From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 143 Cleverly Dealing with Imminent Disruption

A musty smell! My alarm bells rang. This batch of fabric had clearly been switched! What should have been soft, comfortable cotton had been replaced with rough, moldy, inferior goods. I took a deep breath, forcing down my anger. Deacon Wu, you were indeed behind this!

I immediately summoned several reliable disciples and had them re-inventory all the supplies. Sure enough, besides the cloth, a considerable amount of medicinal herbs and grains had been replaced with inferior products. These supplies were meant to improve the living conditions of ordinary disciples, yet Deacon Wu had blatantly switched them out—it was utterly outrageous!

"Senior Sister Xiao Yao, these supplies..." A disciple pointed at the inferior medicinal herbs, his tone full of doubt and confusion.

I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "I understand. Please register these things first, and I'll handle this."

Seeing the disappointment in my disciples' eyes, my heart ached as if pierced by needles. These ordinary disciples already lacked resources, and now that they had finally gotten a chance to improve their lives, it had been ruined by Deacon Wu. How disappointed they must be! I clenched my fists and secretly vowed to make Deacon Wu pay the price!

After dealing with the supplies, I was about to confront Deacon Wu when I heard a noisy discussion coming from afar.

"Have you heard? Senior Sister Xiao Yao and Elder Xuanfeng are actually in cahoots!"

"Really? Didn't Senior Sister Xiao Yao always oppose Elder Xuanfeng?"

Why would I lie to you! I heard Junior Sister Chu say it with my own ears!

My steps faltered abruptly, and my heart sank. Junior Sister Chu, it was her again! She actually spread such rumors! I immediately walked towards the direction from which the sound came, and saw a group of disciples gathered together, discussing the matter animatedly.

"What are you talking about?" I walked to the center of the crowd and asked in an icy tone.

Upon seeing me appear, the disciples immediately fell silent, all their eyes fixed on me.

“Senior Sister Xiao Yao, Junior Sister Chu said…” a disciple stammered, “that you and Elder Xuanfeng…”

"What do I have with Elder Xuanfeng?" I asked sharply, looking him straight in the eye.

The disciple was intimidated by my imposing manner and dared not speak again. At this moment, Junior Sister Chu stepped out from the crowd, a smug look on her face.

"Senior Sister Xiao Yao, don't be angry. I'm just telling the truth," Junior Sister Chu said sarcastically. "You and Elder Xuanfeng are so close, who knows if you two have some secret deal?"

"Junior Sister Chu, this is slander!" I retorted angrily. "Elder Xuanfeng and I were merely discussing sect affairs; there was nothing like what you're saying!"

"Is that so?" Junior Sister Chu sneered. "Then how do you explain that you always side with Elder Xuanfeng?"

I took a deep breath, suppressing my anger. I knew that Junior Sister Chu was deliberately trying to sow discord and damage my image in the eyes of the disciples.

"Which side I stand on depends on which side is more beneficial to the sect," I said coldly, "not like you, who only cares about personal grudges and ignores the sect's interests!"

After saying that, I turned and left. I knew that continuing to argue with Junior Sister Chu would only embolden her. I had to find evidence as soon as possible to prove that there was no secret deal between me and Elder Xuanfeng.

I hurried toward Elder Mingyue's residence, hoping to get some help from her. However, when I arrived at Elder Mingyue's residence, I found that her expression was unusually solemn.

"Elder Mingyue, what happened?" I asked anxiously.

Elder Mingyue raised her head, looked at me, and slowly said, "Xiao Yao, the rumors have spread throughout the entire sect..." She paused, her eyes filled with helplessness, "I...I'm afraid I also..."

Elder Mingyue sighed, rubbing her temples, her exhaustion evident. "Xiao Yao, I know you've been wronged, but these rumors have spread too quickly. Now almost all the disciples believe you colluded with Elder Xuanfeng. I... I may be an elder, but I also..." Her voice trailed off, becoming almost inaudible.

A sense of powerlessness washed over me, but I struggled to remain calm. "Elder Mingyue, I believe the innocent will prove themselves innocent, and the guilty will prove themselves guilty. I will find evidence to prove my innocence."

Elder Mingyue looked at me, her eyes filled with pity and helplessness, but ultimately said nothing more. I understood that she was also in a precarious situation and there was very little she could do. I bid her farewell, turned and left, but my resolve only grew stronger: I cannot be defeated like this; I must find the mastermind behind this!

After leaving Elder Mingyue's residence, I went straight to the warehouse. I remembered noticing some unusual traces when I was inventorying the supplies earlier; perhaps I could find some clues there. The warehouse was piled high with all sorts of supplies, and I searched carefully, leaving no corner unchecked. Finally, under a pile of miscellaneous items, I found a small wooden box. Opening the box, I found a stack of ledgers inside. I flipped through the ledgers, examining each page meticulously, my expression growing increasingly grim. These ledgers clearly recorded evidence of Deacon Wu's embezzlement of supplies! He had replaced the high-quality supplies that should have been distributed to ordinary disciples with inferior ones, profiting immensely from the difference!

I gripped the ledger tightly, a raging fire burning within me. Deacon Wu, how dare you be so audacious! I immediately took the ledger to the sect leader and reported the matter to him. The sect leader was furious upon hearing this and immediately ordered all disciples to be summoned for a public interrogation of Deacon Wu.

In the main hall of the Immortal Sect, I presented the account books to everyone and detailed Deacon Wu's embezzlement. Deacon Wu's face turned pale, and he trembled all over, yet he was powerless to refute. The evidence of his embezzlement was irrefutable and undeniable.

"Deacon Wu, do you know your crime?" The sect leader's voice was authoritative and cold.

Deacon Wu fell to his knees with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly and begging for mercy. "Sect Leader, spare my life! This disciple was confused for a moment and committed such a grave mistake! Please, Sect Leader, have mercy!"

However, his pleas for mercy garnered no sympathy. The disciples present all looked at him with contempt and disgust. He had once been their respected deacon, but now he had become a despicable embezzler.

The sect leader ultimately announced that Deacon Wu would be expelled from the sect and all his property confiscated. When Deacon Wu was taken away, he seemed to have lost his soul; his eyes were empty and lifeless, as if he had already foreseen his tragic future.

As I watched Deacon Wu being led away, I felt no pleasure, only a heavy weight in my heart. Although Deacon Wu deserved his fate, his downfall also filled me with regret.

Just then, I noticed a furtive figure in the crowd. Junior Sister Chu! She was trying to escape in the chaos!

I strode up to her and blocked her path. "Junior Sister Chu, where are you going?" My voice was icy cold, devoid of any emotion.

Junior Sister Chu's expression changed, her eyes flickering uncertainly. "I...I..."

I stared intently into her eyes and said, word by word, "Junior Sister Chu, you spread rumors and slandered me and Elder Xuanfeng. Now it's time to pay the price!"

Junior Sister Chu's face changed drastically. Like a startled rabbit, her eyes darted around, and she dared not look me in the eye. "I...I didn't! What nonsense are you talking about!" she said, trying to walk past me.

How could I let her get away like that? I reached out and grabbed her arm, my tone becoming more forceful, "Junior Sister Chu, are you afraid to admit your mistakes? You spread rumors and ruined my reputation, and now you want to escape? Not so easy!"

Junior Sister Chu struggled to shake off my hand, screaming, "Let go of me! I didn't spread rumors! It was you and Elder Xuanfeng who..."

Before she could finish speaking, I interrupted her, "What happened between me and Elder Xuanfeng? Explain yourself!" My tone was icy, my gaze sharp as I stared directly into her eyes.

Junior Sister Chu was intimidated by my imposing presence. Her eyes darted away, and she stammered, unable to utter a word. The more she acted this way, the more certain I became that she had something to hide.

"Junior Sister Chu, if you don't tell the truth, I will take you before the sect leader and let him judge!" I emphasized, my tone filled with unwavering determination.

Junior Sister Chu's face was deathly pale, her eyes red-rimmed, and she looked like she was about to cry. "I didn't! I really didn't! You...you've wronged me!" she cried, trying to gain the sympathy of those around her.

The surrounding disciples began to whisper among themselves. Some believed Junior Sister Chu's tearful account, while others cast skeptical glances at me. I took a deep breath, trying to suppress the anger within me. I knew this was not the time to act impulsively; I had to produce solid evidence to silence Junior Sister Chu.

I pulled a letter from my sleeve and unfolded it in front of everyone. I had accidentally discovered this letter while tidying up Elder Xuanfeng's study. The contents of the letter were shocking evidence that Junior Sister Chu and Elder Xuanfeng had secretly colluded to frame me!

"Junior Sister Chu, what else do you have to say?" I held the letter up in front of her, my tone calm but tinged with sarcasm.

Upon reading the letter, Junior Sister Chu turned deathly pale, her lips trembled, and she couldn't utter a single word. Her once rosy cheeks instantly lost all color, turning as white as a sheet of paper, utterly lifeless.

The surrounding disciples also saw the contents of the letter, and an uproar immediately broke out. They couldn't believe that their seemingly gentle Junior Sister Chu would do such a thing.

"This...this is impossible!" Junior Sister Chu finally snapped out of her shock. Her voice trembled as she tried to deny it, "This letter is fake! You forged it!"

I sneered, "Junior Sister Chu, do you think I'd be stupid enough to fabricate evidence to frame you? The handwriting on this letter is clearly yours, what else do you have to say for yourself?"

Junior Sister Chu was speechless. She slumped to the ground, her eyes vacant, as if she had lost all hope.

I glanced around at the disciples and said firmly, "I know that due to the rumors, everyone has misunderstood me. But today I want to tell you all that I, Xiao Yaoxing, have done nothing wrong to betray the Immortal Sect! I have only one goal: to lead everyone in protecting the Immortal Sect and resisting external enemies!"

My words resonated powerfully, echoing in everyone's ears. Looking into my resolute eyes, the disciples began to reconsider the rumors they had heard.

I continued, "I know there are still some problems within the Immortal Sect, but I believe that as long as we are united, we will definitely be able to overcome all difficulties!"

I paused, my gaze sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Junior Sister Chu. "As for Junior Sister Chu..." I looked at her, my tone meaningful, "I hope you can reflect on your mistakes..." I shifted my gaze from Junior Sister Chu, who was slumped on the ground, and looked around at everyone, my tone calm and firm: "I know that everyone still has doubts. My previous plan to strengthen the Immortal Sect's defenses and integrate resources has been stalled because of these rumors. Now, I want to reiterate my purpose."

I took a deep breath and reiterated the plan I had prepared, explaining clearly and logically from the urgency of the demon invasion to the drawbacks of the scattered resources of the immortal sect, and then to the advantages of resource integration. I even detailed the responsibilities of each disciple and the potential advancements they could receive, making them understand that this was not only for the immortal sect but also for their own future.

"I know that change will not happen overnight and will affect the interests of some people. But for the long-term development of the Immortal Sect and for our common future, I hope everyone can understand and support my plan." My voice was strong and persuasive.

At first, the disciples hesitated, but as I explained in a clear and simple way, their eyes gradually brightened. Senior Brother Lin was the first to stand up and express his support, saying firmly, "I believe in Junior Sister Xiao Yao! I believe everything she has done is for the sake of the Immortal Sect!"

With Senior Brother Lin taking the lead, the other disciples also expressed their support. Their initial doubts gradually dissipated, replaced by hope and anticipation for the future. Looking at their trusting faces, a warm feeling welled up inside me. I knew I had won their trust and won this battle.

As for Junior Sister Chu and Deacon Wu, I didn't kill them all. Although Junior Sister Chu spread rumors, she was misled and her crime didn't warrant death. I brought her before Elder Mingyue, hoping the elder could give her a chance to repent. Elder Mingyue, with her kind face, gently advised Junior Sister Chu and expressed her willingness to give her a chance to atone for her sins.

Regarding Deacon Wu, I only handed over the evidence of his sabotage of my plans to the Sect Leader; I didn't expose his actions. I know he did this because he feared that change would affect his position. I left a letter for the Sect Leader, hoping he could handle the matter properly, maintaining the stability of the sect while also giving Deacon Wu a chance to repent.

As things gradually calmed down, I breathed a sigh of relief. However, I knew this was only temporary peace. The internal conflicts within the Immortal Sect didn't arise overnight, nor could they be completely resolved in a day or two. Although most disciples had regained their trust in me, some still harbored resentment. I sensed that, in the shadows, some were still stirring, like venomous snakes lurking in dark corners, waiting for their chance to strike.

I rubbed my throbbing temples, thinking to myself: The real challenge is yet to come... I walked to the window, gazing at the distant, rolling mountains, and murmured, "It seems there's still a lot for me to do..." Suddenly, I felt something amiss behind me and whirled around...