Chapter 53: Accusation
"Demonic technique?!"
The tavern's energy instantly dropped. A thick, oppressive silence swept across the room like a cold winter wind. Eyes widened in shock. Cups froze mid-air. Some whispered in disbelief, others exchanged skeptical glances, unsure whether to believe such a bold claim.
Ye Wenjie's cold smile deepened as he watched the shifting tide of public opinion.
"A person like you dares to walk the city so openly?" he continued slowly, deliberately. "Such boldness. Or is it ignorance?"
Su Tianhao's expression darkened, eyes turning frosty. "Ye Wenjie, that's an extremely serious accusation. Do you have any evidence to support it?"
Before Ye Wenjie could respond, Ye Jianping stepped forward eagerly. "Isn't it obvious? You awakened trash talent, yet you're advancing so quickly. You're only at the 1st level of Martial Disciple Realm, yet your strength far exceeds that! If that's not a demonic technique, then what is?"
"Then you really are a fool," Su Tianhao shot back coldly.
Ye Jianping's face paled instantly—the vivid memory of his humiliating defeat flashing painfully in his mind. He swallowed hard, but quickly regained his composure as he glanced at Ye Wenjie. 'Let's see how arrogant you'll be when you're crushed under my Young Master's foot,' he thought viciously.
Su Tianhao turned back to Ye Wenjie with a calm but piercing stare. "So your so-called evidence is based entirely on the words of this fool?" he said, placing deliberate emphasis on the last word.
Ye Jianping's face twitched visibly but he forced himself to stay quiet, clutching desperately to the hope that Ye Wenjie would soon deliver the payback he so desperately craved.
The atmosphere shifted noticeably. While many still watched with gleeful anticipation, not everyone present was heartless.
"Wait a minute... this doesn't feel right," someone muttered with a frown.
"Since when did rapid cultivation become a crime? What if he had a fortuitous encounter? That happens all the time."
"Accusing someone of cultivating a demonic technique without concrete proof... that's not just outrageous—it's dangerous!"
Murmurs of doubt rippled through the crowd, small at first but steadily growing.
Ye Wenjie's eyes narrowed slightly as he sensed the subtle but unmistakable shift.
Su Tianhao met his gaze head-on, voice steady as iron. "If you're going to accuse me, Ye Wenjie—bring actual proof. Not baseless paranoia."
The crowd grew bolder.
"That Ye Jianping is truly shameless! Can't accept defeat honorably so now he's dragging others into his petty revenge?"
"Pathetic!"
"And this is the kind of company Young Master Wenjie keeps?"
The tavern buzzed with chaotic noise—disbelief, scorn, and heated discussion filling the air like smoke.
Ye Jianping's expression turned deathly pale as the words cut through him like blades. His fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. A storm of conflicting emotions surged within him—anger, embarrassment, shame, and fear. Fear that he might have irreversibly crossed a line. 'What if the Young Master decides to cut ties with me?' At that thought, his status in the Ye family would plummet catastrophically.
His eyes darted nervously toward Ye Wenjie.
To his surprise and slight relief, Ye Wenjie stood perfectly calm—serene and detached, as if the surrounding chaos had nothing to do with him whatsoever.
'The Young Master still has it under control,' Ye Jianping exhaled slowly.
The two maids exchanged uneasy glances, worry flickering in their eyes.
The hawk-eyed youth sent a fierce glare at Ye Jianping, visibly displeased. In his mind, this entire mess was Ye Jianping's fault.
Ye Jianping gritted his teeth, humiliation burning in his chest. But even as shame weighed him down, he felt absolutely no regret. Even if he had to risk his place at Ye Wenjie's side, the burning desire for revenge ran far too deep.
'So what if I lose everything? I want to see Su Tianhao crushed beneath my feet!'
The tavern buzzed louder, the once-quiet whispers now loud and unruly.
"What a baseless accusation."
"Does the Ye family think they're above reason?"
"I used to respect Young Master Wenjie, but this..."
The pressure rose like an impending downpour.
Realizing things were spiraling, Ye Wenjie stepped forward. "Enough, let me explain," he shouted, low but enough to cut through the noise.
His outburst silenced the crowd momentarily—all eyes turning to him, seeking an explanation.
But Su Tianhao was watching. His brows furrowed slightly. 'What is this snake planning?'
Ye Wenjie's expression shifted—the anger replaced by something softer, more pained. A charming face etched with regret, just vulnerable enough to draw pity from even the coldest mercenary.
The crowd stilled despite themselves.
"Young Master..." The two maids murmured with trembling voices, tears gathering in their eyes.
The hawk-eyed youth's sharp gaze burned into Ye Jianping with barely contained fury.
Ye Wenjie turned to Su Tianhao with an apologetic expression. "I never truly accused you of using a demonic technique based on your rapid cultivation speed."
Eyes lit up across the room with sudden understanding.
"That's right—Young Master Wenjie never said that directly!"
"It's all Ye Jianping's fault. He didn't even give his Young Master a chance to explain!"
"Young Master Wenjie's only mistake was trusting that man."
Ye Jianping's expression grew uglier by the moment while Ye Wenjie's grew more confident and at ease. "That's right—it's all a misunderstanding," he said apologetically, pushing the blame squarely onto Ye Jianping's shoulders. "If Jianping had allowed me to explain, none of this would have happened."
Ye Jianping suddenly felt a mountain pressing down on him as every gaze in the room turned toward him with undisguised contempt.
The pressure alone soaked his back in cold sweat.
'I'm being used as a shield,' he thought bitterly. 'Is this karma?'
A few hours ago, he had gone to Ye Wenjie with calculated manipulation—trying to use him as a tool for revenge against Su Tianhao. Now it was biting back.
As the saying goes: the snake's tail is bitten by its own head.
'Damn! Damnit!' Ye Jianping gritted his teeth. 'If it weren't for saving the Young Master's face I would have left long ago.'
'It's all Su Tianhao's fault! If not for him, why would I have to endure this humiliation?'
He was still placing the blame squarely on Su Tianhao's shoulders—as he always had, and likely always would.
Just then, a chill ran down his spine. He turned abruptly—and found Ye Wenjie's maids and the hawk-eyed youth glaring daggers at him, their eyes sharp enough to cut.
Ye Jianping jolted and immediately looked away, turning his burning gaze toward Su Tianhao's direction instead.
'I, Ye Jianping, will never forget this disgrace,' he vowed inwardly. 'Even if I have to crawl from the depths of hell—I will repay this humiliation, Su Tianhao!'
Su Tianhao was naturally unaware of Ye Jianping's inward vow. And even if he had known... he simply wouldn't have cared.
Right now, all his focus was on Ye Wenjie—golden eyes fixed, watching the snake weave his web of deception.
"Oh..." Ye Wenjie placed a hand gently over his chest, chin slightly raised, cloaked in an air of righteousness. His voice rang clear and calm, laced with false emotion. "When Jianping reported that someone cultivating a demonic technique had appeared in Oakwood City, I was deeply concerned. We all know the terror such arts bring."
He sighed heavily, voice dropping as if burdened by an unbearable weight. "I only sought to protect the people. Who would have thought my goodwill would turn back to bite me..."
Before the room could settle—
"That's right!" one of the maids called out, voice brimming with conviction. "I was there! Young Master was only worried about the people—he just wanted to help!"
"I was there too," the second maid chimed in, her expression pitiful, eyes glistening with tears. "He never meant harm... our Young Master was only trying to do the right thing!"
Their timing was perfect. Their performances flawless.
Ye Wenjie's carefully arranged act landed exactly as intended.
Many hearts swayed.
"So that's what really happened?"
"We misunderstood him?"
"I feel ashamed for doubting him. Young Master Wenjie is truly just and noble."
"All that trouble—because of Ye Jianping."
"That idiot brought shame to the Ye family!"
As the wave of public opinion crashed, Ye Wenjie stood calm and dignified. Ye Jianping, however, stood buried under a tidal wave of contempt—insults and cold glances flying his way like invisible blades.
Su Tianhao watched silently, golden eyes unreadable. 'A master manipulator,' he noted inwardly. 'This Ye Wenjie is getting more dangerous by the minute.'
Ye Wenjie's smile blossomed as he observed the crowd's reaction. He exhaled deeply, his expression touched as if overwhelmed by their support.
"Thank you, everyone... I truly appreciate your understanding," he said gently. "I'm sure Jianping has learned his lesson. Please, there's no need for further insults. As his Young Master, I naturally share in his burdens. Let us end this matter here—let bygones be bygones."
His words were carefully chosen, each syllable soothing the room. The tension dissipated like mist under the sun, and silence returned to the tavern.
The zither resumed its soft melody.
Ye Jianping exhaled with visible relief, hurriedly wiping sweat from his forehead.
But just as peace was returning—
"Spare me the performance," Su Tianhao said flatly, cutting through the calm like a blade. "You still owe me a real explanation."
"Oh?" Ye Wenjie raised an eyebrow, turning slowly, his smile returning—this time cold and insincere. "Ah, my apologies. I almost forgot about you."
Su Tianhao's brow twitched at the barely veiled insult.
"As a benevolent person, of course I'll give you an explanation," Ye Wenjie said, his voice rising just enough to carry across the tavern. "In fact... I'll even apologize for my wrong."
Collective gasps filled the room.
"Apologize?"
No one expected that. Ye Wenjie was the most outstanding young master of the Ye family—a six-star genius with an unmatched reputation. In their eyes, Su Tianhao was nothing more than a fallen prodigy who had stumbled upon fortune.
Some nodded approvingly. Others stared at Ye Wenjie with renewed admiration.
They realized far too soon that they had spoken too early.
"Unless..." His voice rang out like the draw of a blade—sharp, cold, silencing the room.
He turned his gaze toward Su Tianhao, a smug smile curling on his lips. "Unless you prove to all of us... that you truly haven't cultivated a demonic technique."
Su Tianhao remained calm, golden eyes unwavering. "And how exactly do I prove that?"
"Oh, it's quite simple," Ye Wenjie replied smoothly. "Earlier, when I tried to probe your cultivation, I noticed something... strange. You're deliberately concealing your cultivation realm and spiritual energy flow."
His gaze sharpened, locking onto Su Tianhao with hidden meaning.
"What are you getting at?" Su Tianhao asked coldly.
Ye Wenjie didn't answer directly. Instead he turned to the crowd with a charming smile. "As we all know," he began slowly, "those who cultivate demonic techniques carry a distinct, sinister aura... unmistakable to the trained eye." He paused, letting the words sink in. "And only those with something to hide would deliberately mask their spiritual energy flow."
One after another, the patrons' expressions lit up with sudden realization. Their gazes turned sharply toward Su Tianhao, filled with suspicion.
"That's right! I tried to probe his cultivation earlier—my perception was bounced straight back!"
"Same here!"
"Could it be... he really has cultivated a demonic technique and is hiding the sinister aura?"
"That would explain everything..."
Even those previously skeptical began to falter. Some extended their spiritual perception toward Su Tianhao—only to find it blocked by an invisible force. Doubt crept into their minds like slow poison.
'Such a convenient setup,' Su Tianhao thought, frown deepening.
Ye Jianping turned back toward him with a fake, toothy smile. "It wouldn't be a problem to release your aura, right? That way you can prove your innocence."
Many around nodded in agreement.
"If he has nothing to hide, there's no reason to refuse."
"Young Master Wenjie is truly wise—a simple, fair solution!"
"Undo your concealment!"
"Show us your aura!"
"Unless..."
The unfinished sentence carried an unmistakable threat. If Su Tianhao refused, then the demonic technique accusation would be treated as confirmed—and he would be punished without mercy.
Ye Wenjie smiled inwardly, silently praising his own brilliance.
Even if Su Tianhao truly hadn't cultivated a demonic technique, the moment he released his aura, Ye Wenjie would confirm his exact cultivation level. And if it really was just the 1st level of Martial Disciple Realm... he would no longer need to hesitate.
'Su Tianhao... you think you can offend me and walk away freely?' Ye Wenjie sneered inwardly, a faint gleam of cruelty flashing through his slanted eyes. 'If you're only at the 1st level... I'll cripple you without a second thought. I'll return you to the trash you were always meant to be.'