Before he could finish, the young man's strong hand yanked him stumbling back. Zhao Jianfei glared, his face and ears burning. "Oh, enough!"
He stood before Pei Ye and frowned. "On the arena, we each rely on our own abilities. You-you needn't listen to my master. We'll settle it in our match."
Pei Ye smiled and cupped his fist. "All right."
Pei Ye registered at the Immortal Platform's clerical office. The Feather Inspector was plainly surprised that this Crane Inspector had actually come to fight in the preliminary arenas. After exchanging a few jokes, Pei Ye returned to find the Zhihumen group still arguing back and forth.
Jiang Yiner tugged his sleeve and watched curiously.
Pei Ye could not quite understand them, so the girl quietly translated into his ear.
"What do you know? How many times have I told you? When I'm talking in the Divine Capital, don't butt in!" Zhao Zhixiong frowned, keeping his voice low. "You've never once traveled far from home. What do you know about the rules of the Jianghu? Think what sort of person Young Master Pei is. Thank goodness he's kindhearted. I struck up a conversation to put in a few words for you, and you went and ruined it!"
"Who was butting in? I was already talking to him when you interrupted!" Zhao Jianfei snapped irritably. "Have you got that straight? He was talking to me."
"And you didn't stand up when he spoke to you!" Zhao Zhixiong glared. "Just sat there and called out, 'That's me!' Who are you supposed to be? Some great name?"
"...I forgot." Zhao Jianfei was annoyed. "Oh, enough! I'm saying you shouldn't abase yourself before people. We're here to make a name for Zhihumen. You're the sect master-why do you keep sidling over to beg favors?"