Chapter 321: Arrogance Before, Deference After
Inside the grand hall, all the sea clan members turned in unison toward the entrance. They saw Bai Suxin walking in alongside a man dressed like a scholar, with two extraordinary-looking young men following behind.
The three were none other than Xu Caichen, Xiao Chen, and Cao Youqian. Chu Feng and the others were resting in a side courtyard at this time.
For such a minor occasion, there was no need for their master to appear personally.
The sea clan members instinctively used their spiritual sense to examine the three, but to their surprise, they could not discern their cultivation.
Feeling the probing senses sweeping over him, Xiao Chen's lips curved slightly. Before they had left Wendao Academy, their master had prepared a jade talisman for each of them to conceal their cultivation. Unless one was at the Saint Realm, no one could see through them.
Let these small fish and shrimp guess all they like.
Xu Caichen met Hei Yanjiao's gaze and cupped his hands. "Junior Xu Caichen greets Senior Hei Yan."
After years of Chu Feng's guidance, Xu Caichen had long since mastered the art of persuading others with reason.
"Xu Caichen!"
"How is it him?"
Upon hearing the name, the sea clan members' expressions became strange.
Most here had heard some of Bai Suxin's affairs in the human realm, and naturally knew her husband was named Xu Caichen.
Even Hei Yanjiao, seated in the main seat, narrowed his eyes slightly. "No need for courtesy."
"Thank you, Senior."
Xu Caichen paid no mind to the reactions of the sea clan.
Hei Yanjiao shifted his gaze to Bai Suxin. "Suxin, shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Though his tone was cold, everyone present could hear the deeper meaning in his words.
Bai Suxin's expression remained calm. "Father, Caichen is indeed the husband I married in the human realm. He has already joined Wendao Academy."
Her words instantly drew a wave of laughter throughout the hall.
"Hahaha…"
"Suxin, that lie is far too clumsy. I recall that Xu Caichen was nothing more than an ordinary scholar. Now you tell us he's a prodigy of Wendao Academy?"
"That's right. How could a mortal from a secular place like Wu Country possibly make it to Wendao Academy? The demons and monsters along the way would have devoured him before he even got close."
"Boy, you say you're a Wendao Academy prodigy? I might as well claim to be Wendao Academy's peerless Tyrant Fist, Cao Youqian."
Hei Yanjiao made no move to stop the mocking below, instead wanting to see how this so-called prodigy would handle such a situation.
If Xu Caichen couldn't deal with such a trivial scene, then he was clearly deceiving him.
Just then, a loud voice rang out in the hall.
"Who was it just now that said he was Cao Youqian?"
The hall fell silent for a few seconds before a sea clan member with the head of a flood dragon and the body of a man stood, holding a wine cup in hand. With an arrogant look, he said, "I did—"
He had barely spoken the word "did" when a large hand appeared out of thin air, seized his neck, and yanked him from his seat, slamming him onto the ground with a loud bang.
The sudden turn of events instantly filled the hall with tension.
All eyes turned to the one who had acted—a tall, young man with a contemptuous expression, his foot planted firmly on Hei Bing's head.
"How dare you!"
"Boy, this is not a place where you can commit violence!"
"…"
Cao Youqian ignored the shouts of the sea clan, releasing the pressure from his body instead. The might of a Path Union cultivator filled the air, instantly silencing many of them.
Even Hei Yanjiao in the main seat narrowed his eyes. "This Daoist friend, what is the meaning of this?"
Lifting Hei Bing like a chick, Cao Youqian said coldly, "Hei Yanjiao, this brat dared to impersonate me, Cao Youqian, to my face. Should I crush his head here and now, or tear out his flood dragon tendons while he's still alive?"
There was much to be gleaned from his words, but the sea clan members quickly picked out the most crucial piece of information—Cao Youqian's name.
"You are truly the Wendao Academy Saint Son candidate, Cao Youqian?"
Hei Jiao shot to his feet, astonishment plain on his face.
Even far away in the East Sea, he had heard of that one's battle achievements—tearing apart a Nirvana cultivator with his bare hands. Though they were both Path Union cultivators, there were still vast differences among those at the same realm.
Cao Youqian's lips curled slightly as his pressure climbed even higher, a divine radiance emanating from his body.
The sea clan in the hall could not help but gasp in awe at the sight.
"Divine Body!"
"He awakened a Divine Body at the Path Union Realm—he really is Cao Youqian!"
"…"
Cao Youqian was quite satisfied with the reaction of these ignorant sea clan members. He sneered. "That's right. Tell me, besides this idiot, who else would dare impersonate me?"
Hiss—
Many in the grand hall drew in a sharp breath, their gazes toward Hei Bing now tinged with pity.
Of all people to provoke with loose talk, he had to do it right in front of the real one.
Wasn't this just courting death like an old immortal tying a noose for himself?
At this moment, Hei Yanjiao's heart was in turmoil. Never mind that Cao Youqian could tear apart a Nirvana cultivator barehanded—he was a Saint Son candidate of Wendao Academy, and such a person always had a powerful protector at his side.
If he angered Cao Youqian, the entire Blackflame Water Mansion could be razed to the ground.
Suppressing his panic, he forced out a smile uglier than crying and said to Xu Caichen, "Virtuous son-in-law, with Prodigy Cao's arrival, why didn't you tell me earlier so I could be prepared?"
Xu Caichen could see perfectly well that Hei Yanjiao was just looking for a way to step down, but it wouldn't do to tear away the facade. Smiling, he said, "I hadn't yet had the chance to introduce my senior brothers to Father-in-law. Then this one started speaking wildly, and there was nothing I could do."
"Se… senior brother?"
Hei Yanjiao took half a step back, nearly losing his balance and falling into his seat, his gaze shifting toward the silent Xiao Chen.
"You mean the Invincible Sword?"
Xiao Chen took a step forward, his aura erupting instantly as he said in an utterly calm tone, "Indeed, I am Xiao Chen."
Thump.
Hei Yanjiao collapsed into his seat, feeling as if all the strength had been drained from his body, unable to utter a word.
The grand hall fell into a deathly silence. The entire sea clan seemed petrified, frozen in place without moving.
Fortunately, Xiao Chen soon withdrew his aura, returning to his unremarkable earlier demeanor.
Clatter!
The sound of cups tipping and chopsticks falling rang out in the hall.
For these small fish and shrimp, the names Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian carried such weight that they had forgotten even their own names in fright.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Hei Yanjiao discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his brow with his sleeve. "Quick, virtuous son-in-law, have your two senior brothers take their seats."
"Yes."
Xu Caichen replied, then turned to Cao Youqian and cupped his hands. "Second Senior Brother, today I've come to pay respects to my father-in-law, so it's not fitting to spill blood. Please show mercy for my sake."
Cao Youqian had already decided beforehand to play the role of the harsh one. Smiling broadly, he said, "Since my junior brother has spoken, how could I, as his senior, not give him face?"
He casually tossed the flood dragon back onto his seat. "Boy, be more careful in the future."
Hei Bing, already scared out of his wits, clung to his life as if it were the most precious treasure. Dropping to his knees, he hastily said, "Thank you, Prodigy Cao, for sparing my life, and thank you, brother-in-law, for saving me."
Xu Caichen gave a slight nod, then entered the seating area with Bai Suxin.
Xiao Chen and Cao Youqian took the seats right beside them.
The atmosphere in the hall was strange. Whenever the sea clan members recalled the scene from earlier, they hardly dared breathe for fear of displeasing the three.
Even Hei Yanjiao maintained a strained smile, raising his cup to them from time to time.
After three rounds of wine.
Xu Caichen stood and raised his cup toward Hei Yanjiao. "Father-in-law, I have studied for many years at Wendao Academy and have made some small achievements in recent years. I have brought a generous gift to the Blackflame Water Mansion to formally propose marriage, and I hope Father-in-law will agree to wed Suxin to me."
Silence. The hall quieted once more, countless pairs of eyes turning toward Hei Yanjiao…
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