Manager Hao said with a mournful expression, "The Dharma Treasure is indeed marvelous, but before this old servant could use it, it, it was seized by Zhang Yan..." He initially intended to say it was taken by a maid, but hesitated, fearing it would disgrace him, and promptly changed his words.
Du You cursed inwardly, calling him useless. Manager Hao was someone he had brought from the Du Family, yet he had never been impressed by him. Now, he found him even more detestable. His expression turned cold as he said, "Having lost the Dharma Treasure, what use do I have for you?"
Manager Hao shuddered. Knowing Du You’s temperament, he anticipated what was coming and immediately pleaded, "Young master, spare—"
Before he could finish his sentence, a flash of white light swept across the grand hall, followed by a sharp crack. His head exploded, and he collapsed dead on the spot.
Du You extended his hand with a light motion, and the gleaming, translucent Jade Ruler, as thin as cicada wings, returned to his palm.
Lin Yuan, watching nearby, couldn’t help but twitch his eyelid. Du You’s possession of not just one but multiple Dharma Treasures was astonishing to behold.
Du You frowned deeply, repeatedly forming spells with his fingers, yet the Magic Artifact refused to respond. In his mind, it must be suppressed by someone, unable to break free.
A person could die, but a Magic Artifact must never be lost!
He let out a cold laugh and said, "Zhang Yan, do you truly think my artifact is so easy to take?"
At this moment, the ruler he held, named the "Rule-fixer," was paired with the "Confinement Ruler." The two were a set of a main ruler and a secondary ruler that could mutually attract each other.
Du You silently recited a spell and uttered, "Go!" A streak of white light shot out from his hand, swiftly across the hall.
Moments later, two streaks of white light flew back into the hall, landing steadily in his hand. They were the pair of Jade Rulers.
He closed his eyes to sense them and understood that the "Rule-fixer" had already claimed a life. His lips curled slightly as he turned to the two Powerful Warriors standing beside him and said, "You two, go bring back Zhang Yan’s corpse."
The two warriors answered affirmatively and left the hall.
Du You swept his gaze around the room and spoke leisurely, "Dear junior disciples, please wait a moment. Zhang Yan has been so arrogant, and as the Senior Disciple of the Lower Court, it is my duty to give you all a proper explanation."
Among the group, including Lin Yuan, twenty-eight people sat silently, gazing downward, none daring to speak.
Du You wasn’t bothered. Once Zhang Yan’s corpse was brought in, they would naturally witness his methods.
The two warriors moved swiftly, and within an hour, they returned and reported.
Du You’s impatience got the better of him, and he demanded loudly, "Where is Zhang Yan?"
The warriors replied, "Zhang Yan is right outside the hall."
Du You nodded in satisfaction and said, "Bring the corpse in."
The warriors hesitated briefly and then signaled. Two of their long-term followers lifted a blood-soaked corpse that had its head shattered, its face unrecognizable.
The disciples shook their heads, though secretly. Even though they looked down on Zhang Yan’s origins, many admitted that his deeds along the Earth Gate Path were admirable. Who could have imagined he would die at the hands of a scoundrel today? It seemed fate had turned against him.
Du You swept his gaze across the crowd. Spotting fear in their eyes, he felt a surge of pride. Pointing at the corpse, he assumed a condescending tone and asked, "Is this Zhang Yan?"
This question wasn’t intended to be answered, but one of the warriors looked hesitant and stammered, "This, this person seems like Zhang Yan..."
"Seems like Zhang Yan?" Du You spun around, glaring fiercely at the warrior.
The warrior, startled, had witnessed Manager Hao’s brutal death earlier and stuttered, "There is someone outside the hall claiming to also be Zhang Yan..."
Du You’s fury erupted as he pointed at the corpse and shouted, "This person is Zhang Yan, that person is also Zhang Yan—how many Zhang Yans are there in the Lower Court?"
A clear voice came from outside, "The one who was killed is Lin Yuan’s kinsman, Lin Tong."
"What?" Lin Yuan froze, then gasped, "Zhang Yan? How did you..."
A tall figure strode into the grand hall under everyone’s watchful gaze. Who else could it be but Zhang Yan?
Lin Yuan’s heart clenched. Could the person killed truly be Lin Tong?
Zhang Yan stopped in the center of the hall. His expression was calm as he first cupped his hands toward the assembly before speaking. "Earlier, in the Cave Mansion, I was conversing amiably with Brother Lin. Suddenly, an ill-mannered servant intruded, claiming he wanted to seize me. Brother Lin became indignant and argued with the servant. Unbeknownst to him, the servant attempted to harm him. In self-defense, Brother Lin took the servant’s Jade Ruler and kept it, planning to return it to the owner later. Unexpectedly, not long after the servant departed, another ruler flew in and struck Junior Lin’s head, killing him instantly."
Zhang Yan sighed, his tone laden with regret. "I’ve always shared a good rapport with Brother Lin and admired his character. Who would have thought he’d meet his end at the hands of a despicable person today? What a pity, what a tragedy."
Lin Yuan’s expression turned odd. He was well aware of his kinsman Lin Tong’s temperament. Much of what Zhang Yan said was likely untrue, but he had no choice but to endorse Zhang Yan’s account. Could he admit that Lin Tong coveted the treasure and brought disaster upon himself?
No matter what, Lin Tong was still his kinsman. Now that he had been killed without cause, Lin Yuan had to publicly support Zhang Yan’s explanation to save face.
Thinking this, a wave of revulsion surged in Lin Yuan’s heart.
"You are Zhang Yan?" Du You’s repeated failures had left him utterly humiliated among his peers. Hearing Zhang Yan’s veiled insult calling him a "despicable person," his rage soared, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at Zhang Yan. Suddenly, he let out a roar, and two streaks of white light shot out from his hands, streaking toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan’s gaze sharpened. Seeing the two rulers descending upon him, he casually waved his hand, releasing a streak of green light from his sleeve. In the air, two sharp "clang" sounds echoed as if golden stones were breaking. The previously glowing white rulers suddenly dropped from the sky.
Lin Yuan was shocked, blurting out, "A Spiritual Artifact?"
The disciples were equally astonished. A Spiritual Artifact with spiritual nature, capable of moving at the user’s will, was far superior to Du You’s Magic Artifact, which required spells for activation.
Du You’s frequent use of artifacts to strike people today had already impressed the crowd with the Du Family’s extravagance. But to find that Zhang Yan possessed a Spiritual Artifact? This revelation left everyone dumbfounded.
Who exactly was Zhang Yan?
Ai Zhongwen had always hinted at Zhang Yan’s mysterious background, but could it be true? Was Zhang Yan secretly a disciple nurtured by a noble family?
In an instant, the crowd’s view of Zhang Yan became deeply complicated.