Chapter 89: Confrontation

The other officials had yet to react to Ye Muni’s words, but General Li Fayi couldn’t sit still any longer.

BANG!

He slammed his hand on the armrest, leaping to his feet. "Are you people from Luofan Country such sore losers!" he roared. "The competition hasn’t even started, and you’re already framing a contestant from our Dongli Kingdom."

Luofan Country’s speaker, Budi, said, "Mr. Li, let’s hear General Ye Muni out before jumping to conclusions."

Ye Muni shot Li Fayi a cold look. "Some time ago," he said, "Mu Country requested my assistance in apprehending a fugitive who illegally crossed into Luofan. That fugitive is none other than the Dongli contestant on the stage. I saw him in the Black Rock Mountain Range. I’m certain it’s him."

Li Fayi retorted, "Just because you say so? Where’s your proof!"

Ye Muni took out his phone and pulled up an image. "This is Mu Country’s wanted poster. The man’s name is Chen Kun. After committing murder in Heiyan City, he fled through the Black Rock Mountain Range into my country, Luofan. Holy Emissary, please take a look."

The Holy Emissary merely glanced at the phone screen and said nothing.

Zhou Wenshan said with a chuckle, "General Ye Muni seems to be on quite good terms with Mu Country. A mere Pupa Stage fugitive warrants your personal attention to apprehend. Anyone who didn’t know better might think you were a general for Mu Country, hahaha."

Li Fayi also sneered, "You call that evidence? By that logic, what if Dongli issues a wanted poster for General Ye Muni, claiming you’re a fugitive from our kingdom? Would you just surrender meekly and return with me to Dongli for an investigation?"

It was obvious to any discerning observer that something was amiss. A Pupa Stage fugitive wasn’t important enough to warrant so much attention from Mu Country, nor would it make a general like Ye Muni so personally invested.

Even the other Saint-level Overlords from Luofan Country frowned slightly, as they were completely in the dark about the matter. Even if Mu Country were to request Luofan’s assistance in an arrest, the request shouldn’t have gone directly to a military general like Ye Muni.

This was, in all likelihood, Ye Muni’s personal affair.

Only Amida had a vague inkling of the inside story, but he remained silent.

Ye Muni said gravely, "Holy Emissary, if he is not a citizen of Dongli, then he is not qualified to participate in this Battle of Judgment. I ask for permission to question him directly."

The Holy Emissary was silent for a moment before nodding.

Ye Muni immediately called out, "Pause the match! I have something to say!"

His voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried clearly throughout the entire stadium, and a hush fell over the crowd.

Su Ze saw Ye Muni’s gaze turn to him. ’I have a pretty good idea what this is about,’ he thought.

Ye Muni announced, "The Dongli Kingdom’s contestant, Su Ze, is an impostor! His real name is Chen Kun, a citizen of Mu Country. He is a wanted murderer and is ineligible to participate in this Battle of Judgment!"

As he spoke, his sharp gaze locked onto Su Ze. "Do you have anything to say for yourself?"

Su Ze felt an immense spiritual pressure bearing down on him, like a sharp sword hanging right above his head. It felt as if the blade would fall the instant he uttered a single lie.

But a moment later, Zhou Wenshan gave a light cough, and a vast, gentle wave of Spiritual Power rose like a shield before Su Ze, insulating him from Ye Muni’s spiritual pressure.

The audience erupted in an uproar, with shouts and curses flying from all directions.

Countless Luofan citizens were screaming for Su Ze to get off the stage, demanding his arrest, with some even calling for his immediate execution.

After all, this was Luofan Country’s home turf, and the stands were packed with its people.

Meanwhile, the people of Dongli watching the live broadcast had the exact opposite reaction. They flooded the internet with messages of support for Su Ze, accusing Luofan Country of slander.

Facing the crowd’s accusations, Su Ze pulled his identification card from his pocket. "This is my ID card," he declared. "General Ye Muni, if your eyesight is failing, feel free to come closer for a look. I don’t know any Chen Kun. My name is Su Ze, and it has always been Su Ze. I am a native of Dongli, born and raised!

"Dongli is my home, my only motherland! You can question my character, but do not question my nationality!"

Su Ze’s words were firm and resonant, drawing thunderous applause across the Dongli Kingdom’s internet forums.

The live comments from Dongli Kingdom’s netizens exploded across the web.

"Well said! A true son of Dongli!"

"He embodies the strength and character of our Dongli people!"

"Awesome! That was so awesome!"

Ye Muni sneered. "Since you claim to be from Dongli, there must be a record of your life there. Who are your parents? What city do you live in? What school did you attend? Who are your relatives and friends in Dongli? Why don’t you tell me."

Su Ze laughed. "That’s all my private information. You want me to reveal my personal details in front of hundreds of millions of viewers from two countries? By what right? Why should I have to prove my own innocence?

"The burden of proof is on the accuser! You’re the one making the accusation, so you’re the one who needs to provide the proof!

"Furthermore, I’d like to ask you something. You insist I’m this Chen Kun, so who is he, exactly? Who are his parents? Where does he live? What school did he go to? Does he have any relatives or friends who know him?

"General Ye Muni, if you don’t have the answers, that’s fine. You can ask Mu Country. Go on, ask them right now. I’ll wait.

"Better yet, bring his relatives, his friends, his classmates—all of them. Let’s see if a single one of them recognizes me."

Su Ze remained fearless. His Dongli identity was a fabrication, but so was the Chen Kun identity—created out of thin air by Zhao Yuanyi. Neither could withstand real scrutiny.

He could, of course, simply invent a backstory for himself, but telling one lie required a thousand more to support it, and it was impossible to create a story without any holes.

By the same token, Zhao Yuanyi couldn’t have fabricated a flawless identity for "Chen Kun" either. And they certainly weren’t about to reveal that he was a clone of Zhao Lingxiao.

Ye Muni fell silent for a moment. He knew "Chen Kun" was a fake identity, but he pressed on. "Mu Country has physical evidence of the murder. They found your fingerprints at the crime scene. A single comparison is all it will take to know the truth."

"Then let Mu Country’s officials bring that evidence to the Dongli Kingdom and arrest me there. General Ye Muni, you have no proof, yet you want to help Mu Country arrest a citizen of Dongli. Aren’t you overstepping your authority? Or perhaps there are no matters left within Luofan Country that require your attention?"

Su Ze’s tone grew forceful. "I’ll say this only once: if you can produce evidence right now proving I’m this murderer, Chen Kun, then take me away immediately. If you can’t, then stop wasting time and delaying the Battle of Judgment.

"The Holy Emissary and hundreds of millions of viewers from both our countries are waiting."

Ye Muni’s brow furrowed.

Just then, the Holy Emissary spoke. "General Ye Muni, I am not concerned with these other matters. If you cannot prove he is not a citizen of Dongli, then do not waste any more time."

"But..."

Budi also spoke up. "General Ye Muni, we will discuss this matter later!"

Ye Muni sighed. He knew his actions had already displeased Budi, so he said no more and sat back down, his face grim.

"Let it begin," the Holy Emissary said coolly.

Hearing this, the bald-headed referee immediately announced, "The first round of the Battle of Judgment: Alvin of Luofan Country versus Su Ze of the Dongli Kingdom! If one combatant loses the ability to fight or willingly concedes, the other will be declared the victor."

"The match begins now!"