.
The roar of Sheng Lian's voice carried far into the distance, so the reinforcements sped up. In the blink of two or three eyes, they had all arrived before us.
"Sheng Lian! What's the matter with you? How dare you speak so disrespectfully to Madam and the Young Master?" one of the middle-aged men demanded, his expression somewhat grim.
"Dad! There was a reason for what happened. Your son didn't overstep—Madam and the Young Master acted recklessly, nearly causing our entire army to be wiped out! If Senior hadn't intervened, we probably wouldn't have made it back. And now they're still spouting insolence at Senior, so I taught them a lesson!" Sheng Lian was covered in wounds, so at least seventy percent of what he said was true.
"Sheng Lian! You're helping outsiders! Do you still acknowledge me as your master!?" the young man roared.
Even the beautiful woman stamped her feet and cursed furiously. "You household servants have banded together to bully my son and me! Once we return to the prefectural city, I'll certainly report this to the Prefectural Lord! I'll have him punish you severely!"
The middle-aged man had no idea how to handle the situation for a moment, so he could only look toward the old man at the head of the group. "Prefectural Steward! My son acted rashly! Prefectural Steward, what do you think we should do!?"
The old man had not looked at his own people upon arriving. Instead, he had first sized up those on my side. Only after being questioned did he say calmly, "If what Sheng Lian said is true, then he did nothing wrong. It was merely our conduct that made this divine friend laugh."
"Prefectural Steward! You dare shield them! Are you still the Prefectural Steward I know!?"