Chapter 129: Chapter 129: War of Words
Upon entering the Main Hall, Lin Yun saw that many Primordial Ocean Realm experts were already present. At the front of the hall stood a single, solitary chair. It didn’t take a genius to know that this chair was for him.
"Lin Yun, just tell the truth about what happened. As your master, I will ensure you receive a fair judgment," Zhong Lin advised him one last time.
Seeing Lin Yun nod, Zhong Lin and Elder Bai ascended to the three main seats at the head of the hall. They sat on the left and right, leaving the central chair, which naturally belonged to the Dean.
After the two Vice-Deans were seated, about fifteen minutes passed before the figure of an old man bizarrely materialized in the central chair. He looked far more weathered than even Zhong Lin and Elder Bai, yet his aged face carried a trace of royal dignity.
As the old man appeared, all the Primordial Ocean Realm experts, including Zhong Lin and Elder Bai, rose to their feet and bowed.
"There’s no need for such formalities. Let the trial begin," the old man said with a light wave of his hand, his voice faint.
Upon hearing this, Tang Wushuang’s master was the first to stand. "Dean, this boy is vicious and merciless. His methods are cruel, and he has no respect for the rules. In front of numerous students at the Battle Arena, he personally murdered a student from the Elite Class."
As Tang Wushuang’s master spoke, he painted Lin Yun as an irredeemable villain. His words were a carbon copy of what the Third Prince had said the day before.
After listening, the Dean gestured for Tang Wushuang’s master to sit down. He then turned his gaze to Lin Yun. The moment the Dean’s eyes fell upon him, Lin Yun felt an immense pressure bear down on him.
It was the natural authority of a superior. The Dean wasn’t releasing the slightest bit of Elemental Power; his sheer presence alone was enough to create this immense pressure on Lin Yun.
Anyone else would have likely crumbled by now. But facing the Dean’s direct gaze, Lin Yun, despite the heavy pressure, spoke up. "Dean, may I have a chance to explain the truth of the matter?"
A hint of surprise flickered across the Dean’s face as he observed the still-composed Lin Yun. This was the first time an Opening Realm student had ever remained so calm in his presence.
"Speak. But if there is even one lie, you will have only yourself to blame," the Dean said.
As he finished speaking, the pressure around Lin Yun slowly dissipated. The Dean, sitting in the center seat, had withdrawn his imposing aura.
Lin Yun rose, first bowing to the assembled experts. He did not neglect a single point of etiquette. Only after doing this did he begin to speak. "Esteemed teachers, Tang Wushuang and his master are framing me."
"The truth is, before I even went to the Battle Arena, Tang Wushuang ordered Yue Xiuchuan to find the two death row inmates I was scheduled to fight. He gave each of them a Blood Burning Pill. Everyone who was there that day can testify to this for me."
"Faced with two death row inmates who had taken Blood Burning Pills, I fought for my life. I managed to kill one of them. When I saw Yue Xiuchuan, I admit, I was the one who killed him."
"But I ask you all, when facing a man who was trying to have me murdered, what crime did I commit by killing him? Was I supposed to just let him kill me and not fight back?"
Lin Yun’s words were delivered with ringing conviction. Hearing his speech and looking at him standing in the center of the hall, many of the Primordial Ocean Realm experts nodded to themselves in approval.
’To have such spirit... Lin Yun is truly worthy of being the student Zhong Lin favors. Such mental fortitude is indeed rare.’
Having stated his case, Lin Yun looked directly at the Dean. The Dean, in turn, looked toward Tang Wushuang’s master. There was a key discrepancy between Lin Yun’s account and that of Tang Wushuang’s master.
According to Tang Wushuang’s master, the origin of the two Blood Burning Pills was unknown. But according to Lin Yun, Tang Wushuang had intended to kill him from the start.
"Where exactly did these two Blood Burning Pills come from? Why would two death row inmates have something like that on them?" the Dean demanded, staring at Tang Wushuang’s master.
Even as a Primordial Ocean Realm expert, Tang Wushuang’s master was nervous facing the Dean. He stammered and hemmed and hawed for a long time without getting to the point.
"Dean, if you still have doubts, you can bring the surviving death row inmate here for questioning," Lin Yun interjected at the perfect moment.
"Fine. Bring the death row inmate here," the Dean said, agreeing to Lin Yun’s suggestion.
Soon, the survivor of the two death row inmates was brought into the hall. He was clearly terrified by the sight of so many Primordial Ocean Realm experts. When he saw Lin Yun’s calm expression, he couldn’t help but shudder.
Lin Yun had left an indelible mark on his mind, like a vengeful ghost hunting him down with nowhere to run.
"Tell us everything that happened before and after your match with Lin Yun. Speak the truth," the Dean ordered.
Hearing this, the inmate stammered, "Dean, sir... the two Blood Burning Pills... my brother and I... we came upon them by chance..."
A cold smirk appeared on Lin Yun’s face as he listened to the inmate’s explanation. ’It seems Tang Wushuang and his people got to him,’ he thought.
Once the death row inmate finished, Tang Wushuang’s master regained his confidence. "Dean, you see? This boy fabricated the entire story. He murdered a fellow student. According to the Academy’s rules, his cultivation should be abolished and he should be expelled!"
Before the Dean could reply, Lin Yun’s voice rang out. "Dean, may I be permitted to ask him a few questions? If, after I am done, you still believe I am lying, I will willingly accept any punishment."
The Dean nodded in agreement.
At that, Lin Yun turned to the death row inmate. As Lin Yun’s gaze fell upon him, the inmate’s eyes darted around the room, completely unable to meet his stare.
"I have a question for you," Lin Yun began. "You said you and your brother obtained those two Blood Burning Pills by chance. How exactly did that happen? Did you find them? Or did you steal them?"
"Th-that... this..." Hearing Lin Yun’s question, the inmate stammered, trying to come up with an excuse but finding no good reason.
"The Academy’s Battle Arena keeps its death row inmates under extremely strict watch. Forget a Blood Burning Pill, not even a bird could fly in. Don’t you think the excuse that you ’obtained them by chance’ is a little too far-fetched?"
"The night before my match, someone met with you with the help of the expert guarding the Battle Arena. He was the one who gave you the Blood Burning Pills, wasn’t he?"
Lin Yun’s rapid-fire questions made the death row inmate break out in a cold sweat. His mental defenses were on the verge of complete collapse.
"Speak! Where did the Blood Burning Pills come from?" Seizing the opportune moment, Lin Yun roared, completely shattering the inmate’s last line of defense.
The man instantly dropped to his knees, his face deathly pale. He began begging for mercy from the assembled Primordial Ocean Realm experts. "It wasn’t me! It wasn’t me! Someone came to see me last night! They said if I just did as they said, they’d set me free! Th-the two Blood Burning Pills... Yue Xiuchuan—the one who was killed—he really did give them to us! It’s true! I’m telling the truth...!"
With just a few sentences, Lin Yun had scared the truth out of the death row inmate. His confession made everything clear: Yue Xiuchuan had intended to assassinate Lin Yun first, which was why Lin Yun had struck back and killed him.
