"Impudent! Chen Liao isn't someone you can address by name, Xie Wu!"
A purple-robed young man with a high-bridged nose and deep-set eyes shouted angrily.
Xu Yi cupped his hands and said in a clear voice, "The sect's laws do indeed stipulate the forms of address for each rank. But Purple Mansion Lords aren't mentioned in the sect's laws. I truly don't understand how I'm supposed to address them. If Chen Liao isn't called Chen Liao, and Xie Wu isn't called Xie Wu, then what should they be called?"
"You!"
"Enough. Sharp-tongued, truly sharp-tongued. Wang Qianqiu, this isn't the place to debate right and wrong. Go with Elder Cao to the Law Enforcement Hall first. I'll investigate the matter thoroughly."
Chong Xuzi spoke calmly.
A chill crept through his heart. Wang Qianqiu before him was far too skilled at sophistry. If they kept arguing here, the dignified chief seat might well find himself utterly trapped, unable to advance or retreat, by Wang Qianqiu's silver tongue.
So he simply denied Xu Yi the chance to argue, using his authority to crush him.
Xu Yi cupped his hands to Chong Xuzi. "Going with Elder Cao to the Law Enforcement Hall to await an investigation is no problem, of course. But before that, I have something I'd like to ask you, Chief Seat. Whether or not you answer, I'm willing to go to the Law Enforcement Hall."
Chong Xuzi's thoughts churned. The fellow before him seemed more and more like a clump of mud—once it stuck, it couldn't be shaken off, and it only grew more repulsive.
Given the situation, could he really say he wouldn't listen? That would be far too undignified.
But if he listened, he was sure Wang Qianqiu wouldn't have anything good to say. He could guess that with