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墨書 Inktalez
As the sun set, its fading light elongated everyone's shadows on the training ground, yet it could not dispel the heavy atmosphere that lingered in the air. Meng Hao stood still, having defeated Li Muqing, but the sensation of being scrutinized by countless eyes made him acutely aware that greater troubles were quietly approaching. He could sense that behind those fearful and wary gazes lay deeper schemes.
As night fell, the training ground was shrouded in darkness, illuminated only by a few flickering lanterns that barely lit the ancient stones. Li Muqing gathered here with several trusted disciples, his expression dark and brooding. He clutched his chest, his eyes filled with resentment and unwillingness.
"I never expected that woodcutter to possess such a strange shield!" one disciple muttered under his breath.
"He must be using some sort of underhanded trick!" another chimed in, fear evident on his face.
Li Muqing sneered, scanning the crowd with a piercing gaze. "What if it is an underhanded trick? Tomorrow is the sect conference, and I cannot allow a mere country bumpkin to stand above me! You all listen carefully; today we must reach a consensus!" He lowered his voice, his tone laced with an undeniable ruthlessness. "At tomorrow's conference, we will jointly petition the Sect Master to expel Meng Hao for hoarding a Divine Weapon and practicing heretical techniques! If he refuses, we will work together to take him down!"
The disciples exchanged glances, a glint of malice flashing in their eyes as they nodded in agreement. A conspiracy against Meng Hao was quietly taking shape in the dim night.
Meng Hao did not return directly to his quarters. Instead, guided by the Heavenly Axe's sensitivity to energy fluctuations, he keenly detected an unusual aura emanating from the direction of the training ground. This aura was chaotic and cold, tinged with ominous malice. Alarm bells rang in his mind; he knew something was amiss. Stealthily, he approached and concealed himself in the shadows, listening intently to Li Muqing's plot.
"Expel me from the sect? Hoarding a Divine Weapon?" Meng Hao scoffed quietly, a surge of anger rising within him. Li Muqing was truly insidious and vicious, attempting to frame him with such despicable means. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to suppress his fury and began rapidly devising a counter-strategy in his mind. He understood that charging out now would only alert them; he needed a more effective way to retaliate.
The next morning, the sect conference commenced as scheduled. In the spacious hall, elders, stewards, and numerous disciples of Kongtong Sect gathered together. Bai Yunzi sat at the head seat, her expression calm and her gaze imposing. Meng Hao stood among the crowd alongside Sun Ruoshui, who cast him a worried glance before subtly moving closer to him until she was nearly pressed against his arm. Her soft body brushed against him occasionally, sending ripples through his heart; however, he forced himself to remain alert.
Indeed, as soon as the conference began, Li Muqing suddenly fell to his knees with a thud, tears streaming down his face as he cried out to Bai Yunzi: "Sect Master! I have important matters to report! This Meng Hao has an unknown origin and strange martial skills; last night I accidentally discovered that he is hoarding a Divine Weapon and practicing heretical techniques! Such actions could bring disaster upon our Kongtong Sect!"
The disciples behind him who were in on the scheme immediately knelt down as well, echoing in unison: "Sect Master, please take note! Meng Hao indeed has peculiarities! We implore you to expel him from the sect to uphold the integrity of our martial world!"
At these words, chaos erupted in the hall. Whispers filled the air as many disciples displayed expressions of shock and confusion. Some who were friendly with Li Muqing even wore looks of schadenfreude as they awaited Meng Hao's downfall.
Bai Yunzi furrowed his brows. He had anticipated that Li Muqing would take action, but he did not expect it to be so blatant. He turned his gaze to Meng Hao, only to find him calm and composed, showing no signs of panic.
Sun Ruoshui could no longer hold back. She stepped forward, positioning herself in front of Meng Hao, her chest heaving with excitement, almost brushing against Meng Hao's nose. She shouted fiercely, "Li Muqing! You’re spouting nonsense! Meng Hao..."
"Sun Shimei! Do not be deceived by this person!" Li Muqing interrupted her, a glint of malice flashing across his face. "He is sowing discord; even you have been blinded by him! Sect Leader, if this person is not dealt with, he will surely become a grave threat to our Kongtong Sect!"
He abruptly stood up, pointing at Meng Hao with eyes full of hostility. "Meng Hao, do you dare to take out your peculiar axe in front of everyone so we can investigate?" He aimed to force Meng Hao into a corner, exposing the secret of the Heavenly Axe before all. He understood the uniqueness of the Heavenly Axe; once Meng Hao was questioned, the axe would undoubtedly attract everyone's greed.
Seeing Sun Ruoshui stand up for him warmed Meng Hao's heart. He gently took her hand and pulled her behind him, shaking his head at her. He knew this was not the time for impulsive actions. Stepping forward, he met Li Muqing's gaze directly, showing no fear.
"Li Muqing, you have no evidence; on what basis do you accuse me?" Meng Hao said in a deep voice, calm yet powerful. "You claim I possess a Divine Weapon and practice evil arts—do you have any proof?"
Li Muqing sneered. "Proof? That strange axe of yours is the best evidence! If it weren't for some sinister method, how could a mere woodcutter withstand my Seven Injuries Fist?!"
At that moment, Bai Yunzi slammed his hand on the armrest with a loud bang. His sharp gaze pierced through Li Muqing like two swords. "Enough! Li Muqing, as a disciple of Kongtong Sect, how dare you openly accuse a fellow disciple without solid evidence! Do you have no regard for the sect's rules?!"
Bai Yunzi's words struck like thunder in the hall, silencing everyone present. Li Muqing's face turned pale; he did not expect the Sect Leader to reprimand him so sternly.
"Sect Leader..." Li Muqing attempted to defend himself but was cut off again by Bai Yunzi.
"What you have done today has seriously violated sect rules!" Bai Yunzi's tone was icy and carried an undeniable authority. "I sentence you to one month of confinement and reflection! If there is a next time, I will show no mercy!"
Li Muqing staggered slightly, shock and humiliation filling his eyes. He had thought the Sect Leader would favor him but did not expect Bai Yunzi to be so impartial. The other elders and stewards in the sect lowered their heads, afraid to speak further.
“Meng Hao, do you have anything to say?” Bai Yunzi turned to Meng Hao, his tone noticeably softened.
Meng Hao stepped forward, his gaze resolutely sweeping across every face in the hall, finally landing on Li Muqing. He understood that today’s battle was not just about clearing his name; it was also about establishing his authority. Taking a deep breath, the energy of the Heavenly Axe began to circulate within him, and a bronze shield flickered into view.
“Master, fellow brothers,” Meng Hao’s voice was not loud, but each word was clear and echoed throughout the hall. “I, Meng Hao, come from the wilderness and am new to Kongtong Sect. I admit I am not familiar with many of the rules. However, I stand upright and act justly; I have never committed any acts against chivalry!” His gaze sharpened as he stared directly at Li Muqing. “Li Muqing, since you doubt my strength and question my axe, there is no need to wait for the martial arts competition!”
With a sudden motion, he raised his hand, and the Heavenly Axe appeared in his grasp, its bronze blade shimmering as if it were alive.
“I, Meng Hao, hereby challenge all those present who doubt me!” Meng Hao’s voice rang out powerfully, carrying an undeniable authority. “I am no longer the humble woodcutter you can look down upon! Whoever is unconvinced, feel free to come forward!”
He thrust the Heavenly Axe into the ground with force, producing a resonant hum that seemed to shake the entire hall. Everyone was stunned by Meng Hao’s imposing presence, falling into a profound silence. No one expected that a mere woodcutter would dare to challenge all the disciples in Kongtong Sect within their own hall!
Bai Yunzi watched Meng Hao standing proudly, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. He knew that this young man was declaring his arrival to the entire martial world in his own way.
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