Chapter 420 Forced Apology! The Formal Invitation from Patriarch Liu!

The dead silence on the square lasted for a full dozen breaths.

Liu Lie and the other three were like four frozen statues, standing stiffly in place without moving.

On their Faces, shock, disbelief, embarrassment, and awkwardness were all intertwined, making those four old Faces look quite spectacular.

Liu Lie's hand was still suspended in mid-air; just moments ago, he had used this very finger to point at Jiang Yun, calling him a bluffing fraud.

At this moment, that hand trembled slightly, the knuckles white from exertion. He couldn't move it forward or pull it back, so it just stayed there stiffly, like a withered tree branch.

The three Grand Elders behind him had expressions even more spectacular than his.

The tall, thin Grand Elder had been the one shouting the loudest just now.

Saying things like "it's just a bluff" and that he was only intentionally intimidating people because he was afraid of losing Face.

Now, the mockery on his Face had long since vanished without a trace, replaced by an indescribable awkwardness.

His lips twitched as he tried to force a smile to hide his internal shock and embarrassment, but that smile looked worse than crying. His lips trembled a few times, but in the end, he couldn't utter a single word.

The slightly chubby Grand Elder was in even worse shape.

Fine beads of sweat seeped from his forehead, sliding down his wrinkled cheeks.

They pooled at his chin and dripped onto his lapel.

Yet he didn't even dare to wipe them, fearing that any movement would draw the gaze of others.

His eyes flickered uncertainly, looking at the ground one moment and the sky the next, never daring to look in Jiang Yun's direction.

The fourth Grand Elder was the most disheveled.

He had just uttered harsh words, saying that anyone who dared to come to the Liu Family to swindle people would have to pay a price.

Those harsh words were still echoing over the square, their resonance lingering, only to be slapped back hard by Jiang Yun with facts. His Face turned blue and white in turns, like an overturned dye vat.

His lips were pressed into a tight line, and his gaze flickered; he wished he could find a crack in the ground to crawl into right then and there.

The four of them stood frozen in place, unable to say a word.

Meanwhile, the surrounding members of the Liu Family had all turned their gazes toward them in unison.

"Look, Elder Liu Lie and the other three look terrible."

A young Liu Family disciple whispered.

He nudged his companion with his elbow.

"How could they not? Just now, in front of the whole clan, they called Grand Tutor Dongxuan a little fraud who was just putting on an act and bluffing. They insulted Great Master Dong Xuan like that, and the result? Not only did he figure it out, but he saw it in more detail and with more precision than all the previous Appraisers of our Liu Family!"

"Tsk tsk tsk, this is great. Their Faces have been slapped swollen."

Another young man also whispered gloatingly.

"I already felt that this Grand Tutor Dongxuan wasn't simple. Think about it, who is the Patriarch? He's the Patriarch of our Liu Family! A high-tier expert of the Eclipsing Moon Rank! Could someone he personally invited be a mere pretender? Elder Liu Lie and the others were something else—doubting and mocking him right from the start. Now look what happened? He proved himself with strength. Where are those four going to hide their old Faces?"

"Shh, keep it down, those are Grand Elders..."

"What's there to be afraid of? They did something stupid; are people not allowed to talk about it?"

The discussions among the younger generation were somewhat restrained, but the older members of the Liu Family weren't so polite.

An old man with gray hair, leaning on a dragon-headed cane, stroked his beard, his gaze full of disappointment as he looked at Liu Lie and the others.

"That Old Fellow Liu Lie, relying on his status as a Grand Elder, has become more and more outrageous over the years. The Patriarch invited a distinguished guest, and he had the nerve to try and intimidate him right away. Now, the guest has slapped his Face with true skill. Let's see where he puts that old Face of his."

The old man next to him also shook his head and sighed, "Sigh, it's well-deserved. How could someone valued even by President Yun Xi be bad? He insisted on judging by appearance and age. Now that he's been publicly slapped in the Face, he's brought it on himself."

"Look at Elder Lie's hand; it's still frozen in mid-air, he can't even put it down. Hahaha."

"Serves him right! That's what he gets for using his age to act superior!"

"Losing Face is a small matter now; if this Grand Tutor Dongxuan takes offense, that would be the real loss."

Although these discussions were hushed, Liu Lie and the other three were all experts of the Eclipsing Moon Rank; how could their hearing not be extraordinary?

Every single word reached their ears clearly.

Liu Lie's expression became even more unsightly.

The wrinkles on his Face trembled violently, and his lips quivered almost uncontrollably.

He had lived for nearly three hundred years and had always been an authoritative figure in the Liu Family whose word was law.

Aside from Liu Qingyun and a few Grand Elders of even higher seniority, who would dare to embarrass him to his Face?

But today, in front of hundreds of clansmen, he had been severely slapped in the Face with facts by a sixteen years old youth.

And moreover, he had brought it upon himself.

He was the one who insisted on questioning the other's ability.

He was the one who insisted on making the other take a public test.

He was the one who uttered those harsh words.

That if the appraisal failed, the other party would surely pay a price.

And the result?

He had successfully appraised it.

And the appraisal was ten thousand times better than he could have imagined.

Liu Lie felt his Face burning as if he had been publicly slapped dozens of times.

That kind of embarrassment and humiliation was more unbearable than any physical pain.

Just then, behind Liu Qingyun, Grand Elder Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan spoke.

Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan stroked his snow-white beard, his calm gaze sweeping over Liu Lie and the others. His voice was old yet resonant, clearly reaching the ears of everyone present.

"Elder Lie."

His tone was neither hurried nor slow, yet it carried an invisible pressure.

"Just now, you four Grand Elders vowed in front of the entire clan that Grand Tutor Dongxuan lacked the ability and was unfit for our Liu Family's appraisal. You also said that if Grand Tutor Dongxuan failed the appraisal, it would prove the Patriarch's poor judgment, like a desperate man turning to any doctor in a crisis."

He paused, his gaze becoming sharp.

"Now, not only has Grand Tutor Dongxuan completed the appraisal, but the information he uncovered is even more detailed and precise than the results our Liu Family's Appraisers have researched for hundreds of years."

He raised his hand and pointed at the soul crystal fragments on the stone platform.

"One thousand and eighty Ancient Soul Runes, three hundred and twenty-four intact, residual Soul Power of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix, broken three hundred years ago—some of this information even I, a Grand Elder, did not know. Yet Grand Tutor Dongxuan grasped it all in just two or three minutes."

His voice suddenly rose.

"I would like to ask you four, how exactly is the Patriarch's judgment?"

"Is it the Patriarch who has poor judgment, or is it you four who are senile and blind?"

Every word from Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan was like a knife, every sentence like a sword.

His words were like a pot of hot oil poured onto an already blazing fire.

The Liu Family members on the square seethed once more.

"Elder Yunshan is right! Didn't Elder Liu Lie and the others just question the Patriarch's judgment? Speak up now!"

"Exactly! How could someone the Patriarch personally invited be bad? Those four just had to jump out and make things difficult. Now they've been publicly slapped in the Face, haven't they?"

"Serves them right! Who told them to act superior based on age and look down on him for being young?"

"What's wrong with being sixteen years old? A sixteen years old proved himself with strength! He's much better than some old fogies who have lived for hundreds of years!"

The crowd's gaze focused on Liu Lie and the others again. Among those looks were gloating, disappointment, mockery, and the excitement of those who love to watch a scene.

Liu Lie's lips quivered violently.

The wrinkles on his Face trembled even more, and his entire Face became distorted with embarrassment.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something to save Face.

But it was as if something was stuck in his throat; he couldn't utter a single word.

The three Grand Elders behind him each hung their heads even lower, wishing they could bury their heads in their chests.

The tall, thin Grand Elder's shoulders trembled slightly, whether from anger or shame.

The sweat on the slightly chubby Grand Elder's forehead became denser, streaming down his cheeks incessantly.

The fourth Grand Elder's fists were clenched tight, but his head hung lower and lower, almost touching his chest.

In that state, how did the four of them have even a hint of their previous arrogant and overbearing air?

They were simply like four defeated roosters, utterly disheveled.

Seeing them like that, a flash of satisfaction crossed Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan's eyes, but his expression remained serious.

"Elder Lie, since you have nothing left to say, shouldn't some matters be handled?"

His voice was flat, yet it carried an air that brooked no argument.

"Just now, you questioned and insulted Grand Tutor Dongxuan in front of the entire clan, saying that if he passed the test, you would publicly apologize to him and admit you were mistaken."

His gaze fixed directly on Liu Lie.

"Now, the test results are out. Should you four not fulfill your promise?"

"If you cause Grand Tutor Dongxuan to lose heart, it would be a massive loss for our Liu Family, one that the four of you cannot afford."

As soon as these words were spoken.

The Liu Family members on the square stirred once more.

"That's right! Elder Liu Lie said it himself: if Grand Tutor Dongxuan passed the test, he would publicly apologize!"

"Apologize! Apologize!"

"You can't just treat your own words like hot air, can you?"

Although the crowd's shouts weren't loud, together they formed a pressure that could not be ignored.

Liu Lie's expression had turned unsightly to the extreme.

He suddenly looked up, a flash of anger in his eyes.

"Elder Yunshan!"

His voice was hoarse and sharp, tinged with the sense of being shamed into anger.

"I admit, I was indeed mistaken this time. Grand Tutor Dongxuan's appraisal ability truly exceeded my expectations. I acknowledge his skill!"

He shifted his tone.

"But! I am a Grand Elder of the Liu Family! I have lived in the Liu Family for nearly three hundred years! No matter how high this kid's status is, he is merely a Grand Elder of the Appraisers Guild. In terms of age, I am vastly his Senior! How could there be any reason for me to bow and apologize to him?"

He became more excited as he spoke, his voice growing louder.

"In this matter, I indeed misjudged. I admit it! But to ask me to bow and apologize to a sixteen years old brat in public, I cannot do it!"

The tall, thin Grand Elder behind him also hurriedly chimed in.

"Elder Lie is right! We are the Grand Elders of the Liu Family, and our seniority is venerable. Being able to admit we misjudged is already giving a massive amount of Face. To ask us to bow and apologize in public is simply going too far!"

The other two Grand Elders also nodded one after another, expressing their agreement.

Although the four's attitude was firm, the Liu Family members present could all see that they were just putting up a front.

It wasn't because they were in the right, but because they couldn't afford to lose Face.

If word got out that a sixteen years old youth had made four Grand Elders who had lived for hundreds of years bow and apologize in public, where would they put their pride?

Supreme Elder Liu Yunshan's brow furrowed, and he was just about to say something more.

However, Liu Lie had already taken the initiative and turned toward Jiang Yun.

A smile that looked worse than crying was squeezed onto his Face as he cupped his hands.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, this matter... this matter was indeed a misjudgment on my part. I offer you my apologies."

He spoke extremely fast with an utterly perfunctory tone; he didn't even bend his waist, merely cupping his hands casually.

That posture was like he was brushing off a beggar.

The three Grand Elders behind him followed suit, cupping their hands and mumbling things like "my apologies" and "misjudged," considering the apology done.

Even a blind person could see how perfunctory their attitude was.

A wave of sighs erupted from the Liu Family members on the square.

"What kind of apology is this?"

"Exactly, saying 'my apologies' with words while their Faces are written with defiance. What kind of apology do you call this?"

"Sigh, forget it, forget it. To get four Grand Elders to open their mouths and admit they were wrong is already unprecedented. Did you really expect them to kneel and kowtow?"

"True. But this treatment of Grand Tutor Dongxuan is really quite frustrating. Clearly he won, yet the other side's apology is so perfunctory."

"There's no other way; who told them to be Grand Elders? Their seniority is right there."

Jiang Yun took all these discussions into his ears, and the corner of his mouth beneath the silver-white mask curled up slightly.

His gaze swept across Liu Lie and the others, taking in their utterly perfunctory apologetic postures.

That hand-cupping motion was as casual as shooing away a fly.

That apologetic tone was as dismissive as giving alms.

In those four pairs of old eyes, there wasn't the slightest bit of regret; instead, there was a trace of disdain and defiance.

Jiang Yun sneered in his heart.

As expected, these Old Fellows were still not convinced by him.

While saying they misjudged and offering apologies, they were probably cursing him in their hearts for having dumb luck.

They even felt that Jiang Yun being able to appraise the soul crystal fragment was nothing more than good luck.

Since you won't apologize sincerely, then I will make you bow your heads in complete submission later.

If you don't bow now, there will be a time for you to bow later.

Jiang Yun was secretly calculating in his heart, yet not a bit of it showed on his Face.

He cupped his hands and spoke.

His tone was flat, with no hint of joy or anger.

"The four Seniors are overstating things."

His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached the ears of everyone present.

"This Junior was merely doing his duty and completing the test given by the Liu Family. The four Seniors have the Liu Family's interests at heart and are strict with the Appraiser; it is only within the realm of reason. This Junior understands."

He paused, his tone becoming even more humble.

"Since the test has been passed, this Junior will not take previous matters to heart. The four Seniors also need not dwell on it."

These words were spoken flawlessly.

He neither pushed his advantage to demand a sincere apology from Liu Lie and the others, nor did he show the slightest displeasure at their perfunctory behavior.

Instead, he took the initiative to give the four of them a way out.

Having the Liu Family's interests at heart, being strict, and being within the realm of reason.

This kind of magnanimity in returning good for evil...

...moved the Liu Family members present.

"Look at Grand Tutor Dongxuan, how magnanimous!"

"Indeed! Elder Liu Lie and the others made things so difficult for him, yet not only does he not hold a grudge, he even proactively gives them a way out. This level of character is truly rare."

"He truly is someone President Yun Xi values. Just this breadth of mind is not something ordinary people can compare to."

"To have such character at sixteen years old, this youth will surely become a great figure in the future."

The Liu Family members whispered among themselves, their evaluation of Jiang Yun rising several notches higher.

Even those clansmen who originally held a sense of rejection toward Jiang Yun because he was an outsider...

...now looked at him with a few more hints of admiration in their eyes.

As Liu Qingyun looked at Jiang Yun, a flash of appreciation also crossed his eyes.

This youth not only had Heaven-Defying appraisal abilities, but his conduct was also extremely sophisticated.

By returning good for evil and proactively giving the other side a way out, he both displayed his own character and won the goodwill of the Liu Family members.

This move was indeed played beautifully.

Liu Qingyun nodded secretly in his heart and then took a step forward.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan indeed has a broad mind; this Patriarch is impressed."

His voice was sonorous, carrying the dignity unique to a Patriarch, yet his tone was very gentle.

"Reaching Grand Tutor Level Appraiser at sixteen years old, with diamond Divine Sense, Purple Crystal Tier 5 Beast Tamer cultivation, and possessing such Heaven-Defying appraisal methods. Grand Tutor Dongxuan's talent is truly the likes of which this Patriarch has never seen in his life. Looking across the entire provincial capital, even the entire Beast Tamer world, I'm afraid a second cannot be found."

This praise of his was half-sincere and half-preparation for what he was about to say next.

Jiang Yun cupped his hands slightly, his tone humble.

"Patriarch Liu overpraises me. This Junior is merely a bit lucky."

Liu Qingyun waved his hand, his gaze sweeping across the field, his voice becoming solemn.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, since you have already appraised all the information of this soul crystal fragment, this Patriarch will no longer hide it."

He pointed at the soul crystal fragment on the stone platform, his voice echoing over the square.

"This fragment, just as Grand Tutor Dongxuan said, was broken off from an ancestral object deep within my Liu Family's ancestral grounds. That ancestral object is the very Foundation of my Liu Family, the main body of the Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix soul crystal."

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire field was in an uproar.

Although Jiang Yun had already said earlier that this was just a fragment and the true main body of the soul crystal should still be in the Liu Family Ancestral Land, that was, after all, only what Jiang Yun had said.

Although the Liu Family members present were shocked by Jiang Yun's appraisal results...

...they still harbored some doubts in their hearts.

Now, Liu Qingyun had personally confirmed it!

This meant that everything Jiang Yun had just said...

...was all true!

Not a single bit off!

"Heavens! Everything Grand Tutor Dongxuan said just now was actually true! It's practically the same as what the Patriarch said, even more detailed than what the Patriarch said!"

"Nine Nether Underworld Phoenix soul crystal! My Liu Family actually has such a Legendary ancestral object! I've lived in the Liu Family for forty years and only heard of it for the first time today!"

"Never mind you, I've lived in the Liu Family for eighty years and it's also my first time hearing of it! Such core secrets are probably only for the Grand Elders and the Patriarch to know."

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan saw through a core secret that even most of our Liu Family clansmen didn't know, based solely on a single fragment. This appraisal ability is simply Heaven-Defying!"

"How is it just Heaven-Defying? Didn't you hear Elder Yunshan say it just now? Some of the information Grand Tutor Dongxuan appraised was unknown even to him, a Grand Elder! In other words, Grand Tutor Dongxuan appraised more than our own Liu Family people knew!"

"Too monstrous... simply too monstrous..."

The shock of the Liu Family members was even greater than before.

Because this time, it was the Patriarch's personal confirmation.

The Patriarch's word was the highest authority in the Liu Family.

If the Patriarch said everything Jiang Yun said was true, then it was all true.

There was no room for the slightest doubt.

Those who were just secretly wondering in their hearts if Jiang Yun had just guessed correctly...

...now completely shut their mouths.

Those who just felt that Jiang Yun was merely lucky...

...now also had to admit it.

This youth truly had Heaven-Defying skill.

Liu Qingyun waited for the discussion of the crowd to subside slightly before continuing to speak.

His gaze fell upon Jiang Yun, his eyes sincere and solemn.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, this soul crystal fragment is only the tip of the iceberg. The true main body of the soul crystal is the real Foundation of my Liu Family. Three hundred years ago, the main body of the soul crystal gradually lost its effect due to that incident, and the strength of the Liu Family's younger generation began to decline year by year. During these three hundred years, my Liu Family has invited countless Appraisers to come and appraise it, including three Grand Tutor Level Appraisers and President Yun Xi of the Appraisers Guild."

He paused, his tone becoming even more solemn.

"However, not a single person was able to completely decipher the mysteries of the soul crystal's main body. Although President Yun Xi deciphered some of the information, she also failed to find a way to reactivate the soul crystal."

"And you, Grand Tutor Dongxuan, in just two or three minutes, mastered all the information of this soul crystal fragment. This ability is the strongest among all the Appraisers my Liu Family has seen in three hundred years. There is no other."

His voice suddenly rose, carrying a trace of excitement that was hard to conceal.

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan!"

He took a deep breath, and then, under the gaze of hundreds of members of the entire Liu Family...

...this powerhouse in charge of a Hidden Family, of high Eclipsing Moon Rank, the Patriarch of the Liu Family, Liu Qingyun, actually bowed slightly and performed a salute to Jiang Yun.

The entire field was dead silent.

The Patriarch saluting an outsider!

In the thousands of years of the Liu Family's history, this had never happened!

The Liu Family members' eyes widened one by one, their mouths hanging open so wide they could almost fit an egg.

Even Liu Lie and the other three were so shocked by Liu Qingyun's action that their pupils shrank.

Liu Qingyun ignored the surrounding shock; his gaze was fixed intently on Jiang Yun, and his voice was solemn and sincere as he said word by word:

"Grand Tutor Dongxuan, on behalf of the entire Liu Family, this Patriarch formally invites you to go to the ancestral grounds to appraise that soul crystal main body for my Liu Family."