NOVEL NEXT Chapter 5
Chapter 5: It Seems He Committed Suicide!:
The three individuals in question were Holy Son candidates (and Holy Maiden) within the Heavenly Demonic Sect. Their names were Leng Yaoyue, Xue Wuhen, and Zhanwei. These three represented the factions supported by the Sect Master, the Great Elder, and other prominent elders.
It was widely expected that one of them would be chosen as the Holy Son. However, Hua Qiandi unexpectedly emerged as a strong contender. This caused them to use their influence to make Hua Qiandi appear foolish.
This duel drew attention not only from the younger generation but also from the elders who were observing in secret. As noon approached, Hua Qiandi had already arrived, but the other duelist, Shan Tu, was nowhere to be seen. Impatience grew among the crowd, and murmurs of complaint spread.
“Brother Xue, why hasn’t your little follower Tu Shan shown up yet? Time is almost up!” someone remarked.
“Junior Brother Xue, your people seem rather undisciplined!” Another added.
Xue Wuhen’s expression darkened as if they were directly blaming him for his lack of control over his followers. He quickly pointed at someone nearby and ordered, “You! Go and find Tu Shan, and tell him to get here immediately!”
“Yes, Brother Xue!” The man responded before hurrying off.
But within moments, he returned, his face pale and filled with panic. “Brother Xue! Something terrible has happened! Tu Shan… Tu Shan is dead!”
The announcement sent a wave of shock through the crowd. All eyes turned toward Hua Qiandi, who stood calmly in the center of the field. If anyone was suspected of murder, it was most likely him. Yet, considering his strength, it seemed unlikely.
Xue Wuhen demanded, “How did he die?”
“He… he seems to have committed suicide…” The junior brother stammered.
“Suicide? Are you joking? I’ll see for myself!” Xue Wuhen pushed him aside angrily and flew toward Shan Tu’s residence, followed by the others.
When they arrived at Tu Shan’s place, they were greeted by the sight of a corpse lying in a pool of blood—it was indeed Tu Shan. He was clutching a dagger, which was embedded in his abdomen. Blood had flowed from the wound, staining the ground red. His expression was twisted in pain, disbelief etched on his lifeless face.
The scene looked like a suicide, but no one believed Tu Shan would kill himself. There was simply no reason for it. Who could have murdered him, and why in such a way?
The house was eerily silent.
Xue Wuhen took a few steps forward, his eyes dark with suspicion as he confronted Hua Qiandi. “Junior Brother Hua, did you kill him?”
Hua Qiandi remained calm. “Why do you accuse me?”
“Because you are the most suspicious!” Xue Wuhen snapped.
Hua Qiandi’s expression didn’t change. “Do you have any evidence?”
Xue Wuhen opened his mouth but found himself speechless.
“Are there any witnesses?” Hua Qiandi pressed further.
Again, Xue Wuhen had no response.
“If you have no evidence and no witnesses, don’t accuse me baselessly,” Hua Qiandi continued calmly. “Brother Xue, people often say that we are evil demons who commit all sorts of atrocities, but we can’t actually behave like demons. We should not accuse each other without proof, as it would only make us a laughingstock to others, don’t you think?”
Some people in the crowd couldn’t help but chuckle.
“Junior Brother Hua is right,” Leng Yaoyue chimed in. “To catch a thief, you need evidence. You can’t just point at someone and declare them guilty. Otherwise, we would truly be demons!”
“Exactly! I even think this might be an elaborate play, staged by someone.” Zhanwei added.
“What my brothers and sisters said is true!” Xue Wuhen interjected, regaining his composure. “But I will find the evidence!” With a respectful bow towards the sky, he loudly requested, “Elder Yu, please administer justice!”
An old man, exuding an aura of authority and power, descended to the scene. This was Elder Yu, responsible for overseeing the Heavenly Demonic Sect and maintaining the divine surveillance system known as the Net of Heaven and Earth.
“Greetings, Elder Yu!” Everyone said in unison.
“The situation has already been reported to me.” Elder Yu stated with a stern expression as he quickly formed a hand seal. A massive water screen appeared before them, displaying the courtyard where Tu Shan lived. The scene fast-forwarded.
“Since returning home, Tu Shan hasn’t left his residence. No one else visited him either,” Elder Yu remarked.
“But could someone have escaped the Net of Heaven and Earth?” Xue Wuhen asked skeptically.
“Absolutely impossible!” Elder Yu declared proudly. “To evade the net, one must possess strength surpassing mine. In the entire Heavenly Demonic Sect, there are fewer than two people capable of such a feat.”
Even in the wider world, there are probably less than ten individuals who could avoid the Net of Heaven and Earth. And would such powerful beings need to sneak around to kill a mere disciple?
“Elder Yu, could you display the vision of the Great Dream Peak?” Xue Wuhen requested respectfully. Great Dream Peak was where Hua Qiandi resided.
There were only two people there: Hua Qiandi and an old lunatic who lived in a grave. This request was a thinly veiled accusation, suggesting that Hua Qiandi might have been involved in Tu Shan’s death.
Hua Qiandi’s expression remained indifferent.
Elder Yu glanced at him before nodding. “Certainly,” he said, forming another seal to reveal the scene at Great Dream Peak.
Since last night, no one had entered or left. It wasn’t until close to noon that Hua Qiandi emerged from his quarters and headed straight to the duel arena.
Hua Qiandi was now cleared of suspicion.
“Junior Brother Hua, I apologize for my earlier accusations. Please forgive me for my rudeness.” Xue Wuhen said, forcing a smile.
Hua Qiandi returned the smile. “I understand, Brother. After all, anyone would be angry if their dog wasn’t properly trained.”
Xue Wuhen’s smile faded, his face growing stiff.
“This incident is indeed strange,” Elder Yu interjected. “Someone has murdered a disciple of our faction. We must investigate thoroughly. You may all continue with your affairs.” With that, Elder Yu took Shan Tu’s body and flew into the sky.
“Farewell, Elder Yu!” Everyone said in unison.
At this moment, Xue Wuhen discreetly signaled to one of his junior brothers. The man stepped forward and announced loudly, “Senior Brother Hua, Junior Brother Shan was killed under mysterious circumstances. In his honor, I challenge you in his place! I ask for your guidance!”
The crowd’s interest was piqued. They were eager to see if the new Holy Son candidate would accept the challenge.
Hua Qiandi smiled and said, “It’s a pity I didn’t get to fight Junior Brother Shan earlier. Since Junior Brother Lu is stepping in, I am more than happy to oblige. Please, go ahead!”
“Then you!” Lu Weizhong responded.
Thus, the duel resumed, with Lu Weizhong now taking the place of Tu Shan, who had died under such strange circumstances.
…
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