When Xiao Yi was brought to the interrogation room again, the atmosphere was even more serious than before. This time, not only was Law Enforcement Elder Yan Wuji present, but Sect Master Qingyun himself was presiding over the proceedings.
"Xiao Yi," the Sect Master's voice was stern and cold, "do you know your crimes?"
"This disciple knows of no crimes," Xiao Yi replied while kneeling on the ground, his voice still firm.
"You know of no crimes?" Elder Yan sneered and threw a black manual in front of Xiao Yi. "This 'Blood Demon Great Method' was found in your room. How do you explain this?"
Xiao Yi looked at the manual, shocked. This was indeed a demonic cultivation technique, and an extremely evil one at that. But he had never seen this book before, let alone practiced it.
"This disciple has never seen this manual before, much less practiced it," Xiao Yi said truthfully.
"And these." Another elder produced several letters. "These are your correspondence with demonic sect members, clearly recording your process of leaking sect secrets to them."
Xiao Yi took the letters and gasped. These letters were indeed written in his name, and the handwriting was remarkably similar to his own. But the content made his blood run cold - they detailed Qingyun Sect's defensive arrangements, patrol schedules, and even the movements of the elders.
"I didn't write these!" Xiao Yi said excitedly. "Someone is imitating my handwriting!"
"Imitating?" The Sect Master looked at him coldly. "Xiao Yi, do you think we would believe such a crude excuse?"
"Sect Master, this disciple truly has never done these things!" Xiao Yi pleaded desperately. "This disciple is loyal to the sect - how could I possibly betray it?"
"Loyal?" Elder Yan mocked. "Then how do you explain this ironclad evidence?"
Just then, footsteps were heard outside, and a disciple entered.
"Reporting to the Sect Master, the witness has arrived," the disciple said.
"Let him in," the Sect Master nodded.
Soon, a senior brother whom Xiao Yi recognized walked in. This senior brother was named Li Yunfei, who had an ordinary relationship with Xiao Yi - no particular friendship, but no grudges either.
"Li Yunfei, tell us truthfully what you saw," the Sect Master said to Li Yunfei.
"Yes, Sect Master." Li Yunfei glanced at Xiao Yi, then said, "Three nights ago, I was out for a walk because I encountered a bottleneck in my cultivation. When I passed by the back mountain, I saw Junior Brother Xiao meeting secretly with a black-clothed person."
"What?!" Xiao Yi looked at Li Yunfei in shock. "You're lying! I was in my room cultivating all that night!"
"Junior Brother Xiao, I know this is hard to accept, but I truly saw it," Li Yunfei's expression was pained. "I saw you hand a scroll to that black-clothed person, and then that person gave you a package."
"Impossible!" Xiao Yi stood up excitedly. "I have never met any black-clothed person!"
"Xiao Yi!" the Sect Master shouted sternly. "Even now, you still want to argue?"
"This disciple is not arguing - everything I've said is the truth!" Xiao Yi's voice was somewhat hoarse. "Sect Master, you've watched this disciple grow up since childhood. You should know my character!"
The Sect Master's expression was somewhat complex, but it quickly became cold again: "People's hearts can change, Xiao Yi. Perhaps you were a good disciple before, but now... the evidence is conclusive, and there's no room for argument."
"There's another witness," Elder Yan said. "Bring in Senior Brother Wang."
Another disciple entered - this time it was Wang Haoran, Xiao Yi's opponent from the sect competition.
"Wang Haoran, tell us what you saw," Elder Yan said.
"Yes." Wang Haoran glanced at Xiao Yi, complex emotions in his eyes. "Five days ago, when I was patrolling near the Scripture Pavilion, I saw Junior Brother Xiao sneaking out from inside, holding something in his hands. I found it strange because the Scripture Pavilion should have been closed at that time."
"Are you certain it was me?" Xiao Yi asked.
"Certain." Wang Haoran nodded. "Although it was somewhat dark, I recognize your build and the way you walk."
Xiao Yi felt a wave of despair. These witnesses' testimonies, combined with the physical evidence, formed a complete chain of proof. To outsiders, he truly appeared to be the traitor who had betrayed the sect.
"Xiao Yi," the Sect Master stood up, "based on the current evidence, I declare that you have colluded with the demonic path and betrayed the sect. The charges are established."
"No!" Xiao Yi knelt on the ground. "Sect Master, this disciple is truly innocent!"
"Innocent?" Elder Yan sneered. "The evidence is conclusive, with both material and witness testimony. How can you still claim innocence?"
"Someone is framing me!" Xiao Yi shouted. "This is all a carefully planned conspiracy!"
"Enough!" the Sect Master shouted sternly. "Xiao Yi, you are beyond redemption. Guards, imprison him. Tomorrow at noon, execute the sect rules on the Moon Gazing Platform!"
Several law enforcement disciples stepped forward to take Xiao Yi away. Xiao Yi struggled, trying to defend himself, but no one was willing to listen.
Just then, urgent footsteps were heard outside.
"Sect Master!" Mo Wanxian rushed in. "Senior Brother Xiao is innocent!"
"Wanxian!" Xiao Yi saw Mo Wanxian, and hope flickered in his eyes.
"Mo Wanxian, don't cause trouble," the Sect Master frowned. "This is an interrogation room, not a place for you to be."
"Sect Master, Senior Brother Xiao is truly innocent!" Mo Wanxian knelt on the ground. "This disciple is willing to stake my life that Senior Brother Xiao would never betray the sect!"
"Wanxian, you're too naive," Elder Yan shook his head. "The evidence is right here. Look at these things."
Mo Wanxian looked at the evidence, her eyes filled with disbelief: "These must be planted by someone! Senior Brother Xiao's character is something I know best - he could never do such things!"
"With both material and witness evidence, what more is there to say?" Elder Yan said impatiently.
"I don't believe it!" Mo Wanxian said firmly. "There must be something wrong somewhere!"
Just then, Ling Yu also rushed in.
"Sect Master, please investigate this matter more thoroughly!" Ling Yu knelt on the ground. "Junior Brother Xiao's character is something we all know - he could never betray the sect!"
"Ling Yu, are you also going to plead for him?" the Sect Master's voice carried disappointment.
"Not pleading, but hoping you can uncover the truth!" Ling Yu said firmly. "This matter is too suspicious - there must be some inside story!"
The Sect Master looked at the three people kneeling on the ground, complex emotions flashing in his eyes. But soon, he regained his coldness.
"The evidence is conclusive - no further investigation is needed," the Sect Master said coldly. "Xiao Yi colluded with the demonic path and betrayed the sect. Tomorrow at noon, execute the sect rules on the Moon Gazing Platform. This matter is decided and cannot be changed!"
"Sect Master!" Mo Wanxian and Ling Yu wanted to say more, but the Sect Master had already turned and left.
As Xiao Yi was led away by the law enforcement disciples, he looked back at Mo Wanxian and Ling Yu. Their eyes were filled with pain and unwillingness, but they were powerless.
"Thank you for believing in me," Xiao Yi said softly. "But perhaps this is fate."
"Senior Brother Xiao!" Mo Wanxian cried out. "We won't give up! We will definitely prove your innocence!"
Xiao Yi was taken away, leaving Mo Wanxian and Ling Yu kneeling in the empty interrogation room.
They didn't know what to do, because all the evidence pointed to Xiao Yi.
But their hearts told them that Xiao Yi was innocent.
Only, at this moment, who would believe their words?