Ma Lang glanced askance at Zhen Liu, who was slumped like mud, a faint sneer curling his lips beneath his icy exterior. It was the detachment and transcendence that came from experiencing the vicissitudes of life.
Then, he raised his head, his gaze burning like a torch, staring directly at Director Murong Yunhai. His eyes sparkled with determination. "I humbly request that the Director personally examine my cultivation to prove my innocence!"
His voice was firm and powerful, each word seeming to carry the weight of a thousand pounds, shaking the souls of everyone present.
However, when his eyes met the abyssal depths of Director Murong Yunhai's, a ripple stirred within Ma Lang's heart. He lowered his eyelids slightly and murmured, "Director, you know well that I am but a laughingstock of the divine Ma family, a pitiful creature toyed by fate."
Director Murong Yunhai gently patted Ma Lang's shoulder. His hands seemed to contain boundless wisdom and strength, imparting a warm and steadfast belief.
"Child, the past is like a fleeting cloud, no need to mention it again," he said, his voice gentle and loving. "But to clear your name, a necessary examination is unavoidable."
With that, Director Murong Yunhai raised his hand, and a crystal-clear circular compass artifact appeared before everyone's eyes. It shimmered with a faint blue light, like the brightest star in the night sky, seemingly harboring infinite mystery.
"This is the Mystic Realm Compass," he explained slowly. "It can help cultivators locate mystic realms, warn of strange powers, and even measure the depth of a cultivator's abilities."
As Director Murong Yunhai infused it with mystic energy, the compass rose into the air, spinning gracefully like an elegant flying saucer, emitting a soft, mysterious glow that enveloped the surrounding space in a halo.
On the compass, two points of light gradually appeared. One was as weak as a firefly, corresponding to Zhen Liu's cultivation; the other was dazzling, reflecting Director Murong Yunhai's majesty and depth.
However, when the light swept over Ma Lang, it disappeared without a trace, as if swallowed by a deep black hole that consumed all light.
Ma Lang's exterior remained calm, but his heart was like a raging sea, churning incessantly. He knew his power originated from the Giant Eye Nebula in his sea of consciousness. That golden, mysterious energy was a condensation of willpower, unparalleled by ordinary mystic forces. But at this moment, he was still apprehensive, yet secretly contemplating that even if discovered, he had many excuses ready.
"This... how can this be!" Zhen Liu's eyes widened in disbelief, as if he had witnessed a miracle and been shattered by the ruthless reality simultaneously.
Director Murong Yunhai's brows furrowed, his gaze piercing through Zhen Liu as if seeing into the deepest recesses of his soul.
"Zhen Liu, facts speak louder than words. Ma Lang has not even touched the door of mystic cultivation, let alone been infected by strange powers. Even if he defeated you in conflict, it was in self-defense. But you accused him of being infected by strangeness; that's absurd. That's why I conducted this test. If you don't believe it, you can try it yourself."
Zhen Liu trembling hands took the compass, infused it with mystic energy, and it was instantly engulfed in fiery red light, a manifestation of his elemental power, scorching and fierce.
However, when the compass light shone again, the result remained the same—two points of light illuminated him and Director Murong Yunhai, while Ma Lang's spot remained as deep as a black hole, swallowing all light.
"This... this can't be!" Zhen Liu's face turned pale, his eyes filled with despair and confusion, as if everything he had experienced was an illusion, and he was just a speck of dust within it.
Ma Lang stood quietly, his gaze never leaving Director Murong Yunhai, everything under his control. He didn't need to say more; the facts were clear, and the truth was like a sharp sword piercing Zhen Liu's heart.
Director Murong Yunhai slowly retracted the compass, his voice low and powerful, echoing like it came from ancient times, shaking everyone's soul.
"Zhen Liu, as a descendant of the gods, you oppress the people wantonly, attempt to usurp resources, and even try to abduct innocent girls. Your crimes are heinous. After being stopped, instead of reflecting on your mistakes, you harbored thoughts of revenge and even falsely accused another descendant of the gods... Your sins are unforgivable!"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Liu's face turned ashen, filled with despair. He knew his future was bleak, with no room for redemption, as if tightly bound by the shackles of fate, unable to escape.
However, Ma Lang had other thoughts. Though he wanted to eliminate Zhen Liu swiftly, considering the hardships of the future mystic cultivation path, his family's predicament, and the heavy burden his sister bore alone, he decided to take a "loss" this time and make use of Zhen Liu as "waste utilization."
"Director," Ma Lang, though his face was cold, showed a hint of compassion as he bowed slightly to Director Murong Yunhai, speaking sincerely, "Though Zhen Liu's crimes are unforgivable, he is very foolish and has failed in his attempts to do evil. I humbly request that the Director grant him a chance to reform, allowing him to contribute slightly to the family and the alliance, which could also be seen as a form of redemption for him."
Upon these words, silence fell within the hall, as if the air itself had frozen.
Everyone was astonished by Ma Lang's forgiveness and wisdom, as if they saw the light of the gods shining upon him. Zhen Liu also stood stunned, a complex expression flashing through his eyes, one that he himself could not describe.
"Ma Lang, your benevolence is like the dawn's light, warm and bright, rarely seen in this world," Director Murong Yunhai's voice was steady and powerful yet gentle, like a spring breeze soothing the soul. "However, justice and law are like the two ends of a scale, allowing no bias. Forgiveness is beautiful, but if it allows evil to flourish, where would the sanctity of the Taoist sect and the dignity of the law reside?" With that, he shook his head firmly, his gaze as steadfast as iron.
Ma Lang bowed, neither humble nor arrogant, his face still calm, but his words revealed wisdom and warmth.
"Director, you are wise. The law is as firm as a mountain, and forgiveness is hard to practice. But everything in this world has its way; atonement and compensation may pave the path to redemption. This can both punish the sinner and give them a chance to reform; why not do it?"
Upon hearing this, a hint of approval flashed through Director Murong Yunhai's eyes. He nodded slowly, his voice gentle yet powerful, as if it could pierce through the darkest depths of a person's heart.
"Descendants of the gods indeed have the right to forgive, but it must be based on sincerity and repentance. Ma Lang, your compassionate heart is worthy of the name of a descendant of the gods. Recently, your reputation has spread throughout the capital, and today, I see that it is well-deserved."
Ma Lang bowed modestly, a faint smile curling his lips—a smile that, though slightly cold, radiated confidence, as if it could dispel all the darkness in the world.
"Director, you flatter me. As a descendant of the gods, I must always uphold the honor of the gods," he said, secretly reflecting that since escaping the nightmare, his mind had been liberated, and his words now carried more composure and confidence.
At this moment, Zhen Liu, as if grasping a straw, his eyes flashing with a desire to survive, exclaimed, "I swear by my family's name to do everything I can to compensate! My family is a divine clan; my father holds the position of Financial Councilor, overseeing the allocation of public resources. We can definitely raise a huge amount of mystic coins and resources to show my sincerity and repentance!"
However, Director Murong Yunhai's face suddenly darkened. He glanced coldly at Zhen Liu, his voice filled with anger and disdain, as if he had witnessed the ugliest side of the world.
"Zhen Liu, your actions have not only failed to clear your shame but have brought even more disgrace to your family. Your father's duty is to be fair and unbiased. If there is any suspicion of misappropriating public resources, he will be severely punished. Do you think a mere amount of mystic coins can offset your crimes? How ridiculous!"
With that, he waved for the enforcement team to take Zhen Liu away, his gaze revealing an undeniable aura of authority and decisiveness.