Chapter 93: Chapter 94: The Trial (Part 1)

The moment Song Changsheng spoke, Song Lusheng—who had been all smiles just a second before—trembled. His expression changed in a flash, his eyes betraying a hint of terror.

He suppressed the tempest in his heart, forcing a stiff smile onto his face. "Thief? What are you talking about?"

Song Changsheng closed the distance step by step, staring directly into the other man’s eyes. "If you don’t understand, Uncle," he said coldly, "then I’ll be clearer. Why... did you betray the clan?"

Feeling the pressure and power rolling off of Song Changsheng, Song Lusheng’s eyes filled with despair. He collapsed to the ground like a boneless heap. "How did you find out?" he asked with a bitter smile. "I was so sure I hadn’t given myself away."

Song Changsheng looked down at Song Lusheng, his eyes filled not just with anger, but with a deeper sense of pain.

He had successfully begun Introducing Qi into the Body at the age of eight, becoming a Cultivator. When he entered the clan’s academy, Song Lusheng had been his Technique Tutor. Song Changsheng had learned nearly half of his Magic from this very man.

To Song Changsheng, Song Lusheng was more than an elder; he was a mentor. Though they had grown distant over the years, Song Changsheng had always held him in the highest regard.

That was why he couldn’t understand.

’Why? Why did the clan’s traitor have to be him!’

No one could possibly imagine the shock and anguish Song Changsheng felt as he read through that list of names.

"Uncle, come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall and face your judgment," Song Changsheng said, looking down on him.

Song Lusheng’s eyes were vacant. He nodded blankly and used a nearby doorpost to slowly pull himself to his feet.

But in that instant, everything changed!

An unremarkable gemstone ring on his finger suddenly shattered, and a brilliant white light shot straight for Song Changsheng’s face.

BANG!

A Tai Chi Diagram materialized in front of Song Changsheng. The white light struck it, causing ripples to spread across its surface, but it didn’t harm Song Changsheng in the slightest, not even ruffling the corner of his clothes.

Song Lusheng fell into complete despair. The ring was a Protective Talisman from his grandfather’s youth, and the power sealed within it was comparable to a Tier Two Low Grade Attack Talisman. Yet, Song Changsheng had deflected it with such ease.

’He knew... it was over for him...’

Seeing his opponent still putting up a futile struggle, Song Changsheng let out a soft sigh. The last of his pity vanished. With a flick of his finger, he sent out a wisp of Yin Yang Qi, which transformed into a black-and-white chain that bound Song Lusheng and tossed him aside.

Just then, an aged voice drifted from the courtyard. "Lusheng, what’s going on? What is all this commotion?"

A stooped, white-haired old man emerged. The moment he saw the cold expression on Song Changsheng’s face and Song Lusheng lying bound and motionless on the ground, the shrewd old man understood everything.

His stooped frame gradually straightened, and his cloudy eyes grew sharp. Song Xiandu stared at Song Changsheng, his voice full of vigor. "I considered many possibilities, but I never imagined it would be you. Didn’t Song Luyao come herself?"

"Clan Elder, I could say the same to you. We suspected many people, but we never imagined that you were the traitor hidden in the clan’s midst!"

"Traitor?" Song Xiandu sneered. "Heh, must you be so crude? I was shedding my blood for this clan when you were still nothing."

Song Changsheng took a few steps forward, his gaze locked on the gaunt old man, his killing intent palpable. "Then tell me, why did you sell out the clan?

"When the Clan Leader went into seclusion for his Purple Mansion breakthrough, you leaked the news to the Lieyang Sect. When the Third Elder traveled to Luoxia City, you tipped off the Earth Fire Sect. And those are just a few examples; the list is too long to recount.

"You bear the Song name. The clan has never mistreated you. So why?! Why would you do this!"

Song Xiandu suddenly burst into laughter, a wild, manic laugh, as if Song Changsheng had just told the funniest joke in the world. After a moment, he stopped, tilting his head back to look at him, his eyes alight with a frenzied glee. "Why? You’re asking me why?

"Boy, you’re still young. There are things you haven’t just failed to experience—you’ve likely never even heard of them.

"My great-grandfather is Song Taiyi, my grandfather is Song Chuyi, and my father is Song Yungui! I am the eldest son of the primary lineage! The position of Clan Leader was supposed to be mine!

"Who the hell is Song Xianming? He just got lucky with some fortuitous encounter and reached Foundation Establishment first, and that old hag Song Yunhan handed him the position of Clan Leader! On what grounds!

"Fine. It was the clan’s decision. I accepted it. But I am the eldest son of the primary lineage! Why wasn’t I given even a single Foundation Establishment Pill!

"And you call that ’treating me well?!’"

Song Xiandu roared, his face contorted in a way that was utterly unlike his usual kind and amiable expression.

A harsh glint flashed in Song Changsheng’s eyes. "The clan has never distributed Foundation Establishment Pills based on lineage," he said coldly. "With your Three Spirit Roots aptitude, you didn’t even qualify as a Foundation Establishment Seed. What right did you have to a Foundation Establishment Pill?

"When Yungui Ancestor led the clan, he established the rule that public and private matters must be kept separate. By that rule, the Foundation Establishment Pill was never yours to claim. There’s no point in saying more. Come with me to the Law Enforcement Hall and make your case there!"

Without another word, Song Changsheng moved, swiftly subduing him and taking him away along with Song Lusheng.

Meanwhile, the Law Enforcement Disciples began rounding up the other traitors. The operation was carried out so stealthily that it caused barely a ripple within the clan.

Within a single day, nearly all spies and traitors inside the Song Clan had been purged...

"Mother, about their trial... should we inform Grandfather and the Grand Elder?" Song Changsheng asked while kneading Xia Yunxue’s shoulders.

After all, the two men he had arrested today held significant positions. One was a Technique Tutor in the clan academy, and the other was a Clan Elder on the governing council. Both held vital, sensitive roles.

It was a major case, important enough to warrant the Clan Leader himself presiding over the trial.

"There’s no need. We already have someone to preside over the trial."

"Will you be presiding, Mother? That would be good. Handling a case like this right after taking charge of the Law Enforcement Hall would be a perfect way to establish your authority."

"You’re half right. Authority does need to be established," Xia Yunxue said with a smile, patting his hand. "But not mine. Yours."

"Me?" Song Changsheng’s eyes went wide. ’He’d made the arrests, and now the trial was his responsibility too?’

"Correct. This is a test for you from the clan. Whatever you decide, we will support you."

Song Changsheng finally understood. From the very beginning, the Elder Council had packaged this whole affair and dumped it in his lap. The goal was to build prestige and establish authority for him, the new Young Clan Leader.

After a moment of thought, Song Changsheng stated his decision. "In that case, I will hold a public trial to make an example of them."

"It’s your decision." Xia Yunxue stretched languidly and then drifted away, leaving Song Changsheng to his own devices.

Song Changsheng took a deep breath and called out toward the entrance of the hall, "Someone!"

"Young Clan Leader." A Law Enforcement Disciple in a black uniform entered and bowed respectfully.

"Pass down the order: the clan traitors will be publicly tried in the main hall of the Law Enforcement Hall tomorrow at Noon."

"Yes, sir!"

...