Chapter 565 - 572: Apology

She got along much better with her other cousin. He always protected her, never tattled, and treated her very well.

She much preferred her second cousin and kept her eldest cousin at a respectful distance.

So when the two of them suddenly arrived, Flower Peacock was surprised at first, then angry.

She was absolutely certain that someone in her retinue had secretly sent them a message, which was the only reason they would show up so suddenly.

The thought that there was a traitor among her own people made Flower Peacock furious, and her expression turned grim.

Her eldest cousin was a White Peacock named Bai Ye.

He stared at Flower Peacock, his eyes filled with disapproval.

"I heard you threw a fit and spent a fortune on useless things. Have you forgotten why you’re here?"

"The clan elders are all waiting for you to bring something back!"

He immediately fell into his familiar, lecturing tone.

Flower Peacock, both intimidated and annoyed, stiffened her neck. "I spent my own money. It won’t affect the Peacock Clan."

"Besides, they were the ones who went too far! I was going to invite them to join the Peacock Clan, but they dared to look down on us! Of course I couldn’t just let that slide!"

She recounted the entire incident. When Bai Ye learned that their target was both an Alchemist and an Array Master, his interest was piqued.

After hearing her side of the story, his brow furrowed.

"Is that any way to invite someone?"

He was a rational man. An ordinary person might be flattered by an invitation from the Peacock Clan, but for a capable Cultivator, such an approach would only backfire.

No wonder they decided to mess with her.

Bai Ye’s head throbbed just thinking about Flower Peacock’s behavior. ’How is someone with a personality like hers fit to lead the Peacock Clan?’

But as luck would have it, Flower Peacock’s aptitude was so extraordinary that the entire clan doted on her, which meant they couldn’t just voice their objections.

At this thought, he sighed.

"I’ll handle this myself. I’m going to go over in a moment to explain things and extend the invitation to join the Peacock Clan again."

"As for you, just focus on the auction for the Demon King Map. Don’t cause any more trouble. Understood?"

Bai Ye stared at Flower Peacock, his gaze dark as he gave her a stern warning.

Flower Peacock nodded, but inwardly she was fuming. She felt like she had completely lost face.

"Bai Feng, you watch her. I’ll be right back!"

With that, Bai Ye left the room and headed for Song Wanning’s private suite.

The moment he was gone, Flower Peacock threw a tantrum, chewing out everyone in her retinue.

Her other cousin, Bai Feng, quickly went to comfort her. "You know how our eldest cousin is. Don’t take it personally."

"Those two don’t know their own limits. They didn’t deserve any courtesy, and yet he’s personally going to their door to invite them!"

"Exactly! I’m furious, and he still wants to go invite them. Isn’t that a slap in the face?"

Flower Peacock grew even angrier at his words, her face flushing red.

Seeing this, Bai Feng leaned close and whispered in her ear, "What’s there to be afraid of? Once they’re in the Peacock Clan, won’t it be much easier to crush them?"

"Right?"

Bai Feng’s words were a revelation. Flower Peacock’s anger vanished in an instant.

"You’re right. They won’t escape my grasp!"

A triumphant glint appeared in Flower Peacock’s eyes. She finally settled down to watch the rest of the auction.

Meanwhile, Bai Ye had arrived at Song Wanning’s door.

He knocked gently on the door and said softly, "Pardon the interruption. I am Bai Ye of the Peacock Clan. I hope to have a word with you, fellow Cultivator."

Hearing the polite voice from the doorway, Song Wanning and Liu Lan Yi both looked over.

His attitude was a stark contrast to their previous visitor.

Song Wanning waved her hand, and the door swung open to reveal the man they had seen entering the auction hall earlier.

"Yes?"

She arched an eyebrow, studying Bai Ye with curiosity.

The moment Bai Ye saw Song Wanning, however, he froze.

He seemed stunned. It took him a moment to compose himself, but when he did, his attitude became even more amicable.

"I’ve come to apologize for my cousin’s rudeness earlier."

As he spoke, Bai Ye clasped his hands in a gesture of apology toward Song Wanning.

He then produced several precious medicinal herbs and offered them to her.

"Please, fellow Cultivator, don’t hold it against my cousin. She often acts without thinking and causes no end of trouble, but her heart is in the right place..."

"If she has offended you, I hope you won’t take it to heart."

Bai Ye felt a deep sense of frustration as he said it.

’When will Flower Peacock ever learn to be more sensible and stop causing trouble for the clan?’

"Oh?"

Song Wanning glanced from the medicinal herbs to Bai Ye, a flicker of amusement in her eyes.

A teasing smile played on her lips as she said coolly, "If she has no sense, she shouldn’t be running around causing trouble. Not everyone will be so willing to indulge her."

"Besides, I hold a grudge. If she comes looking for trouble again, don’t blame me for being merciless."

As she spoke, she used her power to draw the herbs to her through the air, accepting his apology.

It wasn’t a major feud, after all. As long as they didn’t push their luck, she had no desire to stir up trouble.

Seeing her accept the items, Bai Ye felt a wave of relief.

"Thank you, fellow Cultivator. I will discipline her."

"I’ll take my leave."

Bai Ye didn’t bring up the matter of them joining the Peacock Clan again. He simply turned and strode away.

Liu Lan Yi stared at his retreating figure, a flicker of confusion in her eyes.

"I get the feeling he knows you."

She looked at Song Wanning. The man’s reaction a moment ago said it all.

Song Wanning had noticed it too, of course. She just smiled.

"I suppose so. Who cares!"

She toyed with the medicinal herbs in her hand, a hint of a smile in her eyes.

’Quite a few people must recognize me by now.’

...

"When are they going to bring out the Demon King Map?"

Flower Peacock was growing impatient, looking completely agitated.

Bai Feng comforted her from the side, telling amusing jokes until he finally managed to make her laugh.

But her laughter died the moment Bai Ye returned, and her smile vanished when she saw him.

"So, how did it go, cousin? Did they agree? With you showing up in person, they must have been thrilled!"

Bai Feng teased, full of confidence. After all, his cousin’s handsome face alone was enough to make any woman’s heart flutter.

Not to mention his noble status—women would be falling all over themselves to get his attention.

Hearing this, Flower Peacock sniffed disdainfully. "Hmph. And here I thought they had some backbone. Turns out they’re just another bunch of shallow women."

With that, her eyes filled with disgust, and her disdain for Song Wanning’s group grew even stronger.

Bai Ye’s expression darkened, however, and he snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about?"

"Do you have any idea who you were dealing with? And you still dared to provoke her?!"

The moment he recognized Song Wanning, his heart had skipped a beat.

He mentally cursed Flower Peacock with every name he could think of.

Thankfully, Song Wanning had been magnanimous enough to accept his apology gift. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have known how to clean up this mess.