Yu Xingyang's words were very blunt, but everyone knew that Bai Pinghai's insistence on inviting people to the manor was nothing more than to join forces with a few of the Grand Sects to suppress this matter. This wasn't messing around, but a common tactic used by these major forces: turning a big issue into a small one, turning a small issue into nothing, and finally leaving it unsettled.
These tactics weren't something that ordinary people could contend against. What could a peasant youth with no background use to fight against so many sects?
But if you objected, you would be making an enemy of these forces, and the consequences … There would be no consequences to speak of.
Bai Pinghai couldn't help but turn to Yu Xingyang and sneer. "Brother Yu, do you not trust my character?"
Yu Xingyang's sneer was even more intense. "Ever since the martial arts conference seven years ago, I've never trusted you."
"You!"
Bai Pinghai's face turned red. Others wouldn't dare speak to him like this, but Yu Xingyang had the right.
Where strength was, the strong were respected. In the Five Great Nations, the only one who dared to speak so bluntly was this arrogant Yu Xingyang.
Bai Pinghai laughed instead of getting angry. "Well then, Brother Yu, if Heaven's Wings is found to be innocent after the investigation, who will prove his innocence?
As someone from the Extraterritorial Devil Kingdom, you might not be aware of Great General Heaven's reputation in our kingdom. The son of a general has been fooled by a country bumpkin. How will he gain the trust of the soldiers in the army in the future? This isn't a small matter, so how should we deal with it?
Please enlighten us. "
His speaking skills were even better than Zhan Long's. Yu Xingyang had originally been in the right, but now he had turned the tables.
As expected, Yu Xingyang shut up. How could Bai Pinghai's words be without reason?
No matter how brilliant Yu Xingyang's saber techniques were or how strong he was, he was still someone from the Extraterritorial Devil Kingdom. He had no right to criticize the kingdom's affairs, not to mention that this was an internal affair of the royal family. It wasn't up to an outsider to interfere.
Taking ten thousand steps back, if Heaven's Wings was really wrongly accused, then who would take responsibility for the mess that was created tonight?
Who would be able to bear this responsibility?
Yu Xingyang's heroic spirit that had just been aroused was immediately replaced by silence. In this world, all people like him were like this. When you had strength, identity, and status, you should never think that everything would go according to your will. Because along with it, you would have a standpoint, concerns, and other considerations. These were all like a spider's web, trapping you and making you unable to move.
However, the young man did not have such shackles. The snowstorm was getting heavier and the bonfire was getting weaker. The young man's chest was straightened and his nervous expression gradually became firm. "If he is innocent, I am willing to use my life to prove his innocence."
As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's expressions changed. Yu Xingyang couldn't help but look at the youth in surprise. He didn't know if the youth was being impulsive or if the youth was already confident.
Bai Pinghai snorted in disdain: "Is your life worth the reputation of being the son of a general?"
The youth was fearless: "I know it's not, but I am also a citizen of the kingdom. Citizens also have dignity and reputation. Besides, if a prince breaks the law, he will be punished like a commoner. I believe that as long as he dares to take off his pants, the truth will be revealed to the world. This is a very simple matter."
Bai Pinghai was really angry. A dignified expert of a generation was actually being interrogated by this country bumpkin, but he couldn't get angry now. He said in a low voice: "So, you don't want to believe me. How about this? You can choose the person who will verify the truth. No one here is a nobody, so presumably they won't play favoritism. You should be relieved now, right?"
This guy was really insidious. Not to mention that none of the young heroes present knew him. Even if he did, he wouldn't have the guts to choose. If he really did choose, he would undoubtedly offend everyone else. Bai Pinghai's ability to divert trouble to others could be considered to be superb.
The youth suddenly smiled. He looked very cold when he didn't smile, but when he smiled, it was very bright: "Senior Bai, it's not that I don't believe you. On the contrary, I trust you very much, and I also trust General Tian, and I trust everyone here. So, if you must make me choose, then I will choose everyone and let everyone verify together. This is the fairest way."
Hearing this, Yu Xingyang actually had the urge to clap his hands. The young man's answer was too beautiful. No matter how treacherous you are, I have a clear conscience. No matter what a righteous person does, he can crush all treacherous evils.
The crowd began to talk again, clearly moved by the youth's words.
"You!" Bai Pinghai was about to refute, but he was unexpectedly stopped by Tian Qing.
Tian Qing turned and looked coldly at Tian Yi, his voice full of irresistible majesty: "Yi 'er, in front of all the guests, take off your pants and let everyone see if this girl is lying.
Or are you committing a crime? "
"I …" Tian Yi's expression was very hesitant. The alcohol in his body turned into large beads of sweat that dripped from his forehead.
Seeing that he was hesitating, Tian Qing's voice returned to the fierce tone he had when he was conquering the world: "What is there to be afraid of?
Take it off! "
Yu Xingyang noticed that although Tian Qing's face was emotionless, his hands behind his back were trembling slightly. At this point, he was almost certain that if Tian Yi dared to take off his pants, he would definitely die.
However, at this moment, an old voice suddenly sounded from the main table: "General Tian, please calm down. I wonder if I, as an outsider, can say a few words?"
A white-haired old man dressed in blue slowly walked into the courtyard. This was the kingdom's previous head of law enforcement, Jiao Gu. He retired after the current king succeeded the throne, but Jiao Gu's reputation was very high. He made friends all over the world when he was in office. No matter who it was, they had more or less received favors from him, and Tian Qing was no exception.
Therefore, although he called himself an outsider, he was in fact not an outsider at all.
Jiao Gu slowly walked in front of the youth and said with a smile: "Young man, my name is Jiao Gu."
The youth immediately bowed: "So it's Mister Jiao. My apologies."
"It's fine!"
Jiao Gu also looked at him with a gentle gaze: "Young man, I am very curious. Who is this deaf-mute girl to you?"
The youth said: "We are not related. I was just hunting in the mountains. I only met her when I saved her this morning."
Everyone sighed. This youth was still too young and did not know anything. Was it worth it for him to be so stubborn?
Yu Xingyang also sighed. He was hot-blooded to seek justice for a complete stranger. Was this not his past self?
Jiao Gu smiled and nodded: "Very good. Young man, you are warm-hearted. I admire you very much."
The youth returned the bow again: "I don't dare!"
Jiao Gu put away his smile and said with a serious expression: "When I was the head of law enforcement, I also knew that the law was merciless. However, it is still too early to say what is right or wrong. I have something to say. Young man, are you willing to listen?"
The youth said: "Mister Jiao, please speak!"
Jiao Gu looked at Tianqing and said meaningfully, "If I remember correctly, General Tian has already been in the army for eighty-three years. During these eighty-three years, General Tian has experienced no less than five hundred battles. Among them, the longest and most tragic battle is the one between the neighboring Jia Yan Empire and our Great Wei Empire. It has lasted for forty years. During these forty years, nearly half of our kingdom's population has been killed or injured, and a third of our territory has been conquered. If it were not for General Tian's many years of valiant fighting and finally recovering the lost land, I don't think I would be able to stand here and talk to you today …"
No one present could deny this point. Tian Qing had indeed played a great role.
Jiao Gu sighed. "What I mean is very simple. More than half of the lives of those present here were given to us by General Tian. He has only protected us within the kingdom's territory for so many years. Now that you suspect that there is a problem with Skywings, let me make a bold assumption. If Skywings is truly wronged, young man, do you really want to throw away your life in vain?"
"Then what if he isn't wronged?" The youth had an oppressive edge to him.
Jiao Gu sighed. "I have been a law enforcer for many years, and there are times when I pay particular attention to showing mercy outside the law. Some things may have been done out of momentary pleasure, or it may have been instigated and blinded by someone else. The purpose of the kingdom's laws is not to punish people but to persuade people to do good. If Skywings isn't wronged, why not give him a chance to turn over a new leaf and do good again?
Young man, you are a good child, and so is Skywings. You are all still young and have a bright future ahead of you. In the future, the kingdom will still need people like you to become pillars of the kingdom, so why do you have to take someone's life?
Bai Pinghai has good intentions and is worried that someone will die in vain. Today is also an auspicious day, so in my opinion, young man, how about I get someone to escort you and this young lady back? If you are willing, I will personally pay you a visit some other day to thank you for your wise choice tonight … "
Not only did these words make everyone present gasp in admiration, it also made Yu Xingyang sigh with emotion that these veterans were really … How should he put it?
Every word was a gem, every step was a trap, twisted talk, coercion, emotion, and reason — everything was contained in these words.
Sure enough, a contemplative look appeared on the youth's face as he turned to look at the young lady.
The young lady, however, had a blank look on her face. She could not hear anything, nor could she speak. In her silent world, the only person she could trust was this youth, because he was the only one who could understand what she meant and what she wanted.
She didn't have any relatives or friends. She didn't even have decent clothes. Therefore, she didn't ask for much. She just wanted justice.
Justice was such a lowly word. In the eyes of those sects, nobles, and powerful people, it was a word that was misspelled. Not only was it vulgar and boring, it was also childish and laughable.
However, justice was such a great word. In the hearts of those hot-blooded and courageous people, this inspiring word would always motivate them and encourage them, telling them that no matter what, they should never give up. They should live for their hearts and fight for their original intentions.
The wind and snow blew, and the young lady shivered in the cold wind. A layer of ice had already formed on her thin clothes.
But she didn't move. She just stared straight at the young man. On her face, there was confusion, the unknown, trust, expectation, gentleness, worry, fear, fear … All the emotions mixed together to form a complex expression that made it difficult for people to look at her directly, and also impossible to reject.
At this moment, the youth slowly turned around and faced Jiao Gu once more.
This time, there was no longer any contemplation or hesitation on the youth's face, only an unwavering determination.