The sun, redder than fire, cast halos before one’s eyes.
Fortunately, the eaves of the Red Pavilion offered so shade, but even so, Mo Xiaoqiang’s words instantly caused Fang Yu’s forehead to be covered in beads of sweat.
One couldn’t tell if it was the sun’s intense heat or his own utterly shocked expression that was to bla!
Qin Shan, the Supervisor of Mo City who had been silent all along, also felt his gaze instantly sharpen.
He unconsciously touched his face; his palm was slick with sweat, his expression shifting restlessly.
If Su Bei, along with that elder from Wuhua Palace, had caused Liu’s Tavern to be smashed rely due to a simple dispute, a conflict, or a clash of wills, then it might be forgivable if it wasn’t intentional.
After all, for a conflict between Immortals of Su Bei’s cultivation level, even overturning mountains and seas would not be surprising. A battle between Refining Void, or even Dao Integration experts, resulting in only a single tavern being destroyed could be considered remarkably restrained.
But... this involved the Mo Family!
What could have been a minor or major issue now beca decidedly ambiguous.
As the eldest daughter of the Mo Family, Mo Li might hail from a re mortal family, yet, as one of the four major families of the Dongfeng Ancient Country, who would dare to underestimate the profound heritage of their family?
Considering only the Immortals of the Mo Family, they were likely spread throughout the major sects of the entire Twenty-One Provinces.
If Mo Zhan submitted a petition to the new emperor, this matter would no longer be so simple as to be resolved with so nefarious powder...
For years, the new emperor had been seeking leverage over the major sects within the Dongfeng Ancient Country to strengthen imperial authority across the Twenty-One Provinces. If Mo Li had truly been victimized by Su Bei with this nefarious powder, it would be exactly what the new emperor wanted.
The emperor would undoubtedly use this as a pretext to make an example of the Sword Sect to intimidate all other sects, and he would show no rcy.
But the Sword Sect, with its legacy of ten thousand years, how could it willingly accept punishnt from the new emperor?
How should this matter be handled?
How could it be resolved to the satisfaction of all three parties: the Mo Family, the new emperor, and the Sword Sect?
The murmurs and shouts of condemnation from behind them grew louder, filling the entire street.
"Su Bei! Co out!"
"Restore Miss Mo’s innocence!"
"..."
One by one, the commoners bared their teeth in what could pass for smiles, relishing the mont of righteous indignation as they accused a stranger—not to ntion this stranger was an exalted Immortal, a being from an entirely different world!
They hurled abuse with great satisfaction, so even licking their lips as if savoring their tirade and hungry for more.
The few rational individuals who urged caution, suggesting judgnt be withheld until the full story was known, were instantly branded as heretics and sward by the crowd. Accused of being traitors, they were drowned in a torrent of vitriol...
Just then, a figure in a white robe, exuding a calm and carefree deanor, slowly ca into view.
The wind picked up, carrying fine snowflakes with it.
Su Bei’s long hair, loosely tied back with a white ribbon, flowed behind him. A composed, faint smile touched his handso features. A plain sword scabbard was slung at his waist, his hand resting on its hilt. His gaze calmly swept over the unfolding scene.
A woman dressed in a bright red gown and wearing a vermilion veil stood beside Su Bei. The mont she appeared, the entire street fell silent.
The only sounds were the ragged, heavy breaths of the crowd.
Then, a furious roar shattered the spellbound silence!
"Elder Su! Where is my daughter, Mo Li?"
"Why did you administer nefarious powder to my daughter?"
"Is this the way of the Sword Sect?"
"..."
Mo Zhan’s voice was like a great bell tolling, jolting the commoners who had been srized by the woman in red.
Instantly, everyone rembered their supposed role in this drama!
They resud their vocal accusations against Su Bei:
"Su Bei, you’ve finally shown up! Explain yourself!"
"I never thought a cultivator could be so depraved! You’re a beast!"
"No wonder the Sword Sect is declining! Humph! There’s no way I’m letting my boy Tiger join the Sword Sect!"
"Why did you smash Liu’s Tavern?! Pay up! Pay up!!"
"..."
Su Bei stared at the scene, utterly bewildered.
When had I ever administered nefarious powder to Mo Li?
With confusion, Su Bei turned his head to look at Mo Xiaoqiang, who was skulking beside Mo Zhan, not daring to et his eyes.
Unbelievable! Was this gossipmonger causing trouble again?
As Su Bei pondered, the Supervisor of Mo City, who had been silent until now, slowly took a step forward. He glanced aningfully at Yu Hongxiu beside Su Bei, then bowed to Su Bei and said in a deep voice, "I am Qin Shan, Supervisor of Mo City. Greetings, Elder Su of the Sword Sect."
"Elder Su should be aware of what I wish to inquire about. I implore Elder Su to provide an explanation..."
"....."
Su Bei narrowed his eyes, his mind racing.
Should I just say it’s a misunderstanding?
It truly is a colossal misunderstanding!
But if I explain it away as a misunderstanding, do I just let this undeserved verbal assault slide?
Besides, with so many armchair critics here, so are bound to argue no matter what...
I don’t consider myself a patient person; my fuse is shorter than anyone’s.
Who is this man, pointing at my nose and cursing to my face?
Mo Li’s father?
Hah! If I don’t make him pay dearly today, this trip to the Twenty-One Provinces will have been for nothing.
His eyes flickered, an idea sparked in Su Bei’s mind, and the corners of his mouth curled into a subtle arc.
Outwardly, he remained composed, his gaze indifferent as he observed the scene, listening to the accusations swirling around him.
Behind Su Bei, the Sword Sect Disciples swallowed nervously, tears welling in their eyes, their hearts aching with a profound love for their sect!
Zhen Jianting slamd his fist against the wall, his voice hoarse with emotion, "It’s all my fault! If it weren’t for , Elder Su wouldn’t have destroyed the tavern!"
"He wouldn’t be facing all these accusations!"
"Brothers, I, Zhen Jianting, have never knowingly done anything shaful in my life! For Elder Su’s suffering today, I, Zhen Jianting..."
Just as Zhen Jianting steeled himself to step out and face the countless accusatory stares,
Suddenly!
Su Bei’s voice echoed in his Sea of Consciousness.
Zhen Jianting’s expression shifted from stunned disbelief to bewildernt, and finally, a grin stretched nearly from ear to ear.
He then took a deep breath, exchanged a knowing glance with several other Sword Sect Disciples, and they discreetly slipped away into the crowd.
...
Yu Hongxiu narrowed her eyes at Qin Shan. She took a step forward, a wave of fragrance preceding her, and her voice was laced with allure as she said, "Well, well! If it isn’t Supervisor Qin. What brings you and such a large contingent to my Star Moon Sect?"
Qin Shan and Fang Yu exchanged a look, both recognizing the shock in the other’s eyes.
Yu Hongxiu hadn’t said Red Pavilion; she’d said Star Moon Sect!
The implication was clear, an important ssage laid bare for them to consider: Yu Hongxiu intended to protect Su Bei.
Was she telling the two of them to figure it out themselves? Could it be that the Sword Sect and the Star Moon Sect... were allied?
Mo Zhan’s expression flickered. He snorted coldly, stepped forward, and demanded, "Headmistress Yu, what is the aning of this?"
Yu Hongxiu’s captivating eyes t Mo Zhan’s, shimring with unspoken words. Her lips parted, about to speak, when a soft voice suddenly reached her ears:
"Sister, it’s fine. Just watch..."
"..."
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