C8 It Was Obvious That the Sect Master Wanted to Pull the Fight away

"Kid, you've got nerve. Release Hee Wudao now, and I might just forgive and forget!" Elder Chen's eyes were bulging with fury, as if he could glare Su Ping'an to death.

Su Ping'an held Hee Wudao by the neck, his face turning crimson, but Elder Chen didn't dare make a move. As Su Ping'an's grip tightened, Hee Wudao's struggles grew frantic, as though he was gasping for his last breath. The intensity of his struggles waned until, eventually, he stopped altogether, startling Su Ping'an. Had he accidentally killed the guy? In a panic, he dropped Hee Wudao to the ground and checked on him. Relieved to find him breathing, Su Ping'an exhaled in relief.

He was bold enough to kill the guy, but not in front of a sect elder—that would be asking for trouble.

Upon seeing Su Ping'an drop Hee Wudao, Elder Chen sprinted over, shielding him behind his own body. His gaze fixed on Su Ping'an, wary of any further outbursts.

"Go to the back mountain and reflect on your actions for a year. You're not to leave," Elder Chen commanded, his voice icy.

But Su Ping'an just spat on the ground, his expression mocking and cold. "Expecting me to apologize? In your dreams. Besides, Hee Wudao started it—I've done nothing wrong," he retorted with fiery conviction.

Elder Chen, feeling his authority challenged, couldn't stand to lose face. He drew his sword and pointed it at Su Ping'an, berating him. "Will you go, or not? If you refuse, I won't hesitate to break your limbs and have you carried there."

Su Ping'an hadn't expected such cruelty from the old coot, and his resentment flared. He glared back at Elder Chen, a defiant decision forming in his mind—he was going to show this man he wasn't to be trifled with.

Disdainfully, Su Ping'an nonchalantly cleaned his ear, utterly disregarding the old man's threats.

Elder Chen's fury was stoked even further by what he perceived as a slight. In a fit of rage, he unsheathed his treasured sword and charged at Su Ping'an.

He could almost visualize Su Ping'an shattered and broken, prompting a vicious grin to spread across Elder Chen's face.

Yet Su Ping'an remained cool and collected. As Elder Chen's sword neared, he effortlessly lifted a hand.

With just two fingers, he caught Elder Chen's full-force strike.

Elder Chen's face twisted in shock; he hadn't anticipated the young man's formidable strength and realized he had sorely underestimated him.

But as an elder, his power was undeniable, not something a mere youth could withstand. With a thunderous roar, he redoubled his efforts, hoping to drive the sword straight into Su Ping'an's chest.

In a flash, his expression contorted in horror. No matter how much force he applied, Su Ping'an's grip was unyielding, his hands clamping down like a vice.

And through it all, Su Ping'an maintained a serene demeanor, seemingly exerting no effort, which only intensified the storm within Elder Chen's heart.

"Release me, boy! Do you realize you're committing a grave offense, betraying your master and ancestors? Be wise and seek out the Sect Master to beg forgiveness!" Elder Chen barked sternly.

Su Ping'an ignored the old man's admonitions. With a sudden surge of strength, Elder Chen's sword shattered, scattering like fish scales.

Elder Chen watched, aghast, unable to trust his own eyes as blood erupted from his mouth like a geyser, and he collapsed to the ground.

"You... How dare you destroy my life-bound magic weapon? You're done for. I'll see to it that the Sect Master expels you from the sect."

Unfazed by the threat, Su Ping'an advanced slowly, his presence as menacing as the reaper himself.

Elder Chen, now cowed, could only watch as Su Ping'an approached with a look that suggested he might indeed be out for blood.

He slumped to the ground, as limp as overcooked pasta, wishing he could hide his face in shame.

As Su Ping'an stood before him, fists clenched, Elder Chen braced himself for the impending blow.

Elder Chen's eyes closed in utter despair, his face the very picture of resignation.

But then, a thunderous shout pierced the air, halting Su Ping'an's actions mid-strike.

"Cease! How dare you act so rashly!"

Sect Master Yang Qingtian of the Elite Wound Sect was upon them in a flash, his features twisted in rage as he bore down on Su Ping'an, looking as though he might devour him whole.

Within the confines of the Elite Wound Sect, open defiance of the sect master was not an option. To do so would mean losing any standing within the sect.

Yang Qingtian's anger flared even higher at the sight of Su Ping'an's defiant scowl.

If he didn't put this upstart in his place, who knew what audacity might follow?

"What do you think you're doing, attacking an elder of our sect?"

Under such pressure, Su Ping'an had no choice but to bow to the circumstances. He offered a measured explanation.

"It was Elder Chen who struck first, with intent to kill. I was merely defending myself."

Yang Qingtian's fury only grew at Su Ping'an's composed demeanor. He turned sharply to Elder Chen.

"Elder Chen, is there any truth to this young man's claims? Speak plainly, and fear not; he won't dare to retaliate with me present," Yang Qingtian commanded with authority.

Elder Chen caught Yang Qingtian's subtle cue and instantly knew what to do. With years of cunning at his disposal, he played the part of the wronged.

"This young upstart is falsely accusing me. As an elder of the Elite Wound, why would I resort to murder?" Elder Chen protested, his face a mask of feigned innocence.

His performance was so pitiable that it could move onlookers to tears, painting him as a modern-day Dou'e, wronged and innocent.

Sect Master Yang seized upon this display, his resolve hardening. He spun around, fixing Su Ping'an with a fierce glare and pointing an accusing finger.

"What more can you say for yourself? Surely Elder Chen, at his age, wouldn't stoop to framing a junior like you."

Internally, Su Ping'an seethed with scorn for Elder Chen's ancestors, appalled by the old man's shamelessness. Yet faced with the Sect Master's biased stance, he responded coolly.

"When one seeks to condemn, any excuse will serve. What does it matter what I say when you've already sided with Elder Chen?" Su Ping'an retorted with a cold laugh.