"Her name is Shao Chen," I reminded from behind.
"I'm asking for her demon name," Chu Qi chuckled.
A demon name? Oh, perhaps something like a sobriquet, similar to 'Yun Zhong He.' Yun Zhong He's human name was Li Bing, a common, even somewhat antiquated name.
Shao Chen also realized that the slender young man opposite her was no ordinary foe. She retracted her move, clasped her hands into a fist, and said coldly, "My humble moniker is 'Gao Shan Yi Zhi Mei'."
"Ah, so it's you," Chu Qi also retracted her stance. "The snow leopard demon, ranked fourteenth on the Bai Ze demon combat power list. No wonder you're so formidable."
Snow leopard? I couldn't see any resemblance to a leopard at all, but I knew snow leopards hailed from highlands and had beautiful plum blossom patterns on their fur. 'Gao Shan Yi Zhi Mei' was indeed quite fitting.
Chu Qi's words unsettled the members of our Heng Shui Sect, especially the short one who kept wiping sweat from his forehead. If I hadn't stepped up, he would have had to face Shao Chen. Regardless of his combat prowess, facing the fourteenth-ranked top expert in Yan Xia, he likely had no confidence.
"May I ask who this esteemed expert is?" Shao Chen inquired.
"Heh heh, my name might not be familiar to you."
"Oh?" Shao Chen raised an eyebrow. "Though I reside in the northeast, I'm quite familiar with the various human sects. Apart from within Shabia, I've never heard of a human expert like yourself. Even within Shabia, with your skills, you could contend with the new 201. You're absolutely among the top-ranked experts."
Chu Qi clasped her hands behind her back and smiled slightly, "You guessed right. I am indeed an instructor at Shabia."
"Instructor..." Shao Chen narrowed her eyes, pondering for a moment before opening them wide. "Could it be! You are the 'Qi Shui' from 'Ba Shan Chu Shui,' Instructor Chu Qi!"
Chu Qi clasped her hands, "Indeed, that is I."
I hadn't expected Chu Qi to be so famous, even having a nickname. I hadn't heard clearly; was it 'Chu Shui' or something else? She was indeed 'Shui Nen' (tender), her skin so delicate it seemed ready to weep water at the slightest touch.
Upon hearing this, the formations of both demon sides were struck with horror. Even a few demons in the rear rank considered fleeing, but observing the situation, they seemed to deem it a disgrace to their lineage and remained rooted to the spot.
I estimated that Chu Qi was definitely not as naive as she presented herself, only responsible for teaching within Shabia. She had undoubtedly experienced the crucible of life and death, just like 201. I couldn't believe her peerless martial arts were cultivated solely from martial arts manuals. Though I had only attended two of her classes, I could sense that Chu Qi's understanding of martial arts was at the highest level: martial arts is a means to defeat a foe, and the best martial arts involve defeating an enemy with the fewest moves, in the least amount of time, and with the smallest expenditure of energy. This understanding could only be forged through practical experience – real combat.
Shao Chen shook her head with a wry smile, "Had I known you were Instructor Chu, I wouldn't have dared to challenge you. Thank you for your leniency, Instructor Chu."
Chu Qi waved her hand, "It was merely a spar. Sect Master Shao, there's no need to take it so seriously."
With that, Chu Qi glanced back at me, signaling that she had finished fighting for me and it was my turn.
I feigned ease, strolling forward with my hands behind my back, and said calmly, "Sect Leader Xing, Sect Master Shao, we actually came today with the intention of preventing conflict. We are all fellow Bai Ze kin; why dwell on past grievances? Sect Master Shao, regarding your beloved disciple's matter..."
"Enough, enough," the elder Shao quickly waved his hand. "It's been three years. The bones of my errant disciple have long since grown cold, and her family has been well cared for. From now on, we will absolutely not pursue this matter further."
I nodded. "Elder Shao, leave me your bank account later, and I'll transfer the two million to you."
Elder Shao attempted to refuse, but I held up my hand to stop him. "This was agreed upon beforehand. I'm a person who has no other strengths, but I am trustworthy. A promise is a promise. I said I would give you the money, and I will."
"Then, alright. Thank you, this esteemed leader. The Heng Shui Sect will henceforth follow Shabia's lead!" Elder Shao bowed. He assumed I was allied with Chu Qi, and that both of us were part of Shabia, because the previous wager stated that if I won, his Heng Shui Sect would obey me, and the same applied if Chu Qi won.
I then turned to Shao Chen's side. "Sect Master Shao, the Heng Shui Sect has decided to pledge allegiance to me. As for our Shen Feng Sect..."