Yu Zhengxing leaned back, pillowed his head on his hands, and watched him with interest. "Han Tiangang was schemed against this time, forced up to Golden Core..."
Hou Niao hastily interrupted him. "Martial Uncle, you mustn't make careless remarks! He volunteered to protect his fellow cultivators. Such noble sentiments deserve encouragement and praise. We mustn't chill a hero's heart.
Yu Zhengxing teased, "Volunteered? The same way Tang Yan volunteered? How strange. Why do all these people change their nature as soon as they meet you?
"Hmm, I wasn't even talking about you. Why are you so nervous? A guilty conscience, perhaps? The Daoist Sect has always been plagued by infighting, its members forever undermining each other. Who's to say his fellow Daoist Sect disciples weren't responsible? Don't take everything as referring to yourself. One look and anyone would know you had something to hide. Before you know it, your fox's tail will be showing..."
Hou Niao wisely shut his mouth. He knew that continuing would only make things more embarrassing. This old fellow had over a century of experience and an extraordinarily rich life behind him. There were many things he simply couldn't hide from him.
Yu Zhengxing rarely got to see this fellow squirm, but he didn't push things too far. He was still counting on him to turn the millstone in the future; he couldn't drive him too hard.
"All right, enough about other people. Remember this: something may happen once or twice, but not a third time. Even if you leave no flaws whatsoever, when has the cultivation world ever cared about evidence?
"If you're present the next time something like this happens, a hundred mouths won't clear your name. Even if it wasn't you, it will be you."
Hou Niao nodded, accepting the lesson. Having enjoyed