Chapter 77: The Interrogation

Stepping across the threshold, a profound sense of solemnity washed over him. The most sacred place within the Azure Ethereal Conclave, as always, exuded an awe-inspiring grandeur that left one in wonder.

In the grand hall, many stood and sat, but Zhang Xiaofan’s gaze was not drawn to them; instead, it was fixed on the distant and shadowy images of the Three Pure Ones, situated at the far end of the hall.

At the front of the hall, incense and candles burned silently, sending tendrils of fragrant smoke curling into the air.

At the very center of the hall, upon the main seat, sat the venerable Daoxuan, his dignified presence and ethereal aura befitting a true sage. By his side, on a small table, lay Zhang Xiaofan’s cherished weapon, the Firestick.

To Daoxuan’s right, seated in a row, were the leaders of each lineage of the Azure Ethereal Conclave, including Tian Yishi, all gathered there. Behind them, other elders and disciples of the conclave stood or sat. Qi Hao and Lin Jingyu were also present, while Lu Xueqi stood silently behind Shuimoon Master, her eyes, filled with swirling emotions, fixed on Zhang Xiaofan.

To the left of Daoxuan, however, were many faces unfamiliar to Zhang Xiaofan: kindly monks, stern elders, and among them, some familiar ones, such as Fa Xiang and Fa Shan from the Temple of Heavenly Sounds, who stood respectfully behind an elderly monk, likely a revered figure from their temple.

Chang Jian led Song Daren, Zhang Xiaofan, and Tian Ling’er forward, bowing to Daoxuan. “Master, Zhang Xiaofan of Bamboo Peak has arrived.”

A murmur rippled through the crowd, and all eyes turned toward Zhang Xiaofan, making him, along with Song Daren and Tian Ling’er, feel uncomfortable.

Sitting beside Tian Yishi, Su Ru frowned, addressing them, “Come stand over here.”

With a sigh of relief, they moved over, but just then, Cang Song, sitting above Tian Yishi, coughed loudly.

Tian Yishi’s face twitched, and his eyes flickered, but he finally said coldly, “Seventh Disciple, stay there. The master and the elders have questions for you.”

Zhang Xiaofan, as if hitting an invisible wall, stopped in his tracks, muttering, “Yes.”

Song Daren and Tian Ling’er exchanged worried glances before reluctantly moving to stand behind Tian Yishi.

Daoxuan, his expression unreadable, looked down at the solitary figure standing amid the crowd, his eyes showing a mix of tension and fear, even his hands were clenched tightly into fists.

Is this truly the ordinary orphan from Caomiao Village?

He sighed deeply within his heart.

“Zhang Xiaofan,” Daoxuan called out slowly.

Zhang Xiaofan’s body trembled slightly as he knelt, whispering, “I am here, Master.”

Daoxuan gazed at him, saying, “These esteemed seniors are all high-ranking figures from the righteous path, here specifically for you. This is the esteemed Master Pu Hong of the Temple of Heavenly Sounds, and beside him is the revered Master Pu Kong, and the Elder from the Incense Burner Valley…”

As Daoxuan continued to introduce the notable figures, Zhang Xiaofan’s attention was fixed on the two kindly monks at the front, their red robes adorned with golden threads, and their white brows like snow, now looking back at him.

Master Pu Hong, the head of the Four Great Monks of the Temple of Heavenly Sounds, was renowned, and his presence at the Azure Ethereal Conclave was unexpected, signaling the gravity of the situation.

Even Zhang Xiaofan was surprised, and the Azure Ethereal Conclave was equally stunned, indicating the importance of the “Great Prajna” scripture’s unexpected dissemination.

Sometime later, Daoxuan’s voice ceased, and a silence fell. All eyes were on the kneeling figure.

Zhang Xiaofan lowered his head, gazing at the floor, a thought crossing his mind: Are these monks the same as the one, Pu Zhi, from those days?

Beside Daoxuan, the Firestick, lying on the small table, seemed to respond to its master’s thoughts, glowing faintly with a blue light.

“Zhang Xiaofan,” Daoxuan spoke slowly, “I will ask you some questions. You must answer truthfully.”

“Yes, Master,” Zhang Xiaofan replied softly.

After a pause, Daoxuan continued, “On your journey to the Flowing Wave Mountain, a disciple from the Temple of Heavenly Sounds claims that during your battle with the Beast Qiu Niu, you used the ‘Great Prajna’ scripture, which is never taught outside the temple. Is this true?”

The hall grew tense, and after a moment, Zhang Xiaofan whispered, “Yes.”

The crowd erupted in murmurs, though many had anticipated this, the Temple of Heavenly Sounds monks remained composed, only the younger disciples showing surprise.

Tian Yishi’s face darkened, and the others watched Zhang Xiaofan closely, the air thick with unspoken tension.

“Zhang Xiaofan,” Daoxuan continued, “there are also claims that the Firestick in your possession contains the Bloodthirsty Pearl, a demonic artifact. Is this true?”

Another silence, followed by a soft, “Yes.”

This time, the crowd remained silent, the implications of a demonic artifact in the hands of a conclave disciple were grave.

“Have you anything to say?” Daoxuan’s tone grew colder.

Despite his earlier resolve, Zhang Xiaofan felt a chill, and his body trembled. “I, I, I…”

He struggled, like a small boat in a storm, unsure of what to say.

“Where did the Bloodthirsty Pearl come from?” Daoxuan’s voice rose, sharp and demanding.

Zhang Xiaofan, flustered, began to recount the events from his childhood, when he was teased by the monkey Xiao Hui, to the fateful day in the valley with Tian Ling’er, and the mysterious transformation of the Bloodthirsty Pearl and the black rod.

The hall was awash with disbelief, and even Daoxuan, Master Pu Hong, and Master Pu Kong, along with the Elder from the Incense Burner Valley, were puzzled. The fusion of the Bloodthirsty Pearl and the Soul Seizing Rod was a story none had heard before.

Some doubted, but Zhang Xiaofan’s lost expression suggested he was telling the truth.

Daoxuan pondered, then spoke, “Very well, I will believe your story of the accidental fusion. But how did the Bloodthirsty Pearl come into your possession, and how did you survive its effects?”

Zhang Xiaofan was speechless. The true reason, of course, was that Master Pu Zhi had used Buddhist magic to temporarily seal the pearl, and instructed him to discard it, which he had not.

To mention Master Pu Zhi would reveal everything, but Zhang Xiaofan was unwilling to betray the memory of that kind old monk.

The world around him seemed distant, and memories of that night flooded back, when he had promised, “I will never tell!”

Suddenly, Tian Yishi, his face stern, stood up, startling the crowd. “Speak!” he demanded, his anger evident.

Zhang Xiaofan’s head bowed, and he remained silent. Su Ru and the others, who had watched him grow up, were at a loss.

Tian Yishi took a step forward, but before he could do more, Master Pu Hong, who had been silent, opened his eyes, “Tian Layman, let us discuss this calmly. There is no need for violence.”

Tian Yishi, taken aback, hesitated, then sat down, his respect for Master Pu Hong evident.

Daoxuan, his gaze on Master Pu Hong, then turned to Zhang Xiaofan, “Where did you learn the ‘Great Prajna’ scripture?”

The hall grew tense, and the answer was expected to be explosive.

But Zhang Xiaofan remained silent, his mind blank.

Daoxuan’s eyes narrowed, “Tell me now!”

Still, Zhang Xiaofan did not speak.

Frustrated, Daoxuan slammed the Firestick on the table, standing up. “You dare defy me?!”

Zhang Xiaofan’s body trembled, but he remained silent.

“Enough!” a voice cried out, startling the crowd. It was Lu Xueqi, stepping forward, her resolve clear.

She knelt beside Zhang Xiaofan, and the hall was shocked. Even Daoxuan and Shuimoon Master were surprised.

Lu Xueqi, her face pale, but her voice steady, said, “Master, I, Lu Xueqi of Bamboo Peak, wish to speak.”

Shuimoon Master, alarmed, urged, “Xueqi, return!”

But Lu Xueqi, her eyes determined, said, “Master, I beseech you to consider carefully. Zhang Xiaofan is not a traitor. He fought valiantly against the remnants of the Evil Sect. Please, reconsider your judgment.”

Her words, resolute and full of conviction, silenced the hall. Even Zhang Xiaofan, who knelt beside her, felt a flicker of warmth.

Then, Lin Jingyu, unable to contain himself, also stepped forward, “I, Lin Jingyu, will also vouch for Zhang Xiaofan with my life!”

Others, including Cheng Shu, Qi Hao, and Tian Ling’er, followed suit, shocking the hall and Daoxuan.

Angry and humiliated, Daoxuan, realizing he could not act rashly in front of the other sects, decided to retreat. “I will adjourn this. We will reconvene later.”

He left the hall, and the chaos subsided, leaving the disciples in a state of confusion and tension.

Outside the hall, Lu Xueqi, pulled aside by her sister Wen Min, faced the disapproving eyes of the crowd. In a secluded corner, she remained silent, her head bowed.

Watermoon Master, arriving, regarded her most beautiful and beloved disciple with a heavy heart. “Xueqi, you have made a grave mistake today. Do you know why you risked your life for him?”

Lu Xueqi, her face pale, could not find the words.

Watermoon, her eyes filled with sorrow, said, “You young people, so reckless. You may have pushed Zhang Xiaofan closer to death.”

Lu Xueqi, her face drained of color, asked, “Master, why?”

Watermoon, her voice tinged with pain, revealed a long-buried past, “Many years ago, someone like him made a grave error, and we, in our zeal, fought for him, but in the end… he was still punished.”

She turned to her disciples, her eyes filled with regret, “The person back then was despised by your Master, just as Zhang Xiaofan is now. Be careful, or you may bring about his downfall.”