Chapter Seventy-Eight: Unafraid of Power

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As Tianming and Hengcheng ascended to the second floor, a figure in violet quietly trailed after them. Pausing, the violet figure turned back and made a silencing gesture toward Elder Yu and Xiao Tianji.

“Qing’er, she...?”

Elder Yu’s gaze landed on Xiao Tianji as he watched the violet figure go up.

“It’s nothing. In fact, it’s a good opportunity to have that kid wear down her princess airs a little,” Xiao Tianji replied with a laugh, rubbing his fingers together.

He seemed to foresee how things would play out, his expression calm and certain.

“...Are you really not going to interfere?” Elder Yu pressed once more.

“I said I won’t, and I mean it,” Xiao Tianji replied, frowning slightly.

“Really not at all...?”

Before Elder Yu could finish, Xiao Tianji quickly cut him off with a wave of his hand.

“Hey! Old Yu, how many times are you going to ask? Or do you think there’s something I can’t predict?” Xiao Tianji shot him an impatient glance, shaking his cane.

“Oh? If I recall, wasn’t there someone who, unable to deduce the truth of an identity, actually left the sect and became a fortune-teller on the street?” Elder Yu remarked meaningfully.

“That doesn’t count! Not at all!” Xiao Tianji replied, looking a bit embarrassed. “Enough, just sit back and enjoy the show.”

With that, he closed his eyes to rest, while Elder Yu shook his head and picked up an ancient scroll nearby.

Had Tianming and Hengcheng witnessed this scene, they would have been astounded. Who could have imagined that the sect master and the pavilion lord had such sides to them?

......

Celestial Pavilion, second floor.

Hearing Tianming’s voice behind her, Xun Qing’s delicate frame trembled slightly—clearly startled by his sudden appearance.

Why isn’t he choosing a cultivation technique?

She turned, puzzled by his unexpected presence.

“What is it, scared stiff?” Tianming said with a teasing smile.

“Get lost! Who’d want to go down with you?” Xun Qing snapped, scowling at him.

She’d initially meant to scare Tianming, but hadn’t expected him to see through her so easily. Annoyed, she gave a cold, dismissive snort.

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“Fine. Stay here by yourself, then. I’m going down!” Tianming replied with a nonchalant nod.

As for why he dared act so fearlessly—it was when he’d tried to open a scroll with his vital energy earlier and discovered that the energy here was sealed. No one in the Celestial Pavilion could actually fight; likely a measure to protect the scrolls.

“You...!” Xun Qing’s fair hand pointed at him, but she was at a loss for words.

Hmph!

“Why should I listen to you? I’ve changed my mind. I’m going down too!” Her eyes flashed with mischief as she gave a cold snort and, with a hint of triumph, shot Tianming a glance.

“Is that so?”

Shaking his head with a smile, Tianming lost interest in the exchange and turned to leave.

“Qing’er! Come down at once.”

At that moment, a stern and familiar voice resonated through the second floor.

“Looks like you have no choice now,” Tianming said, pausing in his steps.

So his guess had been right—Xun Xiaotian, or rather Xiao Tianji, was indeed watching them. He was relieved he hadn’t made any rash moves, or else those two old men below would have seized the chance to extort him.

Despite her displeasure, Xun Qing dared not defy her grandfather’s words.

“Let’s see how you handle this next,” she muttered to herself as Tianming was about to disappear from view, then hurried after him.

......

Ignoring Xun Qing, Tianming left the scroll section on his own. Hengcheng was still waiting, and Tianming had no wish to keep him waiting, much less leave a poor impression on his younger fellow disciple.

“Hengcheng, sorry to keep you waiting,” Tianming said as he walked up, his heart moved to see Hengcheng patiently standing with his spear.

“It’s nothing!” Hengcheng replied, then, as if recalling something, added, “By the way, Tian, did you finish your business?”

“What business?” Tianming looked surprised. He hadn’t told anyone where he was going.

Seeing Tianming’s confusion, Hengcheng simply motioned him closer and whispered, “Actually, I heard everything. Tian, you’re amazing—you even dared to cross the sect master’s granddaughter!”

What?

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Could it be about what happened earlier? Realizing this, Tianming felt a chill. The Celestial Pavilion was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; with all the commotion, of course everyone heard.

As he was lost in thought, a resentful voice cut in.

“What did you just say? Say it again if you dare!”

Xun Qing, still flushed with embarrassment and anger, emerged from behind a wooden shelf to see Tianming and the unfamiliar youth whispering. She was instantly fuming.

“It’s nothing—nothing at all, senior sister. We didn’t say anything,” Hengcheng stammered, shaking his head vigorously.

Though Tianming appeared indifferent, Hengcheng could not afford such bravado. He had neither influence nor connections, certainly not with someone like the sect master’s granddaughter. Offending her would surely bring trouble.

“That’s more like it.”

Though still displeased, Xun Qing’s mood improved slightly. She gave Tianming a haughty look, then ignored the two and headed downstairs.

“Wait a moment!”

Seeing her about to pass by, Tianming quickly stepped in front of her.

“What business is it of yours what we brothers discuss?” With Hengcheng conceding, Tianming was not about to back down.

“Brothers? You share a surname?” Xun Qing asked, looking up. When she saw it was still Tianming, she glanced at Hengcheng and gave a half-amused smile.

“We may not be brothers by blood, but we’re closer than that. Besides, is this how you treat your fellow disciples?” Tianming’s eyes were resolute; he did not give an inch.

Others might fear the sect master’s granddaughter, but Tianming was not one to cower. He always spoke his mind, right or wrong, unafraid of power or authority.

That was Tianming’s creed.

“So what?” Xun Qing replied indifferently.

Hearing Tianming’s words of justice, the scorn in her eyes deepened.

“Nothing much. Just remember this—treat those around you with kindness. They don’t exist solely for your sake.” Shaking his head, Tianming’s gaze softened as it fell on Hengcheng. “Elder Yu is probably waiting for us. Let’s go.”

“Yes, Tian!” Hengcheng replied, admiration shining in his eyes. In that moment, he seemed to make a decision—one day, he too would be such a person, one who feared no authority, just like Tianming.

“But... who will ever care about my grievances?”

Watching the two descend the stairs, Xun Qing, for once, did not retort. She stood there motionless for a long time, lost in thought.