Chapter 626 - 344: Internal Stability (2)

Chapter 626: Chapter 344: Internal Stability (2)

Of course, Chu Qing just listened; he wasn’t particularly interested in these matters.

Instead, he was somewhat curious. With the arrival of the two Mansions, Liu Zhaonian had gathered people, yet why were they holding a small meeting inside the Five Tones Hall instead of confronting them at the gate?

Just as he was puzzled, Liu Zhaohua had already seen Chu Qing and immediately waved to him.

Chu Qing couldn’t help but feel embarrassed. Though he remained composed, being summoned in such a manner at this occasion felt a bit awkward.

He approached Liu Zhaohua with some hesitation, but Liu Zhaohua pulled him to sit on the chair beside him:

"Sit here."

"Isn’t this inappropriate?"

Chu Qing glanced around, and sure enough, many people were watching him.

"What’s inappropriate? You’re not asking anything from the Celestial Sound Mansion, so there’s no reason for you not to have a seat at this meeting."

Liu Zhaohua spoke without reservation.

But these words left the people present a bit confused.

They didn’t understand the relationship between Chu Qing and Liu Zhaohua... Why was he treated so warmly?

While lost in thought, someone whispered:

"The day Liu Zhaohua went to investigate the Duan Clan, he was chased... it was this young man who stepped in to save him."

At these words, the confusion was instantly unraveled.

Such a lifesaving grace indeed merits such closeness.

Liu Zhaonian observed with calm detachment, maintaining an unaffected demeanor.

It was only at this moment that he slowly opened his eyes, swept his gaze around, and then spoke slowly:

"Duan Qinghe of the Duan Clan accuses our Celestial Sound Mansion and the Celestial Evil Cult of colluding with blood book accusation, exterminating the Duan family."

"After investigation, it is determined to be a frame-up."

"However, Han Qiujun from Little Cold Valley leads a rabble to question us here first."

"Followed by Liaoyuan and Starfall Mansions leading a large number claiming they want to clear our name."

"Everyone... do you really believe Ouyang and Han families truly intend to clear our Mansion’s name?"

Upon these words, the crowd looked at each other, the people from Five Tones and Seven Rhymes kept silent, but the six family Patriarchs understood the question was directed at them.

The Patriarch of Liu family stood up:

"Mansion Master, in my view, the move by Starfall and Liaoyuan Mansions is opportunistic."

"Previously, I disagreed with letting them march so directly in..."

The latter part of the sentence trailed off, clearly just hinting.

Allowing the entrance was Liu Zhaonian’s decision.

Criticizing him at this time would certainly offend Liu Zhaonian... half-speaking served as a complaint.

At this juncture, a bit of complaining is also understandable.

After this person started, others began voicing their opinions.

Most believed that the arrival of the two Mansions was definitely not well-intentioned... but some thought not everything they brought was necessarily bad.

Yet no matter who spoke, their words were reasonable and well-grounded.

Liu Zhaonian quietly waited until everyone had finished speaking, then slowly began:

"All of you are wise, what you said is reasonable and appropriate.

"But I fail to understand, with none of you being fools, why must you conspire with the Han family?

"Could it be assumed that without me, Liu Zhaonian, you can control the Celestial Sound Mansion entirely?"

Upon this remark, the entire Five Tones Hall fell silent.

Liu Zhaonian’s words continued:

"In fact, if we peel away the layers, the outcome becomes apparent.

"If it wasn’t for insiders cooperating externally, how could our Celestial Sound Mansion be so easily slandered?

"This year’s Celestial Sound Shuttle numbers don’t match... this exclusive hidden weapon of ours, where have the missing ones gone?"

In this vast Five Tones Hall, only Liu Zhaonian’s voice echoed.

No one answered; there was only silence.

Liu Zhaonian sighed softly:

"That’s enough... saying more holds no significance...

"At this point, I won’t say I’m not giving you a chance.

"You have the time of a cup of tea to come forward, and I will be lenient... otherwise, consider the consequences yourselves."

Chu Qing silently lowered his head, fiddling with the lid of the teacup.

He suspected that Liu Zhaonian knew of the existence of such an insider but didn’t know exactly which of the six families was responsible...

Now this guy is bluffing.

Moreover, Chu Qing contemplated his method probably works and is quite clever.

The key point was, previously, he asked about the intention of the two Mansions’ arrival, and all six family Patriarchs responded.

This question, for those with a clear conscience, can be answered in any way without concern.

Liu Zhaonian was seeking not their opinions at all.

But if there is a ghost in his heart... Liu Zhaonian already knows about this matter and gives him a time of one cup of tea to come forward by himself, otherwise, there will be very serious consequences.

This time of one cup of tea is the time of torment.

This person will keep pondering whether the answer he gave earlier has any problems.

Did he reveal any flaws?

As this time of one cup of tea approaches, his original confidence will gradually crumble, and his mental defenses will also gradually break down.

He will become increasingly restless...

The last straw lies in what kind of punishment the Liu Family will dish out?

What kind of person is Liu Zhaonian usually like?

If Liu Zhaonian is speaking the truth at this moment, he already knows who did it and has given him such an opportunity, a chance to preserve himself to the greatest extent, should he seize it?

Chu Qing set down his teacup, his voice slightly heavy.

Among the six people opposite him, one person’s wrist immediately trembled.

Liu Zhaonian glanced at Chu Qing, a hint of smile flashing through his gaze, while Chu Qing spread his hands and maintained silence.

Finally, as the time for the cup of tea was about to run out, someone suddenly stepped forward:

"It’s me!!!"

The crowd looked up to see that the one who stepped forward was the white-haired Liu Yucheng.

For a moment, some were shocked, some were stunned, and some found it unbelievable.

Liu Zhaonian’s expression was incredibly calm:

"Why?"

"Because... your virtue does not match your position!"

Liu Yucheng gritted his teeth and said:

"I have devoted my life to the Celestial Sound Mansion, if it weren’t for being in a branch family, what does this Celestial Sound Mansion have to do with you, Liu Zhaonian?

"Just a junior, yet you stand above me. How could I accept you!?"

Chu Qing sighed and gently shook his head.

Liu Zhaonian also sighed:

"Is this your final words?"

Liu Yucheng’s pupils contracted suddenly:

"I am now one of the last remaining elders in the Celestial Sound Mansion, do you dare kill me, a junior...?"

"Yes, one of the last remaining."

Liu Zhaonian’s voice was full of great regret:

"Martial World disciples grow old in Martial World, but how many truly end their lives peacefully.

"Liu Yucheng, you managed to live to this age not because you have a long life, but because you belong to the Liu Family, sheltered by the big tree of Celestial Sound Mansion along your martial path!

"But what did you do?

"You’ve shamed the Celestial Sound Mansion! Linked the Celestial Sound Mansion with such filthy entities as the Celestial Evil Cult, bringing disgrace to our name!

"You colluded with the Han Family, intending to bring wolves into our house.

"Where did you place the disciples of Celestial Sound Mansion? Once Celestial Sound Mansion falls, how could the Han Family accommodate you?"

"No... it can’t be."

Liu Yucheng shook his head repeatedly:

"Han Qiujun promised me... Celestial Sound Mansion is mine..."

"Foolish."

Liu Zhaonian softly uttered these two words, but after speaking, he shook his head again:

"No, you’re not foolish... you’re bad.

"And blinded by profit!

"Guards, seize him!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Yucheng didn’t think twice and leapt to flee from Five Tones Hall.

At this moment, Liu Zhaonian casually placed his hands on the back of the chair, a sharp sound echoing, unknown from where the force came sweeping past Liu Yucheng’s legs, and the white-haired elder immediately screamed pitifully, both legs snapping, his whole person falling from mid-air.

"To repel the external, the internal must be settled first."

Liu Zhaonian spoke slowly:

"Detain Liu Yucheng, bind his accomplices into the dungeon temporarily, those who resist... kill them!"

As soon as these words fell, suddenly, a voice carried in all directions:

"Mansions of Starless and Liaoyuan are here to visit, respectfully ask Master Liu for an audience!!"

...

...

Ps: I’m really speechless, it’s unbearably difficult... I struggled the whole day, at times feeling like I can’t endure, can’t write today, then feeling like I can hold on by gritting my teeth and continue writing...

This bout of cold, bizarrely excessive sleepiness.

Sitting here writing, my eyes couldn’t stay open... suddenly realizing I’ve nodded off...