With the Heavenly Silkworm Spirit Silk and Purple Thunder Nether Grass obtained, the matters of the Hidden Group and Flying Cloud Pavilion were settled.
Subsequently, Hun San led his men away from the great hall.
On the other side, Qing Yan looked at Sun Xu and the other two, then spoke, "The Hidden Group rescued your disciples, yet instead of gratitude, you slander us. Truly, you are ungrateful wretches!"
After a pause, Qing Yan continued, "Such ungrateful individuals are not fit to participate in the auction trade fair. You are hereby ordered to leave Misty Rain Tower today, or face the consequences!"
Facing the Wild Mountain, Heavenly Origin Sect, and Snow Peak, Qing Yan appeared much more composed.
Although these were first-rate forces, Misty Rain Tower, as a peak force, could handle the three major forces of Wild Mountain with ease.
Therefore, Qing Yan had no worries about falling out with them.
"Wait!"
Qin Cang quickly stepped forward and said, "Esteemed楼主 Qing Yan, the Flying Cloud Pavilion committed far more serious offenses than we did, why are you not expelling them?"
"Exactly, are you not afraid of affecting Misty Rain Tower's reputation with such preferential treatment?" Liu Dingshan quickly echoed.
They were still counting on the auction trade fair to acquire suitable treasures.
This was the only way to solidify their positions.
"Hmph! How can you compare to the Flying Cloud Pavilion!"
Qing Yan snorted coldly and continued, "Although the Flying Cloud Pavilion's actions were detestable, they were already enemies of the Hidden Group. Their mutual combat can be understood.
However, you have truly repaid kindness with enmity, your consciences utterly extinguished! In other words, they are villains, while you are not even fit to be called humans!"
As Qing Yan's voice fell, Qin Cang and the other two's faces instantly flushed with embarrassment. Who could accept such reasoning!
But facing Qing Yan, they dared not say anything.
"Esteemed楼主 Qing Yan, may I say a few words?"
Just then, Ye Cangtian's voice carried over.
Qing Yan turned to look, his brow furrowing slightly. He wondered what mischief the other party was planning now.
After a brief silence, Qing Yan made a gesture of invitation and said, "Young friend, please speak your mind."
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian did not hide anything and spoke directly, "楼主, you said I even forgave enemies like the Flying Cloud Pavilion. If you still refuse to let them go, wouldn't that be unreasonable?"
"Young friend, your Hidden Group is the party that suffered. If you feel it is right to let them go, the Misty Rain Tower cannot say much."
Qing Yan's brow was already furrowed, showing some displeasure.
After all, he had just stated his intention to expel the Wild Mountain and the other three forces, and now Ye Cangtian was speaking in this manner, wasn't that tantamount to slapping his face?
Observing Qing Yan's expression, Ye Cangtian spoke, "Everyone makes mistakes. We should give them a chance to reform, rather than striking them down with a single blow!"
After a pause, Ye Cangtian continued, "Of course, mistakes should still be punished to serve as a warning."
Qing Yan nodded at Ye Cangtian's statement and asked in a deep voice, "Young friend, how do you intend to punish them?"
Hearing this, Ye Cangtian quickly replied, "It's simple. Let them, like the Flying Cloud Pavilion, offer a treasure as compensation. This way, outsiders will say that Misty Rain Tower handles matters justly!"
This kid is truly greedy!
Qing Yan muttered to himself upon hearing this. However, since the other party had spoken to this extent, he couldn't say much more.
He then looked at Liu Dingshan and the other two and said, "Do I need to say more?"
As the voice came, Liu Dingshan and the other two nodded.
After a moment of silence, Qin Cang stepped forward first, took out the best medicinal herb from his Qiankun bag, and handed it to Ye Cangtian.
Although he was pained to part with the herb, he had no choice.
If he were expelled, his position within Snow Peak would be further questioned, and his position as peak master would be at risk.
Therefore, he had to stay, no matter the cost.
On the other hand, Ye Cangtian saw Qin Cang's pained expression and knew that this herb was no ordinary item, so he accepted it.
Liu Dingshan and Sun Xu hesitated for a long time before reluctantly taking out their treasures.
Ye Cangtian accepted them all.
Then, he looked at Qin Cang and said calmly, "I'll give you a piece of advice. I hope you don't follow Meng Nan's old path, otherwise, it will be your doom!"
Hmph!
Qin Cang snorted coldly and said, "As for the matters of me and Snow Peak, I'll trouble Mr. Ye not to meddle!"
Saying this, Qin Cang turned and left the great hall.
After slandering them earlier and now compensating with a medicinal herb, he had effectively torn ties with the Hidden Group.
Therefore, he now harbored deep hatred for Ye Cangtian and could not heed any warnings.
Sigh!
Watching him leave in anger, Ye Cangtian sighed.
His gaze then fell upon Liu Dingshan and Sun Xu, "Take care of yourselves. If you dare to provoke the Hidden Group again, I don't mind destroying you!"
Liu Dingshan and Sun Xu's faces turned red with anger, their teeth itching. Yet, surprisingly, they said nothing and turned to leave.
"Young friend, I don't understand. You are clearly someone who hates evil and acts decisively, so why did you spare them?"
As soon as the three left, Qing Yan, seated in the main seat, asked.
Ye Cangtian glanced at Qing Yan and replied, "Their ability to come here is due to the contributions of those who died in the operation. I believe those who died would not wish for their forces to suffer such treatment!"
After a pause, Ye Cangtian continued, "Furthermore, they represent their respective forces, and not all of those people are ungrateful wretches. You can see that clearly from the people in the hall."
Listening to Ye Cangtian's explanation, Qing Yan looked at Ma Chao and the others, fell silent, and finally accepted Ye Cangtian's words.
On the other side, Ye Cangtian turned to Ma Chao and the others and said calmly, "In order to testify for me, you probably cannot return to your respective factions. What are your plans from now on?"
Upon hearing this, Ma Chao hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and said, "If Mr. Ye does not mind, could you take us in?"
As Ma Chao's voice fell, the others also cast hopeful glances.
They had offended their superiors, and returning would surely not end well. Thus, their only option was to seek their own way out.
Although the Hidden Group was not a peak force, it was no inferior to Wild Mountain and the like, making it a very good choice for them.
Sensing everyone's gaze, Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and said, "My Hidden Group only accepts those loyal to Huaxia and who discern right from wrong. If you can be loyal to Huaxia, I will open my doors to you!"
"I, Ma Chao, am willing to join the Hidden Group and be loyal to Huaxia!"
Ma Chao knelt on one knee without hesitation, and the others beside him followed suit in a rush.
Seeing this, Qing Yan did not stop them, but a faint smile appeared on his face.
He had no right to stop them, as these disciples were forced into this situation.
And Ye Cangtian, with his magnanimous heart, would surely bring them fortune if they followed him.
On the other side, seeing that everyone had made their decision, Ye Cangtian also showed a faint smile.
With a wave of his hand, he helped everyone up and said, "Remember, be loyal to Huaxia, and do not commit evil deeds!"
After speaking and seeing everyone acknowledge, Ye Cangtian cupped his hands towards Qing Yan and said, "Today's events have troubled you greatly, Esteemed楼主 Qing Yan. I shall not linger further and take my leave for now!"
Qing Yan waved his hand upon hearing this.
......
Returning to the Hidden Group's inn.
Not long after, Lan Yue and Tai Shan returned to the inn.
When the two saw that there were many more people in the inn, and these were all familiar faces, they were stunned.
"Junior brother, what's going on?"
Lan Yue's voice came. Ye Cangtian put down his teacup and said, "They are now people of the Hidden Group..."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian explained how they had testified for him, rendering them homeless.
After listening to Ye Cangtian's explanation, Lan Yue glanced at Ma Chao and the others, smiled, and said, "The Hidden Group welcomes you. If you have any needs in the future, feel free to come to me!"
Upon receiving Lan Yue's approval, Ma Chao and the others became extremely excited and thanked her repeatedly.
After all, Lan Yue was currently acting as the leader of the Hidden Group, holding significant power. Having someone like her to look after them meant a bright future lay ahead!
Seeing this, Lan Yue smiled slightly, then instructed Tai Shan to make temporary arrangements for these people, while she came to Ye Cangtian's side.
"Junior brother, I exchanged for a good treasure today..."