"Then how much more money do you want?" the leader of the Shenfeng Sect asked, crossing her arms and chuckling dismissively. "If it weren't for your disciple's handsome appearance, which I find quite pleasing, I might not have given you that half a million."
"How dare you!"
"Do not insult my senior brother's reputation!"
Several young disciples from the Hengshui Sect began to retort, but Old Xing held them back.
I understood. It wasn't as serious as Sha Wuji had made it out to be. It was just a dispute over compensation after a disciple was accidentally killed or injured in a previous martial arts competition, not some ancient feud spanning centuries. While a human life was not a trivial matter, this was the treacherous martial world, a place beyond the law. With signed waivers of liability carried at all times, the death of one person was akin to a business loss.
Old Xing raised his hand and formed a 'V' shape. "If you pay another two million, we'll let this matter drop."
"And if I refuse?" the leader of the Shenfeng Sect asked, her smile like a blooming flower. I noticed her smile was quite attractive. Though she appeared a bit older than her age, around thirty-four or thirty-five, she was of the demon race, her skin exceptionally well-preserved. As a martial artist, her figure was also excellent, with all the right curves.
"Refuse?" Old Xing raised an eyebrow. "Then I will burn down your Shenfeng Temple! To honor the spirit of my deceased disciple!"
The latter half of his statement was practically an empty threat.
"How about this," the leader of the Shenfeng Sect suggested, spreading her hands. "Old Xing, you and I, one on one. If you win, I'll give you five million. Two million will be compensation for your lost disciple, and three million will be for my loss."
Old Xing's eyes darted around, and he remained silent. He was likely contemplating how to refuse the offer without appearing cowardly. He certainly knew the strength of the Shenfeng Sect leader and dared not confront her directly. Otherwise, with his entire sect mobilized, he wouldn't have had to borrow troops from Sha Wuji; he was clearly hesitant.
Seeing Old Xing's reluctance to accept, the Shenfeng Sect leader chuckled. "I know you're getting on in years and don't want to be bothered with a junior like me, fearing the reputation of bullying a young woman. Very well, then. Send anyone from your side to fight me. If they win, the bet stands."
"And if they lose?" the fox demon suddenly blurted out.
All eyes shifted towards the three of us. I quickly raised my hand to signal, "Apologies, apologies. My sister here is not well-versed in etiquette. Please, continue."
They already knew our "identities," so they didn't say anything further. The Shenfeng Sect leader looked at us and replied, "If you lose, I won't ask for any money. After all, you've traveled a long way. I only ask that you do not leave your mountain pass in the future. If I see you, I will defeat you every time!"
The last two sentences were spoken with a sharp tone, finally revealing the arrogant spirit of the demon race.
"Bah! How dare you speak such audacious words!"
"Why don't you look in a mirror and see your own worth! It's a wonder you think you can win!"
A large group of verbal warriors from the Hengshui Sect remained silent, none stepping forward to accept the challenge.
I looked at the short man. He was also looking at me. Without a doubt, he was the strongest among the Hengshui Sect disciples, yet he showed no intention of stepping forward. Instead, he waved and smiled, gesturing for us to accept the challenge.
At this moment, the Shenfeng Sect leader called out to us, "The three of you, weren't you hired by Old Xing as reinforcements? What, you're only here for the money and not willing to exert yourselves?"
The fox demon was about to step forward, but Ya Nan pulled her back. "No, you're still injured. Let me."
The fox demon instinctively touched her chest. Ya Nan stepped forward but was then stopped by me.
"Ya Nan, you stay here and watch. I'll go face her."
Ya Nan and the fox demon looked at me simultaneously, their expressions surprised.
"Don't worry, it's okay even if I die. Just collect my corpse," I said with a smile.
"That's true," the fox demon nodded. It was said that two weeks ago, she was the first to discover me and pull me out of that pond.
Ya Nan hesitated, then finally released my hand and stepped back, perhaps preparing to climb over the wall and transform to quickly bring our strongest expert over to assist. The strongest expert rushing to help at that moment was naturally Chu Qi.
I took a step forward and first cupped my hands to Old Xing. He nodded and bowed slightly to me in thanks.
I then turned to the Shenfeng Sect leader and cupped my hands. "I am new here and don't fully understand the conflict between your sect and Old Xing. May I ask your esteemed name, sect leader?"