52: Chapter 52 Turn Enemies into Friends

"What?"

As soon as Xia Shaoxin spoke, everyone around was stunned.

"When did you break through to the Qi Refining Realm?" Deacon Wu asked.

"Don't you know? When you entered the cave, I had just broken through to the Qi Refining Realm." Xia Shaoxin was even more surprised than Deacon Wu.

"Ah!" Deacon Wu was too shocked to speak.

"I thought you saw through the fact that I was in the Qi Refining Realm and invited me to serve as an official in the Yue Kingdom's imperial court, but it turns out that wasn't it." Xia Shaoxin glared at Cao Ben.

Everyone was speechless.

The Qi Refining Realm is just the initial stage of transcending the Mortal status; unless one displays their abilities, no one can tell.

Cao Ben felt such hatred in his heart.

He concluded that Deacon Wu had seen it all along and deliberately kept quiet to let me suffer a huge humiliation at the Chiyan Sect!

Xia Shaoxin's former roommates broke into a cold sweat; they finally realized what kind of person the country bumpkin they used to look down on really was.

"Oh no, we've all offended him."

Infinite panic suddenly arose in everyone's hearts.

Cao Ben said to Deacon Wu, "Regardless of his cultivation level, Fellow Daoist Wu, you must help me subdue him so I can go back and report."

Xia Shaoxin's former roommates all breathed a sigh of relief.

That's right, this guy is a death row prisoner of the Yue Kingdom; so what if he's in the Qi Refining Realm?

Execute him on the spot!

The net of justice is wide!

Senior Brother Shao Junwei gave a start and shouted, "He has already reached the Qi Refining Realm. According to the rules, he is an Inner Sect Disciple of the Chiyan Sect. Deacon Wu, this matter must be reconsidered."

Senior Brother Liang Ruoran immediately chimed in, "That's right, he has already reached the Qi Refining Realm, so he should be an Inner Sect Disciple of our Chiyan Sect and cannot be taken away by outsiders."

Cao Ben was furious and roared, "You just announced a moment ago that he wasn't a Chiyan Sect Disciple and had nothing to do with you!"

Deacon Wu blushed; he had indeed said those words.

A real man cannot go back on his word!

Senior Brother Liang Ruoran laughed, "Circumstances change. When you came to catch him, he was only a Utility Disciple, but now that his strength is sufficient, according to the rules, he is an Inner Sect Disciple."

Senior Brother Shao Junwei shouted, "If the imperial court had taken him away before he reached the Qi Refining Realm, that would have been his bad luck. But isn't he still within the territory of the Chiyan Sect?"

Deacon Wu quickly said, "Yes, yes, yes..."

Cao Ben was anxious, "Wrong, wrong!"

Senior Brothers Liang and Shao, meanwhile, kept saying, "Yes, yes."

The watching Disciples, except for those from Nanxiang Courtyard, all supported Senior Brother Shao's opinion.

Cao Ben only had one mouth; how could he win the argument?

His face swelled up like a pig's liver.

Xia Shaoxin was very grateful for the help from the two Senior Brothers.

To be honest, from the ecstasy of breaking through to the Qi Refining Realm to the anger of being toyed with by Cao Ben, his emotions had been on a rollercoaster.

He had just accepted the happiness of being a Qi Refining Disciple, only to face the misery of being treated as a death row prisoner.

After the intense fighting, he was exhausted, and his mind was a mess.

Fortunately, the two Senior Brothers, as clear-headed bystanders, discovered the loophole and spoke up in time, allowing Xia Shaoxin's situation to take a major turn.

Just then, Wang Xinhao and Deacon Qin Wen also ran over and said, "Why don't we go ask Elder Huang, who is on duty?"

Deacon Wu quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Cao, I apologize. The situation has undergone a major change. We must consult the Elder again regarding how to handle this matter."

At this moment, Cao Ben completely calmed down.

As someone from the imperial court who dealt with affairs all year round, his mind turned quickly.

He knew clearly that he definitely couldn't take Xia Shaoxin away today.

If the Chiyan Sect didn't help, relying on himself alone—looking at that fierce look on Xia Shaoxin's face—if one move went wrong, it was hard to say who would be taken away.

The Sect was definitely inclined to keep Xia Shaoxin as an Inner Sect Disciple; there was no need to make a fool of himself, nor was there any need to embarrass Elder Huang.

No matter what, an imperial official is just a Mortal.

Would they offend the Sect for the sake of a few Mortals?

In the end, they would blame me for not being clever enough and turning a small matter into a big one.

"Fellow Daoist Cao, let's go see Elder Huang together." Deacon Wu, seeing Cao Ben standing still, urged him politely.

Over there, Deacon Wang said with a straight face to Xia Shaoxin, "Don't move around; come with us to see Elder Huang."

Senior Brothers Liang and Shao winked to hint at him. Xia Shaoxin understood; Deacon Wang was putting on a show for Cao Ben, and the Chiyan Sect's Elder would definitely favor him.

Whether in the Chiyan Sect or the Yue Kingdom, it is all about strength.

Nangong Yi has been an Outer Sect Disciple in the Chiyan Sect for who knows how many years, but there is no sentiment. As long as one hasn't entered the Inner Sect, if they die, they die; no one would even look twice.

What if one is from a wealthy family? What if one is a prince or a royal descendant?

Mortal nobility is meaningless here.

Cao Ben looked around; he was the only outsider, and these people were all just putting on an act. So, he cupped his hands to the Deacons and said:

"Forget it. Just as Deacon Wu said, the situation has undergone a major change. I no longer have the authority to handle this matter. I will return to the capital first, and for future matters, let the imperial court negotiate with you."

He specifically brought up the imperial court, implying that the Punitive Division wasn't qualified enough.

"Why don't we go hear Elder Huang's decree?" Deacon Wu also deliberately emphasized the word "decree."

In the eyes of cultivators, the decree of a great cultivator is much higher than the laws of the imperial court.

"No need. Please tell Elder Huang that I support whatever the Chiyan Sect decides, and please send someone to notify the capital when the time comes."

"Fine, that works too." Deacon Wu said in a flat tone.

"Farewell, farewell, farewell to you all."

Cao Ben was dejected and turned to leave.

After taking a few steps, he suddenly remembered that he had offended an Inner Sect Disciple of the Qi Refining Realm today; turning official business into a personal vendetta was really not worth it.

He turned back around and cupped his hands to Xia Shaoxin:

"Fellow Daoist Xia, I came to the Chiyan Sect today on official business. I have no grudge against you, so please do not hold a grudge against me."

Deacon Wu quickly said, "Fellow Daoist Cao, our Chiyan Sect Disciples are all very reasonable, so rest assured."

Cao Ben kept his eyes fixed on Xia Shaoxin, waiting for him to speak.

Xia Shaoxin had long since calmed down; such an ending was perfect.

Becoming an Inner Sect Disciple was the best outcome he had dreamed of day and night.

He solemnly cupped his hands to Cao Ben: "Senior Brother Cao and I have become acquainted through conflict. I hope that when Senior Brother returns to the Punitive Division, you will report my grievances and ask them to re-examine the case."

"Grievances?"

"I discovered that the Gu Bureau was purchasing excess Poisonous Insects from the Bug Catchers and selling them on the black market."

Cao Ben's expression changed drastically, and he hurriedly waved his hands: "Junior Brother Xia, forget it, forget it, don't bring up so much. When I go back, I'll just say that you are now a Disciple of the Chiyan Sect, the past is wiped clean, your Bug Catcher registry will also be destroyed, and this matter is over!"

Deacon Wu hurriedly reached out to stop Xia Shaoxin, not letting him continue.

"There are too many muddled accounts in this world; don't get hung up on whether it's a grievance or not. It's good as long as this matter passes."

Deacon Wu was very sensitive and knew that some things shouldn't be investigated; once investigated, something big would definitely happen.

Limiting this matter to the current scope is enough.

Don't cause trouble for others, don't look for trouble for yourself.

Once one becomes a Sect Disciple, they have no connection to the imperial court; the two sides will not interfere with each other, and everyone will be happy.

Xia Shaoxin quickly said, "I defer to your judgment, Deacon."

Cao Ben stepped forward, acting superior due to his seniority, and put his arm around Xia Shaoxin's shoulder, saying, "Let's look out for each other in the future. If you have any need of me, just give the order."

"In the future, if Senior Brother Cao has any need of me, just say the word," Xia Shaoxin said with a chuckle.

Everyone seemed to have become friends through conflict, regretting not meeting sooner, and the host and guests were all happy.

Cao Ben cupped his hands together, bowed to the Deacons, and finally left with peace of mind.