The next day, Zhang Zhi returned to Tianlang Sect in the morning with a gloomy expression, probably because seeing the graves of his companions had stirred up his anger. This was something unavoidable.
On the stone chair in the backyard, Li Tan looked at Zhang Zhi before him and asked, “You should have seen everything already. Is there anything else you need now?”
“What I needed to see, I’ve seen. That you’re still here is indeed unexpected.”
Zhang Zhi replied in a low tone.
This answer sounded odd.
Frowning slightly, Li Tan asked, “What does Master Zhang mean? I’m afraid I don’t understand.”
“Do you still want to play dumb?”
Zhang Zhi raised his voice, looking down at Li Tan with an expression of suppressed anger, clearly visible against the backlight.
It seemed something unexpected had happened. Li Tan felt his heart sink. “I really don’t know anything.”
Zhang Zhi remained silent for several seconds before regaining his composure, his anger now hidden beneath a cold expression. “Fine, then I’ll tell you directly. Every location marked on the map was correct, and yet all the graves you mentioned were empty!”
Filling in the blanks on the map within a day, directly destroying the evidence—only those hooded men could have done such a thing.
We underestimated them. But why were the graves empty?
What did the hooded men want with the corpses?
Unease had already wrapped around Li Tan.
“Nothing to say?” Zhang Zhi’s hand trembled.
It was self-reproach and regret, probably for having trusted Li Tan in the first place.
Li Tan immediately understood his thoughts but had no way to explain, so he could only defend himself weakly, “Though it may not sound convincing, everything I said was the truth. If I really were a spy, as Elder Zheng claimed, why would I save your father?”
Zhang Zhi was momentarily stunned.
That made sense. If he were a spy, even for gaining trust, there was no reason to heal Zhang Zhenshan. It was an action with countless disadvantages and only one benefit. No one with a normal mind would do it. Resurrecting a master-level expert who should have died would definitely be considered betrayal by the sect.
Seeing Zhang Zhi’s hesitation, Li Tan sensed an opportunity and pressed on, “Moreover, even if I were a spy, do you think I would have the ability to control beasts powerful enough to kill someone?”
Zhang Zhi remained silent.
If Li Tan had the capability to command beasts powerful enough to slay a peak Xiantian master, his own cultivation must have surpassed that of a master. How could such a high-level expert be only seventeen or eighteen years old? If such a young master truly existed, anyone who dispatched him on such a perilous mission as espionage would be a fool. That individual would undoubtedly become a traitor to the sect.
This conclusion completely contradicted the possibility that Li Tan was a spy.
However, no matter how he looked at it, the only suspect was Li Tan. Unaware of the existence of the hooded group, it was inevitable that he would see things this way.
“Master, if I really were a spy, how could I have known for sure that I would meet Miss Zhang at the Pill Pavilion that day? Even if I had advance knowledge, how could I guarantee that you would reach out to me? If you hadn’t done that, and I still participated in the sect’s test, wouldn’t that be like writing ‘I have problems’ on my face?”
Li Tan argued convincingly.
On that day, if Zhang Zhi hadn’t reached out to him, and he had participated in Tianlang Sect’s test after merely meeting Miss Zhang and showing extraordinary talent, such behavior would have seemed very suspicious, like a shark appearing in a fishpond—how could it not draw attention?
That would have been a fatal consequence for a spy.
After three consecutive questions, Zhang Zhi calmed down slightly. His tense muscles relaxed, but his face showed even more fatigue.
He had been certain that Li Tan was a spy, but now he wasn’t so sure anymore. Li Tan had thrown a large stone into already murky waters, stirring up the entire pond.
Li Tan was also taking advantage of him slightly. Zhang Zhi felt a bit guilty but showed no outward sign, probably planning to make amends after everything had settled.
They remained in a tense silence for a long time before Zhang Zhi suddenly said, “No matter how things happened, the result is already set. At the latest tomorrow, Elder Zheng will begin the trial. Even my father won’t be able to protect you then. You should know that several elders in the sect already have doubts about you.”
“Thank you.”
Zhang Zhi left.
Soon after, Zhang Chenghuan approached with a worried expression.
“Does Miss Zhang also have something to say?”
Li Tan asked.
Zhang Chenghuan nodded slightly and hesitated, “I heard everything just now.” Li Tan showed no reaction.
Zhang Chenghuan grew even more anxious. “Can you tell me why that beast attacked you that night? Even Master Sima, who was at the peak of the Xiantian realm, was powerless, yet you…”
“You mean I survived and killed it?”
“Uh, yes.” This question also puzzled Li Tan, though he hadn’t explicitly revealed it. He could only guess that during the several patrols that afternoon, the beast had realized Li Tan was no ordinary person and had feared failure might alert others, so it left him for last.
But this was only a guess. Li Tan couldn’t very well say out loud, “Actually, I’m stronger than Master Sima, so the beast picked on the weak,” so he could only give a vague answer.
“I don’t know. My tent was near Master Sima’s. Maybe it was afraid that killing me first might accidentally alert him.”
“Oh, I see.” Zhang Chenghuan seemed to relax slightly.
Did she really believe him? Li Tan, who had prepared various answers for all kinds of questions, was surprised. He hadn’t expected such a vague answer to work.
“Anyway, the trial won’t start until tomorrow. I’ll go beg my father to help you.” Zhang Chenghuan said earnestly.
Li Tan grabbed her hand and shook his head. “No need. Don’t trouble the sect leader.”
“But then I’ll go beg my grandfather!”
“No need either. Senior will have his own considerations. It’s useless to say more.”
“Then what should I do?”
“You don’t need to do anything. Just watch.”
“Eh?” Zhang Chenghuan looked confused.
Li Tan smiled slightly. “They can’t do anything to me.”
Saying such words at a time like this was undoubtedly arrogant and absurd, yet strangely, despite knowing how conceited it sounded, Zhang Chenghuan believed him and inexplicably felt reassured.
“Then I’ll go back first.”
Zhang Chenghuan waved with a smile. It was somewhat comical that she still said goodbye even though her residence was just across the wall.
However, before she could leave Li Tan’s sight, the backyard door suddenly slammed open with a bang.
Whoever had come was not here with good intentions.
Li Tan narrowed his eyes. After identifying the newcomers, a glint of killing intent flashed in his eyes.
Five individuals entered, all at the Xiantian level. Four were at the early stage, while one’s aura was indistinct, capable of confounding Li Tan’s spiritual perception. This person was likely at the peak of Xiantian or possibly even a grandmaster.
(Note: “Xiantian” is a term from Chinese martial arts and cultivation novels, referring to a foundational or advanced stage of cultivation. It is often left untranslated in such contexts to preserve its cultural and genre-specific meaning.)
They were all dressed identically, wearing the special uniform of the Tianlang Sect’s Judicial Department, a sight that would send chills down any disciple’s spine.
“Li Tan! What are you doing here?”
Li Tan stood up and questioned Zheng Kaishan, the leader.
Zheng Kaishan sneered three times before stepping forward. “Li Tan! Do you know your crime?”
Coming so quickly, without even waiting a day?
Li Tan coldly replied, “May I ask what crime I have committed?”
“Murdering fellow disciples and colluding with outsiders!”
“Do you have evidence?”
“Ironclad evidence.”
“What a strong claim. Just opening your mouth and saying whatever you want counts as evidence? Why don’t you show me this ‘ironclad evidence’ first?”
“Hmph, the trial tomorrow will make you admit your guilt.”
“If the trial is tomorrow, then why are you here today?”
“Fearing you might flee out of guilt, we must detain you first.”
Detain?
You’re planning to do something else, aren’t you?
Li Tan felt nothing but disgust toward these pretentious words. At this moment, Zhang Chenghuan ran back and shouted at Zheng Kaishan, “How dare you! This is my father’s private courtyard. Who allowed you in?”
Zheng Kaishan slightly lowered his tone. “Miss, I have no choice but to do this. I will personally apologize to the sect leader afterward. Now, capturing the criminal must come first.”
“You! Get out!”
Zhang Chenghuan was getting anxious.
Zheng Kaishan ignored her completely. His eyes chilled as he saluted and ordered, “Miss, please consider the bigger picture. Today, I must capture this criminal!” He gave a signal to his subordinates, clearly intending to use force.
“Miss, please forgive me!”
A man at the nascent Xiantian stage instantly made his move, trying to restrain Zhang Chenghuan, but his outstretched hand clutched at nothing but empty air.
In an instant, Li Tan had already pulled Zhang Chenghuan behind him. He stood up, staring directly at Zheng Kaishan and questioning, “What right do you have to arrest me?”
Zheng Kaishan unexpectedly felt a chill crawl up his spine. Was he afraid of this kid?
How ridiculous! He coldly snorted and shouted, “I am the Judicial Department Elder! I have the authority to decide the fate of law-breaking disciples!”
Li Tan sneered contemptuously and mocked, “So being the Judicial Department Elder makes you so great? I’m still an honored guest elder. Before any verdict, you dare to arrest me and claim you’re following sect rules?
The sect rules clearly state that I come and go freely!”
“You! Hmph, clever tongue. Men, seize him directly!”
Zheng Kaishan roared in anger. His four subordinates responded with a “Yes!” and moved toward Li Tan.
“Seeking death.” Li Tan’s gaze swept over them indifferently. The rusty sword stored in the desolate tower had already been drawn.
He wouldn’t mind killing a few hounds to vent his anger before the trial.
“Stop!”
However, a thunderous shout stopped them. Zhang Zhenshan strode over furiously, his eyes wide and his brows knitted. “What are you doing? Are you rebelling?”
Li Tan silently sheathed his sword, while Zhang Chenghuan’s face lit up with joy. She quickly complained, “Grandfather, Elder Zheng is being unreasonable!”
“Senior Elder, I was only worried that the criminal Li Tan might flee out of guilt!”
Zheng Kaishan hurried to explain.
Zhang Zhenshan stopped in front of him and questioned, “Are you saying that Elder Li could escape under my watch?”
“No, no, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then do you think Elder Li is stronger than me and could escape?”
“Ah, I would never dare!”
“Then what are you doing here? Get lost!”
“Yes, right away!”
Zheng Kaishan glared at Li Tan resentfully before leaving in disgrace.
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