Shangguan Yi's star-like eyes narrowed ever so slightly. He realized he had underestimated Jiang Chen's sharp tongue.
"Jiang Chen, spouting empty lies and hurling baseless accusations—who can't do that? You claim Lü Wuji colluded with foreign enemies. Where is your proof? As Deputy Commander of the Dragon Tooth Guard, Lü Wuji was merely on patrol in that area. It was pure coincidence. Who would have thought you lot had gone mad enough to frame Lü Wuji and pin the label of treason on him? Not only that, you silenced witnesses by killing them. If you had nothing to hide, why would you resort to murder?"
Xin Wudao was the first to leap forward, turning the accusation back on Jiang Chen.
"That's right! Silencing witnesses proves guilt beyond doubt. If Deputy Commander Lü truly had committed some crime, the Dragon Tooth Guard would conduct its own investigation. Since when does an outsider have any right to meddle in our internal affairs? And even if Lü Wuji were guilty, he should at least have the chance to defend himself! You killed to silence him, and since the dead can't speak, you're free to say whatever you want. You killed Lü Wuji first, then slandered Deputy Steward Yang. This is nothing short of a flagrant provocation against our Dragon Tooth Guard! Jiang Chen, if we don't kill you today, how can we quell the fury of our million-strong army? How can we defend the supreme authority of the Dragon Tooth Guard?" Qi Fengxian, too, put on a righteous front as he counter-accused Jiang Chen.
Xin Wudao continued the tag-team assault, addressing Shangguan Yi: "Grand Steward, this villain Jiang Chen has repeatedly shown contempt for our Dragon Tooth Guard, and now he has even killed one of our Commanders and slandered the honor of our Steward. If this villain is not put to death, the Dragon Tooth Guard's reputation will be utterly destroyed! I beseech you on bended knee—I am willing to risk my life to execute this villain!"
"Grand Steward, I also volunteer to fight!" Qi Fengxian echoed.
"I volunteer as well!"
The other twenty martial artists all shouted their support in turn.
Both sides were digging in their heels, escalating the confrontation further and further—and in truth, it was making Shangguan Yi rather anxious. The back-and-forth was essentially forcing him, the Grand Steward, to pick a side.
In a situation like this, if he simply tried to wash his hands of the matter, it would become an enormous laughingstock.
But right now, making a choice was truly difficult!
Order the execution of Jiang Chen?
That would mean he, Shangguan Yi, was shielding Yang Zhao, and had taken a definitive stand against the Crown Prince. He would never be able to explain that to His Majesty the King.
On the other hand, if he ordered a thorough investigation of Yang Zhao, it would inevitably offend the Treasure Tree Sect! His Majesty the King would not want that outcome either.
In his heart, Shangguan Yi wanted nothing more than to strip Yang Zhao of his power.
But he also knew this order would not be easy to give. Once issued, it would mean purging Yang Zhao and his entire faction, which would inevitably leave the Dragon Tooth Guard severely weakened from within.
"Grand Steward, the evidence of Lü Wuji's collusion with foreign enemies is ironclad. The assassins from the Chasing Fate Shadow Gate, as well as the victim Xue Tong, can both attest to this." Seizing the moment, Tian Shao threw caution to the wind and began pleading his case to Shangguan Yi as well.
Jiang Chen regarded Shangguan Yi with deep, penetrating eyes—the Grand Steward who held absolute power over the Dragon Tooth Guard. Jiang Chen's expression was perfectly calm, as if hovering above the Dragon Tooth Guard headquarters carried not the slightest pressure for him.
Just as Shangguan Yi was caught in his dilemma, a series of sharp cries echoed through the void, and two streaks of light tore across the sky, hurtling toward them from the distance.
A woman's voice screamed from the void: "Who killed my nephew Lü Wuji?! Shangguan Yi, as Grand Steward of the Dragon Tooth Guard, you can't even protect your own subordinates? You might as well step down from that position of yours!"
"Hmph! The Dragon Tooth Guard is supposed to be the foremost force in the Tiangui Kingdom, and yet here you are, running around in a panic because of one outsider brat. Grand Steward Shangguan, you really aren't doing such a great job as the head of this organization, are you?"
This second voice was one Jiang Chen knew well. It belonged to the very same Elder Tie from the Treasure Tree Sect who, when Jiang Chen had first left the Labyrinth and stood before the sect's gates, had threatened to blacklist him and ensure he would never be admitted into the Treasure Tree Sect!
Hearing that voice, Jiang Chen sighed inwardly. What was bound to come had come at last.
With Elder Tie's arrival, the delicate balance was certain to be shattered in an instant. And from the domineering tone of the man, it was obvious that even Grand Steward Shangguan Yi was beneath his notice.
Two silhouettes arrived in a flash of lightning, landing before Shangguan Yi.
One of them wore a blue robe, his face grim and severe—none other than Elder Tie of the Treasure Tree Sect, who had declared at the sect's gates that he would bar Jiang Chen's entry.
The other was a woman, stunningly beautiful as a peach blossom, with a seductively curvaceous figure and naturally alluring eyes that radiated an innate charm.
Her features bore a certain resemblance to Lü Wuji.
Jiang Chen guessed instantly: this must be Yang Zhao's younger sister.
Lü Wuji's mother was Yang Zhao's elder sister, and this woman was Yang Zhao's younger sister. That made her Lü Wuji's maternal aunt.
Her face was written all over with the arrogance of someone used to wielding favor as a weapon. She pointed at Jiang Chen, her tone dripping with condescension: "Tie-ge, this brat—this is that animal Jiang Chen?"
Elder Tie was no stranger to Jiang Chen. Recalling the affair at the Treasure Tree Sect's gates, hatred blazed in his eyes, and a sinister smile crept across the corner of his lips.
That expression spoke volumes: So, brat, the day has finally come when you fall into my hands.