Chapter 1413 - 709: Revealing the Truth (2)
Upon noticing Lin Beichen’s gaze, Wu Dazhu appeared exceedingly flustered, yet he still questioned Lin Beichen, "Why are you so cruel? What exactly did the old man do to hinder you? What did you discuss?"
"Why did you take his life? He was just a septuagenarian. How could you bring yourself to do it? Are your displays of compassion before everyone merely an act?"
"You better explain to everyone what exactly happened? Why did the old man lose his life after meeting with you?"
Wu Dazhu uttered without thinking, accusing Lin Beichen back. Lin Beichen, however, remained unfazed upon hearing Wu Dazhu’s words, displaying not the slightest sign of panic.
Hu Yi couldn’t bear to listen any longer; she didn’t want to let these people misunderstand her master. Hu Yi angrily approached the village chief and said indignantly, "Stop babbling nonsense and slandering us! It’s true we met with the old man, but he was perfectly fine when we left."
"He was absolutely not murdered by my master; there’s definitely more to the story. How can you all claim my master killed him? What evidence do you have to prove it?"
"I’m telling you, don’t talk without evidence. If the truth of this matter is revealed, and it turns out not to be my master’s doing, do you know what the consequences will be?"
Hu Yi was defending Lin Beichen, unwilling to let these people misunderstand him. It wasn’t something Lin Beichen did, and he shouldn’t be wrongly accused and blamed without cause. As his disciple, Hu Yi truly couldn’t bear it.
Seeing these people so determined, seemingly determined to capture the culprit, Hu Yi was very angry. She hadn’t expected the villagers to turn so swiftly, slandering them without ascertaining the facts.
Yet no matter how much Hu Yi explained, how much she defended Lin Beichen, the villagers continued to steadfastly support the village chief.
"You say that it wasn’t you who murdered the old man, so what evidence do you have?"
"We trusted you so much, yet you’re two-faced. Pretending to preach for everyone, while secretly doing such things."
"Aren’t you valuing life so cheaply? It’s exceptionally malicious."
The villagers all accused Lin Beichen and Hu Yi. After all, they were from one village, and with such a significant incident occurring, they naturally supported each other and wouldn’t listen to anything Hu Yi and Lin Beichen said.
To these villagers, Hu Yi and Lin Beichen were outsiders initially. This village used to be quite isolated, and since Lin Beichen and Hu Yi’s arrival, they’d brought many new things. The villagers were momentarily interested, hence they’d been warmly hospitable.
But suddenly, with such a matter arising, the villagers also felt somewhat fearful. Their attitude toward Lin Beichen and Hu Yi changed dramatically, even thinking they were the murderers, giving them no chance to defend themselves.
Village chief Wu Dazhu looked at Lin Beichen and Hu Yi and said, "Take them away, prepare to sacrifice them."
Upon hearing the village chief’s orders, the villagers rushed toward Lin Beichen and Hu Yi. They angrily grabbed them and dragged them toward the altar. Hu Yi struggled, shouting loudly, "Let go of us, we are being wronged! It really wasn’t us who killed the old man; this has nothing to do with us. Why won’t you believe us?"
"If you do this, you will face retribution sooner or later!" Hu Yi tried to give them an opportunity, but the villagers simply did not believe their words.
Lin Beichen did not struggle in the slightest; he seemed indifferent to the village chief’s decision to sacrifice them. Though Hu Yi did not understand Lin Beichen’s behavior, she still believed in him deeply. She trusted that Lin Beichen would have a way to get them out of this predicament, just like before when he would step forward at critical moments and explain everything clearly.
Hu Yi thought that perhaps it wasn’t yet the best time. With this thought in mind, she also stopped struggling and arguing with the villagers. She appeared extremely calm, neither panicked nor afraid. As long as she could be with Lin Beichen, no matter how perilous the situation, she believed Lin Beichen could turn danger into safety, ensuring they remained unharmed.
Hu Yi looked at Lin Beichen with determined eyes: "Master, no matter what you do, I will always stand by your side and support you. Even if they accuse us, I believe in you, without any doubts."
Lin Beichen smiled slightly, looking at this disciple with newfound respect. Whenever he faced difficulties and dangers, Hu Yi would unhesitatingly accompany him, believing him unconditionally. This made Lin Beichen feel deeply moved.
Yet, sometimes, Lin Beichen felt sorry for Hu Yi. This time she had come with him and experienced so many dangers, although they always emerged unscathed, this thrilling experience might leave a shadow in her heart.
Lin Beichen thought the villagers were truly too ignorant. He had long since witnessed, through a certain means, the confrontation between the village chief and the old man, and understood the cause of the old man’s death. In fact, it was all because of the village chief.
The village chief, feeling uneasy knowing they’d met with the old man, went to confront him, wanting to drive Lin Beichen and Hu Yi out of the village. But the old man completely disagreed, leading to an argument over the matter.
The quarrel grew increasingly intense, eventually leading to pushing and a physical altercation. The village chief accidentally killed the old man. That’s the course of events, which Lin Beichen understood clearly.
But he did not rush to reveal the matter, instead wanting to see if the village chief would recognize his mistake, whether he would suddenly realize he’d done wrong. He wanted to know what the village chief planned to do, how he would treat him and Hu Yi.
Lin Beichen was waiting for an opportunity; he wanted to give the village chief a chance to change, so he did not hurry to unveil the truth.
However, seeing Lin Beichen showing no signs of resistance, the village chief actually wanted to pin the blame on Lin Beichen, making him the scapegoat.
Lin Beichen and Hu Yi were thus taken to the altar by the villagers. Seeing the burning torches, Hu Yi knew what would happen next. Since their arrival here, this was the second time they were to be sacrificed. Hu Yi did not understand what they had done wrong to face such treatment repeatedly.
She was unwilling at heart, but now didn’t want to say much, nor argue. Because these ignorant villagers simply wouldn’t believe their words, firmly maintaining they were the culprits.
The village chief looked at Lin Beichen and Hu Yi, shouting loudly, "Commence the sacrifice, light the torches!"
"Wait, I have something to say." Lin Beichen suddenly looked at the villagers and said loudly.
Village chief sneered and asked, "What do you want to say?"
Lin Beichen chuckled coldly, looking at the village chief and villagers, "You killed the old man, yet stand here slandering me, trying to pin this on me. You think I don’t know?"
"You wanted to chase us out of the village, went to reason with the old man. When the old man refused to drive us away, you quarreled with him. After accidentally killing him, you deceived the villagers in your panic, saying I’m the culprit. What are you planning?"
"Do you think that acting deceitfully, no one will ever know? You underestimate me too much. I will let everyone see clearly, see who the real murderer is."
At the most critical moment, Lin Beichen revealed the entire truth.
In this urgent situation, Lin Beichen disclosed the truth completely; however, instead of gaining the villagers’ trust, he was seen as merely attempting to defend himself and shift responsibility.
Villagers glared angrily, all accusing Lin Beichen, "You say it lightly, yet how could the village chief possibly kill the old man? The old man was highly respected in the village, never having enemies, and had always shared a harmonious relationship with the village chief."
"The village chief has no reason to kill the old man; don’t spout nonsense to escape guilt, framing and misleading. We won’t be deceived; this was clearly your conspiracy to stay in the village and establish the Daoist Temple. When the old man opposed, you ruthlessly struck."