Chapter 421: The Disappearing Steel Needle

Zhou Qi spoke solemnly, "Song Ge, you can’t joke about this sort of thing. You say Liu Yunsong used a hidden weapon to ambush you; do you have any evidence?"

Song Ge pointed at Liu Yunsong’s cuff and said, "There’s a mechanism hidden inside his sleeve. If you don’t believe me, you can search it."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Qi immediately went in front of Liu Yunsong, bent over, and rolled up his cuff. Suddenly, a leather pouch bound to Liu Yunsong’s sleeve appeared, equipped with an exquisitely hidden compartment on its surface, with three needle-sized holes on the front.

Seeing the hidden weapon mechanism that Liu Yunsong wore, Zhou Qi’s face changed. With dexterous hands, he removed the pouch, raising it in front of Zhu Jin to challenge him, "Master Zhu, how do you explain this?"

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhu Jin calmly said, "What’s so strange about this? My Junior Brother is a member of Martial Arts; he has many enemies, so he frequently carries this set of hidden weapons for self-defense. It has become a habit for him. Zhou Qi, are you suggesting that having personal habits is wrong?"

At this point, Zhu Jin paused, then continued, "I am well aware of my Junior Brother’s habits. To avoid any accidents, I specifically instructed him before ascending the stage to remove the steel needles from the hidden weapon for me to keep safe."

After finishing his statement, Zhu Jin took out three steel needles from his pocket and handed them to Zhou Qi, saying, "If you don’t believe it, you can try and see if these three needles match."

"There’s no need to try," Song Ge interjected from the side. "I have a better way to prove it—the three steel needles your Junior Brother used to attack me are still left on the platform. Just find those three needles, and the truth will be clear whether it was a fact or a slander."

"Alright!" Zhu Jin readily agreed. "As long as you can find them, then it’s my Junior Brother’s own fault, and I will no longer pursue the matter."

"Someone," Zhou Qi gestured grandly and commanded, "Set a perimeter around the platform, and no one is allowed to approach."

Very swiftly, Zhong Yang led a dozen people to surround the platform, meticulously searching for the whereabouts of the steel needles.

Ten minutes passed.

Zhong Yang walked over to Zhou Qi and whispered a few words in his ear.

Whatever Zhong Yang said, Zhou Qi nodded and turned to Song Ge and Zhu Jin, saying, "We’ve searched the platform thoroughly and haven’t found the steel needles."

Song Ge’s expression changed. With a frown, he said, "Elder Zhou, I am one hundred percent certain he used the hidden weapon to ambush me. Could it be that you’ve missed them, or..." Song Ge looked at Zhu Jin, saying, "Or they were discreetly dealt with by someone."

"I understand your point," Zhou Qi replied. "However, the only ones who went up to the platform just now were me and Master Zhu. As a judge, I naturally wouldn’t help Dangyang Sect conceal criminal evidence. While Master Zhu was on the platform, I was watching him the entire time. If he had done anything sneaky, it couldn’t have escaped my eyes."

"Elder Zhou..."

Zhou Qi waved his hand, cutting off Song Ge’s words. With a serious face, he said, "Song Ge, there’s no need for further explanation; the matter is clear. Ignoring the rules of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion, you deliberately used excessive force and seriously injured Liu Yunsong. Even though you are the top of the Newcomer List, I must uphold justice and integrity."

Upon hearing this, Song Ge’s complexion turned unsightly, with a commotion of comments erupting among the audience.

"What a pity!"

"Yes, indeed. The top of the Newcomer List, the most promising candidate, has made such a basic mistake, which is really unbecoming."

"Who’s to blame? He destroyed his own promising future; he’s just too young and impulsive."

Listening to the sighs around him, Ling Chen looked towards Song Ge on the platform and also felt sorry for him. Deep down, he believed in Song Ge’s words. To become the top of the Newcomer List was no easy feat. Moreover, Song Ge’s demeanor did not seem arrogant or unyielding.

However, facts speak louder than words. Without the hidden weapon, all words were in vain.

While musing, Ling Chen glanced at Zhu Jin on the platform and Yi Shuiyan among the seated guests, noting the faint smiles on their lips. Neither was perturbed by Liu Yunsong’s injury—it all seemed too suspicious.

"What a pity."

Ling Chen, looking at the shaking head of Xu Ming, asked, "Second Brother, do you also believe that Song Ge is innocent?"

"He was wronged; Liu Yunsong indeed used a hidden weapon. However, without the three steel needles, everything said is futile."

Ling Chen was somewhat surprised. Among so many present, including numerous experts, no one saw Liu Yunsong deploy a hidden weapon, except Xu Ming did, which couldn’t be a simple coincidence.

As far as he knew, among the eight eccentrics, Xu Ming and Zhang Zhongfeng had the most mysterious backgrounds. Especially Xu Ming, who was typically quiet and rarely spoke, never mentioned his past. Even Qiu Yong didn’t know much about him.

After letting his thoughts wander for a while, Ling Chen shifted his focus back to the platform, pondering why the three steel needles had inexplicably vanished.

"Ladies and gentlemen..."

At this moment, Zhou Qi cupped his fists towards the audience and announced, "In light of Song Ge’s violation, I hereby declare the cancellation of Song Ge’s eligibility to partake in the Heavenly Mechanism Great Ceremony. Due to the sudden incident, I need to report quickly to the Pavilion Master. Please, everyone, take a break with a cup of tea. After the matter is resolved, the Heavenly Mechanism Chaos Battle shall continue."

"Let’s go."

The audience looked reluctantly at Song Ge on the platform and began to rise up to leave.

But at that moment, after hearing Zhou Qi’s words, Ling Chen seemed to think of something. His eyes suddenly sparkled with realization, and he quickly raised his arm high, shouting, "Wait!"

Those who were about to leave turned their heads at his shout.

Zhou Qi, recognizing Ling Chen, asked, "Mr. Ling, do you have something else to say?"

Ling Chen smiled as he emerged from his seat, climbed swiftly onto the platform, and spoke slowly and deliberately, "I believe I know the whereabouts of those three steel needles."

As soon as these words came out, the whole place erupted like a boiling pot.

"Oh?" Zhou Qi asked with interest, "Mr. Ling, this is not a matter to joke about. Are you sure you have a handle on this?"

Song Ge, standing to one side, gave Ling Chen a slightly puzzled look, but remained silent.

"Ling Chen, don’t get ahead of yourself here. The people of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion have searched thoroughly and didn’t find the three steel needles. Are you implying you’re questioning the integrity of Heavenly Mechanism Pavilion?" Zhu Jin said coldly.

"Master Zhu, you don’t need to target me. I know what you’re thinking—you’re just afraid I’ll mess up your plans."

"Insolent! You dare slander me?"

"Zhu Jin, stop your nonsense. If you disturb my Junior Brother’s work, get out of the way. Other people might fear your Dangyang Sect, but we eight eccentrics certainly don’t."

Hearing Qiu Yong’s rebuke, Zhou Qi, fearful of a dispute breaking out right there, promptly intervened, "Both of you, say less. Since Mr. Ling has a way to find those three needles, why not let him try? It won’t take much of everyone’s time."