The Wushengtang disciples in front of me looked at each other, all a bit unsure of what to do, and could only stay silent.
Su Mo also remained silent, quietly waiting.
This wait lasted about the time it takes for one incense stick to burn.
After one incense stick, Li Zhongming and Xing Lan emerged from the shadows.
Li Zhongming greeted from afar with a cupped fist:
"Su, the Chief of the Escort has been waiting for a long time, please forgive us."
Su Mo indifferently said: "Wusheng Hall is extensive and influential, who in the Jianghu would dare to bully? As Su, a guest crossing your threshold, what choice do I have now but to endure what comes?
"But it was just a short wait, how could I dare to be presumptuous?
"Am I not afraid that Wusheng Hall would further frame me with some grave crime of murder?"
Li Zhongming found himself at a loss for words and could only say:
"Please forgive us, Lord Su, the Chief of the Escort. Please do not take offense at our actions.
"Lord Xing is straightforward, there is absolutely no intention of offense..."
At this point, he fiercely glared at Xing Lan: "Aren’t you going to apologize to Su, the Chief of the Escort?"
Xing Lan stiffened his neck.
Li Zhongming’s face darkened, realizing that all his previous persuasions were in vain.
For a moment, a faint killing intent emerged in his heart.
Only to hear Xing Lan snort:
"Although you have said much, letting me know that Su Mo might not be the one who killed Master Wu.
"But... the suspicion on him still hasn’t been completely cleared.
"Even if you want me to apologize, it should at least wait until he’s fully cleared of suspicion.
"If I really wronged a good person by then, even if I have to kneel and knock on the ground, I, Xing Lan, won’t even frown."
Hearing this, Su Mo burst into laughter.
"What are you laughing at?"
Xing Lan glared at Su Mo in anger.
"Have you not heard the saying that when you want to condemn someone, any excuse will do?"
Su Mo said coldly: "This matter happened in your Wusheng Hall. I have no idea when or how Master Wu died.
"Under such circumstances, wouldn’t all the narratives be controlled by your Wusheng Hall?"
"What would you have then?"
Xing Lan asked angrily.
"...I want to join you in investigating this matter."
Su Mo’s words were startling.
Xing Lan immediately nodded: "Good!"
Li Zhongming instinctively rejected the idea.
Su Mo immediately turned to look at Li Zhongming: "Hall Master Li, what do you mean by that?"
"This... you are a guest, how can we trouble you with such matters?"
Li Zhongming hurriedly spoke with a smile: "This matter should be dealt with by our people from Wusheng Hall."
"Hall Master Li... you are right in saying that, but now this matter has involved me, Su.
"I cannot trust the people from your Wusheng Hall who are accustomed to calling a deer a horse and slandering an innocent person. If you don’t let me personally investigate, I will not accept whatever the outcome is.
"Even if Lord Xing truly kneels and apologizes, my reputation, Su, has been undeservedly smeared. Do you think this issue can just end with an apology?
"Do you really think of me, Su Mo... as what kind of person?"
Li Zhongming was momentarily at a loss for words and couldn’t help but look towards Xing Lan.
However, he hadn’t anticipated that Xing Lan would speak without hesitation:
"You want to prove your innocence? That indeed is a manly action!
"However, as you currently are under suspicion, we cannot let you act recklessly. You can investigate, but you must do it with me, you can’t act on your own."
Su Mo’s expression grew colder and his sleeves fluttered without any wind, rustling.
Yet Xing Lan was nonchalant and fearless, looking up and not stepping back in the slightest.
"Alright, alright, alright..."
Su Mo pointed with his hand: "Lord Xing really is extraordinary, incorruptible and unyielding. However, aren’t you worried about sharing the same fate as Master Wu if you accompany me?"
"Ha ha ha, if I die an unnatural death, then there’s no need to investigate further, you, Su Mo, would be the murderer!"
Xing Lan utterly disregarded his own life or death.
Su Mo sneered coldly: "Then, let it be settled with one word!"
Xing Lan immediately nodded.
Li Zhongming watched the two of them, who had reached an agreement in just a few words, and once again felt his head buzzing.
His brows furrowed tightly, intending to dissuade them.
But... although Xing Lan was the Hall Master of the Seventh Hall, the Twelfth Halls of Wusheng Hall inherently had no hierarchy.
The Hall Masters of the Twelve Halls are equal.
Ordinarily, they would respect him somewhat, merely because of his title as the First Hall Hall Master.
That was merely a slight favor extended.
But in this matter, touching upon Xing Lan’s character and principles, that slight favor cannot sway him.
Unless it was Great Hall Master Wan Yutang himself, otherwise it’s unlikely anyone could change the mind of this Seventh Hall Hall Master.
Li Zhongming even less expected him to heed his own words.
That the most respected individual in Donghuang had restrained himself thus far without striking Xing Lan dead was already unimaginable.
To expect him to follow orders?
That was truly a foolish and vain hope.
His eyes showed deep concern, and his eyebrows were tightly furrowed.
Xing Lan noticed Li Zhongming’s expression and immediately spoke:
"Hall Master Li, rest assured, as long as I don’t die, I won’t let him act recklessly."