Shangguan Longyin was every bit the sect master of a major sect. In just a few words, he resolved the conflict with Thunderclap Pavilion. And his purpose was quite clear: he looked straight at Ling Tian, knowing that he was the true head of Lingxiao Pavilion.
"Pavilion Master Ling Tian, Nangong Bingrui is the Sacred Maiden of Ten Thousand Swords Cliff, so I'd like to take her back." Shangguan Longyin stated his purpose plainly. Before Ling Tian could speak, he continued, "This is an internal matter of Ten Thousand Swords Cliff, so I hope Lingxiao Pavilion won't interfere."
Ling Tian knew that addressing him as Pavilion Master was a calculated social courtesy. It framed this as a conversation between the heads of two sects, one in which no one else was qualified to participate. He inwardly marveled at Shangguan Longyin's shrewdness, then chuckled. "Pavilion Master Shangguan, I'm sorry, but there is no Sacred Maiden of Ten Thousand Swords Cliff here. Nangong Bingrui is a disciple of the Sword Hall of my Lingxiao Pavilion. Why don't you ask her?"
Shangguan Longyin furrowed his brow. He hadn't expected Ling Tian to remain so composed in front of him—or to toss the question to Nangong Bingrui. Turning to her, he asked, "Rui'er, how have I treated you as your master?"
"In the past—in the past, you treated me very well." Nangong Bingrui was a little flustered, but after sensing the encouragement of Ling Tian and the others, her expression grew resolute. Her voice rose as she continued, "But that was only in the past. Everything changed after my parents and every member of my clan were murdered..."
At the word "murdered," Shangguan Longyin's brow lifted. A faint sense of foreboding stirred in him, but he kept his composure. "Rui'er, that was only a