Chapter 65: Three Days for the Nie Family

Wu Tian’s slap sent Nie Huixiang flying, astonishing everyone present.

The members of Skyward Sect were dumbfounded. They hadn’t expected Wu Tian to be so audacious—striking Nie Huixiang in front of the Nie family, with no fear of being besieged in retaliation. Still, the slap was so satisfying to witness!

The Nie family was equally stunned. They had never imagined Wu Tian would be so brazen, attacking Nie Huixiang in front of so many people—a truly reckless act.

Even the city lord’s men were shocked. They had seen arrogance before, but never anyone as brazen as Wu Tian.

The confrontation among the three great factions sank into an eerie silence. Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Wu Tian, standing at the center.

“Ow! That hurts—hurts like hell! Wu Tian, you bastard, you actually dared to hit me? You hit me right in front of my own family!” Nie Huixiang, clutching his stinging cheek, roared at Wu Tian in fury.

“So what if I hit you? I might just kill you too!” Wu Tian shouted back, pointing at Nie Huixiang. At this moment, he truly entertained the notion of killing him.

“Wu Tian! How dare you!” Nie Yuntian glared and roared.

“And why wouldn’t I dare? What if I do kill him?” Wu Tian responded, showing no fear toward Nie Yuntian. So what if he was head of the Nie family? One day, he would wipe the Nie family from existence.

“Master Nie, Young Master Wu, please, both of you, restrain yourselves. Let’s not harm the peace…” Song Ke hurriedly stepped between them to mediate. Though he held the title of city lord, his mansion’s strength was far inferior to Skyward Sect and the Nie family—his standing was elevated only by his connection to the Mad Martial Empire.

“Hmph! For the sake of the city lord, I’ll overlook this youngster’s insolence today. But Wu Tian, heed my warning—show such audacity before me again, and I will show no mercy!” Nie Yuntian declared angrily, shaking his sleeve.

Wu Tian curled his lip disdainfully. “So your Nie family has a monopoly on murder now? You can kill, but I can’t?”

Worried things would escalate, Song Ke quickly turned to the sect master and Nie Yuntian. “Master Ye, Master Nie, there’s a teahouse just over there. Perhaps we should sit and discuss this calmly. After all, a public confrontation like this benefits no one. You are both important men—harmony is best for all.”

“I’m willing to sit down and negotiate, though I fear some may be too proud to do the same,” Master Ye replied coolly.

“Since the city lord has spoken, I have no choice but to oblige,” Nie Yuntian said, glancing at Song Ke.

“Then let us go and talk.”

“Everyone, return to the sect,” Master Ye instructed the Skyward Sect disciples. “I will handle this matter myself.”

“Master, my disciple was killed by them. Please, you must seek justice for him,” the slain disciple’s master pleaded through clenched teeth.

“Rest assured, he was one of our own. I will not let Skyward Sect be shamed. Return now, and do not cause any trouble without my orders. Understood?”

“Yes, Master!” Though reluctant, the disciples could only obey.

Seeing the Skyward Sect members depart, Nie Yuntian saw no reason for his own people to remain and risk ridicule. Of course, the main parties involved—Wu Tian, Nie Huixiang, and Song Qianqian—stayed with the leaders.

They entered the teahouse, where Master Ye and Nie Yuntian sat across from each other, both expressionless. Song Ke, meanwhile, wore a forced smile, doing his best to play peacemaker.

“Master Ye, Master Nie, please have some tea and calm yourselves. Clearly, there’s been a misunderstanding. You are both pillars of Pingyang City, and it wouldn’t do to escalate things over this. Let’s talk it out and resolve things for everyone’s sake,” Song Ke said, personally serving them tea with a smile.

“A misunderstanding? City Lord, what misunderstanding do you see here? The Nie family’s son, Nie Huixiang, stormed into my Skyward Sect with his guards, killed one disciple, and injured several others. Is that a mere misunderstanding?” Master Ye rapped his knuckles on the table, his tone accusatory.

“I truly didn’t mean to kill anyone—it was a moment of rashness,” Nie Huixiang tried to explain.

“That’s right, my son acted on impulse and lost control—it was an accident. Master Ye, if you don’t mind, I’ll apologize to you myself,” Nie Yuntian said, bowing slightly.

“An apology and that’s all?” Master Ye narrowed his eyes, his anger barely contained.

“Then how do you propose we resolve this?” Song Ke asked.

“It’s simple. Let Nie Huixiang apologize in front of all Skyward Sect disciples, then kneel and kowtow three times at the grave of the disciple he killed. That’s all I ask.”

“Impossible!” Nie Yuntian refused without hesitation. “To kneel and admit fault before everyone would disgrace the Nie family. Absolutely not!”

“Impossible? Then there’s nothing left to discuss!” Master Ye’s attitude was uncompromising and authoritative.

“Master Ye, perhaps… Nie Huixiang can apologize, but kneeling in front of everyone would indeed be a severe blow to the Nie family’s reputation. Could we find some middle ground? Perhaps he could apologize and kowtow here, in private?” Song Ke tried to smooth things over.

“What use is kneeling to me? His apology is owed to the deceased disciple and the entire Skyward Sect!” Master Ye remained unyielding.

“Master Ye, you go too far. The Nie family came here in good faith to solve this matter, yet you are being excessively domineering. I cannot accept your demand,” Nie Yuntian replied, equally unbending.

“Very well! Master Nie, since your family refuses to bow its head, I will not force you. But I give you three days to reconsider. After that, I will come to your mansion to take the culprit myself. Take care, Master Nie!” Master Ye slapped the table and rose in anger.

With that, Master Ye shot Wu Tian a meaningful glance. “Wu Tian, we’re leaving.”

“Master Ye, Master Ye…” Song Ke called after him, but Master Ye showed no intention of staying.

“There’s no point, City Lord. Master Ye’s position is clear—he is determined to make an enemy of the Nie family,” Nie Yuntian said, frowning.

“Nie, the Skyward Sect wields immense power. Opposing them head-on will only harm your family,” Song Ke said with a bitter smile, then turned angrily to Song Qianqian. “This is all your fault for being disobedient—now look at the chaos you’ve caused!”

“Father, what did I do wrong? It was Wu Tian who was ungrateful…”

“And you still have the nerve to—”

“City Lord, your daughter is right. All of this is Wu Tian’s fault! That boy is the source of all this trouble!” A cold glint flashed in Nie Yuntian’s eyes.

Song Ke looked at Nie Yuntian, rubbed his temples wearily, and realized that by now, the situation was beyond his control.

…

“Wu Tian, do you think, as sect master, my actions just now were appropriate?” After leaving, Master Ye suddenly asked Wu Tian.

“You did nothing wrong, Master Ye. Nie Huixiang killed a disciple of Skyward Sect. Forcing him to kneel and apologize publicly is lenient,” Wu Tian nodded.

“No, I mean making an enemy of the Nie family—do you think it’s worth it?” Master Ye shook his head.

Wu Tian paused, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes. “What of the Nie family? How could they possibly compare to my great Skyward Sect? They’re not even worthy to carry our shoes!”