Chapter 165: Confrontation
Translator:EndlessFantasy Translation
Editor:EndlessFantasy Translation
"Very well, did you plan on acting first and only then reporting to me? Are you worried that I might confront him?" asked Xiao Tieying so angrily that he laughed.
"Master Xiao, there are big things at stake here and we cannot make any decisions. As for the confrontation or not, it'd be better to let Chu Li confront the King. The King can read minds and if Chu Li didn't actually do it, his innocence will be proven," Song Siwen calmly replied.
"Confront the King? I'm surprised you could even suggest such an insulting idea. Chu Li can't handle any more punishment and he'd surely die on his way there. You carry such impure intentions." Xiao Tieying sneered.
"Master Xiao, you've got us all wrong. We believe that Chu Li was being treated unjustly but with a witness testimonial, things are different. We dare not hide anything," Song Siwen said while shaking his head.
"I don't need you to hide anything, I just need the both of you to open your eyes, clear up your thoughts and not spoil anything good!" Xiao Tieying sneered. "Didn't you even think for a bit, where on earth would there be such a coincidence, where this man coincidentally saw what happened and coincidentally met all of you? Who in the world is this man?"
"A woodman," Song Siwen muttered.
"A woodman? Could that woodman clearly see through the speed of a Grandmaster? Could he even tell who killed who? And he even saw Chu Li kill High Official Zhao Zilai?" Xiao Tieying laughed.
"That's correct." Song Siwen nodded.
"Did he see Chu Li being chased by the Tempest Temple?" Xiao Tieying asked.
"He did," Song Siwen explained. "He said that the monk from the Tempest Temple came afterward but they were not even on the same road as Brother Zhao Zilai".
Under any other circumstances, Song Siwen would not have disclosed this information but even he felt the appearance of this woodman to be a little too coincidental. It was a little strange and after he had sent the person away, he hesitated about what he should do. Song Siwen felt as if he was being tricked.
"This is even more ridiculous. The Tempest Temple wanted to work with High Official Zhao Zilai because Chu Li's light-body technique was too fast and they were unable to catch up to him. If Chu Li decided to kill Zhao Zilai first and then face the Tempest Temple, he would have run at any chance that presented itself so that he could avoid getting hurt." Xiao Tieying sneered.
"Master, how great is Chu Li's light-body technique? Is he truly matchless in the world?" Song Siwen asked and shook his head.
"If he wanted to escape, no one would be able to catch up. Even the monks of the Tempest Temple who are extremely powerful are unable to capture Chu Li after so many attempts. Why do you think that is?" scoffed Xiao Tieying.
Song Siwen furrowed his brows and asked, "Is it possible to let us experience it only once?"
"Look at him now. What do you think?" Xiao Tieying asked harshly.
"Then we have no other choice than to see if the King believes it or not," Song Siwen said helplessly as he spread his hands.
"You're all fools! Did you guys do all of this because you're afraid that I'd kill the woodman? You really look down on my Public House. Even if Chu Li killed High Official Zhao Zilai, so what?!" sneered Xiao Tieying.
Song Siwen's expression turned gloomy, "Master!"
"If he actually killed the High Official and I wanted to hide it, what would you think the King would choose to do? Why would I bother going out of my way to lie to you? Think about this wisely," said Xiao Tieying.
He glared at Song Siwen and his men with disdain.
Their expressions were also terrifying because they were so mad.
Even if they were on the King's side, killing the High Officials from the Imperial House was still a serious issue and forgiveness was not so simple. However, the Public House had the supreme status and a fragile relationship with the Royal House. Even if they killed a High Official of the Imperial House, the Royal House may choose to not make it a big thing.
"Didn't you want to experience Chu Li's light-body technique? He's hurt now, so we'll let his follower perform his skill. Linquan, let Jiang Kuai chase the man," Xiao Tieying said.
"Understood," Linquan replied.
Song Siwen's expression was extremely somber. He scoffed, "Master Xiao is very good at jests. We've already sent him away for half a day. There's no need to waste your efforts!"
"You having bad light-body techniques doesn't mean that the Protectors from my Public House have the same!" Xiao Tieying scoffed. "I actually want to see who this person is! You didn't even ask properly and were daring enough to send that person to the King. Are you not afraid of being flogged!?"
Song Siwen furrowed his brows and kept silent because he was hesitating. Making a mistake would indeed be a very great sin.
He initially had only thought of not letting the man get killed by the Public House, so he immediately sent him to the secret passage of the Imperial House which was hidden away.
Now that Song Siwen thought more about it, they were indeed a little too impulsive and irrational in making that decision. There were actually a few loopholes, especially from Xiao Tieying's point of view.
It was evening and the sunset shined throughout the place. Song Siwen and his men had just woken up. They had not yet cultivated but were already being invited to Iron Eagle Island. As soon as they stepped into the main hall, they saw a middle-aged man in grey standing in the center of the hall. Their expressions all changed slightly as they shifted their gazes to Xiao Tieying, who sat in his armchair, sneering.
Linquan was standing behind him, smiling and nodding towards them. He looked completely modest.
"Master Xiao, you actually got him." Song Siwen scoffed.
He had mixed feelings. Part of him was relieved and the other worried. To the Public House, the passage was not hidden whatsoever.
"Don't forget that this is Chong Li Yuning's road. I told Chu Li about him and he wanted to ask this man one question," said Xiao Tieying.
"What is it?" scoffed Song Siwen.
"How far he was when he saw Chu Li and Zhao Zilai fighting." Xiao Tieying sneered.
Song Siwen turned and stared at the man, "Tell us, how far were you from them?"
The man in grey looked normal, his skin was very dark due to the sun and he had an innocent glance. He was afraid of Xiao Tieying's vigor and dared not say a word. He tilted his head downwards slightly.
"It's okay, just tell us the truth. From how far did you see them fighting?" said Song Siwen as he affirmed the man's safety.
"A-about that…. I-I do not know how far it was exactly. It was probably a hundred meters away… or so? I was crouching behind a rock as I watched," the man stuttered.
Xiao Tieying began laughing and looked at Song Siwen.
Song Siwen furrowed his brows, pointed at the door and said, "Let's look at perspective. From here to the door and outside, how far were you from the right it if were happening right here?"
The man in grey looked around and thought about it. He then answered, "A-about…. that rock garden over there."
"Protector Song Siwen, this is the witness you found? What a joke!" said Xiao Tieying with furrowed brows.
Song Siwen's expression turned sour.
It was only a hundred feet away. It might have as well be right in front of a Grandmaster or an Innate Master. It would have been impossible for them not to notice him.
It was said that Chu Li's flying blade was extremely powerful. If he really did kill Zhao Zilai, he could have just killed the woodsman in one attack. Why did he allow him the chance to be a witness and testify against him?
The man saw Song Siwen's expressions and realized he might have made a mistake. He quickly said, "Maybe it's a bit further, I'm just guessing."
Xiao Tieying shook his head and said, "Tell me, who told you to say all of this? If you tell me the truth now, the Public House will let you go. If you lie and we find out, there is a high chance you'll be executed."
The woodsman looked at Song Siwen.
"Was there someone who asked you to do this?" Song Siwen asked with furrowed brows.
"T-that… that…" the middle-aged man thought that he could hold onto it, but the vigor emanating from Xiao Tieying felt like a mountain collapsing onto him.
He could barely breathe and muttered, "I…. I…"
Song Siwen saw how he looked and questioned his decision even more. With a deep tone, he said, "Tell us the truth. We won't take it out on you."
'Bam!'
The middle age man knelt on the floor in one breath and knocked his head on the floor several times.