Chapter 80

Everyone looked and saw that these two were not the disciples guarding the gate. Upon further inspection of their injuries, it was clear that both had their limbs broken and were simply thrown in.

Bai Chen stood at the entrance of the Iron Scroll Sect, his eyes filled with murderous intent, coldly staring at the disciples of the Iron Scroll Sect.

Mu Sansheng was initially stunned but quickly regained his composure, pointing angrily at Bai Chen: "Bai Chen, what do you mean by this? You have seriously injured my disciples without cause. If you don't give an explanation today, the Iron Scroll Sect will not rest until you are dead!"

"Until I am dead? Fine then!" Bai Chen's gaze was cold and fierce: "I never intended to leave today without a fight."

"You!" Mu Sansheng's face turned ashen. Although the last time he and Bai Chen came to the Iron Scroll Sect to negotiate, both sides had an unpleasant encounter, their relationship had not yet reached a breaking point. Who would have thought that upon meeting again today, Bai Chen would seriously injure his two junior brothers.

Regardless of the status of these two disciples, Bai Chen's actions in full view of everyone were tantamount to declaring war on the Iron Scroll Sect.

Zhuo Qingyan, however, remained calm and composed, stepping in front of Mu Sansheng and looking at Bai Chen: "Why does Young Master Bai say such things? Although the Iron Scroll Sect failed to cooperate with Young Master Bai, as the saying goes, even if a deal falls through, one should still maintain respect. The Iron Scroll Sect has never offended Young Master Bai, so why are you so aggressive?"

Bai Chen took a step forward, and a burning aura began to emanate from his body. His skin started to burn, and a terrifying red light flickered beneath it.

Mu Sansheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and he shouted: "Disciples, follow my command and work together to defend!"

Bai Chen was never one to underestimate, especially after witnessing his terrifying power. The deputy leader of the Yin Xu Sect was personally slain by Bai Chen, and the horror of that night still lingered in his mind.

Faced with Bai Chen's overwhelming presence, Zhuo Qingyan could only sigh and retreat to the back.

The disciples clearly hadn't realized that this was not just another ordinary sect disciple they were dealing with. This was a demon!

Bai Chen was already seething with anger, and upon arriving in Qingzhou City and hearing about this, how could he remain calm?

The disciples, holding their sharp swords, charged at Bai Chen. However, these disciples were also quite skilled, and their swords landed on Bai Chen's chest and shoulders without any resistance.

Zhuo Qingyan was taken aback; she hadn't expected Bai Chen to be so weak. She had thought it would be a tough battle, but it ended so easily.

Regardless of Bai Chen's reasons, only the victor has the right to speak of right and wrong.

Her unease slightly subsided, but when she turned to look at Mu Sansheng, she saw the panic in his eyes.

This puzzled her greatly. Her senior brother was known for his calmness; she had never seen him so terrified.

She didn't know that Mu Sansheng's fear was well-founded. Bai Chen's terrifying power was beyond her imagination.

Mu Sansheng, in a panic, shouted: "Quick... quick, retreat!"

Unfortunately, Mu Sansheng's warning came too late. The disciples, blinded by their unexpected success, didn't understand his meaning. The person standing before them was not a lamb to be slaughtered but a demon, a demon that had climbed out of the depths of hell!

Suddenly, a wave of heat hit the disciples, followed by a terrifying force. The disciples were swept away like broken sacks, landing several yards away.

Zhuo Qingyan's body trembled. Seeing Bai Chen, unscathed and burning like a nightmare, and her injured junior brothers, she almost lost her balance, her body swaying.

"Ridiculous!" A furious voice echoed from the main hall of the Iron Scroll Sect. Zhuo Fan rushed over like a thunderbolt, striking Bai Chen with a powerful palm.

Bai Chen's body was enveloped in raging flames as he swung a punch to meet Zhuo Fan.

With a loud thud, Bai Chen remained unmoved, while Zhuo Fan was forced to take several steps back, his old body swaying, his face still showing the shock and fear.

Bai Chen sneered: "So, Senior Zhuo has broken through to the Xiantian realm. No wonder the Iron Scroll Sect is so arrogant."

"White, what do you mean? The Iron Scroll Sect has no grudge against you. Why have you repeatedly injured my disciples?" Zhuo Fan was both shocked and angry.

He had thought that with his recent breakthrough to the Xiantian realm, dealing with Bai Chen would be a sure thing. But after that palm strike, he realized he had suffered a minor setback.

Although his palm strike was just a test, using only about thirty percent of his strength, Bai Chen clearly hadn't used his full power either. The outcome of their clash was clear.

Could it be that this young man had also broken through to the Xiantian realm in such a short time?

Zhuo Fan found it hard to believe, but he had to accept this reality.

He had been stuck at the ninth stage of the Houtian realm for decades. If not for the recent breakthrough of the Iron Scroll Sect, which relaxed his mindset, he might not have had the opportunity to break through to the Xiantian realm.

But this young man, not yet twenty, had already broken through to the Xiantian realm, surpassing him in cultivation.

This confrontation today would not be easily resolved.

"No grudge? I want to ask Senior Zhuo, the Wuliang Sect has no grudge against the Iron Scroll Sect. Yet our mountain gate has been destroyed, and my sister, who is only five years old, has been taken hostage by your sect to threaten my brother, who has been crippled and captured by your disciples. What is the reason for this?"

Bai Chen was furious, even blaming the destruction of the Wuliang Sect's mountain gate on the Iron Scroll Sect.

"Hogwash! The Iron Scroll Sect always acts with integrity. How could we do such a thing?"

"Hogwash? Everyone in Qingzhou City knows about this. How can you still say I'm lying?" Bai Chen snorted.

Upon hearing Bai Chen's words, Mu Sansheng and Zhuo Qingyan knew things were not going well.

Their eyes involuntarily turned to Zhang Qu, who was already trembling in fear.

They had thought Yuan Long was terrifying enough, but now an even more terrifying Bai Chen had arrived.

What kind of background does the Wuliang Sect have, that two young men could be so formidable?

Zhuo Fan's expression was unpredictable. Initially, Bai Chen's attack on the Iron Scroll Sect was justified.

But now the situation had reversed. The destruction of the mountain gate was clearly a fabrication. The Wuliang Sect was at least a hundred miles away from Qingzhou City, and his disciples hadn't traveled far. Even if it had happened, it couldn't have been done by his disciples.

However, the matter of taking a child hostage and injuring her brother was a serious issue.

"Lies... I didn't do it..." Zhang Qu suddenly mustered the courage to deny it, but his denial sounded very weak.

"Ha... So the Iron Scroll Sect is full of cowards who can't admit their actions." At this moment, Long Tuxiao walked in from the main gate, followed by several disciples who were present when the incident occurred. His purpose was clear.

Although Long Tuxiao was there to stir up trouble, he didn't dare to be disrespectful in front of Zhuo Fan, bowing politely: "Patriarch Zhuo, I pay my respects."

"Hmph... Long Tuxiao, are you here to watch the show?" Zhuo Fan's face was ashen.

"I wouldn't dare. I'm just here as a witness. Although the Iron Scroll Sect has strict rules, there are always a few bad apples. I am a close friend of Young Master Bai, and now that his brother is in trouble, I can't just stand by. I have to stand up for him."

"Zhang Qu, come out!" Zhuo Fan's face was stern: "Tell me the whole story."

Zhang Qu, who dared not admit his guilt, repeated the version he had agreed upon with his fellow disciples.

Although Zhuo Fan was suspicious of this version, it was undoubtedly the most plausible explanation for the current situation.

"Bai Chen, do you have anything to say? Your brother was at fault first, insulting the Iron Scroll Sect and seriously injuring our disciples. It's only natural that our disciples retaliated."

"Senior Zhuo, I'm not being disrespectful, but what Senior Zhang said is very different from what I know. Would Senior Zhuo like to hear my version of the events?"

Zhuo Fan's expression darkened. He had already guessed the truth and didn't need Long Tuxiao to repeat it.

But he couldn't say no, or others would think he was biased.

Ignoring Zhuo Fan's expression, Long Tuxiao recounted the events as he knew them.

Zhuo Fan, Zhuo Qingyan, and Mu Sansheng's faces were a mix of emotions. If not for the current crisis, they would have wanted to slap this disgraceful disciple to death.

Losing a match was one thing, but surrounding and attacking someone was another.

Even if they had lost, the Iron Scroll Sect's reputation had already been tarnished by Zhang Qu.

They had hoped the Iron Scroll Sect disciples would form an array to avoid further trouble.

But Zhang Qu, in a moment of madness, had taken the girl hostage and even injured her.

This was not just a matter of character; it was a disgrace to the word "disgrace."

However, the Iron Scroll Sect was clearly in the wrong, and Zhuo Fan couldn't admit it.

Injuring the girl and crippling her brother, and if this fight were to break out, the Longhu Sect would not sit idly by.

Zhuo Fan, with a grim face, said: "Long Tuxiao, this is just your side of the story, which may not be fair. The Iron Scroll Sect is not unreasonable. If the person is indeed with us, we will return them to Young Master Bai. However, the matter is complex and requires calm discussion."

Zhuo Fan had softened his tone, addressing Bai Chen as "Young Master Bai" instead of by his name, clearly trying to defuse the situation.

But Bai Chen was not someone who would back down easily.

"Reason? I only know that might makes right. I'm not here to talk, but to fight for the truth!"

"Ridiculous!" Zhuo Fan was so angry that his whole body was shaking. Bai Chen was clearly trying to provoke a fight.

Zhuo Qingyan's face was somber as she stepped forward: "Young Master Bai, the Iron Scroll Sect is clearly in the wrong. But if you continue to press, no one will benefit. Why don't we both take a step back and discuss this calmly?"

"Miss Zhuo, do you think we can still talk about this?" Bai Chen sneered.

Zhuo Fan was even angrier: "Bai Chen, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"

"Senior Zhuo, I want to learn from your skills!" Bai Chen took two steps forward, his body radiating a chilling aura.

"Bring the iron sword!" Zhuo Fan shouted, his anger still simmering. He knew that if he couldn't subdue Bai Chen, the Iron Scroll Sect would suffer a significant loss today.

He also realized that with Bai Chen's iron-like skin and burning flames, a direct confrontation would not be in his favor. He immediately ordered the retrieval of the Iron Scroll Sect's signature weapon.