C13 Bribery

"How dare you!"

A thunderous voice erupted from the crowd, and all eyes turned to see Elder Ma from the Law Enforcement Hall approaching!

"Humph! With the Law Enforcement Elder here, that kid's done for!"

"He's got no one to blame but himself for seeking his own demise. How could he brazenly break the law?"

Elder Ma landed with a thud, his gaze falling on the gruesomely deceased Zhang Cheng beside Xiao Feng, his anger palpable.

"How brazen! Aren't you aware that the Mountain Sea Sect prohibits murder?"

Yet Xiao Feng remained composed, locking eyes with Elder Ma, "Yes, I'm aware."

"Heh, knowingly breaking the law only makes your crime worse! Come with me."

Xiao Feng stood his ground, countering, "Elder, may I inquire as to what law I've broken?"

With Zhang Cheng's body still at his feet, Xiao Feng's question left everyone speechless, unsure of what to say next.

"What law? Are you feigning ignorance?" Elder Ma retorted with a glare.

"Everyone witnessed it; Zhang Cheng struck first, intent on killing me. I was merely defending myself and managed to subdue him without fatal consequences!"

What's this? Defending yourself? Barely managing? The image of Xiao Feng feigning weakness while overpowering Zhang Cheng flashed through the minds of the onlookers.

"So, you think that justifies killing him?" Elder Ma asked icily. "Even in self-defense, you had no right to take his life. Now, you must come with me!"

Without further ado, Elder Ma made his move, intent on apprehending Xiao Feng.

But Xiao Feng was not one to be easily subdued. With a single palm, he met Elder Ma's strike.

That single palm was enough to send Elder Ma stumbling back several steps. Although Elder Ma had held back, it was still impressive that Xiao Feng could achieve such a feat.

Yet, no matter the circumstances, striking an elder was inexcusable!

The disciples who had accompanied Zhang Cheng were completely taken aback. While Xiao Feng's actions against Zhang Cheng might be understandable, assaulting an elder was a rarity in the Mountain Sea Sect.

"Xiao Feng! You dare defy an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall? Do you have a death wish?!"

Elder Ma was seething with rage. As he prepared to strike once more, a spectral palm materialized atop the smoky peak, thwarting his assault.

It was Lau Ruyan!

"Elder Lau, with things as they are, do you really intend to intervene? This traitor doesn't deserve to be a disciple of our Mountain Sea Sect. Allow me to take care of this for you!"

"Take care of this?" Lau Ruyan's voice preceded her appearance. "As an elder of the Law Enforcement Hall, how can you justify arresting people without cause? What punishment do you deserve for that? And now you want to lay a hand on my disciple? It seems you have a death wish!"

Lau Ruyan exuded authority as she stood by Xiao Feng's side. "I witnessed the entire incident. Zhang Cheng was indeed the first to strike."

"Hmph! As I've already stated, his actions were excessive self-defense. Moreover, he dared to strike an elder—I cannot overlook this!"

Yet Lau Ruyan clearly had no intention of backing down. Instead, she gave Elder Ma a challenging look. "Go ahead, I dare you."

Elder Ma found himself in an awkward position. He was no match for Lau Ruyan, and with so many eyes upon him, he was loath to lose face.

Just then, a voice rang out, "The Vice Sect Master has arrived!"

The Vice Sect Master? Upon hearing this, Elder Ma quickly went to lodge his complaint.

Lau Ruyan's brow furrowed. This was a tricky situation; Sima Yi was not someone easily fooled.

The Vice Sect Master listened to Elder Ma's account, then stroked his beard and chuckled. Approaching Xiao Feng, he said, "Haha, young man, I've been informed of your situation."

"Vice Sect Master…" Lau Ruyan attempted to interject but was silenced by a shake of Sima Yi's head.

Sima Yi turned back to Xiao Feng. "In your view, were your actions justified?"

Xiao Feng stood his ground, meeting the Vice Sect Master's gaze. "He threatened to kill me and annihilate my sect. If I hadn't acted, I would be the one dead. How can I be at fault?"

Xiao Feng pressed on, "He declared his love in front of my fiancée. As a man, was I not right to confront him?"

Elder Ma spoke up once more, his voice dripping with disdain, "Hmph, quite the smart-mouthed young man, aren't you?"

Sima Yi cast a glance at Elder Ma, cutting him off, then turned back to Xiao Feng, "If someone else declares their love for your fiancée in the future, will you still resort to violence?"

Xiao Feng replied icily, "I'm a man. Put yourself in my shoes; could you tolerate it?"

Lau Ruyan was beside herself with worry. Couldn't this young man swallow his pride for once? Did he really have to wait for the Sect Master to arrive before he'd consider backing down? No, she suspected that even the Sect Master's presence wouldn't make him bow his head.

"How insolent! To speak to the Vice Sect Master in such a manner!"

Xiao Feng gave him a sidelong glance, then fixed his gaze on the Vice Sect Master and requested, "Vice Sect Master, may I have a word with you in private?"

What was he up to?

Lau Ruyan felt bewildered. She hoped he wasn't about to cause trouble for himself.

Xiao Feng led Sima Yi away from prying eyes and presented ten thousand Dragon Crystals.

"Senior, regarding the matter with Zhang Cheng, I find myself in a difficult position. This is my compensation, both to the sect and to him."

His words were polite, but it was nothing more than a bribe.

Sima Yi didn't elaborate, simply nodding as he accepted the gesture.

Returning to the crowd, Sima Yi cleared his throat and announced, "I've thoroughly investigated the incident. Xiao Feng is innocent. Elder Ma, in the future, you should ensure you have all the facts before taking action! Now, let's disperse."

Watching the crowd disperse, Xiao Feng furrowed his brow and retreated to his palace, declaring, "Senior, I aim to grow so strong that no one would dare provoke me, to make my enemies tremble at the mere sight of me."

The armor let out a weary sigh, "By choosing the way of the spear, you're fated to bear great burdens. Even though others have forged a path for you, it's only by surpassing them that you'll achieve true invincibility."

Atop the mountain...

Sima Yi handed Lau Ruyan the Dragon Crystals from Xiao Feng, remarking, "This young man possesses exceptional talent for cultivation and a commendable spirit. Yet, he resorted to bribery. I'll overlook it this time for your sake, but you must steer him right. Don't let him stray onto a crooked path."

Lau Ruyan nodded, "He's still not feeling secure in the Mountain Sea Sect, which explains his actions. But I'll make sure to steer him right and keep him from straying into darkness." Sima Yi glanced towards Xiao Feng's palace and remarked, "Just don't overcorrect. A man having a bit of spirit and toughness is ultimately a good thing. And the family behind Zhang Cheng might not take things lying down..."

Before he could finish, Lau Ruyan interjected, "If they dare to lay a finger on Xiao Feng, I'll demolish their ancestral temple!" Sima Yi gave a resigned smile, "You and your disciple are cut from the same cloth! Only you could prevent him from being ruined under another's tutelage."

With that, Sima Yi turned and walked away. Lau Ruyan, meanwhile, eyed the Dragon Crystal before her and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, slipped it into her Storage Ring. Why not reap some rewards for the lad?

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