The standoff between Wang Chen and Sikong Deping before the gates of White Deer Academy continued.
Strictly speaking, Wang Chen's side consisted of him alone.
Gao Zhuang, who was holding Sikong Hongfei hostage, had no bearing on the overall situation. He was entirely a background figure.
By contrast, Sikong Deping's side had thirty-six Innate Martial Artists, two to three hundred heavily armored cavalrymen, and twelve cultivators lending support.
Such a force was enough to conquer any city other than Taiwu City!
Thus, on the surface, the strength of the two opposing sides was completely uneven.
Yet the aura Wang Chen displayed was no weaker than Sikong Deping's—if anything, it was stronger, as though he were the one holding the advantage.
This silent standoff did not come to an end until Mo Han and the Mo Family appeared.
Sikong Hongfei's side moved swiftly. It took them only a little over an hour to bring everyone over.
"Fellow Daoist Wang!"
At the sight of Wang Chen standing before the academy gates, Mo Han, seated in a carriage, could not help but burst into tears.
Though the cultivator wore a brand-new robe, it could not conceal the wounds on his face and hands. His strange sitting posture made it abundantly clear that both his legs had been broken.
There was no doubt that Mo Han had suffered terribly during his imprisonment in Azure Cloud Palace.
The Mo Family, in comparison, had fared fairly well. Though every one of them looked frightened and uneasy, none had been harmed.
"Fellow Daoist Mo."
Wang Chen nodded at Mo Han. "I'm sorry you had to suffer."
Mo Han revealed a smile uglier than weeping.
He had nearly lost his life after being dragged into Wang Chen's troubles. It was impossible for him to feel no resentment at