Chapter 1452: Do I Owe You Anything?

Inside the grand hall, the merchants' eyes turned bloodshot. For them, there was no turning back. Killing the young man before them was the only way to survive.

Anger could truly drive people mad.

Just as everyone lunged at Ye Guan, Zou Qin on the stage quietly began to slip away. He had realized that the situation wasn't so simple. The young man's calm demeanor suggested something was off. For the sake of safety, he decided to flee.

Moreover, his instincts were screaming that something terrible was coming, and that ominous feeling was growing stronger by the second.

Most importantly, someone from above had ordered him to leave immediately. Although the reason wasn't clear, it was obvious that this matter was far from ordinary.

Better to flee first than to regret later!

As long as the green hills were there, there was no way they would run out of firewood!

Ye Guan's appearance returned to normal.

The experts charging at him all froze in shock, standing still like clay or wooden statues in an old temple.

The hall fell into a deathly silence. It was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.

"The Academy Master?"

The merchants' eyes widened in disbelief, and they looked like frozen statues.

Even the air itself froze over.

Zou Qin froze mid-escape, and his face turned pale as he looked at Ye Guan.

"This... how is this possible..." he muttered, trembling. Then, terror surged throughout him. In desperation, he shouted, "Kill him! He's an impostor! He dares to impersonate the Academy Master!

"That's a crime punishable by extermination of nine generations!"

"Impersonating the Academy Master?"

The experts looked at each other.

Boom!

Just then, nearly a hundred people burst into the hall. Leading them was Mu Shuo, followed closely by the entire temporary Internal Committee.

Upon seeing them, the faces of everyone in the hall turned pale, looking as if their blood had been drained out of them. Any lingering hope vanished. Some people collapsed to the ground and passed out.

Mu Shuo and her group walked up to Ye Guan and knelt before him.

Ye Guan remained silent.

His silence was like a mountain crushing everyone's chest, suffocating them.

After a long while, Ye Guan looked at Mu Shuo and said, "Stand up."

Mu Shuo slowly stood, her face cold. The fury inside her was like a volcano on the verge of eruption, but with Ye Guan present, she forcibly held it back. She almost went mad upon hearing what had happened.

Treason?

She knew many factions in the Guanxuan Universe opposed the Guanxuan Academy for their own profit, but she hadn't expected them to go as far as plotting rebellion.

It was almost laughable. A bunch of ignorant fools!

Mu Shuo said, "This was my mistake."

At this point, explanations were meaningless. As the leader of the temporary Internal Committee, she couldn't escape blame.

Ye Guan said, "We'll discuss that later."

He turned to look at Zou Qin, whose legs were shaking uncontrollably. More and more merchants collapsed; their earlier boldness and courage utterly gone, replaced with sheer terror.

Ye Guan suddenly opened his palm. A crystal orb appeared. With a tap, a projection appeared, replaying everything that had happened in the hall.

When the scene showed Zou Qin insulting Ye Guan, Mu Shuo and the other elders were furious. When Zou Qin's attempt to control the Inner Committee and the Guanxuan Universe was revealed, everyone glared murderously at him.

Ye Guan said, "Yuan Zhen."

An old man trembled and stepped forward.

"Academy Master..." he said, kneeling.

Ye Guan looked at him. "The Yuan Clan is really something, huh?"

Yuan Zhen quickly kowtowed. "Academy Master, I failed my duties—"

"Have you identified those who are from the Yuan Clan?" Ye Guan asked Mu Shuo, interrupting Yuan Zhen.

"All accounted for," Mu Shuo said, but she was clearly hesitating to say something.

Ye Guan said, "Speak."

Mu Shuo solemnly said, "Many Supreme Emperor Clans and Immortal Clans were involved. Some superficially, while others, like the Divine Clan, are deeply involved.

"Yuan Ling from the Yuan Clan and Li E from the Divine Clan, both members of the temporary Internal Committee, are their informants."

Mu Shuo waved her hand. The two were brought forward.

"No wonder he was so arrogant."

Mu Shuo added, "There are more involved—"

"All right," Ye Guan interrupted, saying, "Anyone involved, skin them alive. Hang their bodies and souls before the city gate and burn them with solar flames. Make sure that they'll stay alive for a hundred years."

Gasps filled the hall.

Even Mu Shuo was shocked.

"No, no!" Zou Qin shouted, "Even for treason, the Guanxuan Laws only prescribe beheading! You..."

Ye Guan opened his palm. A copy of the Guanxuan Laws appeared. He pulled out a pen and quickly scribbled on it. Then, he looked up. "The Guanxuan Laws have been amended. Any objections? I can make more changes right now."

Everyone was at a loss for words.

"Tyrant!" Zou Qin roared, "You're a tyrant!"

Knowing he was doomed, he shouted insults.

Ye Guan waved his hand. A black-clad man appeared and dragged Zou Qin away.

Ye Guan said, "Did you not hear me?"

Everyone looked at him.

"Those involved..." Ye Guan trailed off, glancing at the kneeling merchants. That one glance made several of them faint from fear.

More black-clad men rushed forward to round them up.

Ye Guan added, "Take everything into account. Everything they own is to be confiscated."

Soon, all the merchants were dragged away like dead dogs.

Ye Guan turned to Yuan Zhen and the Divine Clan's Leader, Shen Yong.

Both knelt, silent.

Ye Guan stared at them, asking, "Zou Qin wasn't even a Saint. You expect me to believe that he had that much power? I'll give you one last chance to confess."

Ye Guan received no reply. He opened his palm. A mysterious power enveloped them. In an instant, he forcefully read their memories.

𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞

After a moment, he withdrew his hand.

Yuan Zhen, pale-faced, said, "Academy Master, I..."

Ye Guan shook his head. "Too late."

He conjured a scroll and began writing. Hundreds of names appeared. "Those in this list are to be executed by slow slicing. Do it now."

A black-clad man stepped forward, bowed, and took the list away with him.

Yuan Zhen shouted, "Academy Master! The Yuan Clan has been following you from the very beginning! Even if we haven't done much, we've been loyal to you! Are you now killing the donkey after it's done working?"

Trying to save himself, Yuan Zhen threw off his fear.

Mu Shuo snapped, "Yuan Zhen! What do you mean you've contributed? Before meeting the Academy Master in the Ten Desolate Universe, the Yuan Clan had nothing!

"Not even one Supreme Emperor! And now you have six! Without the Academy Master, could your clan have produced one on your own?"

Ye Guan calmly said, "No need to explain to him."

The black-clad men dragged them away.

Yuan Zhen cackled, "Mu Shuo! Your Mu Clan will suffer this fate, too! Just wait!"

Shen Yong suddenly said, "Academy Master, I know I deserve death. But I must say one thing."

"Speak."

Shen Yong stared at him. "Why does the Academy only favor Mu Shuo?"

Ye Guan responded, "Doesn't the Divine Clan have members in the Inner Committee?"

"Yes, but no clan has as much power as the Mu Clan."

"Do I owe you anything?"

Shen Yong was stunned.

"Clan Leader Shen Yong, let me ask you this. Do I, Ye Guan, owe your Divine Clan anything?"

Shen Yong was speechless.

Ye Guan smiled. "I built this Order based on my ideals, but that doesn't mean you can use it to bind me. From the Ten Desolate Universe until now, haven't I given the Supreme Emperor Clans and Immortal Clans enough?

"Unfortunately, people always want more. You've forgotten that I owe you nothing."

Ye Guan looked around at everyone. "Someone once told me this—give someone a cup of rice, and they'll be grateful. Give them a sack of rice, and they'll start to resent you.

"Gratitude is indeed rare. I just didn't think it would come true so quickly, and for it to affect me. I built this Order for my ideals, not to shackle myself. If anyone tries to use it to chain me, they are making a huge mistake."

Ye Guan turned around to leave, saying, "Today, I want everyone to understand that those who do good will be rewarded, and those who do evil will be punished."

Just then, half of his Guanxuan Laws turned blood-red. His Order Sword Intent also became half blood-red. Great virtue and great evil—they were two sides of one coin.

Ye Guan had become even stronger once again. Even without the power of faith, he could now contend against Civilization Lords.

Behind him, Shen Yong and the others were pale with despair. Utter regret! Greed had destroyed them!

Fifteen minutes later, over ten thousand people were executed by slow slicing. Thousands were skinned alive, and their souls were scorched by solar fire. Their screams shook the firmament itself.

Below the city wall, a projection showed the conspirators' secret meeting.

Citizens gathered around, fuming with righteous anger.

"Good! Burn those animals!"

Ye Guan stood quietly watching. After a while, he said, "Using cruel laws against evil men will earn the support of good people."

Then he turned and left.

Little Pagoda suddenly said,

"We can finally develop in peace now."

Ye Guan smiled.

"Master Pagoda, are you dreaming? Develop in peace?"

"Why not?"

Ye Guan looked toward the stars.

"The Great Daoist Brush Master wants the 'Breaking Wall Scripture.' So does Sui Gujin. They both want to use their heads to obtain it. What does that mean?"

"What?"

"It means they're not invincible in the Main Universe. That means other top powers also covet that scripture. If you were them, what would you do?"

"If I were them, I'd ally with you."

"

Hahaha.

" Ye Guan laughed.

"Master Pagoda, throughout history, all dynasties had powerful ministers. How come they simply served the emperor instead of seizing power?"

Little Pagoda was silent.

Ye Guan smiled.

"Because they lacked strength. Just like Sui Gujin said, if it were my aunt building the order, no one would dare object. But I'm different. I'm not strong or smart enough. Why would they serve me? Besides, people like that are incredibly proud. They only submit to those far superior in strength and wisdom."

"Master Pagoda, think about the Great Daoist Brush Master. My father was exceptional. Had he ever submitted to him?"

Little Pagoda sighed.

Ye Guan continued,

"If even my father couldn't make him yield, how can I dare to try? I could attempt to use my aunt to threaten him, but my aunt would never agree to that, as she's prouder than anyone.

"And if I were to make her do that, I'd be a disappointment. The Great Daoist Brush Master would just look down on me."

Little Pagoda asked,

"And what about Sui Gujin? Is there no affection between you two?"

Ye Guan smiled faintly.

"Master Pagoda, what kind of woman is she?"

"She's formidable!"

Ye Guan nodded. "A woman that powerful, how could she fall for a man so easily?"

"Well, Lady Jingzhao likes you."

"But it's all because I'm a Supreme Emperor."

Little Pagoda was stunned.