Someone behind the scenes must be causing trouble. Luo Hantian was certain of that, but who exactly was still unclear to him. They had just arrived when Jiang Wentian's voice reached everyone's ears.
"Who has wronged my daughter?"
His voice carried heavy pressure, causing everyone present to lower their heads involuntarily. Song Wanníng bowed obediently, blending into the crowd while glancing toward the door.
The next moment, a cultivator wearing a purple robe strode into the Law Enforcement Hall.
Is this Jiang Wentian?
A flash of surprise crossed Song Wanníng's eyes.
Jiang Wentian looked surprisingly young, with a delicate, almost feminine appearance. His hair was dyed purple, making him look flamboyant and striking.
At first glance, Song Wanníng frowned.
From his face and aura alone, it was clear this man was not to be trifled with.
"Grand Elder!"
The sect master and others immediately saluted Jiang Wentian with respectful expressions.
Liu Xingzhi hesitated for a moment but still bowed to him first.
"Hmph!"
Jiang Wentian snorted coldly and cast a dissatisfied glance at Liu Xingzhi.
Though Jiang Cen was at fault, this should not have been brought into the open like this. Was this not trying to wrong Jiang Cen unjustly?
And!
He shot fierce looks at Li Yang and Yue Lin. Both instantly felt their bodies being pressed down by an invisible, terrifying force, their faces flushed red.
Luckily, Jiang Wentian knew his limits and did not go too far, especially with so many disciples watching.
"What exactly happened?"
He stared straight at Jiang Cen. His expression changed sharply, revealing affection and tenderness. This daughter was the last treasure left by his Dao companion, and nothing could go wrong.
"Father, you've finally come!"
Jiang Cen's eyes reddened as she began to cry in grievance. She threw herself into Jiang Wentian's arms, acting like a wronged child as she defended herself. "Father, I just wanted to play with Zhang Shuning. Who knew someone recorded it and everyone took it seriously!
Just now, Senior Brother wanted to kill me. If you hadn't appeared in time, you might never have seen your daughter again!" She knew she had to play the victim now to turn the situation in her favor.
No sooner had she finished speaking than the Law Enforcement Hall was hit by an even more terrifying pressure that made everyone groan in misery. Everyone regretted coming to watch the commotion. This was not a spectacle for the faint of heart...
"Liu Xingzhi, this is how you protect your Junior Sister!"
Jiang Wentian was furious. His most trusted disciple had just tried to kill his daughter.
"Master, Jiang Cen struck first. She wanted to kill my disciple's Junior Brother. I could not stand by!"
Liu Xingzhi's face was calm and resolute. Even under Jiang Wentian's pressure, he did not back down. This attitude made Jiang Wentian narrow his eyes and suddenly turn to glare at Zhang Shuning, directing a terrifying pressure toward her.
"Tell me, was Jiang Cen playing with you?"
He was now prepared to threaten Zhang Shuning openly in front of everyone.
Zhang Shuning's face paled. The next moment, Liu Xingzhi stepped in front of her and bore all the pressure.
Tears welled in her eyes as memories of years of hardship flooded her mind. Her master had been a beggar since childhood, starving and poorly clothed. It was the Ancestor who had saved him and carefully taught him.
So her master always held great respect for Jiang Wentian. But that was no excuse to tolerate Jiang Cen's bullying. Had her master not suffered enough over the years?
Zhang Shuning bit her lip hard, feeling an inexplicable surge of courage.
"Jiang Cen... really wanted to kill me. If it weren't for... if it weren't for someone saving me, I would be dead already!"
After saying this, a heavy weight in her heart suddenly lifted. At this moment, all the pent-up grievances finally found a release.
"Jiang Cen has repeatedly targeted me and my master. She bullies other disciples in the sect even more! Does the Ancestor not know all this?"
Zhang Shuning raised her head bravely, questioning each word. She could not bring herself to respect this Ancestor, no matter how powerful. They were nothing but someone who couldn't distinguish right from wrong!
"Heh..."
Jiang Wentian laughed, amused by Zhang Shuning's defiance. The usually obedient girl was disobedient now!
He glanced meaningfully at Zhang Shuning, then at Liu Xingzhi.
"Do you believe your disciple or your Junior Sister?"
His tone carried a challenge.
Liu Xingzhi silently clenched his fists but answered firmly, "The Shadow Stone is here. It cannot be falsified."
"Good, good, good!"
Jiang Wentian repeated "good" three times, but disappointment flashed in his eyes toward Liu Xingzhi.
"Since you insist Jiang Cen harmed Zhang Shuning, then I will punish her with three years of repentance in Mo Hai! As for Zhang Shuning... since she is unharmed, I will compensate her accordingly."
The crowd was stunned, but Jiang Cen immediately objected.
"Father, what are you saying? I didn't do it! Didn't you say you would always protect me no matter what? How can you punish me?!" Jiang Cen's eyes filled with disbelief. Her gaze at Jiang Wentian was full of shock and disappointment.
She never imagined he would actually punish her to repentance. For a moment, her face flushed with embarrassment as all the eyes around her made her feel utterly exposed.
"Hmph, if you do wrong, you must be punished! Fortunately, Zhang Shuning was unharmed. Otherwise, it wouldn't be just repentance!" Jiang Wentian's face was stern. If he had not taken the initiative, Jiang Cen's punishment would have been harsher.
He could protect Jiang Cen, but not too much!
"Father!"
Jiang Cen was utterly disappointed and finally broke down crying.
The watching disciples were shocked. Even Song Wanníng looked surprised.
After all, Jiang Cen's words revealed a doting father in Jiang Wentian.
However...
This was still a form of protection for Jiang Cen. For others, the punishment would have been much harsher, even cultivation might have been revoked.
But as the child of a Unity-stage elder, her treatment was naturally different. The rules were always made by the strong.
Though some disciples had complaints, no one dared voice them.
Li Yang frowned, thinking Jiang Wentian would cover for Jiang Cen. They planned to take the moral high ground to discredit him and ruin his reputation.
They never expected Jiang Wentian to be willing to let Jiang Cen suffer punishment in Mo Hai...
Mo Hai was not a place for humans!
The Law Enforcement Hall fell silent except for Jiang Cen's stubborn objections.
The sect master looked on, surprised by Jiang Wentian's decision.
Had this man suddenly lost his mind today?
"Cough, cough, Martial Nephew Zhang, what do you think of the Grand Elder's solution?"
If Zhang Shuning agreed, then it would be best to end things here.