As everyone cheered and celebrated, Qin Jue spoke up.
"Wait."
The cheers stopped dead.
Everyone stared blankly at the young man on the arena, unsure what else he wanted. Wasn't the match already over? The First Branch had won.
Yao Qingluo froze.
"Miss Qingluo, it's not over yet."
"Not over?" Yao Qingluo was bewildered. She instinctively glanced at the elders on the high platform. "Third Elder already announced the result. Could it be..."
"We won the arena match, but this matter isn't over."
"Since I've been paid, I might as well see the job through. I don't like leaving loose ends."
On the high platform, Second Elder Yao Tianxiong had been about to leave, but he stopped. Frowning slightly, he sat back down. He watched Qin Jue, suspicion flashing in his tiger-like eyes. The boy was arrogant, but he wasn't one to make baseless claims.
The Third Elder's heart lurched, and he had a bad feeling. Forcing himself to remain calm, he barked sternly, "Qin Jue! The match is over. If you want your reward, the First Branch will naturally pay you. Stop making a scene and disrupting the Lineage's order!"
"Making a scene?"
Qin Jue let out a scornful laugh, his voice dripping with mockery. "Third Elder, don't rush to pass judgment on me. You've gone to great lengths to favor the Second Branch today. You must be exhausted by now. Why don't you take a rest?"
The crowd erupted.
Everyone's gaze shot toward the Third Elder. Though they'd all had their suspicions, once something like this was openly said, everything changed.
The Third Elder's face instantly flushed red. He slammed his palm on the table and sprang to his feet, pointing a trembling finger at Qin Jue. "You... You're slandering me! I've always acted with honor. How dare