Chapter 121: The Gaze
Lin Feng paid no attention to the Celestial Wolf King's ugly expression and continued, "Naming an academy like this the Snow Moon Holy Academy, Celestial Wolf King, was this your idea, or someone else's?"
"Of course it was my idea," the Celestial Wolf King replied. But as soon as the words left his mouth, his eyes narrowed, and he cursed inwardly, his gaze fixed firmly on Lin Feng.
"This man is cunning and sharp-witted."
Lin Feng had just stated the irrefutable fact that the Snow Moon Holy Academy had accepted rebels and rabble. Duan Tianlang couldn't deny it. Then Lin Feng questioned the academy's name, suggesting it was unworthy of such a title, which naturally seemed reasonable.
Just then, Lin Feng asked whose idea it was. Duan Tianlang, of course, had to say it was his. If he answered otherwise, he would be shifting the blame onto those behind him, which he dared not do.
But precisely because of his affirmative answer, he was essentially admitting that Lin Feng was right—the academy was unworthy of the name Snow Moon Holy Academy.
This was a question he simply couldn't answer!
"I see. The Celestial Wolf King truly has boldness, persuading the various sects to send their disciples to the Snow Moon Holy Academy, even destroying the Cloud Sea Sect, and finally establishing the Holy Academy with great prestige. However, Celestial Wolf King should be aware that the Cloud Sea Sect was General Liu Canglan's sect, correct?"
Lin Feng continued, but this time, the Celestial Wolf King fell silent, no longer responding.
"It doesn't matter if the Celestial Wolf King doesn't answer. Everyone knows that General Liu is a disciple of the Cloud Sea Sect. How could the General not know? Furthermore, the General's righteousness and upright character are well known throughout the Snow Moon Kingdom. With his sect destroyed, he naturally couldn't just ignore it. He would have to avenge it and seek justice. In that case, General Liu would inevitably abandon his post, charge into the Imperial City, and be branded a rebel by you, Celestial Wolf King. What a perfect plan. What a brilliant scheme. Celestial Wolf King, you plotted step by step, scheming so meticulously to harm the pillar of the Snow Moon Kingdom. What is your intention?"
Lin Feng continued speaking, and the crowd's hearts trembled.
Yes, Lin Feng's words were not false at all. This was indeed a perfect plan, a scheme to put Duan Tianlang to death.
But they all understood that the one who devised this plan was likely not Duan Tianlang...
A chill ran through the crowd. Liu Canglan had rendered such great service, yet he had met such a tragic end, plotted against by the figures behind the curtain.
"Nonsense! Shut your mouth!"
Duan Tianlang roared, a cold aura falling upon Lin Feng, a hint of killing intent flickering around him.
"Did I say something wrong? Weren't all these things done by you, Celestial Wolf King? Or is there someone else behind the scenes?"
Lin Feng continued, as if oblivious to the chilling murderous intent emanating from Duan Tianlang. His words struck the hearts of the crowd.
"Of course, all these things were done by me, Duan Tianlang. Now, are you finished?"
Duan Tianlang admitted it very frankly. He had to admit it. Was he supposed to say that the person behind him had meticulously orchestrated all of this?
He was a prince of the royal family. Who could be behind him? That would only make the people of the world feel disheartened.
"Of course not. Since you, Celestial Wolf King, admit that you did all this, then I want to ask you: you sought to frame General Liu for disloyalty and take his life, which means harming the lives of millions of Snow Moon citizens. You, Duan Tianlang, are you not a rebel? Do you know your crime?"
Lin Feng questioned, then swept his gaze over the crowd around Duan Tianlang and said, "And all of you, siding with a rebel and aiding the tyrant, do you know your crime?"
The crowd was stunned. Not long ago, Duan Tianlang had accused Liu Canglan and the Crimson Blood Iron Cavalry of being rebels. Now Lin Feng had turned those words back on them, and with such righteous indignation. Duan Tianlang would never be able to clear his name.
The one who passed judgment had now become guilty, while the guilty were now the wronged, framed by others.
All of this was turned around by Lin Feng's words alone, reversing the situation.
This mouth was sharper than a sword.
If this were a different time and place, Duan Tianlang could have used his absolute power to suppress Lin Feng. But today was the founding day of the Snow Moon Holy Academy, a matter of national importance. Every word and action had to be careful. Because his behavior was being watched by the entire Snow Moon Kingdom. Without just cause, he couldn't do anything to Liu Canglan—unless Liu Canglan, like before, chose to fight, giving him the excuse to declare Liu Canglan a rebel.
"Do you think you can spout nonsense with just your mouth? Today is the founding day of the Holy Academy, yet you come here to cause trouble. I want to ask you, what is your intention?"
Duan Tianlang stopped dwelling on the topic of Liu Canglan and turned the conversation back to Lin Feng.
"What trouble have I caused? I just had a few words I couldn't hold back. Everyone has their own judgment. If you think I'm unreasonable, just consider it nonsense. I'll leave now."
Lin Feng said casually. He had come today partly to see the founding of the Snow Moon Holy Academy and partly to find an opportunity to spar with the so-called genius disciples of the academy and slap them in the face.
But things never go as planned. Liu Canglan appeared at this moment. How could Lin Feng not step forward to stop Liu Canglan from throwing his life away for something so illusory and meaningless?
Of course, Lin Feng realized that even without a spar, his words had still slapped Duan Tianlang hard across the face, which pleased him greatly. But of course, that was far from enough.
"General, there is no such thing as absolute justice in this world. Having powerful strength is justice. So, live well, and you can seek justice."
Lin Feng turned around and said to Liu Canglan, causing the latter's heart to tremble.
"Strength is justice. Live well, and you can seek justice."
Such simple words. Anyone understands this principle. Yet, when trapped in the situation, one cannot extricate oneself.
Liu Canglan had seen through it all, which was why he came today to seek justice. He had given everything to the Snow Moon Kingdom, only to have his sect destroyed and to be plotted against by those behind the curtain because of his great achievements. Liu Canglan couldn't accept it. He used this act to seek justice.
But in Lin Feng's eyes, his actions were merely foolish loyalty.
If the ruler disregards you and even frames you, do you have to swallow your anger and seek death? That only gives him an excuse to get what he wants.
Foolish. Utterly foolish.
"General, go back."
Lin Feng urged again. After a moment of hesitation, Liu Canglan finally nodded slowly.
"Come with me, how about it?"
Liu Canglan said to Lin Feng. Lin Feng thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright."
"Causing trouble at the Snow Moon Holy Academy and thinking you can leave so easily?" Duan Tianlang's gaze was cold. Today, Lin Feng had made him lose all face, and the academy's prestige had suffered greatly.
"I want to take him away. Who dares to stop me?"
Liu Canglan swept his gaze over Duan Tianlang, his eyes incredibly sharp. This was the true Liu Canglan, the Divine Archer Liu Canglan.
When he came, he sought death, wanting to attack Duan Tianlang, giving the latter a reason to join forces against him. But now, if he didn't attack, Duan Tianlang and his men had no just cause. How could they dare to join forces against him? That would be telling the world that the figures behind the curtain wanted to kill the highly meritorious Divine Archer Liu Canglan.
"Liu Canglan, don't forget. You abandoned your post and led troops to the Imperial City to cause trouble. Your crime has not yet been judged."
Duan Tianlang said coldly.
"Judge my crime? What right do you have? If His Majesty wants to punish me, he can strip me of my rank as general. I willingly accept demotion, even to the point of starting as an ordinary soldier."
Liu Canglan said indifferently. Duan Tianlang's face remained as ugly as ever. Demotion? Starting as an ordinary soldier?
As long as Liu Canglan remained in the military, even if his status was that of an ordinary soldier, he could still command the entire army. His authority in the military was unmatched.
"Let one Crimson Blood horse out."
Liu Canglan said to the man beside him. Immediately, two men got on the same horse, freeing one for Lin Feng.
"Let's go." Liu Canglan said to Lin Feng. Lin Feng also mounted the Crimson Blood horse, and the iron cavalry galloped away, departing with style.
Riding on the Crimson Blood horse, Lin Feng nodded slightly to Meng Qing and the others. With Meng Qing there, he wasn't worried about anything happening.
The iron cavalry roared past the crowd. Lin Badao and Lin Rui took several steps back. At that moment, a gaze shot toward them, causing their eyes to narrow. The gaze came from beneath that bronze mask.
But in an instant, the Crimson Blood horse galloped away, leaving Lin Badao and the other frowning, pondering the meaning of that gaze!