Chapter 105

“So that’s how it was!”

Yu Xuan Shibo, who had been silent until now, suddenly spoke and nodded in sudden understanding.

He had long been unable to figure out how He Pingsheng had escaped.

Now that it was explained, everything became clear.

In the grand hall, many others, like Yu Xuan, also suddenly understood at this moment.

“That still doesn’t make sense!” Feng Daogu suddenly said: “You disguising yourself as a man is plausible, but how could you fool the eyes of a Tianfu Mountain elder?”

“Would they let you board their vessel?”

Feng Daogu voiced the doubts many in the hall harbored.

He Pingsheng said: “Disciple once helped a Tianfu Mountain disciple, Qiao Huizhu, while in that secret realm—she was the one who concealed me!”

Hong Changlao nodded and asked: “After you departed on Tianfu Mountain’s flying vessel, where did you go?”

He Pingsheng replied: “After riding Tianfu Mountain’s flying vessel for about half a day, I disembarked among a cluster of mountains!”

“Originally, I planned to head to Matou Mountain marketplace, but my spiritual sense was injured, so I couldn’t control paper cranes to fly—I could only hide in the mountains to cultivate!”

“Several days later, just earlier today, my Master went out searching for me and happened to find me!”

“I then returned to the sect with my Master!”

“That is the entire sequence of events!”

After speaking, He Pingsheng fell silent.

He had spoken too much today.

As the saying goes: too many words invite mistakes.

The more you say, the more likely you are to expose a flaw.

The best course is to say nothing at all, insist you never saw Linglong, and since you have no evidence, you cannot touch me.

But that won’t work!

He Pingsheng must offer a plausible explanation for why he left with Tianfu Mountain’s immortal vessel.

To explain this, he had no choice but to speak so much.

Fortunately, he had rehearsed these words many times—overall, they contained no obvious flaws.

“Good!” Hong Changlao nodded and said: “At present, there is no evidence proving He Pingsheng is the murderer of Linglong!”

“First, he had no sufficient motive!”

“Second, logically, he lacked the capability for such an act!”

“Third, we have no sufficient evidence!”

“Therefore, I personally lean toward the view that Linglong, Luoyu, Yang Xu, and the other five were ambushed by a large force from another sect, hence their deaths!”

“As I understand, Xiao Bufan, the eldest disciple of the Bingji Immortal Sect, also perished in this secret realm—it seems someone deliberately orchestrated this!”

“Enough, enough!” Hong Changlao swept his sleeve: “He Pingsheng, we cannot convict you for now, but you must remain within the sect and await further investigation!”

“Once our Law Enforcement Hall has reviewed the matter further, if we confirm your innocence, we will issue a formal explanation within the sect!”

“Ladies and gentlemen, farewell!”

Hong Changlao left the grand hall.

“Hmph…” Feng Daogu snorted and followed Hong Changlao out.

“That’s enough!” Yu Xuan, the Senior Disciple, waved his hand: “All of you, get out! Anyone who dares bring up this baseless matter again, I’ll cut out their tongue!”

As he spoke, Yu Xuan glanced at Zheng Menglong.

Zheng Menglong, terrified, bowed his head and hurried away!

Who could have known the Master would die?

Had he known, he would never have uttered a single word.

The grand hall now held only Yu Xuan, Yu Ning, and He Pingsheng’s nine senior and junior siblings.

All stared eagerly at He Pingsheng, for six [Water Elemental Spirit Apricots] lay before him.

“Young Nine…” Yu Ning waved her dust whisk, gazing at her youngest disciple—she liked him more with every glance.

He Pingsheng’s performance today had exceeded all her expectations.

His speech was clear, his logic precise, his demeanor neither humble nor arrogant, and his emotions utterly controlled.

Such a person would walk far on the Dao.

“What are you standing there for?”

“Bring out everything you obtained in the secret realm—by rule, half must be surrendered to the sect!”

“Yes!” He Pingsheng respectfully opened his Hundred Treasures pouch and laid out its contents one by one.

Immortal Bamboo Shoots!

Seven-Leaf Spirit Grass!

Spirit Apricots!

First-rank spirit herbs, and more.

Over three thousand in total!

Second-rank spirit herbs, over thirty.

Besides these first- and second-rank herbs, there were fourteen vials of Yangyang Flower Pollen.

Gold-Silver Peaches, thirteen fruits.

He Pingsheng displayed only these—the rest he had hidden long ago.

“Heh… you kid… your harvest isn’t bad!” Yu Ning smiled: “Though abundant, these items aren’t particularly valuable overall!”

“Hmm… this mid-grade Yangyang Flower Pollen is quite good!”

“Enough!” Yu Ning waved her hand, taking half of all items and pushing the rest toward He Pingsheng.

“You did well!”

“I’ll reward you separately later!”

“Young Nine, speak your wish!”

Yu Ning looked at He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng said: “Master, when we entered the secret realm, I told Tian Xiaoqing, Zhao Linger, and Xu Kunlun—we four would advance and retreat together and split all gains equally!”

“So I ask you for one [Water Elemental Spirit Apricot].”

“Oh!” Yu Ning nodded, picked up one Water Elemental Spirit Apricot, and gave it to He Pingsheng.

He Pingsheng now held four Spirit Apricots—he gave three to Zhao Linger, Tian Xiaoqing, and Xu Kunlun.

The faces around him darkened.

We thought you were hoarding them—you gave all three away?

Isn’t that a waste?

Especially Senior Brother Hou Muxian—he was heartbroken.

“Master… this… this…” his face twisted in agony.

He was at the twelfth layer—only one Water Elemental Spirit Apricot stood between him and Foundation Establishment.

He had tried several Golden Core Pills before, but each time he fell just short.

Now, with one Water Elemental Spirit Apricot, Foundation Establishment would be guaranteed.

If He Pingsheng had kept three, Hou Muxian might have negotiated a trade.

But now they’re all given away—what trade?

He’ll keep them for himself—he won’t trade them.

What now?

“I still have two apricots left!” Yu Ning shook the two Water Elemental Spirit Apricots in her hand: “I’ll first consult Elder Chongyang on how to distribute them!”

“I’ll distribute them only after his elder’s decision!”

“You…”

“All of you, leave now!”

“Oh, and!” Yu Ning glanced again at He Pingsheng and the three others: “None of you four may leave Xiuzhu Peak until you’ve consumed your [Water Elemental Spirit Apricots]!”

“Otherwise, you might stir up more trouble!”

This…

He Pingsheng’s face fell: “Master, I must go to Matou Mountain!”

“No!” Yu Ning said: “What for?”

He Pingsheng replied: “I must sell my Yangyang Flower Pollen quickly, or its potency will fade!”

“Also, I wish to trade this pollen for some [Soul-Recovering Pills]—my spiritual sense is nearly shattered!”

Yu Ning said: “Give me the pollen—I’ll handle it for you.”

“Stay on Xiuzhu Peak, do not leave!”