Chương 26: The Sect Master's Personal Disciple!
Jian Wubai looked at the child by his side with a complicated expression. "It's normal for people to grief. And it's also normal to be sad. Revenge can help you reduce your grief and sadness, but its not the cure for either of the two."
Zhang Baichi didn't answer. There were too many things he was thinking about at the moment. Jian Wubai patted him on the shoulder again. "Time will heal these wounds."
He stepped to the side and looked at the people surrounding the Life and Death Arena.
Only moments hat passed between him appearing on the arena and Ji Jian's death, but most people had noticed him already.
Some looked confused or confused as to where he appeared from. Others had shock or reverence covering their faces.
Among the many people, those from the Ji family had the most obvious reaction to his appearance. They were not only shocked, but also looked sullen, though they were quiet.
Jian Wubai glanced at an old man among the crowd and spoke in a light voice. "Ji Tianye, does the Ji family not follow my orders anymore?"
His words were calm and light, like he was merely speaking about today's weather, but the old man naturally understood the implications.
His expression didn't change, but he cupped his fists in front of his chest and bowed. "Ji Tianye greets the Sect Master. I ask the Sect Master to excuse my family members' behaviour."
His words were neither humble nor arrogant, but loud enough for most people in the vicinity to hear.
The spectators felt their minds rattle and immediately cupped their fists while bowing. "We greet the Sect Master!"
The same words were repeated a few times and it took a few seconds for everyone in the plaza to speak their greetings.
Jian Wubai nodded and told them to be at ease, but few raised their heads. Among them, Ji Tianye spoke once more. "Sect Master, is it true that you have given orders to interfere with this battle?"
The eyes of the two old men met and Jian Wubai nodded his head at the question. "Battles on the Life and Death Arena are fair to everyone. No one is allowed to interfere, and all grudges shall be settled on it."
Ji Tianye's expression didn't change and he continued to press the matter. "Still, it does not feel right for a promising child of my Ji family to die in a place like this. Sect Master, it might not be appropriate to apply old rules for new people."
"Your words do hold merit. As they say, the rules are dead and the people are alive." The Sect Master spoke after a short silence. "But, Ji Tianye, it also does not feel right for you Ji family to take revenge after both sides agreed to stake their lives, does it?"
"Sect Master misunderstood." The old man shook his head lightly. "If it was a fair fight, my Ji family would have nothing to say about it."
"Oh? Then, you believe this match to have been unfair? Why is that?" Jian Wubai's eyebrows rose and he spoke in a carefree manner.
"Indeed" Ji Tianye once again nodded. "My family's Ji Jian had been forced into this match. Rumours had been spread that he was a murderer and he had to uphold his honour and that of our family."
Behind Jian Wubai, Zhang Baichi's body was shaking. Rumours? Impossible. He had seen what had happened with his own eyes, after all. This Ji Tianye was clearly lying!
He was about to speak up, but Jian Wubai glanced at him and gave him a meaningful look, so he lowered his head instead.
"I have heard about these rumours as well. I don't know about their authenticity, but I don't think a child would have a reason to spread them. Antagonizing the Ji family for no reason is foolish. There would be no benefit in that.", Jian Wubai spoke.
The old man from the Ji family nodded once more and glanced at Zhang Baichi. "Sect Master is wise. This is why I believe this child to have ulterior motives. I ask the Sect Master to allow my Ji family to investigate this matter."
He cupped his hands and bowed lightly, same as he did before.
Jian Wubai sighed and then stared at him. "Let me repeat that, just to make sure I understood you correctly. You say that this battle was unjust, because the rumours about Ji Jian's heinous crimes were false and that he was forced to fight."
Ji Tianye's expression fell a bit, but he still nodded his head in agreement, after which Jian Wubai continued to speak. "You believe that the child that fought Ji Jian might be colluding with outsiders and that he is trying to harm your Ji family and in extension my Fleeting Storm Sword Sect?"
The Sect Master's aura grew more oppressive with each word. He stared at Ji Tianye, but the old man had no choice but to nod again. "You are correct, Sect Master."
Jian Wubai's eyes widened and the oppressive feeling he gave off multiplied. No one besides Ji Tianye was capable of meeting his gaze anymore. "Ji Tianye, let me ask you this: Have you grown tired of living?!"
Ji Tianye's expression fell and he stared at the Sect Master with cold eyes, not speaking a word.
Seeing how he refused to lower his head, Jian Wubai once again spoke, Qi filling his voice. "You are suspecting Zhang Baichi, who fought and defeated Ji Jian and who has broken not a single rule of the sect, to be a traitor? Ji Tianye, do you think that I would choose a personal disciple that lightly?!"
"Personal… disciple…?" Ji Tianye's expression turned ugly and his eyes wavered. Jian Wubai had another disciple besides Li Yao? How could he have missed such an important piece of information? Wasn't this Zhang Baichi just a regular mortal two years ago?
Jian Wubai turned his eyes away from Ji Tianye and spoke to the surrounding people, his voice filled with Qi. "All members of the Fleeting Storm Sword Sect, listen up! Six months ago, Zhang Baichi has become the personal disciple of I, Jian Wubai! In order to temper this child, I ordered for him to remain in the Outer Sect until he reached the Qi Gathering Realm."
His words echoed through the plaza and people felt like a bomb was exploding in their heads. Moments later, they all turned towards Zhang Baichi.
He was the personal disciple of Jian Wubai? Of their Sect Master? No wonder he was this powerful! No wonder even Ji Jian couldn't defeat him!
Even Ji Tianye couldn't help but look at Zhang Baichi.
Six months ago… Six months ago… Wasn't this the time when Ji Jian was challenged to the fight today?
Wasn't this when Ji Jian had asked for help to stir up a bit of trouble in the Outer Sect?
Ji Tianye had personally sent an Elder of the family with Ji Jian and that Elder had made sure to note down the agreement for this fight between Ji Jian and this Zhang Baichi.
Wasn't all of this for the small chance that Zhang Baichi might truly be a descendant of the legendary Martial Emperor Zhang?
Had Jian Wubai known about this from the start?
All of this was a farce? To strike at his Ji family? To get rid of a future powerhouse like Ji Jian and make sure he wouldn't stand in his disciple's way in the future?
How insidious! How cold!
Jian Wubai!
His strength, his wits and scheming, his cruelty!
He truly was a worthy Sect Master!
Ji Tianye's expression turned red, then white, then blue. All kinds of thoughts raced through his mind and all kinds of expression appeared on his face.
He truly had lost today!
Not only had Jian Wubai made himself look righteous by upholding the fairness of the Life and Death Arena, he had even used this opportunity to get rid of a talented youth of the Ji family and promoted his own disciple for the whole sect to see!
"Good! Good! Very good!" Ji Tianye cursed under his breath, shaking from anger as he stared at Jian Wubai. He was about to speak up, but Jian Wubai was faster than him.
"Ji Tianye! I understand your concern about this match, but I can assure you that my disciple is no traitor." Jian Wubai spoke, his voice calm, but firm. "However, to give an explanation to your Ji family, the rumours concerning Ji Jian will naturally be investigated."
Jian Wubai turned to the side, looking for someone. "Law Enforcement Division!"
"Here!" The gathered elites under the arena responded as one and bowed to the Sect Master. Jian Fu responded in the same manner and raised his head again. "Sect Master, what are you orders?"
"Investigate the matters of Ji Jian and the rumours concerning him and prepare a satisfactory explanation for the Ji family, for myself and for the sect!", Jian Wubai spoke.
"Understood!" Jian Fu once again bowed and waved his hands. "The Sect Master has given the order! Law Enforcement Division, begin the investigation immediately!"
The members of the Law Enforcement Division moved as soon has Jian Fu's words finished, vanishing from sight. Ji Tianye's expression was ugly to the extreme, but he quickly hid it when Jian Wubai turned to him.
"Ji Tianye, your Ji family will be given an explanation shortly." The Sect Master's voice was light again, as if careful not to offend the other party and his expression was earnest. "I hope this will settle today's matters?"
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