The Cold, Aloof Senior Sister Deserves To Be Paired With A Peerless Beauty - Chapter 38

Did she seek personal revenge today?

Chi Li’s reputation preceded her, but since she rarely left the sect, her appearance immediately drew the gaze of everyone present.

In the eyes of the crowd was nothing but reverence, yet there was a single, murky gaze filled with an ill-timed obsession. That look was so blatant that even Mu Zhi, standing beside Chi Li, could truly feel the filth within it. Mu Zhi’s gaze accurately locked onto the person, and she shot them a fierce glare, forcing the man to withdraw his eyes sheepishly.

As Chi Li stepped forward to bow, the expressions of the two Immortals seated above softened slightly. Chi Li’s eyes were lowered, her voice crisp and clear.

“Master, Immortal Shang Ling, this disciple and Junior Sister Mu have arrived late.”

The two Immortals looked at her and Mu Zhi, simply nodding without any intention of blaming them. “It is fine,” Immortal Shang Ling spoke.

Seeing that the two Immortals were not angry, Chi Li’s gaze swept over the crowd. She showed little emotion, yet the onlookers felt an inexplicable chill down their spines, causing them to guiltily look away as if they, too, had committed some wrong.

Their faces were exceptionally familiar to Chi Li, causing the indifference in her eyes to deepen. Her gaze then landed on a mangled, trembling figure and her voice rang out with a sharp coldness:

“When I arrived, I heard some discussions. I am somewhat confused, so I must ask, what exactly do you all wish to investigate within my Cangqing Sect?”

As she spoke, Chi Li’s gaze moved from the person shaking like a sieve to Mo Fan, who stood beside him. She narrowed her eyes slightly, as if scrutinizing an ant.

Chi Li was the Eldest Senior Sister of the Cangqing Sect. Regardless of demons, ghosts, or monsters, as long as she was in the sect, she should be the one making arrangements, not a disciple who had just entered the door.

This was practically a farce. The crowd realized this and began to show disdain for Mo Fan’s eagerness for quick success. Mo Fan, however, seemed oblivious. He stepped forward to speak, seeking “justice” for Pang Fei.

“Eldest Senior Sister, Pang Fei, the Eldest Senior Brother of the Jijian Sect, was injured by an unknown monster or demon. Therefore, I implore Senior Sister to seek justice for him.”

Chi Li’s gaze remained icy. Before she even spoke, a heavy pressure radiated from her, causing Mo Fan to feel a sense of dread. She didn’t answer his request directly but said:

“There are no useless people in my Cangqing Sect.”

As Chi Li’s words fell, the others finally caught on. Mo Fan’s words had inadvertently implied that the Cangqing Sect was incompetent in guarding its disciples, allowing monsters to break in and harm people. The previous admiration for Mo Fan’s “heroism” now made them feel like fools, and their eyes filled with annoyance at his reckless speech.

Mo Fan frowned, but he still gave an encouraging look to the cowering Pang Fei and continued to address Chi Li.

“I know Eldest Senior Sister and Brother Pang Fei have had grievances in the past, but if Senior Sister is unwilling, you can let me investigate on your behalf.”

A flash of sarcasm crossed Chi Li’s eyes. She spoke softly, “Who said I am unwilling?”

As the last word fell, her eyes narrowed. Her cold scrutiny fell upon the trembling figure, applying a pressure that felt like a heavy stone on his back. One could almost hear the sound of bones snapping, it was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.

Many had heard of the old grudge between Chi Li and Pang Fei. Chi Li’s actions clearly carried personal feelings, but since neither Immortal Shang Ling nor Immortal Yi Lin spoke to stop her, the other sects naturally dared not intervene.

Chi Li walked over. Each step she took felt as if she were treading on Pang Fei’s heart, crushing it mercilessly. Despair welled up in his eyes.

“What is your demand?”

Chi Li spoke slowly. Her voice was flat, devoid of emotion, making her seem like a fair and impartial deity. Hearing her voice, Pang Fei’s body shook even harder. He was consumed by an uncontrollable fear, as if he had returned to the ghost-like scene of the previous night.

His fellow disciple saw this and immediately spoke up indignantly on his behalf. “Naturally, it is to find the monster or demon that harmed our Eldest Senior Brother!”

Chi Li let out a short laugh, looking down at them from a height. The mockery in her eyes suggested she was looking at a joke. “Monster? Demon?”

Seeing Chi Li’s arrogant posture, Mo Fan spoke up with disapproval. “Eldest Senior Sister should know that the big picture is what matters now. Your targeting of Brother Pang Fei…”

Before Mo Fan could finish, Mu Zhi, who had been standing by Chi Li’s side, sneered and interrupted his self-righteous speech. “Eldest Senior Sister hasn’t said anything yet. Why are you constantly slandering her the moment you open your mouth?”

Choked by Mu Zhi’s words, Mo Fan’s face shifted, but he stubbornly continued, “But Brother Pang Fei is shaking like this…”

Mu Zhi didn’t have the patience to let him finish. “Shaking? Junior Brother Mo, how can you be sure he isn’t shaking out of a guilty conscience?”

Mo Fan frowned, rendered speechless for the second time. Displeasure flashed in his eyes, but he still tried to defend the terrified man. “Brother Pang Fei acts with integrity…”

Mo Fan was interrupted again, but not by Mu Zhi. It was Yun Xi, who had been watching the drama from outside.

“Integrity? Junior Brother Mo, you truly are of an ignorant age. Is there a single sect disciple here who hasn’t heard of the rumors Pang Fei started years ago?”

Yun Xi wore a veil, so her true appearance was hidden, but her words were clear. The faces of those around shifted as they exchanged silent glances, though no one spoke out loud.

Mo Fan bit his pale lip and argued back, “Now is not the time for that. I hope the three Senior Sisters will prioritize the big picture.”

Chi Li let out a cold laugh, her expression turning even more frigid. “Then I shall prioritize the big picture right now.”

Chi Li’s gaze made Pang Fei’s heart seize with terror. Her next words made his breath stop entirely.

“Pang Fei, do you truly take the various sects for fools?”

Pang Fei slumped to the ground, his attempts at defense catching in his throat, which felt as if it were being torn apart. His behavior was a clear admission of guilt, yet Mo Fan remained dissatisfied. “How can Eldest Senior Sister say such a thing?”

Chi Li glanced at Mo Fan as if looking at an idiot and ignored him. Before her hand could touch that hideous, terrifying face, Mu Zhi pressed a clean handkerchief into her palm.

Chi Li felt the soft texture of the cloth. Noticing Mu Zhi’s disgust for the man, she used the handkerchief to pinch his chin, forcing him to look her in the eye. Pang Fei couldn’t resist. As he tried to look away, Chi Li’s voice cold as a blade, ripped away his final shred of dignity.

“These scars are old. Even to the naked eye, it is obvious they are fifty or sixty years old.”

Chi Li’s words caused an uproar. Any excuses Pang Fei had left turned to ash. Fifty or sixty years ago? That was even earlier than when he had slandered Chi Li. This wasn’t just a personal grudge, there was a hidden story.

At that moment, someone whispered uncertainly, “Didn’t a female cultivator from the Jijian Sect die fifty-eight years ago?”

In the fight against demons, deaths were common. But the woman that person referred to didn’t die at the hands of demons, she died at the hands of a fellow disciple. Though the woman died, rumors said the disciple didn’t escape unscathed either; he was heavily injured and his face was disfigured.

Disfigured.

As that word echoed in everyone’s minds, their gazes toward Pang Fei’s face turned bizarre. The disciples of the Jijian Sect, however indignant, could find no words to refute Chi Li.

Yet, there was still one person who believed him. Pang Fei looked hopefully toward Mo Fan, but Mo Fan was currently being blocked by Mu Zhi and was too preoccupied with his own frustration to notice.

Chi Li spoke again, her voice sharp as ice. “If you have the nerve to cause a scene at my Cangqing Sect, you might as well recall why you have such a guilty conscience.”

The crowd remained silent, not daring to take a side. The whispering was faint, but to Pang Fei, it felt like a physical weight. The terrors of the previous night resurfaced.

“No, it’s not…”

Pang Fei tried to deny it, but a figure suddenly appeared before him, and something was shoved into his mouth. The pill dissolved instantly, sliding down his throat before he could react. Even though he collapsed and coughed violently, he couldn’t get it out.

Looking at his pathetic state, Yun Xi laughed, a glint of mischief in her eyes. She met his bulging, bloodshot eyes with playfulness rather than fear.

“What did you give me?!” Pang Fei shrieked, his voice hoarse and hideous. He turned to the two Immortals above and shouted so all could hear, “Immortals, will you not demand an explanation for your disciple poisoning someone in broad daylight?”

He hoped to use this to deflect. However, before the Immortals could speak, Yun Xi stepped forward and bowed respectfully.

“Reporting to the Sect Master, I did not poison him.” Yun Xi gave Pang Fei a meaningful, mocking look. “I simply refined a new batch of pills that forces people to speak the truth. Seeing that this Eldest Senior Brother of the Jijian Sect is full of lies, I thought I would test the effects.”

Immortal Shang Ling knew Yun Xi was being mischievous, but after a moment of thought and a glance at Chi Li, he nodded.

“Thank you for your permission, Sect Master,” Yun Xi said.

When Yun Xi looked at Pang Fei again, his eyes were filled with horror. Because of her veil, he hadn’t recognized her at first. Now, remembering the potency of her pills, he felt a burning sensation in his throat. Panic turned his mind to mush.

“Nonsense! You’re lying! This is a frame-up…”

His voice cut off abruptly. No matter how much he wanted to deny it, the words wouldn’t come out. Satisfied, Yun Xi turned to Chi Li.

“The medicine has taken effect. Ask him quickly.”