Chapter 77: Return Without Achievement

  "It's strange, why did Zhou Hong come to our Qing Shan Sect this week? Although the two sects have never gotten along, it wasn't to the point of causing such a ruckus!" Liu Chang Lao was somewhat perplexed.

  Xiao Lao wrinkled his brow: "Zhou Hong may have a bad temper, but he wouldn't come to make trouble without reason. It seems that there must be some misunderstanding!"

  The old man didn't say a word, and the crowd whispered to each other, after a long silence, the old man spoke up: "Liu Shidi, let's end the commendation meeting first."

  "Yes!" Old Liu responded with a single word, but before he could make the announcement, two figures flashed into the grand hall through the doorway.

  "This old man is Zhou Hong, I have met Cold First Elder and all of you fellow practitioners!" A green-robed elder had just entered the door, and immediately cupped his hands in greeting to everyone, with Song Elder following beside him.

  "Heh heh, Zhou Dao's friend coming to our Tian Xuan Sect as a guest is a good thing, but I don't know why you took action and hurt someone? Isn't this ruining the peace between the two sects?" Leng Yuan's voice was calm and even, unable to discern any emotions.

  "This is an old man's mistake, here the old man will give you a gift!" The green-robed elder Zhou Hong cupped his hands and bowed, while the Great Elder smiled slightly and beckoned to a seat.

  As soon as Zhou Honggang sat down, he said: "I don't know if your sect has a disciple named Shi Sheng?" Upon hearing this, Shi Sheng's heart sank and he secretly thought of a countermeasure.

  "Oh? What's going on, Dao You?" asked Xiao Zhanglao with some confusion. Song Zhanglao raised the corner of his mouth and revealed a look of watching a good show, while Da Zhanglao lowered his eyes and didn't seem to want to speak.

  "In the case of my nephew Zhou Tao, and also Lu Yuan, a disciple of Wugushan Huaihai, both were harmed by this little brat. Therefore, I have come to demand that you hand him over to me for punishment!" Zhou Hong angrily said.

  Upon hearing this, Xiao Chang Lao and the others' expressions changed, and they couldn't help but turn their heads to look at Shi Sheng. After a moment of contemplation, Xiao Chang Lao spoke up: "I wonder if Zhou Dao friend has any evidence?"

  "Hmph, I have another disciple who accompanied Zhou Tao and the other one, so naturally he understands what's going on between them. Gu Huai Village has only been visited by our two sects, there are no other cultivators."

  And among them, there were some small contradictions. It is said that on that day, Zhou Tao went to find Shi Sheng and then disappeared. Except for the noble Shi Sheng of our sect, I really can't think of anyone else!" Zhou Hong said with a gloomy expression.

  "What was said?" Xiao Lao smiled slightly: "I don't know what Zhou Daoyou heard from whom, and what actual evidence is there? It's really difficult to convict someone with just one word, I don't know when this happened. What kind of realm are those two in?"

  "Hmph, a disciple of our sect would naturally not deceive me. This matter probably occurred more than five months ago, when my nephew and Lu Yuan were both in the Hua Hai realm!" Zhou Hong said coldly.

  "Haha, that's even more impossible. More than five months ago, Shi Sheng had just advanced to the Lingjing realm. Even if he was lucky enough to advance to the Huahai realm at that time, it would be difficult for him to kill two Huahai realm cultivators with his own strength alone. Does Zhou Daoist friend think that our Tianxuan Sect disciples' strength is stronger than yours in Wugu Mountain by this much?" Elder Xiao let out a slight sigh of relief.

  "Xiao Lao Gui, you'd better not speak nonsense. It's possible that Shi Sheng used some kind of sinister plot. Even if you say he didn't kill anyone, I must confront him in person today to prove his innocence!" Zhou Hong said angrily.

  "Xiao Changlao, since your disciple is also present, why not let him explain it himself? We can't be biased in this matter!" Song Changlao said at an inappropriate time. Zhou Hong's eyes narrowed, and he didn't expect Shi Sheng to be Xiao Changlao's disciple, no wonder he spoke out to defend him.

  "No problem!" Xiao Lao nodded: "Shi Sheng, come out and give an explanation to Zhou Qianbei!"

  "Yes, young master!" Shi Sheng had been silent until now, thinking he could avoid this predicament, but it seemed he still needed to explain himself.

  Bang!

  Zhou Hongyi slammed his hand on the table and shouted: "You're Shi Sheng?"

  "That's right, I've met Prefect Zhou before!" Shi Sheng said calmly, although he was a bit nervous in his heart, but his face didn't show any expression.

  "Tell me, why did you want to kill my nephew and Lu Yuan? What deep hatred do they have with you?" Zhou Hong looked around at the more than ten elders, forcing himself not to take action.

  Shi Sheng smiled slightly: "Senior Zhou might have some misunderstanding, I hadn't even entered the Hua Hai realm five months ago, how could I possibly kill two Hua Hai realm cultivators? If you say it's a coincidence, then indeed there is some."

  At first, in the village, a congratulatory poem was written for an elder's birthday. The senior nephew was dissatisfied with the younger generation's work and indeed harbored resentment, also causing trouble for the younger generation several times. However, we had no deep grudges or great hatred, and the senior nephew did not take drastic measures against us either.

  Otherwise, I'm afraid I wouldn't be alive today. So, I say that it's absolutely impossible for me to have killed my senior cousin. If you say they were the ones who tried to kill me, then there might be some credibility to that!

  "What nonsense!" Zhou Hong's face turned red with rage, and he stood up with a "whoosh" sound, pointing at Shi Sheng and shouting: "This kid could already cast the Fireball Technique half a year ago, and defeated our sect's newly promoted Lu Yuan, who had just entered the Hua Hai realm! Ma Ming was also present that day, you dare to say this didn't happen?"

  "What?" Song and the others stared at Shi Sheng with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty.

  "This... " Shi Sheng's mind was racing, at first the young man with the surname Ma was indeed present and had also witnessed his own small fireball, but in this situation, he could only pretend not to recognize him.

  Shi Sheng put on a wronged expression: "Zhou Hong, senior, I've only been in the sect for less than half a year, how could I have possibly used fireball technique half a year ago? Could it be that you're putting too much pressure on Ma Ming, and he's framing me to avoid your punishment?"

  "Haha, I can attest to this matter. Stone has indeed been a disciple for less than half a year, and his spiritual realm hasn't even opened yet. How could he possibly cast the Fireball Technique?" Elder Xiao chuckled and looked at Stone with a thoughtful gaze.

  "Hmph, can Ma Ming deceive me with lies?" Zhou Hong's anger did not decrease.

  "Is Mr. Zhou implying that I am lying and deceiving you?" Elder Xiao retorted sharply.

  "That's your disciple, it's normal for him to speak out in defense!" Zhou Hong swung his sleeve and returned to his seat, glaring at Shi Sheng with both eyes.

  "That old man has something to say, I wonder if Brother Zhou can believe it?" Just then, the Great Elder Cold Yuan slowly opened his eyes and spoke in a slow tone.

  "Since it's the Great Elder of Tianxuan Sect who spoke, Zhou Mou naturally believed him, after all, the Great Elder will definitely speak fairly!" Zhou Hong said, intentionally raising his voice when he mentioned the three words "fair words".

  "Indeed, I can testify that Shi Sheng has been in the sect for less than half a year. Previously, he indeed did not have any cultivation base, as I personally checked it myself. If you don't believe me, you can go back and ask around to verify this matter."

  Because this child was originally prepared to join your Wugu Mountain, but for some reason, the noble Li executive found that this child had no wisdom, so Shi Shengcai joined the Tianxuan Sect instead!" The Great Elder said slowly.

  "Is this really true?" Zhou Hong furrowed his brow and looked at Shi Sheng.

  "Go ask Senior Ma Ming again, he was there at the time. Ask him and Constable Li, maybe he's afraid of not finding the real culprit, so he randomly picked someone to take the fall for him!" Shi Sheng said with a straight face.

  "Hmph, damn it!" Zhou Hong's expression became half-believing and half-doubting: "Wait for me to go back and investigate this matter before coming to find you. If what you said is not true, I will never let you off, humph!" Zhou Hong stood up, his eyes coldly staring at Shi Sheng.

  "I, a junior, have not done anything wrong, so I'm not afraid of seniors investigating. Please, seniors, must investigate this matter clearly and give me a clean slate. And since Ma Ming has framed me, if there's an opportunity, I might also want to ask him some questions. Can't a disciple of the Tianxuan Sect be bullied like this?" Shi Sheng suddenly counterattacked.

  Just now Zhou Hong is also somewhat uncertain, who is telling lies, since the great elder has spoken out, it should not be possible to deceive with words, and besides, going back to ask, Li Zhi, who went to Guhuai Village to recruit disciples, can also know whether Ma Ming is lying or not.

  "Alright, I will naturally go back and investigate this matter clearly. If Ma Ming is indeed lying, I will bring him to your sect and let you all deal with him as you see fit. Farewell!" Zhou Hong said neatly and concisely before turning around and leaving.

  "This week Hong is indeed arrogant, but thinking about it, Shi Sheng should be wronged. After Zhou Hong investigates clearly, he will definitely give his master's nephew justice!" Song Lao said with a strong sense of justice.

  "Thank you, Elder Song!" Shi Sheng replied.

  "But!" Song Lao looked at Leng Yuan, furrowed his brow and said: "Now that things are not yet clear, although we believe in Shi Sheng, but after all, things have not ended, what if Zhou Hong comes to make trouble again? It's a bit of a hassle. Why don't we put the Jingzhi Dan matter on hold for now, and discuss it later when things have settled?" (End of this chapter, next chapter is even more exciting!)

  (PS. Thanks for everyone's recommendation votes and support, seeing Xian Nian's results getting better and better, the power of all readers is so great, by the way, asking for a collection!!!!!)