Could it be that I am the cruel villain?
Chapter 503 - 304 Hostage

Chapter 503: Chapter 304 Hostage

"How could it be, how could it be..."

The expression flashed with terror, clearly something unpleasant surfaced in Xuan Yinzi’s mind.

Leaking a cultivation technique is a grave taboo in any sect; the punishments differ among the great sects, but even in relatively humane places like the Purple Cloud Palace, daring to leak the sect’s cultivation technique will result in the immediate crippling of one’s cultivation.

Thus, at that time, neither Su Yi nor Lu Luo taught him, even the fragments of the Purple Cloud Divine Technique were merely hinted at, until later when they vaguely guessed Jiang Feng and Liu Tangxi’s relationship.

Only then, with a mindset of "gambling," did they teach him the technique, risking greatly, but it was this gamble that fully earned Jiang Feng’s trust.

But what about Xuan Yinzi?

"How could it be."

"That day, that day I displayed my skills at the Lin Family out of impulse, the only one who saw the technique was that little girl from the Lin Family."

"The whole Xuanyin City can’t find any trace of that kid, it’s impossible, impossible..."

"How could the kid, who was just a few years old at the time, manage to..."

Fearful, guilty, drenched in sweat.

In his youth, he was reckless; while indulging in fun at Lin Mansion, he heard the Lin Family that managed Xuanyin City’s grain had considerable skills, marrying a disciple from the Joyful Sect.

Moreover, this Joyful Sect disciple had notable origins, not an ordinary disciple, but a direct relative of one of its elders, unparalleled talent, yet unfortunately was ambushed outside, resulting in destroyed meridians and dantian, rendering lifelong inability to cultivate.

Xuanyin Sect actually valued this disciple, even publicly supporting the marriage, the news sparked his curiosity, leading to several days of visiting.

But youth combined with lack of encountering setbacks led him to become too arrogant; relying on his modest accomplishments, he displayed his various skills before ordinary people.

Even deliberately showing off the technique to claim his prowess, utterly unconcerned if someone saw, typical behavior of someone raised within the sect.

This unprecedented feeling of enjoying reverence from countless common folk was exhilarating to Xuan Yinzi.

Until someone truly learned it.

"Impossible, impossible!"

"I eradicated everyone in the Lin Family, it’s impossible there are any survivors, you beast, from which disciple’s mouth did you pry our technique!"

Hysterical shouting.

Unfortunately, his shout lacked conviction, a faint tremor was audible, even now he dared not admit, trying to implicate fellow sect disciples.

He knew the sect rules on leaking cultivation techniques, especially to enemy forces.

Decades ago, in the sect, an uncle took a disciple, born of humble roots, exceptionally talented, very likable, leading the uncle to disregard sect rules and teach the Nine Yin Profound Darkness Art.

But later it was revealed he was a mole sent by enemy forces; although eventually intercepted before escaping with the technique, ending up killed outright.

His uncle was also immediately crippled, exiled beyond ten thousand miles, living with beasts, life became a living nightmare, last heard he lost his life.

"Hehehe, seems you remember well, such an enormous crime, had it not been for killing the whole family to cover it up."

"You can try implicating others all you want, if not for your impulsiveness, I’d have failed to deal with your technique effectively."

"Right, Xuan Yinzi, waving sect’s treasured technique to amuse children—great fun, huh?"

"Now, breaking your disgusting technique is known not just to me, but the entire sect."

"Why don’t you slit your own throat? If you manage to stay alive and return home, your damned old man will be hard-pressed, what if striking his own grandson triggers a heart attack?"

A few words drove Xuan Yinzi insane on the spot.

Last time, he avoided grandfather’s wrath largely due to swift reaction and handling.

Upon noticing someone practicing the technique, he immediately inquired and then directly rampaged through Xuanyin City, exterminating the Lin Family, reporting to the sect at once.

Claiming someone had stolen the technique, urging sect disciples to surveil and seize control of the entire city, stubbornly denying any voluntary leakage.

Claiming he was suddenly sent away while researching the technique, and within a mere cup of tea’s time, a Joyful Sect disciple succeeded, leaving no choice but to kill and erase traces.

Such tales might deceive others, but how could the Xuanyin Sect Leader be unaware of his grandson’s ways?

Would he actively research techniques while enjoying himself away? If he had such resolve and perseverance, would he need so much effort?

It’s easy to guess, likely his grandson foolishly displayed it and was unwittingly seen, yet his quick remedying measures were passable.

Initial murder to erase traces and city lockdown, though causing commotion, ultimately prevented the technique from leaking.

But...

Everyone overlooked Lin Jiangxian.

Or they dismissed the little girl as insignificant, even when offering a bounty for pursuit, it was handled superficially; merely a little girl not fully grown.

"Die, die, for my sake!"