Chapter 4003: Long Qing Chong Was Framed

Even after Yang Qian Ye turned around and walked into the inn, Duan Ling Tian still did not recover from his shock and confusion. When he returned to his senses, he quickly sent a message to Long Qing Chong, the Sect Leader of the Flying Dragon Sect, as he walked into the inn.

"Sect leader, are you free?"

"Yes," Long Qing Chong replied immediately, "What is it? You should be leaving for the Profound Jade Mansion to participate in the Seven Mansions Feast soon, right?"

Although the Flying Dragon Sect was not eligible to participate in the Seven Mansions Feast, they were still aware of many details such as its venue.

"That's right. I'm on my way to the Profound Jade Mansion," Duan Ling Tian replied.

"You're already on the way there?" Long Qing Chong's eyes lit up, and he smiled as he replied, "Duan Ling Tian, based on your strength you should be able to rank in the top three during the Seven Mansions Feast."

"Sect leader, you heard about what happened ten years ago?" Duan Ling Tian asked. However, he was not surprised.

After all, even an elder from a lord-rank force in the Green Province Mansion had heard about what happened. How could Long Qing Chong, the Sect Leader of the Flying Dragon Sect, an emperor-rank force in the Eastern Ridge Mansion, be unaware of that incident in the Seven Kills Valley? Even if Long Qing Chong spent most of his time in the Imperial War Realm, he would still hear about it at some point. Unless he had just come out from the battlefield in the Imperial War Realm today, it would be impossible for him to have not heard about it. After all, apart from the battlefields, communication was possible in the Imperial War Realm.

"Of course, I've heard about it," Long Qing Chong replied, "As the Sect Leader of the Flying Dragon Sect, I'd be grossly out of touch if I didn't hear about it."

A complicated expression appeared on Long Qing Chong's face when he replied to Duan Ling Tian. He had long known Duan Ling Tian was highly talented and would definitely be chosen to represent the Pure Yang Sect in the Seven Mansions Feast; he also knew Duan Ling Tian had a high chance of ranking in the top ten. However, he did not expect Duan Ling Tian to gain such great support from the Pure Yang Sect and become an intermediate Lord of Gods in such a short time. Not only that, but Duan Ling Tian even defeated Wanqi Hong in the Seven Kills Valley two years after becoming an intermediate Lord of Gods.

Long Qing Chong naturally knew that Wanqi Hong was the top prodigy in the Wanqi clan, one of the top forces in the Eastern Ridge Mansion, and the Eastern Ridge Mansion below the age of 10,000. How could he not feel shocked when such a person was defeated by Duan Ling Tian who once used to be the Flying Dragon Sect's proud prodigy?

Duan Ling Tian chuckled in response to Long Qing Chong's words before he went straight to the point. He asked, "Sect leader, did you hear anything about the 10,000 Devils Sect recently? Did something happen to their sect leader?"

"You've heard about it as well?" Long Qing Chong said. His voice changed slightly upon hearing Duan Ling Tian's question. Then, he said, "Wait. If you've heard about it, you wouldn't ask me those questions. Indeed, something happened. Lan Qing, the Sect Leader of the 10,000 Devils Sect, is dead. Why did you suddenly ask about it?"

......

Duan Ling Tian's expression froze when he heard Long Qing Chong's reply. 'Did Yang Qian Ye change so drastically because of his father's death?'

Duan Ling Tian did not hold back and recounted what happened earlier to Long Qing Chong.

"Yang Qian Ye told you to tell me that he'll personally avenge his father one day?" Long Qing Chong said with a faint smile on his face, "It seems like he thinks I killed his father."

"Sect leader, what happened?" Duan Ling Tian asked with a frown.

"Lan Qing was murdered. The 10,000 Devils Sect has been spreading rumors that I killed him," Long Qing Chong said, "Do you believe me if I say I have nothing to do with Lan Qing's death?"

Duan Ling Tian grew even more confused. "What happened exactly, sect leader? Why would the 10,000 Devils Sect accuse you of that?"

"It's said that Lan Qing's murder was recorded by a Floating Image Pearl. Although the culprit's face was not revealed, his figure and the law he comprehended were clearly recorded," Long Qing Chong explained, "Perhaps, most people would mistake the culprit for me. After all, the culprit's figure and the law he comprehended were the same as mine. However, those who are familiar with me would be able to tell that the person in the recording isn't me. My movements now are more restrained and not so exaggerated. Clearly, the culprit was trying to imitate me when killing Lan Qing. I tried to investigate this matter, but I found nothing. I wonder what's the culprit's motive. To instigate Yang Qian Ye so Yang Qian Ye will seek revenge from me? Or is the culprit hoping the powerhouse in the Pure Yang Sect, who supports Yang Qian Ye, will kill me on Yang Qian Ye's behalf?"

Although Long Qing Chong had spoken calmly, Duan Ling Tian could detect the underlying anger in Long Qing Chong's voice. He could understand Long Qing Chong's anger at being wrongly accused, after all.

"If I wanted to kill Lan Qing, I wouldn't have acted so cowardly. Even if I wanted to hide my identity, would I be so exaggerated with my movements or use methods that would enable others to identify me? It's unfortunate that I couldn't find any clues about the culprit at all."

"That aside, I find that Floating Image Pearl that recorded Lan Qing's death suspicious as well. If there was no third party at that time, then where did the Floating Image Pearl come from? Did it belong to Lan Qing? Did Lan Qing know he was going to die so he recorded everything? However, if it belonged to Lan Qing, how could the murderer not notice it? If it belonged to the culprit, why would the culprit record such a thing when he should be hiding his identity? Logically, the culprit shouldn't have left the Floating Image Pearl behind since it's clear that he was trying to hide his identity. If you think about it carefully, you'd see that there are many suspicious points regarding this matter."

After a pause, Long Qing Chong added, "Duan Ling Tian, if you see Yang Qian Ye again, please convey my message to him. I, Long Qing Chong, am innocent in this matter. I didn't kill his father. If he doesn't believe me, he can look for me in the Flying Dragon Sect, and I'll give him a demonstration of my strength to clear his doubts. Please also tell him that I'll continue to investigate this matter. Although I'm not a prominent figure in the Eastern Ridge Mansion, I won't allow myself to be slandered in this manner. However, if he refuses to believe me and insists on seeking revenge from me, he's free to do so. I'm not one to look for trouble, but it doesn't mean I'm afraid of trouble."

Duan Ling Tian agreed to convey Long Qing Chong's message to Yang Qian Ye. After that, he switched directions. Instead of returning to his courtyard, he intended to look for Yang Qian Ye. However, he soon realized he did not know which room Yang Qian Ye was staying in. He only knew those who boarded Ye Chen Feng's flying ship were arranged to stay on the right side of the back of the inn while those who followed Li Feng Gu's flying ship were staying on the left side.

After a moment, Duan Ling Tian's eyes lit up when he saw someone coming out from one of the rooms on the left.

"Duan Ling Tian? Are you looking for me?" The disciple, who just came out, was stunned when he saw Duan Ling Tian approaching him. He was puzzled. After all, he was not acquainted with Duan Ling Tian.

"Senior brother," Duan Ling Tian asked with a smile, "Do you know which room Yang Qian Ye from the Ping Sheng faction is staying in?"

"You don't have to address me as 'senior brother'. I'm afraid I'm not worthy of that title," the young man said as he hastily waved his hand, "In the Pure Yang Sect, the strong are revered. Moreover, we're not from the same faction. If anything, I should address you as 'senior brother'." Then, the young man pointed to one room and said, "Yang Qian Ye is staying there."

"Thank you," Duan Ling Tian said before making his way to the room.

The young man thought to himself, confused, 'Why is Duan Ling Tian looking for Yang Qian Ye? I heard that Duan Ling Tian had a conflict with the 10,000 Devils Sect where Yang Qian Ye came from... I don't think they're friends, right?'

When Yang Qian Ye saw Duan Ling Tian, he was surprised and puzzled as well. When he recovered his senses, he asked expressionlessly, "What are you doing here?"

"Aren't you going to invite me in?" Duan Ling Tian asked with a smile despite the cold reception from Yang Qian Ye.

Yang Qian Ye frowned, but he still opened the door and let Duan Ling Tian enter the room. However, he did not say another word and walked into the room first. Clearly, he did not treat Duan Ling Tian like a guest at all.