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The bird was the size of a pigeon, with emerald green feathers and a beak, claws, and eyes that were crimson red, looking quite beautiful. Its neck had already been twisted, and its small head hung limply to one side of its body.
Clearly, Chuxuan had been hiding in the cloth bag for some time, so why did he say he had just caught it?
Chuxiong had no suspicions. Seeing that the bird was indeed plump, he praised Chuxuan for his quick actions. He eagerly plucked the feathers and gutted the bird, skewering it on a branch and placing it on the fire alongside the chicken to roast.
Thin wisps of smoke rose from the gorge as the chicken and bird sizzled on the fire. Drops of oil dripped into the flames, causing them to leap high with a crackling sound. The aroma grew stronger, and Chuxiong swallowed his saliva, exclaiming, "This bird smells even better than chicken! Old Eight, you really know your stuff. Next time I know, if I can't get chicken, I'll catch this kind of bird for a feast."
Chuxuan lowered his head and turned his back to Li Hong, saying something that obscured his expression; it seemed to indicate agreement. As he gestured with his hands, a rich scent of liquor wafted through the air. Even Li Hong could smell it and felt his appetite stir; it was indeed fine Fenjiu.
Li Hong's confusion deepened as he carefully considered every action Chuxuan had taken so far. His first appearance at Li Hong's residence was to insist on going for a barbecue. When he discovered that his master was secretly teaching Li Hong the Mid-Level Spirit Talisman, he had flown into a rage and stormed off. Yet less than a moment later, he returned to apologize sincerely. Such a rapid change in demeanor suggested that Chuxuan had considerable depth of character. But was it really that simple? Li Hong sensed an undercurrent of conspiracy.
Chuxiong worked skillfully, continuously flipping the two skewers of chicken and bird over the fire until they turned golden brown and fragrant. The aroma wafted up with the rising smoke.
Just as they were about to eat, Chuxuan suddenly stood up, clutching his stomach and exclaiming in pain that he needed to relieve himself.
Chuxiong felt somewhat disappointed but then thought that perhaps there would be more chicken and bird left for him... His eyes gleamed with mischief as he urged Chuxuan to hurry away, hoping he would go as far as possible.
Chuxuan stood up and walked into the thicket. It seemed he was searching for a suitable spot while calling out not to disturb Chuxiong's appetite as he moved deeper into the trees.
From Li Hong's angle, he clearly saw a hint of a cold smile on Chuxuan's face as he turned his back on Chuxiong and entered the thicket.
Indeed, there were ill intentions!
Where was the flaw? Li Hong pondered quietly for a moment before arriving at an answer.
Without saying a word, he revealed himself and rushed to Chuxiong's side, forcefully throwing down the half-eaten bird from Chuxiong's hand onto the ground while urgently saying, "You've been tricked! Come with me!"
A flying sword swiftly lifted Chuxiong and Lingyi into the air.
In the blink of an eye, they landed at the top of Nine Vermilion Peaks. Li Hong, fearing someone might see them, pulled Chuxiong into a small pavilion and whispered, "If anyone asks later, just say you never left here. I will vouch for you. Now quickly clean yourself up."
Chuxiong was bewildered, especially reluctant to part with the few roasted birds and chicken. However, he had always trusted Li Hong, so he hesitantly washed his hands and face and changed into a clean robe.
Just as he finished tidying up, he saw a group of people flying towards Nine Vermilion Peaks, landing in front of the Three-Story Pavilion halfway up the mountain. Soon after, Senior Brother Chuming flew over and said that Elder Yueliang Mangzi wanted Chuxiong to go over.
Chuxiong's face immediately darkened. The Chief Elder of Punishment! Wherever he appeared, it meant a disciple had violated the Rules of the Sect. The consequences could range from being punished with a stick and confinement to being forced into hard labor and facing a lifetime of reflection. The presence of this elder felt like a cold breeze passing through; all disciples would fall silent at the sight of his rotund figure.
Seeing Chuxiong frozen in fear, Li Hong lightly nudged him and subtly signaled him to follow his instructions. He turned to Chuming with a smile and asked, "Senior Brother, could you clarify? Look at Old Seven; he's terrified."
Chuming chuckled, "The Chief Elder of Punishment says that a disciple from Nine Vermilion Peaks has boldly touched his beloved Common Azure Bird. It was reported that it was Old Seven! This is outrageous! Old Seven has been right here; when did he ever dare to mess with the Chief Elder's prized possession? Does Old Seven even have that kind of courage?" He laughed heartily, clearly not believing it.
The Common Azure Bird! Li Hong suddenly understood and deliberately asked, "What does that Common Azure Bird look like? Senior Brother, let me see it."
"The Common Azure Bird is a low-level spirit beast with considerable intelligence. It is the Chief Elder's pride and joy; he raises a large flock of them. They are about the size of pigeons, with blue feathers and red claws—very beautiful."
Upon hearing this, Chuxiong turned pale with shock and anger.
Li Hong shot him a serious warning glance and gestured for Chuming to lead the way as the three walked down the mountain.
Elder Yueliang Mangzi was indeed as notorious as rumored—a large man who was both tall and wide, standing there like a wall of flesh. His round red face had long white whiskers sticking out around his chin like quills on a porcupine. Li Hong couldn't discern his cultivation level at all, which indicated he was at least at the Core Formation Stage or higher. Behind him were about ten disciples, each with considerable strength.
Yue Mangzi glared at Chuxiong and shouted loudly, "Are you Chuxiong? You dare to kill my Common Azure Bird and roast it to eat! What audacity!"
Chuxiong, though honest, was not foolish and knew he could not admit to a crime he did not commit. He shouted, "I am wronged! I have never seen any Azure Bird, how could I possibly roast one to eat!"
Chuming stepped forward, smiling as he defended Chuxiong: "Elder, please see clearly. My seventh junior brother has not left Nine Vermilion Peaks all day; both Sixth Junior Disciple and I can testify to that!"
"That's right! I can testify! The seventh junior brother hasn't left Nine Vermilion Peaks all day; we were discussing our studies the whole time. We have never seen the Elder's Common Azure Bird, so how could there be any talk of killing and roasting it?" Li Hong said calmly.
Both of them stood firm in their statements, and their sincerity was evident. Moreover, Chuming, the top disciple of Nine Vermilion Peaks and well-respected throughout Nine Li Sect, made it hard for anyone to doubt him. Even if someone suspected Li Hong of lying, they would not doubt Chuming.
Yue Mangzi looked skeptical, narrowing his eyes as he turned to a nearby disciple: "Are you sure it's him? Could there be a mistake?"
"There’s no mistake! They are from Nine Vermilion Peaks and told me themselves; how could they lie? Are they going to frame their own?"
At this point, the two began to converse quietly.
Feeling a shift in the atmosphere, Li Hong spoke softly: "Those who speak of right and wrong are indeed people of right and wrong. Where did the Elder hear such gossip? May I ask if you have thoroughly checked the source?"
Upon hearing this, the accompanying disciple visibly froze. Yue Mangzi’s gaze sharpened as he glanced sideways at his disciple.
The disciple felt the weight of that sharp gaze and began to sweat, stammering in defense: "Chuxuan is Chuxiong's Eighth Disciple, he would never lie; he is upholding justice against his own!"
Hearing this, Li Hong couldn't help but smirk inwardly; it seemed Chuxuan had quite a network, secretly communicating with the personal disciple of the Chief Elder of Punishment.
Now even Chuming changed his expression, glancing into the distance before coldly calling out, "Old Eight, stop hiding there and come out!"
With that, Chuxuan was revealed by Chuming's words and awkwardly stepped out from the shadows.
Yue Mangzi coldly asked his disciple, "Did he tell you that the Common Azure Bird was killed by Chuxiong?"
"Yes..."
Yue Mangzi walked up to Chuxuan, his eyes sharp as knives, and suddenly grabbed Chuxuan's collar. Chuxuan trembled in fear, but Yue Mangzi had already released his grip, bringing his hand to his nose to sniff. His face immediately turned ashen, and he shouted, "How could my Nine Li Sect have such a 'smart' disciple like you! You clearly killed my Common Azure Bird and dared to frame someone else!"
"I didn't..." Chuxuan trembled all over.
"Still trying to argue! There is clearly the Blood Scent of the Common Azure Bird on your clothes! This scent is very distinctive; only I can recognize it! You beast! So cunning! Considering your connection with the Spirit Stone, go to the Disciplinary Hall and receive thirty lashes, then spend three months reflecting at Reflection Cliff! You're lucky; take him away for punishment!"
Chuxuan's face turned pale with fear as he cried out in protest. Yue Mangzi ignored him and waved his hand. Two of his disciples quickly dragged Chuxuan away, one of whom was the disciple who had received information from Chuxuan. To distance himself from the situation, he pulled Chuxuan along with extra force, showing no mercy.
Li Hong secretly felt pleased; it served him right! How dare he set a trap! Fortunately, Chuxiong had changed clothes; otherwise, he would have been unable to explain himself!
The entire incident had initially been aimed at him, and in the end, Chuxuan blamed Chuxiong as a scapegoat while also trying to undermine him. Little did he know that the heavens have eyes; Chuxuan probably never expected that the distinctive Blood Scent of the Common Azure Bird would betray him.
Thirty lashes and three months of confinement made Li Hong smile involuntarily. Looking at Chuxiong, he saw a similar expression of satisfaction on his face.
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