C9 Lyi Laomu Forced Yang Hu to Bear the Responsibility

Although Chu Lin had already stood up, the Broken Copper still generated a vortex-like suction force. In the blink of an eye, all the panaceas within a ten-meter radius had withered away.

Chu Lin felt a searing heat in his chest, as though he had been briefly scorched. Then, just as suddenly, the pulling force vanished, as if it had never been there at all.

The whole incident occurred in a flash. If not for the dozens of withered panaceas before him, Chu Lin might have believed he had just experienced a dream.

"What's happening?" Yang Hu, too, noticed the change. His eyes widened in alarm at the sight of the withered panaceas, and he could no longer remain calm. He sprang to his feet in a panic.

Chu Lin's heart raced with anxiety. Panaceas were treasures beyond measure to the Martial Academy. If Lyi Laomu found out about this, Yang Hu would face severe consequences.

"If Lyi Laomu finds out, he'll never let us off the hook," Yang Hu said, worry flickering in his eyes. Though he was clueless as to why the panaceas had wilted so suddenly, he looked at the equally alarmed Chu Lin and resolved, "Chu, if you hadn't come to help me, you wouldn't be in this mess. Lyi Laomu will be here any minute. You need to get out of here now. I can't drag you into today's trouble."

Upon hearing this, Chu Lin gave Yang Hu a long, thoughtful look, moved by his gesture. Only Chu Lin knew that the withering of the panaceas was connected to the Broken Copper within him. Yet, despite the uncertainty, Yang Hu was ready to let Chu Lin leave first.

This meant Yang Hu was prepared to shoulder the blame for the withering panaceas all by himself! But if Lyi Laomu were to blow this situation out of proportion, the punishment awaiting Yang Hu could be dire.

"Yang Hu, we share both the good times and the bad. Tiger, do you really think I'm the type to flee from danger?" Chu Lin said with a firm gaze and earnest conviction.

"Brother Chu," Yang Hu replied, his voice laden with gratitude, "you are my brother. But regarding what happened today..."

Yang Hu's words trailed off as Lyi Laomu's silhouette emerged in the distance.

"Yang Hu, if you're not diligently working, how do you find the time to stand around chatting? It seems the task of irrigating the herbal garden five times a day is a breeze for you," Lyi Laomu said with a sneer, arms crossed over his chest as he sauntered over, oozing condescension.

Intent on helping Hu Zhi, Lyi Laomu was always looking for ways to trouble Yang Hu. He had planned to further humiliate Yang Hu, but upon approaching the herbal garden and seeing the vast swath of withered panaceas, he was taken aback. His mocking demeanor vanished as he fixed his gaze on Chu Lin and Yang Hu. "What's happened to these panaceas? How could so many wither like this? I want the truth!"

Chu Lin grew concerned at Lyi Laomu's reaction, realizing the panaceas' value to the Martial Academy might be even greater than he had thought.

Despite not being of high status within the vast Martial Academy, Lyi Laomu was a manager with knowledge far surpassing Chu Lin's. From Lyi Laomu's alarmed expression, Chu Lin could see that the loss of so many panaceas was a grave matter.

"Senior Brother, the panaceas withered on their own. We're just as clueless as to why," Yang Hu responded, his face etched with confusion.

No sooner had Yang Hu spoken than Lyi Laomu delivered a harsh slap across his face, his expression darkening. "The panaceas withered on their own? Do you take me for a fool? If you don't come clean, I won't hesitate to slap you again."

Without seeking the truth, Lyi Laomu had struck Yang Hu. Both Chu Lin and Yang Hu, being astute, quickly realized that Lyi Laomu likely wanted to coerce Yang Hu into taking the blame, thereby absolving himself of any responsibility.

Blood trickled from the corner of Yang Hu's mouth as his cheek swelled. A surge of anger flickered in his eyes, but he restrained it, knowing Lyi Laomu's strength was at the second level of Body Tempering. "The panacea truly withered by itself," he insisted.

"Do you still dare to be stubborn? It seems I'll have to hit you before you'll confess," Lyi Laomu said, his gaze unfriendly. He raised his hand, channeling a surge of spiritual energy into his palm.

This time, Lyi Laomu showed no mercy. He was intent on making Yang Hu the scapegoat. In doing so, he would avoid any blame and curry favor with Hu Zhi.

"This is what your stubbornness gets you!" Lyi Laomu bellowed, aiming to slap Yang Hu.

Yang Hu tried to dodge, but as a martial cultivator at the first level of Body Tempering, he stood no chance against Lyi Laomu, who was at the second level. He could only step back slightly, bracing for the impending strike to his face.

Suddenly, a hand shot out from the side, intercepting Lyi Laomu's blow.

"Lyi Laomu, you've gone too far. The withering of the panacea has nothing to do with Yang Hu," Chu Lin stated, fixing Lyi Laomu with a calm yet icy glare that betrayed his anger.

Lyi Laomu's initial strike had caught Chu Lin off guard, leaving him no time to react. But now, Chu Lin was ready for Lyi Laomu's second attack, determined not to let him harm his brother in his presence.

"Kid, it looks like you're implicated in the withering of the panacea too. If you're seeking death, don't blame me for not showing mercy," Lyi Laomu snarled, clearly enraged that a servant disciple would dare to defy him on his own turf. He didn't stop to ponder how a servant disciple could so easily block his powerful attack; instead, his spiritual energy swirled as he readied himself for another strike, this time targeting Chu Lin.

"Brother Chu, let it go," Yang Hu murmured, tugging at Chu Lin's sleeve. He saw Chu Lin as his brother and didn't want him to provoke Lyi Laomu on his account.

"Forget it?" Chu Lin uttered with a chilling laugh. It didn't matter whether Lyi Laomu, poised to strike, was inclined to drop the issue or not. After witnessing the slap Yang Hu delivered, Chu Lin had no intention of letting Lyi Laomu walk away without consequences.

Chu Lin lived by a simple creed: if no one crossed him, he would remain peaceful. However, if someone dared to wrong him, he would retaliate with a vengeance a hundredfold.

"Chu Lin, Yang Hu, you have both shirked your responsibilities, leading to the demise of numerous panaceas. I will apprehend you today and submit you to the presbyters for judgment!" Lyi Laomu bellowed. He squarely placed the blame for the withered panaceas on Chu Lin and Yang Hu. As he spoke, his spiritual energy roiled within him, launching an assault on Chu Lin.