98: Heavy bleeding

"Greetings, Fourth Patriarch!"

As the old man appeared, everyone, except for a few individuals, rose and bowed again. If Yang Kai were here, he would recognize him immediately: this was the Imperial City Guardian who had nearly taken Yang Kai's life that day.

"Fourth, since you are here, tell us your opinion. I don't fully understand this matter, and if it is not handled well, it might be difficult to explain to the Flowing Cloud Sect."

The Third Patriarch was somewhat surprised by the Fourth Patriarch's appearance. After a moment of thought, he decided to step back and let the Fourth Patriarch handle the situation.

"Third Patriarch, I believe there is a secret behind this incident. I suggest we first adopt a conciliatory approach, inquire about the purpose of their visit, and then proceed. This young woman's identity is extraordinary, and that scoundrel is equally uncommon. With only a Qi Refinement Stage cultivation, he possesses both the rudimentary form of a Concept and a Blood Qi Void Realm. Such talent should be rare even within the Flowing Cloud Sect. Furthermore, judging by their actions, that boy has consistently been the one in charge, and given how subservient the young woman is to him, I believe that boy's status might even be higher than hers."

The Fourth Patriarch clearly had a plan in mind and now laid it all out.

Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately broke into a discussion. Meanwhile, the Third Patriarch sat calmly in the main seat, appearing unconcerned, yet his fingers tapped rhythmically on the back of his chair, indicating that his heart was not as calm as his exterior suggested.

"What should we do? That woman's identity is already impossibly high. Someone whose status is even higher than hers? How could our Du Pang Dynasty have brought about such a disaster? This time, we cannot escape this calamity."

At this moment, a person sitting at the far end suddenly burst into wailing, drawing everyone's attention.

Seeing this, the Fourth Patriarch's eye twitched involuntarily a few times. He then seemingly casually glanced at the Third Patriarch beside him, but the Third Patriarch remained unmoved and showed no intention of speaking.

The Fourth Patriarch's expression was gloomy, and he cursed inwardly. He then spoke, "Everyone, there is no need to worry. Since this matter started because of me, I will naturally bear all the responsibility. Meng Jingyi, tell us how you previously negotiated with that young woman."

Hearing this, the wailing man immediately composed himself, bowed to the Fourth Patriarch, and returned to his seat, showing no trace of his previous profound grief.

"Reporting to the Fourth Patriarch, this woman did not reveal the purpose of their trip at all. Instead, she insisted that people from our Du Pang Dynasty injured their Flowing Cloud Sect Disciple, demanding that we first treat the injured Disciple. Only once his injuries are healed can negotiations continue."

Meng Jingyi bowed, not daring to straighten up even after finishing his report.

"Hmph! They are merely trying to extort us. They were the ones who forcefully entered the Imperial Palace first. If not for the protection afforded by their status as Flowing Cloud Sect Disciples, I would have long since smacked them both dead. Now they dare to push their luck..."

The Fourth Patriarch coldly snorted, and a terrifying pressure spread outwards. The cultivation levels of the people present varied, and their expressions immediately changed drastically. Everyone was forced to endure the Fourth Patriarch's fury, with Meng Jingyi bearing the brunt of it and faring the worst.

Just as Meng Jingyi was about to collapse, the Third Patriarch slowly spoke, "Enough. Since things have reached this point, no matter who is blamed, the matter cannot be resolved easily. The urgent priority is to appease the two of them. We have dealt with the Flowing Cloud Sect for years and know their habits well. Let's take a major loss this time and consider it spending money to avert disaster."

Having said this, a ripple of energy spread from his body, completely dissolving the Fourth Patriarch's pressure. Meng Jingyi bowed again and retreated to stand beside the Third Patriarch.

The Fourth Patriarch did not speak. After thinking it over carefully, he gritted his teeth, pulled a Jade Slip from his sleeve, and tossed it to Meng Jingyi. His figure then flashed and vanished, leaving only a voice echoing in everyone's ears: "This is a collection I have treasured for many years. Take it to those two and let them choose whatever they like."

"We respectfully see off the Fourth Patriarch!"

Everyone rose again and bowed toward the Void Realm. Although the Fourth Patriarch was no longer present, their etiquette remained impeccable.

"Jingyi, proceed according to Fourth's suggestion. If this collection is not enough, you may use my token to choose any item from the clan treasury as compensation. You must handle the details yourself."

The Third Patriarch summoned Meng Jingyi to his side, and after giving his instructions, he also departed, vanishing from sight.

After the Third Patriarch left, the people present ignored Meng Jingyi and instead gathered around the person who had been sitting in the main seat earlier. Meng Jingyi took a few steps back, gave these people a cold smile, tightened his grip on the Jade Slip in his hand, and flicked his sleeve before leaving.

In a great hall, Zi Ning had been led inside, and for a long time, no one appeared. She wandered around the room on her own. The furnishings were extremely elegant, and even the material of the chessboard and pieces on the table was exquisite. Her attention was soon drawn to the incomplete game. Her father loved the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting, so she had been subtly influenced since childhood and had some knowledge of the Dao of chess. She was quite delighted to see it.

"I was tied up with some mundane matters just now, and I apologize for neglecting Fairy Zi Ning. I hope Fairy can forgive me."

Zi Ning looked towards the sound. A man wearing a blue-green Daoist robe, with his long hair tied back by a single ribbon, held a folding fan. He did not look like an emperor of a generation but rather like a fellow immortal friend of the Dao.

"I was presumptuous and interrupted Fairy's enjoyment. I have studied this incomplete game for a long time but have yet to find a solution. I wonder if Fairy could offer some guidance?" Meng Jingyi quickly approached the chessboard and said with a smile.

Zi Ning did not speak. She reached out, picked up the box of black pieces, placed it in front of her, picked up a piece between two jade fingers, and placed it on the board. Immediately, the entire configuration of the board changed drastically, and the white pieces' position instantly became precarious.

Meng Jingyi saw this and laughed dumbfounded. He sat down opposite Zi Ning, took a white piece, and after placing it, immediately neutralized Zi Ning's attack. However, the game was still very unfavorable to him; without a way to break the situation, defeat was only a matter of time.

"Fairy Zi Ning, the one who injured someone that day was the Fourth Patriarch of my Meng family. He was unaware of Fairy's identity, and now he regrets his reckless action that day. This offering is the Fourth Patriarch's sincerity. Our Du Pang Dynasty has been subservient to the Flowing Cloud Sect for thousands of years, and we have never been disloyal. We hope Fairy can forgive our offense. If Fairy has any task for us, everyone in the Du Pang Dynasty will absolutely not shirk it and will certainly give it our all!" Meng Jingyi looked at Zi Ning and spoke with a sincere attitude.

Zi Ning, however, did not look at the Jade Slip or speak, but instead placed another piece.

Meng Jingyi slightly frowned, looked down at the board, and only after careful consideration did he cautiously place another piece.

As Meng Jingyi finished his move, Zi Ning quickly placed another piece. Meng Jingyi's competitive spirit was also ignited, and he likewise moved quickly. After a fierce exchange, both sides had many pieces captured, but because the white side's inherent disadvantage was too great, even with Meng Jingyi's exceptional skill, it was now impossible to reverse the situation.

Seeing this, Zi Ning revealed a beautiful smile. After placing one more piece, she looked at Meng Jingyi somewhat provocatively and said, "Meng Jingyi, was it? If you want to salvage this game, this is not enough."