"Hmph! Where did these little bastards come from, daring to slander our Young Master?!"
Behind Duanmu Rui, a white-haired elder stepped forward, fixing Shi Jingtian with a sinister gaze. He openly released the aura of an Eighth-Rank Martial Venerable, his tone icy. "My Duanmu Family has always acted openly and honorably. How can we allow juniors like you to spout such reckless nonsense? Say another word of rubbish, and do not blame this old man for being discourteous!"
"Oh? Openly and honorably?" Shi Jingtian burst out laughing. Carrying the Mountain Shaker Staff, he stepped forward, spittle flying as his booming voice made everyone's eardrums tremble. "You chased my nine-year-old junior sister for a whole day and night, beat her into that state, and you call that open and honorable? Pah! The faces of your Duanmu Family are thicker than city walls!"
As he spoke, he pointed at Duanmu Rui, his face full of contempt:
"Duanmu Rui, right? Are you even a man? If you are, then step out and admit it! You dare to act but not own up to it—what kind of thing are you? The Young Master of one of the four great ancient families of the Southern Saint Domain? I'd say you're nothing but a turtle hiding in its shell!"
Shi Jingtian's booming voice spread across the entire square before the cave mansion, and every faction heard him loud and clear.
"What? Young Master Duanmu chased down a little girl?"
"Is that true? An Eighth-Rank Martial Venerable at the peak chasing an eight- or nine-year-old child? That's far too disgraceful!"
"Who knows? But looking at that little girl, she really is covered in injuries. It doesn't seem fake..."
"Tsk, tsk. The Young Master of one of the four great ancient families actually laid hands on a child.