"I and He You did not show any change in expression, but there was a subtle hint of unease in his demeanor. He quickly regained his composure."
The group of people went into the spirit official hall.
He You Tian had his hands behind his back, while I crossed my hands in front, slightly hanging in front of me. Both of us were very calm.
"The senior and junior brothers have come." The second elder's address changed a lot, it can't be said to be familiar, but it added more respect.
The other elders expressed their attitude first by saluting and greeting He You Tian, and then called me little brother.
I bowed with clasped hands as a gesture of return, still saying nothing else.
Wu Ling still kept his head down, looking worried and remorseful.
The second elder spoke again, breaking the deadlock of the atmosphere.
"This is the situation, Wu Ling, since the misunderstanding earlier, has been kneeling in the hall of the spirit official without getting up. He told me many things, and so did Xian Shen, explaining quite a bit. Finally, some of the circumstances from that day in the great hall have been made clear."
"From the current situation, it seems that Miao San Ji did indeed not hunt Xian Shen. He definitely wanted to use Xian Shen, but Xian Shen has already managed to counterattack. In addition, Xian Shen has solved so many troubles and potential problems that there is no need for Four Rules Mountain to trouble him. It would be our outdated thinking to ask Yun Jin Mountain to provide protection for Xian Shen now."
"The Upper Clear Hall has prepared a welcome banquet to wash away the dust. Once we have clarified the misunderstanding, we can proceed, so that the disciples can have peace of mind."
"The matter of Xian Shen is not at all complicated. Since Second Brother has understood it and so have the other disciples, that's good. I'll prepare a grand ceremony another day to appoint Xian Shen as a candidate for the title of Realman. Do you have any objections?" He You Tian said directly.
The elders looked at each other in confusion, including the Second Elder, who wanted to say something but didn't.
"Oh? Without talking about other things, on that day of the ceremony, Xian Shen should have fought Sun Zhuo and taken back his own position. Sun Zhuo was using a trick, so the position of candidate was originally supposed to be held by Xian Shen. At the time, many disciples were not Xian Shen's match. Today, do you still think that any of your disciples are superior to Xian Shen?" He You Tian said this in a light tone and appeared indifferent.
"Hmmph... cough, cough..." The second elder pounded his chest and said, "Of course, there will be no disciples who are more powerful than Second Brother. His strength may not be enough to completely defeat me, but it is quite strong. Among the younger generation, it is unlikely that anyone can surpass him. However, with the current unstable situation, even though Second Brother has solved most of the problems, some loose ends have not been completely dealt with. I was thinking that after everything is completely resolved, we should invite many Daoist observatories to witness the ceremony together before holding a grand ceremony."
"Then let's go, to the Upper Clear Hall." He You Tian waved his sleeve and treated Wu Ling as if he were not there.
"Wait a moment, Senior Brother." It was Fourth Elder who spoke. He gave a slight smile and said, "Brother He only talked about the misunderstanding of the grand ceremony, but Wu Ling this child has not yet explained his misunderstandings and apologized to Xian Shen."
"Oh? The matters of the grand ceremony, once explained, can be dismissed. Xian Shen is not a small-minded person. Moreover, it was the entire Four Rules Mountain that misunderstood him, not just Wu Ling." He You Tian spoke again, closing the topic.
The other elders looked at each other dejectedly.
At this moment, Wu Ling finally tremblingly lifted his head. The expression on his face seemed authentic to me, but I found it too fake.
But he himself knows yin and yang arts, causing everyone else to think he is very sincere now and also afraid and regretful.
"Wu Ling, the twin monk should be those priests. They are clearly monks but are wearing robes, acting in a rather hurried manner and wanting to ascend to the Four Rules Mountain. I happened to be at the foot of the mountain that day and stopped them, asking them for the reason they were going up." Wu Ling finally spoke, and it sent a chill through my heart.
"I had just told He You Tian earlier that Wu Ling's only fault now was deceiving the twin monks. I never expected... Wu Ling directly exposed himself, and his yin-yang arts truly were not in vain."
Wu Ling continued, "They told me that they had come to deliver the head of Tian Shou Dao Ren, and they said that it was... Second Brother who took the initiative to lead and kill Tian Shou Dao Ren. I was shocked at the time because this was impossible... How strong is Tian Shou Dao Ren? Many Daoist observatories acted together and couldn't keep him from leaving. Second Brother... how could he lead to his death? Moreover, there are no messages from various Daoist observatories, indicating that Realman did not mobilize. The most important thing is that there is already news from Xian Dong Mountain, including my disciples on Si Gu Shān, that a true immortal of the level of Xian Sheng has killed Tian Shou."
"At that time, since the misunderstanding had not been resolved, I thought it was Second Brother's strategy, so I acted on my own initiative. I then informed the group about Tian Shou Dao Ren's head and told them that I would go up the mountain to explain the situation. They left in a hurry."
"The head, I just threw on the road as I climbed up. To this day, it might have been eaten by wild animals."
"But this matter has been clarified. Second Brother He is indeed amazing and talented, and I was too reckless and too self-confident. I sincerely request punishment from Second Brother and also from the Great Elder!" Wu Ling's tone became more serious, and he bent down, his upper body almost touching the ground, showing extreme humility.
My heart is heavy as water.
Before, I thought Wu Ling was not thorough enough. He turned around and gave me a performance of what it means to be leakproof.
At this moment, how can I cause him any trouble with his attitude?
"Big Brother, Wu Ling is also thinking about the interests of Four Rules Mountain. Please punish him lightly." The second elder clasped his fists and began to beg for mercy immediately.
"Wu Ling's ability to stand up and directly admit his mistake is commendable. His character is rare. Please forgive him, Senior Brother." Another elder spoke up.
The others all nodded, not blaming Wu Ling's attitude, but rather thinking he is good.
"What a fresh surprise! If this little brat killed several people and then said it was a misunderstanding, thinking those people might harm Four Rules Mountain, would you all give him some sort of award? Hmph, he said he lost the old fellow Tian Shou's head; so what? What else did he say earlier?"
"He would kill me! He must not be allowed to stay! If my lord's abilities were even a little weaker, he wouldn't be standing next to Elder He right now. Hmph, hmph, hmph." Old Gong spoke with an air of pretension: "Four Rules Mountain was already weak. With Zheng Ren still alive, there were fewer realms. Now that he has been struck by lightning and killed, there is only Elder He left. It seems that my lord will be the next one unless we stop this shouting and fighting."
"Wu Ling was wrong. You all say that being straightforward and admitting one's mistakes is commendable, but this is just letting it go. But my lord's previous problems were not his own fault, they were his parents' and ancestors'. You didn't mention any of this. Now that Luo Xian Shen has taken care of himself, why are you all still wanting to hand him over? Hmph, the monks from Gucheng City are called Niu Bizei; they are good. Even the weaker Daoist practitioners are not afraid of powerful forces. What do you call yourselves?"
He You Tian did not interfere with Lao Gong. He looked calm and indifferent.
The other elders were said to be somewhat red-faced. They all, for a moment, didn't know what to do.
