“Zhang Hao, I knew you wouldn’t have any problems,” Qi Zhao said happily, looking at Zhang Hao.
Liu Mengyao’s eyes also held a hint of excitement as she looked at Zhang Hao.
“Zhang Hao, what exactly happened? Tell us about it,” Qi Zhao asked, looking at Zhang Hao with curiosity.
Zhang Hao nodded slightly and recounted the events.
When Qi Zhao heard that Zhang Hao had fought with a High Stage Martial Overlord from the Heavenly Demon Sect, he was greatly startled. He said to him in surprise, “Zhang Hao, how did you escape from the hands of a High Stage Martial Overlord?”
Liu Mengyao also looked at Zhang Hao in surprise. If he didn't know Zhang Hao's personality, Qi Zhao would have thought this person was bragging. That was a High Stage Martial Overlord. In the Hao Xian Sect, Tu Zhan and the Deputy Sect Leader were only High Stage Martial Overlords. Don't look at Low Stage Martial Overlord and High Stage Martial Overlord as both being Martial Grandmasters; the gap is even larger than the gap between a Martial King and a Great Martial Master. After all, at the Martial Grandmaster stage, each level is a world of its own. What's more, there's the gap between stages.
Zhang Hao smiled slightly and said, “Because I have a treasure for escaping. Although the Great Guardian of the Heavenly Demon Sect is strong, he couldn't catch me.”
“Alright, Zhang Hao, you are indeed impressive,” Qi Zhao said, completely admiring Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao nodded slightly and said, “Okay, let's not talk about this for now. Let's quickly return to the Hao Xian Sect! We must inform the Sect about this teleportation array so they can be prepared.”
Three hours later, Zhang Hao, Liu Mengyao, and Qi Zhao returned to the Hao Xian Sect.
Within the Hao Xian Sect, Zhang Hao immediately found the Inner Sect Great Elder Tu Zhan.
When Tu Zhan heard Zhang Hao's report, he was greatly surprised.
“Zhang Hao, is what you said true?” Tu Zhan's sharp gaze fixed on Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao nodded and said solemnly, “Great Elder, Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao can testify.”
“Hmm, I believe you, young man. However, this matter is significant, and I still need to discuss it with the Sect Leader and the Deputy Sect Leader. You should all come as well; there might be some questions I need to ask you.”
Tu Zhan looked at Zhang Hao, then glanced at Liu Mengyao and Qi Zhao beside him.
Half an hour later, in the Inner Sect Hall, the Sect Leader of the Hao Xian Sect Cao Jun, Deputy Sect Leader Wen Guangyuan, Inner Sect Great Elder Tu Zhan, and all the Elders were present.
“Zhang Hao, tell us about your mission again,” Deputy Sect Leader Wen Guangyuan of the Hao Xian Sect said, looking at Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao nodded and recounted how he discovered the slaughter of the villagers in Xiye Village and the process of his investigation.
“Very good, but there are a few questions worth discussing here,” Wen Guangyuan said, looking at Zhang Hao.
Zhang Hao naturally knew it wouldn't be so easy to pass, and his expression became serious as he said, “Deputy Sect Leader, please ask.”
“This time, if I remember correctly, you were on this mission with Lin Junwei, Guo Sheng, and Lin Chaoyuan, right? Why are only the three of you back? Don't tell me you're alive, but they died at the hands of the Heavenly Demon Sect?” Wen Guangyuan said, looking at Zhang Hao with a seemingly playful smile.
Tu Zhan's heart also skipped a beat. Just now, his attention had been completely drawn by the clues about the Heavenly Demon Sect that Zhang Hao had discovered. He had completely forgotten about this matter.
“Of course not, they died by my hand,” Zhang Hao said.
“And me!”
Liu Mengyao and Qi Zhao said in unison.
“Heh heh, you are very bold. Our Hao Xian Sect strictly forbids internal strife among fellow disciples. Even if they had a thousand faults as your Senior Brothers, it is not a reason for you to kill them.”
After speaking, Wen Guangyuan turned his head and said seriously to Sect Leader Cao Jun of the Hao Xian Sect beside him, “Sect Leader, these three have engaged in internal strife among fellow disciples. I suggest the Disciplinary Hall intervene, and it would be best to first cripple their cultivation as punishment.”
Tu Zhan snorted coldly and said, “Wen Guangyuan, you are too impatient. Although I know they had a conflict with your son, this is not a reason for you to act like this.”
Wen Guangyuan snorted coldly and said, “Tu Zhan, it is a fact that they engaged in internal strife among fellow disciples. Didn't you hear them admit it?”
Tu Zhan sneered, “That is a fact, but this old man does not believe they would kill their fellow disciples for no reason. I believe they must have their own reasons.”
Wen Guangyuan sneered, “No reason can cover up the fact that they killed their fellow disciples.”
“Wen Guangyuan, calm down. Let's hear what they have to say. I also don't believe they would slaughter their fellow disciples for no reason,” Cao Jun said calmly.
The Sect Leader had spoken. Although Wen Guangyuan was unhappy, he didn't dare to say more.
Zhang Hao said seriously, “Sect Leader, Great Elder. Although we killed Lin Junwei and Guo Sheng, it was for a reason. Because this time, on the way, they inexplicably attacked us and pushed us into the Wan Gui Ku (Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave). We were just acting in self-defense. Furthermore, this time we were investigating people from the Heavenly Demon Sect. Senior Brother Lin attacked us without cause, and I was worried that Senior Brother Lin was a spy for the Heavenly Demon Sect. So I had no choice but to kill them in return.”
Wen Guangyuan sneered, “That's just one side of the story. Perhaps Lin Junwei and the others discovered your conspiracy and were murdered by you.”
Tu Zhan was also angry at this moment. Zhang Hao was his disciple no matter what, and Wen Guangyuan targeting Zhang Hao like this was also like slapping his face. Tu Zhan was naturally unhappy at this moment and said to Wen Guangyuan, “Wen Guangyuan, you need evidence for what you say. Isn't it inappropriate to make such baseless conjectures?”
Wen Guangyuan said calmly, “This Esteemed One is just discussing the matter as it is.”
Cao Jun saw the Grand Elder and Deputy Sect Leader of the Sect arguing and couldn't help but frown. These two were the second and third in command of the Sect, and he couldn't reprimand them easily. He had to change the subject and looked at Zhang Hao, asking, “Zhang Hao, you said Lin Junwei and the others plotted against you. Do you have evidence?”
“Of course!” Zhang Hao said calmly.
Liu Mengyao and Qi Zhao both looked at Zhang Hao in surprise, because even they didn't know what evidence there could possibly be. This kind of thing happened too suddenly, and there couldn't be any witnesses or physical evidence.
Zhang Hao took out a memory bead and handed it to Cao Jun, respectfully saying to him, “Sect Leader, this is the memory bead from the scene at that time. You will know once you see it.”
“Memory bead!”
Everyone present was somewhat taken aback. If there was really a memory bead as evidence, then it was naturally irrefutable proof. After all, this kind of thing is not easy to fake.
Cao Jun immediately injected True Qi into the memory bead. Soon, the entire process of Zhang Hao being tricked into the Wan Gui Ku (Ten Thousand Ghosts Cave) was realistically displayed within the memory bead. Furthermore, there were conversations between the two sides. What made Wen Guangyuan even more awkward was the conversation inside, which involved Wen Tailai. Although it was vague and didn't directly name Wen Tailai's identity, anyone would understand that the only person who could be called Wen Gongzi in the Hao Xian Sect was Wen Tailai.
