An Yue, hearing Elder Lai’s words, stepped forward swiftly to stand alongside Bai Chen. The Thousand Mechanisms Sect was skilled in crafting various magical artifacts and maintained good relations with other sects. The Azure Wolf Sect had suffered considerable losses due to the Five Poisons Sect, but they had also contributed the most to its annihilation. However, their indiscriminate killing had drawn widespread disapproval. The Hundred Herbs Hall and the Thousand Mechanisms Sect subsequently withdrew from the campaign against the remnants of the demon race, incurring the extreme displeasure of the Azure Wolf Sect. At this juncture, they likely intended to seize the opportunity to strike.
“Elder Lai, there seems to be some misunderstanding here.”
“There is no misunderstanding,” Bai Chen stated calmly. “Though we do not belong to the same sect, the seven sects are united. If a fellow disciple falls into distress, no one would fault us for not lending aid. After all, helping is a kindness, and not helping is merely fulfilling one’s duty. However, to press aggressively and kick someone while they are down smacks of petty villainy.”
“Petty villainy?” Elder Lai scoffed. “You severely injured my disciple, who is still bedridden, and then injured several ordinary disciples of my sect, all because they wouldn’t help you?”
“I do not require their help.” Even facing a Golden Core stage cultivator like Elder Lai, Bai Chen showed no fear. He found that after spending time with Xiao Man, his courage had grown considerably. In the past, he would have shown immense respect to the elders of various sects and goodwill towards his fellow disciples. However, recent events had altered his perspective.
“So, you admit to severely injuring my disciple and several disciples of my sect.”
Bai Chen frowned, not answering immediately. Although he hadn't personally inflicted the injuries, his junior brother Xiao had acted because of him, leading to the scuffle with the Azure Wolf Sect disciples. He felt he should bear responsibility for this matter. “Yes.”
“It’s good that you admit it.” Elder Lai’s face darkened. If Zong Yi were present, he might have shown some restraint. But with Bai Chen alone and acting so arrogantly, he was truly courting death.
“Elder Lai, there might be some misunderstanding here.” An Yue stepped in front of Bai Chen. “Senior Brother Bai Chen’s character is well-known; he would never bully the weak.”
“Niece, you just heard him. He admitted himself that he deliberately injured my disciple and my sect’s disciples. During the annihilation of the demon race remnants, they all fled faster than anyone. But when it comes to internal squabbles, they are quite formidable.”
“Senior Brother Bai Chen, what exactly happened?” An Yue quickly winked at Bai Chen, signaling him to gloss over the situation. “Please explain.”
“There’s nothing to explain. It’s just a group of scoundrels trying to bully someone, only to end up being bullied themselves.”
Hearing this, Elder Lai was enraged. Without Zong Yi’s backing, Bai Chen dared to be so audacious. He flickered and lunged towards Bai Chen, forming a claw with his five fingers and seizing Bai Chen by the neck.
“Bai Chen, for your master’s sake, if you obediently admit your mistake, I won’t hold your insubordination against you.”
Bai Chen let out a scoff. “Elder Lai, you are truly as your name suggests. When have I ever been insubordinate? You came here looking for trouble from the start, so why speak so self-righteously?”
“You brat, you’re asking for death!” Elder Lai immediately threw Bai Chen, who slammed into a nearby wall, creating a hole. Bai Chen spat out a mouthful of blood.
“Senior Brother Bai Chen.” An Yue blocked Elder Lai. “Please calm your anger, Elder Lai. Senior Brother Bai Chen is forthright and inflexible; if he has offended you, please forgive him.”
“He has been spoiled by Zong Yi to the point of lawlessness, thinking he can do as he pleases in this world. Not only did he severely injure my disciple, but he also dared to be so arrogant in my presence. How much more unruly must he be towards others!” Elder Lai pushed An Yue aside and walked towards Bai Chen. Bai Chen had crippled his disciple; he intended to cripple Bai Chen as well!
Elder Lai raised his leg to stomp on the fallen Bai Chen. Suddenly, two figures appeared beside Bai Chen. One pulled Bai Chen back, while the other met Elder Lai’s leg head-on. Caught off guard, Elder Lai was kicked back several steps.
“Brat…”
“Old cur, cease your arrogance!” Yue Ran, clad in fiery red, had a face that, though slightly youthful, was filled with indignation. “You want to harm him? Have you asked me first?”
Elder Lai narrowed his eyes. This young man was unfamiliar. His cultivation was only at the late Foundation Establishment stage, yet he dared to confront him. Truly, ignorance bred fearlessness. However, when his gaze fell upon the person holding Bai Chen, his brows furrowed like a deep ravine. This person was slender, elegant, and graceful, but Elder Lai had personally experienced their methods. They were truly arrogant, audacious, and fearless.
“Xiao Qin.” Elder Lai squinted. How had these two ended up together?
Xiao Man gave Bai Chen a healing pill and instructed him to recuperate on the side. She then stepped forward, standing beside Yue Ran. “Why did you injure him?”
“He severely injured my disciple and injured several disciples of my sect, yet showed no remorse. I was merely teaching him a small lesson.” Elder Lai didn’t know why, but facing this youth whose cultivation was inferior to his, he felt a tremor of unease. After all, she had orchestrated the downfall of the Five Poisons Sect leader, a late Golden Core expert. No one knew what kind of magical artifacts Xiao Man possessed. If a fight truly broke out, he might be the one at a disadvantage. Furthermore, Xiao Man was skilled in poison. Back in Wuji City, Yan Ze had used the poison she provided to incapacitate everyone below the Golden Core stage in the city.
At his age and cultivation level, individuals like him were cunning and experienced. They could seek justice for their disciples but would not throw their lives away for them. And the person he most wanted to avoid offending was Xiao Man. The Five Poisons Sect, in its arrogance, had provoked her and ultimately faced annihilation. While he wasn't afraid, he certainly dreaded trouble!
“The disciple you speak of is Zou Shuang?” Xiao Man didn’t recognize Elder Lai. Seeing his Azure Wolf Sect attire, she guessed it might be the Zou Shuang she had injured a few days prior.
“Yes.”
“The one who injured Zou Shuang and the Azure Wolf Sect disciples was me.” Xiao Man’s tone was unhurried, lacking any hint of guilt, her demeanor so righteous that it almost made Liu Hong want to kneel.
Were all people this arrogant? Standing before you was a Golden Core expert, and you had severely injured his beloved disciple, yet instead of hiding or hedging, you openly admitted it? Not only that, but you spoke with such conviction, as if daring him to do his worst. What was this all about?
“You injured him?” Elder Lai looked at Bai Chen, who was recuperating. That was right; given Bai Chen’s nature, he wasn’t the type to stir up trouble. It was more likely his disciple who sought out Bai Chen. “Why did you injure my disciple?”
“He ran headfirst into my foot.”
Yue Ran blinked, looking at Xiao Man. So, that was how one could explain it. “Second Brother, can I beat him up?”
Xiao Man glanced at Elder Lai, then rubbed Yue Ran’s head. “We are people of reason. If others do not offend us, we do not offend them. If they shamelessly throw themselves at us, then we will tear their faces apart.”