Mo San's face darkened with anger as he addressed Hu Yan, his voice sharp and cutting. "Then show me these two people you claim to have. Where are they? Or are you trying to create fake news to smear the Mengzhu Clan's name?"
Hu Yan's expression remained calm, though a smirk played on his lips. "Of course, we have them," he replied confidently, turning to his clan members. "Go, bring that person here."
Ling Zhe of the Lingyun Clan stepped forward, his tone colder than before. "You too," he instructed his men. "Go and bring the survivor."
The air grew tense as the Mengzhu Clan, along with the gathered clans, awaited the arrival of the supposed witnesses. Mo San's eyes burned with suspicion, his mind racing to assess the situation. If these individuals truly existed and were alive to testify, his plans could face severe complications. Yet, if this was a bluff, it would be his chance to turn the tables.
Moments later, members of both clans returned, each escorting a battered and bruised individual. The first was a young man, his face pale and streaked with blood, his body trembling as he leaned heavily on the Huoxian Clan member assisting him. The second was a woman, slightly older, her gaze defiant despite the obvious injuries marring her frame.
"These are the witnesses," Hu Yan declared smugly, gesturing toward the pair. "They survived the Yanxiao Clan's massacre and saw the culprits with their own eyes."
Mo San's expression hardened as he studied the witnesses. "Then let them speak," he demanded. "Let them tell us what they supposedly saw."
The young man's voice wavered as he began, "I... I saw them. It was the Mengzhu Clan. Their Gu Masters... they attacked without mercy."
The woman nodded, her voice steadier. "Yes. I saw them too. They used strength-based Gu worms to crush the defenders. It was slaughter—pure and simple."
The accusations hung heavy in the air, their words igniting murmurs among the surrounding clans. Mo San clenched his fists, his mind working furiously to find a way out of the tightening net.
"Lies!" Mo San roared, his voice cutting through the murmurs. "These witnesses are either coerced or planted! This is nothing more than an elaborate ploy to discredit the Mengzhu Clan."
Hu Yan's smirk widened. "Strong words, Mo San. But words mean little without proof. And we have the witnesses right here."
Ling Zhe added coldly, "This is damning evidence, Mo San. Unless you have something to counter their claims, it seems the Mengzhu Clan will have much to answer for."
As the tension thickened, Meng Lihua, the young woman supporting the black-hooded man, Zhen Fen from earlier, stepped forward. Her calm demeanor belied the storm brewing in the clearing. "Leader," she began, her voice clear and steady, "we also have someone who can testify in our defense. The young man we rescued—Zhen Fen. Perhaps he can serve as our evidence."
Mo San's eyes narrowed as he glanced at Meng Lihua. "Bring him here then," he ordered tersely, his tone sharp and commanding.
Meng Lihua nodded and quickly went to fetch Zhen Fen. Moments later, she returned with the young man, whose nervous demeanor betrayed his anxiety. Standing before the gathered clans, Zhen Fen fidgeted under the weight of their scrutiny.
Mo San stepped forward, his voice firm. "We brought someone from the Yanxiao Clan as well. Let him speak the truth."
Zhen Fen hesitated, his gaze darting nervously between the clans. Just as he opened his mouth to speak, the two witnesses from the Yanxiao Clan gasped in unison. One of them pointed an accusatory finger at Zhen Fen. "It's him! He's the traitor! He's the one who cooperated with the Mengzhu Clan and chased us down! But then he disappeared to steal the clan's treasures for himself!"
Zhen Fen's face turned ashen, and he dropped to his knees, tears streaming down his cheeks. "Please! Don't kill me! I did what the Mengzhu Clan told me to do! I had no choice! They threatened me!" he wailed, his sobs echoing through the tense clearing.
The revelation sent a shockwave through the crowd, the gathered clans exchanging looks of disbelief and anger. Mo San's jaw tightened as his anger flared.
"Oy! What do you think you're saying? That we cooperated with you? We don't even know who you are until today!" he roared, striding toward Zhen Fen. In a swift motion, Mo San grabbed the young man by the neck and lifted him into the air.
Zhen Fen struggled, his hands clawing at Mo San's grip as he gasped for air. "Help! Please! Someone help me!" he choked out, his desperate cries echoing in the tense clearing.
The gathered clans looked on, their faces a mixture of contempt and caution, but none made a move to intervene. Mengzhu Clan members rushed forward, their leader's temper threatening to spiral out of control.
"Leader! Please stop!" one of the men pleaded. "He's the only one who knows anything! If we kill him now, we'll be blamed for everything! Don't kill him, sir!"
Mo San's grip tightened for a brief moment before he released Zhen Fen, who fell to the ground in a heap, coughing and clutching his throat.
"Hmph," Mo San spat, glaring down at the trembling young man. He turned his gaze to the surrounding clans. "What about now? You claim we're caught red-handed. Hey boy, is what you're saying true or false? They can use an Investigation Gu to determine the truth."
Zhen Fen, still trembling, nodded frantically. "Yes, please use it! You'll see that what I'm saying is true!"
One of the Huoxian Clan members stepped forward, producing a delicate, glowing Gu worm shaped like a spinning top. The man activated the Investigation Gu, and it emitted a faint light as it hovered over Zhen Fen. A moment later, it pulsed once, indicating that Zhen Fen's statements were indeed true.
The crowd erupted in murmurs, the tension in the air thickening as the Mengzhu Clan found itself further entangled in suspicion and accusations.