Tang Wenjing: Why Would I Provoke Him?! (Seeking Recommendations)

Tang Wenjing's mind raced; Qian Yufeng's tongue was far too venomous, sparing no one once he started.

Soon, he shifted his demeanor entirely, shedding his previous posture.

"Elder Qian, we were in the wrong just now; we shouldn't have offended the Pope."

He chuckled, then turned to bow toward Qian Xunji: "Pope, I was reckless just now. I ask for your forgiveness."

Qian Xunji kept a straight face, saying nothing, merely waving his hand.

The power dynamic had reversed; it was now the Pope's turn to adopt a high and mighty stance.

Tang Wenjing turned back to look at Qian Yufeng with a smile: "Elder Qian, there is a deep friendship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, after all."

"Yet, the second-generation disciples under our banner were beaten into serious injury. Even if there was a conflict, there was no need for such a heavy hand."

"As their elders, it is only natural that we seek an explanation."

"Tsk!" Qian Yufeng finally understood what it meant to be truly shameless.

Seeking an explanation for his own sect's disciples, indeed.

While the spirit master world wasn't always about bloodshed, it was occasionally filled with social maneuvering.

Yet, most of the people from the Clear Sky Sect were bullies who feared the strong and preyed on the weak.

How could they have the gall to utter such shameless words?!

"Tell me, Tang Wenjing, have you only just remembered the relationship between my nephew and Tang Chen?"

"That's right, there is indeed a friendship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect, but wasn't it broken by you lot?"

Qian Yufeng wasn't buying it, laying the facts out plainly.

"During the last operation to encircle and suppress the Fallen Spirit Masters, the Clear Sky Sect disciples were supposed to be in their ambush positions, yet not a single person was there."

"We had all agreed to strike together, but you reneged at the last moment, causing heavy casualties on our side. How do you account for that?"

"You make a grand spectacle over a conflict between two juniors, so should I also make a grand spectacle and bring the Spirit Knight Order, or even the Angel Legion, to pay a personal visit to the Clear Sky Sect?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the four members of the Clear Sky Sect were rendered speechless.

It was fortunate that the operation had been conducted in secret; otherwise, the entire spirit master world would have been filled with negative news about the Clear Sky Sect.

"You want an explanation? Then what about the three hundred deacons who died at the hands of the Fallen Spirit Masters because of your broken promises? Who gives them an explanation, or their families?"

"I ask you, Tang Wenjing, was it you, or the two of them?!"

Qian Yufeng pointed at the three of them, questioning them once more.

"Answer me, look in my eyes!"

"..." Tang Wenjing had not expected this matter to be brought into the light; the culprits were the very elders of the Clear Sky Sect.

The five of them had unanimously vetoed the decision to assist Spirit Hall, with the reasoning: the past is the past, and the present is the present; with the old Sect Master in seclusion, there was no need to maintain such deep ties with Spirit Hall.

Consequently, they immediately went back on their promised word, ultimately leading to heavy losses for Spirit Hall.

The mission to suppress the Fallen Spirit Masters had been completed, but Spirit Hall could find no joy in it.

This was the second major loss Qian Xunji had suffered since taking office.

"Elder Qian, we..." Tang Wenjing had thought that by lowering his posture, Qian Yufeng would show a little face, but he hadn't expected him to give none at all.

Qian Yufeng knew exactly what they were thinking, so naturally, he wouldn't give them any pleasantries.

Spirit Hall's suppression of Fallen Spirit Masters was for the sake of maintaining stability on the continent.

These sects didn't want to contribute, and Qian Yufeng would certainly not let them off easily for such behavior.

"You want a fair resolution? Then I will give you a fair resolution today."

"When I served as the Adjudicator Elder of Spirit Hall, I never wronged a good person, nor did I misjudge a single good deed!"

After saying this, Qian Yufeng walked to Qian Xunji's side and picked up the official report describing the conflict.

He scanned it quickly; the sequence of events was exactly as he had guessed.

The Clear Sky Sect disciple had been overbearing and struck first, so the deacon had stopped retreating, leading to a fight.

The result was that both sides were injured, though the deacon on his side had slightly lighter injuries due to his defensive spirit.

Conversely, the Clear Sky Sect disciple had a fractured left arm and would need three months of recovery.

Qian Yufeng looked at the four members of the Clear Sky Sect and said: "It is clear that you failed to discipline your disciple, leading to this conflict. It is all written here in black and white."

"If I had been on the scene, your arrogant disciple would have suffered far more than just a serious injury."

He remembered something else and added:

"I forgot to tell you, our deacon is a recipient of the Spirit Hall Second-Class Honor Medal. How does the Clear Sky Sect intend to handle this?"

"I recall that Spirit Hall has issued a decree: anyone who receives an honor medal is a hero of the continent and must not be bullied."

"Take the operation from five years ago; five people received the Second-Class Honor Medal at that time. Your Clear Sky Sect had people who received them too, and you've been collecting the subsidies we issue all these years, haven't you?"

Qian Xunji immediately understood what to do and spoke toward the door: "Bring me the archives containing the list of those who received the Second-Class Honor Medal five years ago!"

"Yes, Your Majesty the Pope!" A voice came from outside, followed by the sound of footsteps.

Tang Wenjing and the other three felt a deep sense of foreboding.

Not only were they in the wrong this time, but they had also kicked a steel plate!

The Honor Medal of Spirit Hall was awarded to spirit masters who participated in major operations and made significant contributions.

It was not just an honor; it was also equivalent to a protective talisman.

Whenever trouble arose, Spirit Hall would step in to resolve it.

Furthermore, there was a monthly subsidy of a certain amount of Gold Soul Coins.

Level one received 2,000 Gold Soul Coins, level two received 1,000, and level three received 500.

It's over, the Clear Sky Sect is going to lose a fortune this time!

Tang Wenjing knew Qian Yufeng's way of handling problems very well: if you made a mistake, you were fined directly.

Between the conflict and their previous breach of promise, the sect's treasury was likely going to suffer a massive hemorrhage.

In the past, the Clear Sky Sect had stood on the same front as Spirit Hall regarding major issues and had gained a great deal, but this time, they had miscalculated.

Upon returning, they would have to readjust their relationship with Spirit Hall; with an old immortal like Qian Yufeng around, it was better to keep a low profile.

Qian Yufeng watched the pained expressions flash across their faces and sneered inwardly.

If you had known it would come to this, why act as you did in the beginning?!

From the moment they chose to stop cooperating with Spirit Hall, there was no friendship left to speak of.

At the very least, as far as he was concerned, no such friendship existed.

Qian Daoliu might turn a blind eye to certain matters for the sake of Tang Chen, but he, as the second uncle, certainly would not!

Three minutes later, a list of those who had received the Honor Medal five years ago was placed before Qian Xunji.

Just as Qian Yufeng had said, the deacon involved in the conflict was indeed on that list.

He kept a straight face and said sternly, "Great Elder Tang, Elder Qian's words just now were reasonable and well-founded. The Clear Sky Sect really ought to provide an explanation."

As the mastermind behind this incident, Tang Wenjing decided to bear the consequences alone.

He signaled the other three with his eyes, stepped forward, and said, "We were negligent in our investigation of this matter, causing a negative impact on the Pope and that deacon. This old man offers his apologies here."

"After we return to the sect, we will send someone to compensate that deacon with 50,000 Gold Soul Coins for his recovery."

"We will also strictly discipline the disciples under our sect."

"I wonder what Elder Qian and the Pope think of my proposal?"

Qian Yufeng felt it was acceptable, so he turned his gaze toward Qian Xunji.

"Very well, let this matter end here." Qian Xunji naturally accepted it readily; after all, he could not push the other side too far.

However, his tone shifted, and he asked sharply:

"As for the Clear Sky Sect breaking its promise, I still need to have a proper discussion with you all about that."