Liu Buli's question was too direct. Even if the Grand Elder were shameless, his expression became remarkably complex upon hearing such words.
His face flushed and paled, and after a moment of struggle, he managed an awkward, unsightly smile, shaking his head. "Sect Master, what are you saying? This tea is for you, how could it be poisoned?"
"Yes, I'm quite curious," Liu Buli shook his head, putting on a sad and sorrowful expression. He said, "I am, after all, the Sect Master of the Dan Sect. In the hundred years I've held this position, I've treated you all not unkindly. I truly cannot fathom what heinous acts I've committed in the Grand Elder's eyes to deserve such treatment?"
With these words, he had already confirmed his suspicion that the tea was poisoned.
The Grand Elder wanted to say more, but Liu Buli had already gestured for the guards to seize him.
This old man had been domineering in the Dan Sect for so many years that it had become a habit. He couldn't bear such humiliation and immediately struggled to break free from their grasp.
Before he could escape their restraints, he heard Liu Buli's voice again. His tone was icy as he spoke word by word, "I recall the Grand Elder has a wife, children, and grandchildren. When you act, don't just think of yourself; think of them. The fate of the last traitor who escaped from our Dan Sect, I believe the Grand Elder is well aware of it. So, no matter how much you struggle, do you want your family to become the next Su family?"
A single fowl killed to warn a flock of birds. The effect was always so potent.
The Grand Elder, recalling the rumored fate of the Su family, immediately abandoned all resistance, only trying to辯解 verbally, "I, I didn't know about the poison in the tea, I..."
"Whether you knew or not is a secondary matter. Since I intend to convict you, I must have irrefutable evidence," Liu Buli handed the teapot to a physician beside him, instructing them to test the water for poison on the spot. Then, he turned, drew his long sword, and pressed the sharp blade against the neck of the disciple carrying the tray.
The latter's body trembled violently, and he instinctively blurted out the words he had prepared. "Sect, Sect Master, please calm down. I know nothing. I was merely responsible for serving the tea. I don't know if there was anything wrong with the tea, or when it became problematic!"
Liu Buli's expression showed no anger or displeasure. Instead, a faint smile appeared on his face. He nodded and said, "Remember what you've said now. If I find out later that things are different from what you've told me, you won't need this lying tongue, nor these useless eyes."
After speaking, he paused and added, "By the way, do you have any other relatives? Or perhaps someone you cherish? It doesn't matter if you answer this question or not; I can find out."
Liu Buli concluded with a smile.
But the disciple felt that this smile was like a crack in the abyss of hell, capable of swallowing him whole and damning him to eternal damnation if he wasn't careful.
His legs went weak, and he "plop"ped to the ground. The fear of death made him completely forget his loyalty, and he spilled out all the plans the Grand Elder had instructed him to carry out, like beans pouring from a broken sack.
After finishing, he worried it wasn't enough to prove his sincerity. He quickly added, "Sect Master, he not only had me put poison in the tea but also in the wine. The Grand Elder intended to take your life and the life of this junior disciple. I've told you everything I know, please show mercy and don't hold it against me!"
As he spoke, he continuously kowtowed to Liu Buli.
The "thudding" sound echoed in the vast hall. The disciple's head was bleeding, yet his body still trembled with fear.
It was the first time he realized how terrifying their Sect Master could be.
Liu Buli watched his actions without any intention of stopping him. The Grand Elder, after his initial shock, began to curse the disciple who had betrayed him furiously.
Subsequently, the physician's test results confirmed that the tea was indeed poisoned. Furthermore, the information provided by the disciple was accurate; the wine was also poisoned.
Upon hearing this, the Grand Elder's face turned ashen.
He knew Liu Buli would not let him off, so he stared blankly ahead, unable to even utter a curse.
Liu Buli took a deep breath and finally kicked the disciple who was still kowtowing. He signaled for the disciple to stop and said, "Go to the Hall of Repentance. Your matter is not yet resolved, nor will it be resolved so easily. However, compared to the Grand Elder, yours is a minor issue. Therefore, I advise you not to cause trouble or try to complicate things further."
The disciple quickly nodded in thanks, not bothering to tend to the wound on his forehead, and obediently headed towards the Hall of Repentance.
After the disciple left, Liu Buli looked down at the trembling Grand Elder and smiled. "Grand Elder, the evidence is now conclusive, so let's dispense with the pleasantries. Why don't you honestly tell me? Why did you do all this? Was it merely for my position as Sect Master? Or was it... for that unspeakable transaction of yours?"
The last sentence made the Grand Elder tremble.
He dared not speak of this transaction, nor dare he reveal the person with whom he had made the deal.
He kept his mouth shut, head bowed, tears streaming down his face in fear.
Liu Buli was not in a hurry. He gave the Grand Elder a cold glance before returning to Lu Wuming's side. Smiling, he took a pot of tea from his Qiankun bag and prepared a teacup.
He handed the teapot to Lu Wuming and then the teacup, speaking to Lu Wuming with a smile directed at the Grand Elder. "The time before the apprenticeship ceremony concludes is your opportunity to think. How you choose is your only chance to consider. I hope you'll be a wise person and not force me to dirty my hands."
After speaking, he looked back at Lu Wuming.
He nodded, signaling for Lu Wuming to pour him tea.
Lu Wuming was exceptionally obedient.
He poured tea for Liu Buli, who immediately drank it all.
The tea he brought himself was always safe.
After finishing his tea, Liu Buli nodded at Lu Wuming.
Lu Wuming, following Liu Buli's instructions from the previous night, knelt on the ground and recited, "Master above," before bowing his head to the ground.
In both his lives combined, he had never been so earnest.
Liu Buli was pleased by this and took out a pot of wine from his Qiankun bag, placing it in Lu Wuming's hand.
This was arguably the strangest apprenticeship ceremony in the thousands of years since the Dan Sect's establishment. But as Liu Buli had said, he was the Sect Master, and he was the rule of the Dan Sect.
If he declared this apprenticeship ceremony successful, then Lu Wuming was his disciple, and that would never change.
Lu Wuming took the wine pot and, before Liu Buli could even speak, heartily tilted his head back and drank the entire pot of wine in one go.
After drinking, Lu Wuming's face turned crimson.
This was his first time drinking alcohol, and the pungent, spicy taste was unpleasant. But he knew this was the wine to seal the apprenticeship, and drinking it proved that his relationship with Liu Buli was recognized by everyone.
Therefore, even though it was unpleasant, he wouldn't leave a single drop.
Liu Buli was startled by his boldness and quickly asked, "Wuming, why are you drinking so much? Master hasn't even gotten you a cup yet, you... oh!"
Before he could finish, Lu Wuming swayed and fell forward.
Fortunately, Liu Buli was quick-witted and caught him, preventing Lu Wuming from hitting the ground.
This little disciple was obedient, but sometimes incredibly foolish.
Looking at the drunken Lu Wuming hiccuping in his arms, Liu Buli wore a wry smile. He finally shook his head, picked the young man up, and said to the Grand Elder, "You can follow me to my chambers. My disciple is drunk and needs to rest. We'll discuss your issue in my courtyard."