Chapter 23: Reversal Upon Reversal

The next day, inside Yun Yi’s bedchamber, Lei Ling’er slowly opened her eyes, immediately struck by a sense of panic.

"Where is this?"

"This is my courtyard!"

Before she could sit up, Yun Yi was already by her side, smiling down at her. Lei Ling’er stared at him blankly for a few seconds, then burst into tears and threw herself into his arms.

"Wuwuwu! Brother Yi! I thought I would never see you again!"

Feeling the beauty in his arms sobbing, Yun Yi gently rested his hand on her back, soothing her softly. "Don't be afraid! Mu Qian will never see the sun again!"

Upon hearing this, Lei Ling’er—who did not know the specifics of what had happened—was simply relieved to know that Yun Yi was safe. Once she had calmed down, Yun Yi opened his lips as if to say something, but Lei Ling’er was faster. She pulled away from his embrace, looked him in the eyes, and asked, "Brother Yi... do you... love me?"

She wanted to know the answer.

"Silly girl, I went to rescue you, didn't I?" Yun Yi said with a smile, playfully flicking her nose.

Lei Ling’er froze for two seconds before sobbing again.

"Ling’er..."

Before Yun Yi could continue, a sweet, soft sensation pressed against his lips. Looking at her, Yun Yi slowly placed his hands on her waist. With a lingering kiss, the two pledged their lives to one another.

Just as Yun Yi was about to take things further, an angry voice suddenly interrupted. "Yun Yi! Pay for my nephew's life!"

Yun Yi stopped, his eyes filled with fury. *The old fool is ruining a good moment!*

"Ling’er, wait here for me. I’ll be back in a moment," Yun Yi said, patting her head before rising and walking toward the door. Seeing the members of the Enforcement Hall and the furious Mu Hong at the head of the group, a smirk curled at the corner of Yun Yi's mouth.

"You brat, Yun Yi! Return my nephew's life!" Mu Hong, blinded by rage, struck out at Yun Yi with a palm infused with Golden Core stage energy.

Yun Yi watched the palm strike with focus, showing no signs of cowardice; after all, this was the first time he had seen a Golden Core master in action. Before the strike could reach him, another surge of spiritual energy burst forth, scattering Mu Hong’s attack.

"Elder Mu, until we know the full truth, we must ensure Yun Yi’s safety," said one of the elders from the enforcement team, looking at Mu Hong with an indifferent gaze. Song Hao was not afraid of her, even if others were.

Song Hao looked at Yun Yi with genuine admiration; the fact that the boy could remain unfazed under the pressure of a Golden Core expert proved his extraordinary nature. "Yun Yi, come with us."

Yun Yi smiled calmly and followed the enforcement team away.

...

The Enforcement Hall was known at Yingtian Academy for its impartiality. From the highest elders to the lowest disciples, no one was shown favoritism, simply because the Head of the Enforcement Hall was the Vice Dean himself.

Inside the hall, Yun Yi stood in the center. On both sides were curious disciples, Mu Hong, the enforcement officers, and a familiar face—Shen Ziyi.

"Yun Yi! Is Mu Qian's death related to you?"

Looking at Song Hao, who sat at the highest seat, Yun Yi smiled calmly. "Elder Song, who can prove that his death has anything to do with me?"

"Yun Yi, I clearly saw you go to the back mountain!" Shen Ziyi stepped forward, pointing at Yun Yi and shouting, his expression twisted with malice.

"I also saw *you* go to the back mountain. Do you dare say you didn't?" Yun Yi retorted with a mocking smile.

Recalling that night with Feng Lingling, Shen Ziyi was incensed. "You!"

"Silence!" Song Hao shouted, bringing the room to a hush. He turned to Yun Yi. "Yun Yi, did you go to the back mountain?"

"I did," Yun Yi replied coolly.

Song Hao nodded and turned to Shen Ziyi. "Shen Ziyi, did you go to the back mountain?"

"I did! But Mu Qian and I were fellow disciples; why would I harm him?" Shen Ziyi was frantic. When he had returned to the scene that day, he had found corpses everywhere but no suspect. Unable to answer to Mu Hong, he had pinned Mu Qian’s death on Yun Yi.

"Yun Yi was at the back mountain, and Shen Ziyi and Mu Qian were also there. What does that imply?"

"Heh, surely they weren't all playing together, were they?" The surrounding crowd whispered, clearly having drawn their own conclusions.

After listening to Shen Ziyi, Song Hao had a basic grasp of the situation. He hadn't reached his position solely through cultivation.

"Shen Ziyi, do you have any evidence that Yun Yi killed your junior brother?" Song Hao asked, his eyes sharp as a hawk's.

Shen Ziyi stammered, "I... I do not."

"Elder Song!"

"This case regarding Mu Qian’s death is temporarily adjourned."

Before Mu Hong could speak, Song Hao cut her off.

"Elder, I have something to say!" A figure appeared at the door—it was Lei Ling’er. She glanced at Yun Yi, who gave her an encouraging look, and then she spoke: "Elder, yesterday I accepted a mission from the Enforcement Hall to go to the back mountain. However, upon arriving at the location, Mu Qian and Shen Ziyi appeared and knocked me unconscious!"

The crowd erupted at these words, all turning to glare at Shen Ziyi.

"You little wench, do you want me to tear your mouth off for spouting such nonsense?" Mu Hong, no longer caring about her dignity as an elder, shrieked in rage. Kidnapping a fellow disciple was a grave offense punishable by expulsion.

Shen Ziyi wore a dark expression. "You are perfectly fine right now, aren't you? Who can prove you were kidnapped by us?"

The hall went silent. This was a valid point.

"I can prove it!"

"A twist?" the crowd wondered.

Feng Lingling appeared at the door. "I can testify to my junior sister's account!"

The hall turned to look at Shen Ziyi with amusement. He was finished.

"You are all lying! It's all lies! Where is the proof? Without evidence, it means nothing!" Mu Hong’s face was grim. She looked at Song Hao coldly. "Elder Song, they have a grudge against my disciples. This alone is not enough to prove they kidnapped Lei Ling’er."

"This isn't enough proof? Hahaha!"

"Shen Ziyi is going to be the death of me!"

Shen Ziyi was only a student of the lower ranks; there were plenty who did not fear him. Song Hao felt helpless; the witnesses were present, but there was no physical evidence.

"Silence!" Song Hao commanded, suppressing the room. "We will investigate the case of Mu Qian's death and the kidnapping of Lei Ling’er thoroughly. This hearing is now..."

"Elder Song, I have something to say!" Yun Yi said, a smile blooming on his face as he looked at Song Hao.