Chapter 734: Outmatched by Them

Chapter 734: Outmatched by Them

“This has escalated to a feud between two sects; Master Cong has brought all the disciples from his side over.”

Relying on their numbers, they charged in aggressively, directly pressuring the territory of Han Fairy.

It looked like they were here to cause trouble.

“Then let me make you understand. Liang Hong, explain.”

“Yes.”

Liang Hong, full of righteous indignation, stepped to the front of the crowd, chest puffed out, and passionately recounted:

“Lin Nuo suddenly showed up in our territory as a guest, and we welcomed him warmly. Yet he insulted us, claiming our strength is weak and came just for fun…”

Liang Hong’s embellishments cranked up Lin Nuo’s perceived crimes, slickly learned from Master Cong.

After a lengthy rant filled with indignation, he could have penned an impeachment document with the materials in front of him.

What grievances did they truly harbor? Did they really hate him that much?

After Liang Hong’s lengthy tirade, Han Fairy seemed to grasp the situation, her expression calm.

At this moment, it was better to avoid escalation, and to resolve things harmoniously; causing a scene would not benefit her.

“Alright, I understand. I will handle this matter properly and provide you with a reasonable answer.”

Han Fairy was laying on the bureaucratic talk, and “handling it properly” just meant dragging things out.

Master Cong was not swayed by her tactics, pressing on aggressively:

“Han Fairy, we came in person hoping you would resolve this matter face-to-face. Please don’t try to mislead us; it’s also a matter of accountability to our disciples.”

“I have my own matters to attend to and cannot resolve this at the moment. Moreover, Lin Nuo is not here, which complicates things…”

Han Fairy was finding excuses, but just then, a chilly breeze blew in and Lin Nuo bounced in.

What nerve he had to show up at such a time!

Now Han Fairy found herself in an awkward position. If she were to handle it, she’d have to punish Lin Nuo, but he wouldn’t accept her punishment in front of so many people, making her look ineffective and embarrassing her reputation as a teacher.

But she had to make a statement.

“Ha, Lin Nuo, you dare show your face here. I’ve come to look for your master, let’s see how arrogant you can be now.”

Master Cong blustered, but Lin Nuo just chuckled:

“So? Any results?”

“Let’s see how arrogant you’ll be. Han Fairy, provide your verdict; as his master, how will you deal with him?”

Master Cong had kicked the ball into Han Fairy’s court, waiting for her to make a move.

With so many people accusing Lin Nuo of mocking them, and considering Lin Nuo’s nonchalant attitude, it seemed like the allegations held some weight.

So she had to make a statement—using sect rules to punish him would be the proper course. If Lin Nuo violated sect rules, then it would be up to the sect leader to deal with him.

“Lin Nuo, is what they said true?” Han Fairy asked.

“True, but not entirely.”

“What do you mean?”

“Some is true, some is false, but their food definitely is weak—it was just terrible.”

Lin Nuo bluntly stated this, further stoking the crowd’s outrage.

“Lin Nuo, you’re extremely disrespectful. You need to apologize to them, and then—”

Before Han Fairy could finish, another female voice cut her off.

“He doesn’t need to apologize because they haven’t apologized either.”

Qin Shili intervened strongly, speaking coldly,

“If we’re talking about mocking the weak, Master Cong, you have no right to say that. Let’s not forget how you mocked Lin Nuo back then. Unfortunately for you, he was only pretending to be weak; once he sees through your true selves, he’s stronger than each one of you. It’s laughable for you to come here personally to criticize him with such a poor sect reputation.”

Usually quiet and reluctant to argue, Qin Shili stood up for Lin Nuo this time.

Well, Lin Nuo carried a noble reputation; if it wasn’t her saying something, then who could? After all, they would eventually be partners for life, and she loathed how Master Cong and his lot acted.

“Qin Shili, you’re slandering him. Lin Nuo did wrong, he hasn’t reflected upon it. Not to mention your shielding him, yet you still come to slander us; it truly chills my heart.”

Master Cong retorted, his tone sharp, but Qin Shili was not intimidated; if he was coming for Lin Nuo, she’d stand her ground.

“Master Cong, let me make it clear. As a mentor, haven’t you ever complained about your disciples? Haven’t you ever said they were lacking?”

“No, I always have full confidence in them.”

“How bold of you to say that. You’ve complained to the sect leader about their lack of aptitude. Would you like me to call the sect leader over for a confrontation?”

“Um… that was just my frustration talking; I wasn’t actually complaining about them.”

Master Cong quickly backtracked; his excuses were slick but transparent.

“Alright, then. Since that’s the case, Lin Nuo didn’t intend to insult them either. You may say the disciples are lacking, so he can say the same. It’s his respect for you that compels him to speak. If he didn’t think you were worth mentioning, he wouldn’t say a word at all. And honestly, your strength is indeed lacking; he’s not wrong. You holding onto this grievance shows a lack of broad-mindedness.”

Qin Shili directly struck back with comparisons, leaving Master Cong momentarily dumbfounded.

What could he do? If he claimed Lin Nuo was wrong, it would mean he was at fault too—what an embarrassment in front of everyone!

Qin Shili sure had a sharp tongue!

He couldn’t press further on the mocking issue, so he diverted:

“Let’s set this aside; just now, during his spar with Liang Hong, he toyed with him, wearing him out, making him look foolish. This is disrespect and an insult towards him.”

Just as Qin Shili was about to retort, Liu Shuqin jumped in to counter:

“Master Cong, you’re misinformed. Junior Martial Brother is incredibly skilled, and when he practiced with me, he was the same. The key is he guided my moves; had he truly attacked, I would have dropped in an instant. He’s very patient; every time we sparred, I found some insight. The sect leader said that a cultivator must approach their learning with humility. Junior Martial Brother’s patience truly deserves recognition, unlike the disdain from Liang Hong.”

Liu Shuqin spoke gently and gracefully, not as blunt as Qin Shili, placing Master Cong at a disadvantage in the discourse.

Liu Shuqin pointed out that Lin Nuo had patiently guided Liang Hong; it was Liang Hong’s ingratitude and lack of humility that led to the mockery, a matter of mindset.

“But he did indeed cause Liang Hong emotional trauma…”

“That’s a misstatement. Firstly, aside from pointing out your weaknesses, Junior Martial Brother said nothing malicious. As for the emotional trauma, that’s merely a reflection of Liang Hong’s lack of mental cultivation. No worries, it’s never too late to mend. I believe Master Cong’s disciples can certainly learn to improve upon this.”

Liu Shuqin smiled as she spoke, leaving Lin Nuo utterly stunned; what? Did she just twist the narrative in such a way that made me look good?

Guide him? With his level of skill, I could’ve kicked him aside without effort!

“Never hit a smiling face” holds true; Liu Shuqin, with her gentle smile, left everyone speechless. If someone argued back, they’d be in the wrong.

Master Cong was caught in a double-bind, and how withered his reputation felt now.

Just when he thought he could weaponize Mu Yiting’s reputation, Liang Hong brought up how she had been insulted.

“And there’s one more thing; Liang Hong didn’t mention how he insulted my disciple, Mu Yiting.”

“What??”

Han Fairy and her three female disciples exclaimed in unison.