Chapter 387: Su Xue'er, publicly pronouncing the charges |
Xu Hei never underestimates any opponent. There are always people stronger than you, and he hasn't reached the level of being invincible among those of the same rank.
Xu Hei vaguely sensed that among the crowd, there were some Core Formation Stage cultivators who were not weaker than him, hiding their true strength. These were masters; perhaps their cultivation wasn't outstanding, but their methods were astonishing and definitely not ordinary.
At this moment, a dignified middle-aged woman emerged from the Melodic Sect, hovering in mid-air, and announced loudly, "The Demon Extermination Assembly is our Melodic Sect's annual grand event. It is our honor that you all grace us with your presence, bringing glory to our humble sect."
She was dressed in luxurious attire, with a jade long sword at her waist, exuding a cold demeanor, her face expressionless from start to finish. She was Lin Miaoyu, the current head of the Melodic Sect.
Though her words were polite, her tone carried a coldness that kept people at a distance, a tradition of the Melodic Sect.
They rarely interacted with outsiders, especially men, only inviting them for the annual Demon Extermination Assembly.
"Without further ado, the Demon Extermination Assembly officially begins."
"But before that, we have a new prisoner who needs to be publicly interrogated. Please bear witness!"
Lin Miaoyu's words spread throughout the venue, surprising the crowd.
Xu Hei frowned slightly, thinking to himself, "Could it be Hei Huang?"
Hei Huang was captured three days ago, so calling him a new prisoner made sense, but did he really need interrogation?
Xu Hei didn't understand what the Melodic Sect was up to and could only observe in secret.
Before long, a prisoner was escorted from afar.
This person wore a yoke on their head, with shackles binding their limbs and neck, clothes tattered, face pale, blood at the corners of their mouth, hair disheveled, and body covered in wounds, clearly having been tortured.
It was a young woman, and from her fair skin and shapely figure, she must have been a rare beauty before.
Her eyes were devoid of color, filled with exhaustion and despair, along with a hint of defiance, as she was brought to the center of the Demon Suppression Platform, kneeling under Lin Miaoyu's powerful pressure.
The moment people saw her, whispers filled the venue.
Even Xu Hei's pupils contracted slightly.
"Su Xue'er?"
Xu Hei recognized her as Su Xue'er, one of the three Core Formation cultivators in the group he led in the Sea God Sect, and the only female Core Formation cultivator.
At the time, Su Xue'er had tried to curry favor with him, volunteering to serve him in hopes of an easy job opportunity.
But she was scared off by the butcher's appearance.
Xu Hei had some impression of her, as she was one of the few who had interacted with him.
Amidst the surrounding discussions, others also recognized her as Su Xue'er, Elder Su of the Melodic Sect! She was the first, aside from Xu Hei, to escape from the Sea God Sect, bringing back crucial information!
"Elder Su, Su Xue'er, do you admit your guilt?"
Lin Miaoyu stood high above the Demon Suppression Platform, her voice cold as it echoed throughout the venue.
Su Xue'er lowered her head, silent.
"Since you won't speak, I will reveal your actions to everyone!"
Lin Miaoyu's voice carried a hint of anger as she coldly stated, "A year ago, you were captured by the Sea God Sect, yet you did not resist to the death. Instead, you submitted to the demons, offering yourself to the Sea God Sect deacons multiple times to survive, shamelessly and disgracefully, tarnishing the reputation of our Melodic Sect!"
"Do you admit to these charges?"
Lin Miaoyu's words were piercing. The members of the Melodic Sect blushed with shame, their eyes filled with extreme disdain.
As disciples of the Melodic Sect, purity was paramount, and they refused to associate with men. Su Xue'er's actions were despised by all!
Su Xue'er slowly raised her lifeless eyes and said, "I... admit."
"Then, do you admit to betraying the Melodic Sect and joining the Sea God Sect?" Lin Miaoyu asked again.
This accusation was no small matter; joining the Sea God Sect meant being an enemy to everyone!
A struggle flashed in Su Xue'er's eyes. She wanted to deny it, but a flash of lightning crossed her mind, recalling some terrifying events. She bit her lip, trembling with fear, and said, "I... admit."
The venue fell into dead silence.
Su Xue'er joined the Sea God Sect? This was something no one had anticipated!
The rules of the Melodic Sect were strict; any association with outsiders could result in expulsion or even death.
Su Xue'er's actions were the most severe!
"Very well! Since you have confessed, according to the rules of the Melodic Sect, I sentence you... to death!" Lin Miaoyu's voice was cold and merciless, as she, the head and enforcer, pronounced Su Xue'er's fate.
Su Xue'er's actions warranted a death sentence.
Xu Hei frowned slightly.
He could testify that there was no claim of Su Xue'er joining the Sea God Sect. Her actions were merely for survival, nothing more!
To conclude she joined the Sea God Sect based on this was too frivolous.
Moreover, judging by Su Xue'er's mental state, she had clearly endured unimaginable torment, already in a state of answering whatever was asked, unable to refute or struggle, just waiting for death.
However, Xu Hei did not step forward to say anything.
This woman had nothing to do with him, and he wouldn't risk himself to save someone without reason.
Injustice? Forced confession? Such things were everywhere, and Xu Hei couldn't change that.
Su Xue'er's delicate body trembled, tears streaming down her face. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but when she recalled some terrifying events, she swallowed her words, a look of relief flashing in her eyes as she closed them.
"Amitabha!" Ku Xuan clasped his hands together, also closing his eyes.
"Master Lin!"
At this moment, Xu Qingfeng stood up, cupping his fists, "I have a question."
Lin Miaoyu glanced at Xu Qingfeng, seeing him in Penglai Island robes, and slowly said, "Please speak!"
"The crucial information about the Sea God Sect was brought back by Elder Su, wasn't it?" Xu Qingfeng asked, cupping his hands.
The location of the Sea God Sect's prison island, the heavy oil mine, and information on the two demon lords were invaluable and strategically significant, providing a way to counter the Sea God Sect.
Before that, everyone was like headless flies; this was a great achievement.
"Indeed!" Lin Miaoyu nodded, "She was merely the first to escape. Others returned later, and even if she hadn't spoken, others would have."
Xu Qingfeng was silent for a moment, then said, "I just don't understand, if she joined the Sea God Sect, why would she escape and bring back information..."
"Fellow Daoist!"
Lin Miaoyu interrupted Xu Qingfeng, "This is the Melodic Sect, and I am the head and enforcer. Elder Su's charges, since she has confessed, you need not say more."
Lin Miaoyu's meaning was clear: this was the Melodic Sect, and their internal matters were for them to decide, not for an outsider to interfere.
It was only because Xu Qingfeng was a cultivator from Penglai Island that she allowed him to speak; otherwise, she would have dismissed anyone else long ago.