Chapter 5: Demonic Arts Slander? I'll Use the Mind-Questioning Mirror to Expose You!

"He cultivates demonic arts?!"

Lin Xuan’s earth-shattering accusation was like a massive boulder crashing into a calm lake, instantly whipping up a monstrous wave in front of the City Lord’s mansion!

Everyone’s gaze, like a spotlight, suddenly shifted from Lin Xuan and focused entirely on Ye Chen, who had just landed with an ashen face.

Shock, suspicion, disbelief, scrutiny... all sorts of complex emotions intertwined on every face.

Ye Chen cultivates demonic arts? How could that be possible?!

He was the young chivalrous hero who, in full view of everyone, had slain a demon with a single sword strike, radiating righteousness! He was the genius favored by the Saintess Yun Yao! How could he possibly cultivate such evil demonic arts that the world would not tolerate?

But... why would Lin Xuan make such an accusation? And in this situation, where he was being hunted down in such a pathetic, seemingly desperate state? Could he really have obtained some evidence? Or was this just the frantic biting of a cornered beast?

For a moment, the scene fell into an extremely eerie silence. Even the City Lord Zhao Wuji, who had arrived, furrowed his brows, his sharp gaze scanning back and forth between Lin Xuan and Ye Chen.

Ye Chen’s chest heaved violently, not from exhaustion, but from extreme rage and the humiliation of being slandered. He stared fixedly at Lin Xuan, who was kneeling on the ground with an "I am the victim" expression, his knuckles turning white from the force of gripping his sword.

"Lin! Xuan!" Ye Chen’s voice sounded as if it were squeezed through his teeth, carrying cold killing intent, "You slander my innocence; you deserve to die!"

Faint flashes of lightning flickered around his body; he was clearly on the verge of exploding.

"Slander your innocence?" Lin Xuan raised his head, his face showing no fear, but rather a kind of "all-in" grief and indignation, "Ye Chen! Do you dare swear to the heavens that you have never cultivated any technique that devours the cultivation base, essence blood, or soul of others? Do you dare use the Mind-Questioning Mirror to reflect upon your true heart?!"

The Mind-Questioning Mirror!

Everyone’s hearts tightened once more. It was a rare magic treasure in the cultivation world that could reflect the human heart and distinguish truth from lies. Although a small place like Qingyun City didn't have one, Lin Xuan bringing it up now undoubtedly increased the credibility of his claims—at least he appeared very confident.

"My, Ye Chen’s, actions are open and aboveboard; why would I need to swear to a shameless wretch like you!" Ye Chen shouted sternly, but the slight, imperceptible fluctuation deep in his eyes was captured by Lin Xuan, who had been observing him all along.

Lin Xuan sneered inwardly. He certainly knew Ye Chen didn't cultivate demonic arts, but he was betting on Ye Chen’s pride as a Child of Destiny and his mindset of "the innocent are self-cleansing and disdain to explain." Besides, protagonists always have some secrets that cannot be told to outsiders; they might not be demonic arts, but they certainly couldn't withstand the scrutiny of something like a "Mind-Questioning Mirror."

Sure enough, Ye Chen’s evasive attitude made some people’s suspicions even heavier.

"Young Hero Ye, since you have a clear conscience, why not clarify it in public?" Li Wanshan pondered for a moment and spoke slowly. As a local power, he had more factors to consider. If Ye Chen really had a problem, the Li family must not get too deeply involved with him.

Saintess Yun Yao had also tidied her clothes by now and walked over, her face covered in frost. The look she gave Ye Chen still carried concern, but Lin Xuan’s "well-reasoned" accusation had left an imperceptible shadow in her heart. She said softly, "Brother Ye Chen, the innocent are self-cleansing, perhaps you should..."

"Saintess!" Ye Chen interrupted her, his face looking ugly. How could he clarify? He indeed had secrets on him that could not be exposed, concerning his background and inheritance! This Mind-Questioning Mirror was absolutely not to be used!

City Lord Zhao Wuji’s gaze was like a torch as he said in a deep voice, "Nephew Ye, Lin Xuan’s accusation is of great importance; it concerns your reputation and the stability of Qingyun City. If you cannot prove your innocence, it will be very difficult for this City Lord."

The pressure instantly shifted to Ye Chen’s side.

Lin Xuan was overjoyed, though his face remained filled with grief and indignation, even squeezing out two tears: "City Lord, please discern the truth! Seniors, please discern the truth! Although I, Lin Xuan, was useless in the past, I can still distinguish right from wrong! I am willing to swear in the name of my Lin family’s ancestors; if I have spoken a single false word, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death!"

He made this poisonous oath with such sincerity. Anyway, he knew he was spouting nonsense, and the Heavenly Dao of this world probably couldn't touch him, a transmigrator.

[Ding! Detected Ye Chen’s frustration and rage, Emotion Points +1666!]

[Ding! Detected Saintess Yun Yao’s doubts and worries, Emotion Points +888!]

[Ding! Detected the suspicion and scrutiny of Li Wanshan, Zhao Wuji, and others, Emotion Points +1222!]

[Ding! Detected the shock and excitement of the onlookers, Emotion Points +6666!]

Awesome! Another huge wave of Emotion Points in the account!

Watching Lin Xuan’s "best actor" performance, Ye Chen was so angry he almost vomited blood. He had never seen such a shameless person who could invert black and white! He was clearly the one who peeked at the Saintess bathing and fled in a panic after being discovered, yet now he had transformed into a righteous person exposing "demonic arts"? Was there no justice left in this world?!

He knew that if he didn't provide an explanation today, this stigma of "cultivating demonic arts" would likely be set in stone! By then, let alone pursuing the Saintess, he would immediately become a target for everyone, intolerable to the righteous path of the world!

But how to explain? Admitting he didn't cultivate demonic arts was simple, but the other party wanted "proof"! And the method of proof was something he could not accept!

Just as Ye Chen was caught in a dilemma and the scene was deadlocked—

"Amitabha!"

A clear and resonant Buddhist chant, like the evening drum and morning bell, entered everyone’s ears clearly, carrying a power that calmed the heart.

Everyone looked toward the sound and saw a young monk wearing moon-white monk robes, with delicate features and holding a string of ancient Buddhist beads, who had appeared at the corner of the street at some point and was walking over slowly. His pace seemed slow, but in the blink of an eye, he had arrived close by.

"Master Liaochen!" City Lord Zhao Wuji’s eyes lit up, and he quickly stepped forward to pay his respects.

The person who arrived was Liaochen, a wandering monk from the Great Brightness Temple in the Western Regions, who was currently staying as a guest at the City Lord’s mansion. The Great Brightness Temple was a holy site of Buddhism; although Liaochen was young, his Buddhist attainments were profound, and he was highly respected in Qingyun City.

"Master Liaochen, you have come at the right time." Zhao Wuji, as if he had found a backbone, quickly explained the tricky situation at hand in a low voice.

After listening, Liaochen’s clear gaze swept over the "grieved" Lin Xuan, then looked at the ashen-faced, unstable Ye Chen, and finally pressed his palms together, saying gently, "Goodness, goodness. Benefactor Ye carries the righteous energy of thunder and is definitely not one who cultivates demonic arts. Benefactor Lin, there must be some misunderstanding here."

His voice carried a strange magic that made people involuntarily feel convinced.

Lin Xuan’s heart skipped a beat; oh no, a spoiler has arrived! And a monk who looks like he has a very high level!

"Master! You can know a person's face but not their heart!" Lin Xuan immediately shouted, "When he was hunting me down just now, that killing intent, that sword technique, it was incomparably ruthless; how does that look like a person of the righteous path?"

Liaochen smiled slightly, his gaze looking peacefully at Lin Xuan: "Benefactor Lin, you keep saying Benefactor Ye cultivates demonic arts, do you have concrete evidence? If there is no evidence, then it is reckless speech, adding to your verbal karma."

"I..." Lin Xuan was speechless; he had no evidence at all.

Liaochen stopped looking at him and turned to Ye Chen and the crowd: "Benefactor Ye has secrets and is unwilling to use the Mind-Questioning Mirror, which is understandable. This poor monk is untalented, but I am willing to use the 'Mind-Reading' technique of my Great Brightness Temple to bear witness for Benefactor Ye."

Mind-Reading?!

The crowd was in an uproar again! This was one of the supreme divine abilities of Buddhism, capable of sensing others' thoughts! Although Master Liaochen only said "shallow technique," its effect was probably not much worse than the Mind-Questioning Mirror!

Hearing this, Ye Chen’s expression shifted, and he looked at Liaochen. He felt the kindness and affirmation in the other’s gaze.

"In that case, I will trouble you, Master." Ye Chen took a deep breath, suppressed his anger, and bowed to Liaochen. He believed that this high monk should be able to distinguish truth from falsehood and restore his innocence.

Liaochen nodded, walked to Ye Chen, extended his index finger, and a soft golden light bloomed at his fingertip, lightly tapping Ye Chen’s brow.

Everyone held their breath, watching this scene nervously. Even Lin Xuan felt a bit uneasy; could this monk really see through his framing?

The golden light entered Ye Chen’s brow, and Liaochen closed his eyes, seemingly sensing carefully.

A moment later, he withdrew his finger, opened his eyes, and faced the crowd, his voice clear and certain:

"Benefactor Ye’s heart is clear, his righteous energy is vast, and there is absolutely no sign of cultivating any demonic arts. What Benefactor Lin said is truly false."

The truth was revealed!

Everyone’s gaze instantly focused on Lin Xuan again; this time, it was filled with disdain, anger, and the look one gives a clown.

"He really was spouting nonsense!"

"This Lin Xuan is truly shameless to the extreme!"

"To actually slander Young Hero Ye like this, his heart is punishable!"

Ye Chen let out a long sigh of relief, and the killing intent in his gaze toward Lin Xuan gathered again, even more intense than before! This time, he had sufficient reason and the support of the crowd!

Saintess Yun Yao also completely set her heart at ease, her gaze toward Lin Xuan as cold as a knife.

It’s over! I overplayed my hand!

Lin Xuan felt cold inside; this monk didn't play by the rules!

[Ding! Detected that the host is in a huge crisis, meeting the hidden condition of "lying flat in a desperate situation"! Mysterious gift package automatically opened!]

[Congratulations to the host for obtaining: One-time skill—"Invert Black and White" (Beginner)!]

[Skill effect: Forcibly distort a fact that has already occurred and is unfavorable to the host, and make surrounding life forms with lower strength than the host feel a brief conviction (effect depends on the other party’s strength and willpower). Note: Effect is significantly weakened against Children of Destiny and those favored by Heaven.]

Huh?! A village after the dark willow trees?!

Lin Xuan was stunned for a moment, then ecstatic! System Daddy really does love me!

Just as Ye Chen was about to strike again and the crowd was preparing to denounce Lin Xuan—

Lin Xuan jumped up abruptly, pointing at Liaochen, his face showing a "shock" and "grief" even more exaggerated than before, his voice as shrill as a cuckoo crying blood:

"Master! You... you are actually shielding him?! Could it be that your Great Brightness Temple is also involved with his demonic arts?! I clearly felt you use a soul-bewitching spell just now to distort Ye Chen’s thoughts! You are all in cahoots!"

"Invert Black and White," activate!

An invisible, intangible, yet eerily strange fluctuation centered on Lin Xuan and instantly spread out!

Ye Chen, who was preparing to strike, froze in his movements.

The previously certain Monk Liaochen furrowed his brows imperceptibly.

City Lord Zhao Wuji, Li Wanshan, and the others, the certainty and anger that had just appeared on their faces were instantly replaced by a trace of confusion and doubt.

The surrounding righteous-indignant commoners and low-level cultivators had their eyes dazed, and the looks they gave Ye Chen and Liaochen actually carried a trace of suspicion!

"It seems... Young Master Lin has a point?"

"Master Liaochen’s golden light just now did look a bit strange..."

"Could it be... there really is a hidden story?"

Although the effect had minimal impact on existences of Ye Chen and Liaochen’s level, and they instantly shook off that strange feeling, the reactions of the ordinary people and low-level cultivators around them were real!

The truth that had just been clarified instantly became mysterious and confusing again!

Ye Chen and Liaochen looked at the suspicious gazes of the people around them, a breath stuck in their chests, almost causing internal injuries!

This... this can also work?!

Lin Xuan watched the scene fall back into chaos and questioning, and the Emotion Point notifications in his mind began to scroll again; he knew he had successfully bought himself another second!

He didn't dare to stay, and while the crowd hadn't fully reacted, he exerted his peak acting skills again, clutching his chest with a painful expression of "I see through you hypocrites," and said sorrowfully:

"Forget it! Forget it! You protect each other, you are all in the same boat! There is no justice left in this Qingyun City!"

"I, Lin Xuan, am ashamed to be associated with you!"

After speaking, he turned around and used that strange movement technique again, like a rabbit that had suffered a great grievance, and disappeared into the dark alley in a few leaps.

This time, Ye Chen did not immediately chase after him.

He and Liaochen stood on the spot, looking in the direction where Lin Xuan disappeared, their faces so gloomy they could almost drip water.

Especially Ye Chen; he felt that his Dao heart had been challenged and... polluted like never before today.

This Lin Xuan was no longer just shameless.

He was simply a... monster capable of distorting reality!

And Lin Xuan, who had escaped back to the Lin family’s small courtyard, slumped into a chair and laughed out loud.

"Exciting! Too fucking exciting!"

"Invert Black and White? This skill is awesome!"

"However, I’ve offended Ye Chen and that bald donkey to death now... I must hurry up and improve my strength!"

He looked at the system panel with burning eyes.

"System, use all my slack-off points to upgrade my cultivation base!"

(End of Chapter Five)