Chapter 162 : Tian Ling’er’s Soul-Searching Question
Chapter 162: Tian Ling’er’s Soul-Searching Question
While Master Shuiyue was refining pills to recover her spiritual power, outside the room where Tian Buyi was staying at the Qingyun Sect’s encampment, the atmosphere was heavy and oppressive.
Tian Buyi stood at the head position, glaring angrily at Zhang Xiaofan.
His daughter, Tian Ling’er, stood to the side. Seeing the dark expression on her father’s face, she did not dare speak.
Tian Ling’er knew clearly that her father was truly furious this time. In such situations, only her mother could persuade him. If she rashly spoke up, she would inevitably be reprimanded.
Tian Buyi looked at Zhang Xiaofan with a mixture of hatred and disappointment, and coldly questioned him: Xiaofan, why? Why did you save those Demonic Sect scoundrels? Don’t you know the relationship between our Righteous Path and the Demonic Sect?
After hearing his master’s words, Zhang Xiaofan was filled with shame.
But when he thought of that figure from his previous life who had once blocked the Zhuxian Sword for him, he understood that when Bi Yao was in danger, he could not stand by and do nothing.
He lowered his head, kowtowed, and said: Master, this disciple was wrong.
After hearing this, Tian Buyi did not feel any relief.
He knew this disciple too well. Zhang Xiaofan bowing his head to admit fault did not mean he truly thought he was wrong—it was merely because he did not want to anger his master.
Tian Buyi continued to press coldly: Xiaofan, tell me—why exactly?
Zhang Xiaofan glanced at his master, then at the concerned gaze of his senior sister Tian Ling’er. It was as if he had fallen into memories, and he fell silent.
After a long time, just as Tian Buyi was beginning to feel somewhat impatient, Zhang Xiaofan finally came back to his senses.
Seeing Zhang Xiaofan like this, Tian Buyi did not interrupt him. Today, he was determined to get an answer.
After a long while, Zhang Xiaofan softly said: Master, that Demonic Sect’s Bi Yao once saved this disciple’s life. Seeing her in danger, this disciple could not ignore it.
Tian Buyi was slightly startled upon hearing this, and some of the anger on his face dissipated.
As long as his disciple had not truly defected to the Demonic Sect, the matter was still manageable.
If it was really only because Bi Yao had once saved Zhang Xiaofan, then he could still plead with his senior brother Daoxuan.
But if Zhang Xiaofan had truly betrayed Qingyun and joined the Demonic Sect, then even without waiting for Daoxuan to act, he himself would have to purge the sect.
Tian Buyi’s tone softened somewhat as he asked: You mean to say that a Demonic Sect enchantress once saved your life, and so today you saved her once in return?
Zhang Xiaofan immediately nodded and bowed as he replied: Yes, Master.
At this moment, Zhang Xiaofan’s martial aunt, Su Ru, hurried in from outside and said anxiously: Buyi, this is bad. The matter of Xiaofan rescuing the Demonic Sect enchantress has already been discovered by other Righteous Path members. Right now, they have joined together and want Qingyun to give them an explanation.
Upon hearing this, Tian Buyi’s expression changed slightly.
He glanced at Zhang Xiaofan and ordered: Zhang Xiaofan, kneel here properly and reflect. Without my command, you are not to leave.
Then he said to Tian Ling’er: Ling’er, you supervise Zhang Xiaofan. Don’t let him leave.
Tian Ling’er hurriedly nodded: Yes, Father.
After that, Tian Buyi took Su Ru with him, his face dark as he walked outside.
As the leader of this Qingyun Sect expedition, with such an incident happening, he had to step forward to resolve it.
Moreover, no matter how great the pressure, today he was determined to protect Zhang Xiaofan.
After Tian Buyi and Su Ru left，Tian Ling’er looked at Zhang Xiaofan, who was still kneeling on the ground, and asked worriedly: Xiaofan, are you alright?
Zhang Xiaofan looked at Tian Ling’er’s concerned face, felt warmth in his heart, and said: Senior Sister, I’m fine.
Tian Ling’er’s expression suddenly changed, and she said angrily: Zhang Xiaofan, are you stupid? In that kind of situation, you actually dared to openly protect Bi Yao and the Demonic Sect people. Do you have a death wish?
As she spoke, concern could not help but show on her face.
Listening to the scolding, Zhang Xiaofan felt somewhat awkward, but he did not regret it in his heart.
If it happened again, he would still do the same.
He said to Tian Ling’er: Ling’er, you also know Senior Sister Lu’s strength. If she truly struck against Bi Yao and the others of the Ghost King Sect, Bi Yao and the rest would definitely die. I couldn’t watch Bi Yao be killed by Senior Sister Lu right in front of me.
Upon hearing this, Tian Ling’er glared at him angrily.
In her heart, she had already tacitly accepted the matter between Zhang Xiaofan and Bi Yao, but seeing Zhang Xiaofan protect Bi Yao so much still made her feel hurt.
Unable to hold back, Tian Ling’er angrily asked: Zhang Xiaofan, in your heart, who matters more—me or Bi Yao?
Zhang Xiaofan was slightly stunned upon hearing Tian Ling’er’s question.
Afterward, he could not help but ask himself whether he loved Tian Ling’er more, or Bi Yao more.
Yet as he pondered, a clear and peerlessly cold figure kept flashing through his mind.
This startled Zhang Xiaofan internally, and he thought to himself: Could it be that the one I like most isn’t Junior Sister Ling’er or Bi Yao?
Just as he was falling into self-doubt, he quickly forced this thought out of his mind.
In his previous life, his relationship with Lu Xueqi had been rather complicated, but in this life, they had not had much contact.
Yet deep in his heart, he still occasionally thought of Lu Xueqi’s peerless beauty.
Seeing Zhang Xiaofan remain silent, Tian Ling’er became even angrier: Zhang Xiaofan, tell me—who do you like the most? Is it me, or Bi Yao?
Zhang Xiaofan remained silent.
Tian Ling’er’s voice turned cold: Zhang Xiaofan, is it that Bi Yao holds a greater place in your heart than I do? Is that why you won’t speak, because you’re afraid of hurting me?
Zhang Xiaofan hurriedly shook his head: Ling’er, it’s not like that. You and Bi Yao are equally important to me.
Hearing this, Tian Ling’er felt slightly comforted. She turned her head aside and snorted: Fickle radish.
After that, she ignored Zhang Xiaofan.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiaofan also fell into silence.
At this moment, his heart was filled with worry for his master, Tian Buyi.
He knew those Righteous Path members had come with ill intent. His master had him stay here and had Senior Sister Ling’er watch over him because he did not want anything to happen to him.
But Zhang Xiaofan knew full well how great the trouble he had caused this time was. He feared that his master would encounter danger because of it, and his heart was filled with anxiety.
At the same time, news that Righteous Path experts had come to force the issue outside the Qingyun Sect’s temporary encampment also reached Xiaozhu Peak.
At this time, Master Shuiyue had already refined the pills and recovered her spiritual power. After hearing the news, she said to Lu Xueqi: Xueqi, as your master, I’ll go take a look now. Will you come with me, or go back and rest?
Lu Xueqi immediately replied: Master, let’s go together.
Lu Xueqi also wanted to see what kind of tricks these Righteous Path people were trying to pull.
Master Shuiyue nodded.
Lu Xueqi’s current strength was terrifying, far beyond her expectations.
With her accompanying, even if someone dared to cause trouble for the Qingyun Sect, they could be easily suppressed, allowing her to feel more at ease.
Alright, Xueqi, then let’s go now.
Afterward, Master Shuiyue led Lu Xueqi outside.
Moments later, they arrived outside the Qingyun Sect’s temporary encampment.
At this time, the Qingyun Sect had suffered heavy losses in the battle against the Demonic Sect. Many disciples were dead or injured, and several elders had fallen.
The atmosphere within the sect was heavy. Everyone looked at the Righteous Path members who had come to cause trouble, their faces filled with shame.
After all, everyone had seen Zhang Xiaofan’s matter clearly. No one had expected that within the Qingyun Sect, there would be someone who dared to betray the sect and protect a Demonic Sect enchantress and protector.
Tian Buyi stood in front of the Qingyun Sect encampment, looked at the Righteous Path crowd, and said in a deep voice: I am Tian Buyi of Dazhu Peak of the Qingyun Sect, the leader of this Qingyun expedition. What business do you have coming here?
The previously noisy Righteous Path crowd fell silent upon hearing Tian Buyi’s words.
Everyone’s gaze turned toward an elderly man in Daoist robes standing at the front of the group.
This man was named Qing Xuanzi, the sect master of the Tianling Sect, which was outside the three great Righteous Path sects.
Although the Tianling Sect was inferior to the three great sects, Qing Xuanzi possessed strength comparable to the Upper Purity Realm of the Qingyun Sect and was highly respected among the Righteous Path. Thus, he was chosen to step forward and hold the Qingyun Sect accountable.
Upon hearing Tian Buyi’s question, Qing Xuanzi scolded righteously: Tian Buyi, we came today for only one matter!
A disciple of your Qingyun Sect dared to shield a Demonic Sect enchantress and a Demonic Path protector—his crime is monstrous!
Quickly hand that disciple over for us to deal with. Otherwise, today’s matter will not end easily!
Tian Buyi responded coldly: Qing Xuanzi, mind your tone! This is an internal matter of my Qingyun Sect. How could it allow you to interfere at will?
Moreover, my sect’s disciple rescuing a Demonic Sect enchantress happened for a reason. The Qingyun Sect will naturally investigate it thoroughly and give everyone an explanation!
As soon as Tian Buyi finished speaking, someone among the Righteous Path sneered: Hmph, Tian Buyi, who doesn’t know that disciple is your personal disciple? Your words are nothing but perfunctory excuses!
Upon hearing this, Tian Buyi’s expression turned furious. His gaze swept the crowd like blazing fire as he shouted sternly: Which rat dares to hide its head and tail and sow discord here? The Qingyun Sect, as a Righteous Path sect, would never act as recklessly as you claim!