When They Finally Realized, I Was Already the Strongest Villain - Chapter 6:

Chapter 6: Was I Truly Wrong?

The sudden turn of events left all the onlooking disciples—and even Mu Bailing herself—completely stunned and unprepared.

No one had expected the situation to escalate this far. Their Senior Brother not only chose to enter the Demon Suppression Tower voluntarily, but he even returned the sword his master had once gifted him and said he would repay her years of care until they owed each other nothing.

Wasn’t this, in essence, a complete severing of their relationship?

Everyone instinctively turned to look at the cold and elegant woman seated at the head of the hall. At some point, the fury and disappointment in her eyes had completely vanished, replaced by disbelief. That disbelief quickly shifted into panic and confusion.

She had always wanted her disciple to soften his stance and admit fault. And indeed, things were unfolding just as she had expected. But now her heart felt like it was being pierced by steel needles, panic rising like a flood, twisting and choking her from within.

Especially when her gaze fell on the white longsword embedded in the center of the hall, countless memories surged forth and flooded her mind, intensifying her pain and suffocation.

Moreover, from beginning to end, Gu Han had spoken with perfect logic, remained completely calm, and didn’t appear at all like someone who had truly endangered his fellow disciples.

A look of confusion and pain flashed in Mu Bailing’s eyes. Had she… really been wrong? Had she falsely accused her own disciple?

But…

Didn’t another disciple personally confirm everything? All the evidence had seemed conclusive.

And besides… Gu Han had never behaved like this before.

…

“No way! Is Senior Brother Gu Han really that kind of person? He abandoned Junior Brother and Junior Sister in danger and fled the battlefield?”

“That’s a capital offense in violation of sect rules!”

“Could there be more to this? Senior Brother Gu Han doesn’t seem like someone who would do that!”

“But the fairies of Profound Feather Peak already indirectly confirmed the truth. Could it really be fake?”

…

Just moments ago, the large number of disciples crowding the entrance of the hall were still speculating wildly, throwing around accusations and theories.

But in the next instant, upon hearing that Gu Han was going to enter the Demon Suppression Tower willingly—and even sever ties with his master—the crowd fell into silence.

As the figure in white walked out of the main hall, the crowd instinctively and silently parted to make way for him.

Initially, they had all believed it was Gu Han who had failed in his duty as Senior Brother, even suspecting he had fled during battle, which led to the severe injuries of his Junior Brother and Junior Sister.

But none of them had imagined that their Senior Brother would so decisively choose to enter the Demon Suppression Tower and accept punishment.

Now, even their assumptions were beginning to waver.

Had they… all misunderstood Senior Brother?

Gu Han, however, didn’t care about anyone’s opinions.

A golden-scaled fish is not meant for a shallow pond. When it encounters wind and clouds, it becomes a dragon.

He would not remain here forever, so why should he concern himself with their views?

“Senior Brother…”

At that moment, a soft, ethereal female voice, barely above a whisper, reached his ears.

Gu Han could feel a small force tugging on his sleeve.

But he didn’t even glance at the one holding him back.

He forcefully pulled his sleeve free and continued walking forward, leaving the girl stumbling slightly in place.

He wasn’t a fool. He didn’t need to look to know who had grabbed him.

It was that other Junior Sister—Luo Baizhi.

What a joke.

She didn’t even know the truth of what had happened. Yet she instinctively chose to believe the protagonist Ye Qingyun and Liu Ruyan.

Not only that, she indirectly helped blow the matter up, making countless disciples from all over the Wandering Sword Sect believe that he was the one who caused Ye Qingyun and Liu Ruyan to fall into such critical condition.

Sure, he had made a strategic retreat. But if they hadn’t acted recklessly, ignored his warnings, and stolen that demonic beast’s companion herb, would any of this have happened?

And this Junior Sister of his—what she had done was just as heartbreaking.

He was the one who had cared for them the most over the years. Yet that care couldn’t compare to a Junior Brother who hadn’t even been in the sect for two and a half years.

Worse, she had believed the other side’s version of events without knowing the full story.

A Junior Sister like that… it was better to sever ties early and be done with it.

“Senior Brother…”

Luo Baizhi stood frozen, stunned by how thoroughly she had been ignored. She didn’t know when her eyes had begun to redden.

In her memory, Senior Brother had always been gentle and kind.

But today, he was so cold—cold like a block of ice.

It felt as if he no longer had any affection for her.

A surge of panic and fear filled her heart. She had no idea what she’d done wrong.

“Junior Sister!”

Just then, Chu Youwei squeezed through the crowd to reach Luo Baizhi and gently supported her.

Truthfully, just like Luo Baizhi, she and the others had also instinctively taken the side of their Junior Brother.

They had completely cast aside the Senior Brother who had pampered and protected them all these years.

Now, seeing him treat them like strangers, their hearts were filled with unease.

Could it be… things weren’t as they thought? Was there really another side to the story?

Had they… misunderstood their Senior Brother?

Under the complex and conflicted gazes of countless disciples, the figure in white walked toward the Demon Suppression Tower, bathed in the golden light of sunset.

From beginning to end, there was not a trace of fear on his face.

The setting sun stretched his shadow long behind him—lonely, yet upright.

…

The incident at Profound Feather Peak caused a massive uproar.

It quickly spread across the entire Wandering Sword Sect, even alarming the Peak Masters of other mountains—and eventually, the Sect Master himself.

If the rumors were true, and Gu Han really was a coward who fled the battlefield and abandoned his fellow disciples, then why would he so decisively choose to enter the Demon Suppression Tower?

After all, that tower housed countless terrifying demonic beasts. For a young cultivator, entering was practically suicide!

There had to be something off about this situation.

But because no one believed in Gu Han, his heart had gone cold. And so, he chose to walk into the Demon Suppression Tower on his own.

Inside the magnificent main hall at the sect’s core—

“Mu Bailing! The investigation hasn’t even been concluded, yet you rushed to condemn your own disciple like this. How is that any different from acting on impulse!?” The Grand Elder of the Disciplinary Hall thundered with rage.

“Do you even understand what the Demon Suppression Tower represents? For a young cultivator, going in means certain death!”

“Not to mention, Gu Han’s talent is extraordinary. At such a young age, he’s already reached the 4th stage Spirit Palace Realm. Among the current generation in our sect, he’s undoubtedly one of the top talents!”

“If he dies in there, do you have any idea what kind of loss that will be for our sect?!”