Chapter 1428: Chapter 1429: Old Man Is Going to Deal with You
Early morning the next day.
Li Xiaobai strolled through the streets, humming to himself as he made his leisurely way toward the Baihe Family’s estate. Yesterday, Nangong Menglu had personally come to deliver money—it was enough to make him chuckle all night. This disciple from the prestigious Heavenly God Academy truly had a robust sense of generosity. She treated him like some peerless master, offering a staggering amount he simply couldn’t refuse.
After all, appearing as an Elder of the Heavenly God Academy wasn’t cheap. If she’d offered less, she wouldn’t have succeeded in hiring him. The price naturally needed to match his elevated status—it was nothing short of astronomical. This gambit was beyond lucrative, with the only condition being that he must take payment first before handling any matters.
The streets were eerily empty, devoid of any cultivators’ presence. Everyone in Cangtian City knew that an Elder from the Heavenly God Academy had arrived in person to investigate the recent kidnappings. No one wanted to be implicated. It wasn’t just about the bizarre abductions of the city’s young disciples—what terrified people most was the fact that the kidnapper had slain a group of cultivators from the notorious Pure Land sect. Anyone with ties to Pure Land was too dangerous to touch.
More and more cultivators gathered at the gates of the Baihe Family; they came from various sects and clans, each harboring their own schemes as they observed the situation.
“The real authority hasn’t arrived, and yet everyone seems so eager. Do you all want to see the Baihe Family crushed that badly?”
The speaker was an elderly man with snow-white hair, an ageless face, and an ethereal presence about him. He came from the Cangtian White Crane Sect and naturally didn’t wish for the Baihe Family to meet with misfortune.
“We’re simply responding to the call. Having someone from the Heavenly God Academy grace our humble Cangtian City is an immense honor.”
“Indeed! And we’re deeply concerned about the safety of our disciples, Elder Bai. Please don’t be so suspicious of our intentions.”
“We’re really just here to help clear the Baihe Family’s name. Elder Bai, you mustn’t assume we’re harboring malicious intentions!”
The various sect masters and experts spoke up one after another, their words making the cultivators from the Baihe Sect visibly furious.
Claiming they wanted to clear the Baihe Family’s name was merely a pretense. In truth, they were monitoring the family, awaiting the opportunity to deliver the final blow.
Even the Baihe Sect’s cultivators didn’t have absolute confidence in their family’s innocence. They knew full well that the Baihe Family had no reason to kidnap the city’s disciples, let alone kill the Pure Land sect’s cultivators. But their family’s silence wasn’t doing them any favors. The more silent the Baihe Family remained, the more guilty they seemed.
In the past two days, not a single member of the Baihe Clan had been seen on the streets. For anyone observing the situation, this looked extremely suspicious.
“There’s no need for disputes among you, esteemed seniors. The truth will soon come to light. Our Academy’s Elders would never wrong the innocent. If it’s true that your disciples are being hidden within the Baihe Family’s estate, they will not escape punishment!”
Nangong Menglu spoke up. As an outsider from the Heavenly God Academy, she was qualified to interject.
“Naturally! The judgments of the Heavenly God Academy are always fair and impartial. Don’t worry—we may not trust our own families, but we absolutely trust the Heavenly God Academy!”
The moment her voice fell, cultivators from other clans quickly chimed in. In their eyes, the Baihe Family was doomed today.
Being called out by someone as powerful as an Elder from the Heavenly God Academy meant the Baihe Family had no chance of escape. Now, all that remained was for everyone else to kick them while they were down.
“Heh, your filial loyalty has been accepted, and the Heavenly God Academy will remember it.”
The crowd parted, and an elderly cultivator wearing tattered robes, leaning on a staff, walked forward with a smile plastered on his face.
“Greetings, Senior!”
“Esteemed friends, this is the Elder from my Heavenly God Academy. The mysteries shrouding this city shall be unraveled today, so I ask for a bit more patience from everyone,” said Nangong Menglu.
“Might I respectfully ask for your esteemed name, Fellow Daoist?”
As the man passed by the Baihe Sect, Elder Bai clasped his fists and made a courteous inquiry.
“Fellow Daoist?”
“You? Worthy of addressing me as such?”
Li Xiaobai let out a snort, feigning a lofty posture. His gaze was arrogant and domineering as he strode past Elder Bai without so much as acknowledging him further.
Elder Bai’s face contorted as though he’d just swallowed a fly. For all his standing as a member of the Baihe Sect, whose disciples had made notable achievements at the Heavenly God Academy, how could he be treated this way?
“The Elders of the Heavenly God Academy are, of course, our esteemed seniors. It appears the Baihe Sect has grown negligent. On behalf of the Baihe Sect, I apologize to Senior and implore his forgiveness.”
The other cultivators, watching the scene unfold, felt a rush of glee inwardly. “Serves him right,” they thought. “Elder Bai always plays the arrogant one in front of us, but now he dares act like this before someone from the Heavenly God Academy? Isn’t he courting death?”
The Baihe Sect, long accustomed to their lofty status, had clearly forgotten their own standing.
“No matter. The fact that you all have gathered here today is already giving this old man face. Those who know me understand—if not for this face, the Baihe Family would already be wiped out.”
Li Xiaobai spoke coldly, his aged voice sending a chill that penetrated to the bone.
“But this day, I come merely to investigate an unresolved case. Your presence here is only to serve as witnesses—there’s no need for undue alarm.”
“A few days ago, a group of bandits tied to Pure Land was slain outside this city, followed immediately by the abduction of over 150 disciples from various clans within Cangtian City. This act was heinous beyond words!”
“The youth are our city’s future. Without them, our city has no roots. Without them, your sects have no tomorrow!”
“Do you say such acts can be tolerated?”
Li Xiaobai’s expression remained indifferent as he spoke.
“Never!”
“According to credible intelligence, all 150 abducted disciples are now hidden within the Baihe Family’s estate. My purpose here today is simple: to bring them out into the light!”
“Tell me, Baihe Sect—are you aware of this matter?”
Li Xiaobai’s piercing gaze landed on Elder Bai as he posed the question.
“Ah, uh…”
“This old man is unaware. My Baihe Sect has no knowledge of such actions, nor do I believe the Baihe Family would commit such brazenly immoral deeds. I ask for Senior’s discernment…”
Elder Bai stammered, his body trembling slightly. He hadn’t expected to be questioned like this, and his confidence wavered.
“Since it’s unrelated to your Baihe Sect, then you shall knock on their door.”
“Have the Baihe Clan open their gates to receive guests. I will thoroughly investigate their estate!”
Li Xiaobai waved his hand nonchalantly as he spoke.
“Understood.”
Elder Bai’s mind went blank. His body moved on its own, and before he knew it, he was standing at the gates of the Baihe Estate.
Who was he?
Where was he?
Why was he being so obedient?
But with the atmosphere already at a boiling point and hundreds of eyes boring into him, he had no choice but to knock forcefully on the door, despite his reservations.
“Baihe Clan! Open your gates immediately!”
“I am Elder Bai of the Baihe Sect, accompanying an honored guest from the Heavenly God Academy. Open the gate and welcome our guest!”
Elder Bai fumed internally, his anger simmering as he bellowed toward the door.
“Creeeeak—” came the slow groan as the large gates opened.
One by one, figures emerged from within. Clearly, the disciples on the other side had been prepared and on standby.
“Elder Bai, it’s been a while.”
“I am He Yannian, Patriarch of the Baihe Clan. Greetings to the Elder from the Heavenly God Academy, and to all Fellow Daoists present. Guests are guests—we apologize for any lack of hospitality and ask for your forgiveness.”
“Let’s dispense with the pleasantries,” Li Xiaobai replied with an impassive face, waving his hand dismissively.
“Bring everyone out! Search the place!”