C25 What Did You Do Again?

"Stop right there!"

With a swift swing of his broadsword, a fiery red figure darted by.

Clang!

The executioner's blade was sent flying several meters before clattering to the ground.

"Who dares to cause a commotion at this public trial?"

The Great Clan Elder's voice sharpened as he summoned a surge of fiery red Spiritual Force.

"It's me!"

Jiang Yuan declared, positioning himself protectively in front of Qiao Wei.

"Really? Does the Young Master intend to disrupt the Jiang Family's order?"

The Great Elder's eyes gleamed with satisfaction upon recognizing Jiang Yuan. This was the confrontation he had been anticipating.

Had Jiang Yuan remained absent, it would have been an opportunity to discipline him, to show that they were not to be underestimated.

But now, a charge could be leveled against him!

Jiang Yuan stood tall, undaunted, and stated clearly, "No, I simply believe the Great Elder is being too rash!"

"Rash? The evidence and witnesses are right here! What's rash about that? Conversely, what should be the punishment for your disruption of the Jiang Family's order?"

The Great Elder smirked, glancing at the assembly below before bellowing his challenge.

"The Great Elder speaks the truth! Execute the wretch!"

"Eldest Young Master, don't be bewitched by this vile temptress!"

…

Jiang Yuan paid no heed to the Great Elder or the murmuring crowd. Instead, he focused on the maidservant, Li Qiu, who was nervously shifting about.

At his words, Li Qiu shuddered, her voice faltering, "There were... so many times... I can't recall them all clearly."

"Considering Qiao Wei brings me my meals every evening, it's unlikely she would be elsewhere at that time. So perhaps later in the night..."

Jiang Yuan's brow creased as he pondered.

"Yes, that's it! Every night, Qiao Wei would sneak into Young Master Jiang Ming's room and not emerge until the Hai hour!"

Li Qiu blurted out, desperate for a lifeline.

What she didn't realize was that she had just fallen into Jiang Yuan's trap.

With a knowing smile, Jiang Yuan called out, "During the night? But Qiao Wei is with me, preparing my bathwater. How could she possibly be in two places at once, in Jiang Ming's room no less!?"

"Ah... um..."

Li Qiu was completely dumbstruck, mumbling incoherently, unable to come up with a response. He looked helplessly towards the Great Elder for guidance.

"Useless!" the Great Elder inwardly cursed.

His eyes narrowed, and with a swift turn, he launched a palm strike aimed directly at Qiao Wei's heart.

Qiao Wei's fate seemed sealed today.

Jiang Yuan hadn't anticipated the Great Elder's sudden move and could only do his best to shield Qiao Wei, stepping between them.

Boom!

The explosive fiery red Spiritual Force slammed into Jiang Yuan with ferocity.

Being only an 8-star warrior, Jiang Yuan was caught off guard. The Spiritual Force disrupted his meridians, sending him crashing to the ground.

"You're asking for death!" the Great Elder barked sharply.

"Eldest Young Master, why are you so foolish!? Why would you take such a hit for a mere maidservant!?"

Qiao Wei's voice shook as she watched Jiang Yuan in agony. Tears, which she had managed to hold back even when her reputation was shattered and she faced death, now streamed down her face uncontrollably.

The Great Elder stood with his hands behind his back, completely indifferent to Jiang Yuan sprawled on the ground, and declared coldly, "Jiang Yuan has disrupted the Jiang Family's order, the public trial, and has tried to deceive the crowd! He even dared to defend a servant who deserved death! His crime warrants execution!"

Upon hearing this, a hush fell over the crowd.

"Hahaha, Great Elder, you talk of disrupting order! But what have you done!?" Jiang Yuan's mocking laughter rang out once more.

The crowd turned their gaze to Jiang Yuan, witnessing the dense Spiritual Force emanating from his body.

His Spiritual Force, golden in color, enveloped him like a suit of golden armor.

On his fists, a fierce tiger with glaring eyes roared continuously.

Beneath his feet, the fiery red Spiritual Force surged, warping the very space around him.

And by his side, a three-inch sword sang with a pleasant hum.