https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-373-Liu-Xingwan-s-Preparations-Clarifying-Everything/12991146/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-375-Severe-Punishment-for-Such-Words-/12991148/
Chapter 374: Fifth Elder, Are You Still Deceiving Yourself?
Chapter 374: Fifth Elder, Are You Still Deceiving Yourself?
In the side hall, Liu Xingwan had already arrived early and was waiting.
Liu Xingwan's thoughts were also filled with reflections on her actions at the frontline.
Speaking against one's own sect in front of others was indeed inappropriate.
Liu Xingwan acknowledged that her actions at the time were inappropriate, and she should have sided with her sect leader.
If there was anything she wanted to say, it would be best to keep it for later.
However, compared to the criticism Su Chen had faced, these were far less severe.
Now that the truth had been revealed, Liu Xingwan didn't want her sect leader to continue spreading slanderous words.
As noon approached, the five elders and other hall masters had also arrived.
Among the middle-level leaders, Liu Xingwan was the only disciple of her generation present.
Senior Taiwu still showed some favor towards her, and today he might reprimand Liu Xingwan more harshly, not arranging for any fellow disciples to come and save her from further embarrassment.
"Everyone who should be here has arrived. If there's anything to report, just speak up," Senior Taiwu said, seated in a high position.
Upon hearing this, the elders and hall masters all turned their gazes towards Liu Xingwan.
Before coming, everyone already knew that the purpose of this gathering in the side hall was mainly to hear Liu Xingwan's explanation.
Liu Xingwan's behavior over the past few days had made many in the Cloudyang Sect feel uncomfortable.
Liu Xingwan, standing below, hesitated slightly before rising to her feet.
Senior Taiwu spoke before she could, "Last night, I thought for a long time, unable to sleep. Is there something mysterious about Su Chen's profound energy?
Does he gain support from others with just a little contact, making them speak on his behalf, even at the expense of offending their elders?"
Although Senior Taiwu's words were directed at everyone present, his gaze remained fixed on Liu Xingwan.
"Is this young man exceptionally skilled in flattery? If it were others, I could understand, but our Cloudyang Sect's core disciples, the pinnacle of geniuses, being so easily deceived?"
Senior Taiwu's words were blunt and direct as he looked at Liu Xingwan.
One could even sense a tone of direct accountability in his voice.
Beside him, Sun Xuerong's face carried a hint of worry.
Her two beloved disciples, who she thought would give her some peace of mind, had turned out like this.
As everyone's gazes fell upon her, Liu Xingwan no longer hesitated.
"Sect Leader, do you remember the experiences Chen Su once shared with you? He spent over two years in the sect without receiving any attention.
It was only after more than two years that he was finally valued and given cultivation resources," Liu Xingwan continued.
Hearing this, Senior Taiwu waved his hand impatiently.
"Today, we are discussing Su Chen. There's no need to bring up Chen Su at this moment.
Chen Su helped us twice, and although he didn't join our Cloudyang Sect, we remember his kindness.
But this Su Chen, with his lowly character, is someone we drove away."
Liu Xingwan's train of thought remained uninterrupted by Senior Taiwu's words, and she continued with her prepared speech.
"When Su Chen was in the Cloudyang Sect for over two years, he never received any attention from the sect.
It was only after leaving us and going to the Celestial Capital that he finally received proper cultivation," Liu Xingwan explained further.
As she heard her disciple defending Su Chen, Sun Xuerong's expression turned solemn.
"Xingwan, these trivial matters are not worth dwelling on.
We know what kind of person Su Chen is.
The Cloudyang Sect is not the Celestial Capital; we not only value talent but also character and conduct.
Even with talent, the Cloudyang Sect would not cultivate him," Sun Xuerong asserted.
Facing the words of her master, Liu Xingwan calmly continued, "Sect Leader, Master, don't you find similarities between Chen Su and Su Chen's experiences? Both used the same cultivation techniques from the Celestial Capital and wielded blades."
With these words, Senior Taiwu's expression grew stern.
He seemed to have realized something.
Unconsciously, his mind began to recall the conversations he had with Chen Su in the past.
Back then, Chen Su's words were filled with certainty.
He clearly stated that he would never join the Cloudyang Sect.
Senior Taiwu appeared slightly flustered, as if he had realized something.
The surrounding crowd also seemed to understand, grasping the meaning behind Liu Xingwan's words.
If this were mentioned casually, they might have doubted and disbelieved.
But this time, Liu Xingwan and Su Chen had ventured into the wilderness together.
After returning, Liu Xingwan's attitude towards Su Chen had changed completely.
Sun Xuerong, standing beside her, also recalled these events, her face turning slightly unpleasant.
"Xingwan, have you been deceived by this person? This Su Chen might have learned some news about Chen Su," Sun Xuerong said, cutting off Liu Xingwan.
"Let her speak," Sun Xuerong added, not finishing her sentence.
At this moment, the entire side hall fell silent, as if everyone had guessed something.
They seemed to have an inkling of the reason behind the various difficulties the Cloudyang Sect had faced over the past two years.
"There's not much more to say.
Sect Leader, Chen Su is Su Chen, and Su Chen is Chen Su," Liu Xingwan declared.
As these names were spoken, a sense of shame filled his heart.
He could have been more ruthless.
During the Beast Tide and the Demon Plague, he could have stood by and watched.
But in the end, knowing that we would bear him ill will, he still came to help, even going so far as to change his identity.
"Sect Master,"
As Liu Xingwan spoke, she paused, not continuing her words.
Everyone present was not without a brain.
It's not that they couldn't think of it, but rather, they didn't want to believe it.
Taiwu Immortal, seated in a high position, slowly stood up and looked at the crowd.
"If this is truly the case, then everything makes sense."
Why, two or three years ago, did I rarely have to manage the affairs of the frontline defense, which was constantly advancing forward?
Now it seems that the root of this matter lies here.
In the past, among our frontline teams, there were disciples with the strength of Chen Su.
No wonder the information we received was so precise.
Speaking of it, it's quite laughable.
Initially, we sent people to search for the source, and our gaze fell on Su Chen.
But in the end, we overturned our own conclusions and found a reason, saying that a great change had occurred in the wilderness."
Taiwu Immortal chuckled lightly, his gaze sweeping over the several elders beside him.
"Changes come and go, but in the end, we still had to invite Su Chen to help resolve the matter.
It's truly comical when you think about it."
Taiwu Immortal's words revealed that he already believed Liu Xingwan's story.
"Sect Master, we should still investigate this matter further. After all..."
Sun Xuerong, standing nearby, continued to argue.
But Taiwu Immortal found it hard to trust her any longer, as the situation had already reached this point.
Liu Xingwan's straightforwardness made it impossible for her to deceive him.
"In the past two years, Yunyang Sect's ability to deal with demonic creatures has been declining.
Heavencradle City's frontline has become increasingly stable.
Elder Five, do you still want to deceive yourself?
Today, in the side hall, we have the core members of Yunyang Sect. Is there a need to speak in such a misleading manner?"
Liu Xingwan, standing nearby, added more evidence.
Taiwu Immortal listened, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
But in this laughter, there seemed to be a hint of disappointment.
"The grand Yunyang Sect, the number one sect in the Great Zhou, has been led by us, yet we've been blind all this time.
We failed to recognize his potential in martial arts.
We didn't expect that someone who had contributed to Yunyang Sect for many years, repelling countless demonic creatures, would have his potential overlooked.
It's no wonder others are unwilling to return to Yunyang Sect. If I were in their shoes, I would make the same choice."
As he spoke, Taiwu Immortal shook his head.
"You all say that this might be the fate of Yunyang Sect.
Heaven has given us a top disciple to deal with the potential crises our sect may face.
Yet, we've been trying to drive him away.
We, the elders, have grown old, our eyes dimmed, and we can no longer see things clearly."
After saying this, Taiwu Immortal left the side hall alone.
Sun Xuerong's face turned pale, as the instigator of this incident, her reputation was completely ruined.
The others remained in the side hall, still in a daze.
After a while, the elders led the way out, and the Pavilion Master followed.
As most people left, Zhao Li also approached Liu Xingwan.
"Chen Su, is it really him?"
"Pavilion Master, I'm certain it's him.
We can think of places where the two of them could have met.
He himself has also admitted it."
Zhao Li was a bit surprised, but compared to the other Pavilion Masters and elders, she was much better off.
"When Su Chen was still a disciple of Yunyang Sect, I also felt something.
This child is very down-to-earth, and indeed, he doesn't seem to be a person of low character.
It's just that his contributions surpassed yours, which is indeed a bit impressive."
Liu Xingwan shook her head slightly.
"The root of this matter is that the sect's system has problems.
Su Chen often receives a lot of credit and is often admired by the disciples.
His performance makes the small team leaders and leading disciples anxious.
Speaking of it, these are all just schemes set up by the leaders to suppress Su Chen completely.
But they don't know that Su Chen's departure will bring a crisis to the sect.
They think that with their own strength, plus some opportunists, they can defend the frontline."
Hearing this, Zhao Li sighed.
"Now that you've revealed all this, I don't know how we can resolve it."
"Of course, we should express our apologies to Su Chen. It was our mistake.
We've wronged him and caused him much suffering, and it has deeply affected him.
Even Heavencradle City, we should probably express our apologies to them as well."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Li smiled helplessly.
"It's not as easy as you say."
"We made a mistake, can't we even offer an apology?"
Zhao Li shook her head again.
"Our sect is not some small sect; it's the number one sect in the Great Zhou. One wrong move affects the whole body.
This apology is not as simple as just apologizing.
It's also a form of bowing down."
(End of Chapter)
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