"Elder Yun, do you have anything else to say?"
Meng Wenti's voice was calm but authoritative as he gave Yun Henqiu one last chance to defend himself. However, with the situation spiraling out of control, what else could Yun Henqiu say? Even if his words could move mountains, he no longer held any sway over Chen An.
"Reporting to the Sect Master… I… have nothing to say."
Yun Henqiu's voice was laced with seething resentment as he gritted his teeth, but his silence didn't mean Chen An was done speaking.
"Sect Master, I have something to say."
Chen An stepped forward, his deep eyes scanning the assembly, carrying a tinge of sorrow.
"I, Chen An, have no prestigious family background, nor do I have a powerful elder to protect me. Every step I've taken has been through my toil and perseverance."
"I wasn't even qualified to become a cultivator. But through relentless effort, I've made it this far."
"From the beginning, I've never sought to make enemies or obstruct anyone's path. Everything that has happened to me today is a calamity that fell from the heavens."
His words struck a chord in the hearts of everyone present. Chen An's rise from a mere servant to where he stood now was a story everyone knew well. Despite his achievements, his potential had been stifled due to Yun Henqiu's interference, relegating him to the ranks of outer disciples.
And now, Yun Henqiu had gone so far as to orchestrate a public trial against him.
If not for Elder Gu's testimony and Chen An's unyielding integrity, Yun Henqiu's schemes would have crushed him utterly. Chen An was a tragic figure deserving of sympathy from many disciples, while Yun Henqiu's actions were nothing short of abhorrent.
Seeing the emotional shift in the crowd, Chen An couldn't help but laugh inwardly. He knew his plan had succeeded, though it wasn't enough.
Blinking a few times to make his eyes appear red-rimmed, he continued, his voice trembling with indignation:
"From the moment I stepped into this hall, I knew my future might end here. For an outer disciple like me to be targeted so relentlessly by the Grand Elder, how could I hope to survive?"
"So today, I'll admit everything! Just grant me a swift end!"
"That's right. Wei Ming, Lu Yi, Han Juan, and even Geng Shuang—all of them were killed by me. If Elder Yun seeks vengeance, then strike me down here and now!"
The declaration sent shockwaves through the room.
Elder Gu froze in shock, his heart skipping a beat.
In the crowd, Li Muchen felt his heart pounding wildly, utterly unable to grasp Chen An's intentions. The trial was already over—why confess now?
But neither Li Muchen nor Elder Gu understood Chen An's nature. He was not one to let grudges lie. Yun Henqiu had forced him into a corner today, making their enmity irreconcilable. Why leave Yun Henqiu with any dignity?
By openly admitting the truth, Chen An flipped the narrative on its head. No one would believe his confession. Instead, they would see it as a desperate act of submission, a tragic acknowledgment under duress.
How tragic, how heroic—and how despicable Yun Henqiu appeared in contrast.
"Brother Chen, don't do this! We all believe in you. You'd never harm your fellow disciples. If anyone dares slander you, we won't stand for it!"
A voice from the crowd broke the silence, followed by another and another.
"That's right! The Spirit Talisman Sect belongs to all of us, not just a few individuals. No one has the right to abuse their power and commit such heinous acts!"
"Sect Master, we demand Elder Yun explain himself! This matter cannot simply be brushed aside!"
The tide had turned entirely. Under Chen An's subtle guidance, the crowd's ire now aimed squarely at Yun Henqiu.
Panic gripped the Grand Elder. Never had he imagined things would escalate to such an extent.
"Misunderstanding! This is all a misunderstanding!" Yun Henqiu stammered, scrambling to salvage the situation. "Sect Master, I would never frame someone or abuse my power. I've never sought to dominate the sect or act against the heavens!"
Yun Henqiu's desperate plea met with Meng Wenti's calm, inscrutable gaze. After a long silence, the Sect Master finally spoke:
"We have worked together for over a century, Elder Yun. I trust you. However, this trial has proven baseless and has chilled the hearts of our disciples. Don't you think you owe Chen An some form of recompense?"
Before Yun Henqiu could respond, Chen An immediately shook his head vehemently.
"No, Sect Master, I couldn't possibly accept any compensation from Elder Yun. I'm just an outer disciple. How could I dare? Even if I accepted it, I doubt I'd live to enjoy it. Please, Sect Master, rescind this order."
His voice, tinged with despair, evoked sympathy once again. But only a few present understood the underlying message: What you're offering isn't enough. I won't accept it.
Realizing he had no way out, Yun Henqiu gritted his teeth and offered Chen An a hundred spirit stones—a hefty sum by any measure.
But Chen An declined without hesitation, claiming the gift was too "burdensome."
It wasn't enough.
Forced into a corner, Yun Henqiu added a variety of life-saving treasures and a pair of black-gold short blades to the offer.
Only then, with great reluctance, did Chen An accept the compensation under Meng Wenti's guidance. The trial finally concluded, leaving Yun Henqiu utterly humiliated.
Chen An had not only survived the sect's first public trial unscathed but had also outmaneuvered the Grand Elder, earning widespread admiration in the process.
As Yun Henqiu left in disgrace, the disciples surrounded Chen An like a hero.
But Chen An knew better than to revel in his victory. Maintaining his usual humility, he sincerely thanked those who had spoken up for him.
When invited to celebrate with the others, he politely declined. He had more pressing matters to attend to—and certain people who were waiting for him.