The Blade-Wielding Legend
Chapter 377 - 234 Stirring up Trouble

Chapter 377: Chapter 234 Stirring up Trouble

Hearing Li Yan’s ridicule, the scholars were all infuriated.

They were used to banding together and criticizing others who dared not retort, but now, unexpectedly, someone from the pugilistic world dared to disrespect them.

To the commoners, they were untouchable.

Officials, who valued their reputation in the scholarly circles, were also reluctant to offend.

But encountering someone like Li Yan was simply bad luck; he didn’t treat the scholars with any respect.

At this moment, however, Grandmaster Song remained calm, turned his head to glance at them, suppressed everyone’s rage, and then calmly said, "We have reasons to be angry. Tell us, what do you want to know?"

This old man, able to become the grandmaster, was naturally no ordinary person.

Dealing with County Magistrate Wu could involve complicated entanglements, but arguing with a martial artist like Li Yan would only bring disgrace upon himself.

Li Yan nodded slightly, asking, "The incident at Erbei Bay, how did you gentlemen come to know of it?"

Grandmaster Song snorted, "With the whole city abuzz, how could we not know?"

Li Yan didn’t care, he continued, "Then do you gentlemen believe that a demon caused this incident, or did the Three Lus Doctor reveal his spirit?"

Upon hearing this, both Grandmaster Song and County Magistrate Wu’s expressions changed instantly.

It was a question they couldn’t answer.

If it was a demon’s doing, and the Academy was stirring up trouble, wouldn’t that simply be malevolent, especially at such a critical time?

If they claimed the Three Lus Doctor revealed his spirit, that implied the court and local officials were corrupt, inviting disaster.

The commoners could say such things, but they absolutely could not.

After pondering for a moment, Grandmaster Song said, "A fine question, I too am puzzled, but right and wrong will eventually come to light."

"And this investigation of yours, is it based on mere wild guesses?"

"Of course not."

Li Yan glanced coldly at them, "Take a look for yourselves, is there anything peculiar about where you are standing?"

The people from the Academy looked at each other, noticing nothing.

However, the eagle-eyed County Magistrate Wu, looking above, stroked his beard and smiled, "Grandmaster Song, don’t blame Young Hero Li for saying you are faint-hearted. Look, why did you all avoid this ’Bright Mirror Hung High’ plaque?"

Prompted by his words, the Academy people then realized, they had indeed entered the county government hall together, but subconsciously avoided the center, staying to the sides.

"Do not be hasty in your rebuttal."

Seeing that Grandmaster Song was about to say something, Li Yan cut him off directly, speaking indifferently, "Just stare at that ’Bright Mirror Hung High’ plaque and see how long you can endure."

Hearing this, instead of getting angry, everyone looked up.

After that, many noticed the peculiarity.

When they first entered the county government hall, they felt sick and annoyed, thinking it was because they found Wu Defa displeasing.

However, looking at the plaque revealed the source of that sensation.

Some merely glanced twice before feeling extreme disgust and discomfort.

Others, unconvinced, stared intently but soon felt a suffocating nausea, unable to help but vomit out a sour stench.

"Tsk tsk."

Sha Lifei, also finding these people unpleasant, couldn’t help but utter a strange comment, "No wonder there’s a saying about sour and corrupt Confucians."

Grandmaster Song, enduring his nausea and ignoring Sha Lifei’s ridicule, said gravely, "Mr. Li, are we under some evil spell?"

"Not at all."

Li Yan replied calmly, "You are merely tainted with demonic energy!"

Indeed, the moment they entered, he noticed something was amiss. Discreetly performing the Yang Jue mana, he immediately detected a faint Yin Evil Qi.

This scent, tinged with foulness.

Li Yan sensed it came from some kind of demon.

He originally wanted to confront them directly, but they were so noisy and annoying upon their arrival that he decided to teach them a lesson.

"Ugh!"

Meanwhile, occasional vomiting still occurred in the hall.

Despite the stench, County Magistrate Wu, seeing the scholars’ disheveled state, felt quite pleased and said indifferently, "Someone, clean up the filth in the hall."

His words carried a double meaning, clearly mocking.

At this point, Grandmaster Song could no longer bother with him and turned to Li Yan, bowing slightly, "Mr. Li is indeed extraordinary. I was rude just now. What exactly happened to us?"

Li Yan shook his head, "Didn’t I just say? You’re tainted with demonic energy. It won’t cost you your lives for now, but who knows about the longer term."

"Let’s not dwell on this matter for now. I have another question."

"Please, Mr. Li." Grandmaster Song was noticeably more respectful.

Li Yan looked at the crowd and said gravely, "The incident at Erbei Bay is likely connected to the unrest in the Southwest. Someone is taking advantage of the situation to stir up public sentiment, preparing for war."

"With your wisdom, Grandmaster, do you not see this?"

Grandmaster Song paused for a moment, "Indeed, I have had my suspicions."

Li Yan narrowed his eyes slightly, "Knowing this, why do you still incite unrest, are you being manipulated by someone?"

Smack!

Before he could finish, County Magistrate Wu furiously slammed the gavel, his previously amiable face now completely stern, and he coldly said, "Song Mingshu, despite being the grandmaster of the Academy, how dare you collude with the rebels, are you plotting a rebellion?"

Anger flashed in Grandmaster Song’s eyes.

But before he could speak, Li Yan glanced at the platform, showing some impatience, "Why the rush, Lord Wu?"

"Scheming and plotting without choosing the right moment..."

"I!"

County Magistrate Wu Dehai, choked by the words, was furious inside.

Seeing Li Yan confront the scholars, he was initially pleased, thinking this man was venting on his behalf, but unexpectedly, Li Yan showed no favor to either side.

Truly, a rogue from the pugilistic world, utterly unbridled!

"Hmph!"

Grandmaster Song gave him a cold look and said gravely, "To be honest, I suspect this matter involves the Tusi, and the root of it lies with our very own County Magistrate!"

"Utter nonsense!"

Unable to hold back any longer, County Magistrate Wu, with a grim face, retorted, "Song Mingshu, don’t think that just because you have someone’s protection, I wouldn’t dare to take you down."