Ye Jun's mind was clearer than ever. Sadness still filled his heart as his emotional side silently grieved for the departed, but it understood what needed to be done and helped the rational mind after it took control.
He stood before the same people who murdered the ones he cared about, and he had to suppress his killing intent and go through his plans.
All while remaining calm.
"Greetings, Father!"
Ye Zhong stroked his chin and said, "Where were you yesterday?"
"Grieving the loss of people I cared about," Ye Jun answered. "They were murdered by someone yesterday."
"So, you were there in the market," Ye Heng snorted. "Do you know Ye Cheng was also killed yesterday, right there? What a coincidence, wouldn't you say?"
Ye Jun blinked in surprise, then frowned. "Who's Ye Cheng again?"
"Don't play the fool here!" Ye Chen slammed his hand against the wooden frame of the balcony. "You know him clearly, because you're the one who murdered him yesterday."
"Come clean, Ye Jun," Ye Zhong said, frowning. "Killing your fellow clansmen is a grave crime, and the punishment is execution. But if you confess, I can ask the Ancestors to lessen your punishment."
"But why would I admit to something I didn't even do?" Ye Jun retorted.
"Because someone saw you running in the direction where Ye Cheng was," Ye Heng snorted. "Just come clean. You did kill him."
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Ye Jun asked in confusion. "I'm pretty sure this Ye Cheng was stronger than me, right? Even kids are surpassing me."
Ye Heng paused, as he couldn't find an argument against that.
Indeed. How could Ye Jun kill someone many stages above him?
It didn't make sense.
"Elder, he's trying to divert your attention," Ye Chen spoke up again, his voice laced with anger. "Just because he can't do it himself doesn't mean someone else can't help him."
"And who would actually do that?" Ye Jun asked in return. "Who would offend the Ye Clan to help a cripple like me?"
Once again, the elders turned silent. Ye Jun made good points. The only reason this council was being held was because Ye Zhong was convinced by his son, Ye Chen.
Ye Zhong was aware of what Ye Chen did. He was also certain Ye Cheng's death had something to do with Ye Jun, so he called this Elders' Council.
He wanted to take advantage of the fact that Ye Jun would still be grieving over the dead ones, so they could force him to admit he committed the murder in anger.
The moment he did that, they could remove him from the position of Young Master using it as an excuse.
As far as they knew him, they guessed he would be filled with rage. He had reacted like that in the past. That's why they summoned him so early, so he didn't get time to calm down.
It was a good opportunity they didn't want to miss.
As for how he killed Ye Cheng, it didn't matter to them. Or rather, they didn't even consider it in their excitement, as they were sure their plan would work.
Who could have imagined that Ye Jun would be this calm and counter them so easily?
Now, they found themselves at a loss for words.
Ye Zhong sighed, knowing the opportunity was gone.
But someone else wasn't going to let this go easily.
"It's too easy to see," Ye Chen scoffed in disdain. "You're the Young Master of this clan, unfortunately. But you know you'll lose the status in one year and will be left to survive on your own."
His eyes blazed with fury as he added, "That's why you sold out our clan to our enemies, the Xia or Tang Clan. What did they give you in return? What did you give them? The secrets of our clan?"
He gritted his teeth. "Ye Cheng was a good man. He must have discovered you meeting with them, so you killed him by colluding with those lowlifes."
The Elders sat up straight, while a flash of appreciation and admiration shone in Ye Zhong's eyes as he nodded proudly at his son. This was a strong point they could use to corner Ye Jun.
Betraying the Clan and killing a clansman were two of the worst crimes, punished by fates worse than death.
The Elders also nodded in appreciation. They liked the way their future Young Master thought and schemed. He had a good future ahead of him with such a mind.
Ye Jun smiled faintly. 'You are angry over your loss, huh. What a surprise. Even came prepared to throw me off the cliff.'
"Now that I think about it, I've seen Ye Jun making trips to the market a few times," one of the elders spoke up. "I always wondered why he left the clan."
"Young Master Chen might be right. He is colluding with other clans. That's why he went there to give them information," another spoke up in agreement.
"Who knows. Maybe the story about grieving over someone isn't even real. He's just spouting nonsense to cover up his betrayal."
That one made Ye Jun clench his hands into fists, as an urge to rip that mouth apart rose, but he suppressed it. Now wasn't the time.
'A day will come for them.'
"What do you have to say, traitor?" Ye Heng asked, standing up. "You actually dared to betray my clan. Guards! Drag him to my chambers. I'll personally punish him."
He paused for a bit, then bowed before Ye Zhong. "Of course, if the Patriarch commands it."
Ye Jun smiled at that. He was actually impressed by their ability to spout nonsense. Though he also considered them very bad actors, as they failed to conceal their glee.
Even Ye Chen was smirking in happiness, as if he had won some great victory.
'But you already gave me the tools to win this argument. I don't even need to do anything,' Ye Jun smiled and turned to see the guards coming to fetch him.
Then he turned back to look at Ye Zhong and said, "So, I can't even defend myself? I'm sure Grandpa would be pleasantly happy to know that you passed judgment without hearing my argument."