The scapegoat has been arranged

Boom!

Huang Feng was stunned.

Because the person on the phone screen was none other than herself!

The familiar robes, the distinctive accessories, and the unique spiritual energy flow patterns of the Mystic Wind Pavilion’s techniques—everything was unmistakably clear.

The ultra-high-definition footage made it feel as if she were right there.

Even the crow’s feet at the corners of her eyes were captured in perfect detail.

But—

But how?!

How could it be...

"Me?"

Huang Feng’s face paled. Disbelieving, she reached for the phone, her fingers trembling slightly, as if she could shatter this absurd illusion with a touch.

"This... this is impossible! Last night, I was in seclusion! How could I have been there, saying such things?!"

"Who—who put me in there?!"

Her voice trembled with panic and fear as her eyes darted frantically across the faces of those around her, desperate for someone to step forward and tell her this was all a lie!

The Starlight Sect’s leader also widened his eyes, glaring at the phone screen. His face twisted with fury. "Huang Feng!!"

He turned his furious gaze toward the pale-faced Huang Feng. Her nervous demeanor seemed to him like the obvious reaction of someone caught in a lie.

"Why?! Why must your Mystic Wind Pavilion oppose our Starlight Sect again and again?!"

"Even in this modern world, you still seek to strike at us with such cruelty?!"

"You—!"

"You’re nothing but—!"

"A vile woman!!"

As his voice faded, Su Muwan instinctively blinked. She glanced left and right.

Oh, he wasn’t cursing at her.

Huang Feng found herself at a loss for words. She could only shake her head repeatedly. "No! It wasn’t me!"

"Though I despise you all, I would never resort to a night ambush and murder!"

"Then is that person in the video you or not?!"

"This... this..."

Huang Feng fell silent.

The crowd erupted into murmurs, the buzzing of hushed conversations filling the room.

Su Muwan and Qin Luo exchanged a glance.

"Everyone," Su Muwan said after their silent communication, clearing her throat to regain the crowd’s attention. "It seems this matter has grown even more complicated. To impersonate Elder Huang Feng’s appearance and replicate the Mystic Wind Pavilion’s techniques—the mastermind behind this is no ordinary foe."

She deliberately emphasized the word "impersonate," as if hinting at something.

Qin Luo followed up with a grave nod. "The young lady speaks wisely. No matter how foolish a person may be, they wouldn’t leave such obvious traces."

"Perhaps someone deliberately disguised themselves as Elder Huang Feng..."

"...then used the Mystic Wind Pavilion’s techniques to stir up conflict."

"The mastermind must have sinister intentions. We must not fall into their trap and turn on each other."

"The Alliance will surely investigate this thoroughly."

Qin Luo spoke with utmost solemnity.

Su Muwan nodded in agreement.

Together, they deftly shifted all responsibility onto the Alliance.

Huang Feng, moved by their words, looked gratefully at Qin Luo and Su Muwan. "Yes, exactly! Someone must be framing me!"

"They want to incite hatred between us and the Starlight Sect!"

Though reluctant to believe it, the Starlight Sect’s leader, Qing Feng, suppressed his rage.

Because he trusted the Alliance.

From the beginning, they had provided electronic devices, built modern facilities for free, and now offered guidance in uncovering the truth.

He could clearly sense that the Alliance genuinely sought peace among them.

"..."

Qing Feng took a deep breath and clasped his hands toward Qin Luo and the others. "Thank you for the Alliance’s assistance today. We will wait a few more days."

With that, he shook his head and led his people away.

The other sects who had come also clasped their hands in farewell before departing.

Before leaving, each of them shot a glare at the Mystic Wind Pavilion members, who hung their heads in shame, faces burning.

Huang Feng clenched her fists. She knew someone had set her up.

But... who could it be?

"Elder Huang Feng," Qin Luo approached and patted her shoulder, sighing softly. "Don’t dwell on it too much."

"We will uncover the truth behind this incident."

Huang Feng’s eyes flickered with complex emotions.

How could this be?

She had always opposed the Alliance, forbidding her disciples from befriending them and even restricting their use of phones.

Yet...

Yet the Alliance chose to believe her and sought justice on her behalf.

A strange feeling welled up in Huang Feng’s heart. She lowered her head and clasped her hands in gratitude. "Thank you for your trust, Mr. Qin."

"I swear upon the Heavenly Dao—this matter has nothing to do with me."

Of course, I know.

Qin Luo blinked.

Because you didn’t kill anyone in the first place.

"Rest assured, Elder Huang Feng. Return for now, and await our news."

"Thank you!"

Moments later, the grand conference hall stood empty.

Qin Luo clasped his hands behind his back and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, watching as the sect members departed.

Only then did the corners of his lips curl slightly. "The groundwork with the Mystic Wind Pavilion is complete."

"Minister Ouyang, prepare to discuss the sect’s reconstruction plans with their leader."

Ouyang Xuan hesitated. "But what about the Starlight Sect? How should we respond?"

"Do we need to find the real culprit?"

Su Muwan waved her hand dismissively, giving Ouyang Xuan an exasperated look. "Uncle, do you really not understand Qin Luo?"

"Our Qin Luo has already arranged everything."

"He must have already chosen a scapegoat long ago, right?"

She turned to Qin Luo. "Isn’t that so?"

Qin Luo smiled. "The young lady is as sharp as ever."

"The scapegoat has indeed been selected."

[Detected T0 protagonist of "To Take Revenge, I Devour My Way Through the Heavens"—Xu Tun!]

[Host, perform a lackey’s duty upon him!]

[Reward: 10 attribute points.]

Reading the system prompt, Qin Luo smirked.

Perfect. Then you shall play the role of the ultimate villain in this assimilation plan.

As for witnesses...

A cold glint flashed in Qin Luo’s eyes.

The dead can still speak.

......

Yunxiao City.

A shabby rented room.

"997..."

"998..."

"999..."

"1000."

A man’s arms suddenly gave out, and he collapsed face-first onto the dusty floor.

Gasping for breath, his chest heaved violently. Sweat poured from his forehead and cheeks, pooling on the ground.

After a long while, his ragged breathing finally steadied. Propping himself up on his elbows, he slowly sat up, exhaustion mingling with relief in his eyes.

"Finally adjusted to this body."

The man wiped the sweat from his face with the back of his hand, pushing his damp hair back.

His name was Xu Tun. He had been reborn some time ago, but this new body was far too weak—even moderate exercise left him drained.

These thousand push-ups were his first conquest.

By relying on the [Spirit Devouring Technique] to absorb nourishment from frozen meat, he was able to fortify his body.

Achieving this meant he had finally gained preliminary control over this cumbersome vessel of flesh.

Xu Tun flexed his sore shoulders and arms, feeling the faint ache in his muscles, and a faint smirk unconsciously curled at the corners of his lips.

Having once roamed the heavens unchallenged, how could such trivial obstacles hinder his path?

This body was merely the starting point on his road to vengeance.

Once again, Ling Long's icy, mocking face surfaced in his mind, and his gaze instantly turned as sharp as a blade.

Clenching his fists, he growled through gritted teeth, "Ling Long! Just you wait! Once I fully regain my strength, I will find you—and make you beg for death!"

Above all...

He would demand an answer: why had she betrayed him all those years ago?