Chapter 3125: Did Old Three Xu Have a Change of Heart?

In the darkness, several people had their mouths blocked by tree branches, unable to make a sound; the black tree branches, like steel whips, kept lashing their bodies.

In stark contrast, the Dao One Immortal Sect canteen was extraordinarily lively.

At this moment the banquet had begun, plate after plate of delicious dishes were brought to the table, and everyone was eating with great enjoyment.

Only the table of the Nine Swords Daoist had several empty seats; the others sharing the table curiously asked.

"Brother Nine Swords, where are the other members of your sect?"

"I, old man, don't know either."

"Huh? Something happened?"

"I, old man, always feel something is off."

"Then why don't you go look?"

"People are gone, yet you're still sitting here eating? Although the Nine Swords Daoist's brows are tightly knotted, it's obvious at a glance that he's preoccupied."

"But besides that, this old geezer's eating speed is not slow at all."

"The people from your sect who came together have all disappeared, and you still have time to eat here?"

"However, faced with the urging of his tablemates, the Nine Swords Daoist gave no reply, insisting on eating first before searching."

"The matter of the River Yue Sword Sect didn't attract much attention, after all, the River Yue Sword Sect in the entire Immortal Realm could only be considered a mid-tier sect."

"It may dominate a region, but placed in the whole Immortal Realm, it's far from enough."

"Its influence simply cannot be compared with the true great powers like the Dao One Immortal Sect, the Heavenly Family, and the Wushen Palace."

"The banquet was such that host and guest enjoyed themselves fully; only after it dispersed did the Nine Swords Daoist begin to search."

"Finally, in a secluded corner of the Dao One Immortal Sect where few people go, he found those several elders of his sect."

"But at this moment, those people were already severely wounded, clinging to life by a breath."

"Those Black Mist Forest Tree Ghosts were indeed obedient; Xu Jie said they had only a breath left, and indeed they truly had just a breath left."

"Now it's fine; the Sword Immortal Assembly a few days later will definitely be impossible to attend."

"Seeing the miserable state of those people, the Nine Swords Daoist trembled with anger, gritted his teeth and shouted."

"Who, which beast did this? Living beast, living beast!"

"He immediately went to call for help; shortly after, an elder from the Pill Hall arrived and took them back to the Pill Hall for treatment."

"Their lives were not in danger, but even just looking at the surface, it's easy to see that these people obviously suffered inhumane torture."

"It's truly excessively cruel."

"After much difficulty someone fell unconscious, the Nine Swords Daoist hurried forward and asked."

"Who, who did this to you?"

"Seeing the Nine Swords Daoist, this elder gritted his teeth and said."

"Sect Master, it must be those disciples of Hong Zun from the Divine Sword Hall."

"Xu Jie, Zhao Zhengping and the others? Why?"

"This…………………"

"You speak."

"Under the Nine Swords Daoist's questioning, the elders still related the whole story; after hearing it, the Nine Swords Daoist's beard was all askew with anger."

"You really deserve it."

"These guys are truly bold to the point of recklessness, daring to arrange someone's master on their own turf—who else would you mess with if not them?"

"Whether Hong Zun's tastes are heavy or not is none of your business; if he can stomach it, feed it to him—no need for you to criticize behind his back."

"What, do you want a share too?"

"By rights, these guys truly deserve it; Zhao Zhengping, Xu Jie and the others not killing them outright already counts as showing mercy."

"Yet seeing their miserable state and the upcoming Sword Immortal Assembly a few days later, the River Yue Sword Sect will have only him as its lone seedling, and the Nine Swords Daoist just can't swallow this anger."

"Even if we are in the wrong, the Dao One Immortal Sect's strike is truly too harsh; at this moment we must demand an explanation."

"Never mind anything else, you must refund the registration fee for the Sword Immortal Assembly to me."

"Thinking of this, the Nine Swords Daoist secretly hardened his resolve."

"After caring for them through the night, at dawn the next day he went straight to seek an audience with Qi Xiong."

"Not long after, in the Dao One Immortal Sect's main hall, Qi Xiong, Shi Song, Zhao Tianqing, Tianhe, and including Ye Zhangqing were summoned."

"Everyone took their seats in the main hall; below them sat the Nine Swords Daoist with a dark complexion, and then Hong Zun arrived with Zhao Zhengping, Xu Jie and the others."

"Senior brother, what's wrong this early morning?"

"As soon as he entered the hall, Hong Zun opened his mouth to ask; hearing this, Qi Xiong let out a cold snort."

"Hmph, go ask those few good disciples of yours."

"You ate heavenly thunder first thing this morning, your temper is so huge—what did my disciples do? Dig up your ancestors' graves?"

"Hearing this, Hong Zun also showed no weakness, immediately cursing loudly; Qi Xiong's face instantly turned black."

"Seeing no point in dealing with this early-morning drunkard lost in his dreams, he turned his gaze straight to Xu Jie."

"No need to ask; he knows this must be Xu Jie's idea—Zhao Zhengping and the others lack the wit for it."

"Xu Jie, this seat asks you: last night, did you let your tree pet wound and torture the elders of the River Yue Sword Sect?"

"Upon hearing this, the Nine Swords Daoist's face remained expressionless; knowing Xu Jie as he does, he expects this fellow will flatly deny it, and then it will be time for both sides to present evidence."

"Even if the River Yue Sword Sect themselves are at fault, Xu Jie and his lot have indeed gone too far; that registration fee he will surely demand back."

"The Nine Swords Daoist has already rehearsed the whole process in his mind many times last night, anticipating every possible reaction from Xu Jie, so today the advantage lies with him."

"Yet what the Nine Swords Daoist never expected was that, faced with Qi Xiong's questioning, Xu Jie showed not the slightest hesitation, but directly nodded and admitted."

"Indeed, it was me who did it."

"Huh???"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Nine Swords Daoist jerked his head up, staring at Xu Jie with a look of having seen a ghost.

No way, how did this guy admit it so easily? I haven't even made a move yet.

Not to mention the Nine Swords Daoist, even everyone else present, including Ye Zhangqing, was completely baffled.

What's wrong with Xú Lǎosān today? Did he suddenly change his nature?

In the past, this guy would never admit it even if beaten to death, and he'd pile up a bunch of excuses, not giving you a headache from going around in circles; that would already count as him performing abnormally.

But today he admitted it so readily—did he find his conscience?

No way, this guy couldn't possibly have a conscience at all; I'm overthinking.

Qi Xiong also felt strange in his heart, but since Xu Jie had already admitted it, he couldn't not continue, so he spoke with suspicion filling his heart.

Then why would you do that?

Here we go, here we go—upon hearing those words, the Nine Swords Daoist instantly got ready, his thoughts racing.

Xu Jie this kid admitted so readily today; eighty percent he thinks there's a reason behind this, that he's in the right, and therefore he acts without fear.

Then what comes next depends on his performance; even if there is a reason, he can't just swallow this anger.

Waiting for Xu Jie to speak about last night's events so he could follow up, but as soon as Xu Jie opened his mouth, the Nine Swords Daoist went completely dumbfounded, and cold sweat poured down in a rush.

All that was heard was Xu Jie speaking with correct pronunciation and rounded tone.

Reporting to the Sect Master, the reason I, the disciple, took action last night was because people from the River and Mountain Sword Sect intended to assassinate the Shīzūn.........

Huh???