Chapter 1937: A Frame-Up

"The remaining ones might be accomplices—arrest them too..."

Soon, soldiers also shackled Zhang Xuan and Old Yi and led them out of the courtyard.

Zhang Xuan did not resist but quietly transmitted a message. Upon hearing the instructions, Shan Xiaotian no longer panicked. He resumed his lame appearance, curled his body to appear shorter, and concealed his cultivation using a special technique taught by his master, making him appear to be at the Saint Realm Sixth Layer to outsiders.

Leaving the courtyard, they entered a carriage and soon arrived at the City Lord's Mansion.

The City Lord's Mansion was now packed with people, over a thousand in number, all discussing the bandit incident.

Clearly, the news Xue Chen had released earlier in the day had taken effect.

"The City Lord's Mansion is deeply concerned about the bandits entering the city. After thorough investigation, we have found that it is related to Shan Xiaotian of the Shan family. As you all know, our Second Miss is engaged to him. To avoid any suspicion, we are now conducting an open trial, showing no favoritism!"

Standing before the crowd, Xue Chen wore an expression of selfless integrity.

"As expected of the City Lord's Mansion—they found out so quickly!"

"Colluding with bandits is a crime deserving death! I never thought Shan Xiaotian would do this!"

...

Seeing that it was Shan Xiaotian who had been arrested, everyone lowered their voices.

Many in the city knew of the marriage alliance between the two families. That the investigation into such a major incident of colluding with bandits had implicated one of their own made everyone curious to see whether the City Lord would remain fair and impartial.

Looking at the limping youth before him, Xue Chen raised an eyebrow. "Bring forth the physical evidence!"

As he finished speaking, several soldiers placed the armor and bows on the ground. Then a middle-aged man stepped forward. "Reporting to Your Excellency, I have examined these items. The bows and arrows indeed belong to the bandit Cao Cheng and his men, and their fingerprints remain on them. As for the armor, it is standard issue for the City Lord's Mansion soldiers, and the blood on it was left last night!"

"Reporting to Your Excellency, while cultivating last night, I heard noises outside. I peeked through the window and saw many people in black sneaking into the Shan residence, seemingly conducting some kind of transaction!"

Then another middle-aged man stepped forward.

Shan Xiaotian glanced at him and recognized him.

He was a neighbor who lived not far from his residence, and they usually got along well.

"I saw it too last night—about a dozen people. I found it strange and happened to have a recording crystal with me, so I recorded the scene!"

Another person stepped forward, also a neighbor of Shan Xiaotian.

As he spoke, he activated the recording crystal, and the recorded image was displayed before everyone.

Under the moonlight, a group of night travelers, dressed in the uniform of bandits, silently entered Shan Xiaotian's residence... and then never came out, with no further movement.

"I thought there might be some conflict, but I never expected it to be true!"

"Why would Shan Xiaotian collude with bandits?"

"I find it strange too. Although the Shan family has declined, they are not lacking in basic necessities. Why take such a risk?"

Seeing the content recorded in the crystal, the crowd erupted in uproar.

Those who had been doubtful now all looked at the captured Shan Xiaotian in disbelief.

The Shan family, over a decade ago, was the largest clan in Xuanjiang City—unrivaled!

They had countless experts, including as many as three at the Broken Void Realm. Even the City Lord's Mansion dared not oppose them and could only seek a marriage alliance.

Although they suffered a catastrophe overnight, with almost all their experts dead, their estate remained. Why would he collude with bandits?

It was truly baffling.

"Second Miss..."

Just as everyone was puzzled, an anxious voice rang out. The crowd turned to see Second Miss Xue Qin hurrying over.

Seeing her, everyone wore strange expressions.

Shan Xiaotian was engaged to her, so she should avoid suspicion. Yet she rushed out—was something wrong?

"Why?"

Ignoring her maid's attempts to stop her, Xue Qin looked at Shan Xiaotian in the hall, her eyes reddening, her expression one of disbelief.

"We have been engaged since childhood. Though you could not cultivate, I never despised you and remained constant! This time, the Lingyun Sword Sect came to recruit disciples, and I saw it as an opportunity. Through hard work, I passed Senior Brother Huo's selection and became a menial disciple... I thought that once I entered the sect, I might find better medicine to heal your injuries, allow you to cultivate again, and restore your family's prestige..."

Xue Qin looked sorrowful. "I thought it was good news and sent someone to inform you! But why did you collude with bandits to stop this? You even captured me, beat me, and tried to make me change my mind... Did you think that if I entered the sect, I would forget you? Did you deliberately want me to lose this opportunity? But do you know... the reason I wanted to enter the sect was all for you..."

As she spoke, tears streamed from her eyes, her sorrow pitiable.

"So it was Second Miss who passed the Lingyun Sword Sect selection, and Shan Xiaotian, feeling inferior, planned to stop it!"

"The Shan family has many enemies. The only reason Shan Xiaotian has survived until now is the protection of the City Lord's Mansion and Second Miss. Once Second Miss leaves for the sect, no one knows how he will fare. Perhaps fearing danger, he took this risk!"

"If Second Miss goes missing and cannot leave with Senior Brother Huo and the others, she will lose this opportunity, stay in the City Lord's Mansion, and even marry him. That way, he would be safe, with no further complications!"

"That's the root of it. Look at Second Miss's face—it seems a bit swollen. She must have suffered at the hands of those bandits!"

"Yes, otherwise, who would dare hit the City Lord's Mansion's Second Miss?"

"Bandits work for money. No one would suspect him. What a clever plan!"

...

Hearing her tearful account, everyone suddenly understood and looked at Shan Xiaotian with disgust.

A woman had done so much for him, yet he was ungrateful and did such a thing—shameful!

"Impressive!"

Zhang Xuan, shackled to the side, had been drowsy, but seeing Second Miss appear and instantly stir up the crowd's emotions, he couldn't help but sigh.

Someone this skilled would be wasted if not an actress in a past life.

Everyone sympathizes with the weak and women, especially a beautiful woman in tears.

Initially, the so-called physical evidence and witnesses were not enough to convict Shan Xiaotian, as his motive was insufficient—why would he offend the City Lord's Mansion to collude with murderous bandits?

Now, all the reasons were sufficient.

It also conveniently explained why Second Miss had passed the Lingyun Sword Sect assessment!

Thus, Xue Qin's reputation remained untarnished, and she became a loyal and righteous daughter, earning admiration.

Shan Xiaotian became the villain, making the annulment of the engagement only natural.

A good plan, a good scheme!

Turning black into white so smoothly, without any awkwardness.

Watching this, Shan Xiaotian was nearly bursting with rage.

I agreed to annul the engagement, but you weren't satisfied—you wanted me to degrade myself! When I refused, you tried to kill me. When that failed, you slandered me...

Truly stopping at nothing.

"Miss, don't be angry. Such a person is not worth your sorrow!"

Seeing that public opinion was under their control, Xue Chen knew his plan had succeeded. Even if Shan Xiaotian said more, it would be useless. Relieved, he stepped forward, comforted her, and then looked at the nearby maid. "Alright, take Miss back now!"

"Yes!" The maid hurried over.

After this, Xue Chen turned to the youth not far away, his gaze icy. "The evidence is conclusive. What do you have to say?"

"According to your reasoning, because Miss Xue Qin passed the Lingyun Sword Sect assessment, I felt inferior and colluded with bandits to prevent her from becoming a menial disciple—is that it?"

Knowing that anything he said now would be seen as excuses, Shan Xiaotian looked over calmly.

"You know it well. What, with conclusive evidence, you still deny it?"

Xue Chen sneered.

"Deny?" Shan Xiaotian shook his head. "I... want to see Senior Brother Huo Jianghe of the Lingyun Sword Sect!"

"How dare you! A waste like you, what right do you have to see Senior Brother Huo?"

Xue Chen had expected him to deny it and bring up the annulment, for which he had prepared countermeasures to trap him with no chance of recovery.

But instead of mentioning that, he wanted to see Senior Brother Huo—what was he up to?

"I may have no right... but I heard that the Lingyun Sword Sect accepts anyone who passes Senior Brother Huo's assessment as a disciple. I am a resident of Xuanjiang City and meet the age requirement, so I am eligible to take the assessment!"

Shan Xiaotian smiled.

"Anyone has the opportunity. Passing the assessment can make you a disciple of the Lingyun Sword Sect... but you have the least chance! Don't talk nonsense!"

Hearing this, Xue Chen burst into laughter, as if hearing the funniest joke in the world.

A waste at the Saint Realm Sixth Layer actually wanted to take the Lingyun Sword Sect assessment—who gave him the courage?

"Besides, Senior Brother Huo is a dragon among men. Do you think he would conduct an assessment just for a waste like you?"

Xue Chen continued.

"Truly ignorant!"

"Those who can take the assessment are all outstanding talents. This guy is lame and can't cultivate... Is he trying to make everyone die of laughter?"

"Senior Brother Huo is busy selecting true geniuses. When would he have time to assess a waste?"

"He must have lost his mind..."

The crowd below erupted in uproar, some wearing amused smiles.

"Enough. Confess your crime and spare yourself the pain... Senior Brother Huo won't come specially to assess a waste like you..."

Interrupting the crowd's discussion, Xue Chen was about to continue when a faint voice sounded from outside the courtyard.

"Why can't I come to assess?"

Then, a tall figure strode in.

It was Huo Jianghe.