Olive Branch
The academy was forbidden territory after the sun rose on the horizon to spread her gold. Nobody was allowed in or out because another victim was found. This time, Jiuhua Sect’s disciple, Tu Panshan met his end the same way Xiaohu did. There were no clues left behind again.
“Well deserved. He went and crippled a grey-rank disciple’s arm after the disciple supposedly didn’t heal him properly after Mu Yu thrashed him.”
“I’m more impressed he had the strength to hurt a grey-rank disciple with the wounds he had.”
Mu Yu was apologetic to the grey-rank disciple since he was the wound who wounded Tu Panshan, and then Tu Panshan used the disciple to blow off steam. Well, Tu Panshan’s death was karma, but, perhaps, it was overkill.
Jiuhua Sect rushed to the academy upon receiving news of Tu Panshan’s death. The only difference between Green Pine Sect and Jiuhua Sect’s reaction was Xiaohu was a core disciple, while Tu Panshan wasn’t.
Jiuhua Sect’s disciples suspected Green Pine Sect’s disciples were behind it due to the dispute yesterday and Xiaohu’s death. There was a sound argument to be made. Had Bai Lang not stepped in, the two sides would’ve gone at each other’s throats. Green Pine Sect didn’t react kindly.
Had they taken a step back for a bigger picture, they’d have realised somebody was sowing discord between their sects. It could’ve very well been some cultivator exacting a vengeance or trying to incite chaos. The motive was inconsequential from the perspective of outsiders because, as long as Green Pine Sect and Jiuhua Sect were at odds, they benefitted.
Bai Lang was on the academy grounds when Mu Yu stomped everyone fighting at the entrance, and he knew about. He, however, didn’t take issue with Mu Yu. Instead, he scolded his juniors for being far too haughty for their own good. The reason he absolved Mu Yu of any blame was because he wanted to ensure he could have Mu Yu, whom he evaluated highly, to join Green Pine Sect in the future. It was the same logic as an emperor trying to win the support of his people. Mu Yu would be a strong addition to their forces unlike his unruly juniors. If he gave Mu Yu grief over the incident, he could end up pushing Mu Yu toward Jiuhua Sect instead.
Once Bai Lang told his fellow disciples to leave, Jiuhua Sect turned their aim toward Mu Yu. They recognised Mu Yu before he could run. Helpless, he shrugged. They took it as a pass to dump all the blame on him.
The individual assigned to handling the incident was a Golden Core Realm First Layer cultivator. Judging from his appearance, the elder in his fifties was Lu Zhangyuan, a man known for his fiery temper, and the first thing he did was erupt in Mu Yu’s face.
“I killed him, you say? If I wanted to kill him, I would’ve done so yesterday. I don’t have all the time in the word to do something so convoluted.”
“Still acting impudent after killing our disciple?” Lu Zhangyuan waved a hand, blasting pressure at Mu Yu.
Despite being caught by surprise, Mu Yu managed to dodge the attack. He wasn’t strong enough to defeat Lu Zhangyuan, but he had more than enough skill to stay safe. “Supply proof before you start pointing fingers. Reason isn’t your sect’s forte, is it?”
Annoyed that he missed, Lu Zhangyuan sped over and reached for Mu Yu’s throat. Sensing his opponent was seriously trying crush him, Mu Yu deflected the hand with a sword clone, then quickly put distance between them.
“You’re responsible if I say you are.”
“Is Jiuhua Sect Tyrant Sect now?”
Bai Lang jumped in between the two and defused Lu Zhangyuan’s attack.
“Bai Lang, we’ll settle our sects’ problem later. Why are you stopping me from punishing the culprit? Are you in cahoots with him?”
A faint curve to Bai Lang’s lips appeared. He raised his voice and commented, “You’re jumping to conclusions before any conclusive evidence is found. I worry for the future Jiuhua Alliance. Where would your framed disciples go to ask for justice?”
Bai Lang successfully planted a poor image in many minds. At the same time, because he was the one who indirectly slandered Jiuahua Sect, people thought better of Green Pine Sect.
Lu Zhangyuan was completely oblivious to Bai Lang’s ploy; he still thought having a Primordial Infant Realm patriarch gave him free rein. “Hmph, we don’t give a damn about a lowly disciple of Dustfallen Sect.”
“Hahaha, we, on the other hand, welcome everyone to Green Pine Sect. Green Pine Sect doesn’t accept or reject people based on status or their sect’s influence. We welcome you as long as you have the competence be it Dustfallen Sect of Green Pine Sect. Brother Mu Yu, I would more than welcome you to join Green Pine Alliance.”
Bai Lang specifically mentioned Dustfallen Sect on purpose. If he wasn’t going to give the lowest-ranking sect a hard time, none of the other sects had to feel apprehensive. The alliances’ influence was based on size because both sects already had one Primordial Infant Realm cultivator each.
“It sounds as though you’re just happy to accept any sort of trash.”
“Shut it, Zhangyuan!” demanded Ju Wenxing, descending from above and glaring Lu Zhangyuan before bowing to everyone else. He gave everyone a friendly smile and explained, “Please don’t misunderstand. My brother has a fiery temper. Please forgive him if he offended you. Jiuhua Alliance will be fair and just in all its dealings. We will not provide preferential treatment due to sect differences. I believe Brother Mu Yu is innocent. We must get to the bottom of this and not wrong Brother Mu Yu. Please accept my apology, Brother Mu Yu.”
Mu Yu struggled to keep up with the jump from one extreme to the other so suddenly. Even other sects had trouble processing Jiuhua Sect and Green Pine Sect getting friendly with Mu Yu when they were trashing him yesterday.
Bai Lang: “Brother Mu Yu, I know you wouldn’t commit murder. If anyone has the audacity to falsely accuse you, let me know. Green Pine Sect will ensure you are given your owed justice.”
Before Lu Zhangyuan could run his mouth again, Ju Wenxing chimed in. “Brother Mu Yu, Brother Bai Lang is right. We will not frame anyone. I will be sure to keep my fellow siblings in line from now. It will never happen again.”
Fact: everyone from Dustfallen Sect was a valuable resource both factions wanted.
Mu Yu didn’t want any part in their factions. Dustfallen Sect, unfortunately, couldn’t exist outside of their jurisdiction forever. Regardless of which faction they joined, he wouldn’t truly devote his loyalty to them. All he wanted was his shifu to be safe and sound.
“Take your time, then. I trust both of you are capable enough of capturing the culprit.” Mu Yu smiled and sauntered to his courtyard, leaving the two to continue with their performance.
Ju Wenxing knew what he was doing and what had to be done unlike his short-sighted senior.
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