Chapter 499: Dilemma

Zhuge Qingxia looked at the corpse of the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang, a look of triumph appearing in her eyes.

This time, the Qingxu Sect had only ten spots for entry into the Imperial Academy.

The final spot fell into the hands of Hua Wuxing.

This made Zhuge Qingxia feel dissatisfied.

If not for Hua Wuxing, this spot would have eventually fallen into her hands.

Zhuge Qingxia had ambition, and she also had the means.

The Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang had long been colluding with her.

Therefore, she planned this time to use the Flower Bandit to get rid of Hua Wuxing.

And she, who was going to the Imperial Academy to transcend her social class, certainly had to slay someone like Zhu Xiang who held leverage over her, leaving no future trouble.

So, she set a scheme to borrow the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang to slay Hua Wuxing, and then slay Zhu Xiang, killing two birds with one stone.

But this scheme had a flaw.

That was that Hua Wuxing's master might hold a grudge against Zhuge Qingxia because of it.

Because everything originated from Zhuge Qingxia.

Therefore, when she learned that Xia Yang had offended Hua Wuxing, she changed her scheme, using the feud between Xia Yang and Hua Wuxing to frame Xia Yang for everything.

Zhuge Qingxia looked at the unconscious Xia Yang, a smile flashing in her eyes: "In the end, Xia Yang, obsessed with my beauty, was caught off guard and was ambushed and slain by me.

And Hua Wuxing and the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang perished together."

She walked toward Lin Chao, a smile on her beautiful face.

However, at this moment, to her surprise, Xia Yang, who should have remained unconscious, had now woken up.

Looking at Lin Chao, a look of astonishment flashed in Zhuge Qingxia's eyes, and then she said: "I didn't expect you to know medicine."

Lin Chao looked at Zhuge Qingxia without speaking.

In truth, he felt very helpless.

Originally, he just wanted to develop here in a low-profile manner.

As a result, the blame fell from the sky.

At this moment, he stood up and looked at Zhuge Qingxia, a trace of anger in his eyes: "You are annoying."

Zhuge Qingxia sized up Lin Chao, a look of surprise flashing in her eyes: "It seems you are very confident."

Zhuge Qingxia kept her distance from Lin Chao and picked up a crossbow, aiming it at Lin Chao.

With a crossbow in hand, unless it was a Sixth Rank Martial Artist or above, Zhuge Qingxia had nothing to fear.

However, in Luo Ma County, a Sixth Rank Martial Artist was already the top-tier powerhouse.

But what she did not know was that when Lin Chao stood up, it meant that Lin Chao already possessed absolute self-preservation ability.

The distance between her and Lin Chao was already less than five steps.

She raised the crossbow while retreating backward.

And at this moment, a pebble struck Zhuge Qingxia's wrist with lightning speed.

The heavy crossbow fell to the ground instantly.

Lin Chao's attack also struck rapidly at this time.

Although Lin Chao's strength was not high, he was only a Seventh Rank Martial Artist.

Even, due to nutrition, Zhuge Qingxia's physique was much better than Lin Chao's.

However, Lin Chao had experienced so many worlds that his combat experience was far beyond that of an ordinary person.

Especially since the Martial Arts of this world, based on Lin Chao's current understanding, were a bit weak.

His combat techniques could exert a huge effect.

Before Zhuge Qingxia could react, Lin Chao kept the distance between him and Zhuge Qingxia within two steps.

His expression was calm as he looked at the beautiful woman before him, and the giant rock in his hand smashed directly onto Zhuge Qingxia's head from above.

"No..."

Zhuge Qingxia let out a painful roar.

She could not accept it; she could not understand it.

Her entire scheme had actually been ruined by a minor character she hadn't cared about at all.

Zhuge Qingxia fell to the ground, dead as could be.

Looking at the series of corpses around him, Lin Chao felt helpless.

"Why provoke me?"

To tell the truth, he was somewhat annoyed by Zhuge Qingxia.

This had brought him a lot of trouble.

Looking at the corpses on the ground, Lin Chao handled them simply and staged the scene.

"If I leave the Qingxu Sect, I can only live as a fugitive, so I must remain in the Qingxu Sect."

Lin Chao felt helpless.

If he fled the Qingxu Sect, although today's events had nothing to do with him, the blame would still fall on his head.

Once he left the Qingxu Sect, he would be a person without status.

Then, no matter what he did, he would be restricted.

Moreover, the Qingxu Sect was a branch of the Holy Sect, so he would also cut off the possibility of entering the official ranks.

Therefore, only by staying in the Qingxu Sect could he step by step move toward a high position.

He also wanted to figure out the truth of this world.

Of course, it was also to make his own life better.

Furthermore, if he were to leave, he might implicate Hua Popo.

Therefore, in the end, he decided to remain at the Qingxu Sect.

Two hours later, a group of people from the Qingxu Sect arrived at the riverbank.

The one leading them was none other than the Second Elder.

The Second Elder was also a martial artist, and the strongest martial artist in the Qingxu Sect at that.

He looked at the corpses on the ground, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, and turned his gaze toward Lin Chao: "Is what you said definitely true?"

A helpless expression appeared on Lin Chao's face: "The matter is of great importance, this disciple dared not conceal it."

"But... this also concerns the reputation of the Fifth Elder, so this disciple only told the Elder."

Lin Chao reported what had happened here truthfully to the Second Elder.

After all, he knew that the Second Elder also had a disciple who wanted to enter the academy, but unfortunately had no quota.

Although the Second Elder was elderly, his physique was burly and robust; he looked at Lin Chao: "Your master will be here soon, do not talk back to him."

The Second Elder had just finished speaking.

A loud and sorrowful voice came from afar: "Qingxia!"

Zhuge Liu flew over, looked at the corpses on the ground, and hot tears streamed from his tiger-like eyes.

Another old man walked over with a staggering gait, looking at the corpse of Hua Wuxing, his eyes also filled with tears.

The two old men wailed loudly, the scene was nothing short of tragic.

A moment later, Zhuge Liu suddenly stood up, his gaze falling on Xia Yang, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes, and he looked at the Second Elder: "Senior Brother, what exactly happened?"

The Second Elder Taishihuang's eyes revealed a look of grief: "That thief Huajian Dao Zhu Xiang wanted to capture Qingxia, and Hua Wuxing and a group of fellow disciples fought to the death to resist."

But who would have thought that the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang actually had a powerful crossbow, shooting and killing all the disciples.

All the disciples were like lambs to the slaughter; fortunately, Xia Yang had Lime Powder, which he sprinkled into Zhu Xiang's eyes, giving Hua Wuxing and Zhuge Qingxia a chance to counterattack.

Unfortunately, Zhu Xiang's strength was too great; even when surrounded and fought, he still slew Hua Wuxing and Zhuge Qingxia.

But Hua Wuxing also found an opportunity to kill Zhu Xiang in return."

According to what the Second Elder said, the current situation was simply a conflict between two sides.

Upon hearing this, the Fifth Elder's eyes erupted with fury; he looked at Lin Chao, his voice heavy: "Is this so?"

"Everything is as the Second Elder said," Lin Chao replied in a low voice.

"My daughter and the others are all dead, why are you still alive?" The Fifth Elder Zhuge Liu looked at Lin Chao, his gaze filled with intense killing intent.

This was anger in his heart with nowhere to vent.

Seeing this, Lin Chao feigned a look of fear on his face: "I... I..."

"Are you concealing something? Did you collude with the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang to harm my daughter?" As the Fifth Elder Zhuge Liu spoke, his figure flashed, and he prepared to strike Lin Chao with a palm.

This palm, struck in anger, might not have killed Lin Chao, but if Lin Chao had taken it, he would have had to lie in bed for ten days or half a month regardless.

The Second Elder saw this scene but did not stop it.

In his view, although Xia Yang had told him about this matter and allowed him to gain many benefits.

However, there was no need for him to protect him at the cost of offending the Fifth Elder.

Just at this moment, no sooner said than done, a figure appeared in front of Lin Chao, blocking the Fifth Elder's attack.

"Seventh Junior Brother, what are you doing?" Zhuge Liu questioned.

The one blocking in front of Lin Chao was none other than Hua Wuxing's senior brother.

"Zhuge Liu, I only want to know how my disciple died!" The Seventh Elder's figure was relatively thin, but his eyes were bloodshot, "And how did Zhu Xiang obtain a forbidden item like a Crossbow?"

Zhuge Liu was in a fit of rage at this moment, so how could he think so much: "How would this old man know? I will ask this rebellious disciple of mine today what exactly is going on!"

His daughter was dead, yet the person responsible for protecting his daughter was still alive.

He felt unbalanced in his heart and urgently needed to vent.

The atmosphere on the scene became tense at this moment.

The Second Elder, who had been silent all along, finally stepped forward at this time, his attitude amiable: "This matter is of great importance, everyone should not damage the harmony."

As he spoke, he leaned close to the Fifth Elder Zhuge Liu's ear and whispered something.

Upon hearing this, Zhuge Liu's expression changed slightly, though the look of grief on his face did not disappear.

Because the Second Elder had told him the truth.

It was his daughter who coveted Hua Wuxing's academy quota, which was why she colluded with Zhu Xiang.

Put this way, everything was explained clearly.

The anger in Zhuge Liu's heart dissipated slightly, but the grief had not yet vanished.

His gaze toward Lin Chao remained malicious.

As for the Seventh Elder, he glanced at the Second Elder, having some words he wanted to say in his heart, but ultimately did not say them.

Half a day later.

The Second Elder sat on a stool in the courtyard with a triumphant look on his face.

Standing beside him was a young man: "Yan'er, you must seize this opportunity."

Ye Yan nodded: "Rest assured, Master, I will definitely obtain the academy quota this time."

The Second Elder nodded with satisfaction.

He had not expected that the academy quota he had been unable to obtain would fall to his disciple just like that.

At this moment, Ye Yan thought of something and continued: "Master, that Xia Yang's actions completely offended the Fifth Elder Zhuge Liu."

"After all, he helped us; should you put in a good word for him so he can break free from the Fifth Elder's control and no longer be the Fifth Elder's disciple?"

The Second Elder shook his head upon hearing this: "He is just a small character, not worth mentioning."

"If you want to obtain the quota, you still need the Fifth Elder to exert his influence."

"I need to do the Fifth Elder a favor."

The Second Elder is very realistic.

If Xia Yang were not an ordinary disciple, but a disciple with extremely high talent.

Then, the cooperation between Xia Yang and him would be equal.

If the Fifth Elder attacked Xia Yang today, he would also help stop it.

Unfortunately, this person Xia Yang has no future.

Such a person is simply not worth the Second Elder protecting.

It is better to give a favor to the Fifth Elder instead.

Upon hearing this, Ye Yan nodded in agreement: "Master's words are reasonable."

He felt sympathy for Xia Yang, but that was all.

His own future is bright.

Someone like Xia Yang can only spend his whole life in the Qingxu Sect, achieving nothing until he grows old.

Moreover, having offended the Fifth Elder, Xia Yang's days in the Qingxu Sect will definitely not be easy.

At night, Lin Chao used up his attribute points.

His gaze was calm: "Fifth Elder, Second Elder..."

Lin Chao is not a Saint, and he also holds grudges.

He keeps in mind the Fifth Elder's sneak attack today, as well as the Second Elder's fueling of the flames.

A gentleman does not let a grudge go unavenged.

Especially the Fifth Elder, who has already threatened his life.

Given Lin Chao's personality, he will definitely retaliate.

In the following days, the Qingxu Sect returned to calm.

However, Lin Chao's days were not going very well.

Zhuge Liu is his nominal master and has the authority to order him to do certain things.

His previous leisurely job of receiving pilgrims is gone.

Zhuge Liu often assigns him dirty and tiring work.

He is targeting him at every turn.

And the death of Zhuge Qingxia is also slowly spreading through the Qingxu Sect.

As the only survivor of that incident, there is naturally much discussion surrounding Lin Chao.

Many say he was cowardly and survived only by kneeling and begging the Flower Bandit Zhu Xiang for mercy.

Xia Yang's reputation in the Qingxu Sect is considered completely ruined.

Lin Chao does not mind this.

He remains low-key and goes his own way.

Of course, being harassed by the Fifth Elder, Lin Chao is also thinking of ways to cope.

Murder by poison?

He is ninety-nine percent sure he could poison the Fifth Elder to death without being discovered.

But his current status is awkward, so if the Fifth Elder were poisoned to death, he might not be able to escape suspicion.

Therefore, he must think of other ways.

After all, he still hopes to have the opportunity to join the Academy in the future.

His reputation in the Qingxu Sect cannot be too poor.

"I must change my master.

Otherwise, even if I step into the Golden Core realm, I will not be qualified to join the Academy."

Lin Chao thought to himself.

Becoming a Golden Core at twenty is very difficult for an ordinary disciple.

But in reality, there are more than ten Golden Core disciples under the age of twenty in the Qingxu Sect every year.

To join the Academy, one needs to compete.

Currently, Lin Chao's master is Zhuge Liu.

Zhuge Liu holds a grudge against Lin Chao.

How could he recommend Lin Chao to join the Academy?

Therefore, he must break the deadlock.

During this time, Lin Chao has been investigating information regarding the nine great Elders of the sect.

He needs to borrow the power of an Elder to break the deadlock.

Finally, Lin Chao set his sights on the Seventh Elder, the master of Hua Wuxing.

Back then, when the Fifth Elder Zhuge Liu attacked Lin Chao, it was the Seventh Elder who stopped him.

This Seventh Elder is a bit different from the other eight Elders.

That is, up until now, not a single one of the Seventh Elder's disciples has entered the Academy.

Over these many years, the disciples of the other Elders have joined the Academy one after another.

For example, Zhuge Liu already has six disciples who have joined the Academy.

Yet the Seventh Elder has not had a single one, which is quite rare.

Regarding the reason for this, Lin Chao's investigation suggests it has to do with the Seventh Elder's youth.

When the Seventh Elder was young, it seems he had a conflict with a certain big shot at the Academy.

Therefore, it is harder for the Seventh Elder's disciples to join the Academy than it is for others.

This has led to a situation where those disciples who have ambition and want to join the Academy are unwilling to take the Seventh Elder as their master.

Hua Wuxing, however, is an exception.

It can be said that the Seventh Elder spent many resources for Hua Wuxing to join the Academy.

Unfortunately, Hua Wuxing fell, and the Seventh Elder's plans came to nothing.

"The other Elders, because of the Fifth Elder, will likely be the same as the Second Elder and will not help me.

But... the Seventh Elder is different." Lin Chao decided to use the Seventh Elder's power to resolve his predicament.

(End of this chapter)