My Swordsmanship Has No Upper Limit

Chapter 240: Chapter 133: Zhong Ming: I Did It. What Can You Do to Me

He was one of the parties involved, and from the two women’s perspective, Zhong Ming was the one who stood to gain.

More importantly, coming from a minor sect, he lacked the power to dispel the rumors.

In their view, making Zhong Ming the scapegoat was the quickest way to end the affair.

In a way, they had succeeded.

As they loudly condemned Zhong Ming, many of the cultivators by the lake shore looked as if they’d had a sudden epiphany.

"Fairy Su Wanqiu of Qianqiu Valley has been in seclusion. I was wondering how such an outrageous rumor could have started. So it was Zhong Ming’s doing all along."

"I don’t know... I don’t think Zhong Ming is that kind of person, is he?" The question came from a member of the onlooking crowd.

The doubt had barely been voiced when someone else retorted with a cold sneer, "Why not? It’s not like you don’t know Zhong Ming’s personality—arrogant, conceited, and utterly disrespectful. If he fancies someone, do you really think he’d try to woo them with grace and courtesy?"

"Spreading rumors, sullying their reputations, and forcing Fairy Su Wanqiu and Fairy Miaoyun to submit—this is exactly the kind of thing he would do!"

"I agree. Don’t you think yesterday’s rumors were a little too convenient for Zhong Ming? Several fairies fawning over him? Heh, I wouldn’t even dare to dream of something like that."

"Zhong Ming’s wild ambitions have been obvious for a long time. He ignored Ji Qinghui and Ji Qingkang to support only Princess Qingyue, clearly hoping to use his proximity to his advantage... But I never thought his ambition was this great. He’s eating from his bowl while already eyeing what’s in the pot."

"Alright, I guess that does sound like something Zhong Ming would do..." freёwebnovel.com

After some ’objective analysis’ from the crowd, the cultivators by the lake shore slowly began to lean toward the idea that Zhong Ming was indeed the one behind these despicable schemes.

Sensing all this, Zhong Ming sneered. "Fabricating charges, slandering others, claiming the moral high ground... Your actions really do live up to my impression of the Major Sects."

Zhong Ming’s words caused Di Yun of the Celestial Sound Sect’s expression to turn cold. "You think we’re slandering you? Hmph! If you didn’t spread these rumors, how could my junior sister, Fairy Su Wanqiu, and Miss Nangong Die all just so happen to be connected to you?"

He was still trying with all his might to brand Zhong Ming as the one who started the rumors.

But Zhong Ming had already lost interest in arguing.

’Words are useless. Rumors... they can be cut down by the sword in my hand!’

WHOOSH...

Acting on this belief, Zhong Ming prepared to rise into the air and simply unleash his power on everyone. freēwebnovel.com

But just as he began to rise, a charming and lively voice suddenly rang out.

"How am I connected to Zhong Ming? Why, it’s because I’ve developed feelings for him, of course."

"Huh?!"

Everyone’s head snapped around at the sudden declaration. They quickly saw that the speaker was Nangong Die of the Spirit Illusion Sect.

Her expression was perfectly composed; she didn’t seem to be lying.

Her words left everyone—both on the Crescent Lake Shore and out on the water—utterly stunned.

"I... I didn’t mishear, did I? Nangong Die said she has feelings for Zhong Ming?"

"It’s absolutely true. I heard it too."

"So the rumor was actually true? Miss Nangong Die is really in love with Zhong Ming!"

"Hey, what do you think? If it’s true about Miss Nangong Die, then what about Su Wanqiu and Fairy Miaoyun... could their connection to Zhong Ming also be..."

Just as the crowd by the shore was wildly speculating, a smiling Nangong Die spoke again. This time, she aimed her words at Miaoyun and Su Wanqiu, her tone laced with playful mockery. "Honestly, you two. So you fell for Zhong Ming and got rejected. Is that any reason for love to turn to hate, for you to slander him like this?"

"Acting so petty... you’ll have a hard time finding anyone willing to marry you in the future!"

CRACK!

Nangong Die’s words, meant to drag them down into the muck with her, made Su Wanqiu’s aura flare with sharpness. Her fists clenched, and it was obvious she was beyond furious.

On the other side, Miaoyun was also stunned for a moment by Nangong Die’s sudden ’betrayal,’ but she quickly recovered. Her mind raced, and she instantly came up with a counter-plan:

"So that’s it. I was wondering how Zhong Ming alone could have spread the rumors all over the city. It turns out the Spirit Illusion Sect was fanning the flames from behind the scenes."

"To tarnish my name and that of my sister Wanqiu, you people truly stop at nothing!"

Nangong Die’s sudden betrayal and Miaoyun’s swift counterattack threw the scene into chaos. The onlooking cultivators watched with great relish, while Prince Qinghe, Qin Shang, and the others observed the farce with keen interest through the Water Mirror.

Barring any surprises, the current argument would have to continue for quite some time before reaching any sort of resolution.

Moreover, with Nangong Die joining the fray, it became possible for Zhong Ming to clear his name verbally.

However, this war of words didn’t suit Zhong Ming’s temperament. In fact, he was growing weary of it.

Therefore, he didn’t join the argument. Instead, he made the Morning Star: Candlelight Dragon (Sword) within his Sea of Consciousness tremble slightly!

HUMMM—!

As the [Morning Star: Candlelight Dragon (Sword)] trembled, a boundless and peerless might erupted from within Zhong Ming. It rolled out like a clap of thunder, shocking everyone present and making their breaths catch in their throats.

"Enough!"

WHOOSH...

As everyone, their breathing hitched by Zhong Ming’s power, suddenly turned to look, his figure was already rising into the sky, moving without any wind.

Looking down upon the crowd, a defiant sneer played on Zhong Ming’s lips. He spread his hands wide, his tone filled with a kind of nonchalant arrogance as he spoke:

"Since you’re all convinced I’m the one who spread the rumors, then so be it! What does it matter if you pin it on me!"

"I’m the one who spread the rumors, I’m the one who tarnished their reputations—now, faced with me, what... can any of you do about it!"

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