Chapter 778: Trial of the Semi-Saint's Secret, How Dare It Be Desecrated?

The early morning sun rose.A biting wind swept through.On the long street, at a table for two, tea was brewing as they quietly waited.The curious gazes of passersby gradually vanished from Xiao Wanfeng's sight as the red-robed squad approached steadily from a distance.

With a sudden whoosh! As the red-robed Night Watch leader settled in front of the table, Xiao Wanfeng felt as if he had entered another world; all the surrounding hustle and bustle completely disappeared.

“A domain…” Xiao Wanfeng murmured in his heart.He understood clearly: this was the domain of the red-robed elders.They had truly come for Young Master Xu.So, Young Master Xu was genuinely suspected of being involved with ghost beasts?

“Xiao Wanfeng, why are you just standing there blankly? Hurry and pour tea for the red-robed elders!” Young Master Xu said, tilting his head with a smile.At the sight of that devilish smile, Xiao Wanfeng immediately snapped out of his trembling stupor as if waking from a dream. He stepped forward, mentally counting the people as he prepared to pull out a dozen teacups from his ring.

“No need.” The Night Watch leader, sitting at the adjacent table, waved his hand, stopping Xiao Wanfeng's action. He wasn't there for tea.Xu Xiaoshou's face still held a calm smile. When the Night Watch leader didn't yield, Xu Xiaoshou pushed his teacup forward, gesturing to Xiao Wanfeng to pour him another pot.If he wouldn't drink freshly brewed tea, surely the tea prepared in advance would suffice?

“You don't mind, Senior, I haven't drunk from this one,” Xu Xiaoshou said, reaching out to indicate the tea was hot enough to drink, perfect for washing away travel fatigue.The Night Watch leader merely glanced at the tea, then spoke directly, “Young Master Xu, do you know why I've come to see you?”

“I don't know.” Xu Xiaoshou calmly sat down, gesturing for the Night Watch leader to do the same before replying, “No, but ever since you appeared at the trade fair, you've been closely observing me. I'm not foolish; how could I not notice? So, I've been waiting for you!”

Of course, Xu Xiaoshou was bluffing. He didn't believe the Night Watch leader wouldn't pay extra attention if he suspected Xu Xiaoshou at the trade fair.As expected, the Night Watch leader didn't respond, seemingly acknowledging the truth without a word. He silently moved past the subject, and as soon as he sat down, he spoke in a cold voice:“Let's get straight to the point! The Red-robed suspect that Young Master Xu's Heaven's First Floor has colluded with ghost beasts and dark forces. Young Master Xu, explain yourself!”

Bang!The Night Watch leader pounded the table.Xiao Wanfeng's hand trembled as he poured the tea, nearly spilling it all over Xu Xiaoshou.Xu Xiaoshou frowned, tilting his head to admonish, “Be careful. Don't lose your composure in front of the elder.”“Yes, yes.”Xiao Wanfeng felt intensely nervous! As soon as this person arrived, he immediately dumped two buckets of dirt onto Heaven's First Floor. Who wouldn't be nervous in such a situation?Young Master Xu, however, wasn't nervous… But then, he was an anomaly, someone who couldn't be reasoned with using common sense. That option had to be excluded.

“Suspicion?” Xu Xiaoshou turned back, his expression now solemn, yet he latched onto the weakness in the Night Watch leader's words. He simply held his teacup, taking a sip, and calmly replied, “Are you merely *suspicious*, Senior? Do you have any evidence?”The Night Watch leader's expression grew colder. He stared intently at the unfamiliar face before him, trying to find any resemblance to Xu Xiaoshou or any other verbal slip.

“Now is the time for the Red-robed to judge. Young Master Xu, you have an obligation to answer, not the right to question!” The Night Watch leader slapped the table, his voice even icier.Xiao Wanfeng silently retreated a few steps, standing attentively behind Young Master Xu. Whenever he stepped forward, he felt the oppressive aura threatening to crush him, so he could only leave everything to Young Master Xu to handle. After all, he was just a hired hand who poured tea and collected his fee. Other matters concerning Heaven's First Floor had nothing to do with him.

Naturally, Xu Xiaoshou was not overwhelmed by the Night Watch leader's imposing aura. He could clearly see that the Night Watch leader had no substantial evidence that could convict him. Otherwise, given the old man's temperament, wouldn't it be better to arrest him on the spot and throw him into the Red-robed prison for interrogation?But since there was no evidence, and he wasn't Xu Xiaoshou at the moment, but rather Xu Deyie, the Semi-Saint's successor, then this interrogation…Honestly, Xu Xiaoshou felt that as long as he didn't expose any obvious flaws, this interrogation would merely be a formality and yield no results. After all, he was used to such situations. Xu Xiaoshou wasn't intimidated by the Night Watch leader's pressure; he merely said with an air of calm indifference:

“Senior, you seem to be going too far! The Red-robed may accuse and judge ordinary people without cause, but it seems this action cannot be forced upon me, Young Master?”Xu Xiaoshou's tone was calm and undisturbed. He merely hinted, subtly pointing out his extraordinary identity as a Semi-Saint's successor, then left everything else for the Night Watch leader to handle.

As expected, before the Night Watch leader could react, the Red-robed behind him were already growing restless, wanting to speak but holding back. Everyone knew that the target of this interrogation was a Semi-Saint's successor. The aggressive interrogation methods used on outsiders were simply not suitable to impose on a Semi-Saint's successor. However, the leader of the team was the Night Watch, not Lan Ling or others. So the Red-robed contingent behind them only stirred slightly before suppressing the urge to speak up and dissuade him.It was still the same sentiment. The Night Watch leader would bear the brunt, and the Night Watch leader would be responsible for everything.

“Hmph!” Across the square table, the Night Watch leader was not at all deterred by Young Master Xu's remark. After a cold sneer, he stated harshly, “Young Master Xu, are you suggesting that because you have a Semi-Saint force behind you, you can lord over the Red-robed and White-robed, these two great law enforcement organizations?”

Another accusation was thrown, and Xiao Wanfeng, listening from behind Young Master Xu, stumbled slightly. He lightly braced himself against the long bench under Young Master Xu's seat, barely managing to keep steady.Oh, heavens! Did following Young Master Xu really mean facing so many terrifying situations, even if it was just to pour tea? These spiritual crystals, earning over ten thousand a month, certainly aren't easy money!

Facing such aggression, Xu Xiaoshou remained perfectly calm, not taking the bait at all. He smiled, lowered the hot teacup from his lips, swallowed the tea, then slowly began:“Senior Night Watch, your rhetoric is truly formidable. I haven't even said anything yet, and you've already piled no less than two grand accusations upon me. Are you trying to torment me to death?”He paused, his expression turning solemn. He placed the teacup down with a decisive clink and declared firmly:“But today, I, Young Master, will state my position clearly! Ever since I entered the Imperial City, I have never done anything out of line. If, Senior, you can provide evidence that Heaven's First Floor has overstepped any rules, I am willing to accept punishment. But if there is none… a fabricated crime, while ordinary people might endure it, I, Young Master, will not acquiesce!”

His words were remarkably forceful. Xiao Wanfeng, listening from behind, was stunned. Young Master Xu was usually assertive, but he had never imagined he could be so bold when confronting the Red-robed. Being too rigid makes one easily break! What if the other side got agitated and simply drew their sword to behead Young Master Xu? What then?The direction of Xiao Wanfeng's thoughts had clearly veered off track.

That Young Master Xu could hold his ground like this was, frankly, somewhat unexpected for the Night Watch leader, yet still within reason. A Semi-Saint's successor could not possibly be a coward. Nor could the Night Watch leader truly force a Semi-Saint's successor to submit without any concrete evidence.After a slight pause, the Night Watch leader changed his approach, his voice softening slightly, “Young Master Xu, your surname is Xu?”The question seemed like a joke. Everyone was surprised.Xu Xiaoshou instinctively wanted to retort with a sarcastic remark, but then a chill ran down his spine. Realizing something was amiss, he narrowed his eyes and smiled, “Are you joking with me, Senior? If I don't have the surname Xu, what else could it be?”The Night Watch leader fell silent. What he truly wanted to hear wasn't that kind of reply, but for the other party to directly counter-question: “Is your surname Shou, Night Watch?” Because that would have aligned with Xu Xiaoshou's speaking style. If such a retort had emerged, the Night Watch leader would have even dared to act immediately and apprehend Young Master Xu. Even if he later realized he had arrested the wrong person... he would admit it! He would bear the punishment!

However, from start to finish, the only resemblance between this young man and Xu Xiaoshou wasn't his speaking style, but rather the audacity that came from having someone powerful backing him. That was all. This could not be considered evidence.The Night Watch leader's gaze softened slightly, and he continued, “Young Master Xu has been at the trade fair this whole time, so I presume you've encountered Xu Xiaoshou, the Saint Servant?”“Naturally.” Xu Xiaoshou nodded calmly, then frowned slightly, amused. “Senior, you're not suggesting we're related simply because Xu Xiaoshou and I both share the surname Xu, are you?”“Hmm.” The Night Watch leader actually nodded.Such an absurd inference made Xu Xiaoshou's urge to complain surge, and he almost swore out loud. But he quickly restrained himself, realizing the other party was trying to probe his mind. He merely wore a slight smirk and calmly stated, “I don't believe you, Senior, would draw such an absurd conclusion so lightly. Tell me, what are you truly suspecting?”Seeing such a conventional response, the Night Watch leader had no choice but to abandon his mind games. He tapped his fingers together, enumerating the points as if reciting cherished possessions:“Xu Xiaoshou is a Sword Master, and Young Master Xu, you are also a Sword Master. Xu Xiaoshou is an alchemist, and Young Master Xu, you are also an alchemist. Xu Xiaoshou's conduct is radical and erratic, his words biting; since entering the Imperial City, Young Master Xu, your actions have been high-profile, your demeanor attention-grabbing, and your speech somewhat similar. It's not that I, an old man, am suspicious, but Xu Xiaoshou and you, Young Master Xu, are practically cut from the same cloth!”The Night Watch leader's gaze burned intently, eager to see how Young Master Xu would respond.

By this point, even Xu Xiaoshou himself had to admit that indeed, one's greatest familiarity often comes from their enemies. He seemed to subconsciously tap his fingers on the tabletop. He then cradled his teacup, seemingly speechless and at a loss for how to answer the question.After a moment's thought, Xu Xiaoshou seemed to have finally come up with an answer: “Senior, there are so many similar people in this world. But surely, just because he resembles me, doesn't mean he *is* me, does it? Besides, my alchemy skills aren't actually as formidable as you might imagine, Senior. In the dealings between Heaven's First Floor and the Multifortune Merchant Guild, I merely handled the transactions. The pills were indeed not refined by me.”

The Night Watch leader watched the man, who seemed to be trying his best to clarify, but inadvertently walked right into a trap. He merely said faintly, “Xu Xiaoshou's alchemy skills are also quite poor!”“Huh?” Young Master Xu on the opposite side seemed choked. His lips quivered a few times before he said, with a slightly embarrassed expression, “I can currently barely be called a seventh-grade alchemist. What grade is he?”“Exceptional!”“What grade?”“Tenth grade, perhaps…” the Night Watch leader sighed.If this person in front of him was faking it, then he was faking it too well! Why would anyone deliberately play into another's trap like that? If he were Xu Xiaoshou, he should have tried his best to clarify that he was an extremely formidable alchemist, precisely to distance himself from the true Xu Xiaoshou, right? Yet this fellow did not do so.

“Senior Night Watch.” By now, the Red-robed figures behind had also realized that the Night Watch leader wasn't getting anywhere. They stepped forward, intending to offer a few words of counsel. After all, in the eyes of the Red-robed, Xu Xiaoshou had already reached the Grandmaster realm, while Young Master Xu was only at the Innate realm. This fundamental difference simply could not be ignored.“He's only Innate-level…”However, the Red-robed's words of persuasion were cut short midway as the Night Watch leader glared back, “Silence!”Innate? If the person opposite truly was Xu Xiaoshou, how could he dare to set up a table and wait for me without any preparations? Outsiders might not know Xu Xiaoshou's true prowess, but the Night Watch leader knew it perfectly well.Speaking of cultivation, that reminded the Night Watch leader: Xu Xiaoshou possessed numerous rare treasures!“Young Master Xu.” The Night Watch leader turned his gaze back, and smiling, asked, “Young Master Xu, have you learned any methods to conceal your cultivation?”Xu Xiaoshou frowned, a bad premonition forming in his heart. For this answer, should it be yes, or no? The Night Watch leader was truly cunning! This old fox had actually evolved, learning to subtly manipulate and obscure his intentions.Xu Xiaoshou pondered internally, then pushed his teacup towards Xiao Wanfeng, gesturing for more tea. He then deliberately spoke against expectation, “Naturally, I have.”“Oh.” The Night Watch leader nodded with a smile. “If you have it, then this is easy. Although Xu Xiaoshou has broken through to the Grandmaster realm, his cultivation is unstable, so it's possible he could have fallen back to the Innate realm. If Young Master Xu has indeed mastered a method to conceal his cultivation, then it's certainly possible he could match him… How about this: to clear your name, if it's convenient for you, Young Master Xu, I can use my spiritual energy to probe your Qi Sea. After this test, the result will speak for itself. I guarantee that the Red-robed will no longer pursue an investigation into Heaven's First Floor!”

The Night Watch leader's smile was beaming. Xu Xiaoshou, however, began cursing inwardly. That old fox! How dare you think you can touch *my* body? The Ash燼 Flame Seed, the Three-Day Frost Tribulation, and Sword Nian were all still residing in his Qi Sea!Without waiting for an answer, the Night Watch leader's hands moved with lightning speed, reaching out to touch him. Xu Xiaoshou's pupils constricted in alarm. He shot up from his seat, evading the touch. The situation instantly became tense.The Night Watch leader's face instantly turned cold. The Red-robed figures behind him also sensed something was amiss. This person was resisting!After dodging, Xu Xiaoshou's expression grew angry, but he didn't retreat further. Instead, he advanced, furiously demanding, “Did I, Young Master, agree to let you touch me?”The oppressive aura released by the Semi-Saint's successor caused all the Red-robed, who had anticipated trouble, to calm down. Indeed! This was a Semi-Saint's successor; it was hard to say what special secrets their body might hold. How could they allow others to touch them so easily? Moreover, it was his Qi Sea! Forget Young Master Xu, who among those present didn't have secrets in their Qi Sea? Such a private area would not be easily exposed by any of them.

However, the Night Watch leader disregarded this, his face grim as he gravely asked, “Young Master Xu, are you refusing to cooperate?”Xu Xiaoshou sneered coldly, then spoke with a righteous tone, “For normal procedures, I can cooperate. But for abnormal ones, Senior, let alone probing my Qi Sea, my clan's Semi-Saint's personally bestowed sacred body, along with the privacy and secrets of the Xu Semi-Saint clan… how could they be desecrated!”