Taiping Inn

After leaving the Bajing Villa, Zhang Haishi immediately summoned the thirty-six hall masters in the name of the old master, telling them that as long as they were in Qizhou, they must rush to Penglai Island the next day and must not neglect it. If the hall master was not in Qizhou for some reason, the deputy hall master would attend on his behalf, and it was specifically stated that the deputy hall master of Tianwei Hall would come on his behalf.

So, except for the hall masters of Tiankui Hall Li Rushi, Tianji Hall Situ Xuanlue, and Tianhui Hall Li Ruyu who were already on the island, the rest of the hall masters rushed to Penglai Island.

On this day, Penglai Island opened the big dock for the hall masters to dock their boats. For a while, the sails were like clouds, which was a grand occasion that had not been seen in the past ten years. However, the mood of the hall masters was full of solemnity, because the old master had not summoned the thirty-six hall masters for many years. Many newly appointed hall masters had never even been to Penglai Island, let alone met the old master. Today was out of the norm, and naturally something big happened. Moreover, they summoned everyone in the name of the deputy master Zhang Haishi, which made people more confused. Because Zhang Haishi could summon the hall masters, but it was impossible for him to summon the hall masters on Penglai Island. He had to have the old master's instruction. In the final analysis, this was still the old master's intention.

Many older hall masters were even more surprised, because they found that the White Dragon Tower ship that had been docked at the pier for many years was missing. When they thought about the gathering of the thirty-six hall masters today, they became more confused.

Under the guidance of the disciples of Tiankui Hall, the hall masters came to the Jingxin Hall of the Eight Scenery Courtyard. The thirty-six chairs that had been vacant for many years were actually full. Today, the camps of the visitors were clearly divided. Those who belonged to the sect leader Li Yuanying sat on the left, and those who belonged to the deputy sect leader Zhang Haishi and the neutral faction sat on the right. Lu Yanbing and Li Taiyi also sat in the positions of the head of Tianxian Hall and Tian'an Hall respectively. The two sides did not talk, and the whole Jingxin Hall was silent.

The top and middle chair belonged to the old sect leader. There was a chair on the left and right of this chair, which was slightly lower and formed a "mountain" with the old sect leader's chair. They belonged to the sect leader and the deputy sect leader respectively. Because the left was respected, the sect leader was on the left and the deputy sect leader was on the right. At this time, these two chairs were also empty.

Zhang Haishi stood next to the old sect leader's chair, but did not sit on it. He just held the back of the chair with one hand. Obviously, he was the person in charge today.

Just when the hall masters were worried, two women came from outside the door. Everyone recognized the woman on the left, the third lady Gu Yusheng, but the woman on the right was a little unfamiliar, but some people knew her, she was Miss Qin.

The third and fourth masters were not on good terms, which was known to everyone in the sect, but no one expected why these two women who had a deep relationship with the two masters would come here together.

The two came to the door and each gave way to the other. One said "Junior Sister Qin, please" and the other said "Junior Sister Gu, please". In the end, Gu Yusheng stepped over the threshold first, followed by Qin Su.

Seeing that everyone was present, Zhang Haishi slowly said, "Some of you may have known this, but some may not. Today, the old sect master has appointed me, Zhang, to act as the sect master."

"According to the old sect master's wishes, please ask Madam San and Miss Qin to be witnesses." Zhang Haishi made a gesture of invitation: "Third Junior Brother is not in the sect, please ask Madam San to take the seat of the sect master on your behalf."

Gu Yusheng nodded slightly and sat down directly on Li Yuanying's seat.

Zhang Haishi looked at Qin Su again and made a gesture of invitation, but pointed to his own chair: "Miss Qin is a distinguished guest invited by the old sect master himself, please take a seat as well."

Qin Su hesitated for a moment and still sat in the position of deputy sect master.

This caused a slight commotion in the hall. After all, it was a little unbelievable for a person from an outside sect to sit in the position of deputy sect master of Qingwei Sect. However, with Zhang Haishi in person at this time, even the "thorny" Li Rushi did not speak, so naturally, others did not dare to say much.

After everyone was seated, Zhang Haishi was the only one standing in the Jingxin Hall. He said, "Please come in, Mr. Four."

After he finished speaking, Li Xuandu, led by two Tiankui Hall disciples, strode into the Jingxin Hall.

Although there had been rumors early on, most people still had doubts. Now, hearing Zhang Haishi's announcement in the hall, it was like a strong wind from heaven and thunder in the ears!

The eyes of the thirty-six hall masters, Gu Yusheng and Qin Su, and Zhang Haishi, all fell on Li Xuandu.

These eyes were different, some were surprised, some were gloomy, some were worried, some were indifferent, some were gloating, and some were full of concern.

Zhang Haishi sighed slightly, and after looking at Li Xuandu, he withdrew his gaze.

Then Li Xuandu met Qin Su's concerned eyes again, smiled at her, and finally looked at Lu Yanbing. It was a bit beyond his expectation that Lu Yanbing, who usually liked to flatter the powerful and look down on the weak, did not gloat at all. Instead, his eyes were complicated and even had some admiration?

After the hall masters withdrew their gazes, Zhang Haishi said in a deep voice: "Li Xuandu!"

Li Xuandu stood straight and replied: "Yes."

Zhang Haishi asked: "The old sect master said that you were rude, is this true?"

Li Xuandu said: "I did advise the old sect master."

When this was said, the whole hall was in an uproar.

No one who can set foot in this Jingxin Hall is a fool. They have already guessed that Li Xuandu must have angered the old hall master, but they didn't expect it to be such a crime. Rude? Could it be that he insulted the old master in person? Did he make the old master angry and leave Penglai Island, so he let Mr. Er take charge of this matter? But with the old master's cunning and tolerance, how could he be angry and leave? But thinking about the strong murderous intent that affected the changes in the celestial phenomena and the disappearance of the White Dragon Tower Ship, they couldn't help but believe it.

At this time, Master Li Ru interrupted: "Just rude words?"

Li Xuan didn't answer.

Zhang Haishi asked back: "What about Li Zongshi's opinion?"

Li Rushi shouted: "There is also the charge of colluding with foreign enemies!"

A trace of hatred flashed across Zhang Haishi's eyes. He knew that Li Rushi wanted to use this matter to completely put Li Xuandu into an irreparable situation. He said: "Li Zongshi, the old sect master has not said that Mr. Four is guilty. Now this matter has not been concluded. Li Zongshi has already determined the crime. Do we not need to discuss this matter?"

Li Rushi thought of the nail he hit in front of the old sect master. He dared not speak rashly and had to say: "When did I determine his crime?"

Zhang Haishi said: "Then where did your so-called 'crime of colluding with foreign enemies' come from? Do you have evidence? If there is no evidence, can I charge you with slander?"

Li Rushi certainly had no evidence. Many things were only known by the old sect master and Tianjitang's hall master Situ Xuanlue, but Situ Xuanlue never helped either side. At this time, he sat opposite him like a stone Buddha, with his eyes slightly closed, as if he had begun to take a nap.

Li Rushi knew that he could not count on Situ Xuanlue, so he could only suppress his anger and looked at Li Ruxian, the deputy hall master of Tiangang Hall, who was sitting below him: "Deputy Hall Master Ruxian, you are the deputy hall master of Tiangang Hall, in charge of the sect's rules and regulations, what do you think?"

Although Li Rushi was scary, Zhang Haishi was not a pushover either. Li Ruxian didn't dare to offend anyone, so he had to stand up and clasp his hands in front of the two of them: "I don't know the ins and outs of this matter yet, so I dare not speak nonsense."

Zhang Haishi's eyes flashed, and then he said: "Deputy Hall Master Ruxian's words make sense. I summoned all the hall masters today for this matter."

Li Ruxian breathed a sigh of relief and sat down.

Zhang Haishi turned his gaze to Li Xuandu again: "Li Xuandu, today is the public meeting of the thirty-six hall masters. You must answer my questions truthfully one by one."

Li Xuandu bowed slightly: "Excuse me, Deputy Sect Master."

Zhang Haishi did not intend to give Li Rushi a chance to attack, so he went straight to the point: "You gave advice to the old sect master, which made the old sect master furious and said that you were rude. Regardless of whether you were suspected of cursing the master, I now ask you, is there anyone behind you who instructed you to do this?"

Li Xuandu was silent for a while, and slowly said: "I have explained this matter clearly to the master. Now the Qingwei Sect is not upright and the atmosphere is biased. We must make up our minds to rectify it. The master did not refute my advice. Now no one in the whole sect dares to tell the master, only I say it. Do you want to doubt my intentions?"