Chapter 307: Identifying Wan Yutang

Chapter 307: Identifying Wan Yutang

"So, does that mean there are no more problems?"

Yang Xiaoyun looked up at Su Mo.

But Su Mo shook his head:

"No, there are still big problems."

"Huh?"

Yang Xiaoyun was puzzled: "Why?"

Su Mo glanced at her but remained silent.

This question couldn't be overheard by the captive.

Although Su Mo had used the Qiankun Acupoint Technique (a martial arts technique for sealing acupoints) to seal over a dozen of his acupoints, leaving him completely immobile, he wasn't deaf. He had ears to hear and a mouth to speak.

So, Su Mo avoided answering directly and instead said something else:

"The reason I say it's not Ren Xiongfei is that, up to now, this matter is still based solely on Ding Wugong's one-sided account.

"With the chaos in the Tenth Hall, it seems the killer of Wu Yong is within the Tenth Hall.

"Deputy Hall Master Ren is in a very bad spot.

"Whether he kills Ding Wugong or not, he's already in a tough spot.

"But if he holds back, there's still a chance to turn things around... If he kills, it will seal his fate."

After listening, Yang Xiaoyun was briefly silent.

On the surface, these words explained why Ren Xiongfei wasn't the one who acted.

But deep down, both Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun knew that Ren Xiongfei and Ding Wugong might not even be acquainted.

Ding Wugong belonged to the Dark Hall (a secretive organization), answering to Hall Master Wan Yutang.

Ren Xiongfei hailed from the Eternal Night Valley and was actually under the Night Lord's command.

So, Yang Xiaoyun already understood what Su Mo was hinting at.

Ren Xiongfei didn't know about the Dark Hall and might not even know Ding Wugong.

He wouldn't hesitate to face Ding Wugong, let alone kill him over it.

Then... why did the intruder use the shadow magic of the Eternal Night Valley?

This makes no sense!

If Wan Yutang was indeed behind this, and this person knew the martial arts of the Eternal Night Valley, then the relationship between Wan Yutang and Ren Xiongfei would definitely not be as it is now.

From what Wan Yutang said last night, he despised the Night Lord and had already seen through Ren Xiongfei's act.

The two could not possibly be the same person.

Therefore, this person must not be associated with Wan Yutang.

But if it were someone from Ren Xiongfei's group, or even Ren Xiongfei himself,

That would make even less sense...

There's a missing link in the chain.

As Yang Xiaoyun pondered this, she noticed Su Mo smiling at her.

After they locked eyes, he finally said with a smile:

"However, life is unpredictable, and we don't know Ren Xiongfei... We can't be sure that the person in front of us is really not Ren Xiongfei. Fortunately, we are in Wusheng Hall, where there are many knowledgeable people. We can just ask around and find out...

"Hey, Yang Xiaoyun, lend me your spear."

"Here you go."

Yang Xiaoyun tossed the Dragon Abyss Spear to Su Mo.

Su Mo grabbed the spear with a backhand grip, as if he were holding not the Dragon Abyss Spear but a fishing spear, causing Yang Xiaoyun to grimace.

For someone trained in spear techniques, his grip looked all wrong.

Su Mo aimed the spear tip at the man.

The man, already immobilized, watched as the spear hovered menacingly over his body, and a wave of despair washed over him.

Su Mo's hesitation only deepened his despair.

Just as the man started to suspect Su Mo was toying with him, the spear struck.

The spear pierced his shoulder, and with a quick flick, Su Mo hoisted the man onto the spear tip.

Su Mo swung the spear onto his shoulder and said to Yang Xiaoyun:

"Let's go to the Tenth Hall."

After saying this, he glanced at Old Hu and Zhen Xiaoxiao:

"You two, get someone to clean this up and keep guarding Ding Wugong."

"Yes."

Old Hu nodded promptly, while Zhen Xiaoxiao blurted out:

"Boss, what about my One-legged Bronze Man..."

"Ah, that. I've already sent Xu Lu to look for it.

"That One-legged Bronze Man is quite a treasure. If it's truly lost, I'll have to dock three days' worth of your rations."

"Ah!?"

Zhen Xiaoxiao was momentarily terrified, her face turning pale.

But perhaps because it concerned her own meals, her mind was sharper than ever.

She immediately shouted:

"Hold on, Boss, the one-legged bronze man is mine!"

It was clearly her own weapon, and even if it was lost, it was her loss... Why should the Boss cut her rations?

Su Mo was taken aback, and after thinking it over, it seemed she was right. He reluctantly said, "Fine, let it go."

After saying that, he left with Yang Xiaoyun, who was stifling a laugh.

Zhen Xiaoxiao was left gazing into the distance, hoping Xu Lu would bring her a miracle.

She secretly vowed that if Xu Lu could retrieve her one-legged bronze man, she’d never wish for his death again.

…

…

Su Mo carried the spear on his shoulder, a person dangling from its tip.

Holding Yang Xiaoyun's hand, he swaggered toward the Tenth Hall.

This scene made the Wusheng Hall disciples present tremble with fear.

Occasionally, they glanced up at the person dangling from the spear tip, feeling puzzled.

Su Mo's gaze swept over their faces, and he asked, "Anyone recognize him?"

They all shook their heads, saying they didn’t know.

Some even struck up a conversation with Su Mo, saying they didn’t recognize him and he probably wasn’t even from Wusheng Hall territory.

He might’ve come from the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

Hearing this, Su Mo chuckled and continued toward the Tenth Hall.

When he and Yang Xiaoyun arrived at the Tenth Hall, they saw the Seventh Hall had sent a large number of people, nearly surrounding the Tenth Hall.

When Su Mo arrived, several Seventh Hall disciples naturally recognized him.

For a moment, they hesitated, unsure whether to stop him.

But when they saw the person dangling from Su Mo's spear tip, they decided not to stop him...

Only an idiot would stop him!

The gatekeepers, eyes on their noses, noses on their mouths, mouths on their hearts, looked completely detached.

They looked completely detached, letting Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun pass without a glance.

Some Wusheng Hall disciples who’d been watching the commotion were stunned.

They tried to walk in too, but before they could get close, the previously detached Seventh Hall law enforcement disciples glared at them angrily.

It seemed that anyone daring to cross the line would be executed on the spot without hesitation.

For a moment, everyone was at a loss for words.

In their hearts, they cursed, thinking it was just a case of picking on the weak and fearing the strong.

But upon reflection, if it were them in that situation... well, they would be scared too!

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun had no idea what the disciples were thinking, nor did they have time to ponder.

Not far ahead, they heard someone shout in anger:

"This is absolutely outrageous! Wusheng Hall belongs to all its disciples!"

"Xing Lan, you are twisting the truth and spouting nonsense. Are you trying to control everything!?"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged glances, unable to place the voice.

But given the circumstances, the one speaking had to be Deng Fengbai, the Hall Master of the Tenth Hall.

This person had secretly allied with Ren Xiongfei and was now considered part of the Eternal Night Valley faction.

As they pushed through the crowd, they heard the Qilin Swordsman speaking in a dramatic tone:

"Control everything?

"I, Xing Lan, act with integrity and sit upright. When have I ever wanted to control everything?

"The one who truly wants to control everything and harm his peers is you, Deng Fengbai!

"Now I have witnesses who can prove that the killer of Hall Master Wu came from your Tenth Hall.

"Deng Fengbai... if you step aside and let me search today, that's fine.

"If you refuse, do you really think the Seventh Hall's law enforcement is just a joke?"

"Xing Lan, you are too arrogant..."

Before Deng Fengbai could finish, he saw the people behind Xing Lan automatically part to the sides.

A man carrying a spear, with a person dangling from the tip, boldly stepped forward.

For a moment, he was at a loss for words.

The Qilin Swordsman, unaware of the commotion behind him, was about to sneer when he heard a voice beside him:

"Excuse me, does anyone here recognize this person?"

The Qilin Swordsman was startled. The voice sounded like Su Mo?

Wasn't he supposed to appear only when things got out of hand and he had to intervene?

Why wasn't he following the plan?

Before he could turn around, he heard a whistling sound, followed by a person crashing down between him and Deng Fengbai.

The Qilin Swordsman looked at the person, feeling a bit sorry for them.

Then he looked at Su Mo, considered Xing Lan's character, and suddenly flew into a rage.

"You've killed someone again within Wusheng Hall's territory!?"

"Hall Master Xing, think twice before you speak or act.

This man isn't dead."

Su Mo shot the Qilin Swordsman a sidelong glance and then looked up at Deng Fengbai:

"This is Hall Master Deng, right?"

Deng Fengbai slightly furrowed his brows, clasped his fists, and said:

"Greetings, Chief Escort Su."

"No need for such formality."

Su Mo smiled: "Hall Master Deng, you were in the main hall yesterday, so you know I'm here because I captured a man named Ding Wugong.

This man caused trouble for me in a village, using underhanded and ruthless methods.

He even claimed he was acting on orders from Deputy Hall Master Ren Xiongfei of Wusheng Hall's Tenth Hall.

To clear Hall Master Ren's name, I brought this man here to confront him directly.

But I didn't expect that on my second day at Wusheng Hall,

Someone would try to assassinate Ding Wugong...

Now that I've brought him here, I just want to ask one thing.

Is this... really Ren Xiongfei's doing?

Where is he now?"

Though he spoke with a smile, his voice grew sharper as he went on, subtly infused with internal energy by the end.

This made the Wusheng Hall disciples nearby feel a ringing in their ears.

Deng Fengbai's face paled slightly, and he clasped his fists, saying:

"Chief Escort Su, forgive me... I really don't know where Deputy Hall Master Ren is...

Besides, this man has no ties to our Tenth Hall."

"Really?"

Su Mo looked at Deng Fengbai.

Deng Fengbai immediately swore:

"If I'm lying, may I die a horrible death!"

"...Enough."

Su Mo sighed: "In that case, let everyone here interrogate this man together and find out... where he really comes from. What do you think?"

"As you wish."

The Qilin Swordsman scoffed:

"If this person is not from our Wusheng Hall, no matter how much you slaughter, Chief Escort Su, it won't make a difference."

Su Mo smiled and with a flick of his finger, the man immediately gasped for air.

But before he could finish exhaling, he quickly held it back.

As an assassin, failing is one thing, but dying would be preferable... Now, being surrounded by a crowd watching the spectacle, it's truly humiliating.

His eyes darted around, as if he wanted to do something, but he knew there was no opportunity.

Su Mo smiled:

"Brother, will you confess on your own, or should I resort to some methods?

"Or perhaps... let the heroes of Wusheng Hall here show you their various skills?"

"Hearing this, the man's face immediately showed a struggle.

After a long pause, he sighed deeply:

"Enough, enough... Now, I only wish for a quick death. If I tell you everything I know, can you... can you grant me a swift end?"

"That's not a problem."

Su Mo nodded.

"...Chief Escort Su, do you stand by your word?"

The man looked up at Su Mo.

"Su Mo has always been true to his word, his words are as firm as a mountain."

Su Mo's words were somewhat brazen.

He had previously promised to give Ding Wugong a swift end, but Ding Wugong has only experienced pain, not a quick death.

Yang Xiaoyun was amazed at how her beloved could lie so effortlessly.

Yet, she didn't find Su Mo insincere, but rather thought he was shrewd and cunning.

There are too many enigmatic people in the martial world, and no one knows what anyone is truly thinking.

To deal with these people, one must possess extraordinary means.

Just like the chaos within Wusheng Hall today, Su Mo navigated through it with ease.

He even seemed to relish it a bit.

But if it were someone else in the same situation, even with top-notch martial arts, they might not know who to kill.

And upon hearing Su Mo's words, no one in the crowd refuted him.

They all felt that Su Mo's words were reasonable.

Eastern Wasteland's Number One, his words are naturally as firm as a mountain.

Even the captured man was convinced. He took a deep breath, looked around once more, and suddenly burst into laughter.

It started as a soft chuckle but gradually grew louder, until he was coughing up blood from laughing uncontrollably.

The Kirin Swordsman, ever mindful of Xing Lan's character, snorted coldly:

"Laughing like that, are you trying to test the authority of my Seventh Hall?"

"What are you laughing at?"

Deng Fengbai couldn't resist asking.

The man held back his laughter, paused to collect himself, and then spoke:

"I'm laughing because when I reveal the truth, you'll all be utterly shocked.

"Just imagining your astonished faces makes me want to laugh...

"Sadly, this moment won't last long. Once I finish speaking, I'll be a dead man.

"Even if you spare me, I'm doomed to die."

"Nonsense."

The Kirin Swordsman said coldly, "You're in Wusheng Hall. Who would dare kill you so casually?"

But after saying this, he suddenly remembered Su Mo and glared at him fiercely.

Su Mo didn't bother to respond, as the man continued:

"Exactly because I'm in Wusheng Hall, I'm doomed to die.

"Because the one who ordered me to kill Ding Wugong is none other than... Wan Yutang!!"

As soon as he spoke these words, the entire room was stunned.

Deng Fengbai was dumbfounded, and the Kirin Swordsman was just as shocked.

Yang Xiaoyun instantly turned to Su Mo.

She caught a fleeting smile on Su Mo's lips, which quickly turned into a frown as he stayed silent.

The first to speak was still the Kirin Swordsman.

He shouted angrily:

"Nonsense! The Hall Master has been in seclusion for years and has long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. How dare you slander him like this?

"Guards, take this man away and execute him!"

"Exactly, this man is spreading lies and sowing discord. Kill him!!"

Deng Fengbai immediately chimed in.

With both Hall Masters speaking in unison, the disciples of Wusheng Hall sprang into action.

But at that moment, Su Mo suddenly stepped forward, casually unsheathing the sword case from his back and slamming it onto the ground with a loud crack.

He swept the room with a cold gaze:

"Who among you dares?"

His voice, though not loud, struck like thunder in their ears.

The swordsman frowned deeply, appearing deeply troubled, yet inside he was nearly bursting with laughter.

He couldn't help but wonder where Su Mo had found such a treasure.

To publicly accuse Wan Yutang?

How did things escalate to this point?

Though it deviated from the plan, the unexpected twist was quite intriguing.

But intriguing as it was, he still had to stick to his character, so he coldly spoke up:

"Chief Escort Su... This person is spouting nonsense within the territory of Wusheng Hall, slandering our hall master.

"His crime is unforgivable, and he deserves to die!"

"Deserves to die?"

Su Mo shot a cold glance at the swordsman: "Say that again?"

"..."

The swordsman felt something was off with Su Mo's look.

This guy’s probably just looking for another excuse to hit me!

Since last night, he’s already found excuses to hit me twice.

It must be because I mentioned his secret meeting with Wan Yilan last night, and now he’s holding a grudge.

As he was thinking this, he heard Deng Fengbai suddenly speak:

"Chief Escort Su, this matter is of utmost importance.

"Since this person has accused the hall master of ordering the assassination of Ding Wugong, his words and actions are beyond the authority of both me and Hall Master Xing.

"Now, we dare not hear what he has to say next.

"But since Chief Escort Su wishes to uncover the truth...

"How about this, I will send someone to beat the drum at the drum tower.

"We will summon all the hall masters and deputy hall masters of the Twelve Halls to the main hall of Wusheng Hall.

"To hold a public trial for this person!"

Hearing this, everyone—whether it was the swordsman, Yang Yizhi, or Yu Lingxin—

Or Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, they all instinctively looked up at Deng Fengbai.

They noticed that the hall master of the Tenth Hall was unusually calm at this moment.

After a moment of quiet observation, Su Mo laughed heartily:

"Good, just as I wished. Hall Master Deng, please send someone to beat the drum, and we shall convene in the main hall.

"Hall Master Xing, since you are the law enforcement hall master of Wusheng Hall, kindly proceed to my courtyard and arrange for Ding Wugong to be brought over as well."