Chapter 82 - The Scum Is Provoked
Naturally, the people who were attacked were invited to the Righteous Alliance to give their statements. There were total of 15 people who went to the Righteous Alliance – Qian Lin, Shu Mu, Xi Ning, Xi Shi, Gong Xian and Cheng Sheng included. 5 people were injured and was taken to the infirmary to be treated. 3 people were missing and more than 10 people were killed.
Qian Lin were escorted by the leader of the Qianxu Sect disciples. They can only bring one other with them, since the Righteous Alliance is not an attraction to be easily entered. Shu Mu went alone, and there were bloodstains on his sleeves. Obviously, he was injured but he's obstinate to not treat his wound. He wants to act tough. The disciple of the Righteous Alliance who escort him inside immediately fled after being glared at for no reason. Xi Ning, Xi Shi and Gong Xian went together. Xi Ning didn't make a fuss by being taken somewhere late at night, but her expression is dark. Xi Shi was secretly sneering. He was planning on how to account this matter on someone. Cheng Sheng, surprisingly, went alone.
Xi Shi saw Cheng Sheng standing on the side, his figure lonesome. He already heard that it was Cheng Sheng who caught a demonic cultivator. He can't help but feel sour in his heart. Cheng Sheng has already been too eye-catching lately. Now, it is inevitable he'll shine brighter. "Hah!" he suddenly spoke, breaking the silence in the Wall of Discipline, which is the southernmost building of the Righteous Alliance. It was only them six currently, along with two disciples of the Righteous Alliance. The five elders along with Jing Rui and Zheng Yi still haven't arrived. Because it was too silence, naturally everyone heard Xi Shi's voice. "The Qianxu Sect, Nanshu Sect and the Shanliangde Sect were attacked along with the other smaller sects. But, only the Youxiwang Sect wasn't. And, it's a mere Xinfaxian sect disciple who caught the demonic cultivator? Laughable!" Xi Shi said as he looked at Cheng Sheng, his eyes full of malice. The two disciples on the side didn't speak, nor gave any reaction yet they obviously were listening.
Qian Lin and Xu Li, the leader of the Qianxu Sect disciples, heard what Xi Shi said and they turned to him. Shu Mu, who is highly ambitious, also looked at Xi Shi, then Cheng Sheng. Xi Ning may dislike Xi Shi, but since he's willing to give her 'entertainment' tonight, naturally her mood lightened up and her frown was replaced by a smile as she watched the show. Gong Xian, from beginning to end, is disinterested in everything aside from his shifu – Ho Yue. I wonder how is shifu right now… I wanna go back to Shanliang! He thought.
Cheng Sheng naturally heard what Xi Shi has said. He doesn't need to spare a brain cell to know what Xi Shi is plotting. "Don't you know how to count?" he asked. Xi Shi and the others looked puzzled. "Zunjingde Sect wasn't also attacked." He said.
"Chen Sheng!" Xi Shi called. "Are you implying that this is the Zunjingde sect's plot?!" he asked.
"My heart and conscience is clear. It is clearly you who said that, not me." Cheng Sheng said. "The Youxiwang Sect and the Xinfaxian Sect, everyone knows that our two sects are staying in the same inn. Clearly, if the Xinfaxian Sect was attacked, the Youxiwang Sect would be, also." He explained. "But, it is because the Youxiwang Sect is highly competent people, thus they weren't injured in the attack." He looked at Xi Shi. "The same way goes for the Zunjingde Sect. Xi-shixiong, now may I ask you, what are you implying by what you said earlier?" he asked, his face is serious and his beautiful eyes were piercing Xi Shi's body, making him feel he's being covered by a cold air.
"You – you're slandering me!" Xi Shi said. The tables turned! What he said backfired on him!
"Xi-shixiong. It was you who started this first. I am just asking the same question to you. Why do you react violently?" Cheng Sheng said, an innocent expression was on his face. "Clearly, Xi-shixiong isn't planning for the Youxiwang Sect to carry this black pot?" he asked and smiled.
"You!" Xi Shi was about to draw his sword when one of the disciples of the Righteous Alliance moved and suddenly appeared in front of him!
"Drawing weapons is prohibited in the Righteous Alliance. Please excuse me." The disciple said. Xi Shi saw the disciple's hand pushed back the hilt of his sword that was drawn an inch out of its scabbard. A cold sweat tricked down the side of his face as he saw the disciple then took a step back away from him after he stopped him. "That is a warning. I will confiscate your sword and you will be disqualified in the Intersect Competition next time this happens." He told him and withdrawn to the side.
"Who dares make a ruckus in the Wall of Discipline?" a voice filled with authority asked followed by the sound of hushed footsteps as seven people entered the wall of Discipline – one of them, the shortest, is following behind the six people in the front. It was Zheng Yi. The six people in front are the five elders and Jing Rui.
Everyone immediately bowed and greeted the newcomers with low voices. The one who spoke earlier is Zheng Fu Gong, the head of the Righteous Alliance. The one on his right is Pai Lie, an array master. The one of his left is Su Yuan – an Elemental Master. Qi Ling, a Spirit Master. And Jing Xian, the Immortal Body Master. Zheng Fu Gong is the strongest among them five. Even if he's isn't versed in alchemy or has no immortal body, but the other four elders couldn't beat him since Zheng Fu Gong is a master martial artist.
They stopped in front, then looked at Cheng Sheng, Xi Shi, Xi Ning Gong Xian, Shu Mu and Qian Lin. Jing Rui and Zheng Yi stood on the side. The other two disciples earlier were gone, no one noticed when and how. "Who dared make a ruckus earlier?" Zheng Fu Gong asked again.
The highly probably to answer, Shu Mu, didn't speak. Even if he's arrogant, but he doesn't dare act that way in front of the five elders of the Righteous Alliance. He still has his eyes to recognize these five elders, and to not offend them nor dare play tricks with them. Thus, he didn't act a tattletale and left it to the others to answer Zheng Fu Gong's question.
The one who was the least likely to answer, Gong Xian, spoke. "Elder." He greeted and cupped his hands to bow. "It is Xi-shixiong. His opponent is Cheng Sheng." He answered.
Zheng Fu Gong looked at the brave one who answered despite the tension in the air. He was surprised to see the sincerity in his eyes. His tone isn't supercilious, either. In fact, there's an air of indifference around him.
"Gong Xian! You - !" Xi Shi looked at Gong Xian with wide eyes. He can't believe Gong Xian sold him out! He immediately turned to Zheng Fu Gong and knelt before him. "Elder Zheng. This lowly disciple didn't mean to disrespect the Wall of Discipline. This lowly disciple just wanted to ask Cheng Sheng about tonight's matter." He hurriedly explained.
"Oh?" Zheng Fu Gong said. "So, you suspect him?" he directly asked.
"Yes!" Xi Shi answered.
Zheng Fu Gong looked like he was pondering. "On what basis are you suspecting him?" he asked.
"He is a disciple of a faraway sect." Xi Shi answered. "The Youxiwang Sect disciples – Chen Han and Sun Yi can't even catch the demonic cultivator, so how can he?" he finally voiced out his doubt.
Zheng Fu Gong stared at Xi Shi before answering. "I'll let you off since you are ignorant of tonight's matters thus you spoke of foolish words." He said.
Xi Shi was taken aback of Zheng Fu Gong's harsh words. "Elder – "
Zheng Fu Gong lazily rolled his eyes at him and didn't glance at him again. He looked at the entrance of the Wall of Discipline. "Sect leader Wu. Chen patriarch. Thank you for arriving in advance." He said.
Two people entered the Wall of Discipline wearing bright red clothes. They are none other than Wu Yuan- the youngest sect leader across the continent, and the new sect leader of the Youxiwang Sect. the other is Chen Jing – the patriarch of the largest family, the Chen. "Sect leader Jing. Elder Zheng. Elder Pai. Elder Su. Elder Qi. Elder Jing. I apologize to arrive late." Wu Yuan, who had matured in leaps and bounds, spoke. "We had to relieve ourselves from our worry with our sect's disciples, and Xinfaxian Sect's disciples – who are under our care, by verifying their safety." He explained. His words meant only one thing – they went to the inn where the Youxiwang Sect and the Xinfaxian Sect disciples are staying!
Xi Shi felt his body was covered in cold sweat. What a mistake! Why can't he just shut his mouth?! The reason why the Youxiwang Sect disciples are safe is due to Wu Yuan and Chen Jing who arrived early in Zhongyang! And the reason why Cheng Sheng could catch that demonic cultivator is because the two helped him! But, his second thought was proven to be wrong when he heard Chen Jing spoke.
"Ah Sheng." Chen Jing called, his voice is full of affection. "You've leveled up again?" he said, surprise in his voice as he held his son's hand and checked his cultivation. "You're nearing the high level of Golden Core Stage. Don't overdo it, or you'll be disqualified in the competition." He joked.
"Father is jesting." Cheng Sheng pouted. The two are immersed in their reunion they didn't notice the others' surprised reaction – especially Xi Shi who was beyond shocked.
What?! Xi Shi was dumbfounded. How can he be high level of the Golden Core Stage?! Wasn't he just in low level?! Xi Ning, Qian Lin and Shu Mu were also surprised, but they immediately recovered their expression. Gong Xian just yawned. When can I go back? I want to write to shifu… I miss shifu… he thought and suppressed another yawn.