Chapter 402 - 371: Diverting the Disaster

Chapter 402: Chapter 371: Diverting the Disaster

"So strong!"

"That aura... it has to belong to an expert at the Secret Realm Fourth Layer at least! How can he be this powerful...?"

"An expert of this caliber probably wouldn’t lie to us or covet our small amount of Spirit Rhinoceros Spring Water..."

Feeling the immense pressure, the City Lord and the others turned pale, beads of cold sweat forming on their foreheads.

If this power wasn’t something left behind by the boy’s master, they would never in a million years believe that someone his age could possess such strength!

After all, advancing through the Secret Realm became exponentially harder with each layer. An expert at the Secret Realm Fourth Layer was considered an absolute overlord, even on the Floating Heaven Continent!

If an expert with this kind of power was truly not even twenty years old, the Eight Great Sects of the Floating Heaven Continent would be fighting tooth and nail to recruit him!

"Nephew Mu Yun, we were mistaken. Please, forgive our indiscretion!" The City Lord knew he had gravely offended someone important and hurriedly apologized.

"Hmph!" Nie Yun flicked his sleeve.

Had he acted like this before, the Manor Masters would have likely rushed forward and beaten him to death. But now, not a single one dared to speak. Instead, they all felt his behavior was perfectly in line with his status!

The disciple of a supreme expert—that alone was enough to command respect!

"I was in the wrong. Please, don’t take offense!"

The Manor Master of Dieyi Manor knew he had been rash and quickly apologized as well.

"Hmph. You falsely accused me, and I wasn’t going to say anything. But since the Manor Master is being so polite, I might as well tell you. The earlier battle was earth-shattering. I’m not deaf or blind, so of course I heard and saw it! It’s not entirely unreasonable for you to suspect me after your Treasure Vault was plundered. After all, I’m the newcomer here!"

Nie Yun knew not to push his luck too far, so he decided to quit while he was ahead. "However, have you considered this? The Dieyi Manor Treasure Vault is hidden underground. It’s so secret, and I’m no Immortal. How could I possibly know where it was right after arriving?"

"This..."

Hearing the young man’s words, the group was struck speechless.

Indeed, he had only just arrived. How could he possibly know the locations of the various manors’ Treasure Vaults? These were secret locations that even few clan members knew about, let alone an outsider!

"I don’t know who stole from your Treasure Vaults, but... I did see Mu Yan leaving in a panic earlier..."

Seeing that they were starting to believe him, Nie Yun began to divert the blame.

"Mu Yan?"

Manor Master Mu Ruo’s heart skipped a beat.

Mu Yan was the steward of Dieyi Manor. If anyone else in the manor knew the location of the Treasure Vault, he would definitely be one of them!

"That’s right. When the commotion started, I went to take a look. But just as I arrived, you all flew off. That’s when I saw Mu Yan frantically fly to the manor’s underground Treasure Vault, then immediately flee. I didn’t see where he went!"

Nie Yun casually shifted all the blame for his own actions onto Mu Yan.

Besides, he had disguised himself as Mu Yan at the time. Even if someone had seen him, they would only corroborate his story.

"Mu Ruo, wasn’t that Mu Yan the one who just told us our Treasure Vaults were robbed?" Mu Qi suddenly asked.

"Yes!" Mu Ruo nodded.

"It really was him! My Treasure Vault is hidden in a secret chamber in my room, without any major Restrictions. After it was robbed, not even my own clansmen noticed. Yet he somehow knew and came running to tell us! If that’s not suspicious, what is?"

A look of "sudden realization" crossed Mu Qi’s face as he finally recalled what felt wrong. He spoke with vicious anger.

His Treasure Vault was very well-hidden. After it was emptied, not even his clan members were aware. But Mu Yan had come running to tell them about it. It was a dead giveaway.

"Exactly! Let’s go check! Mu Yan went to such lengths to trick us into leaving. Could he have had some other scheme in mind?" After some analysis, the City Lord and the others were beginning to be convinced and spoke with urgency.

"Yes! Nephew Mu Yun, please come with us as a witness, so we can clear your name!" Mu Ruo said, turning his head.

"I’d be delighted!"

’Clear my name? Heh heh, you said it, not me... ’

The victim insisting on proving the thief’s innocence after being robbed... Nie Yun couldn’t ask for a better outcome. He nodded eagerly and flew after the group toward the Manor Master’s Courtyard.

The group entered the Manor Master’s Courtyard and soon saw the results of Nie Yun’s handiwork. Mu Ruo emerged from the underground passage, his face ashen, his expression one of utter devastation. A tidal wave of hatred swelled in his heart. "He even took the entire stone chamber! Mu Yan, you ruthless bastard! I swear I’ll kill you if it’s the last thing I do!"

At this point, seeing that the entire stone chamber was gone, even a fool could deduce that Mu Yan’s entire reason for luring them away was to steal it!

While the stone chamber itself wasn’t valuable, it was the best container for storing the Spirit Rhinoceros Spring Water and preventing it from evaporating. Coming back just to steal this... it was obvious who had emptied the Treasure Vault!

"Let’s check Mu Yan’s residence! If it was really him, he must have left some clues behind!"

The City Lord, now also convinced of Mu Yan’s guilt, let out a sharp cry.

"Let’s go!"

Mu Ruo nodded and led the way, flying toward Mu Yan’s home.

Mu Yan’s residence was very close to his own. The group arrived at the courtyard in just a breath or two.

At first, Nie Yun didn’t know where Mu Yan lived. When he followed the group to this courtyard, he nearly stumbled and fainted.

’I can’t believe I stumbled right into Mu Yan’s house to dig my tunnel. This is perfect. Even if Mu Yan were still alive, he wouldn’t be able to explain this with a thousand mouths. Heh, it just goes to show: sometimes the best-laid plans come to nothing, while a random act bears unexpected fruit!’

He recalled how he had spent ages plotting against Qii Yang and the Seventh Prince without achieving such a perfect result. Now, a careless move had managed to completely convince the Five Great Manor Masters and a City Lord. What a coincidence.

Sure enough, the moment the group stepped into the room, their suspicions were cemented.

The room was a mess, with dirt scattered everywhere. It was clearly from a freshly dug tunnel. Following the path of the tunnel, they could see it led directly to the Dieyi Manor Treasure Vault!

There was no need for further thought. With a witness and physical evidence, it had to be Mu Yan!

"Manor Master Mu Ruo, your esteemed steward of Dieyi Manor colluded with outsiders to become a common thief and steal my possessions! If you don’t give me an explanation today, I swear I’ll fight you to the death!"

Seeing the disaster, Mu Qi was reminded of his own plundered Treasure Vault. He trembled with rage, letting out a furious roar as deep hatred filled his eyes.

"I..."

Mu Ruo was also furious enough to die, but he just couldn’t understand how the ever-loyal Mu Yan could do something like this!

But the evidence was irrefutable. Even if he wanted to deny it, he couldn’t!

"I will issue the order immediately! All of Dieyi Manor will hunt down Mu Yan! We will find this traitor!"

Clenching his fists, Mu Ruo roared.

"Since the culprit has been identified and it has nothing to do with me, I’ll be taking my leave." Seeing that the blame had been successfully pinned on the already-dead Mu Yan, Nie Yun cupped his fists and spoke lightly.

"Nephew Mu Yun, I am truly sorry for suspecting you earlier. If you don’t mind, please stay for a meal! Consider it my apology to you!"

Although Mu Ruo was furious, he was a manor master with deep cunning. He knew that Dieyi Manor had lost immense face today. Not only had they offended people, but they had also made fools of themselves. He immediately decided to host a banquet for the other Four Great Manor Masters and the City Lord.

Although drinking was an Ordinary affair that anyone could do, it was the best way to ease the atmosphere and minimize his own humiliation.

"Very well," Nie Yun nodded.

’I was just wondering how to find a chance to ask about communicating with the Spirit Rhinoceros Spring Water. A meal and drinks is the perfect opportunity!’

"Everyone, today’s incident was due to my failure to properly manage my subordinates. Rest assured, I will find Mu Yan and give you all a satisfactory explanation. For now, please join me in the banquet hall so I can atone for today’s events!"

Seeing Nie Yun agree, Mu Ruo nodded and gestured for everyone to follow.

"Alright!" Hearing Mu Ruo’s invitation, the others realized they had been busy all night and were indeed a little hungry. They all nodded in agreement.

The group, consisting of the most powerful figures in the Ancient City plus Nie Yun, arrived at the Dieyi Manor’s banquet hall.

Looking at the magnificent banquet hall as exquisite food was quickly served, Nie Yun shook his head.

’I emptied Dieyi Manor’s Treasure Vault and cleaned out Muaixia Manor’s treasures, yet these two parties are treating me like a guest of honor, wining and dining me. The thought itself is unbelievable!’

This was the power of a well-laid scheme. If he hadn’t set everything up perfectly, his cover would have been blown long ago, and he’d be hunted by these experts now!

After everyone had raised their cups and eaten for a while, Mu Ruo revealed his true purpose for the gathering. "Actually, I didn’t invite you all here just for a meal. There are three things I wish to discuss. First, regarding Mu Yan, I have already made my position clear. He must be captured to appease my hatred! I won’t say more on that. The second matter is... Mu Yan is only at the Magical Power Realm. It would have been very difficult for him to pull this off alone. This means he definitely had an accomplice—the same accomplice who lured Manor Master Mu Qi away earlier! If Manor Master Mu Qi wasn’t mistaken, this accomplice should be at the Primordial Saint Realm! This person is the real threat to us all!"

"Indeed. Mu Yan must have had an accomplice. Without one, it would have been impossible for him to play all of us for fools like this!" Manor Master Mu Qi snorted. "The person I was chasing earlier was definitely at the Primordial Saint Realm. His build was very similar to Manor Master Mu Ruo’s, but his Soul Qi was completely different. It was because of the similar build that I mistook him and attacked directly!"

"Similar build, different soul... It seems Mu Yan and his group were well-prepared!" The City Lord nodded, took a sip of wine, and asked, "That’s the second matter. Manor Master Mu Ruo, what is the third?"

"The third matter is the same old topic: the Holy Spirit Disciple Competition! We’ve already decided on a trial of life and death for this competition, and there’s no need to change that. However, it will be fraught with danger. Since Mu Yun is now our honored guest, I hope he will not participate in such a perilous event!"

Mu Ruo suddenly looked at Nie Yun.

"He doesn’t want me to participate?" Nie Yun was startled for a moment before understanding dawned, and he sneered inwardly.

’It seems this guy knows my "master" left an imprint on me. He’s afraid I have other tricks up my sleeve and doesn’t dare let me enter!’

After all, with his overwhelming power, if he really decided to slaughter all the other disciples, they wouldn’t even have time to cry! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendation and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)