Chapter 4059: Giving It To Them Straight

The Grand Elder looked increasingly troubled. "Senior..."

"Let me finish." Zhenyu raised one thick finger. "You told me how Wen Wu was lured into an inheritance ground and murdered by people following orders from their superiors."

He raised another finger. "Little Bull was sent into the Mad Demon Depths under false accusations." A third finger rose. "And now you’ve revealed that the Vault Division controls information concerning a repository of dangerous ancient treasures."

Zhenyu’s eyes narrowed. "Do you truly see no connection?"

The Grand Elder fell silent while the Clarity Peak Head’s expression had become exceptionally serious. Lin Mu knew that his argument was beginning to take effect. He had deliberately connected the present conspiracy to the historical tragedy they had just described.

The parallels were compelling, especially because the Grand Elder had personally explained how secret factions could manipulate the sect’s institutions.

There was still no direct evidence that Taegong’s actions were connected to the hidden repository, but Lin Mu had no intention of claiming that he had already proven such a connection. He merely needed the two experts to recognize that the possibility was serious enough to investigate.

Zhenyu gave a cold snort. "Back then, the Hopeful Star Pavilion wanted to control the Patriarch’s position. They used the Lightless Hall to eliminate someone who stood in their way."

He looked directly at the Grand Elder. "Now someone is targeting the Wild Peak, manipulating the Law Division’s procedures, and concealing the actions of a Vault Division elder."

The Grand Elder’s face grew pale.

Zhenyu continued, "And you two were so busy worrying about whether I should be allowed to hear some ancient secrets that you failed to consider what might be happening right under your noses."

The Clarity Peak Head lowered her gaze and for the first time, she seemed unable to find an immediate response.

The Grand Elder’s expression had become increasingly troubled. "Senior, are you suggesting that the Vault Division is attempting to seize control of the hidden repository?"

Zhenyu gave him a sharp look. "I’m suggesting that you should find out."

The Grand Elder paused.

Zhenyu continued, "Perhaps Taegong is merely a greedy fool acting on his own. Perhaps someone wants to weaken the Wild Peak for political reasons. Or perhaps there’s something hidden within your precious vault that certain people are desperate to obtain."

He spread his arms. "Which explanation is correct? I don’t know. That’s what an investigation is supposed to determine."

The Grand Elder slowly nodded.

Lin Mu had deliberately avoided making an accusation that could be dismissed for lacking evidence. Instead, he had presented several possibilities that the Grand Elder could hardly ignore.

Zhenyu’s expression grew colder. "But there’s one thing I do know."

The two experts looked toward him.

"Your sect has already suffered because powerful people were allowed to hide behind secret organizations and manipulate others." He pointed toward the Grand Elder. "You know that better than anyone. Your own family was involved in the aftermath."

Then he turned toward the Clarity Peak Head. "And your master was among those who had to deal with the consequences."

Neither objected.

Zhenyu lowered his hand. "So tell me, juniors. Are you going to wait until another Wen Wu dies before you decide to take this seriously?"

The words struck both experts heavily and the Grand Elder’s expression became exceptionally solemn. The Clarity Peak Head’s eyes widened slightly before she lowered her gaze.

For several moments, silence filled the Clarity Reversal Bead.

Lin Mu could tell that the two were finally considering the present situation in an entirely different light. The Grand Elder had arrived intending to verify Zhenyu’s identity and suppress the Wild Peak’s disturbance.

Now he was being forced to consider whether the disturbance was a warning of something far more serious.

The Clarity Peak Head eventually spoke. "Grand Elder, the evidence concerning Taegong..."

Her voice trailed off but the Grand Elder understood what she meant.

"Daoist Bone Ruler said that the recording was challenged because the Wild Peak’s vault had no registered recording formations," he recalled.

Zhenyu snorted. "And apparently that’s enough for certain people to pretend the recording doesn’t exist."

The Grand Elder’s expression darkened. "That matter should have been investigated more thoroughly."

"Should have?" Zhenyu repeated.

He laughed coldly. "Junior, if I hadn’t broken out of the Mad Demon Depths, how long do you think it would have taken before anyone bothered investigating Little Bull’s disappearance?"

The Grand Elder could not answer.

Zhenyu continued, "And if the Wild Peak hadn’t closed its fist today, would you three have come down from the Grand Hall at all?"

That question was even harder to answer, making the Clarity Peak Head purse her lips and the Grand Elder lower his eyes for a moment. Seeing this, Lin Mu knew he had struck the right point.

The Grand Hall had only intervened when the Wild Peak began exercising its ancient authority. Until then, the investigation into Taegong had been allowed to stagnate.

Zhenyu shook his head. "You were quick enough to accuse the Wild Peak of rebellion. Perhaps you should show the same enthusiasm when investigating the people who caused this mess."

The Grand Elder finally let out a long sigh. "Senior is right."

The Clarity Peak Head looked toward him.

The Grand Elder continued, "We were too focused on the immediate disturbance. The similarities between the present matter and the incidents surrounding the Lightless Hall are concerning."

His expression grew stern. "Especially if someone within the Vault Division is using their authority to conceal activities from the Grand Hall."

Zhenyu nodded approvingly. "Good. Your brain still works."

The Grand Elder’s mouth twitched. Under ordinary circumstances, he would never have tolerated someone speaking to him in such a manner. Yet after everything Zhenyu had pointed out, he found it difficult to take offense.

The Clarity Peak Head finally spoke again. "If the hidden repository is involved, then this matter could be considerably more serious than we initially believed."

The Grand Elder nodded. "Indeed. Some of the objects sealed there were considered dangerous even by the standards of the Great Ancestor’s generation."

Lin Mu’s attention sharpened immediately as that was precisely what he wanted to hear.

Zhenyu stroked his beard. "Then perhaps it’s time you stopped worrying about the Wild Peak and started looking into the Vault Division."

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