Cultivation Online

'I knew he was someone special, but to think he was this special…' Tian Xianzu swallowed nervously as he sat in the Lin Family's guest room.

Both Tian Xianzu and Tian Suyin held their breaths as they waited for the Lin Family to bring in the 'culprit'.

A few minutes later, a middle-aged man with a somewhat blank look on his face was escorted into the room while his hands and legs were chained, and he appeared to have been beaten quite badly.

"This servant is Wu Jie, and he claimed responsibility for hiring the Silent Rippers. His reason being the recent rumors that have been spreading about our Lin Family. In other words, he wanted revenge." Patriarch Lin said.

Yuan narrowed his eyes at Wu Jie, causing him to tremble.

"Xiao Yang… I don't think he's the culprit…" Tian Yanyu whispered in his ears.

Even she could tell at glance that this servant wasn't responsible for it.

"Take a seat." Yuan gestured for Wu Jie to sit before them.

Wu Jie didn't dare to get comfortable, but Lin Chunhua insisted, "If the Young Master tells you to take a seat, you will take a seat."

Wu Jie quickly nodded his head and walked to the chair in small steps.

Once he was seated, Yuan retrieved the Grail of Truth and placed it on the table.

"I will now ask you several questions, and you will answer them truthfully." Yuan said to him.

Wu Jie nodded.

"Is your name Wu Jie?" Yuan asked a moment later.

"Yes…"

The Grail of Truth remained still.

"Did Patriarch Lin or Ancestor Lin force you to be here and play the role of culprit?" 

"N-No! They did not!" Wu Jie said in a nervous voice.

Seeing no reaction from the Grail of Truth, Yuan continued, "Are you really the person responsible for hiring the Silent Rippers?"

"Yes, I am responsible." Wu Jie spoke with a somewhat defeated look on his face.

The Grail of Truth immediately pulsated with light.

Yuan smiled and said, "You're lying to me."

Wu Jie's eyes widened with shock, and he roared, "N-No! I am not lying! I swear that I am responsible! I was the one who hired the Silent Rippers to attack the Tian Family!"

The light coming from the Grail of Truth only became brighter as Wu Jie lied more.

"What is the meaning of th—" Lin Chunhua tried to question Wu Jie, but Yuan stopped him with a simple gesture.

"Please, allow me to ask him the questions."

"Alright…" Lin Chunhua stepped back and began glaring at Patriarch Lin with a threatening glare, causing him to swallow nervously.

"Why are you lying? Why would you claim responsibility for something you didn't do? Who are you trying to cover for?" Yuan asked Wu Jie, who could only silently shake his head now because he knew that his lies would be exposed if he uttered even a single word.

"Either you're so incredibly loyal to the person you're trying to protect that you'd be willing to sacrifice your life for them, or you're being forced to do so. Which is it?" Yuan asked.

"Please… I am really responsible… you have to believe me…" Wu Jie spoke in a low voice, sounding as though he was on the verge of crying.

Yuan turned to look at Lin Chunhua and spoke in a cold voice, "What is the meaning of this? Do you think I am foolish enough to believe this farce, or did you expect me to just accept it as it is?"

"Neither!" Lin Chunhua roared.

He approached Wu Jie and continued, "I will swear upon my surname and soul that I will protect you from whoever you're trying to protect. Tell us— why are you lying?"

"I will also guarantee your safety." Patriarch Lin suddenly added.

Upon hearing these words, Wu Jie immediately broke out in tears and bawled his eyes out.

"My family was taken from me! My wife and my daughter are taken as hostages! They told me that if I don't take the blame they would sell my wife and daughter to the worst brothels in the city!" Wu Jie cried out loud.

Lin Chunhua gritted his teeth in anger upon hearing this information.

"Which bastard within the Lin Family dares to do something so vile?! Tell me!" He roared, causing the entire room to shake.

"S-Steward Jin!" Wu Jie blurted this name out loud, feeling as though a mountain had been lifted from his chest.

"What?!" Patriarch Lin exclaimed.

"Who is this Steward Jin? I don't recognize this name." Lin Chunhua immediately asked for more information.

"Steward Jin is one of our most loyal servants. He's currently serving Lin Minghai, my son…" Patriarch Lin muttered in a low voice.

There was no way he could hide this information since everyone knew about it. If he tried to hide it from Lin Chunhua, it would immediately be exposed as a lie, and he would experience his father's wrath.

"Don't tell me your son…" Lin Chunhua's body trembled in anger.

"W-Wait! He only said Steward Jin's name! While it's true that he works directly for my son, there's no evidence that suggests my son is part of this farce! For all we know, Wu Jie could be lying about this whole thing!" Patriarch Lin exclaimed.

"Then why don't we speak with this Steward Jin and see for ourselves what he has to say about this situation?" Yuan suddenly said.

And he continued, "Also, he isn't lying."

Yuan suddenly pointed at the chains restricting Wu Jie.

He released some of his Sword Qi the following moment, cutting the chains apart.

"It would be in the Lin Family's best interest to compensate this man for his troubles." 

Lin Chunhua nodded, "I will personally compensate him once all of this is over. You have my word."

"Then let's call for this Steward Jin, shall we?" Yuan smiled.

Patriarch Lin immediately summoned Steward Jin to their room.

Sometime later, a man with a naturally cunning face entered the room, his entire body already drenched in sweat.