A Different Way to Break Up a Fight

The next day, Jiang Nuan headed straight to where the Black Earth School members were staying as soon as court ended.

Their current location was far too remote, so she had prepared another place and wanted to discuss moving with them.

But just as she reached the entrance, she heard a heated argument coming from inside.

"Jiao Ping, you traitor to the Black Earth School! You actually submitted to the imperial court just like that? Outrageous! Today, I'll purge you from our ranks on behalf of our founding patriarch!"

An angry roar reached Jiang Nuan's ears. After she slipped quietly inside, she saw that the people in the courtyard had clearly divided into two groups.

One group consisted of Jiao Ping and the other Black Earth School members from Capital City. The other appeared to be members from elsewhere. Since they had arrived so quickly, they were probably from somewhere nearby.

"So what if I submitted to the imperial court? Who are you to lecture me? Who do you think you are?"

The other man had opened with an accusation, making Jiao Ping, who had originally wanted a civil discussion, explode on the spot.

"You're bringing shame upon the Black Earth School! As a member of one of its branches, I cannot accept this. I'm warning you: unless you announce that you're renouncing your allegiance to the imperial court, I'll join forces with the other Black Earth School members and expel your entire branch!"

The man spoke with righteous indignation, as though Jiao Ping were guilty of every unforgivable evil.

Jiao Ping was so angry that he laughed.

"You're standing here accusing me now, but have you forgotten how you behaved when the imperial court was suppressing us? Then let me refresh your memories!"

Mimicking their tone back then, Jiao