Tang Wenjing's mind raced. Qian Yufeng's tongue was far too sharp; the moment he opened his mouth, he showed no mercy.
Very quickly, Tang Wenjing changed his tone, completely shedding his previous bearing.
"Elder Qian, we were in the wrong just now. We should not have offended the Pope."
He chuckled, then turned and bowed to Qian Xunji. "Pope, this old man was rash just now. Please forgive me."
Qian Xunji kept a stern face and said nothing, merely waving his hand.
The situation between the two sides had now been reversed. It was his turn, as Pope, to put on an aloof and superior air.
Still smiling, Tang Wenjing turned to Qian Yufeng again. "Elder Qian, Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect have always shared a deep friendship."
"Yet a second-generation disciple of our sect was beaten into serious injury. Even if there was a conflict, there was no need to strike so heavily."
"As elders, we naturally must seek an explanation for him."
"Tsk!" Qian Yufeng finally understood what it meant for a shameless person to be invincible.
They still wanted an explanation for their sect disciple.
Though the spirit master world was not always about fighting and killing, it was sometimes filled with human relations and social maneuvering.
But most people from the Clear Sky Sect were the sort to bully the weak and fear the strong.
What nerve did they have to say something so brazen?!
"Tell me, Tang Wenjing, have you only just remembered the relationship between my grandnephew and Tang Chen?"
"That's right, there was indeed friendship between Spirit Hall and the Clear Sky Sect. But wasn't it you people who severed it?"
Qian Yufeng had no patience for this act and laid everything out plainly.
"During the last operation to eliminate the Fallen Spirit Masters, not a single Clear Sky Sect disciple appeared at the position where they had been assigned to lie in ambush."
"We had agreed to strike together, but you reneged at the last moment, causing Spirit Hall to suffer severe casualties. How are you going to account for that?"
"You make such a fuss over a conflict between two juniors. Then should I also make a grand show of the previous matter and personally pay the Clear Sky Sect a visit with the Spirit Knight Order, or even the Angel Legion?!"
Those words immediately left the four Clear Sky Sect members speechless.
Fortunately, that operation had been carried out in secret. Otherwise, negative news about the Clear Sky Sect would have spread throughout the entire spirit master world.
"You still want an explanation? Then who will give an explanation to the three hundred Deacons who died at the hands of Fallen Spirit Masters because of your broken promise? Who will explain it to their families?!"
"Answer me, Tang Wenjing. Will it be you, or will it be those two?!"
Qian Yufeng pointed at the three of them and questioned them again.
"Answer me, look me in the eyes!"
"..." Tang Wenjing had not expected this matter to be brought out into the open. The instigators were the Clear Sky Sect's council of elders.
The five of them had unanimously vetoed the decision to support Spirit Hall. Their reason had been: the past was the past, and the present was the present. Since the former sect master had retired, there was no need to maintain such close ties with Spirit Hall.
Thus, they had immediately gone back on the promise they had made, ultimately causing Spirit Hall to suffer disastrous losses.
The mission to eliminate the Fallen Spirit Masters had been completed, but Spirit Hall could not feel happy in the slightest.
This was the second major loss Qian Xunji had suffered since taking office.
"Elder Qian, we..." Tang Wenjing had thought that if he lowered his stance, Qian Yufeng would give him at least a little face. He had not expected Qian Yufeng to give him none at all.
Qian Yufeng knew exactly what they were thinking, so naturally he would not show them a pleasant expression.
Spirit Hall's campaign against the Fallen Spirit Masters had been to maintain stability across the continent.
These sects had each refused to contribute effort. Qian Yufeng certainly would not let such conduct pass easily.
"Didn't you want this handled fairly? Then today, I'll handle it fairly for you."
"Back when this old man served as Spirit Hall's Adjudicator Elder, I never wronged a good person or misjudged a single case!"
After saying that, Qian Yufeng walked over to Qian Xunji's side and picked up the official report describing the conflict between the two sides.
After giving it a quick glance, he found that the course of events was exactly as he had guessed.
That Clear Sky Sect disciple had acted arrogantly and domineeringly, striking first. The Deacon had thus stopped backing down, and the two sides had begun fighting.
In the end, both sides were injured. The Deacon on their side had suffered slightly lighter injuries because he possessed a defensive Martial Soul.
On the other hand, the Clear Sky Sect disciple had fractured his left arm and would need three months of rest to recover.
Qian Yufeng looked at the four Clear Sky Sect members and said, "It was clearly your failure to properly discipline your disciple that led to this conflict. It is written plainly in black and white."
"If I had been there, your overbearing disciple would not have merely been seriously injured."
He remembered something else and added:
"I forgot to tell you: this Deacon of ours has received a Second-Class Honor Medal from Spirit Hall. How does your Clear Sky Sect intend to handle this?"
"I recall that Spirit Hall issued a decree stating that anyone awarded an Honor Medal is a contributor to the continent and must not be humiliated."
"Five years ago, five people received Second-Class Honor Medals during that operation. Someone from your Clear Sky Sect received one too, and you have continued collecting the subsidies we issue all these years, haven't you?"
Qian Xunji immediately understood what needed to be done and called toward the door, "Bring me the records listing those awarded Second-Class Honor Medals five years ago!"
"Yes, Your Holiness!" A voice came from outside, followed by the sound of footsteps.
Tang Wenjing and the other three felt that things were going badly.
Not only were they in the wrong this time, but they had also kicked an iron plate!
Spirit Hall's Honor Medals were awarded to spirit masters who participated in major operations and made significant contributions.
They were not merely honors; they also served as protective talismans.
Whenever trouble arose, Spirit Hall would step in to resolve it.
In addition, there was a monthly subsidy in Gold Soul Coins.
First class received 2,000 Gold Soul Coins, second class received 1,000, and third class received 500.
"It's over. The Clear Sky Sect is going to lose money this time!"
Tang Wenjing understood Qian Yufeng's way of handling matters very well. If someone made a mistake, he fined them directly.
With this conflict, plus their previous broken promise, the sect treasury would likely bleed heavily.
In the past, the Clear Sky Sect had stood with Spirit Hall on major matters and gained a great deal. This time, they had miscalculated.
Once they returned, they had to readjust their relationship with Spirit Hall. With that old immortal Qian Yufeng around, it was better to keep a low profile.
Seeing the pained looks flash across the three men's faces, Qian Yufeng sneered repeatedly in his heart.
If they had known this would happen, why had they done it in the first place?!
From the moment they chose to stop cooperating with Spirit Hall, there had been no friendship left.
At the very least, there was no friendship left in his eyes.
Qian Daoliu might overlook certain things out of consideration for Tang Chen, but he, as Second Uncle, would not!
Three minutes later, the list of people who had received Honor Medals 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.
With a stern expression, he said, "Great Elder Tang, Elder Qian's words are reasonable and supported by evidence. The Clear Sky Sect should give an explanation."
As the planner behind this matter, Tang Wenjing decided to bear the consequences alone.
He gave the other three a meaningful look, stepped forward, and said, "We failed to investigate this matter properly and caused a negative impact on the Pope and that Deacon. This old man offers his apology here."
"After returning to the sect, we will send someone to compensate that Deacon with fifty thousand Gold Soul Coins for nourishment expenses."
"We will also strictly discipline our disciples."
"What do Elder Qian and the Pope think of this proposal?"
Qian Yufeng found it acceptable and turned his gaze toward Qian Xunji.
"Mm, let this matter end here." Qian Xunji naturally accepted gladly, since they could not push the other side too far.
But then his tone shifted as he demanded sternly:
"As for the Clear Sky Sect breaking its promise, I still need to discuss that matter properly with you."
Before you continue