CHAPTER 771: CHAPTER 776: EXPELLED FROM THE HEAVENLY MECHANISM PAVILION

Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion.

Liang Tian came alone to Su Mei’s living quarters, and upon pushing open the door, he saw not only Pavilion Master Su Mei but also Du Kang and others, all of whom were staring at him. For some reason, Liang Tian suddenly had a bad feeling.

"Pavilion Master." Liang Tian clasped his hands and bowed to Su Mei as a form of greeting.

"Elder Liang, please have a seat." Su Mei indicated the chair next to her and said.

Liang Tian said with a half-smile, "Pavilion Master, let’s skip the sitting." After finishing his words, Liang Tian turned his head to look at Du Kang and asked, "Elder Du, you’ve called me here, but I don’t know what for. I have matters to attend to later and can’t stay long. If you have anything to say, please speak directly to avoid wasting my time."

"Liang Tian." Du Kang’s face was stern, and he sharply called out, not showing the slightest bit of courtesy. As the most senior elder of Yangxin Pavilion, Du Kang saw no need to save face for Liang Tian.

Hearing Du Kang’s rebuke, Liang Tian’s brows furrowed slightly, and a flicker of foreboding crossed his murky old eyes.

"Elder Du, if you have something to say, just say it. Why stare at me like that?"

"Liang Tian, do you still not recognize your wrongs?"

"Elder Du, be clear with your words. What wrong have I done, that even I myself am unaware of?" Liang Tian defiantly met Du Kang’s stern gaze.

"Humph! At this point, you still don’t realize your fault. Liang Tian, considering your long service in Yangxin Pavilion, I gave you a chance today. But if you continue in this vein, concealing the truth, don’t blame me for being rude. Tell us, what exactly have you done wrong?"

Seeing Du Kang’s exasperated demeanor, Liang Tian’s heart skipped a beat, and his complexion showed a subtle change.

"Could it be... No way?" Liang Tian thought to himself. Nobody knew about that matter except himself; he hadn’t breathed a word of it to anyone else. How did Du Kang find out?

As thoughts raced through his mind, Liang Tian steeled his resolve and said, "Elder Du, Pavilion Master, if you have something to say, just say it. Don’t beat around the bush, I don’t have time to play charades with you here."

"Fine, since you’ve said so, I’d like to see how you explain yourself. Liang Tian, you should be familiar with Zhu Hong, right?"

Zhu Hong?

A heavy feeling settled in Liang Tian’s heart, and he inwardly cursed at the bad turn of events. Indeed, it was about that matter.

Seeing Liang Tian’s silence, Du Kang said gravely, "You clearly knew Zhu Hong was a fugitive we were searching for, yet you protected him in secret, helping him escape our pursuit. Liang Tian, do you realize that by doing so, you are opposing Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion? As an elder of Yangxin Pavilion, to commit such an act, you truly disappoint me."

"No, I haven’t..." Liang Tian hurriedly defended himself, "Elder Du, this is slander. I have never done such a thing. Besides, what evidence do you have?"

"Evidence?" Du Kang said with displeasure. "At this point, you still refuse to repent. Well, if you want evidence, then I’ll tell you. After Zhu Hong left Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, he went to seek revenge on Ling Chen alone, and he confessed this himself. Liang Tian, I’d like to see how you’ll wriggle out of this."

"I..." Liang Tian was rendered speechless for a moment.

At this point, Su Mei spoke up, "According to Ling Chen, Zhu Hong is not alone; he has many capable people with him. Moreover, he repeatedly told Ling Chen that all of this was arranged by his master. Elder Liang, the matter has come to this point; do you still intend to keep hiding? It’s better to confess than to be stubborn. If you are willing to explain everything, maybe we can show leniency and forgive past actions. But if you remain obdurate, then don’t blame me for disregarding past feelings."

Hearing Su Mei’s serious words, Liang Tian hesitated for a moment and then said, "Pavilion Master, you just said that I sheltered Zhu Hong; I admit to that. Indeed, I came across Zhu Hong hiding in Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion one night. Despite his age, he has quite a potential. I thought to myself, I need a disciple, so why not take him as one and nurture him well. Hence, I deceived those who came searching for Zhu Hong and protected him."

"And then what?"

"Elder Du, I admit to that, but I have no connection to the other matters you mentioned."

"What do you mean?" asked Du Kang sternly.

"After I took Zhu Hong as my disciple, the youngster was initially well-behaved, but after a few days, he suddenly disappeared. I searched everywhere for him to no avail, throughout Yangxin Pavilion. Therefore, his actions ever since have nothing to do with me."

Hearing this, Du Kang couldn’t help but slam the table and rise up, glaring at Liang Tian with fury and snorting, "Liang Tian oh Liang Tian, despite being an ancient figure of Yangxin Pavilion, have you forgotten our rules? Yangxin Pavilion has always forbidden outsiders from entering, yet you dared to harbor a fugitive of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion within its walls. Do you realize the trouble you’ve invited?"

Du Kang continued, "This... Elder Du, I’ve recognized my mistake. Besides, this was a minor issue," Liang Tian replied dismissively. "After all, Zhu Hong didn’t cause any major trouble."

"If he did cause major trouble, then everything would be too late. Liang Tian, you’re not young anymore, yet you still commit such foolish acts. You’ve not only disappointed me, but I’m sure Elder Su would be even more disappointed when he learns of this. He nurtured you himself and allowed you into Yangxin Pavilion, but you’ve repaid his kindness with such actions."

"I..." Hearing Du Kang mention Su He, Liang Tian’s face showed a look of shame. He opened his mouth but found no words to say.

"Enough, I don’t want to talk about this anymore. Pavilion Master, you are the steward of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion; this matter is for you to handle."

Su Mei nodded gently and looked at Liang Tian, "Elder Liang, in light of your actions that have gravely violated the rules of both Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion and Yangxin Pavilion, as of today, you are no longer a part of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion."

Hearing this, Liang Tian’s face instantly changed as he hurriedly said, "Pavilion Master, you can’t do this. I’m an elder of Yangxin Pavilion, you..."

"You what?" Du Kang cut him off sharply. "If you truly considered yourself part of Yangxin Pavilion, you wouldn’t have done things that betray Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion. Liang Tian, I’ve given you chances before, but unfortunately, you’ve repeatedly denied and concealed the truth, refusing to admit your faults. If this is the case, then this is the best punishment for you. Say no more, just leave. From now onwards, Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion has nothing to do with you."

"Pavilion Master..." Liang Tian looked at Su Mei with a face full of pleading, hoping she would reconsider.

Su Mei sighed lightly and said, "Elder Liang, take care on your way; I won’t see you out." Having said that, Su Mei stood up and walked straight out of the room.