The Aloof Master Is Secretly Kissed Every Night by the Paranoid Villain - Chapter 8

When Wen Shiqing heard those words, he truly felt as though a long-buried memory was attacking him.

After all, in the real world, his younger brother’s homeroom teacher had displayed this exact same attitude. Because of his brother’s constant fighting, Wen Shiqing, acting as the older brother, had lost count of how many times he had been summoned to the school.

Presumably, this time, because Wen Shiqing was not present at the Wentian Sect, the Qingfeng Sect could not find anyone to vent their anger upon. Consequently, they could only seek out Lin Xiu, the Master of the Medicine Peak, who shared a close relationship with him.

They must have annoyed Lin Xiu to no end.

At this thought, Wen Shiqing could only curve the corners of his lips in a helpless smile. He instructed Qin Ye to lead the way and turned toward the Medicine Peak.

Xie Yuan caught a glimpse of the bitter smile at the corner of Wen Shiqing’s mouth. This was the first time he had ever seen the man reveal such a helpless yet slightly indulgent expression.

When the three arrived at the Medicine Peak, they could see from afar that the Grand Elder of the Qingfeng Sect was rising to his feet in a fury. With a single strike of his palm, he shattered a stone table in the courtyard.

The two thin trails of his mustache were trembling so violently with rage that they practically upturned. “Xiao Heng, do not think that just because you are a genius, you can afford to look down on everyone! If you do not apologize to Zhuo’er today and compensate him for the damages regarding his injuries, I will certainly turn this entire Wentian Sect upside down! Let us see where your master will hide his face then!”

“This is a matter between Pei Zhuo and me! Do not bring my master into this!”

The youth who spoke possessed sharp, sword-like brows and starry eyes. He wore the pale green brocade robes of a core disciple, and a jade belt wrapped around his waist, outlining a tall, straight, and elegant physique. He resembled a sharp sword waiting to be drawn from its scabbard, showing a demeanor that was neither arrogant nor humble, yet sharp and dazzling.

This youth was none other than Xiao Heng.

After saying this, he suddenly sensed something. He lifted his head and saw Wen Shiqing’s group of three descending upon their swords.

The stubborn, unyielding attitude he had displayed a moment ago was instantly replaced by sheer embarrassment. He wished nothing more than to find a crevice in the ground to crawl into.

His tone softened considerably. “Master, why did you return so quickly? Did you not say you would be gone for half a month?”

Beside him, Lin Xiu, the Master of the Medicine Peak, could not help but roll his eyes. “Stinky brat! If I had not called your master here, would I have been able to keep you in check? You took advantage of your master’s absence to run off and challenge someone to a duel, injuring him in the process. Now that they have come to our doorstep, you still refuse to apologize and stiffen your neck just to anger people. What would it hurt for you to admit your mistake and soften your stance?”

“I,” Xiao Heng gritted his teeth and looked toward Pei Zhuo, the First Senior Disciple of the Qingfeng Sect, who had remained silent ever since arriving at the Wentian Sect. “Pei Zhuo, do you truly have nothing to say?”

However, the only response he received was the other party averting his gaze.

“Xiao Heng, what kind of tone is that to use with Zhuo’er? You injured someone and yet you still act as though you are in the right!” When the Grand Elder saw Wen Shiqing, he immediately lodged a complaint. “Daoist Master Wen, this disciple of yours is truly arrogant and aggressive. If you do not discipline him severely, he will surely bring about a great disaster in the future!”

“The Grand Elder’s lecture is correct.” Taking in Xiao Heng’s behavior, Wen Shiqing nodded. “This disciple of mine indeed requires strict discipline.”

Lin Xiu raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that it was a rare sight to see this man named Wen submissively listening to a lecture.

Yet, in the very next instant, Wen Shiqing turned to Xiao Heng and asked, “Heng’er, why do you not speak the truth?”

A look of severity colored his brow. “Your master knows that you are not one to invite violence or love fighting for its own sake. What exactly happened during this duel? Why have you not explained it clearly? You have caused the Grand Elder to bring his people to our doorstep, disrupting the peace of our sect!”

Xiao Heng’s heart gave a sudden leap.

“Master, I only,” he looked toward Pei Zhuo once more.

“You consider the dignity of others, but others do not necessarily consider yours.”

Wen Shiqing’s tone was flat. Hearing this, Pei Zhuo lowered his head even further.

His expression filled with disappointment, Xiao Heng finally spoke. “Grand Elder, when I sought out Pei Zhuo for a duel a few days ago, it was a formal sparring session to which he had consented.”

“I knew his sword technique was excellent, so I intentionally sought his guidance. It was supposed to be a regular match that stopped before any harm was done, but he suddenly launched a sneak attack on me. Had I not been prepared in advance, my newly formed Golden Core would certainly have been damaged the moment that sword pierced me. I felt angry, so I injured him, but I controlled myself enough not to harm his foundation. This was already the height of benevolence and righteousness.”

“He also reconciled with me at the time and told me that he hoped neither of us would ever mention the matter of our sparring again. Yet, to my surprise, he went back on his word and came to our doorstep. I considered his dignity, which was why I kept waiting for him to speak the truth himself.”

“Looking at it now, my master’s lecture was correct. I should have spoken the truth from the very beginning.”

“Otherwise, I would not have caused you all to seek out my sect, disrupting the peace of my master and Martial Uncle Lin!”

“My goodness, is that truly how it happened?!” Lin Xiu’s eyes widened. His previously slouched spine instantly straightened, and he pointed at the Grand Elder of the Qingfeng Sect and Pei Zhuo as he fiercely entered his protective mode. “Grand Elder, just how does your Qingfeng Sect educate its disciples? This Pei Zhuo is your chief disciple, yet he resorts to such underhanded methods. Is he jealous of Xiao Heng breaking through to the Golden Core Realm? This is far too insidious!”

The Grand Elder snapped out of his shock, his old face flushing with burning heat, but he still stubbornly argued, “Words alone are no proof! Who can guarantee that what Xiao Heng says is the truth!”

“Then let us use the Soul-Searching Technique,” Wen Shiqing said in a flat tone.

Those words caused Pei Zhuo to shudder violently.

With a thud, he fell to his knees beside the Grand Elder. “Grand Elder, say no more. It is my fault. Everything Xiao Heng said is true. I was temporarily blinded by jealousy. After returning, I had intended to conceal this matter, but you felt distressed over my injuries and insisted on coming here. I had no choice, and I did not dare to speak the truth, which led to the current situation. I am truly sorry.”

Once these words were spoken, the Grand Elder had nothing left to say.

The color of his face changed several times before he finally let out a heavy sigh.

“You, ah, you are truly foolish.”

He then pulled Pei Zhuo up, made him apologize to Xiao Heng and the others, and led his people away.

Watching their retreating figures, Xiao Heng murmured, “I wonder what will become of Pei Zhuo in the future. Clearly, his Bifeng Sword Technique was put to quite good use.”

“Cultivating the Dao is also a matter of cultivating the heart. If he can gain enlightenment through this ordeal, his sword technique will naturally surpass what it was before. If he cannot think it through, he will only remain trapped in the Golden Core Realm for the rest of his life, unable to make any further progress.”

After Wen Shiqing finished speaking, he placed his large hand upon the crown of Xiao Heng’s head, revealing a kind smile. “Furthermore, you brat, kindness has its limits. In the future, do not harbor such people again. If it is your fault, you may admit it. If it is not your fault, admitting it only makes you a fool.”

“Remember, behind you stand your master and the martial uncles and elders of the Wentian Sect to back you up. There is nothing to fear.”

He appeared to be lecturing Xiao Heng, yet his action of rubbing the youth’s hair was incredibly gentle, and his tone was exceptionally warm. One could feel the tolerance and affection he held for Xiao Heng radiating from his person. It was undisguised, rich, and intense.

This sight caused Xie Yuan, who was standing not far behind them, to feel a sharp sting in his eyes.