NOVPUBChapter 122: Ling Long: Aaa? p1
As the Third Prince’s voice echoed through the air, the disciples’ gazes fixed on Mu Zhi’an.
His words had been a trap.
By asking if Mu Zhi’an was aware of the demonic cultivator’s presence, he was forcing him into a corner. If Mu Zhi’an panicked and denied it, it would be easy to expose him.
He would simply use the Demon Measuring Ruler to prove that Bai Ruoxi was a demonic cultivator, shattering Mu Zhi’an’s lie.
But if Mu Zhi’an admitted to knowing, it would confirm his complicity.
It was a no-win situation.
And just as the Third Prince had predicted, Mu Zhi’an’s expression shifted, his body trembling slightly as he stumbled back.
Ye Yu watched, a hint of schadenfreude in his eyes.
In Tianxuan City, the Mu family’s influence was absolute. He had colluded with the other families, manipulating the truth.
But this was the Two Polarities Sect.
And his opponent was the Third Prince, with the backing of a powerful faction. Could he still distort the truth and claim that Bai Ruoxi wasn’t a demonic cultivator?
Huang Manting also watched, her eyes flickering, her gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an’s fearful expression.
What is he planning…?
Telling her to reveal everything to the Third Prince, handing him a weapon… it didn’t seem like something he would do.
But he had done it. 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘱𝘶𝑏.𝑐𝘰𝑚
Those who didn’t know him might think he was cornered. But she was part of his plan. She knew he must have a backup plan.
But if Bai Ruoxi was exposed as a demonic cultivator, what could he possibly do…?
Mu Zhi’an took a deep breath, composing himself, then looked at the Third Prince, his voice firm. “Third Prince, we might have our differences, but making false accusations is not something a disciple should do.”
“False accusations?” the Third Prince chuckled. “Are you saying you’re unaware of the demonic cultivator’s presence?”
Mu Zhi’an stared at him. “I’ve lived in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony for days, and I’ve never encountered any demonic cultivators. This is the Two Polarities Sect. What demonic cultivator would dare to openly enter our territory?”
The Third Prince smiled faintly. “I wouldn’t have believed it either, but…”
He pointed at the Demon Measuring Ruler, which was spinning slowly, its arrow pointing towards the pavilion.
“The ruler has never been wrong. Are you questioning the creator of this artifact, Young Master Mu?”
The Demon Measuring Ruler had been crafted by the peak lord of Metamorphic Jewel Peak.
It was infallible.
And not only was it accurate, it was also incredibly powerful. It was said that the peak lord’s ruler, having been imbued with a spirit, was now a sentient weapon.
The Third Prince had invoked the peak lord’s name, implying that Mu Zhi’an was challenging his authority.
As expected of a royal… He’s skilled at manipulation.
Mu Zhi’an remained impassive. “I trust the ruler, but I’m truly unaware of any demonic cultivators in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony.”
Still trying to deny it at this point. It’s too late… The Third Prince chuckled inwardly. “I wouldn’t want to wrongfully accuse anyone. I believe you’re unaware of this demonic cultivator’s presence, Young Master Mu.”
He paused, then continued, “Will you allow us to investigate the Garden of Heavenly Harmony?”
“If we find nothing, I’ll apologize for the inconvenience.”
“But if we do find a demonic cultivator, and they’re close to you…” he smiled, his voice laced with a hint of malice. “Then you’ll have to face the sect’s judgment…”
“Just an apology?” Mu Zhi’an asked suddenly.
The Third Prince raised an eyebrow. “What do you want?”
“I want to make a bet,” Mu Zhi’an replied, his gaze meeting the Third Prince’s.
“If there’s a demonic cultivator in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, and they’re connected to me, I’ll accept the sect’s punishment, and I’ll give you five hundred thousand spirit stones.”
“But if you’re making false accusations, I won’t make things difficult for you. I simply ask for one million spirit stones within three days, half of which will be for emotional distress…”
One million spirit stones!
The disciples gasped, their eyes widening with surprise.
Normally, a cultivator earning twenty or thirty thousand spirit stones a year was considered wealthy. But they were wagering one million…!
If they won, they wouldn’t have to worry about money for a long time.
The Third Prince narrowed his eyes, studying Mu Zhi’an, his thoughts racing.
He wasn’t a fool. He was starting to feel uneasy.
Was Mu Zhi’an resigned to his fate…? Or was he trying to bluff him into backing down?
One million spirit stones… Even he, a prince, couldn’t produce that much immediately…
But if he backed down now, he would become a laughingstock.
With so many disciples watching, if he retreated because of a mere threat, how could he maintain his dignity…?
“Your wager is impressive, Young Master Mu. But do you even have five hundred thousand spirit stones?” Ye Yu asked suddenly.
Mu Zhi’an turned to look at him.
“I don’t have that much on me, but if the Third Prince proves his accusations, I’ll exchange the treasures in my storage ring for spirit stones,” he replied calmly.
He had brought about a hundred thousand spirit stones when he had joined the sect. It wasn’t because the Mu family lacked funds, but like many new disciples, he preferred not to rely on his family’s wealth.
“So you don’t actually have five hundred thousand spirit stones?”
The Third Prince seized the opportunity, chuckling. “What’s the point of this wager then?”
“How about this? If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize publicly and give you fifty thousand spirit stones. Is that acceptable?”
He trusted the Demon Measuring Ruler, but he didn’t want to risk so much.
One million spirit stones… If he lost, he would have to send someone back to the Great Qian Dynasty for more funds… He would become a joke within the royal family.
“Let’s stick to the original wager,” a clear, melodious voice said from behind them.
They turned to look and saw Ye Lingxuan approaching, her purple dress swirling gracefully.
Ye Yu’s eyes narrowed.
It’s Lingxuan…
She reached Mu Zhi’an, smiling. “Brother Mu might not have that much on him, but the Mu family can easily produce five hundred thousand spirit stones.”
“But since the Third Prince doesn’t trust him, I’ll cover the five hundred thousand. Is that acceptable?”
She offered her storage ring to Mu Zhi’an.
“If there’s a demonic cultivator in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, all the spirit stones in this ring are yours, Third Prince.”
She looked at the Third Prince, her voice turning cold. “But if you’re simply making false accusations to harass Brother Mu, then you’ll have to pay one million spirit stones, slap yourself ten times, and admit your mistake. How does that sound?”
The Third Prince’s expression shifted. He hadn’t expected her to intervene so forcefully…
“Aren’t you afraid of wasting five hundred thousand spirit stones, Lingxuan?” Mu Zhi’an asked, sighing dramatically.
She smiled, her voice soft. “I believe in Brother Mu.”
She looked at the Third Prince, her smile turning playful. “Surely you’re not afraid, Third Prince?”
He stiffened.
Her confidence… it was unsettling…
But he glanced at the Demon Measuring Ruler, its arrow still pointing towards the pavilion, and he gritted his teeth. “Fine! If I’m wrong, I’ll slap myself ten times and pay one million spirit stones!”
“Words are meaningless. Make an oath,” she said, her gaze cold and unwavering.
She usually seemed like a sweet and innocent girl, but now, her aura was imposing, like an Empress…
Is Lingxuan secretly ruthless…? Mu Zhi’an looked at her, chuckling inwardly.
The Third Prince took a deep breath. “If there’s no demonic cultivator in the Garden of Heavenly Harmony, I’ll slap myself ten times and pay one million spirit stones within three days. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down!”
Mu Zhi’an also spoke. “If the Third Prince’s accusations are true, I’ll pay five hundred thousand spirit stones and accept the sect’s punishment.”
BOOM!
Thunder rumbled in the sky, as if witnessing their oath.
In the cultivation world, breaking an oath would incur divine retribution…
Even if they survived the initial punishment, their future tribulations would be far more difficult…
Once an oath was made, it couldn’t be broken.
Ye Yu glared at Ye Lingxuan, her closeness to Mu Zhi’an infuriating. Her gaze, as she looked at him, was filled with a devotion that twisted his heart.
It didn’t matter if Mu Zhi’an was guilty or not. Either he or the Third Prince, they could both die…
Of course, it would be better if Mu Zhi’an died.
This time, he would simply observe…
