Feng Ji persisted in claiming responsibility for the murder, refusing to offer any explanation. This proved a most troublesome case.

The interrogator bombarded him with question after question, to no avail. Consumed by frustration, he finally considered resorting to torture. “Feng Ji,” he roared, “consider your actions carefully. If you remain obstinate, you will meet your end.”

Feng Ji remained unmoved by the threat.

Seeing Feng Ji’s indifference, the interrogator sighed. Torture was clearly pointless against someone unafraid of death. And Feng Ji possessed no apparent vulnerabilities. A family, children – perhaps a connection to someone could be exploited.

But he had no one. Threats were useless against such resolve. As the interrogator felt utterly helpless, a voice broke the silence. “Everyone, may I ask a few questions?” All eyes turned towards Zhou Mingren. Many were astonished. Wasn’t Zhou Mingren supposed to be keeping a low profile?

Ignoring the stares, he spoke softly, “May I ask a few questions?”

Marquis Xia regarded him intently before nodding, “Yes.”

Zhou Mingren smiled, his gaze fixed on Feng Ji. “Feng Ji, since you seem prepared to meet your demise, I suspect you wouldn’t reveal anything, even if your memories were probed. If my assessment is correct, you’re likely prepared to self-destruct if an Invincible attempts to access your memories.”

Feng Ji remained silent. A murmur rippled through the hall.

Feng Ji remained silent, but his emotions were visibly unstable.

“Do you believe he can survive this? Even if you die for him, do you think he will cease his actions? If he were truly willing to change, he would have done so when the Six-Winged Divine Sect withdrew. But he didn’t. Clearly, he’s committed to this path. Feng Ji, why seek death? If others continue to die after your demise, your sacrifice will have been in vain.”

“Are you certain that his vengeance will end with your death? Do you think he will stop? Impossible. Everything you’re doing here is futile. Do you understand? You’ll only disappoint him. Surely he’s said something similar to you?”

Feng Ji trembled slightly. Not far away, Hong Tan closed his eyes. Zhou Mingren was right. Chen Yong wouldn’t stop. Feng Ji could die for Chen Yong today. But what about the future deaths? Could Feng Ji continue to shoulder the blame after his death?

Hong Tan suspected his student was about to do something extraordinary today. He wouldn’t allow Feng Ji to take the blame for him. Hong Tan knew his student well. That would never happen.

At that moment, Marquis Xia’s eyes flickered. He silently retrieved a voice transmission talisman and checked the incoming message. Many others in the room did the same.

Soon, a voice interrupted the proceedings. “May we pause this trial? I have a report to present to the three lords.”

Great Han King seemed lost in thought. “Speak.”

“My lord, a Mountainsea was just slain in Great Jin.”

“…”

Silence descended.

Great Han King inquired, “Is this similar to the previous deaths?”

“Yes.”

A commotion erupted in the room. Feng Ji’s face fell.

Great Han King sighed, “Understood.”

He turned to Feng Ji, “Feng Ji, speak. Your silence is now meaningless.”

Feng Ji stated solemnly, “I have already said all I have to say.”

Zhou Mingren said, “Feng Ji, must you do this? He did not send you to die. Why seek death? What is the point? His student is right here…”

“Old fool! What are you implying?”

Wu Jia, who had kept her head bowed, suddenly looked up, her eyes blazing red, and glared at Zhou Mingren.

Su Yu trembled at the sight. How had his carefree senior sister become like this? His departure and his martial uncle’s incident seemed to have profoundly changed her. Zhou Mingren glanced at her, saying nothing.

Marquis Xia rebuked her, “Wu Jia, sit down! How audacious! Hong Tan, control her. How can she behave so disrespectfully in the presence of Invincibles?”

Hong Tan patted Wu Jia’s shoulder, “Sit down. The girl has a tendency to scold me without reason. Regardless, I am her grandmaster. She should learn respect.”

He turned to Zhou Mingren, smiling, “Old Zhou, don’t misunderstand her. The girl has been upset about her cultivation these past few days. I suppose I should stop spoiling her. I’ll ensure she is disciplined after this.”

Zhou Mingren replied, “It’s fine. Do as you see fit, Elder Hong.”

Subdued by Hong Tan, Wu Jia remained silent, lowering her head.

Zhou Mingren continued, “A similar murder has just occurred in Great Jin. The perpetrator is highly likely the same person. In that case, Feng Ji is probably not the murderer. But he might be an accomplice. Or this could be an accomplice trying to deflect blame. Regardless, the latest murder was definitely not committed by Feng Ji.

“Feng Ji, you can no longer hide anything. If I were in your position, I would prioritize self-preservation and fulfill my friend’s wishes. That is far better than a pointless death. What do you think?”

A look of pain crossed Feng Ji’s eyes. Why? He knew Chen Yong was undoubtedly responsible for the latest murder, attempting to shift the blame. Why? Was Chen Yong truly unwilling to change?

Chen Yong’s request echoed in his mind: Take care of Jia for me… Zhou Mingren’s words caused endless pain in Feng Ji’s heart. He wasn’t afraid of torture. He wouldn’t allow any Invincible to probe his memories. But was there still a point to dying? He gritted his teeth.

At this time, Hong Tan addressed Feng Ji, “Feng Ji, don’t take the blame rashly. Don’t die for something like loyalty. Just speak the truth.”

Hong Tan scanned the room, his voice cold, “Everyone here must be wondering if my student is the murderer, right? Feng Ji, if you witnessed something, speak the truth. If you saw nothing, be honest about it. Don’t take the blame simply because you believe Chen Yong is the culprit. We must not let human emotions cloud our judgment in upholding justice.”

“Furthermore, who can be certain that the murderer is Chen Yong?” Hong Tan continued. “Even if the murderer possesses the same appearance and aura, there are countless individuals with masterful disguise abilities. Do you think Chen Yong will be judged guilty based on mere words? If that’s sufficient, I’d like to confess that I personally witnessed Old Zhou killing his student, Zhou Pingsheng. Just an example, mind you.”

“Is something the truth simply because I claim to have seen it?” Hong Tan sneered.

Someone in the crowd was offended by the sneer. “Hong Tan, what is the meaning of this?”

Hong Tan replied nonchalantly, “What do you mean? I mean nothing. My student is missing. Feng Ji is foolish and weak. I doubt he knows anything, but even if he did, who can guarantee that what he saw was the absolute truth? We can only be certain of the truth when we catch the murderer in the act. Are you familiar with the concept of innocent until proven guilty? In fact, I’ve suspected that my teacher was assassinated by a human Invincible back then. Can I have that Invincible punished simply by naming them?”

The moment those words were spoken, intense surges of Qi and willpower rippled through the room. His words shocked everyone present. This was the first time Hong Tan had ever spoken in such a manner. He had actually uttered these words in the presence of three Invincibles.

Great Han King frowned, “Hong Tan, don’t speak nonsense.”

Hong Tan smiled and bowed, “Forgive me, Great Han King. That was merely an example. Some people believe they can corner me and my student. But in the world of cultivation, anything is possible. Is it difficult to commit a crime after disguising oneself as someone else?”

Immediately, his appearance shifted to that of Zhou Mingren, then to Marquis Xia. “What can appearance prove? As for aura, what can you sense if I am stronger than you? Unless you catch someone red-handed, pinning the blame on anyone is nothing but a joke.”

Zhou Mingren and the others frowned silently. Meanwhile, Feng Ji’s eyes flickered. Su Yu breathed a sigh of relief. This grandmaster of his was finally doing something after spending most of his time in seclusion or outside the academy.

Hong Tan said, “I suspect my student is dead. He’s being framed for someone else’s crimes. I’m puzzled by the Sunmoons of the eight families sparing the two Sunmoons of the Six-Winged Divine Sect. I also doubt something else. Before that, the Six-Winged Divine Sect had been allowed to travel freely in the Human Realm. Just who is covering for them? Who has been protecting them? I suspect my student is either dead or imprisoned somewhere…”

Hong Tan sighed, “Lords, if you can help me locate my student, I’ll be grateful. Sigh. As for the dead military officials, the fellows from the Six-Winged Divine Sect must be the culprits. Should we launch a manhunt for their two surviving Sunmoons? We could try eliminating them and see if there are any further murders. If the murders cease, then we can be sure they are the murderers.”

Yuan Qingdong, who had been silent, suddenly changed expression, sending a voice transmission somewhere. He continued staring blankly without speaking.

Immediately, the woman beside him cried out, “Hong Tan, you’re twisting the facts!”

Hong Tan said, “Holy Envoy Zhang, what do you mean? Did I say something wrong? Be specific.”

The woman said, “If Chen Yong isn’t the murderer, why did Feng Ji take the blame? Also, the Sunmoons of Great Xia and Great Ming were also involved in the hunt for the two cult Sunmoons. How were they supposed to find opportunities to commit these murders with so many Sunmoons on their trail? I wish to invite Director Hou and General Zhao to testify. I want to see if they will lie before Invincibles.”

Hong Tan smiled, “Do as you please.”

The woman then turned to the Invincibles. Great Han King remained silent. Great Song King responded, “In that case, let Hou Zhen and Zhao Rui testify. Where are they?”