The others beside him did not dare make a sound. All they could think was that if Zuo Jiayi refused to bow his head, the one to suffer would certainly not be Huang Xiao, but Zuo Jiayi and the rest of them.
"What I said was true. Your strength is inferior to mine!" Zuo Jiayi said through gritted teeth.
Over this period, the matter of the Hall Master Candidate had sent his mood soaring and plunging, inevitably leaving resentment in his heart.
Even before Huang Xiao, he did not want to lose his imposing air.
"What punishment does defying your superior warrant?" Huang Xiao did not answer Zuo Jiayi, but asked a question instead.
"Severe punishment, even execution on the spot!" one of the kneeling men hastily said.
Zuo Jiayi's expression shifted at those words.
However, he did not believe Huang Xiao would try to punish him on such a pretext. His patriarch was Yao Renwu. Even as a Hall Master Candidate, Huang Xiao could not disregard that elder's wishes.
"I misspoke just now!" Zuo Jiayi cupped his hands toward Huang Xiao.
It looked like an apology, but there was no sincerity behind it whatsoever. His cupped-hands gesture was exceedingly casual, and his face showed not the slightest trace of apology.
Huang Xiao gave a cold laugh. Rather than dwell on the matter, he said, "Since you're all here, there's something else I want to ask you."
"Young Master Huang, please ask. We will tell you everything we know and hold nothing back-"
"Shut up!" Huang Xiao barked.
The disciple trying to curry favor immediately kowtowed, not daring to say another word.
After Huang Xiao said something into Chao Lingyi's ear, delight flashed through her eyes, though it was tinged with worry.
"Go. Don't think too much about it. Hurry