Novelink #368 - Key Testimonies
#368 - Key Testimonies
Within the towering grand hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified.
Yu Linglong wore a grave expression, seated high upon the ornate throne, emanating an inherent aura of majesty.
A group of elders and Liang Jin stood in neat rows below the dais, each with a different expression, yet all subtly revealing a hint of nervousness.
The fierce war of words between Liang Jin and Li Xueqing had already come to an end.
At this moment, everyone's gaze was focused on the witnesses who were about to step forward and speak.
The disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall stood in a line, their testimonies unsurprisingly uniform, all leveling accusations against Liang Jin.
They stated methodically that they had received a report accusing Liang Jin of coercing disciples of their own Surveillance Hall to engage in lewd acts, which was why they had, according to regulations, brought Han Suyan and An Lansheng back to the Law Enforcement Hall for investigation.
They emphasized that all their actions were in accordance with the rules of the sect, and were reasonable and justified.
Liang Jin's act of forcing his way into the Law Enforcement Hall was undoubtedly a blatant act of severely undermining the sect's rules.
Especially the two gatekeeper disciples, whose faces were swollen like pig's heads from the ear-boxing Liang Jin had delivered, were even more vehement in their accusations, insisting on Liang Jin's wrongdoing.
They vividly described the scene at the time, as if trying to magnify Liang Jin's crimes infinitely.
The testimonies of the onlookers were equally unfavorable to Liang Jin.
After all, in the eyes of these onlookers, they only saw Liang Jin constantly hitting people, one after another, a rather shocking scene.
Following closely behind, Tang Ge and Liao Chengxuan, whose cultivations had been crippled, were also carefully carried up.
Tang Ge's face was full of sorrow, tears streaming down his face as he lamented:
"This child's heart is too vicious, simply insane!"
Liao Chengxuan, on the other hand, had empty, lifeless eyes, muttering incoherently, as if his soul had been lost.
Obviously, the crippling of his cultivation was a devastating blow to him, so much so that even now, he had not been able to recover from the immense shock.
Even when he spoke, it was only to accuse Liang Jin.
However, in the face of all this, Liang Jin appeared exceptionally calm and composed.
He knew in his heart that these testimonies were not the key.
What truly determined the outcome of this matter were the testimonies of Han Suyan and An Lansheng, the source of it all.
Apart from Liang Jin, everyone else was unable to remain calm.
The elders frowned, all feeling that Liang Jin's actions this time were indeed a bit excessive.
Even if there were some hidden circumstances, he should have truthfully stated them to the Sect Leader in this solemn hall and let the Sect Leader make a fair judgment.
He should not have taken action without authorization, especially since he had crippled the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall; this kind of behavior was too egregious and had seriously violated the sect's rules.
Li Xueqing, watching all this, was secretly pleased.
She knew that Liang Jin's actions had already touched upon the sect's great taboo, and according to the sect's rules, he was destined to be severely punished.
Upon the throne.
Yu Linglong's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, her heart inevitably troubled.
She knew that she had to protect Liang Jin.
But what method could she use to successfully protect Liang Jin without causing opposition from the others? This was truly a thorny problem.
Just at this crucial moment.
She suddenly saw her personal maid leading a group of people slowly walking into the hall.
Among this group, Liu Wei, the penal affairs executor of the Law Enforcement Hall, walked at the front with a flustered expression.
Behind him were two people being supported on either side, moving their feet with difficulty, none other than Han Suyan and An Lansheng.
Liang Jin immediately saw that Han Suyan and An Lansheng were covered in wounds, looking disheveled and miserable.
He could easily tell that these two must have been subjected to cruel torture by the Law Enforcement Hall.
In an instant, Liang Jin's eyes suddenly sharpened, and the killing intent all over his body was released wantonly like a surging tide.
This intense killing intent, like a materialized blade, directly enveloped Liu Wei and the others.
Liu Wei only felt as if a huge stone was pressing on his chest, making it difficult to breathe, and his face quickly turned as pale as paper under this powerful killing intent, devoid of any color.
Li Xueqing, seeing this, was shocked and shouted angrily:
"Xiongba! What do you want to do?"
"This is a solemn hall, in front of the Sect Leader, you dare to openly reveal your killing intent!"
"Could it be that you want to rebel?"
Liang Jin turned his head sharply, his eyes like torches, pointing directly at Li Xueqing, and roared angrily:
"You shut up!"
"If anything happens to my people, even if you are an elder, I will definitely not spare you easily!"
Li Xueqing's eyes instantly turned fierce, and she was about to open her mouth to continue arguing.
Liang Jin had already turned his attention to Liu Wei, and questioned loudly:
"You are from the Law Enforcement Hall, and I want to ask you!"
"Why were they fine when you took them away, but now they are covered in wounds, looking so miserable?"
Under Liang Jin's powerful pressure, Liu Wei only felt his legs weaken, and even speaking became extremely difficult.
Seeing this, Li Xueqing immediately raised her head and said loudly:
"The Law Enforcement Hall has always had the right to use torture against those who are stubborn and refuse to confess!"
Liang Jin quickly turned his head, his eyes staring at Li Xueqing like swords, and asked:
"In your Law Enforcement Hall's words, An Lansheng and Han Suyan are victims."
"But in this world, how can there be any reason to use torture on victims?"
"Could it be that you are trying to force a confession by torture?"
Li Xueqing was about to retort again.
Just then.
Yu Linglong's voice sounded:
"It's not your turn to speak yet!"
"Elder Li, return to your position. Xiongba, immediately withdraw your killing intent."
"Let's wait for the witnesses to finish speaking before discussing the matter further."
Hearing this, Liang Jin and Li Xueqing could only shut their mouths in anger.
At this moment, Li Xueqing secretly glanced at Liu Wei, only to see Liu Wei lowering his head, not daring to meet her gaze.
This made Li Xueqing frown slightly, a trace of doubt rising in her heart. Could it be that Liu Wei had failed to handle things properly?
Yu Linglong had already begun to speak:
"Liu Wei, present the confession."
Upon hearing this, Liu Wei's face turned ashen in an instant. He thumped heavily to his knees, his voice trembling as he replied:
"Reporting to the Sect Leader, there is no... there is no confession."
"These two disciples refused to cooperate with the investigation. Your subordinate tried every possible method, but ultimately failed to obtain their statements."
These words were like a heavy bomb, creating waves in the main hall.
Li Xueqing's expression changed drastically.
And in the eyes of the elders, expressions of doubt and confusion also appeared.
Everyone couldn't help but ponder, they had already used torture, yet they still hadn't obtained a confession?
Could it be that there really was a hidden secret within this?
Yu Linglong heard this and waved her hand gently.
Helpless, Liu Wei could only slink away to the side.
Li Xueqing looked at Liu Wei again, but Liu Wei still lowered his head guiltily, not daring to meet Li Xueqing's gaze.
Yu Linglong looked at An Lansheng and Han Suyan, and asked:
"An Lansheng, Han Suyan, are you two still able to testify now?"
An Lansheng and Han Suyan barely supported their wounded bodies, kneeling on the ground with difficulty, and nodded slightly to Yu Linglong.
So Yu Linglong said sternly:
"Then tell the truth, and truthfully tell everyone here everything you have experienced today."
"Remember, you must tell me the truth!"
"If it is discovered now or in the future that what you have said is false, you will be punished according to the sect rules. At best, your cultivation will be abolished and you will be expelled from the sect; at worst, you will be sentenced to death."
At this moment, everyone in the hall focused their attention on the two of them.
Their every word would become the key to determining the direction of this matter.
If even these two were to identify Liang Jin's behavior as improper, then Liang Jin would inevitably bear all the consequences this time.
But if the two did not identify Liang Jin, then the entire situation would take a dramatic turn.
Liang Jin looked at the two of them, feeling uneasy in his heart.
After all, he usually treated the two of them in a businesslike manner. Although he didn't treat them harshly, he couldn't be said to have treated them with special favor.
And these two had just been subjected to cruel torture, and must have also been subjected to the temptation of benefits from the Law Enforcement Hall.
Liang Jin really couldn't be sure whether they would choose to betray him.
Amidst everyone's expectations and tension, Han Suyan slowly opened her mouth:
"Reporting to the Sect Leader... Senior Brother Xiongba he... has never bullied us..."
"The Law Enforcement Hall used torture on us, wanting to force us to slander Senior Brother Xiongba!"
"We... will never betray... Senior Brother!"
Immediately afterwards, An Lansheng also firmly replied:
"Senior Brother Xiongba is upright... he definitely does not have... those evil deeds that the Law Enforcement Hall said..."
"Please, Sect Leader, clear Senior Brother Xiongba's name!"
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding in the hall.
Liu Wei's head drooped even lower, wishing he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
And everyone in the Law Enforcement Hall, including Li Xueqing, had instantly darkened expressions, like the dark clouds before a storm.
Especially the elders, they couldn't help but frown again.
If what Han Suyan and An Lansheng said was true, and the Law Enforcement Hall was attempting to frame Liang Jin, then the nature of this matter would be extremely serious.
Even the Law Enforcement Hall, which was responsible for enforcing the sect rules, dared to maliciously frame a disciple in this way. Then what else wouldn't they dare to do?
If ordinary disciples encountered such persecution, not everyone would be able to vindicate themselves like Liang Jin.
Above the throne.
Yu Linglong had a gloomy face, her eyes like lightning, and questioned:
"Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall and all the deacons, what else do you have to say now?"
At this moment, the faces of the Law Enforcement Hall members were as pale as paper, and they all knelt down with a thud.
They knew in their hearts that at this point, any further excuses would be futile and would only seem more pale and weak.
Liao Chengxuan looked dim, and said helplessly:
"This matter was handled improperly by us, please punish us, Sect Leader."
He was already disheartened at this moment.
After all, his cultivation had already been abolished, and he knew that he would definitely not be able to keep his position as the Hall Master of the Law Enforcement Hall, so he no longer had any hope for anything.
Moreover, from the beginning, he had opposed this matter.
Before he had definitively caught Liang Jin's handle, he rashly took action against Liang Jin's people based solely on some rumors.
Someone naively thought that they could force An Lansheng and Han Suyan, these two ninth-rank disciples, to submit obediently through coercion and inducement.
But they never thought about what would happen if these two resolutely refused to submit.
Now that the most worrying thing had happened, he didn't intend to struggle anymore, so he simply admitted defeat.
Yu Linglong narrowed her eyes slightly, a hint of coldness revealed in her eyes, and said coldly:
"Good, you are very good!"
"Letting your Law Enforcement Hall enforce the law, but in the end, you are framing innocent people!"
"It seems that your Law Enforcement Hall needs to be thoroughly rectified!"
"Now that there are no Law Enforcement Elders in the sect, then the matter of rectifying the Law Enforcement Hall should be handed over to the Inspector!"