Chapter 48: The Crime Exposed

Heavenly Secrets Mountain, the rear peak.

In the disciples' courtyard of the Mu family, Ding Wanchong, the chief senior disciple of the fiftieth generation, paced back and forth with his hands behind his back, his expression extremely agitated.

"Xiao San, did you see clearly? Aside from bringing his own sister, Chu Feng brought another man and woman?" Ding Wanchong asked with a frown.

"Yes, I saw it clearly. That man and woman seem to be very close to Chu Feng as well!" Xiao San, with his shifty eyes and sneaky demeanor, replied.

"Hmph! That brat Chu Feng—who knows what kind of trickery he used to conjure up Pulse Needles out of nowhere. It's one thing for the Mu family to be grateful to him, but must they also provide martial resources for his friends and companions? Utterly absurd!"

Ding Wanchong was terribly displeased.

Yet after his dissatisfaction, worry crept into his heart.

These past two days, tension hung heavy over the Mu family. The head of the house, Mu Zhentong, was investigating the person who sent anonymous letters to the Wind and Thunder Martial Pavilion and the Terror Sect. Although it wasn't certain that the sender was someone from the Mu family, it was unlikely to be an outsider.

What made Ding Wanchong uneasy was that Master Mu Zhentong had not only grown distant toward him, but seemed to suspect that he himself was the sender!

"Ah, had I known it would come to this, why did I do what I did? I never had any real enmity with Chu Feng, only doubted his ability to create Pulse Needles, thinking he was just a charlatan. At most, I underestimated him. Who would have thought that our conflict would deepen step by step, and every misstep led to another? Now the situation is truly unfavorable for me!"

Ding Wanchong shook his head, full of regret for his impulsiveness—his disdain for Chu Feng had only worsened his predicament.

But regret now was futile.

"Master, what should we do next? You asked me to deliver those letters to the two factions. If the head of the house really finds out, we're done for!" Xiao San said, anxiety written all over his face.

"I've thought about it, but what else can we do?" Ding Wanchong replied, torn apart inside. "Let's hope Chu Feng doesn't pursue it. If he doesn't, we'll have dodged this disaster. If he does, even without concrete evidence, we'll be like ants on a hot pan, constantly on guard, wary of slipping up..."

Knock knock!

Just then, the gate to the courtyard was suddenly knocked upon.

"Who is it?" Ding Wanchong called.

Knock knock!

The visitor remained silent, continuing to knock.

"Who is knocking?" Ding Wanchong demanded in a low voice.

Bang!

Both doors were flung open with a single blow, and Mu Yun'er strode in.

"Junior Sister Mu, it's you?" Seeing Mu Yun'er arrive with such force, Ding Wanchong's heart instantly panicked. Had his misdeeds come to light?

"Senior Brother Ding, Miss Mu wishes to see you. Follow me," Mu Yun'er commanded coldly, pointing at Xiao San. "And you as well!"

"Senior Sister Mu, may I ask what Miss Mu wants with my master and me?" Ding Wanchong asked softly.

"I don't know. You'll find out when you get there. Don't waste time, come with me," Mu Yun'er said icily.

Ding Wanchong's heart was in turmoil. He knew nothing good awaited him, but lacked the courage to refuse. He had no choice but to steel himself and follow Mu Yun'er with Xiao San.

...

Before the Green Bamboo Pavilion, Xiao Li, having learned the truth about the Purple Crystal Flower, was on the verge of tears.

"It truly is the cycle of karma, retribution never fails!"

She said with deep feeling to Chu Feng, "You cured Sister Mu's pulse pain, which meant the Purple Crystal Flower I bought couldn't be sold. When I was desperate, you helped me pay off my debts. Now you've brought me to the Mu family, giving me a place to settle. Is it mere coincidence, or destiny?"

"It's just Heaven teasing you because you're cute. Don't overthink it," Chu Feng said, gently touching her head with a smile.

Just then, Mu Yun'er arrived, leading Ding Wanchong and Xiao San, accompanied by Mi Xinjian.

"Miss Mu, Ding Wanchong and his two disciples have been brought," Mu Yun'er nodded.

Ding Wanchong immediately stepped forward and said, "Miss Mu, may I ask what guidance you have for the three of us?"

Though his words were frank, Ding Wanchong's heart was pounding, and he could only muster the courage to ask first.

Beside him, Mi Xinjian and Xiao San lacked even the nerve to meet Mu Qiaoxue's eyes, their heads bowed low.

Their cowardice was so obvious that even the uninformed Chu Xinlian, Xiao Dao, and Xiao Li could tell they must have done something shameful.

"Ding Wanchong, I think you know perfectly well why I've summoned you," Mu Qiaoxue said with a cold smile. "This morning, on their way here, Chu Feng and his companions were attacked by unknown assailants. You arranged this ambush, didn't you?"

"What?" Ding Wanchong froze, then quickly shook his head. "Miss Mu, you've wronged me! I know nothing of this matter and harbored no ill intent toward Master Chu. From yesterday evening until this morning, I was in my courtyard the entire time..."

"Very well, I'll ask you about a second matter," Mu Qiaoxue paused. "The person who sent anonymous letters to the Wind and Thunder Martial Pavilion and the Terror Sect—that was you, wasn't it?"

At this, Ding Wanchong's face changed dramatically and he shook his head repeatedly. "Miss Mu, I swear you've wronged me! I didn't do it. It wasn't until those two factions arrived that I learned Master Chu's true identity. How could I possibly..."

Mu Qiaoxue sneered and shook her head. "On the day before the Mu family's autumn trial, I was here speaking with Chu Feng. You, clad in green, were lurking in the bamboo grove, using a listening device made from Fire Bat Wings to eavesdrop. I already sensed your presence. Did you think your actions were invisible?"

Hearing this, Mi Xinjian and Xiao San, who had been bowing their heads, both looked up in shock, then quickly lowered their heads again.

That brief glance, followed by a lower bow, was as good as admitting Mu Qiaoxue spoke the truth.

Ding Wanchong tried to compose himself. "Miss Mu, I admit I inadvertently offended Chu Feng before, but do you really think that means I am the culprit? Allow me to defend myself: to catch a thief, you must catch him with the stolen goods. If you claim I was hiding in the bamboo grove eavesdropping, you must provide evidence!"

"Ding Wanchong, it seems you won't confess until you see the coffin!" Mu Qiaoxue snorted, turning to Mi Xinjian and Xiao San. "According to the family rules of the Mu family, the master bears primary responsibility for wrongdoing committed together with his disciples! Now, there is a chance to atone for your sins. Which of you wishes to seize it?"

No sooner had she finished speaking than Xiao San fell to his knees with a thud.

"Miss Mu, I confess!" Xiao San pressed his forehead to the ground, trembling. "I was foolish and, following Ding Wanchong's instructions, delivered the two anonymous letters to the two major factions. I beg for a chance to live!"

Thud!

Mi Xinjian also knelt and pleaded with Chu Feng, "Master Chu, spare me! When you first arrived at the Mu family, I failed to recognize your importance and offended you. I know my mistake now! That afternoon before the autumn trial, Ding Wanchong wrote the two anonymous letters and intended for me to deliver them. I didn't want to make another mistake, so I claimed I was unsettled and might botch the job, which is why Ding Wanchong sent Xiao San instead!"

Neither Mi Xinjian nor Xiao San were fools. Seeing Ding Wanchong's misdeeds exposed, the barriers in their hearts had already collapsed. Faced with Mu Qiaoxue's offer, they seized it without hesitation.

In the martial world, the cruelest thing between master and disciple is when the master uses the disciple, or the disciple betrays the master.

Ding Wanchong, who had always treated Mi Xinjian and Xiao San as confidants, was now betrayed by both. Their testimony was like two sharp arrows plunging into his heart, front and back.

"Ding Wanchong, what do you have to say for yourself?" Mu Qiaoxue asked coldly.

Ding Wanchong's face was ashen. His evil exposed before so many, betrayed by his own disciples—it was as if he was struck with both slaps and blades. His heart burned with shame and rage, his lungs about to burst.

"If one commits a deed, one must bear the consequences! As for the anonymous letters, I admit it!"

Ding Wanchong swiftly regained his composure. "But as for this morning's ambush on Chu Feng, I knew nothing of it and cannot be blamed!"

"I know. To tell you the truth, there was no ambush on Chu Feng this morning—it was pure fabrication."

Mu Qiaoxue smiled. "I deceived you simply to observe how your emotions fluctuated when confronted with your own guilt and an unknown accusation. Your reaction has deepened my understanding of the 'Qi Perception Technique.'"

Mu Qiaoxue's insight, like a martial artist's physical strength, required constant cultivation. By probing Ding Wanchong's mind and observing his emotional fluctuations, she found the perfect target to hone her skills, further strengthening her powers of perception.

"Mu Qiaoxue, you—are you playing with me?" Ding Wanchong, furious, directly called out her name.

"Ding Wanchong, how dare you address Miss Mu by name? Insolent!" Mu Yun'er rebuked sternly.

As she did so, Ding Wanchong suddenly lashed out with lightning speed, pulling someone beside him in front of himself.

"Ah!"

His movement was so swift and sudden that Xiao Li was dragged into his grasp, letting out a startled cry.

"Ding Wanchong, release her immediately, and I may consider sparing your life!" Chu Feng stepped forward, his voice calm and grave.