Zhao Wuji's expression darkened, he coldly looked at Ye Danxia.
His disciple's greed was truly astonishing!
Zhao Wuji couldn't understand, she's only at Qi Refining Stage, what could she possibly need so many resources for?
She couldn't have used them all already, right?
But to punish Ye Danxia publicly in front of so many people, Zhao Wuji still couldn't bring himself to do it.
If he didn't shield Ye Danxia now, once this matter was confirmed, she, who was already a convicted criminal, would face added punishment on top of her previous crime!
"Master, Junior Sister—Junior Sister could never do something like this!" Han Xiaoyu couldn't help but speak up.
He's also a bit nervous now.
Things had reached this point, and he clearly knew what Ye Danxia had done.
But she's the first woman he had ever liked, and he still wanted to help her.
Besides, wasn't there already a scapegoat?
As long as they all stuck to the same story, the blame could be pushed onto Ma Hongyu. It would work for sure!
Meeting Han Xiaoyu's pleading gaze, Zhao Wuji said softly, "This matter is likely a misunderstanding. I was the one who gave Danxia the Sect Leader's Token. As for the increased quota, she must've misheard my instructions. Huo Lie, Long Yi, Du Wuqing, you three need not worry. The excess will be returned to you later."
Misunderstanding?
Misheard?
The expressions of everyone present varied.
They more or less understood what was really happening. But if Zhao Wuji wanted to protect this disciple, let him. They just want to see how long he could keep it up.
Lin Ya smiled faintly, "To think such a simple matter could be misheard, it seems the Sect Leader's precious little Celestial Spiritual Root disciple might not have much of a head on her shoulders."
Ye Danxia gritted her teeth, staring at Lin Ya in anger and humiliation.
Lin Ya!
She had already gone out of her way to avoid Heavenly Sword Peak.
Why was he still pressuring her so hard?!
Lin Ya ignored her glare and continued, "If this was just a misunderstanding, then surely the extra amount can be returned now, yes? Why wait until later?"
With those words, not only the six Peak Masters faintly aligned with Lin Ya, but even the three loyal to Zhao Wuji fell silent, each wearing an expression that clearly demanded an answer.
Zhao Wuji's face grew darker. He said in a low voice, "Ma Hongyu! After Danxia collected the spiritual plants, didn't she give the storage pouch to you? Check the contents and return the excess to the three Peak Masters."
The storage pouch was indeed still in Ma Hongyu's possession.
Ma Hongyu said calmly, "I haven't touched what's inside this storage pouch."
Zhao Wuji's tone turned impatient, "It's in your hands, which means it's your responsibility. By saying this, are you implying there's something wrong with these spiritual plants?"
Ma Hongyu gave a bitter smile.
He didn't argue further. Instead, right there before everyone, he took out all the spiritual plants.
Each plant had different storage methods and most were kept in boxes suited to their elemental attributes.
Ma Hongyu opened all the boxes, letting everyone see for themselves.
And as they looked.
The crowd's expressions began to change.
From what they had heard before, they had suspected that some portion of the spiritual plants had been withheld.
But if this was all of them.
Then the missing amount was truly staggering.
Even Lin Ya couldn't help glancing at Ye Danxia.
When Xiao Jin had first told him about this, he'd been skeptical.
Ye Danxia was only a Qi Refining disciple, where would she find the courage to do such a thing?
Besides, with her meager cultivation, many of these spiritual plants were useless to her.
Why take such a huge risk for something she couldn't even use?
But looking now at the drastically reduced amount before them, Lin Ya could only sigh. Xiao Jin really did seem to have the gift of prophecy. She had been completely accurate.
As for Ye Danxia, whether she was mad or stupid, she had actually done such a thing.
"Ma Hongyu! How dare you!" Zhao Wuji suddenly slammed the table, glaring at him with fury. "Three whole peaks' worth of spirit fields, with quotas increased by thirty percent, how could it amount to only this much?! Where are the rest of the herbs? Don't tell me you embezzled them!"
"Now, with all the Peak Masters present, hand them over immediately. If you comply, I might consider your years of service and lessen your punishment. But if you persist in defiance, don't blame the sect rules for being merciless!"
Ma Hongyu looked at Zhao Wuji with calm eyes, his heart already utterly still.
At this point, there's no need to hide anything for Zhao Wuji anymore.
He said softly, "I only just learned of the quantity inside this storage pouch. It was in Ye Danxia's possession all along. She personally handed it to the Sect Leader. Just moments before the Peak Masters arrived, the Sect Leader forcibly placed it into my hands. I didn't understand at the time, but now, I do."
He was about to continue.
But Zhao Wuji roared in rage, "Even now you still dare to argue!"
He slammed his palm down, sending a burst of spiritual energy straight at Ma Hongyu's chest.
Lin Ya gave a cold laugh and stepped in front of him.
With a casual wave of his sleeve, Zhao Wuji's attack vanished without a trace.
Zhao Wuji's expression darkened further, "Lin Ya, what do you mean by this? I'm still the Sect Leader of Tianxing Sect! Are you openly defying me?"
Lin Ya smiled lightly, "Sect Leader, I merely think it's premature to act before the truth is clear. It looks too much like… forcing a confession."
Zhao Wuji's voice turned icy, "This man is under my command. I'm furious with his misconduct, am I not allowed to discipline him?"
Lin Ya said flatly, "At least let him finish speaking. If there's been a misunderstanding, you'd be punishing an innocent man."
Lin Ya stood his ground in front of Ma Hongyu, refusing to move aside.
Zhao Wuji's face turned darker still, he glared at Lin Ya but could find no immediate way to proceed.
Ma Hongyu cast Lin Ya a grateful look, then continued, "Yesterday, Ye Danxia said she would collect the spiritual plants in my stead. I told her I could only follow orders with the Sect Leader's Token. Moments later, she somehow produced the token. With it in hand, I had no choice but to obey. Who knew she would raise the quotas on her own, and later take away most of the plants! After the Sect Leader discovered this, instead of punishing her, he tried to pin the blame on me!"
"I, Ma Hongyu, have lived a life of integrity! I will not, and cannot, bear the shame of being branded as a thief!"
In a few words, he laid everything clearly.
Ye Danxia's eyes widened in panic. She trembled and said, "Nonsense! That's not true! I'm just a Qi Refining disciple, why would I need so many spiritual plants? It's clearly you, it was you who took them, and now you're trying to frame me! I was only trying to help you, but you're slandering me instead!"
Ye Danxia immediately dropped to her knees before Zhao Wuji, "Master, please. You must uphold justice for your disciple!"
Zhao Wuji looked at her, and for a moment, he wanted to kick her across the room, but for now, he could only help her through this crisis.
Expressionless, Zhao Wuji said to Ma Hongyu, "Danxia has only recently entered the sect, she indeed has little use for spiritual plants. But you've been stuck at the Nascent Soul Stage for years, eager to break through to Fusion Stage. That's your motive for stealing the spiritual plants. Ma Hongyu, twisting the truth into lies like this, do you realize that this adds another crime on top of your guilt?"
Zhao Wuji forced himself to appear stern and authoritative, trying to intimidate Ma Hongyu into submission.