"William, don't jump to conclusions just yet!"
Elder Nian waved his hand. "Let's break it down: The Heavenly Melody Sect married Snow Yue to you because they wanted to use my influence to boost their own status. Just for that reason alone, they wouldn't have the guts to send a fake Snow Yue to fool us—let alone, they have absolutely no reason to do so!"
After hearing Elder Nian's analysis, William Nangong gradually calmed down and couldn't help but recall Leon Huang in his mind. "Master, I just thought of someone—maybe he's the one behind all this!"
"Who is it?" Elder Nian asked.
"His name is Leon Huang," William said through gritted teeth.
"Ah, him!" Elder Nian nodded. "Among the younger generation, Leon Huang is one of the few who I take seriously. But why do you suspect him?"
William hesitated for a moment, but still explained his suspicion that Leon Huang might be involved with Snow Yue.
"Hmph! This Leon Huang is bold, daring to lay a finger on my disciple's woman. If it's really him, I definitely won't let him off!" Elder Nian snorted coldly.
............
A few days later, a group from the Holy City quietly arrived at the Heavenly Melody Sect and was personally received by Sect Master Grace Gao.
Sect Master Hall.
When the visitors explained their purpose, Grace Gao was utterly shocked. Her expression flickered between pale and flushed, her eyes filled with anger and even a hint of murderous intent.
She never would have imagined, even in her wildest dreams, that Snow Yue had actually pulled off a 'steal-the-beams, swap-the-pillars' trick.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to calm down. Right now, the most important thing was to give Elder Nian an explanation. Otherwise, if Elder Nian got angry, the whole Heavenly Melody Sect wouldn't be able to bear the consequences. So she said to the middle-aged man sitting beside her, "Mr. Liang, please tell Elder Nian that our Heavenly Melody Sect will do everything in our power to find Snow Yue and hand her over for his judgment!"
The middle-aged man was Liam Liang, Elder Nian's third disciple, whose cultivation had already reached mid-stage Martial Saint.
Because this matter concerned the reputation of both Elder Nian and William Nangong, it couldn't be investigated openly. In the end, Liam Liang came personally to look into it.
Liam Liang nodded. "That's for the best. However, before coming to Heavenly Melody, I visited the brothel where the girl worked and questioned the madam and steward. According to their testimony, the person who redeemed the girl was likely your sect's Punishment Elder, Faye Mei. Sect Master Gao, please summon Elder Mei so we can clarify things!"
"What?"
Grace Gao was once again stunned, but she knew this wasn't something to be taken lightly. If Faye Mei was really involved, she'd have no choice but to hand her over to appease Elder Nian's anger.
Soon, Faye Mei arrived at the Sect Master Hall.
"Greetings, Sect Master." Faye Mei respectfully bowed to Grace Gao.
"Junior Sister Mei, this is Mr. Liang, Elder Nian's disciple," Grace Gao introduced. "Mr. Liang, this is our Heavenly Melody Sect's Punishment Elder, Faye Mei."
"Greetings, Mr. Liang."
Faye Mei politely cupped her fists to Liam Liang.
"You're welcome."
Liam Liang nodded, then looked at Faye Mei. "Elder Mei, I have a few questions for you. Please answer truthfully."
Faye Mei frowned. "Mr. Liang, what do you mean by this?"
Grace Gao interjected, "Junior Sister, just answer Mr. Liang's questions honestly."
"Yes." Faye Mei responded coldly.
"Elder Mei, did you go to Ten-Thousand-Fathom City two months ago?" Liam Liang asked.
"No, I haven't." Though Faye Mei disliked the implication, she answered truthfully.
"Do you recognize these two people?" Liam Liang asked.
Liam Liang waved his hand, and a man and a woman stepped forward.
The woman was in her thirties and carried a strong air of the brothel; the man was over forty, looked ordinary, and his cultivation was only at the fifth or sixth level of Qi Refining.
Faye Mei glanced at the two and said calmly, "I don't know them."
"Alright," Liam Liang nodded, then turned to the man and woman. "Do you recognize her?"
The woman replied, "Sir, the person at that time wore a veil, so we couldn't see her true face. But her bearing and clothing were very similar to this lady here."
"Think carefully—was there anything you might have overlooked?" Liam Liang prompted.
The two fell into deep thought, and seeing this, Faye Mei had a vague sense of unease.
Suddenly, the madam exclaimed, "I remember now! The veiled woman seemed extremely disgusted by our brothel—she didn't touch the tea or snacks we served, and wouldn't even touch our tables and chairs, as if she thought everything was filthy!"
On hearing this, Grace Gao's expression changed abruptly; she knew her junior sister had a cleanliness obsession and would never eat or drink at the brothel.
Liam Liang, highly observant, noticed Grace Gao's reaction and realized the madam had revealed an important clue. He asked seriously, "Sect Master Gao, have you remembered something? Don't hide it."
Grace Gao hesitated, then admitted, "I won't hide it from you, Mr. Liang. Actually, Junior Sister Mei does suffer from a cleanliness obsession."
On hearing this, Liam Liang's eyes lit up and he subconsciously looked Faye Mei over. Her robes were spotless white, and she was using true qi under her feet to avoid contact with the ground. Clearly, her cleanliness obsession was severe, making her all the more suspicious.
Faye Mei felt increasingly uneasy and asked Grace Gao, "Sect Master, what exactly is going on?"
Grace Gao sighed softly, "A few days ago, the Snow Yue whom William Nangong married was a fake—a brothel girl."
"Impossible!"
Faye Mei exclaimed, "Snow Yue was always under my watch—how could she be a fake?"
"There's a saying: the guard turns thief." Liam Liang said coldly.
"You suspect me?" Faye Mei glared at Liam Liang.
"Why not?" Liam Liang replied calmly. "Elder Mei, if you really switched out Snow Yue, tell us where she is. There's still a chance to make things right. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude."
"It wasn't me!" Faye Mei responded angrily.
"But you're the most suspicious!" Liam Liang's face turned cold, his tone becoming harsher.
"I know—it must have been Leon Huang! Leon Huang is the one who switched out Snow Yue!" Faye Mei suddenly said excitedly.
Liam Liang said seriously, "I've heard of Leon Huang. His formation skills are impressive, but sneaking into Heavenly Melody Sect and taking someone away unnoticed wouldn't be easy. Besides, didn't you just say Snow Yue was always under your watch? How do you explain that?"
"I...!" Faye Mei was left speechless by the question, but stubbornly insisted, "Anyway, I didn't rescue Snow Yue. My conscience is clear!"