I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

Hidden Families

Under Ye Yong’s mediation, the high-ranking members of the two sects engaged in their first “calm” conversation. The two elders who had accused Li Lanshan of being the murderer remained silent throughout, like mere shadows.

“If it’s not you, then who could it be!?” Just because cultivators live long lives doesn’t mean they are necessarily wise. Some things, they’ve seen enough of, and have more experience in handling. However, He Shi was dealing with the death of his son for the first time, had no experience, and was in deep sorrow, so he could only cling to the assumption that Li Lanshan was the murderer, attempting to avenge his son by punishing the supposed killer, hoping to find solace in his loss.

“I don’t know. But what He Ma said in the secret realm, his crude words and illicit thoughts, were all true.” Li Lanshan was also a tough character; she might be grieving, but the fact that her son was a scoundrel wouldn’t change.

And just like that, He Shi’s emotions flared up again: “You’re talking nonsense! He’s already left! What more do you want? Why are you slandering him!”

“Miss Li is not slandering anyone. I can testify to that, and the reason I offered my assistance was precisely because of this. More than ten people surrounded three weak women—tch, it really opened my eyes.” Ye Yong mercilessly delivered the final blow. Although He Shan Sect was being used by Songwa Sect, they couldn’t be called good people. Having read the novel, Ye Yong didn’t have a favorable impression of them.

No one dared to refute Ye Yong; what he said was the truth.

He Shi stammered, “It must be someone who incited him.”

Ye Yong couldn’t be bothered to wake those pretending to be asleep and directly said, “You can deduce whether Miss Li and the others lied based on their time of entering the secret realm and returning to the sect.”

“The secret realm opened at the end of the fifteenth day…” Soon, the elders of Yilian Sect began to cross-check the data.

According to Ye Yong’s testimony, the timing of encountering Li Lanshan and escorting her out of the secret realm, combined with their return to the sect, showed little discrepancy, meaning Li Lanshan and the others had not returned to the secret realm.

However, all of this was based on the premise that Ye Yong was not lying. But no one dared to question him, so it was tacitly accepted that things were indeed as he said.

“Even if they didn’t return to the secret realm, they could still have leaked various information about Xiao Ma and the others to the demonic cult in advance, becoming accomplices.” He Qiwei interjected.

“Do you know? If you want to prove someone colluded with the demonic cult, you should provide evidence, not make the other party prove their innocence. Just like me saying you colluded with the demonic cult—do you have evidence to prove your innocence?”

He Qiwei fell silent. He Shi was stubborn, wanting to confront Ye Yong: “You’re being unreasonable! My father is an elder of He Shan Sect! How could he do such a thing!”

“She is the daughter of the sect leader, with a bright future ahead. To escape her suitors, would she really risk her future by colluding with the demonic cult?” Ye Yong sneered: “Think about it. If they were truly involved, wouldn’t they rush to find their elders to complain upon returning, fearing that others would find out they had been in contact with the deceased? Wouldn’t that just increase their own suspicion?”

—

—

In the final secret realm, there were so many people present. As long as some rewards were offered to gather witnesses who had seen their movements, their whereabouts and the place they disappeared to could be uncovered. To jump to conclusions without thorough investigation is to have lived in vain for so long.

A simple deduction, easy to understand. Even someone as muddled as He Shi had to admit that Ye Yong was right at this moment.

This matter couldn’t withstand careful investigation and scrutiny; it was all the work of the Songwa Sect. The major sects playing with the much weaker middle and small sects was simply too easy. Those two elders who incited the crowd and labeled Li Lanshan as the culprit were their people. With an insider among them, how could one expect rational judgment? Dream on.

However, after providing the direction for the investigation, Ye Yong felt a twinge of regret. This was tantamount to sending them to investigate Long Tian. But Long Tian wasn’t wearing the attire of the Tianluo Sect at the time, and he had his face covered. Even if there were witnesses, they wouldn’t be able to ascertain his identity. Relying solely on the He Mountain Sect, it was impossible to find extraordinary individuals to assist in the investigation. As long as Ye Yong’s identity remained undisclosed and no external forces were involved, it should be manageable.

After some self-reassurance, Ye Yong stated that he had said enough and warned the He Mountain Sect not to make further mistakes.

Jia Bi had long since left, clearly returning to report the situation to his sect and discuss countermeasures with his companions.

As for the He Mountain Sect, they had arrived with great momentum but left in silence and low profile, like a lost dog.

With the crisis temporarily averted, back at the Yilian Sect, the recently concluded banquet was soon held again, and it was even more grand. If the previous one was specifically prepared for the esteemed guest Ye Yong, then this moment was a celebration for the entire sect.

Fighting with the He Mountain Sect, the worst outcome would be the sacrifice of disciples, and failing to protect Li Lanshan and the others would render everything futile. Yet sometimes, knowing it’s futile, one still has to act. With just a few words, Ye Yong had helped them avoid a disastrous battle, and everyone felt a sense of survival after the calamity, feasting heartily on meat and drink, reveling in the moment.

Another banquet, Ye Yong felt numb; it seemed wherever he went, there was a feast. Returning late to the Yinhua Hall would surely mean another round of dining.

He didn’t pick up his chopsticks, merely sitting at the guest table. When someone raised a toast to him, he slightly lifted his cup but didn’t drink.

Finally, the sect leader Li Hong approached Ye Yong and bowed deeply: “Your great kindness, we at the Yilian Sect will never forget. However, we do not know the name of our benefactor. Without knowing how to repay this kindness, it does not align with our sect’s teachings. We earnestly request the young master to reveal his name.”

Even if they hadn’t asked, Ye Yong would have voluntarily disclosed it. Not for any other reason, but in case the Songwa Sect thought he had some deep connection with the Yilian Sect. Even if he revealed the news about taking the stone key, the Songwa Sect would still target the Yilian Sect. Thus, he needed to clarify the relationship, indicating that he was merely passing through; aside from his name, the Yilian Sect knew nothing else about him.

Sitting on the high platform, Ye Yong’s gaze swept over the thousands of disciples below. He was a hundred percent certain that there were spies from the Songwa Sect among them. He took out paper and pen, writing two large characters neatly and decisively.

Ye Wu.

“Ah, so it’s Young Master Ye Wu! My apologies!” Li Hong and the others hadn’t thought of the Ye family’s young master. But a prominent family with the surname Ye… did such a family exist? They couldn’t recall, but since Young Master Ye Wu was sitting here, there must be one. Li Hong and the others even began to imagine that the Ye family was a hidden clan, and Young Master Ye Wu was out in the mortal world for training.

“I can only disclose my name; other matters are inconvenient to discuss.” Ye Yong already gave off a mysterious vibe, and with a little more mystique, it felt even more like the air of a hidden family.

“Of course, of course.” “We won’t ask further.”

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Ye Yong felt quite satisfied.

After all, he had done all he could. If the Yilian Sect still faced a disastrous end despite this, it would be the will of heaven. Ye Yong