System: I Can Open Martial Arts Chests

Chapter 380: Chapter 221: Unworthy of a Hero_2

I’ve always said that I’ve never committed murder in my life... So how could I have killed countless people? And then inexplicably, I’m supposed to die according to Chu Qing?

Fortunately, Ghost Lamp Wuchen has always been adaptable. Since being captured by Chu Qing, he has been maintaining a "come what may" attitude.

Yesterday, when Chu Qing went out wandering with Gentle and left him alone in the inn, he did not try to escape...

So naturally, he didn’t come out to refute now.

Let them say whatever they want, this humble monk feels tired of it.

"Perhaps the Chen Family is too insignificant to mention."

Shen Juke said lightly:

"Ghost Lamp Wuchen’s notorious reputation spans nearly twenty years, forgetting about such an insignificant Chen Family counts for nothing."

"Makes sense."

Chu Qing nodded:

"But, during this battle, he not only slaughtered the entire Chen Family but also didn’t spare our people from the Blazing Hall.

"Not to mention he killed a leader of our Blazing Hall, even Hero Shen was severely injured.

"In such a situation... who can still say this is a trivial matter?"

Upon hearing this, everyone instantly felt there was more sense in these words.

The Chen Family is indeed a merchant family, no one knows martial arts, they can’t stir up any waves.

But since Shen Juke saved the girl surnamed Liu at that critical moment and later saved the young master of the Chen Family, how could Wuchen easily forget encountering such a master?

Qi Zhenhai’s expression changed:

"Could there be more to this case?"

"Exactly."

Chu Qing smiled:

"You see, isn’t it a coincidence? I felt this matter was a bit strange, so I conducted a thorough investigation and found that the several witnesses who accused Wuchen of murder years ago had successively died mysteriously.

"There is only one person left... and that is this Ye Feifan.

"The rest of the story, let Young Master Ye tell you all."

Upon hearing this, Ye Feifan perked up and pointed a finger at Shen Juke:

"Ten years ago, the one who massacred the entire Chen Family was not Ghost Lamp Wuchen.

"But the very Hero Shen Juke standing before all of you!

"He threatened my life to make me testify falsely for him, just to escape the pursuit of the Blazing Hall!"

"What?"

"How could this be?"

"Hero Jinglan is well-known for his benevolence and righteousness, how could he do such a thing?"

Ye Feifan’s words did not easily convince the people.

After all, one is the noble Hero Jinglan, and the other is a traitorous renegade expelled from his sect.

People tend to trust authoritative figures they recognize.

Shen Juke also sneered, then sighed:

"I don’t know where I offended the third young master, that he would slander me so.

"Even joining forces with my rebellious disciple to put on such a play...

"Fine, if the third young master truly wants to kill me, just do it. I, Shen Juke, won’t contest with you, let you judge as you will.

"However, I’ve lived with a clear conscience all my life, never done anything against my conscience!"

Upon saying this, many in the hall couldn’t help but look at each other.

Though they dared not criticize Chu Qing, their silence signified disbelief in Ye Feifan’s words.

Ye Feifan, growing anxious, quickly added:

"Every word I said is true; the reason Shen Juke wiped out the Chen Family back then was to seize the Chen Family’s new wife Liu Sanniang.

"People say Liu Sanniang was vain, but in fact, it was Shen Juke’s forceful seizure.

"To coerce Liu Sanniang into submission, he even kidnapped the eldest young master Chen Sheng... claiming Chen Sheng was captured by Ghost Lamp Wuchen, but really, what reason does Wuchen, a monk, have to abduct young master Chen?

"In fact, young master Chen was kept in the Shen Family’s dungeon, but during that time, he was mostly unconscious, rarely awake.

"So much so that even after leaving Shen’s family, young master Chen wasn’t aware he fell into Shen Juke’s hands!

"Whenever Liu Sanniang refused Shen Juke, he would go to the dungeon to vent his anger on young master Chen, beating him so severely he was covered in wounds... finally dragging Liu Sanniang to see it, coercing her into agreeing to be with him for ten years!!"

"Nonsense!"

Shen Juke’s expression varied, yet besides speaking, he did not dare to step forward.

One reason being Chu Qing was right in front of him, preventing him from just killing Ye Feifan; another, killing now would mean silencing witnesses.

Before, people believed the golden name of Hero Jinglan far more than a traitorous renegade from his sect.

But now Ye Feifan’s words made more sense.

A lot is rumored about what Ghost Lamp Wuchen did, but never heard of him abducting people.

Especially considering the Chen Family was exterminated, why would Wuchen abduct Chen Sheng?

Seeking money, with the family wiped out, there’s no one left to pay a ransom.

Seeking lust? But Ghost Lamp Wuchen is a monk!

While monks aren’t necessarily lustless, a monk having such inclinations sounds nonsensical.

Additionally, everyone knew Hero Shen Juke saved young master Chen, but the circumstances of the rescue remained unknown.

The Chen Family was said to be destroyed by Ghost Lamp Wuchen, and Shen Juke couldn’t turn the tides. He was even severely wounded by Wuchen.

Afterwards, he returned unscathed... Something doesn’t add up!

As people thought more about it, they felt increasingly unsettled, and their gaze towards Shen Juke turned bizarre.

Li Hanguang’s face also changed frequently. On one hand, he didn’t want to believe that the ever-righteous Shen Juke could do such a thing. On the other hand, he didn’t know how Shen Juke could explain?

He glanced at Ye Feifan, then suddenly asked:

"Boy, I ask you, given that over the years, those who accused Ghost Lamp Wuchen of murder have successively died mysteriously, why are you still alive?

"Moreover, why did you become Shen Juke’s disciple? He raised you for ten years... Is this how you repay him?"

"Raised me for ten years?"

Ye Feifan smiled bitterly:

"Hero Li doesn’t know. He initially took me as a disciple just to keep me from spreading rumors.

"Over the past ten years, he repeatedly tried to kill me. Had I not known his involvement with the Mirror of Sin and became an assassin for the Mirror of Sin, fearing I’d reveal this secret, I’d have been dead long ago!"

"Silence!!"

Suddenly, Shen Juke roared with fury, his robe billowing without wind, Sword Qi swirling around him.

Yet, after casting a glance at Chu Qing, he restrained himself from acting out.

Ye Feifan, however, ignored it all; today, backed by the ’third young master,’ what’s there to fear?

He produced the letters he previously showed Chu Qing:

"This is the evidence of Shen Juke’s collusion with the Mirror of Sin!"

Li Hanguang stretched his fingers, taking the letters into his palm. Despite many being remnants, he could still detect clues. Comparing the handwriting, Li Hanguang closed his eyes tightly, gritting his teeth while looking at Shen Juke:

"These letters... How do you explain them?

"Did you, did you truly join the Mirror of Sin?

"Ten years ago... Did you truly massacre the Chen Family for a woman?"

"Ha!"

Suddenly, Shen Juke laughed, though his laughter carried a hint of desolation:

"Yes, I did it!"

Chu Qing looked at him somewhat surprised; he had prepared to see what excuse Shen Juke might concoct to lie.

Unexpectedly, he suddenly seemed weary.

He laid all his cards on the table.

And with those words, the hall immediately erupted into chaos.

Qi Zhenhai erupted in anger:

"Shen Juke, dwelling within our Blazing Hall’s territory, we’ve always shown you respect.

"Yet you slaughtered our Blazing Hall citizens, massacred our Blazing Hall disciples, you are unworthy of being a hero, utterly deserving of death!!"

"Deserving of death?"

Shen Juke laughed heartily:

"If I must die, so be it, what of it?

"She died, I shouldn’t have survived alone... If you wish to kill me, then come kill me!!"

With those words, he extended one hand, and with a clang, his longsword was in hand, Sword Qi instantly surging forth:

"However, taking my life, Shen Juke’s life, won’t be so easy!"

Though the hall was filled with prominent figures, not all were martially skilled; many turned pale in the face of the Sword Qi.

Some even sought to flee... to avoid being caught in the crossfire.

Chu Qing suddenly caught onto something crucial, looking up sharply:

"Who did you say died?"