Marcus Ma's face changed dramatically, turning pale, and his eyes flashed with panic. But as a Supreme Elder for many years, he quickly regained his composure and even questioned Ian Song: "Leon Huang, what do you mean by this? Why did you arrest my disciple? Are you trying to rule over Pristine Way Sect with an iron fist?"
Two sharp questions in a row—not only did he try to bite back at Ian, he even tried to pin a big accusation on him. You had to admit, Marcus Ma still had some tricks up his sleeve.
But Ian Song didn’t panic at all. Instead, he smiled and said, “Elder Marcus, do you really not know why I had Jared Tan arrested?”
"Heh, you already killed three of my disciples, and now you’ve arrested Jared. Are you planning to wipe out all my disciples? Or is it that you can’t tolerate anyone opposing you, and you’re just settling personal grudges?"
Marcus Ma didn’t answer the question directly. Instead, he kept trying to throw mud at Ian.
Then Marcus Ma turned to the other Supreme Elders: "Everyone sees this, right? This is our future Sect Master—vengeful, petty, and totally intolerant. If he ever becomes the head of Pristine Way Sect, anyone who opposes him better watch their necks!"
As soon as he said this, the crowd’s expressions changed, and quite a few Supreme Elders started looking thoughtful.
Ian Song just shook his head and said, "Elder Marcus, I suggest you come clean."
"And what exactly do you want me to confess to?" Marcus Ma sneered, then his face took on a look of grief. "I joined Pristine Way Sect at sixteen and climbed step by step to where I am today. Maybe I haven’t accomplished anything earth-shattering, but I’ve done plenty for this sect. Now, all I get is my disciples killed or arrested, and everyone suspecting me."
At this point, Marcus Ma couldn’t help but shed two tears.
Seeing this, quite a few Supreme Elders showed sympathy, silently replaying his words in their minds. Was it really a good idea for Leon Huang to become Sect Master?
Marcus Ma threw his sleeves dramatically: "Enough. Since Pristine Way Sect has no place for me, I’ll just quit!"
Fishing for sympathy, retreating in order to advance!
Marcus Ma really knew how to play the game. Even Ian Song had to admit it was impressive.
But it was all for nothing.
Ian Song didn’t think all that talk could actually change Marcus Ma’s situation.
"Elder Marcus, don’t be impulsive. Maybe there’s some kind of misunderstanding here," one Supreme Elder tried to comfort him.
"No need, Elder Cang. My mind is made up. Since Pristine Way Sect has no place for me, I’ll just go home and enjoy my old age!" Marcus Ma’s tone was full of sorrow.
"Elder Marcus, don’t be impulsive!"
Another Supreme Elder spoke up, looking a bit dissatisfied at Ian Song: "Leon, I hope you’ll give everyone an explanation!"
Marcus Ma said calmly, sounding like a master who’d seen through the world’s troubles: "My heart is dead. What’s the point of an explanation? Just don’t make things difficult for me, Sect Master Huang—let me leave Pristine Way Sect in peace."
"Leon, what’s really going on here? Just tell us already!" Cole Chong Duan couldn’t help but get anxious for Ian Song.
"Elders," Ian Song faced the crowd and said loudly, "I may be young, but I do have tolerance. As for why I arrested Jared Tan, let him explain it himself!"
For a moment, all eyes turned to Jared Tan.
Marcus Ma’s eyes narrowed, staring hard at Jared Tan, a hint of panic in his gaze.
Jared Tan swallowed nervously and slowly spoke: "Actually, I’m an undercover agent for the Divine Moon Sect!"
The crowd erupted in shock.
And the way they looked at Marcus Ma changed, too. After all, Jared Tan was his disciple—whether he knew or not, he was responsible. If he did know, then things were really serious.
"Did Elder Marcus know about your true identity?" Ian Song pressed.
"He didn’t know at first. Only found out recently," Jared Tan replied.
"Then why didn’t he expose you?" Ian Song asked again.
"I didn’t expose him because I valued our master-disciple bond too much and was caught in a dilemma!" Marcus Ma jumped in to explain.
That statement was clearly meant to dodge blame, but it also admitted he knew about Jared Tan’s identity.
Ian Song shot him a mocking look: "No rush, Elder Marcus. You’ll get your chance to defend yourself soon enough."
Hearing this, Marcus Ma’s heart skipped a beat. He realized he’d lost his cool and said the wrong thing, and for a moment he wished he could slap himself.
Ian Song continued interrogating Jared Tan: "How did your master find out about your identity?"
"I told him myself," Jared Tan said.
"Why would you do that?"
"Because I wanted to turn my master into an inside man for the Divine Moon Sect."
"So, did you succeed in convincing him?"
"My master already agreed!" Jared Tan nodded firmly.
"Do you have any proof?"
"I have a sealed letter from my master to the Divine Moon Sect’s leader."
As he said this, Jared Tan pulled a sealed letter from his robe.
Seeing the letter, Marcus Ma instantly went limp. He knew he was finished, but still clung to hope. Suddenly, murderous intent flashed in his eyes—he lunged at Jared Tan, hand raised to strike his head: "You wretch! How dare you frame me? I’ll kill you!"
Bang!
A figure flashed—a sword struck Marcus Ma and sent him flying.
"Elder Marcus, were you trying to silence him?" Ian Song stared coldly at him. "If you tell the truth right now, considering your years of service to Pristine Way Sect, we might spare your life!"
"Hahaha!"
Marcus Ma steadied himself and burst out laughing: "You brat, you think you can make me confess? Dream on. I’ll just go first—wait for me down below! When the Thirty-Eight Sects attack, none of you bastards will survive!"
Bang!
Marcus Ma slapped his own forehead and collapsed backward.
Even with his reputation as a traitor, seeing Marcus Ma die by suicide left the Supreme Elders sighing in regret.
"Someone, take Marcus Ma’s body and give him a proper burial," Elder Shea said, his mood heavy. Instantly, two young disciples entered from outside to carry the body away.
"Wait!"
Ian Song suddenly called out.
"A dead man is like an extinguished lamp. Leon, what more is there to say?" Elder Carl Cang said, his tone already showing some impatience.
"Heh."
Ian Song let out a soft laugh, making Elder Carl Cang even more annoyed. Just as he was about to scold Ian, Ian raised a hand to signal him to stop, then stepped up to Marcus Ma’s body and said playfully: "Elder Marcus, this fake death trick fooled everyone—but not me. Get up, the floor’s too cold!"
Marcus Ma didn’t move.
"Leon, Elder Marcus is dead—how could he be faking?" Elder Carl Cang was even more annoyed, and the other elders nodded in agreement. After all, a Grandmaster’s senses are sharp; there was no trace of life in Marcus Ma’s body, so how could he be faking?
"Is that so?"
Ian Song smiled faintly, then suddenly drew his sword and said, "If he’s really dead, then I’ll cut off his head to check!"
"Stop!"
Someone shouted, but Ian Song was too fast—his sword was already at Marcus Ma’s neck, and it was too late to stop him.
Bang!
Just then, Marcus Ma—supposedly dead—suddenly opened his eyes, slapped Ian Song’s sword away in fury, and turned into a blur as he shot toward the hall’s exit. Everyone was stunned, especially Elder Carl Cang, who looked embarrassed and angry!