The old man's temples were speckled with white, and his face was covered with wrinkles as rough as tree bark, a visage full of weathered experience.
He was dressed in plain silk robes, hunching as he walked in step by step. He surveyed the surrounding chaos, his eyes growing increasingly stern.
Seeing the man on the ground writhing in pain, bleeding profusely, the old man quickly stepped past the crowd, raised his hand, and cast a spell to staunch the bleeding.
He turned his gaze to Wu Cheng, exuding an aura of authority without anger:
"Wu Cheng, you've gone too far this time."
His tone was full of accusation, and Wu Cheng's arrogance disappeared without a trace. He hurriedly bent down and made a gesture of respect:
"Greetings, Mr. Liou, regarding today's matter..."
"Enough! Have your master come and explain to me." Mr. Liou ruthlessly interrupted Wu Cheng, and then turned his gaze to the cold-eyed You Su, asking with concern after a moment of scrutiny, "Are there any injuries?"
You Su could sense that Mr. Liou's inquiry was directed at him. He hadn't had any interaction with Mr. Liou since his master left, so he couldn't help but feel a bit flattered and replied, "Greetings, City Lord, nothing serious."
Wu Cheng still kept his head down, clenching his teeth, with no one seeing the bulging veins under the shadow of his face.
"Good, as long as you're fine. They were just anxious to find someone, which led to this action. I hope you can understand." Mr. Liou finally lifted his pressure, and the crowd felt relieved.
"I understand." You Su also softened his icy demeanor and responded amicably.
The surface frost was easy to melt, but the inner enmity was hard to dispel. You Su had already engraved this account in his mind.
Faced with Mr. Liou's mediation, You Su could only superficially comply. Rather than resenting his compromising attitude, You Su was more grateful for his timely halt to the conflict. He just wanted to provide a disturbance-free environment for his sister and master.
Mr. Liou, comforted, stroked his beard and then turned to help Wu Cheng, who was still bowing in salute, saying more gently:
"Wu Cheng, I know you value your fellow disciples, but you shouldn't have lost control like this. We cultivators are not here to pillage like savages. Your master values you greatly, you should meet his expectations."
Wu Cheng glanced at Mr. Liou's face, gnarled like ancient bark, and then bowed his head in salutation, responding in a deep voice: "Thank you, City Lord, for enlightening me. I acknowledge my mistake. I will think thrice before acting henceforth, not letting emotions sway me again."
Mr. Liou grinned slightly, lifting Wu Cheng up once more and even patting him on the shoulder:
"You are a child of deep feelings and righteousness, and this was somewhat understandable. Apologize to You Su, and let the matter rest. You are peers and the future of Chuyun City, interact more in the future."
Before Wu Cheng could respond, Wu Ping protested: "Apologize to him? Mr. Liou, look at what he's done to our people, what kind of apology does he expect?"
Mr. Liou glanced sideways at Wu Ping leaning against the wall, then turned back to observe the severed hand's injury briefly before softly saying to Wu Cheng:
"Quickly return to the sect; it can still be reattached."
In an instant, a sword light flashed, and the fat man's trembling hands lying on the ground shattered into pieces, turning into a heap of mushy flesh.
Everyone's expressions turned extremely unsightly, even Mr. Liou furrowed his brows. Only You Su remained indifferent, the Mo Song Sword in his hand dripping with fresh blood.
"No need for apologies, this is the compensation I require." You Su's vacant gaze was filled with indifference, his handsome face serene.
The fat man fell to the ground in fright, crying his heart out. He had merely obeyed Wu Ping's orders to humiliate a blind man he had never properly looked at, hoping to receive plenty of Spirit Pills upon completion. Little did he know he had provoked a fierce deity not to be trifled with.
"You!" Seeing this, Wu Cheng was so enraged his face twisted, ready to draw the sword already sheathed.
He felt that every sword You Su had just wielded was like a slap in his face. He didn't care about the injury of an unknown subordinate, but You Su's action was a blatant insult to him.
Mr. Liou intervened with a large hand, blocking between the two tense individuals, gently pressing Wu Cheng's sword-drawing hand back, and muttered with an elusive smile:
"Alright, since You Su has accepted the compensation, this matter ends here. You may all disperse now, hurry and take him for treatment."
Even Wu Cheng, who wished to maintain a good image before this venerable old city lord, was unwilling to honor the elder more at this time. His eyes burned with uncontainable rage, and he ground his teeth, saying:
"Mr. Liou, this You Su repeatedly defied the search, and even admitted meeting my Mr.He on the twelfth. I suspect he's related to Mr.He's disappearance!"
Wu Ping also rallied and asserted: "Exactly! His home must be searched!"
Mr. Liou's withered face showed slight sorrow, reaching to pat Wu Cheng's back as if to soothe his emotions, speaking slowly:
"I know you are eager to find your master, but your Mr. He's body has just been found, mere bones left, five miles away in Qiong Mountain. Your master has already gone, you should hurry and check as well."
Hidden from view, You Su's expression remained unchanged, but his heart skipped a beat.
With Mr.He's body found, could the cause of his death be investigated? Would You Su's involvement in the causality of the cannibalistic fiend be dragged out? He forced himself to calm and think: Mr. Ling's arrival was abrupt, and their interaction was hidden in the shadows. It would be extremely difficult to trace Mr. Ling, and the probability of himself being implicated should be low.
Wu Cheng's expression shifted rapidly upon hearing this, releasing his grip on the sword hilt, reverting to the courteous and upright young genius, bowing again: "Thank you, City Lord, for informing us. We shall now take our leave, and revisit to express our gratitude another day."
Mr. Liou looked kindly, "Go on, take care."
Wu Cheng left without turning back, Wu Ping quickly followed his brother's footsteps, and behind them were the outer sect disciples supporting each other.
The group exited grandly, and the crowded old residence finally turned spacious again.
But Mr. Liou did not leave, causing You Su's heart to tense slightly.
You Su was unaware of Mr. Liou's sudden amiability, only knowing this old man might be the most powerful cultivator in the city. Every second he stayed, the risk of his sister and master being exposed increased.
Unaware of the storm within You Su's heart, Mr. Liou walked leisurely to the heap of rotten flesh, chanting a spell with splayed fingers, a sudden burst of azure flames erupted from the ground, reducing the severed hand to a pile of white ash. He then employed another skill, conjuring strands of water to cleanse the splattered bloodstains.
You Su watched all he did with a hint of surprise.
"For the rest, you clean up yourself." Mr. Liou shook his sleeves, approached You Su, and sighed wistfully, "I've always wondered, amongst all those flamboyant and arrogant people, why your master would accept such a reticent disciple like you?"
"Just now, I've come to realize, at heart, you are the same kind of person."