Actually, Qin Jianji already knew what had happened.
On the way here, Tian Yixin had already roughly explained the situation, and now the inquiry was merely to create a suitable excuse.
He turned his head to Zhao Ya, "Zhao Ya, what happened here?"
Facing Qin Jianji, Zhao Ya naturally couldn’t be disrespectful. After clasping his fists and bowing, Zhao Ya spoke.
"Yesterday, I collected a task at the Sect Contribution Department, and then went outside to execute it. Because of travel delays, I couldn’t return by night. As a result, this Elder Xia wouldn’t let it go and started to hold me accountable relentlessly. If it were just this, it wouldn’t be so bad."
"The main issue is that he slandered me, insisting that I went outside to engage in immoral behavior. As a disciple, how could I accept such accusations? In a moment of frustration, I argued with Elder Xia. That’s the whole story."
Zhao Ya narrated the events clearly and confidently.
Qin Jianji nodded secretly as he listened.
He knew Xia Jiye too well and naturally understood the motive behind his actions.
It was precisely because of this that he was worried Zhao Ya, due to his youth, might do something rash, which would make the situation irreparable.
But now it seemed he had been overthinking.
Thinking of this, Qin Jianji pretended to be angry and scolded, "Isn’t it your fault for being out all night? Elder Xia is doing this for your own good, worried you might pick up bad habits outside. There’s no need to feel wronged. Apologize to Elder Xia and put this matter to rest."
These words were ostensibly blaming Zhao Ya, but secretly they were protecting him, implying that an apology would settle the matter.
Zhao Ya naturally understood this logic. In fact, he didn’t see any problem with a temporary apology.
The current situation was not in his favor. No matter what, Xia Jiye was an elder of the Azure Dragon Temple. It was too early for him to fight against him, so admitting fault was also the correct move.
Unexpectedly, Xia Jiye was unwilling to let it go. He sneered and clapped softly, "Well, well, Elder Qin, such wisdom. You think a mere apology can resolve this?"
"Or do you consider the rules of the Azure Dragon Temple mere ornaments?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Jianji’s expression changed instantly.
Since Xia Jiye was persistent and even brought up temple rules, it was evident he intended to escalate the matter.
Qin Jianji said gravely, "The rules are not an ornament, but even by those rules, being out overnight without reporting isn’t such a heinous crime, is it?"
"The problem is that this boy used the pretense of a task to stay out all night, which is utterly despicable. After all, no one knows what he did outside. If he committed a crime that tarnished the reputation of Azure Dragon Temple, who would be responsible?"
"You..." Qin Jianji was irked by Xia Jiye’s unreasonable suspicions.
Just then, Zhao Ya suddenly laughed.
"What are you laughing at?" Xia Jiye frowned and asked.
"Nothing, just touched by Elder Xia’s sincere love for the temple," Zhao Ya said with a smile.
"Cut the sarcasm. I’m just doing my duty. If you have the guts, show evidence of what you did last night, or there will be severe punishment," Xia Jiye said with righteous indignation.
In his view, Zhao Ya’s words seemed to be an admission of weakness.
But the more that seemed the case, the less he intended to let him go, determined to teach him a profound lesson.
So he would understand the authority of him, the Instructor Elder.
"So as long as I can prove what I did last night, this matter will be laid to rest?"
"You could say that," Xia Jiye affirmed confidently.
He didn’t believe at all that Zhao Ya had really been out all night on a task. Given his age and looks, he assumed Zhao Ya had gone to womanize, which is why he was so sure.
Unexpectedly, Zhao Ya remained unafraid, pulling a wrapped package from his waist, saying lightly, "Alright, you want proof? Here it is."
Saying this, Zhao Ya opened the wrapping, revealing a human head inside.
In an instant, the place was in a frenzy of agitation.
No one expected Zhao Ya to carry a human head with him.
Xia Jiye was also taken aback, then sneered, "Just a dead person’s head, what does it prove?"
"Of course, it proves nothing. But what if this head belongs to Hei Yunzi, the bandit leader and target of my sect task?" Zhao Ya said coldly.
This statement stirred another uproar.
"What? This is Hei Yunzi’s head?"
"Impossible! Hei Yunzi is extremely cunning. I investigated him before and found nothing. Plus, with the mountain now sealed by snow, capturing him would be even harder."
"He only received the task yesterday, yet returned with Hei Yunzi’s head after one trip? That’s incredibly fast."
People were talking animatedly, mostly with skepticism.
Even more so, Xia Jiye couldn’t believe it.
He sneered, "Ridiculous, bringing back any head and claiming the task is complete? Who knows whose head that really is? Probably you killed an innocent to claim credit."
Zhao Ya already anticipated this suspicion, so he just smiled slightly.
"Whether it is or isn’t, let’s go to the Sect Contribution Department and let them examine it. If it’s fake, I’ll willingly accept punishment. What do you think?"