Watching the death row inmate kneeling on the ground and sobbing, Tang Wushuang’s master cursed inwardly, ’What a useless oaf. Scared witless after just a few words.’

According to the original plan he and Tang Wushuang had cooked up, with the Third Prince’s backing, they were certain they could get Lin Yun convicted. But now that the inmate had blurted out the truth, it seemed the death penalty was off the table.

"Dean, even if that is the truth, this student killing someone in public was witnessed by all. If he is not punished, I fear the Academy’s rules will become a mere formality." Even if he couldn’t secure a death sentence, Tang Wushuang’s master wasn’t giving up.

’In their minds, neither master nor disciple had ever shown their faces, so there was no way the whole affair could be traced back to them. Causing a little trouble for Lin Yun was still a good thing.’

Hearing the words of Tang Wushuang’s master, the Dean waved his hand. Immediately, two Stewards at the Qi Sea Realm dragged the inmate out. What awaited him was naturally the most severe punishment from the Punishment Hall.

After a long silence, the Dean finally spoke. "Lin Shan, while it is true you were lured into an ambush, as a disciple of the Academy, all matters should be handled by the Punishment Hall. For you to kill someone in public was indeed improper. However, considering you had just cause, I sentence you to half a year of quiet reflection on Celestial Net Peak to serve as a warning to others. Do you have any objections?"

At these words, a sinister smile appeared on the face of Tang Wushuang’s master. ’Celestial Net Peak? That’s the place where all disciples who break the rules are confined.’

’Half a year of reflection there would be more than enough suffering for Lin Yun.’

"Dean, since there was just cause, isn’t this punishment a bit too severe?" Zhong Qing spoke up.

"I know Lin Shan is your disciple, but the Academy’s rules cannot be broken. Not crippling his Cultivation is already showing great leniency. If there is no punishment, what will become of the Academy’s rules in the future?" the Dean replied.

Hearing this, a look of helplessness crossed Zhong Qing’s face. Indeed, for Lin Yun, just half a year of reflection was already the best possible outcome.

Zhong Qing was helpless, but Lin Yun, who had remained silent until now, spoke up. "Dean, Lin Shan is willing to accept the punishment, but... I wonder if the ones who framed Lin Shan also need to be punished?"

"Naturally. However, Yue Xiuchuan is already dead."

Listening to the exchange between Lin Yun and the Dean, Tang Wushuang’s master felt a sense of unease. ’This guy, Lin Yun, has too many tricks up his sleeve. For him to say this now, it’s definitely not that simple.’

Sure enough, Lin Yun’s next words nearly made Tang Wushuang’s master fly into a rage. "Dean, Yue Xiuchuan is dead, but the masterminds are not. Tang Wushuang and his master are the ones who orchestrated this plot."

Now that he had been implicated, the Dean’s gaze shifted to Tang Wushuang’s master. He then turned to Lin Yun and asked, "Do you have evidence that this master and disciple are connected to this matter?"

Facing the Dean’s question, Lin Yun answered with a question of his own. "May I ask the Dean, if I can prove this master and disciple are connected to this matter, what would their punishment be?"

After considering for a moment, the Dean finally decided, "If you can prove they are connected to this matter, I will sentence them to the same punishment as you: half a year of quiet reflection on Celestial Net Peak."

Having received the Dean’s answer, a wicked smile spread across Lin Yun’s face. ’That was exactly what I wanted to hear.’

"Good. In that case, I’ll trouble the Dean to summon Tang Wushuang. I wish to confront him face-to-face," Lin Yun said.

"Dean, this boy is just making baseless trouble! We are completely innocent! He’s fabricating these accusations!" Tang Wushuang’s master protested.

"Dean, if what Lin Shan says is false, or if I cannot prove this master and disciple were involved, Lin Shan is willing to accept double the punishment," Lin Yun continued.

At these words, not only the Dean but even Tang Wushuang’s master was stunned. ’What is this Lin Yun relying on? Could he really have proof that Tang Wushuang and I were involved?’

Tang Wushuang’s master racked his brain, but he couldn’t think of any evidence that could have fallen into Lin Yun’s hands. Nevertheless, the worry in his heart grew heavier and heavier.

"Fine. Summon Tang Wushuang." In the end, the Dean granted Lin Yun’s request.

Before long, Tang Wushuang was led into the main hall by a Punishment Hall Steward. He first bowed to everyone present, then his eyes met Lin Yun’s.

As the saying goes, when enemies meet, their eyes blaze with hatred. This perfectly described Lin Yun and Tang Wushuang at that moment. The gazes they shot at each other burned with fury. Had they not been in the main hall, there was little doubt they would have already come to blows.

"Alright, Lin Shan, remember your words. If you have no evidence, you will accept double the punishment as the price for slandering an Academy expert and a Genius Class disciple," the Dean said.

Zhong Qing and Elder Bai watched Lin Yun, wondering what plan he had.

"Tang Wushuang, ever since I first saw you in Yunlu County City, I knew you were a scoundrel. You don’t dare to duel me openly and honorably. You only know how to use schemes and hide in the shadows. You’re a complete and utter scoundrel." To everyone’s surprise, the moment Lin Yun opened his mouth, he didn’t mention the current situation at all, instead launching into a tirade against Tang Wushuang.

Enraged by Lin Yun’s insults, Tang Wushuang naturally exploded, shouting back without showing any weakness, "Lin Shan, I, Tang Wushuang, am a favored son of heaven, the number one of the younger generation in Yunlu County! You think I’d need to use schemes to kill you? I could crush you with a single finger!"

"Pah! A favored son of heaven? Tang Wushuang, drop your pathetic act. You think I don’t know what you’re thinking? Since we entered the Academy, can you dare say you haven’t schemed against me?" Lin Yun scoffed.

"Lin Yun, do you have the guts to fight me to the death? I, Tang Wushuang, will absolutely annihilate you!" Tang Wushuang was livid; Lin Yun had struck a nerve.

"Hmph. A life-and-death battle? Tang Wushuang, your lackey Yue Xiuchuan was already killed by me. Do you dare fight me to the death?"

"You didn’t even dare to accept the life-and-death battle I challenged you to before. You’re just a coward who only knows how to use dirty tricks from the shadows."

"Using two death row inmates to try and kill me, Lin Shan? Tang Wushuang, do you think I’m trash just like you...?"

Lin Yun bombarded Tang Wushuang relentlessly. At that moment, Lin Yun was like a shrew, giving Tang Wushuang no room to even get a word in.

His face flushed crimson, Tang Wushuang lost all reason and let out a furious roar.

"Lin Shan! My master and I planned for so long! The fact that those two death row inmates didn’t kill you was just your damned luck! But I, Tang Wushuang, swear that one day I will tear you to pieces! I’ll use your head as a chamber pot and your hands as shit-stirrers...!" At that moment, Tang Wushuang hurled every curse he could think of.

He had blurted out the words almost subconsciously, but in that instant, the atmosphere in the entire hall froze. Tang Wushuang’s master, in particular, had a look of sheer horror and dawning dread on his face.

"Dean, did you hear all that?" No longer continuing his tirade, Lin Yun bowed to the Dean and asked, his goal now achieved.

Seeing the priceless expressions on everyone’s faces, Tang Wushuang also realized what he’d just done. He immediately roared at Lin Yun, "Lin Shan, you bastard! You dared to set me up?"