Chapter 0269 – Mantis – Absolute Returns

The night was low, and the moonlight was like water, gently sprinkling down in the quiet banquet hall. A subtle sense of tension filled the air, as if a storm was coming. Xu Qing stood in the hall, his body like a pine, in the face of Jian Wuji’s invitation to fight, there was not the slightest hint of retreat on his face, there was only the arrogance and indomitability that had been cultivated since he was young.</p>

"Young Master Xu, truly a tough-minded person, worthy of being a martial arts practitioner." Sword Wuji’s voice was calm and deep, like a wisp of fresh wind in a cold night, yet it concealed a sharp edge. There was a hint of imperceptible mockery in his words, a skillful retort to Xu Qing’s earlier words and actions. Xu Qing had used such words to humiliate others, but now, it had become a sharp sword for Jian Wuji to strike back.</p>

When Xu Qing heard this, his face instantly sank, anger churning in his chest, almost bursting through his throat. He closed his eyes, and countless images surfaced in his mind: he was holding a longsword, his sword light was like a dragon, invincible, killing those so-called Demon Sect disciples one by one, blood staining the sky, and ultimately standing at the top of the martial arts world, becoming a strong person that everyone admired. However, when he opened his eyes and faced Jian Wuji’s clear and deep eyes that seemed to be able to see into the hearts of the people, the impulse in his heart inexplicably calmed down.</p>

"I, Xu Qing, would not make a move against demons of the Demon Sect like you?" He forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, and there was a hint of disdain and mockery in his tone. He knew that even though he was conceited, he could not challenge the Demon Sect’s Young Sect Master in public, that would undoubtedly be asking for death.</p>

Jian Wuji smiled faintly, as if he had already seen through Xu Qing’s mind. "Before, have you ever agreed to someone else’s request?" He changed his words and steered the topic in another direction.</p>

Xu Qing froze, and then realized what Jian Wuji was trying to do. He recalled the young man he had injured earlier, as well as his irresponsible promise. For a moment, he was actually somewhat speechless. "That, that was just ……" he stammered, wanting to defend himself but unable to find a suitable reason.</p>

"Could it be that what Xi Feng said, is all a lie?" Xi Feng, who was kneeling on the ground, shouted in rage when he heard that Xu Qing was still sophomoric. He knew deep down that he had betrayed the Martial God Association, but at this moment, he wanted to expose Xu Qing’s ugly face even more and seek justice for himself and his dead companions.</p>

Xu Qing glared viciously at Xi Feng, itching to break him into pieces. However, he also knew that his anger at this moment would only make him more passive. Thus, he forced down the anger in his heart and turned his head to look at Jian Wuji, trying to solve the problem in another way. "Those people, they are insignificant little people, I, I can give them enough compensation."</p>

When Jian Wuji sniffed, the smile on his face gradually disappeared, and was replaced by a dense devilish aura. This demonic aura instantly filled the entire banquet hall, forming a powerful pressure that suffocated everyone present. Xu Qing bore the brunt of it, only feeling as if he had fallen into a bottomless abyss, a suffocating sense of oppression surging in from all directions, making him almost breathless.</p>

"Ah!" He let out a painful groan, feeling as if his body was going to be crushed into mush by this terrifying pressure. He desperately struggled and tried to resist, but realized that his body was unable to move at all, and the true qi in his body was unable to operate as if it had been frozen.</p>

"Stop, stop ……" He finally broke down and fell to his knees, begging bitterly. He knew that he could no longer maintain that false dignity and pride.</p>

Seeing this, Jian Wuji slowly withdrew his demonic energy. The oppressive feeling in the banquet hall instantly disappeared, and the crowd breathed a sigh of relief. Xu Qing sat paralyzed on the ground, panting heavily, his heart filled with shame and indignation. He hated himself for being so incompetent, hated himself for losing under Jian Wuji.</p>

"You, you ……" He pointed at Jian Wuji, half unable to speak. The aggression and anger in his heart intertwined and turned into a strong feeling of resentment. However, he also knew that he was simply incapable of fighting against Jian Wuji right now.</p>

"I said that I would compensate their families and give them more money than they can spend in their entire lives, so that their deaths would be considered a well-deserved death, wouldn’t it?" Xu Qing forced himself to endure the humiliation and anger as he uttered these words. He thought that this would make Jian Wuji feel satisfied and thus let himself go.</p>

However, Jian Wuji just looked at him coldly with a wry smile on his face. "Xu Qing, ah Xu Qing, do you think that money can solve everything? Do you think that you can buy people’s forgiveness and respect with money? You are wrong! A truly strong man is not measured by money and status, but by his heart and character."</p>

Xu Qing’s face turned even paler when he heard this. He realized how absurd and ridiculous his words were. He shouted angrily, "My father is the Heavenly Harmony Sect Master! If you dare to touch me, he will definitely not let you go!"</p>

Jian Wuji smiled faintly, as if he did not place Xu Bozhong in his eyes at all. "Is that so? Then I’ll wait for your father to come and save you." His tone was calm and firm, as if he was already prepared for all challenges.</p>

Seeing this, Xu Qing’s heart was a little more at ease. He believed that his father would definitely come to save himself out. Thus, he stared viciously at Jian Wuji and said, "Good! You wait! I will definitely make you regret it!"</p>

Jian Wuji ignored his threats and just coldly watched him being taken away by the Demon Sect disciples. He knew that Xu Qing’s father, Xu Bozhong, was a formidable figure, but he also believed that he had enough wisdom and strength to meet this challenge.</p>

"Young Sect Master, you are truly amazing!" Red Flame couldn’t help but marvel as he looked at Jian Wuji’s heroic posture. His heart was filled with admiration and worship for Jian Wuji.</p>

"Awesome? Where is it awesome?" Jian Wuji asked with a slight smile as he turned to look at Red Flame.</p>

"You …… you actually solved this matter without any effort …… " Red Flame said somewhat incoherently. He knew deep down that he could not express his admiration for Jian Wuji in words.</p>

"What is this considered powerful?" Jian Wu Ji shook his head and said, "The truly powerful ones are not me but those who dare to come forward and tell the truth. For example, Hei Song he dared to stand up and testify against Xu Qing for the sake of his son’s justice; for example, Xi Feng he was timid and scared but still chose to tell the truth at the critical moment. That’s true courage!"</p>

Red Flame fell silent at the words. An unprecedented feeling of shock and emotion welled up in his heart. He suddenly realized that he had been focusing too much on power and neglecting other more important things – such as justice, such as courage, such as perseverance ……</p>

"Young Sect Master …… I …… understand ……" Red Flame finally spoke his voice was a little shaky but his eyes were unusually firm, "I understand what true ‘great righteousness’ is!"</p>