Chapter 43: Chapter 43: Framing and Entrapment
When he heard the explanation from the disciples, Shi Xiaole’s face instantly clouded over.
What a Grand Elder! Previously, he was incessantly setting him up and even had him assassinated. Now, fearing exposure, he decided to get ahead of it by kicking him out of the sect?
"Did no one object?"
Shi Xiaole inquired.
"The Second Elder was initially opposed, but alas, Senior Brother Shi, you have been absent for several months... Faced with the pressure from the Grand Elder, the Third Elder, and others, the Second Elder had no choice but to compromise."
A few disciples explained patiently.
Ever since Shi Xiaole defeated the disciple from Duster Gate as the chosen disciple, no one dared to underestimate him anymore.
"Brother Shi, the Grand Elder is very displeased with you. If he finds out you’re back tonight, he won’t let you off. You should escape quickly."
A disciple plucked up his courage and whispered a reminder.
Who in the Huajian Sect isn’t aware of the Grand Elder’s actions? It’s just that he has huge influence and powerful martial arts, and no one dares to object.
The martial arts of Senior Brother Yuan Qiuwei and Second Senior Brother Xiao Yuanbo were enough to not fear him. However, unfortunately, the former is too old-fashioned and nearly stubborn about reverence for teachers and the latter is carefree and unconcerned with matters outside himself.
And the Sect Master was still in seclusion, so no one stood up for Shi Xiaole.
Speaking honestly, it wouldn’t be a big deal for a disciple to leave the mountain, just making a report would suffice. But looked from Shi Xiaole’s perspective, the Grand Elder would definitely give him a hard time; it isn’t surprising that he would act in secret.
At the end of the day, Shi Xiaole’s overall strength was simply too weak, hence the phrase, "an arm is no match for a thigh."
"Won’t let me off?"
Upon hearing the disciple’s words, a smile appeared at the corner of Shi Xiaole’s mouth.
If the Grand Elder didn’t want to spare him, when did he ever plan to spare the Grand Elder?
This time upon returning to the sect, Shi Xiaole had no intention of persisting in forbearance.
He hid his feelings before as he lacked power and was afraid his life would be at risk if things went wrong.
As for now, apart from the Sect Master Yu Fangge who possessed the Qi Absorption Realm cultivation and his two senior brothers, even if the Grand Elder who had reached the ninth level of the Hidden Qi himself were to face him down, what would he have to fear?
He had already killed an expert at the ninth level of Hidden Qi before.
"I thank you, brothers for your warning. I understand now."
Feeling the sincerity of the several disciples, Shi Xiaole bowed with his arms folded to them and walked into the darkness, opening the door.
"Ah! Brother Shi, although he got in through connections, he indeed has real strength. It’s sad to see him end up being expelled."
"In the martial world, righteousness is always important. The stain of expulsion will probably haunt Brother Shi for the rest of his life, even possibly affecting his chances of joining other sects. The Grand Elder’s announcement to the thirteen sects of Lu Yan is really ruthless."
After Shi Xiaole left, the disciples let out a long sigh.
Luckily, no outsider knew about tonight’s events, and Shi Xiaole could peacefully leave the mountain. Even after leaving the Huajian Sect, he would certainly have other opportunities.
However, none of the disciples knew that Shi Xiaole did not leave at all.
The next morning at the Huajian Sect practice arena.
As per usual, hundreds of disciples were either here for exchanging views or they gathered in front of the mountain wall to check the latest martial world news and discuss who the rising martial arts masters were.
"Brother Qin is coming."
"Good morning, Brother Qin."
Soon, Qin Zhao confidently made his appearance. The moment he saw someone greeting him, he immediately responded with a smile.
During this period, it has been Qin Zhao’s most comfortable time in recent years. This was because the thorn in his side, Shi Xiaole, had finally been eradicated.
Although he regretted that Shi Xiaole hadn’t been killed by the martial law enforcer, leaving a potential issue behind, his uncle’s handling of the matter was even more brutal than a killing. He directly ruined Shi Xiaole’s reputation, preventing him from gaining a footing in the martial world.
As for whether Shi Xiaole would seek revenge, Qin Zhao was not worried at all.
He was confident that his endowment and capabilities were all superior to Shi Xiaole. The gap between the two would only grow over time.
If they meet in the future, Qin Zhao would not hesitate to get rid of the nuisance that was Shi Xiaole.
"Brother Qin, I am confused with some moves of the Painted Plum Sword Technique. Could you please enlighten me?"
A bright-eyed and white-toothed young woman came up and looked at the handsome Qin Zhao expectantly.
"Of course."
Qin Zhao gave a toothy smile.
With Shi Xiaole gone, there was now a vacancy for the disciple personally instructed by the Sect Master, and of course, Qin Zhao was definitely the top contender. These days, countless people had been fawning over Qin Zhao, greatly satisfying his vanity.
The two immediately began to exchange tips on the spot, attracting people nearby to gather around.
No matter what, Qin Zhao’s martial arts strength and insights into sword techniques were indeed superior to most of the disciples present.
"Brother Qin, I’m unsure of a few sword moves, could you give me some guidance?"
Suddenly, a clear voice sounded from outside the crowd.
"Of course..."
Qin Zhao subconsciously agreed but then realized the voice sounded familiar. When the crowd parted and he saw who it was, he froze.
Shi Xiaole, it was him!
Not only was Qin Zhao frozen in place, but everyone around was also taken aback. Especially the disciples who had advised Shi Xiaole the previous night, they felt guilty and knew this was bad.
"Shi Xiaole, you left the mountain without permission, intended to collude with outsiders to harm the Huajian Sect, and violated the rules of the sect. You still dare to come back, aren’t you afraid of death?"
Startled momentarily, a surge of revenge welled up in Qin Zhao’s heart.
Now that the Grand Elder was pulling the strings, Shi Xiaole was nothing more than a despised rat in the Huajian Sect. Since he had the audacity to show up, why not seize the opportunity to eliminate a future threat!
As for how to explain when the Sect Master emerged from seclusion, he was confident that the Grand Elder would handle it. After all, currently, more than 80 percent of Huajian Sect’s top elites had sided with the Grand Elder. No matter how strong the Sect Master’s martial arts, it wouldn’t make much of a difference.
"Colluding with outsiders, plotting against the sect? Big accusations, do you have any evidence?"
Shi Xiaole smirked disparagingly.
"Shi Xiaole, you traitor of our sect. When Martial Executor Wu was suspicious of you, he secretly tracked you down the mountain and clearly saw you meeting with a masked man, that’s the evidence,"
Qin Zhao loudly declared, smug faced.
A surge of furious anger surged in Shi Xiaole’s heart.
Martial Executor Wu, who was clearly sent to kill him under the orders of the Grand Elder, was now being hailed as a sect hero who had exposed his wrongdoing.
Heh...
"Qin Zhao, why waste words with this loser? Kill this treacherous dog now,"
With a commanding voice, Martial Executor Wu slowly walked over, a sinister motive glinted in his eyes as he stared at Shi Xiaole.
As soon as Shi Xiaole appeared, some disciples ran to report to Martial Executor Wu nearby, which was why he arrived so promptly.
Looking around, he didn’t find the figure of the masked man, Martial Executor Wu secretly relieved a sigh, and then laughed. This was Huajian Sect territory, if the masked man dared to appear, it meant an inevitable death.
"Kill me? Seems like your murderous intent from the last time is still burning,"
Shi Xiaole stared at Martial Executor Wu with a calm gaze, calm enough to hint at impending death.
His words sent shockwaves through the crowd.
What, Martial Executor Wu wanted to kill Shi Xiaole, is that true?
Some people exchanged sidelong glances.
The Grand Elder wanting to deal with Shi Xiaole was a well-known secret in the Huajian Sect, who didn’t know?
Especially after Shi Xiaole fended off the formidable enemies of Duster Gate, proving his own strength, this hostility became more obvious. In this case, it was not unlikely for someone to be sent for an assassination attempt.
On the other hand, Shi Xiaole, he was personally chosen by the Sect Master, and his aunt also appeared to have a deep relationship with the Sect Master. If he continued on this path, he was bound for great things in Huajian Sect, did he really need to collude with external enemies?
In fact, when the Grand Elder unilaterally announced the expulsion of Shi Xiaole, many disciples had their doubts, but who would dare to offend the Grand Elder?
Many disciples sighed inwardly, Shi Xiaole was indeed impulsive.
If he had chosen to return during the sect competition, the Sect Master would emerge from seclusion by then, providing a support, even allowing an open confrontation with the Grand Elder.
But now, it would be too easy for the Grand Elder and his people to kill him. Later, when the Sect Master inquired, they just had to frame any crime, leaving the Sect Master helpless.
"Kill you? Why would I want to kill you? You disgraceful scoundrel, still trying to frame others. Qin Zhao, why haven’t you done your part yet?"
Martial Executor Wu understood the urgency of the situation and shouted at Qin Zhao.
Qin Zhao stepped forward, grandly announced: "Shi Xiaole, surrender now, or else you only await death."
"Death? Indeed, someone will die today, unfortunately, it won’t be me,"
Shi Xiaole had a sword and a knife at his waist, the knife was the Hundred Battles Blade, and the sword was the Qingfeng Sword. As for the ordinary sword he originally had, he had left it at the Golden Phoenix Tower.
He was presently stroking the hilt of the knife, his eyes revealing his killer intent.
Shi Xiaole was not a bloodthirsty man, but if his enemies were determined to leave him no other way, he wouldn’t hold back.
"Hahaha, you intend to kill me? Truly a ruthless man. Qin Zhao wants to experience your powerful techniques."
Qin Zhao laughed heartily, taking steps forward. To kill Shi Xiaole with his own hands in front of all the Huajian Sect disciples was something he had always dreamed of.
"Brother Qin, don’t do it!"
From the distance, three figures rushed over. It was Yuan Qiuwei, Xiao Yuanbo, and Mao Wenjing.
Either way, Shi Xiaole was the disciple personally chosen by the Master, should he die in Huajian Sect?
"Qin Zhao, act quickly!"
Martial Executor Wu urged through secret voice transmission.
"Scoundrel, prepare to die."
Qin Zhao took the first step, operating the internal power of the seventh layer of Hidden Qi. His long sword shimmered dazzlingly, instantly enveloping Shi Xiaole’s 18 vital points.
This was his full-strength attack, aiming to kill Shi Xiaole on the spot.
Many disciples gasped in surprise, some even turned their heads, unable to bear the sight of the next moment.
If this was one month ago, Shi Xiaole couldn’t fend off this sword, he might even face severe injury or death.
But now, Shi Xiaole coldly chuckled, and as he drew the Hundred Battles Blade, the sixth layer of Hidden Qi driven by Fuyang Qi Skill also erupted.
Bang!
The complete Battle Blade Skill overwhelmed Qin Zhao’s incomplete Painted Plum Sword Technique in an instant.
With a twist of his wrist, Shi Xiaole’s second blade swiftly slashed across, a bloody flash in mid-air.
Hiss.
Blood splattered, and Qin Zhao fell down on his face.
