Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

"It's hard for me to explain it straight to the point." Zachary shook his head lightly. He avoided mentioning to Linda that Kemp had set him up since he hadn't gathered enough evidence yet to back up the allegation. So he opted to keep Linda in the dark for the time being.

"If what you're insisting is the whole truth, then what proof do you have to support those claims?" Linda asked in a discerning manner.

"If I had any substantial evidence, I wouldn't have been in this predicament now," Zachary responded. A bitter smile worked its way across his face and into his eyes.

"What can you do at this point then? If you don't have any means to authenticate your innocence, the prevailing situation won't be in your favor." Linda also felt a deep concern for Zachary. Although she had some lingering doubts about the certainty of what Zachary said, she showed more enthusiasm in believing him more than the Kong Clan.

"That's why I'm asking you to do anything you deem necessary to buy me some time," Zachary said to Linda.

"You want me to distract them for you? What do you have in mind?" Linda stared at Zachary in confusion.

"What I need most right now is time. Do you have any idea on how to stall them?" Zachary inquired.

"If I spoke to my grandfather about this, I'm quite positive he will conduct an investigation. But I fear the outcome would remain the same since you don't have any evidence. But I assure you, as long as my grandfather gives the college an order to lead the inquiry instead of the Kong Clan, I figure out we could hold them back for a short while, but only for one or two days at most," Linda remarked after a moment's deliberation.

"By all means, go ahead. Thank you so much, Linda," Zachary said, nodding his head.

"But my grandfather might have to deal with the Kong Clan's influence, so there's no guarantee this will work. Still, I will try to do my best to help. I don't want them to accuse you wrongfully," Linda added after glancing at Zachary.

"I would consider this a big favor that I am indebted to you. I will make sure to repay your kindness when the time comes," Zachary replied, his voice full of gratitude.

"Don't worry about it. We can call it even since you came to Alisa's aid last time. So, consider this as her settlement and she no longer owes you anything," Linda pointed out.

"Have I ever pressured her concerning that?" Zachary asked innocently.

"Yes. I believe so." Linda gave Zachary a black look.

Zachary shrugged it of

rvise the prosecution.

"Today is the public hearing regarding the case of the vicious murder of Louis and several Imperial Level warriors. We have with us here right now six college elders, and I will preside over the trial. We will question the suspect and the witnesses. After the trial, I will deliberate with the six elders and make the final judgment," Silas announced directly to the point.

Then, escorted by two warriors at the premium stage of Imperial Level, Zachary appeared in front of everyone.

"Murderer!"

"Criminal!"

"What an atrocious convict! How dare he kill members of our college?!"

"He must be sentenced to death!"

As soon as Zachary showed up, many disciples and Imperial Level warriors of Crane College shouted and held him in contempt. Their voices lingered on. They all believed that Zachary was guilty of killing Louis and those Imperial Level warriors.

"Everyone be quiet!" Silas yelled at the top of his voice.

Soon, silence gradually took over the entire square.

"Jay, is Harley going to be okay?" Jay, Vivian, and their companions who joined in the crowd looked at Zachary in a state of nerves.

"It's hard to tell yet. But what I'm anxious about is that Crane College might make a ruling against Zachary and hand him over to the Kong Clan because of extreme pressure," Jay stated, shaking his head.

"We can't allow that clan to take Harley away, or he will be in grave danger," Vivian echoed with certainty in her voice. "Kemp had the guts to frame Harley? I will get even with him once we're done here."

Tracy and Nola nodded in agreement. They wouldn't let the Kong Clan have Zachary, whatever the cost.