human race, he cannot act so recklessly. They're suspicious of Qingxiao Pavilion and want to send people to investigate, but isn't Ji Wusi's behavior even more questionable? I beg you, please uphold justice for Wuji!"
Zhao Ling cried bitterly.
Despite being at the Mahayana stage, he sobbed so hard his voice choked and nearly fainted.
Lin Xiao's gaze turned strange. "You're saying Ji Wusi personally killed Zhao Wuji?"
Zhao Ling replied, "Yes. The life tablet proves it beyond a doubt."
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes. He didn't believe Ji Wusi would kill someone without reason. As much as he disliked Ji Wusi, he knew the man wasn't one to ignore the law out of personal grudges. This Zhao Wuji… must have been caught red-handed by the Demon-Slaying Alliance.
Qingxiao Pavilion was already under pending investigation. If Zhao Wuji had been exposed, and Zhao Ling was closely tied to him, then Zhao Ling wouldn't be able to escape either.
Lin Xiao stared at Zhao Ling. Suddenly, his gaze softened.
It seemed…
He had just found himself a scapegoat.
"Zhao Ling, it will be you."
With this thought in mind, Lin Xiao's face took on a look of righteous anger. "Ji Wusi dares to act so brazenly? Zhao Ling, don't worry. Once he comes to Qingxiao Pavilion, I will personally demand an explanation for you and your son."
Zhao Ling nodded in gratitude. "Thank you, Sect Master!"
In his heart, Zhao Ling had always seen Lin Xiao as a deeper and more unfathomable figure than Ji Wusi. As long as the sect master was willing to act, he would definitely avenge Zhao Wuji. Even the number one man among the human race would have to be buried with Wuji this time.
"But after all, the other party is Ji Wusi," Lin Xiao said gently. "This matter cannot be resolved quickly. Go back for now and let me think of a proper approach."
"I'll be relying entirely on you, Sect Master," Zhao Ling said, bowing deeply, full of gratitude.
Only then did Lin Xiao wave him off. After Zhao Ling left, Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes and summoned several subordinates.
"Duan Yiwei and the others… they were your disciples, weren't they?"
The men looked uneasy but nodded. They were just as troubled. Those disciples had been their pride and joy. Wasn't it said the Wushuang Sect's secret realm held no danger and only rewards?
Instead, all of them had perished there. Worse yet, they had been tainted by demonic energy, causing a chain reaction of disasters. If the sect master now intended to assign blame…
They probably wouldn't escape either.
Lin Xiao's face was unreadable. "Although they were your disciples, privately they were far too close to Zhao Ling. He had a deep influence on them."
The men froze.
Close to Zhao Ling? Deep influence?
They hadn't known anything about that.
Lin Xiao spoke calmly. "Before the investigation team arrives, prepare evidence showing their interactions with Zhao Ling. They were all corrupted by him. Zhao Ling is skilled in manipulation and deceit. That's how he led such promising disciples astray. Do you understand?"
Their expressions slowly shifted into thoughtful silence.
"Remember, you knew nothing of Zhao Ling's actions beforehand," Lin Xiao instructed. "Only after your disciples died did you investigate privately and discover the truth. Zhao Ling betrayed Qingxiao Pavilion and the human race, committing treason by aiding the enemy."
The men understood the message.
"We understand."
The investigation team would come, and they would likely find nothing concrete.
But—
The demonic energy and Heart Testing Mirror results were undeniable.
Qingxiao Pavilion was a Holy Land. Scandal could not be allowed to stain its name.
This time—
Some scapegoats had to be offered.
None of them knew why the sect master had chosen Zhao Ling specifically.
But no one raised any objections.
Losing one Zhao Ling to protect all of them? That was a fair deal.
"One Zhao Ling isn't enough," Lin Xiao said as he tossed out several jade tablets. "There are more names here. These individuals will also be labeled as demonic cultivators. They may not have done anything wrong, but to clear Qingxiao Pavilion's name, we must make some sacrifices."
The men glanced at the names.
Aside from Zhao Ling, there were others on the list who had been close to him. They understood. This performance had to be convincing, from start to finish. These people were being sent straight to the Demon-Slaying Alliance's blade.
They said nothing. Silently, they accepted the task.
Once they had left—
Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes.
Ten thousand years.
This remnant soul of his had lasted ten thousand years.
Through countless cycles of reincarnation.
And now—
He was closer to success than ever before.
With that item in hand—
No matter how thoroughly Ji Wusi and the others investigated, they would never find anything.
There was no evidence.
They couldn't destroy Qingxiao Pavilion without proof.
Even if they wanted to—
Qingxiao Pavilion possessed immortal artifacts, grand formations, and nearly a hundred Mahayana cultivators. If war broke out, even the other three Holy Lands would suffer heavy losses.
So—
As long as there was no evidence, and scapegoats had been offered, this matter would most likely be brushed aside.
However—
After this, the other three Holy Lands would surely keep a closer eye on Qingxiao Pavilion.
That was fine.
All he needed was a little more time.
Soon, he would perfect the Soul Rebirth Technique.
And by then—
Even the so-called number one of the human race would mean nothing.
Lin Xiao sat down and slowly closed his eyes, hiding the cold glint in them.
He hadn't known who to use as the scapegoat before.
But Zhao Ling had walked right into the trap himself.
That saved him quite a bit of trouble.
Now, all that was left was to wait for the investigation team's arrival.