Chapter 1409: Chapter 1410: Tearing Off the Pretense (5)
At this point, everyone realized that Long Zaitian was determined to bring down Chiang Yu, so they dared not say anything further. Only a few veteran elders spoke a few good words for Chiang Yu, but Long Zaitian dismissed them on the grounds of their age and frailty, having them forcibly taken away.
Chiang Yu had remained silent, coldly watching Long Zaitian, as understanding dawned on him about everything.
From the day he and An Yiqing made their bet, Long Zaitian had planned to drive him out of his position. But because of his high prestige in the sect, if not given a reasonable charge, he wouldn’t be able to convince the masses. So, Long Zaitian went along with the flow, agreeing to An Yiqing’s bet, and then set a trap with the mechanical crossbow to provoke him, leading him to defy his superiors. After which, he seized this as leverage to accuse him of staging a drama with An Yiqing to leave the Xuanqing Sect and of revealing the secret of the Eighteen Golden Figures Formation to An Yiqing. In doing so, he had a legitimate charge of treachery, justifying his capture!
What a clever scheme! Thought Chiang Yu with a cold laugh, this Long Zaitian, instead of focusing on proper business, used all his smart thinking on crooked paths!
"It seems Sect Leader Long is resolute in driving me out of my position! Since you wish so, then let your people bind me! If you wish to accuse me of a crime, finding a pretext is not hard. I, Chiang Yu, have always been faithful to the Old Sect Leader and the Xuanqing Sect; even in death, my conscience is clear!" For Chiang Yu, it was a complete chill in heart toward Long Zaitian. He finally understood An Yiqing’s words: with Long Zaitian in power, the demise of the Xuanqing Sect comes sooner!
Chiang Yu’s words clearly enraged Long Zaitian once more. He let out a cold laugh and, with a big wave of his hand, drew a black gun from Shao Qiang’s waist beside him, pulled the safety pin, and aimed the black muzzle directly at Chiang Yu.
"I see you’re refusing a toast only to be forced! Chiang Yu, today I will cleanse our Xuanqing Sect of you, this traitor!"
As his words fell, with a "bang," a bullet shot from the dark muzzle straight toward Chiang Yu’s forehead!
Amidst the gasps of everyone, Chiang Yu calmly watched the bullet about to claim his life, slowly closing his eyes.
Just then, a dark figure swiftly flashed before everyone’s eyes.
"Sect Leader Long, if the Old Sect Leader knew how you treated Mr. Chiang today, do you think he wouldn’t be enraged to jump up?"
The pain that his body should have felt did not occur. Chiang Yu slowly opened his eyes, his deep gaze falling on the slender figure standing in front of him.
"Miss An..." he opened his mouth but didn’t know what to say.
An Yiqing, without turning her head, casually sheathed the dagger used to block the bullet.
"Mr. Chiang, the Eighteen Golden Figures Formation is already breached. You are now my person, and whether to live or die is no longer your decision."
Chiang Yu was stunned, then helplessly chuckled, "Miss An, you indeed have profound foresight. I lost this gamble."
An Yiqing nodded in satisfaction and turned her cold gaze onto Long Zaitian’s darkened face.
"I have seen today the breadth and skill of Sect Leader Long! I have already cracked the Eighteen Golden Figures Formation. As per our agreement, Mr. Chiang will henceforth be mine, leaving the Xuanqing Sect! If there’s nothing else, I’ll be taking Mr. Chiang with me now!"
With those words, An Yiqing lifted her leg to leave, but Long Zaitian’s men stopped her in her tracks.
"Miss An, do you think you can come and go from the Xuanqing Sect as you please?! You may leave, but Chiang Yu must stay! And for the crisis this time in the Xuanqing Sect, you must give me an explanation!"
An Yiqing turned to look at Long Zaitian as if looking at an idiot. She couldn’t comprehend what confidence this old man had that he could stop her.
"Sect Leader Long, I think you may have misunderstood. Although this is the Xuanqing Sect, the initiative is in my hands. Oh, by the way, I forgot to mention earlier, before coming here, I informed General Gu that if I didn’t return in four days, the Xuanqing Sect’s affairs would be thoroughly investigated!"