A man of his stature truly had no need to intervene on an occasion like this.
However, against someone like Yan Wengge, an ordinary person would stand no chance. It required a master of his caliber.
All eyes immediately fell upon Liu Zongming.
Liu Zongming sighed softly.
"I normally would not get involved, but with the Jiaowei at stake, I have no choice."
"This is a perfect opportunity to witness the power of your Seven-Stringed Zither Manual!"
Yan Wengge’s expression grew solemn. He cupped his fists in a salute.
"It would be my great honor to receive your guidance, Senior Liu."
"No need to be so modest."
Liu Zongming rose to his feet. In a single, almost imperceptible movement, he stepped forward and appeared in the center of the arena.
He stood facing Yan Wengge.
"At my age, it would be unseemly for me to fight you. It’s a case of the old bullying the young."
"How about this, let’s make a gentleman’s agreement."
"We’ll limit it to thirty moves."
"If I cannot force you to retreat within thirty moves, I will concede defeat."
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his words carrying the dignified air of a true master.
Yan Wengge, however, shook his head.
"Today, regardless of status, everyone is here for the Jiaowei."
"Please, Senior, don’t hold back. If my skills are lacking, I will naturally take my leave."
"Very well!"
Liu Zongming did not insist, speaking softly.
"In that case... Here I come!"
He had just spoken those three words and was about to make his move when he suddenly heard an unusual sound in the wind.
He snapped his head up to see a black shadow streaking across the sky, aimed directly at Jiang Ran.
"A Celestial Thunder Pearl?"
Though advanced in years, Liu Zongming’s eyesight was excellent. He shouted at once,
"Don’t take it head-on!!"
But before the words were out, the Celestial Thunder Pearl was already in Jiang Ran’s hand.
It did not explode.
Liu Zongming froze. He glanced at the Jiaowei, still embedded in the cliff face, and a look of understanding dawned on him.
Jiang Ran opened his palm and looked at the Celestial Thunder Pearl nestled there. He shook his head slightly, then flicked his wrist, sending it flying far into the distance. It wasn’t until the pearl was well beyond Sunset Plateau that it finally exploded with a deafening BOOM.
Jiang Ran’s voice rang out.
"Since the heroes of Thunderbolt Hall have graced us with their presence, why not show yourselves and greet everyone?"
"What kind of skill is it to launch a sneak attack like that?"
The moment he finished speaking, a series of WHOOSHES cut through the air as figures arrived one after another.
In the blink of an eye, the arena was filled with a large contingent from Thunderbolt Hall.
Jiang Ran’s gaze swept over the group before he broke into a faint smile.
"Now this is more like it. We’re all here for the tea and zither appreciation gathering. Why did Thunderbolt Hall feel the need to bring so many people? Sunset Plateau is only so big; we should try to keep the numbers down."
"So, you’re Jiang Ran?"
From among the Thunderbolt Hall crowd, a red-faced middle-aged man walked out.
Yan Wengge glanced at the man, his brow furrowed.
’Dong Huai Zong, the Second Hall Master of Thunderbolt Hall?’
"What is the meaning of this, Thunderbolt Hall? If you wish to attend the gathering, you should abide by the host’s rules."
"Barging in like this... it looks like you’re here to cause trouble."
Dong Huai Zong shot Yan Wengge a look.
"You’re mistaken. We’re not here to cause trouble. We’re here to demand justice!"
Dong Huai Zong’s declaration sent a ripple of discussion through the crowd.
Thunderbolt Hall was a significant power, one of the "Thirteen Gangs."
This Second Hall Master was, of course, a renowned figure in the martial world.
His aggressive arrival today made it clear he wasn’t here to politely attend the gathering.
And now he was bluntly demanding justice!
But the question was, who did the people of Thunderbolt Hall need to demand justice from?
Who would dare to cause them trouble?
Liu Zongming, who had been on the verge of acting, watched this scene unfold and quietly took a step back.
Only Yan Wengge remained seated, as if nailed to the spot, not moving an inch.
’This is getting interesting.’
From the Hundred Treasures Association’s contingent, Yan Wushuang glanced at Dong Huai Zong, a faint, unreadable smile on her face.
"Second Hall Master, you’ve arrived with such fury. From whom, precisely, are you demanding justice?"
"Him!!"
Dong Huai Zong thrust a finger at Jiang Ran, his gaze locking onto him.
"My third sworn brother, Chi Lin. Did he die by your hand?"
An uproar erupted at his words.
"Thunderbolt Hall’s Third Hall Master Chi Lin is dead?"
"Jiang Ran killed him?"
"Is that true? Chi Lin’s skills were nothing to scoff at! His Thunderbolt Skill and Thunderous Heaven-Shocking Palm were no joke... How could Jiang Ran possibly have killed him?"
"I wouldn’t be so sure... Have you all forgotten what Jiang Ran did just moments ago? He embedded the Jiaowei in the cliff face with a casual flick, without so much as a tremor. Even Gu Renlong, the First Hall Master of Thunderbolt Hall, might not be capable of such a feat."
"So he really did kill Chi Lin? Was it over the Jiaowei?"
"If Chi Lin tried to kill him for the Jiaowei and got killed instead, what right does the Second Hall Master have to come here demanding justice?"
"What other reason could there be?"
The crowd instantly broke into a flurry of debate.
Yan Wushuang glanced at Jiang Ran again and chuckled softly.
"You shouldn’t make such wild accusations, Second Hall Master. As far as I know, Young Hero Jiang is a man of honor and would never kill an innocent person."
"I suspect there’s more to Chi Lin’s death than meets the eye."
"Hm?"
The Second Hall Master’s head snapped toward Yan Wushuang, his eyes narrowing.
"What are you implying, Leader Yan? Are you saying Chi Lin brought this upon himself?"
"That’s not what I mean."
Yan Wushuang smiled.
"Chi Lin has always had a heroic reputation, and everyone knows of Thunderbolt Hall’s renown."
"Of course he wouldn’t have brought death upon himself... But the truth of the matter still needs to be thoroughly investigated."
"Otherwise, as powerful as Thunderbolt Hall may be, you can’t just seek revenge on whomever you please, can you?"
"Furthermore, today is the day of the tea and zither appreciation gathering. With so many of our peers from the martial world gathered here, for you, Second Hall Master, to choose this moment to come seeking revenge... it inevitably raises suspicion."
Yan Wushuang was indeed formidable.
In just a few sentences, she had sent everyone’s minds racing with possibilities.
"Leader Yan has a point. A matter of life and death can’t be handled so rashly."
"Still, judging by Dong Huai Zong’s fury, he might have proof."
"Whatever the case, for him to show up today... his true intentions are hard to fathom..."
"Be careful, don’t let them take advantage of the chaos to snatch the Jiaowei!"
Dong Huai Zong’s eyes narrowed. He shot a glance at Yan Wushuang before his gaze returned to Jiang Ran.
"What do you have to say for yourself? I advise you not to play dumb!"
Jiang Ran just laughed heartily.
"That’s right. I killed Chi Lin. So what?"