The Chen family was far from peaceful that night, with a demon attack, many martial artists were killed, and several others injured.
The women who were taken into the inner courtyard for "protection" were nearly all wiped out, many were swept away in the demonic mist, their fate unknown.
The next day, the atmosphere at the Chen Residence was still filled with tension.
The constables of Lin'an County had all arrived at the Chen Residence, and many cultivators, upon hearing about the previous night's events, also came to the residence.
When Li Fan woke up and stepped out of the room, he saw the crowd surging outside.
There were constables, people from the Chen family, and those martial artists.
Yang Kui and Qi were also there, surrounded by constables questioning them, with Yang Kui seemingly explaining something.
As Li Fan opened the door, he noticed many eyes looking at him, appearing as though a constable was watching him outside the door.
"Brother Xiao Fan." Qi also saw Li Fan, calling out to him, appearing somewhat frightened while being surrounded and questioned by the crowd, she clung tightly to Yang Kui.
"The Chen Residence was attacked by demons last night and is gathering everyone for a discussion, please come with us." Someone from the Chen family approached Li Fan and spoke.
This group came with an imposing manner, not at all like they were inviting someone.
"Alright." Li Fan also wanted to see what the Chen family intended to do.
Speaking, he went over to Yang Kui and his daughter and smiled at the girl saying, "Did you sleep well last night, Qi?"
"Yes." The girl nodded.
"Brother Xiao Fan, they are questioning us about why we were unharmed last night; I didn't say anything." Yang Kui said to Li Fan.
"Yes." Li Fan nodded.
The inner courtyard of the Chen Residence was a place only Qi Cultivators could enter, but Li Fan was now "invited" over.
Outside a large hall, many people had gathered, including those from the Chen family who slay demons.
On the steps above, a few elders were chatting, and standing in the middle was a middle-aged man in a luxurious purple robe carved with cloud patterns, his eyes sharp and brimming with vitality—it was Chen Yuan, the Chen Family Patriarch.
"Chen Family Patriarch Chen Yuan, a top-grade Grandmaster, with one foot into the Innate realm, one of the strongest in Lin'an County," Yang Kui whispered to Li Fan, eyes filled with worry fearing these people might be against Li Fan.
In martial cultivation, the first three realms are: Body Refinement, Grandmaster, and Innate.
The first three realms of Qi Cultivation are: Qi Refinement, Refinement of God, and Out-of-Body.
As Li Fan arrived, several eyes fell on him, Chen Li cast a sharp glance his way.
At this moment, a path opened up in the crowd, and several figures came grandly, seemingly not of the same group.
The arrest officer of Lin'an County, Chen Zongzhi, was among them.
Leading at the front was a middle-aged man in a long robe, tall and elegant, exuding a transcendent aura.
"Father." Li Hongyi called out.
"Li Daoqing." Yang Kui whispered, "The number one expert in Lin'an County."
"Father, Master Uncle," Huang Yan also stepped forward to greet those from Shangxuan Sect.
Seeing the scene before them, guests at the Chen Residence felt relieved, as people from various major sects had come to slay demons, last night's events should not happen again.
"Brother Chen, what happened last night?" Li Daoqing asked.
"Last night the Chen family was attacked by demons, quite a few people died, and many women went missing," Chen Yuan began, "This time they were prepared, targeting those girls, and I'm afraid the demon chaos in Lin'an County could devastate the land."
"The major sects of Chuzhou have all rushed to Lin'an County, they should be able to resolve the demon chaos in Lin'an," someone said.
"The court's support is on the way, Chuzhou will be dispatching the Demon Slayer Bureau here, according to my information, they will arrive at Lin'an tonight," arrest officer Chen Zongzhi said.
The Demon Slayer Bureau, the elite of the Da Li Dynasty, all entering the bureau were Qi Cultivators responsible for managing and suppressing demons within Da Li territory.
"Then I am relieved," Chen Yuan nodded, then said, "These matters will be discussed separately, it seems the demons know our Chen family's internal situation, I suspect there's an insider within the Chen Residence, it's necessary to investigate thoroughly."
"If that's the case, we must certainly root it out."
The crowd immediately began whispering, eyes scanning one another, could there really be a demon insider within the Chen Residence?
Yang Kui was a bit nervous, as Li Fan had said yesterday that there might be a traitor in the Chen family, yet no one believed him.
But now, Yang Kui had a bad feeling, the attitude of the Chen family today was very unfriendly towards him, they might even...
"The night before, a Daoist came to the residence, claiming there would be a bloody disaster for those who came to the Chen family to slay demons, perhaps he knows the inside story," someone said.
"Not only that Daoist, but someone else also seems to be aware, having an unusual relationship with the Daoist," another chimed in, looking toward Li Fan, clearly referring to him.
Chen Li also looked at Li Fan at this point, speaking coldly, "Last night during the demon attack, quite a few people were killed by ghosts, it's said those ghosts bypassed only you?"
Yang Kui's heart skipped a beat, it truly was suspicion towards Li Fan.
"Mr. Chen, it's impossible for Brother Xiao Fan," Yang Kui stepped forward to explain, "When the Daoist spoke with Brother Xiao Fan, Miss Huang was also present, she was with Brother Xiao Fan at the time."
Speaking, Yang Kui looked towards Huang Yan for help, although he knew Li Fan was not an ordinary person, but if accused of colluding with demons, with powerful entities present, Li Fan stood no chance at redemption.
"I was merely on the same path as him, and I'm unaware of other matters," Huang Yan denied, dissociating herself from Li Fan.
Li Fan had offended Chen Li, and with the Chen family in need of someone to blame for the demon attack, it was unfortunate for Li Fan that no one would stand up for him.
Huang Yan's response was not unexpected to Li Fan; she managed to laugh when her senior brother was killed, let alone for a stranger like him.
This woman, seemingly sweet, was truly cold-hearted inside.
Chen Li sneered, casting a disdainful glance at Yang Kui, then continued to look at Li Fan saying, "Yesterday, when the Chen family relocated the women to the inner courtyard, you were the only one who disagreed; did you know about this attack beforehand?"
"??" Li Fan showed a peculiar expression, so because he refused to let Qi move to the inner courtyard to avoid calamity, he was accused of colluding with demons?
The Chen Residence couldn't protect those women, and yet Chen Li turned to pin the blame on him.
Such blasphemous twisting of truth?
With the Chen family at fault for the incident yesterday, they intended to deflect attention by scapegoating someone.
And they had chosen him as the scapegoat?
"The Second Young Master is right." At this moment, a martial artist stood up condemning, "Yesterday, before the First Young Master and Miss Li arrived, the ghosts were rampaging, yet the three of them walked freely within the Chen Residence and the ghost attacks bypassed only them."
"I can also testify."
"We suspect this person of colluding with demons," said several survivors in succession.
As Yang Kui had mentioned, many who came to the Chen family in the guise of demon slayers were simply there to seek sustenance; now that the situation was clear, with the Chen family wanting to sacrifice Li Fan, they naturally assisted, hoping to trade it for future prospects.
As for whether Li Fan colluded with demons, they did not care; it bore no relation to them.
But someone had to be accountable for this affair.
"Yesterday the Chen family gathered the women into the inner courtyard, and then the inner courtyard incident happened, yet the Chen family remained unharmed, why not suspect the Chen family and suspect me instead?" Li Fan asked curiously.
"Nonsense, the Chen family conducted the Demon Slaying Summit, how could they collude with demons," the people retorted angrily.
"I came to attend the Demon Slaying Summit, how could I collude with demons?" Li Fan retorted.
"A glib tongue." Someone pointed at Li Fan saying, "Last night I even saw demonic light emanating from you, demon energy flowing, what do you have to say about that?"
Li Fan: "..."
So, they had everything neatly arranged against him?
These martial artists dared not question the Chen family but were relentless towards him.
Though they came to the Chen family seeking something, desiring to rely on it, yet now to achieve glory they wanted his death?
He looked at the Chen family members, only to see Chen Li smirking at him, while Chen Yuan and the other prominent figures watched everything quietly.
"Brother Xiao Fan, what do you know?" At this time, Lin He also approached Li Fan, having not slept at all the previous night, his eyes lifeless.
Li Fan frowned.
"Brother Xiao Fan, yesterday you advised my daughter Lin Min and me not to enter the inner courtyard, you must know, right?" Lin He looked at Li Fan as if grasping at straws.
"Brother Lin, you're crazy," Yang Kui said to Lin He.
Li Fan looked at Lin He with indifferent eyes, he understood Lin He's feelings.
But understanding was one thing.
No wonder senior sister advised before leaving, more frightening than demons was the human heart.
"Let's take him down and interrogate." Beside him, Chen Zongzhi also spoke.
Yang Kui's face turned pale.
With the Chen family wielding power in Lin'an County, Patriarch Chen Yuan half a step into the Innate realm, Chen Luoyun a genius Qi Cultivator, although Li Fan was formidable he was still young, and with the government backing them, determining Li Fan's fate was a simple matter.