Chapter 414 - 207: Where Is the Evidence? (2)
"It’s a pity that after he successfully eliminated the demons and reached the peak realm, he soon crossed the tribulations and ascended."
"However, the true sovereign left a secret treasure to us descendants, saying that if one day the Celestial Evil Demon reappears in the world, this object will definitely react."
"Because of this, about forty years ago, my family began secretly investigating individuals suspected of being the demon’s reincarnation across various parts of the cultivation world."
Upon hearing this, the crowd’s confusion was somewhat alleviated; it seemed Chu Xuan had long been suspected by the Shangguan family...
"The last wedding incident made us look like a joke. I must say that Chu Xuan is a deeply scheming person. At that time, even we were deceived by him, and nearly married Haitang to him."
"But failure also came from Haitang, and success from Haitang!" Shangguan He’s words turned cold.
"It was our young member who made amends by reporting to us that Chu Xuan is the Celestial Evil Demon Himself. This matter is something he admitted to her personally, and it’s absolutely true."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked, sometimes looking at the expressionless Chu Xuan, sometimes at the shocked and angry Shangguan Haitang.
"You’re lying!" Gu Haitang trembled with anger. Previously, she was worried about Chu Xuan’s situation and anxious about her family wanting to fight him to death, but at this moment, her heart was flooded with immense grief and indignation.
It was hard enough to clear up the misunderstanding between them, and Shangguan He’s actions were extremely vicious. If Chu Xuan truly believed this, they would never have a chance to be together.
"I never reported anything like this to you! Chu Xuan—Chu Xuan isn’t the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable!"
Gu Haitang’s eyes reddened as she bit her lip, thoroughly hating this elder she had met a few times.
Chu Xuan calmly said, "There’s no need for sowing discord; don’t you find it ridiculous to take something I don’t acknowledge as evidence?"
The crowd agreed; Shangguan Haitang clearly seemed deeply in love. At the very least, they should coax her into confronting him face to face—then there would be some credibility. But doing it this way was purely laughable.
Shangguan He remained unfazed and said, "Haitang, you indeed provided us the clues."
As he spoke, his gaze fell on the solemn-faced Gu Jianjia.
Gu Haitang’s pupils slightly contracted, recalling everything that happened before and realizing the mistake she had made. Her act of bringing her mother out earlier had instead increased the family’s suspicion of Chu Xuan...
Momentarily, Haitang turned pale, but thankfully Gu Jianjia timely transmitted a message: "Stay calm, be composed, and watch the situation unfold."
No one understands their daughter like her mother. Upon seeing her daughter’s expression, Gu Jianjia guessed the truth: Chu Xuan is likely the Celestial Evil Demon.
Unfortunately, this foolish daughter didn’t confess to her; if Gu Haitang had said so earlier, Gu Jianjia, being aware of the family’s ’that one,’ would immediately sense something was wrong and at least could have informed Chu Xuan three or four months in advance.
Their mistake was not trusting each other and each hiding part of the truth, which led them to be so passive now.
Gu Haitang, with tearful eyes, looked at Chu Xuan, desperately shaking her head, fearing he might think she did it intentionally.
Although Chu Xuan was somewhat puzzled, upon seeing Shangguan He’s piercing gaze and Haitang’s panic, he also roughly guessed: most likely, she inadvertently revealed something.
Chu Xuan sighed inwardly, not harboring any blame. Since he chose to tell Haitang the truth in the Northern Territory last time, he should have been mentally prepared for situations like this.
Fortunately, the current situation was still fine. As long as Gu Haitang firmly denied it, the Shangguan family wouldn’t be able to present any lethal evidence.
Sure enough, Li Fanzhou looked at Shangguan He indifferently, "Enough, stop pressuring your own young one in public; it’s disgraceful and humiliates the name of the Profound Celestial Sect."
Others nodded in agreement, and a demonic cultivator jested, "Is this all? Can you stop wasting my time?"
His words immediately drew a chorus of agreement.
Seeing public opinion gradually shift against them, the Shangguan family felt considerable pressure.
Fortunately, Shangguan He calmly took out an ancient scroll from his sleeve and unfurled it before everyone’s eyes.
In the painting, there was a vibrant young man in a white robe standing in a plum blossom grove, smiling, his appearance identical to Chu Xuan!
Upon seeing this painting, Chu Xuan was surprised but remained expressionless.
Those who knew the ’truth’ like Su Mengqing, Gu Haitang, Qingqing showed subtle changes in their expressions.
Gu Jianjia looked at the familiar scroll, showing a thoughtful expression.
Shangguan He showed it around and then said, "Everyone, please see, the person in the painting is the former Celestial Evil Demon Venerable!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the spectators began murmuring and whispering:
"This doesn’t look anything like Chu Xuan at all."
"Clearly two different people; can this be used as evidence?"
"Besides, just saying it’s the Celestial Evil makes it so? Who knows if this is just some random ancient painting to deceive people."
Hearing this, Gu Haitang was momentarily stunned, then immediately lowered her head, feeling somewhat incredulous. It seemed that unless there was a complete certainty that Chu Xuan was the Celestial Evil, no one could recognize the person in the painting.
But did the Shangguan family know this secret?
Shangguan He cleared his throat, and the atmosphere quieted down; he continued, "This painting not only depicts the Celestial Evil but also has a great connection to him..."
He meticulously explained the origins of the painting and attempted to prove its authority.
Finally, Shangguan He stared intently at Chu Xuan, "Chu Xuan, you claim you’re not the Celestial Evil? Would you dare provide a drop of blood or a strand of hair?"
"Once I have any material from your body, I can make this painting reveal an anomaly to prove you are the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable!"
The surrounding people, upon hearing this, all showed serious expressions.
In sum, the Shangguan family’s plan was simple: as long as Chu Xuan provided his blood, it would be proven. If he steadfastly refused, wouldn’t that indicate a guilty conscience?!
Unexpectedly, before Chu Xuan spoke, Su Mengqing beside him chuckled lightly, "Coincidentally, I also have a painting that can prove the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable."
With that, she casually pulled out a scroll from her sleeve and slowly unfolded it.
This was also a portrait, depicting the same person as in Shangguan He’s painting, only with different attire, expression, and posture.
Then Su Mengqing looked seriously at Shangguan He, "Now I suspect you are the Celestial Evil; would you dare provide a drop of blood or a strand of hair?"
"As long as I have any material from your body, I can make this painting reveal an anomaly to prove you are the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable!"
Shangguan He’s face turned extremely unpleasant.
Upon hearing this, the crowd realized that the logic of the Shangguan family didn’t hold; previously, they were blindsided by him. What high-level cultivator couldn’t produce anomalies?
As for using blood to prove someone has a connection with the painting, your blood is smeared on it; wouldn’t there be a connection? This argument as evidence was completely invalid.
Seeing this, Chu Xuan felt relieved. It was evident now that the Shangguan family wasn’t entirely sure.
Don’t be fooled by Shangguan He’s confident demeanor; he wasn’t certain either. Likely, he was following the mindset of ’better to kill mistakenly than to let go.’
Otherwise, his point of attack should be:
If you truly believe and confirm that Chu Xuan is the Celestial Evil, you would immediately realize that they look identical, which is the biggest evidence.
And Qingqing immediately exploited the loophole and retaliated with a painting, making the so-called ’evidence’ unconvincing to anyone.
Seeing Shangguan He coldly silent, Su Mengqing shook her head in regret, "You’re feeling guilty. It seems you’re the Celestial Evil Demon Venerable; what a play of the thief crying thief."
These words instantly provoked loud laughter from the crowd.
Someone even asked, "Is there more evidence? Can you provide some solid proof?"
"Exactly, because of these trivial matters, you’ve delayed my treasure hunting."
Admittedly, the previous demonic cultivator leading the questioning had emboldened these onlookers in their queries.
Until Shangguan He’s icy gaze swept over their faces one by one, they shrank back in terror, remembering the terrifying power he possessed.
Yet rather than subduing them, this made them feel even more that the Shangguan family was simply bullying with power!