Chapter 1314: Stepping In to Mediate

Chapter 1314: Chapter 1314: Stepping In to Mediate

"Haha! Ah!" Liu Xuanji listened to Chu Luochen’s words, gave a bitter laugh, sighed deeply, and spoke self-deprecatingly: "Brother Luochen, isn’t my Hongjun Sword Furnace just the same? This is indeed the mantis stalking the cicada, unaware of the sparrow behind! I thought I was clever, but didn’t know I had long become prey in the eyes of others. My heart feels no other guilt now, only remorse for not resolutely refusing Xuesha’s overtures. If I hadn’t secretly connected with Xuesha with the thought of leaving a way out, I wouldn’t pour salt into the wound of Celestial Sword Manor when problems arose, nor let my sect end up like today. I am ashamed to face fellow Taoists in the Daoist Realm! Ashamed before the ancestors of the Hongjun within the sect! And ashamed of Spirit Emperor’s kindness and trust!"

No one knew whether Liu Xuanji was being sincere or acting; by the time he finished speaking, tears were flowing freely as he got up to present a monarch’s salute in the direction where Lin Ruxue was sitting. Mo Baiqi, upon seeing this, couldn’t continue sitting, hurriedly stood up, and knelt beside his junior brother. Though all matters related to Hongjun Sword Furnace seemed clean, they couldn’t evade the connection with Xuesha. No matter how one looked at it, this was something that had to be addressed sooner or later. It was better to admit it now and strive for leniency.

"Rise, all of you! It’s human nature to have some thoughts; I can understand that. As someone with the Heaven and Earth Origin Qi Body, living long hasn’t freed me from the entanglements of worldly emotions and interests, much less you! If it’s merely private connections with Xuesha, then after the banquet, go and clarify with the Embroidered Robe Envoy. Once the investigation ensures there won’t be any more such actions, I can let bygones be bygones!" As Lin Ruxue spoke, her gaze swept over every person present, causing all the sect elders in the meeting to lower their heads in shame, not daring to meet the eyes of the Spirit Emperor. At last, her gaze fell upon Chu Luochen as she sighed: "The grievances between you, if I don’t give you justice, will leave wedges for future joint affairs of your two sects. Thus, Pei Yan, this matter was investigated by you, so you decide how to resolve it. Whatever solution you settle on today, once you leave this Yixue Pavilion, consider the matter a closed Chapter."

Lin Ruxue’s words caused everyone’s sight to fall upon Pei Yan. Pei Yan stood up, looking helpless, saying: "I, Pei Yan, am but young with slight cleverness, what virtue or ability do I have to arbitrate fairness for two grand sects! But since the senior has appointed me, I dare not refuse. Boldly, I speak a word! This matter, if handled in our world, would involve much trouble: gathering evidence, hiring lawyers — oh, here, litigation counsels — then debating in court for right or wrong. This might achieve relative fairness but would be time-consuming and laborious, obviously not meeting my master’s requirements! However, if handled as affairs in the Daoist Plane, it is convenient! Since coming to this Daoist Plane, fellow Taoists have ceaselessly taught me one principle: survival of the fittest, the strong are respected. Do the elders wish to extricate or seek fairness, then let each wield their means accordingly!"

Speaking thus, Pei Yan bowed and looked to the Spirit Emperor, inquiring: "Master, if something here is unintentionally damaged during the duel, would you mind?"

Lin Ruxue didn’t immediately reply, merely tapping the table gently. In an instant, the scenery outside the pavilion underwent earth-shattering changes. The small yard’s ground suddenly expanded outward continuously, while the orderly courtyards along with the pool of emerald water moved away in place. In Pei Yan’s sight, it grew more distant until expanding to the size of a plaza, then halted. Lin Ruxue looked at Pei Yan, asking: "Is this space adequate? Feel free to duel, if any complications arise, I shall manage them."

"Sufficient! Sufficient!" Pei Yan nodded repeatedly, his eyes full of envy. From the first formal meeting with Lin Ruxue to today, her effortless change of the surrounding environment was enviable to Pei Yan, a power beyond his reach, no matter how strong he might become.

"Pei Xiaoyou is right, respecting the strong aligns perfectly with my thoughts! Many thanks to Pei Xiaoyou for obtaining the opportunity for this fair battle for me. Liu Xuanji..." Wan Qianli, seeing the Spirit Emperor’s tacit approval of Pei Yan’s suggestion, was elated, first thanking Pei Yan, then about to challenge Liu Xuanji when abruptly interrupted.

"Wait! Wait! Elder Wan, you’re too hasty! Allow the junior to finish speaking!" Pei Yan halted Wan Qianli, stepping away from the seating to the courtyard, spreading his hands with a smile: "Hongjun Sword Furnace, Celestial Sword Manor, regardless of past grudges, after today you both serve the Spirit Lord. If you engage in fierce battle today fueled by years of animosity between the two sects, you’re bound not to show mercy! Should lives be lost, it tarnishes my master’s pure land here. Secondly, grudges not only remain unresolved but deepen, defeating the purpose of this banquet held by my master. Thirdly, it harms our Immortal Palace’s battle prowess on the brink of war, which is truly unsuitable!"

"Then what does Pei Xiaoyou suggest to resolve the matter?" Holding the Heaven-Questioning Talisman, sitting at the pavilion edge, Fu Wentian was intrigued, turning to the courtyard to ask loudly.

"Fight me!"

"Fight you?" Watching Pei Yan pointing at himself uttering those words, the entire audience was stunned, and Wan Qianli blurted out in confusion.

"Yes! Fight me! I’ll stand right here! Both sects send representatives to spar with me, whoever forces me back with the fewest moves wins! If Celestial Sword Manor wins, they can make any demand from Hongjun Sword Furnace not involving life, and the loser must accept, even if it’s deliberate humiliation towards Hongjun Sword Furnace, they can’t defy it. If Hongjun Sword Furnace wins, then Celestial Sword Manor must admit insufficient power and refrain from raising the matter again." Pei Yan stood with hands behind, proudly declaring.

These words sparked an uproar. Standing stationary, facing masters from both sects in successive assaults, Pei Yan was indeed audacious! History shows fists and feet are blind, even more so swords. Both sides, aiming for victory, would undoubtedly unleash their talents. Although Pei Yan need merely step back if unable to withstand, who can assure control amidst such circumstances? A slight mishap could mean fatal injury or death for Pei Yan.

"This isn’t right!" Wan Qianli frowned, first to counter the proposal.

"Oh? Elder Wan fears unfair treatment towards either side? Rest assured, my investigation hall previously bore private grudges with Celestial Sword Manor, but those date back a generation, and today seems to have a new verdict on the matter. I also have grudges with Hongjun Sword Furnace; two of my retainers and colleagues died under attack from their disciples. Thus, I have slight grudges with both sects, both being in comparable positions. I assure balanced judgment, impartial towards either side!" Pei Yan patted his chest, bluntly revealing three-way conflicts, solemnly promising. Yet, when mentioning a new conclusion for Celestial Sword Manor’s affair today, sitting among the guests, the White Deer Institute’s Sect Leader Su Fengchen twitched his lips momentarily before regaining composure.