Fu Yang, who was running, looked back and saw the whole building engulfed in fire. Satisfaction flashed in his eyes, and he ran even faster away from the place.
It was night now. The moon danced with the stars above, and below it a stream of river flowed.
Fu Yang stopped, gazing at the scenery. He walked to the river and washed himself, then threw Shin Tian's shoes into the current.
Barefoot, he started walking toward the dorm. He talked to himself.
"Ah, what a beautiful night."
He turned back. From afar, the burning bamboo building lit up the darkness as villagers rushed toward it.
"Hehe… and what a beautiful sight."
Closing the door behind him, Fu Yang lay on his bed. Exhaustion weighed on him, and soon he fell asleep.
—
Meanwhile, the bamboo building had already collapsed into ashes.
Shin Tian knelt on the ground, trembling. Before him stood a man whose mere aura forced him to kneel.
"Shin Tian," the man growled, "tell me what happened here—truthfully—or…"
Li Tian's voice thundered with fury. Veins bulged on his forehead as he glared at Shin Tian, his killing intent overflowing. Around him stood the three other elders, as well as Clan Leader Bai. Villagers were gathering too, watching the scene unfold.
The pressure from Li Tian was so great that Shin Tian could hardly breathe. His mind raced.
(What just happened? How did the fire start? Where is Ryo, and that boy?)
He forced himself to speak. "Believe me, Clan Leader, I don't know how this fire broke out! I wasn't even here—I was at the banquet!"
But Li Tian kicked him with half his strength, sending him rolling across the ground.
"Bastard! I told you to tell me the truth! Do you think I don't know—you left the banquet early?!"
Another kick struck him, and Shin Tian coughed blood. His disciples, who had survived, dared not interfere.
"I'll ask you again," Li Tian's voice was like thunder. "Why did you leave early? How did the fire break out? If you dare lie, I swear I'll torture you until you beg for death!"
Shin Tian's face turned pale. He knew he had to speak carefully in front of everyone. But could he really say he had left the banquet because of his lust? No.
He bowed lower, blood dripping from his lip. "I—I left early because I was tired, Elder. And you know I have disciples to look after. Please believe me, I am innocent! The fire must have been caused by one of my disciples! Why would I burn my own building?!"
Li Tian still glared, but before he could strike again, Elder Mo Mi stepped forward.
"Brother Tian, let me handle this," she said smoothly.
Mo Mi, head of the Mo Faction, was already forty-five years old but still carried a mature charm. Her calm voice soothed the crowd slightly, though her eyes gleamed with hidden intent.
Li Tian gritted his teeth but nodded.
"As you know, according to our clan's investigation laws," Mo Mi said clearly, "if the accused refuses to cooperate, we are allowed to use that method."
Gasps spread through the crowd. Some villagers whispered in fear.
Both Li Tian and Shin Tian frowned, but Bai Nian, the clan leader, nodded firmly.
"Yes, Elder Mi is correct. With my experience, I can already tell this person is lying. But remember—if the accused belongs to a faction, only that faction's elder may question him."
Hearing this, Li Tian sighed in relief. He walked toward Bai Nian, bowed, and asked formally, "Clan Leader, please grant me permission to use the Spiritual wu ( insect)."
Bai Nian smiled faintly. "Of course. This will also be a good chance to show the strength of our Nian Clan."
He ordered a subordinate to bring the insect , then turned to the gathered villagers and raised his voice.
"People of the Nian Clan! Tonight, you shall witness one of our secret powers. Elder Li will use a Spiritual wu ( insect) to determine whether Shin Tian speaks the truth. This also proves that in our clan, everyone is equal—whether a faction's subordinate or even me!"
Cheers and shouts erupted from the crowd. Excitement mixed with fear as everyone waited.
Five minutes later, a subordinate arrived, carrying a small wooden box. All eyes fixed on it with curiosity and dread.
"This subordinate has brought the Liar Fly," he announced. "It hovers above those who lie."
There were other spiritual worms or plants that could expose liars, but most were rare or costly. The Liar Fly was considered the most practical, though its gaze was merciless.
Bai Nian opened the box. A strange wu( insect )emerged—a little larger than a common fly, with wings closer to a moth's. Its body glowed faintly under the moonlight, casting an eerie shimmer.
He carried it toward Shin Tian, whose face had gone deathly pale. Under the oppressive aura, he could not even move a finger. His whole body trembled as though he had been nailed to the earth.
With his index finger, Bai Nian cut a small wound on Shin Tian's forehead. Blood welled up, and he let the Liar Fly drink.
The insect sucked greedily, then began to hover over Shin Tian's head. Its wings buzzed in an unnatural rhythm, and the villagers fell silent.
The rules were simple: if the fly landed on the right shoulder, the suspect was telling the truth. If it landed on the left, the suspect was lying.
Bai Nian turned to Li Tian. "Everything is ready, Elder Li. Ask him whatever you want."
Li Tian bowed slightly. "Thank you, Clan Leader." Then his bloodshot eyes locked onto Shin Tian.
"Shin Tian," he said coldly, "this is your last chance. If you lie—"
He leaned closer, his killing intent pressing down like a mountain.
"Why did you leave the banquet early?"
The villagers held their breath. Some gripped their robes, others covered their mouths in nervous anticipation. Children peeked from behind their parents' legs, eyes wide in terror.
Shin Tian swallowed, his throat dry. His eyes darted left and right, searching desperately for escape, but the elders' aura pinned him in place.
The Liar Fly circled lazily above his head, its wings humming like a sinister bell tolling in the night.
"I… I left early because—" his voice cracked. He hesitated, sweat dripping down his face.
The Liar Fly buzzed closer, its glow flickering ominously.
Bai Nian's expression hardened. Li Tian's aura flared. Mo Mi's lips curved in a faint smile.
Shin Tian clenched his fists. His heart thundered in his chest.
Could he tell the truth? If he did, his reputation would be ruined forever. But if he lied, the Liar Fly would expose him instantly.
His mouth opened—
And the Liar Fly dove lower, hovering inches from his face, its compound eyes gleaming like lanterns of judgment.
The crowd leaned forward. Silence blanketed the night.
Would Shin Tian speak truth… or be consumed by his lie?