Cen Yu didn't answer his question. Instead, he asked, "Judging by the way you're dressed... why are you standing guard at the gate? I thought you were a direct descendant?"
At that, Yu Tianheng's mouth twitched, and he looked at the boy with a wounded expression.
Did Cen Yu have no idea?
If he hadn't disgraced the family at the Soul Master Tournament, he wouldn't have been punished by his grandfather to guard the gate for three months.
He gave a knowing smile. "What do you think?"
The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's main hall.
Cen Yu sat on the sofa and elegantly took a sip of tea. "Clan Leader Yu, I've heard so much about you."
Across from him, Yu Yuanzhen glanced at the two elders beside him, then turned to the boy and said, "Since you've come, there's no need for all that red tape."
"Bringing two elders to the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan hardly seems like a social call. So, whatever it is, speak plainly."
Spirit Hall... had finally decided to make a move against them?
At that, Cen Yu raised a hand and tossed the mangled Xue Xing onto the floor.
"This man reportedly acted on the orders of your Upper Three Sects, sending troops to destroy one of my Spirit Hall Branch Halls and injuring many civilians. Clan Leader Yu, care to explain?"
"What?!" Yu Yuanzhen flew into a rage and was about to turn hostile.
So Spirit Hall really was coming after them! They wanted to attack on the strength of some trumped-up charge? Did they think the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan was an easy target?!
But when his gaze fell on the man's face, he froze. All his anger vanished, replaced by bewilderment.
Yu Yuanzhen recognized him, of course. He was Prince Xue Xing of the Heaven Dou Empire.
Cen Yu spoke at an unhurried pace. "We have both witness testimony and confessions. Emperor Xue Ye has stripped him of his title and made him a commoner. He's now in the hands of Spirit Hall."
"This man's confidence came from the Upper Three Sects. From a logical standpoint, it does make sense, especially since members of all three of your sects... at the Soul Master Tournament."
"So, Clan Leader Yu, could you give me a reasonable explanation? Or does your sect truly intend to do this?"
Before Yu Yuanzhen could reply, Yu Tianheng hurriedly said, "You've got it wrong! The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would never do such a thing!"
"I lost because I wasn't strong enough. A loss is a loss. My grandfather even punished me by making me guard the gate for three months. Why would I collude with Prince Xue Xing?"
Yu Yuanzhen pulled his grandson behind him and nodded at Cen Yu. "The Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan has always acted with integrity. I would never stoop to such a thing."
Cen Yu nodded, looking thoughtful. "I also don't think the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would do such a thing."
Then he turned to Guang Ling and asked, "See? I told you they're just like the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Neither would do such a thing."
"And the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was so kind, too. Even though they weren't responsible, they were still willing to offer humanitarian compensation to the innocent dead."
At that, Guang Ling's eyes shifted as he understood what Cen Yu meant.
"Looks like that old Xue Xing was throwing his weight around and keeping quiet about the truth."
As soon as he finished speaking, both men turned to stare at Yu Yuanzhen.
"..."
Yu Yuanzhen really wanted to attack them right then. He could see that the three of them had come to extort him.
But he couldn't attack. Whether he could beat them was one thing; if he did, it would change the whole nature of the situation.
Fine. If he had to bleed a little, so be it. He'd pay for peace.
Yu Yuanzhen took several deep breaths before managing a false smile. "So that's what happened. I also think Xue Xing was throwing his weight around."
"But those who died because of him are truly deserving of our sympathy. I'd like to offer some humanitarian compensation as well. What do you think?"
"Is that so..." Cen Yu pressed a hand to his chest and looked up at the... ceiling, pretending to be moved. "I never knew Clan Leader Yu had such a kind heart!"
After receiving the "humanitarian compensation," the three of them considered Yu Yuanzhen's "warm invitation" and decided not to stay any longer.
After all, besides this clan, they still had a debt to collect from the Clear Sky Sect.
As they were leaving, Cen Yu—now with Little Black at the wheel—suddenly thought of something and turned back to Yu Yuanzhen. "Oh, right, Clan Leader Yu, I forgot to mention something earlier~"
"Yu Xiaogang's conduct was improper, so Spirit Hall has stripped him of his status as an honorary elder. Please make sure you teach your son some manners, Clan Leader Yu~"
"Also, it seems he's gotten back together with Liu Erlong, who's also a member of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan~"
Yu Xiaogang was a genius who'd reached level fifty before he was thirty. Killing him would be such a waste. Better to trip him up from time to time instead~
Hehe~ Once we get back to Spirit City, I'll spread the news that Yu Xiaogang plagiarized others' research. Let him be utterly disgraced and wish he were dead~
When that happens, will Bibi Dong still see him through rose-colored glasses?
With that thought, Cen Yu laughed loudly and sailed away, paying no mind to Yu Yuanzhen's livid expression behind him.
Once they were gone, Yu Yuanzhen whirled toward Yu Tianheng and Yu Tianxin. "You two knew about this all along?"
Feeling their grandfather's fury, the two lowered their heads and murmured their assent.
At that, Yu Yuanzhen let out a self-mocking laugh. "Well, well... I, the clan leader, have to hear about something like this from an outsider!!!"
How could he not see what Cen Yu meant? The boy had been mocking him! Mocking the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan!
And those two miscreants—he'd explicitly forbidden them from seeing each other, yet they still dared to be together in broad daylight. They'd even brought shame on the family in front of Spirit Hall!
If more people learned that they were cousins in love, how could the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan ever live down such an utterly immoral scandal?!
At the thought, Yu Yuanzhen turned sharply toward the two, who were shrinking into themselves like quails.
"You two can stop guarding the gate. Head to the Heaven Dou Empire at once and bring those two miscreants back!"
"If they don't come back, neither of you need to return!"
With that, he flung his sleeve and strode off, ignoring their stunned expressions.
"Great-grandfather..."
"Grandfather..."
Yu Tianxin and Yu Tianheng sighed and exchanged a glance, helplessness showing in their eyes.
Yu Tianheng asked miserably, "What do we do? Grandfather's really furious. Are we actually supposed to go bring Uncle back?"
Even if they brought him back, given Uncle's temperament, wouldn't that only make Grandfather angrier...?
Yu Tianxin was just as helpless. "Uncle's one thing, but my aunt's temper is really..."
At that, the two couldn't help thinking of Liu Erlong.
She was... a powder keg, ready to explode at the slightest touch.
If they told her they were bringing her back to break her up with... wouldn't she blow up on the spot?
After a long while, the two let out a deep sigh.
Yu Tianxin said to Yu Tianheng, "Pack up and let's go. We can't disobey Great-grandfather's orders."
"As for what happens to Uncle and Aunt in the end, that's up to them."
Before you continue