Xiao Yan's resounding declaration left everyone stunned. The nobleman behind Xiao Yan quietly observed his back, her crimson eyes flashing with a mysterious glint.
Seek justice for the weak, advocate for the weak.
In her long years living as the strongest cultivator in the continent, she had heard countless people speak similar words.
But none had lived up to them to the end.
Seeking personal gain and avoiding harm were human instincts.
Even if someone went against their instincts to uphold justice, it was simply the price they paid for maintaining righteousness, and it didn't mean much to them.
Despite her convictions, the nobleman couldn't help feeling curious as she looked at Xiao Yan's eyes. Why did Xiao Yan's words sound more convincing than those of dignified and powerful individuals that often tried to curry her favor?
What if... What if he actually succeeds?
If he follows this belief, how will he reach the end?
(This young man is interesting... It wasn't a waste of my time to get involved with him)
With these thoughts in mind, the nobleman watched as the old man regained his composure and glared angrily at Xiao Yan.
"You are naught but a young brat with delusions of grandeur! You're ignorant! This world is already like this, what can one person like you change?!"
"You're right; perhaps I, alone, can't change much," Xiao Yan admitted with a serious expression in response to the old man's questioning. "But there's one thing I'm very clear about."
"No one is willing to try, and so the world remains the way it is!"
"I also understand that the success or failure of this endeavor can only be known by giving it my all until the end!"
Xiao Yan's resolute speech left the old man speechless.
If he wanted to argue with Xiao Yan, he could. But it ultimately boiled down to the concept of "reality."
However, Xiao Yan's words had demonstrated that he didn't ignore reality; rather, he embraced his ideals while recognizing the harshness of reality.
How could someone like this be easily refuted with just the word "reality"?
"Hmph! How stubborn!" The old man snorted. At this point, he had run out of words.
Moreover, he wasn't here to engage in a debate with this young brat.
"Now that you've firmly decided to meddle in this matter, don't blame me for what happens next." The old man glared at Xiao Yan with malice and cast a glance at his three disciples. "Attack! Kill them!"
As the three individuals prepared to join the battle, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed deeply.
His opponent is three Da Dou Shi (Battle Grandmaster, 4th Level), along with the old man who is a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level). He had to go all out.
What was more critical was that unlike the previous encounter in the Wolf Head Mercenary Companies' fortress where he could fight without restraint, this time they were in a narrow room on the back of the Thick Winged Bird.
He couldn't use Flame Splitting Tsunami this time; otherwise, not to mention the nobleman behind him, even Xiao Yixian in the room wouldn't escape unscathed.
What should he do?
Xiao Yan's brow remained tightly furrowed. During his previous journey, he had either been alone or accompanied by Yun Zhi, a Dou Huang (Battle Emperor, 7th Level). In either case, he didn't need to worry much.
However, now that he was carrying the burden of a common person like Xiao Yixian, Xiao Yan realized that the weight on his shoulders was much heavier than he had imagined.
Not wanting to overthink it, Xiao Yan decided to act first. He tightened his fist and slightly crouched his body. Regardless of the situation, ensuring the safety of Xiao Yixian was his top priority.
Just as the tense atmosphere was about to erupt into a fight, a voice suddenly intervened, stopping Xiao Yan and the old man's three followers.
"Hold on a moment."
A folding fan blocked Xiao Yan's path, and then the nobleman stood in front of him, looking at the old man across from her.
"We are high above in the sky, and if we start fighting here, the battle's aftermath could affect the Thick Winged Bird. I'm afraid no one here will escape unscathed if that happen, right?"
The nobleman shook her paper fan, then closed it and lightly touched her delicate chin.
"Sir, do you really need the Ice Spirit Cold Fountain?" she asked.
"Of course, Ice Spirit Cold Fountain is a rare and precious treasure. Who wouldn't want it?" the old man replied without hesitation. The nobleman nodded and took out a jade bottle from her spatial ring, gently shaking it in front of the old man.
"We've met by fate, and I'm not a petty person. It's just that your unruly disciple tried to rob us as soon as he met me, which I didn't appreciate," the nobleman said, raising an eyebrow and her crimson eyes shimmering. "How about this? If you have your disciple apologize to us, I'm willing to give you this bottle of Ice Spirit Cold Fountain. What do you say?"
Hearing the nobleman's words, the old man hesitated for a moment, then stared at her with a malicious glare.
"Do I really need to do that? As long as I kill you, everything you have will be mine," he sneered.
"Hehe, sir, I think it's better not to be too greedy when you're away from home," the nobleman responded with a calm face, her voice light. "Although I'm just a small Dou Shi (Battle Master, 3rd Level) with strength similar to this righteous young man, I have some good things for self-defense. While I may not be able to defeat a Dou Ling (Battle Spirit, 5th Level) like you, in this high-altitude setting, dragging everyone down to their deaths is not a problem."
"Do you think it's worth it?"
The nobleman's words made the old man fall silent, and he looked conflicted.
The nobleman was right. In this high-altitude situation, without the ability to transform their Dou Qi into wings, they would all die if they fell. The old man felt a deeper resentment toward Xiao Yan, who had interfered and caused this situation.
"Fine, it's a deal," the old man reluctantly agreed, nodding his head. He then ordered his drunken disciple.
Although the drunkard was unwilling, he still followed his master's command and bowed to the nobleman in apology.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Yan couldn't help but furrow his brow. It seemed like his belongings were being used to buy peace.
Why?
Xiao Yan gently patted the nobleman's shoulder and said firmly, "These are your belongings, and you don't need to use them to settle matters provoked by others' greed."
Inside the room, Xiao Yixian couldn't help but roll her eyes when she heard Xiao Yan's words. (Oh, now you understand? Do you remember what you did before?)
The nobleman just smiled lightly as she looked at Xiao Yan's solemn expression. "Sir, there's no need for me to take offense. I believe that, in a way, everyone is reasonable."
"Fine."
Hearing the nobleman's words, Xiao Yan didn't say anything more.
The old man received the Ice Spirit Cold Fountain and glared at the nobleman, his eyes filled with malice.
"Let's go inside," the old man ordered his disciples as they entered their room, firmly closing the door behind them.
Xiao Yan watched the tightly closed door and reminded the nobleman in a low voice, "Please be careful. They may come after you again when we reach our destination."
While Xiao Yan pursued the path of righteousness, he also understood the treachery of such individuals and had to be cautious.
However, the nobleman simply smiled and didn't seem concerned.
"Sir, you jest. I believe that everyone is reasonable. Since I've used the Ice Spirit Cold Fountain to ensure our safety, they won't come after us again."
"Let's hope so."
Hearing the nobleman's words, Xiao Yan could only sigh inwardly.
He thought he was already quite naive, but it seemed that this person before him was even more naive.
As Xiao Yan had these thoughts, inside the old man's room:
Once inside the room, the old man and his three disciples had disappeared without a trace, leaving no signs behind.
<+>
If you want to see more chapter of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read till the latest posted chapter, please go to my Patreon[1]
Current Chapter In Patreon: Chapter 266: Closing the Net[2]
Link to the latest chapter: https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter-266-net-112982302[3]
Link to the Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/Akur[4]
[1] https://www.patreon.com/Thatsnakegirl
[2] https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter-266-net-112982302
[3] https://www.patreon.com/posts/chapter-266-net-112982302
[4] https://www.patreon.com/c/Akur