Chapter 864: The Many Wrongs of a Villain
Chapter 864: The Many Wrongs of a Villain
As these words were spoken, everyone’s expressions changed dramatically.
Yehong’s sorrowful face showed a look of disbelief.
Xiaotianquan’s face turned pale, and he forced a smile, “Little brother, I don’t know what you’re talking about…”
Muhua recalled how he had trampled the narcissus flower underfoot, grinding it into the dust, with a cold and satisfied look. Seeing his current expression and sensing the fear in his soul, she became increasingly certain.
“You are Water Netherworld!”
“Words without proof, you—”
Muhua shook her head, “You and the deceased ‘Water Netherworld’ have known each other for a long time. In the bandit camp, on the Lipstick Boat, and at the Dragon King Temple, you repeatedly tried to kill him.”
“And in the White Bone Maze, in such a dangerous situation, you were the one who delivered the final blow.”
“Because as long as he was dead, no one would know that you were Water Netherworld.”
Xiaotianquan sneered, “What nonsense are you spouting?”
“It’s not just that…” Muhua’s eyes shone brightly as she began to piece everything together:
“Long ago, in the Bishan Demon Cave, when my Uncle Gu and the Dao Court’s cultivators were besieging Fire Buddha, you pretended to block the way, but during the confrontation, you deliberately let him escape.”
“When you passed each other, you subconsciously exchanged a glance. That look was very telling and had a hint of familiarity.”
“This shows that you and Fire Buddha know each other.”
“That look also signifies the passing of power.”
“And at the Dragon King Temple, I overheard your conversation with Xiaodian in the soundproof array.”
“Xiaodian said he used all his power to elevate you, even personally bringing you onto the Lipstick Boat.”
“You’ve been on the Lipstick Boat, so you couldn’t have been uninvolved in those matters.”
“Another point, when Water Netherworld massacred the Yu family gang, he used cruel torture methods, some of which were from the Dao Court’s interrogation techniques.”
“Water Netherworld is a cruel person, but so are you.”
“I’ve seen you many times, killing and mutilating bodies behind the scenes…”
Muhua’s tone was indifferent, recounting everything.
Xiaotianquan’s face turned increasingly pale, his lips twitching, and he forced a smile, “You say I’m Water Netherworld, then who is the dead ‘Water Netherworld’?”
Muhua replied, “‘Water Netherworld’ is just a title. This title is used by two people, one openly and one in secret. One is the ruthless water bandit on the Yanshui River, and the other is a promising official within the Dao Court.”
“But the one who died was the fake, the true Water Netherworld…” Muhua’s gaze was deep as she looked at Xiaotianquan, “is you!”
Or rather, the one who signed the soul pact with the evil deity and left his name on the altar is Xiaotianquan.
So, the fake Water Netherworld died, but the name on the list remained.
Because the true Water Netherworld, the one who sold his soul to the evil deity, was still alive…
“A bunch of nonsense!” Xiaotianquan shouted angrily.
But his words lacked conviction, even revealing a hint of inner fear.
Muhua was not about to let him off the hook and said in a low voice:
“The one who truly harmed Senior Sister Yehong was also you, right…?”
She had felt something strange before.
On the Lipstick Boat, she had confronted the now-dead Water Netherworld, asking if he had forced Senior Sister Yehong of the Hundred Flowers Valley to her death.
Muhua still remembered Water Netherworld’s reaction.
He first looked stunned, then grinned and said, “I’ve played with countless women, and killed many when I grew tired of them. How would I know which one you’re talking about?”
Muhua had thought he was just cruel and didn’t care to hide it, but on further reflection, it felt off.
Senior Sister Yehong was not just any woman.
Her appearance, aura, talent, and status were enough to make someone like Water Netherworld drool.
If he had truly touched her, he couldn’t have ignored her.
Mentioning her name, even if he had a heart of stone, he couldn’t have shown no reaction.
Moreover, Huariuyu was extremely jealous.
She had a relationship with the fake “Water Netherworld” and wouldn’t have helped him with anything.
The only possibility was that the fake “Water Netherworld” didn’t know who Yehong was.
The dead Water Netherworld had taken the fall for Xiaotianquan.
Xiaotianquan’s face was grim, and he stood there, trying to argue but finding no solid defense.
Guchanghuai and Xiadian’s faces gradually turned angry.
When they first heard that Xiaotianquan was Water Netherworld, they were shocked.
But now, the signs pointed to it being true…
Especially in the eyes of experienced officials like Guchanghuai, Xiaotianquan’s behavior was a confession.
Yehong was incredulous, muttering, “Why? Master Xiaotianquan? Why, after all I’ve done for you, why did you harm…?”
These words seemed to touch Xiaotianquan, his face twitching, and he gritted his teeth, insisting:
“No! I don’t know what you’re talking about, what Water Netherworld, it has nothing to do with me…”
As he spoke, he took a step back, trying to escape.
Guchanghuai’s expression turned cold, and he reached for Xiaotianquan’s shoulder.
Xiaotianquan quickly drew his sword to resist, slashing at Guchanghuai’s hand.
Xiadian’s face turned cold, and a freezing sword aura shot out, cutting Xiaotianquan’s arm, making his sword drop.
Guchanghuai took the opportunity to lunge forward, trying to seize him.
Xiaotianquan, who had always despised Guchanghuai, felt the pressure and, in his panic and desperation, subconsciously let a blood-red aura, mixed with blackish gas, fill his eyes as he looked at Guchanghuai.
Muhua was startled and quickly said, “He has cultivated malevolent aura!”
And it was a dark, filthy malevolent aura.
Fortunately, Guchanghuai had been affected by this aura many times and had experience. He immediately avoided it when he sensed something was wrong.
But he was enraged inside and, without hesitation, struck Xiaotianquan’s shoulder with a palm.
On the other side, Xiadian’s face was as cold as frost, and she thrust her sword, cutting Xiaotianquan’s right leg, the cold aura seeping into his flesh through the wound.
Xiaotianquan stumbled and fell to the ground, disheveled and in a sorry state.
Being humiliated like this in front of Xiadian, especially with the two of them working together, Xiaotianquan was filled with shame and anger.
Beside Ye Hong, still in a daze, muttered, " murmutter, muttered, “Why？ " “Why?”
This question was directed at Xiao Tianquan.
Xiao Tianquan's face twisted twisted and twisted. "Why? Of course, it's all because of your precious daughter. A mere woman from a Third-Rank family, I wanted to be with her, to give her face, but she repeatedly rejected my advances."
"I had no choice but to ask Lady Miao for help, using some means to trick her onto the ship."
"Once on the ship shrouded in the Passion Mist, I fed her a pill, and she became obedient and submissive, doing as I wished."
Xiao Tianquan glanced at Ye Hong and smirked coldly, "However, "However, you's truth of thing, Not only is she appearance pleasing, but her body is also supple and smooth. When she first saw her at the Ye family, I took a liking to her. How I cherished and cherished her on the ship, her fair skin, I wonder what state I left her in after my torment."
"Pity, she had a heart of stone. Otherwise, I could have kept her as a concubine, favored her from time to time, much better than letting her die and turn into a lump of black charcoal."
These words stabbed Ye Hong's heart, especially as a father, it was as if a sharp blade was slicing his flesh repeatedly.
Not just Ye Hong, but also Gu Changhuai and Xia Diansi trembled all over.
"I'll kill you, you beast!"
Ye Hong's eyes bloodshot with rage, he lunged at Xiao Tianquan, wishing to tear him apart.
But he was no match for Xiao Tianquan, who dodged and then struck him in the chest, forcing him to stagger back a few steps and spit out blood.
Xiao Tianquan's gaze was cold as he "I wanted't secretly take out a concealed weapon and kill Ye Hong to silence him.
Gu Changhuai, already enraged, kicked out and shattered Xiao arm the shoulder, his palm, cl hand, and hand the chest, and hand the chest,
Xiao Tianquan screamed, "Gu Changhuai!"
"Gu Changhuai! You can't kill me!"
Gu Changhuai's palm wind was forcefully halted.
Xiao Tianquan sneered, "Don't forget, I am of the Xiao family, favored by the Ancestor. I am a member of the Dao Court's enforcement division! Even if I have committed a crime, I should be tried by the Dao Court, sentenced by the Dao Law, and executed by the executioner. You can't kill me!"
Gu Changhuai's expression was cold, "Your crimes are heinous, you should have died long ago."
Xiao Tianquan coldly laughed, "Do you want to make mortal enemies with the Xiao family and the Gu family? Do you want to lose your position as an inspector? What about the Xia family's Inspector, how will you explain to them?"
Xia Diansi's face was like ice, "You still have the nerve to mention the Inspector?"
Xiao Tianquan, at this point, tore off his mask, recklessly and and shamelessly said, "I haven't committed a crime, so why can't I mention the Inspector?"
Xia Diansi frowned, "You admitted it yourself..."
Xiao Tianquan laughed, blood on his teeth, "Evidence? I was just talking. I am a member of the Dao Court's enforcement division, how could I do such a thing?"
"Besides, Inspector Xia values me and will entrust me with important tasks. He won't let me die."
"You know the internal rules, no punishment for the noble families. I am from a noble family, a direct descendant! I am not the same as those lowly lives."
Gu Changhuai nodded, his voice cold, "Fine, then I'll cripple you first, leaving you half-alive. Then when you enter the Dao prison, it won't matter if you are punished or not."
"Gu Changhuai!" Xiao Tianquan's face paled.
At this moment, a voice like a resonant Bell rang, "Stop!"
Gu Changhuai's gaze sharpened, he paused, turned, and saw Xia Diansi standing nearby, like a mountain, unknown when he had arrived.
He was in the Feathered state, with powerful divine consciousness.
What happened here could not escape his notice.
But he didn't expect the situation to escalate to this point.
"Uncle..." Xia Diansi said.
XiaDiansi shook his head, "This isn't the place to speak. Board the ship first."
He turned to leave, but after a few steps, Gu Changhuai called out, "Inspector Xia..."
Xia Diansi turned, seeing Gu Changhuai's handsome face stern, his gaze sharp like a blade.
Gu Changhuai asked, "Inspector Xia, will you act according to the Dao Law?"
Xia Diansi's face was faintly solemn, showing no emotion.
"Actions in the Dao Court have their own rules."
After saying this, Xia Diansi left.
Several Xia family cultivators approached Gu Changhuai, bowed, then carried the injured Xiao Tianquan toed.
shoulder.
Mo Hua and Ye Hong remained in place.
Xia Diansi glanced at everyone, lips tightly pressed, then followed Xia Diansi onto the Xia family's Spirit Ship.
Once in a secluded cabin, Xia Diansi spoke directly, "Uncle, Xiao Tianquan's crimes are heinous, he's despicable, deserving to be killed ten times."
"On the ship, many women suffered their harm..."
Xia Diansi said calmly, "I know..."
Xia Diansi frowned, "Uncle!"
Xia Diansi lifted his gaze, glanced at Xia Diansi, then said, "He will be executed."
Xia Diansi sighed deeply.
He shifted his gaze to the vast misty river outside the window, his eyes dim, "No one else is here, I can tell you plainly..."
"Xiao Tianquan cannot die."
Xia Diansi bit his lip, his fingers white, voice hoarse and disappointed, "Comitted such grave crimes and cannot die?"
Xia Diansi said, "For such grave crimes, he deserves to die a thousand deaths. But his identity is here."
"If he dies, the Xiao family, out of emotion and reason, will not submit to our Xia family, serving as our vassals."
"Here, in the Qianxuezhou region, we are the powerful dragon. If we want to suppress the local snake, we need a snake willing to serve us. The Xiao family is that snake. Without the Xiao family, our subsequent plans will be impossible to execute."
"This is the big picture! Xiao Tianquan's life or death might not matter, but this involves too much power and network, it cannot be wasted simply."
"What about that Jade Flower?" Xia Diansi asked.
Xia Diansi's gaze slightly reined, somewhat displeased, but he still said, "She is a person from the Xiao family, she will be handled by the Xiao family."
Xia Diansi coldly laughed, "Do our noble families still respect the Dao Law?"
Seeing that Xia Diansi still didn’t understand, Xia Jiancha sighed, “You’ve been in the Dao Court for too long, only seeing the surface. You don’t realize that power itself is just a game, and ‘Dao laws’ are merely one set of rules. Since they’re rules, they’re meant to be used. In this game of fame and fortune, if you want to win, the first thing you need to learn is how to ‘compromise’ and ‘trade.’”
“Then...” Xia Diansi’s heart grew colder, “my marriage is just a compromise, a tool for the family to use in their deals?”
Xia Jian was momentarily speechless, not knowing how to respond.
Xia Diansi continued, “Uncle, now that it’s come to this, you can’t still want me to... become engaged to Xiao Tianquan, can you?”
Xia Jian remained silent, only looking at Xia Diansi.
Xia Diansi’s face grew paler and more disheartened.
Xia Jian couldn’t bear to meet Xia Diansi’s gaze and slowly said, “In this life, we are all bound by sin. Human hearts are inherently tainted. It’s just that you have a pure heart, clear in distinguishing good from evil, and you don’t know this.”
“You don’t know, but the behavior of someone like Xiao Tianquan is not uncommon among the scions of noble families.”
“In the Dao Prefecture, those who appear brilliant and charming on the surface, the pride of their noble families, often indulge in luxury and debauchery behind closed doors, perhaps even more so than Xiao Tianquan.”
“It’s not just the men. Those noble daughters, who are revered as ‘immortal maidens’ and ‘goddesses,’ and adored by many, may also lead lives of decadence behind closed doors.”
“Judging people by their appearance is a folly that humans can never escape.”
“The social circles of noble families are both a stage for fame and fortune and a murky vat. Few people in this vat remain clean.”
“But because most of the scions of noble families have good looks, outsiders assume they are virtuous.”
“You have a pure mind and are dedicated to the affairs of the Dao Court, so you haven’t been tainted by this vat, which is why you still have some naive thoughts.”
“Among noble families, there are very few men who can truly remain virtuous.”
“So...”
Xia Jian looked at Xia Diansi, “If you understand this, you’ll realize that Xiao Tianquan’s behavior, though despicable, is not entirely intolerable.”
“At least you would know about his sordid past beforehand, rather than marrying a noble son who appears spotless but is even more corrupt behind closed doors.”
“Moreover, I’ve taught you not to act on impulse, to learn to calculate and to manipulate.”
“Knowing about his despicable deeds, if you still agree to marry him, he would be eternally grateful and would never go against your will.”
“Afterward, I can arrange for him to become the next head of the Xiao family. In time, the entire Xiao family will be under your control.”
But no matter how he spoke, Xia Diansi remained indifferent, her expression growing colder and her heart feeling like dead ashes.
She had often heard people speak of the coldness of noble families, but she had never truly believed it.
But at this moment, she finally felt this bone-deep coldness.
The scions of noble families were not “people” but had long been reduced to mere “tools” and “pawns.”
Xia Diansi looked at Xia Jian with a lost gaze, which gradually turned resolute, “Uncle, I will not marry a beast like Xiao Tianquan. Even if the family disowns me, I will not agree to this marriage.”
“If you really force me, I will... kill XiaoTianquanfirst, then die myself.”
Xia Diansi’s expression was desolate.
Xia Jian was momentarily stunned.
He knew his niece’s character—cold on the outside but kind-hearted and responsible.
She had always respected him and never gone against his wishes.
But he never expected that she would speak such resolute words to him.
Xia Jian’s mood was complex, and he sighed deeply, “I won’t force you. Do as you see fit...”
“I’ll keep Xiao Tianquan. From now on, don’t involve yourself in Xia family matters...”
Xia Diansi left the spirit boat alone.
Gu Chang Huai, Mo Huah, and Ye Hong were waiting outside the spirit boat.
Gu Chang Huai, suppressing his anger, wanted to ask something but, seeing Xia Diansi’s pale and disheartened face, felt a pang of pain and couldn’t bring himself to ask.
“Sister Xia...” Mo Hua said sympathetically.
Xia Diansi gave a bitter smile and shook her head.
Everyone understood that not only Huayu but also Xiao Tianquan would not be punished.
The Xia family’s spirit boat left the ferry point with Xiao Tianquan on board.
Xiao Tianquan might never even enter the Dao Court, let alone the Dao Prison.
Mo Hua and the others could only silently return to Ganxuezhou. Passing through Yan Shuicheng, Ye Hong, despite his poor condition, forced a smile and said to everyone, “Though things didn’t go as planned, I still appreciate your great kindness. Since we’re in Yan Shuicheng, let me show some hospitality and treat you all.”
Mo Hua and the others initially wanted to refuse, but seeing YeHong’s pale face and poor spirits, they nodded in agreement.
Ye Hong arranged for some wine and dishes at a tavern and hosted Mo Hua and the others.
But the banquet was very solemn, as everyone was burdened with heavy hearts.
Ye Hong wanted to express his gratitude, but after a few cups of wine, he found no taste in it, only feeling unbearable bitterness. Tears streamed down his face as he muttered, “Even committing such a crime, one can still escape death...”
“Is it true that once one holds a high position and wields power, their life is different from ours? We, the lowly, die when we die, but they, despite breaking Dao laws, still have someone to protect them. They can commit capital crimes and still evade justice...”
“My whole life... will I never be able to take revenge...”
Gu Chang Huai felt ashamed and couldn’t respond.
Xia Diansi’s face was pale.
After a moment, Mo Hua, who had been silent, spoke, “It’s alright...”
Ye Hong was stunned, and Xia Diansi also looked at Mo Hua.
Mo Hua said, “Those who deserve to die, will die.”
Gu Chang Huai frowned, “You...”
Mo Hua shook her head, “I’m just a low-level Foundation Establishment cultivator, so I can’t do much, but...”
Mo Hua pointed to the sky and said seriously, “People do, and heaven watches. Xiao Tianquan, who has acted unrighteously, might one day be struck down by heaven’s punishment and die suddenly.”
These words seemed naive and somewhat wishful.
Gu Chang Huai, Xia Diansi, and Ye Hong only listened, not really taking them to heart.
(End of Chapter)
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