"I think he's right," Miao Chan suddenly chid in, drawing everyone's attention. "That Mr. Kongfang is not trustworthy."
The group turned to look at Miao Chan, puzzled. She was soone who didn't even understand the concept of lying, so how could she judge soone's character?
"Why do you think that?" Ye Fei asked with interest, curious about her reasoning. He didn't believe she was just agreeing with him out of affection, as that wasn't her nature.
Feeling the weight of everyone's gaze, Miao Chan looked a bit shy but explained, "Because I sensed that Mr. Kongfang's heart is shrouded in darkness. It's like he's hiding sothing and doesn't want anyone to see his true self."
The group was taken aback. Miao Chan's judgnt was based purely on intuition, which seed almost mystical. But upon reflection, it made sense. After all, it's often said that young children, especially those under three, have an uncanny ability to sense people's true intentions.
They instinctively know who genuinely cares for them and who has ulterior motives. Miao Chan, despite being nearly twenty, had a purity of heart akin to a child's, so her insight wasn't entirely surprising.
This realization deepened the won's suspicions of Zhuge Kongfang, especially since Ye Fei had already raised doubts. anwhile, Zhuge Kongfang, oblivious to the fact that he was being labeled as the pri suspect, stepped onto the central stage and addressed the crowd.
"Fellow martial artists, I am honored by your trust and the support of the major sects to preside over this martial arts conference. Thank you all!" He bowed respectfully to the audience.
Though his voice wasn't loud, it carried a resonance that made it seem as if he were speaking directly into everyone's ears. Many were impressed by his profound internal energy, though a few, including Ye Fei, remained unimpressed. Ye Fei scoffed inwardly, dismissing it as a cheap trick.
After the bow, Zhuge Kongfang straightened and continued, "The martial arts conference has been a tradition for centuries. Many of you have participated multiple tis, and those who haven't have surely heard about it from your elders or peers. So, I won't dwell on the process. As always, we'll exchange techniques to learn from each other's strengths and weaknesses."
He paused, noticing so in the crowd were already eager to step onto the stage. He quickly added, "However, this year's conference is special. Before the matches begin, I must address two recent tragedies in the martial world."
The crowd murmured in confusion. They were aware of the Gu family massacre from over half a year ago, which was expected to be a major topic at the conference. But what was this second tragedy Zhuge Kongfang ntioned?
"I know you're wondering about the second incident," Zhuge Kongfang said, raising his hands to quiet the crowd. "Perhaps many of you haven't heard, but just over two months ago, the Wu family, one of the protector families of the Martial Alliance, was also wiped out!"
The revelation shocked the audience. Soone imdiately shouted, "Mr. Kongfang, the Martial Alliance isn't part of our hidden world. Isn't it inappropriate for us to get involved?"
Zhuge Kongfang smiled. "True, the Martial Alliance was established less than thirty years ago and didn't participate in the last conference. However, I believe that since we are all part of the martial world and such a tragedy has occurred, we cannot ignore it. Don't you agree?"
"Yes!" "Absolutely!" "Mr. Kongfang is right!" The crowd erupted in agreent, many praising Zhuge Kongfang for his wisdom and leadership.
Ye Fei finally understood why the Martial Alliance had been invited this ti. However, he was puzzled. He had only dealt with the Wu family's leaders and mbers, leaving the won and children unhard. Moreover, those he had fought were rely incapacitated, not killed. How had it turned into a massacre? He hadn't followed up on the Wu family after the incident, so he wondered if sothing else had happened afterward.
Another voice called out, "Mr. Kongfang, do you know who committed such a heinous act?"
Zhuge Kongfang nodded. "After two months of investigation, I've confird that the Wu family massacre, like the Gu family's, was the work of the Heavenly Demon Sect!"
"He's trying to pin this on the Heavenly Demon Sect," Liu Yiru remarked. She was well aware of the truth behind the Wu family incident.
The other won, however, were unaware of the details and looked at Liu Yiru curiously. She explained how the Wu family had attempted to annex the Liu family and had harbored ill intentions toward her and her sister. She also recounted how Ye Fei had dealt with the situation.
After hearing the story, the woman turned to Ye Fei, surprised by the ruthless side of the seemingly harmless young man. Yet, none of them found fault with his actions. Instead, they admired his protective nature, especially those who had grown close to him. They felt a sense of security, knowing he would go to great lengths to protect his loved ones.
"Everyone, given the Heavenly Demon Sect's atrocities, shouldn't we take action against them?" Zhuge Kongfang declared, effectively positioning the sect as the enemy of the martial world.
"Yes!" Almost everyone except Ye Fei and his group shouted in agreent. Ye Fei noticed that Cui Yingying, the Cui family representative, was particularly vocal, her tone tinged with a sense of triumph, as if soone close to her had achieved a great victory.
"Good! Since we're all in agreent, I'll take the lead!" Zhuge Kongfang waved his hand toward the distance and called out, "Bring them forward!"
A group of n in black suits carried a large wooden stake from afar. Bound to it was a young woman in her twenties. She had short, spiky hair and a strikingly beautiful yet resolute face. Despite being tied up and wearing thick clothing, her curvaceous figure was still evident.
Once on stage, the n set the stake upright and left without a word. Zhuge Kongfang pointed at the woman and announced, "This is Jiang Manjun, the daughter of the current Heavenly Demon Sect leader, Zhu Yuyan. I captured her while she was gathering information about us."
Jiang Manjun, the daughter of Zhu Yuyan? Ye Fei's heart skipped a beat. That ant she was his senior sister! Rembering his stunningly beautiful master, Ye Fei felt the urge to rush onto the stage and rescue her. However, after glancing at another corner of the venue, he decided to hold back for now.
"Mr. Kongfang, since we've decided to take on the Heavenly Demon Sect, why don't we start by dealing with this little demoness today?" soone from the crowd suggested, and others quickly agreed.
Zhuge Kongfang smiled faintly. "That's exactly what I had in mind. Jiang Manjun, as a mber of the Heavenly Demon Sect, must have committed countless atrocities. She won't leave here alive."
Despite facing a crowd of over a thousand people eager to see her dead, Jiang Manjun remained calm and sneered, "Zhuge Kongfang, you've captured today, but how exactly has the Heavenly Demon Sect wronged you?"
"You haven't wronged personally, but as a mber of the righteous path, I cannot ignore your cris," Zhuge Kongfang replied with a light smile.
"Is this about the Gu family?" Jiang Manjun retorted. "Let make it clear—it wasn't us!"
Zhuge Kongfang scoffed. "Trying to deny it now? Do you think we'll believe you?"
"I don't expect you to," Jiang Manjun shot back. "The Heavenly Demon Sect owns up to its actions, but we won't take the bla for others. I'm just stating the facts so these fools aren't blindly used by soone else."
Being called fools naturally angered the crowd. Soone shouted, "Demoness, no matter what you say, it won't change your fate today!"
Jiang Manjun ignored the heckler and turned to Zhuge Kongfang. "Zhuge Kongfang, dare to make a bet with ?"
"What kind of bet?" Zhuge Kongfang asked, intrigued.
"I bet that even though I'm standing here defenseless today, no one except you will dare to step onto this stage and kill !" Jiang Manjun smirked, her face filled with disdain. "And I'm certain that the only reason you're willing to kill is because you've already captured , creating an irreconcilable enmity between us. You must regret your decision to capture now, don't you?"
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