Peng Wanli said: "You said that the person who killed my brother was a disciple of our sect. Do you have any evidence?"

"If there is no evidence, how dare I come here to bother you? There was a witness who witnessed a disciple of your sect fighting against his younger brother that day, near Yuan Ye Peak." Jiang Yuande turned his left hand, took out a scroll, and held it in both hands. To Tong Quan'an: "According to the description and painting, this is the person who killed his younger brother. The younger generation inquired and found out that he was Zhang Heng, a disciple of the Sili Department of your sect."

Tong Quan'an took the scroll and took a look at it: "You should go back first! This sect will investigate this matter, and we will naturally give an explanation to your Jiang family."

"Yes, I will say goodbye, junior." Jiang Yuanfu said, walked out of the hall and left directly.

……………………………………………………

Qian Yizong, in the Tangning Cave Mansion, Ma Yuanze, the deacon of the Supervision Department, came in from the outside and bowed, took his seat, and said: "The matter has been found out. The murderer who ambushed Jiang Yu was none other than Zhang Heng, a disciple of the Si Li Department. He also acted in this way. He confessed, and now we have sent people to escort him to the sect."

Tang Ning asked, "Did he go there under orders, or was he doing it privately?"

"According to what Zhang Heng said, he was ordered by the Qingxuan Palace, but..." Ma Yuanze hesitated to speak.

"There are no outsiders here, so if you have anything to say, it doesn't hurt to say it directly."

"Yes, before Zhang Heng was arrested, he went back to the sect and was said to have met Uncle Shi. We learned that there was a personal grudge between Zhang Heng and Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu had a good relationship with a woman in his early years, and later He started to be in trouble and ended up abandoning him, and then married a woman from the Wang family, and the abandoned woman was named Zhang Yan, who was Zhang Heng's sister."

"I understand, you go ahead!"

"Yes, disciple, please retire." Ma Yuanze responded and retreated.

Tang Ning saw his figure disappear and fell into deep thought. The case was reported from the Yingxia Mountain Camp five days ago. The case itself was not complicated. It was just that a disciple of the sect killed a monk and was reported to the sect.

This type of case is not common, but there are quite a few. Xuanmen has been occupying the world for a long time and behaves domineeringly. Occasionally, one or two casual cultivators will be killed due to friction and grudges, which is not considered a big deal.

If no one reports him, he will be killed. If someone reports him, he will be dealt with symbolically when he returns to the sect. It is called punishment, but in reality it is protection, and it also prevents him from causing trouble outside.

The reason why this case has received such attention is because of the subtle identity of the person involved. The victim Jiang Yu is a foundation-building monk of the Jiang family in the Central Plains. The Jiang family is a local wealthy family. Its power is dominant in the southeastern area of ​​the Central Plains. After thousands of years, its strength cannot be underestimated. .

There are seven foundation-building monks in his family, which can be said to be the dominant force in the southeast of the Central Plains and have great influence in the local area.

Although Jiang Yu's cultivation is mediocre, he is the son-in-law of Wang Xuanye of the Wang family. Wang Xuanye is the number two figure in the Wang family. After Tang Ning secretly assassinated Wang Zhongxuan, he was almost recognized as the future successor to the head of the Wang family.

Zhang Heng, a disciple of the Si Li Department who ambushed him, was the first disciple of Ren Boda, the deacon of the Zhang Seal Department of the Qingxuan Palace.

Ren Boda was the first disciple of Shi Mingsui, the master of Qingxuan Palace. In other words, Zhang Heng was the disciple and grandson of Shi Mingsui.

Although Ma Yuanze didn't say it clearly just now, his meaning was already clear. Zhang Heng killed Jiang Yu because of his sister.

But he said that he had received the order from Qingxuan Palace. Without Shi Mingsui's nod, he would not have been so bold as to use Qingxuan Palace's name.

Anyone with a discerning eye would know at a glance that Zhang Heng killed Jiang Yu for personal reasons. After returning to the sect, he met Shi Mingsui and got his protection, so he claimed that he was under the orders of Qingxuan Palace. He could give any reason at that time. As long as he is acting under orders, he cannot be punished.

This is in line with Shi Mingsui's consistent style. This person is very protective of his shortcomings. When Tang Ning played against Chen Da in the small competition and defeated Chen Da, he found an excuse to kick Tang Ning out of the competition, and then let Chen Da continue to participate in the small competition.

, and finally obtained the soul-controlling milk.

Chen Da was his disciple. How could an ordinary person lower his status to care about the affairs of a junior, but he just did so.

This is also the reason why he has deep-rooted influence in the sect. Just because he protects his shortcomings, he has won the hearts of those who follow his disciples, and they are all willing to serve for them.

The problem is that if Jiang Yu cannot be punished, how can he explain to the Wang family and the Jiang family? Now the Demon Sect is watching with eager eyes, and is always trying to instigate these cultivating families who have turned to the sect.

Especially the Wang family, the Youmei Sect has sent several groups of people to contact them, hoping to change their banner.

Once this matter is not handled properly, it is very likely to intensify the conflict with the cultivating family and push them towards the Youmei Sect. The Wang family and the Jiang family are both families with huge influence in the local area. If they respond to the Demon Sect, they will definitely respond.

Jiang Yuanfu and Wang Xuanye, the heads of the Jiang family, have met Peng Wanli several times and expressed their attitude, hoping that the perpetrators will be severely punished. They are obviously putting pressure on the sect.

On the one hand, it was the pressure from the spiritual family, and on the other hand, Shi Mingsui's influence in the sect made this case difficult.

As the master of Xuande Hall and in charge of the sect's punishment, Tang Ning could not stay out of the matter no matter what. He thought for a while, got up and left the room. After a short while, he came to Luo Qingshui Cave Mansion, waved his hand, and handed the talisman inside.

Soon, as the thick fog rolled, a ray of light came out, and a tall and straight middle-aged man appeared. It was Yang Chang, Luo Qingshui's disciple. He bowed and saluted: "Uncle Tang, master, please come in."

.”

The two of them entered the inner room one after another and arrived at Luo Qingshui's main room. Tang Ning bowed and bowed, then sat down and said, "I'm sorry to bother you, but I'm here to report to you the investigation results of Zhang Heng, a disciple from the Li Department. Three days ago, the Supervision Department sent

We have sent manpower out to the sect to investigate the matter, and today, the deacon of the Supervision Department has returned to the sect."

"Zhang Heng confessed to the ambush and murder of Jiang Yu, but he claimed that he was ordered by Qingxuan Palace. We found out that Zhang Heng's sister Zhang Yan once had a relationship with Jiang Yu, but she committed suicide in anger after being abandoned by Jiang Yu.

, and after Zhang Heng killed Jiang Yu on August 16th, he arrived at the sect on August 18th, and then returned to the main camp."

Luo Qingshui said: "An hour ago, news came from the camp through the sound transmission array. Wang Yuantai went to see Junior Brother Peng in person."

Tang Ning said: "If this matter is handled improperly, it will definitely cause dissatisfaction with the Wang family and the Jiang family. But if Zhang Heng is really under the secret order of Qingxuan Palace, it will be difficult to convict him."

Luo Qingshui nodded: "I'll talk to Junior Brother Shi first to see his attitude."

Tang Ning said: "Palace Master Shi has always defended his shortcomings, I'm afraid it will be difficult to convince him."

Luo Qingshui said: "We still have to put the overall situation first! I believe he can understand."

The two talked for a while, and then Tang Ning left. Although Luo Qingshui did not say it clearly, his attitude was already clear. The overall situation must be put first, and Zhang Heng must be convicted regardless of whether Shi Ming Sui wants it or not.

At night, in the Shimingsui Cave, an old man with white hair and beard came to the stone room and knocked on the stone door.

"Come in." An old voice came from inside.

The old man pushed the door open and walked in. He bowed to the historical attendant sitting cross-legged on the futon and said, "Master, Yang Chang is here and wants to see you outside."

"Invite him to come!" Shi Mingsui said calmly.

The old man followed the order and soon led Yang Chang into the room.

"Disciple pays homage to Master Shi." Yang Chang stepped forward and bowed.

"What's up?"

"My master invites my uncle to come over and have a talk."

"I understand, you go ahead!"

"Yes, disciple, take your leave." Yang Chang responded and retreated.

"Master, the headmaster invites you to talk now, I think it must be for the sake of Heng'er, he..."

Before the old man finished speaking, Shi Ming waved his hand and said, "I have my own sense of discretion, so you don't have to worry."

The old man said: "My disciple has caused trouble to the master again."

Shi Ming then said: "I'm already half dead, so why bother? I'm just worried! If I go, who can protect you?"

"The disciple is incompetent and is ashamed to be taught by his master."

Shi Mingsui said: "I can't blame you. Sometimes people still have to look at their destiny. Just like I have been practicing all my life and haven't been able to cross that hurdle."

"It's just that you have to restrain yourself a little from now on. Over the years, I have cultivated some close confidants in the sect, but I have also offended a lot of people. If others don't tell me, Tang Ning from Xuande Hall may still hold a grudge against me!"

"When I die one day, there's no guarantee that he won't attack you. How you protect yourself depends on you."

"Yes, I understand," the old man replied.

Shi Mingsui said no more, stood up and left the room. Not long after, he came to Luo Qingshui Cave Mansion, where the two sat opposite each other.

Luo Qingshui said: "Junior Brother Shi, the reason why I invite you here this time is about Zhang Heng, a disciple of the Sili Department. He said that he was ordered by the Qingxuan Palace. What is going on?"

Shi Ming followed up: "I received news from the inside of Youmei Sect that they have sent disciples to instigate rebellion against the Jiang family, and the person in contact with them is Jiang Yu. Therefore, I secretly ordered Zhang Heng to monitor Jiang Yu and get rid of him if necessary."

Luo Qingshui said: "I see. In the past few days, the Wang family and the Jiang family have approached Junior Brother Peng many times and demanded severe punishment for the perpetrators. This afternoon, Wang Yuantai met with Junior Brother Peng in person to state the matter. How do you think this matter should be handled?"

Historian Ming Sui said: "These practicing families have actually long wanted to join the Demon Sect, and they have secretly communicated with them, but they are afraid of our sect and therefore do not change their banner openly. In my opinion, we should give them a good beating. If anything happens,

They all go along with their wishes, but it makes our sect weak and incompetent."

Luo Qingshui said: "Currently, the Demon Sect is watching with eager eyes. We are in a situation of internal and external troubles. The Wang family and the Jiang family are local wealthy families in the Central Plains, and they are also our supporters. They have great influence in the Central Plains. They pay a lot of taxes every year, and there are also many

The children join our sect and serve on the front line. Once we lose their support, we will be very passive."

Shi Ming then said: "I cannot agree with what Senior Brother Luo said. The support of local cultivating families is of course important, but if just Jiang Yu can leverage their support, it can only be said that their support is really fragile and weak."

"Our cooperation with the Cultivation Family depends on maintaining the common interests of both parties and the strong strength of the sect. It is definitely not the will of one or two people."

"If you punish the disciples of our sect in order to please them, it will put the cart before the horse. It will chill the hearts of many disciples on the front line, and the gain will outweigh the loss."

"I think it's time to give these cultivating families a beating. Only by giving them kindness and support can we deter them. Simply giving in is not a good idea."
Chapter completed!