Lei Xiuyuan’s expression remained calm as he slowly walked over and bowed, “Disciple Lei Xiuyuan greets Master.”
Unexpectedly, True Person Guang Wei spoke with a kind expression, asking gently, “Did you have some conflict with the disciples from Long Ming Zuo?”
This disciple of his had a completely different temperament from Hu Jia Ping. He was always steady and had never given him cause for worry. He believed that Lei Xiuyuan would never harm someone without reason. Moreover, even if he had injured someone while fighting for the Demon Vermilion Fruit, it must have been unintentional. The metal-attribute magic was unstoppable, and accidents were bound to happen during disciples’ exchanges. He was always a protective master, and Lei Xiuyuan was his beloved disciple. He was determined to shield him from this mistake no matter what.
Lei Xiuyuan spoke calmly, “That day, these senior and junior brothers came to snatch the Demon Vermilion Fruit. When we disagreed, they started using magic. My flying sword technique is not yet proficient, and in the heat of the moment, I injured them. I feel very sorry about it.”
True Person Guang Wei chuckled, “You’re just too competitive. If your flying sword technique isn’t proficient yet, you shouldn’t have used it. Go and apologize to them.”
After saying this, seeing Elder Zong Li’s displeased expression, he smiled again and said, “Mr. Zong Li, injuries are inevitable in magical exchanges. Our Wu Yue Yan’s True Person Xu is quite skilled in water-attribute healing techniques. He will certainly heal all four of them completely.”
True Person Guang Wei’s favoritism was too obvious, clearly unwilling to punish his disciple. Elder Zong Li said coldly, “As expected of the prestigious Wu Yue Yan, a famous and grand sect. The disciples they train are truly skilled in slaying demons and eliminating evil! Using the flying sword technique meant for slaying demons in a friendly exchange, how impressive indeed!”
True Person Guang Wei smiled faintly, “Mr. Zong Li is too kind. For your four talented disciples to force my humble student to use the flying sword technique, they must be quite exceptional as well.”
Zong Li flew into a rage and said grimly, “Zheng Feng, tell True Person Guang Wei every detail of what happened that day, without missing a word!”
The tall disciple from Long Ming Zuo immediately responded, “Yes. The four of us were teamed up with over a dozen other Mountain Sect disciples when we happened to encounter Lei Xiuyuan and his group. We originally intended to have a friendly duel to compete for the Demon Vermilion Fruit. Unexpectedly, Lei Xiuyuan and his companions suddenly attacked first, seriously injuring Junior Brothers Sun and Wang. As we angrily surrounded them, Lei Xiuyuan used his flying sword technique, cutting off my and Junior Brother Jiang’s limbs.”
Zong Li sneered, “If one’s magic is inferior, there’s nothing to say. But using the flying sword technique to sneak attack during the chaos is utterly shameful!”
Seeing their firm attitude, clearly intending to make a big deal out of this, True Person Guang Wei frowned. Suddenly, he heard a young voice behind him say calmly, “I was the one who injured those two with fire-attribute magic.”
Everyone turned around to see Ji Tongzhou walking over gracefully behind an elder from the Xing Zheng Hall. True Person Guang Wei and Zong Li immediately bowed to that elder, “So it’s Mr. Wu Zheng from Xing Zheng Hall.”
Wu Zheng Zi returned the greeting while saying calmly, “This incident was caused by my disciple’s momentary impulsiveness, leading to this unfortunate situation. Tongzhou, go and apologize.”
Another apology?! Zong Li’s expression changed, but he saw Ji Tongzhou step forward expressionlessly, bowing and saying coldly, “Disciple Ji Tongzhou, I truly did not intend to harm anyone. That person surnamed Sun was once my servant. He provoked me with his words, and I momentarily lost control of my temper. I hope Elder Zong Li can be forgiving.”
These words made all the people from Long Ming Zuo change their expressions. Wu Zheng Zi added, “My young disciple is unruly and used to being a prince. He tends to be a bit arrogant and can’t stand provocation. Mr. Zong Li, please don’t be angry, considering his young age.”
The words of this master and disciple from Xing Zheng Hall were a hundred times more unpleasant than True Person Guang Wei’s. It was said that Wu Zheng Zi from Xing Zheng Hall was arrogant and looked down on everyone. Today, they finally witnessed his arrogance. Zong Li was so angry that his face turned ashen. However, although Ji Tongzhou was so young, the spiritual energy fluctuating around him showed that he had already broken through the third bottleneck. He would surely be valued by Xing Zheng Hall. Moreover, as a member of the Yue Kingdom’s royal family, he had previous conflicts with Long Ming Zuo. If Zong Li insisted on demanding an explanation from him, it might cause others to overthink.
Zong Li could only force a smile and say, “Mr. Wu Zheng, your esteemed disciple is indeed promising at such a young age. Congratulations to Xing Zheng Hall for gaining another heaven-sent talent.”
Wu Zheng Zi smiled slightly, “You’re too kind. He can’t compare to the talented disciples of Long Ming Zuo, who are eloquent and intelligent.”
Zong Li could no longer contain his anger and suddenly changed his tone, “You injured others first and then spoke disrespectfully! Who’s being eloquent? As a master, not only are you unable to distinguish right from wrong and set an example, but you’re also so arrogant. Are you trying to use Xing Zheng Hall’s reputation to intimidate others?”
Wu Zheng Zi laughed coldly, “What do you mean by distinguishing right from wrong? Long Ming Zuo gathered over a dozen disciples to attack a mere seven people. In magical exchanges, there’s no room for sentiment! If you can’t win, just leave. But to come and accuse others afterward, and you, as an elder, taking their side without asking for the reason – is that what you call setting an example?”
Their argument was getting louder, attracting many disciples who gathered at a distance to watch. Soon, it caught the attention of other elders from various Mountain and Sea Sects.
Another elder from Xing Zheng Hall, Shang Xing Zi, came forward to mediate, “We’re all from the Mountain Sect. Why make things unpleasant here? It only gives the Sea Sect something to laugh about.”
Other Mountain Sect elders also came forward to mediate. Li Fei watched this scene unfold, looking from one person to another, enjoying the commotion. Suddenly, she felt someone tugging at her sleeve. She turned around to see a dark, pretty face – it was her long-lost sister disciple, Yan Fei.
“Li Fei!” Yan Fei hugged her joyfully and gave her a couple of playful bites. Her senior sister seemed a bit self-conscious about what happened last time, smiling awkwardly and nodding slightly at her.
“Are your Mountain Sect elders arguing?” Yan Fei also leaned in to watch the commotion. “Oh, why is Junior Brother Lei standing over there?”
Li Fei quickly pulled her back, “The elders are talking, don’t…”
Suddenly, Ye Xie patted her shoulder and gave her a meaningful look. Li Fei was startled for a moment, then quickly understood his intention. She immediately let go of her hand. Yan Fei happily ran to Lei Xiuyuan’s side, arms open, ready to hug and kiss him. This enthusiastic girl from the East Sea clearly still remembered not being able to kiss him last time.
Lei Xiuyuan hurriedly stepped back twice, then smiled at her and just cupped his hands in greeting. Yan Fei smiled, about to speak, when she suddenly saw four Long Ming Zuo disciples standing opposite. She was stunned for a moment, then her eyebrows furrowed as she pointed at them angrily, “It’s you, bastards!”
The arguing elders immediately stopped talking. Mountain Sect disciples were usually trained to be very courteous and would never dare to be so loud and rude. Seeing her strange attire and the black markings on her forehead, everyone knew she was a Sea Sect disciple.
True Person Guang Wei was already troubled by Long Ming Zuo’s persistence in demanding an explanation from Lei Xiuyuan and Ji Tongzhou. Seeing this Sea Sect female disciple suddenly cursing at the four from Long Ming Zuo, his quick mind immediately prompted him to ask gently, “Oh? You know them, little girl?”
Yan Fei angrily said, “Of course I know them! My senior sister and I kindly teamed up with them, but after we obtained the Demon Vermilion Fruit, they suddenly attacked us, seriously injuring me and my senior sister, and then stole the fruit!”
Everyone was in an uproar. Yan Fei’s senior sister also immediately came forward to accuse the Long Ming Zuo disciples. The Sea Sect elders, who had originally planned to stay out of it, saw that the matter now involved them. Two elders from Wen Ji Hui quickly came over. After learning the details, a Wen Ji Hui elder couldn’t help but sneer, “So this is what you call ‘snatching doesn’t violate the rules’! Truly eye-opening!”
Seeing that the matter suddenly involved the Sea Sect, Zong Li feared that continuing this dispute would bring no benefit. He immediately bowed and said, “This incident was due to our Long Ming Zuo’s failure to discipline our disciples properly. I will severely punish them when we return. Farewell!”
He and another elder led the four disciples away, brushing past Ji Tongzhou. Seeing him standing proudly, the spiritual energy from breaking through the third bottleneck making him stand out among the disciples like a crane among chickens, Zong Li frowned and said lightly, “Please convey our greetings to Mr. Xuan Shan on behalf of the prince. I wonder if his cultivation has recovered.”
Ji Tongzhou immediately turned his head to stare at him, his gaze sharp as a knife. Zong Li smiled, clearly disdaining to say more to a young disciple. The group from Long Ming Zuo took to the air and left directly.
Ji Tongzhou’s expression darkened, and he stood silently for a long while until Ye Xie came over and patted his shoulder, saying softly, “Tongzhou, let’s have a good drink tonight.”
Ji Tongzhou’s expression gradually softened, and he turned back to smile at Ye Xie, “We’ll drink until we can’t anymore.”
When they returned to the town of Guang Sheng Hui, it was just past noon. After returning to their respective inns, the elders announced that they would set out to return to their sects tomorrow, meaning this gathering would soon come to an end.
This marvelous journey to the East Sea had broadened the disciples’ horizons, and they were reluctant to part. They all made plans to drink and chat together, and soon every tavern in town was packed, with everyone planning to drink from day to night.
Li Fei now feared even the mention of drinking. Among their group of six, Ge Lin and Ji Tongzhou used to pass out after just one or two cups. Who would have thought that after five years, she would become the one who couldn’t handle alcohol?
After quickly washing up and changing into clean disciple robes, Li Fei had just pushed open the door when she saw a young man in Xing Zheng Hall’s disciple robes leaning on the railing of the inn’s corridor, lost in thought. Hearing the door open, he turned his head – it was Ji Tongzhou.
“Why aren’t you at the tavern yet?” Li Fei walked over to him.
Ji Tongzhou took out a paper package from his sleeve and handed it to her, “This is to compensate you. See if you like it.”
Compensate her? Li Fei was puzzled as she unwrapped the package, revealing an exquisite lacquered wooden comb inside. She suddenly remembered that he had thrown away her wooden comb before, and she couldn’t help but laugh, “You remembered? I had already forgotten about it.”
Ji Tongzhou let out a faint “Mm” and said, “Of course, I remembered.”
Li Fei saw that the wooden comb was very delicate, with a pattern of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix drawn in gold powder, making it particularly magnificent. The comb was also heavy, and its texture felt much better than ordinary wooden combs. Upon closer inspection, she could smell a faint, elegant fragrance. It must be quite valuable.
She was about to refuse when Ji Tongzhou said softly, “Don’t say you don’t want it. You know I’m not trying to use money to pressure you.”
Li Fei stroked the lacquered comb, surprised that Ji Tongzhou still remembered her casual remark from that day. This young prince could be thoughtful at times. She could understand. He had always been pampered and accustomed to luxury, so his standards and perspective on personal items were naturally far above hers. One couldn’t expect a prince to buy the cheapest comb from the market to compensate someone; he probably didn’t even know where the market was.
Li Fei smiled and tucked the lacquered comb into her sleeve, “Alright, thank you then. I like it.”
Ji Tongzhou’s brow slightly relaxed, “I’m glad you like it.”
He turned to leave, but Li Fei suddenly called out, “Wait.”
She took out the purple jade cricket and smiled as she handed it to him, “This is for you. We’re returning to our sects tomorrow, and I might not see you again. Thank you, it was really fun.”
Bai Li Ge Lin’s voice sounded from downstairs, and Li Fei, smiling, ran down first. Ji Tongzhou thoughtfully fingered the purple jade cricket. Just taken from her embrace, it was still warm. He slowly brought the cricket to his nose and sniffed lightly, detecting a very faint, enchanting fragrance clinging to it.
He looked up and suddenly saw Lei Xiuyuan leaning against the opposite corridor with his arms crossed. They didn’t need to exchange many words as women do; a single glance or expression was enough to understand each other’s intentions. Men’s understanding of other men was always greater than women’s.
Ji Tongzhou lightly kissed the jade cricket and placed it against his lips. Without looking at Lei Xiuyuan again, he went downstairs.