Chapter 178 - 177: This Youth of Noble Character

"...Luo Tian is shameless. He used sinister means to trick Nun Xia into promising herself to him."

Miao Feng’s words dripped with vicious malice.

The scene instantly fell deathly silent.

The second-generation elders and third-generation disciples didn’t dare breathe, lowering their heads in submission.

Once this matter was brought into the open...

...it would not only offend Nun Xia, who held a transcendent status, but also touch the reverse scale of the Hidden Dragon Ancestor.

"Luo Tian and Bingyue, betrothed in secret? Don’t you spout such nonsense!"

Hermit Hidden Dragon rebuked him coldly.

A vast aura surged forward, nearly sweeping Miao Feng off his feet.

"Ancestor! It’s described in the Human List—the evidence is ironclad! This matter was no secret after the Wu Mansion’s grand event."

Miao Feng frantically took out a copy of the Human List publication.

Hermit Hidden Dragon snorted coldly, took the Human List booklet, and read the relevant account.

"So it’s true!"

Hermit Hidden Dragon’s pupils contracted, a terrifying chill emanating from them.

Suddenly, a terrifying pressure, like a mountain torrent or a tsunami, spread throughout the entire bamboo forest. Birds, beasts, insects, and ants trembled, and the world fell into a deathly stillness.

"Ugh..."

Everyone present felt as if they had sunk into a swamp, an irreversible feeling of suffocation washing over them.

An enraged Earth Element Realm master could destroy cities and wipe out clans with ease.

On the Continent, no nation was willing to offend an Earth Level Martial Artist.

"Luo Tian! You are utterly treasonous!"

Hermit Hidden Dragon was so furious his hair seemed to stand on end, a murderous intent faintly appearing on his face.

Xia Bingyue was his Closed-door Disciple, whom he regarded as his own daughter.

For Luo Tian, a grand-disciple, to cross such a taboo with Xia Bingyue, who held the status of a sect aunt, was simply intolerable.

’Luo Tian! You’ve touched the Ancestor’s reverse scale; you won’t escape this One-Tribulation.’

Miao Feng’s heart was filled with sinister cruelty.

At this moment, the father and son pair of Miao Jiang, as well as the other members of the Hidden Dragon Sect, looked at Luo Tian with pity.

"Luo Tian! Did you and Junior Sister Xia really get secretly engaged?"

Lin Dongfeng’s voice trembled with disbelief.

Luo Tian was his student.

Xia Bingyue was his junior sister.

If something like that had happened between them, Lin Dongfeng would have wanted to beat that bastard Luo Tian to death himself.

Luo Tian’s scalp tingled, his thoughts a chaotic mess.

Although he and Xia Bingyue had already laid their cards on the table, the fact remained that they had been intimate.

If Hermit Hidden Dragon knew the truth, he would probably swallow Luo Tian whole.

"Master, regarding this matter, why don’t you question Bingyue first?"

A celestial, ethereal voice broke the dead silence and oppressive atmosphere.

"Bingyue? Are you planning to plead for this boy?"

Hermit Hidden Dragon’s expression faltered.

He knew Xia Bingyue’s character; she would never do something that violated etiquette and morals.

’This must be Luo Tian’s doing.’

"Junior Sister Xia! The fault isn’t yours! With your otherworldly beauty, what young talent wouldn’t be smitten?"

Miao Jiang said with an obsequious smile.

Xia Bingyue ignored him, facing Hermit Hidden Dragon directly.

"When I promised myself to him, it was I, Bingyue, who unilaterally proposed it to honor a promise of my Sword Dao. At that time, I didn’t know Luo Tian was Senior Brother Lin’s disciple."

Xia Bingyue narrated calmly.

"So you’re saying you two still have a marriage agreement."

Hermit Hidden Dragon’s anger did not subside, and his unkind gaze once again swept over Luo Tian.

’Although it’s true that ignorance is no sin... when faced with such a wonderful opportunity... Luo Tian must have pestered her relentlessly, forcing Xia Bingyue to fulfill her promise. The two might have even developed feelings for each other. This unethical, private betrothal... I must put a stop to it!’

"No! In the Royal Secret Garden, Luo Tian saved my life and took the initiative to dissolve the marriage promise, setting me free."

Xia Bingyue’s starry eyes were deep, her expression complex.

What!

Her words were like a stone cast into a lake, setting off a thousand ripples.

This kid, Luo Tian...

...voluntarily dissolved the marriage promise?

Everyone present was stunned, looking at Luo Tian in disbelief.

Such a wonderful blessing, a fairy wife falling from the heavens—something countless men dreamed of—and this boy actually refused it?

Even Hermit Hidden Dragon’s gaze was filled with disbelief.

"That’s... absolutely impossible!"

Miao Feng, Yuwen Xuan, and the other third-generation disciples went mad with jealousy, letting out hysterical roars.

Nun Xia was the holy, ice-like goddess in their hearts. They adored her from afar but felt unworthy, unable to cross the generational gap.

And now, a young man had actually taken the initiative to dissolve the marriage Xia Bingyue had promised.

"Is this true?"

Hermit Hidden Dragon asked with a surprised expression, sizing Luo Tian up with a completely new perspective.

He knew Xia Bingyue; she would never stoop to lying.

But this matter was simply too incredible.

Luo Tian saved Xia Bingyue’s life, and not only did he not demand repayment for his kindness, but he also took the initiative to release her and restore her freedom.

This was simply the virtue of a saint.

"Reporting to the Ancestor, it is indeed true."

Luo Tian replied, a trace of gratitude and guilt in his heart.

Xia Bingyue had spoken the truth.

But for an unmarried woman to be so frank would inevitably affect her reputation.

"If it weren’t for Luo Tian, I, Bingyue, would not have returned safely. If Master wishes to punish him, you might as well punish me along with him."

Xia Bingyue said with a look of finality.

"Haha! Who said I was going to punish him?"

Hermit Hidden Dragon stroked his beard and laughed, his gaze toward Luo Tian now full of praise.

"This boy’s character is noble and pure, utterly sincere and good. He can be called a model for my Hidden Dragon Sect."

Hermit Hidden Dragon now saw Luo Tian in a new light, his heart filled with gratitude.

Xia Bingyue was his Closed-door Disciple, the apple of his eye.

Luo Tian had saved Xia Bingyue’s life—what a monumental favor.

What gratified him even more was that Luo Tian had taken the initiative to dissolve Xia Bingyue’s marriage promise. He was a true gentleman.

If not for the constraints of their different generations...

...Hermit Hidden Dragon would even think that Luo Tian and Xia Bingyue were a good match, a divine couple.

"Master is absolutely right!"

"Luo Tian is truly fine gold and beautiful jade, a man of noble sentiment, a leader among the third-generation disciples."

The second-generation elders all chimed in with agreement.

’How could this be!’

The faces of Miao Jiang and his son turned ugly.

They had originally thought that exposing this matter would condemn Luo Tian to eternal damnation.

Who could have expected that things would take such a turn? Luo Tian was now being held up as a model for the third-generation disciples, earning even the gratitude and praise of the Ancestor.

’It’s over...’

Miao Feng’s face was drained of color as he felt the many pitying gazes upon him.

The first time he slandered Luo Tian, it was one thing.

But this time, he had splashed dirty water on Nun Xia as well, offending the Ancestor in the process.

"You disgraceful son! Slandering your elders and fellow disciples, your character is rotten!"

Miao Jiang, looking as if he abhorred evil, roared like thunder.

SLAP!

Miao Jiang slapped his son across the face, leaving a fiery red Palm Seal.

This scene stunned everyone.

Miao Feng was dazed by the slap.

But he quickly understood his father’s intention.

"*Sob*... I know I was wrong! I shouldn’t have listened to rumors and made such a huge mistake."

Miao Feng knelt on the ground, snot and tears streaming down his face.

"I’ll beat you to death, you disgraceful son!"

Looking like he was upholding justice even at the expense of his family, Miao Jiang took out an iron rod.

THUD! WHACK! WHACK!

The iron rod was swung with great force, splitting Miao Feng’s skin and flesh, making him howl in pain.

"Senior Brother Miao! You’re being too harsh! Stop!"

"Miao Feng only acted on rumors. Ignorance is no sin."

Several second-generation elders chimed in to persuade him.

"Hmph!"

Hermit Hidden Dragon’s expression was cold.

However, seeing Miao Jiang beat his son so mercilessly, his anger subsided somewhat.

’This father and son pair, Miao Feng and Miao Jiang... what a fine ’ruse of self-injury’. A strategic retreat to advance later.’

Luo Tian couldn’t help but feel a grudging admiration.

Miao Jiang’s beating was truly severe, which would earn him the reputation of upholding justice even at the expense of his family.

At the very least, it wouldn’t leave a bad impression of Miao Jiang, his number one disciple, in Hermit Hidden Dragon’s mind.

This way, the blame would fall entirely on Miao Feng, a mere grand-disciple.

The elders would chalk up the vicious slander to youthful ignorance, and with the addition of this self-injury ploy, it would be much easier for him to be forgiven.

"Enough!"

Miao Jiang only stopped swinging the iron rod when Hermit Hidden Dragon spoke.

Miao Feng was indeed beaten horribly; it was no act.

"Disgraceful son, apologize at once!"

Miao Jiang barked.

"Yes, yes..."

Miao Feng’s trembling body first knelt to apologize to Xia Bingyue.

"Elder Lin, Junior Luo, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have spoken nonsense and slandered you."

Miao Feng then turned to apologize to Lin Dongfeng and Luo Tian.

This time, however, he did not kneel.

Luo Tian keenly caught the fleeting look of resentment in Miao Feng’s eyes.

"Disgraceful son! We’ll let this matter rest for now! I’ll deal with you properly when we get back!"

Miao Jiang berated him again.

Then, he turned to the crowd with an apologetic smile. "Today is Master’s 150th birthday. Let’s not let this small matter ruin everyone’s mood."

"That’s right! Today is Master’s great birthday."

His words were met with agreement from the crowd.

「A short while later.」

The members of the Hidden Dragon Sect returned to the bamboo house.

WHOOSH!

With a wave of his hand, Miao Jiang gathered the scattered Spirit Dragon Ancient Tea from the ground back into the teapot.

He then personally brought the Spirit Dragon Ancient Tea to Hermit Hidden Dragon and offered his birthday wishes once more.

As the disciples presented their gifts and congratulations one by one, Hermit Hidden Dragon’s expression gradually softened, a hint of pleasure appearing on his face.

"By the way, Senior Brother Lin! Where is your birthday gift?"

Miao Jiang asked in feigned surprise.

Several of the second-generation disciples turned to look at Lin Dongfeng.

Previously, the gifts from Miao Jiang and Yuwen Zhou, two of the Three Hidden Dragon Heroes, had been exceedingly rare and precious.

The gifts presented by the other disciples were also quite valuable.

As everyone looked at him, Lin Dongfeng’s expression became unnatural, and he looked slightly awkward.

Lin Dongfeng had languished for thirty years; his wealth was far from that of Miao Jiang and Yuwen Zhou, who were the heads of Martial Arts Families.

And some time ago, he had purchased Luo Tian’s medicinal formula and used up precious materials to repair his foundation, leaving him financially strapped.

You could say Lin Dongfeng was the poorest person present.

The gift he had prepared was shabby in comparison to those from Miao Jiang and Yuwen Zhou, completely unfit to be presented.

"What? Could it be that Senior Brother Lin forgot to prepare a gift?"

Miao Jiang laughed.

He wanted to see Lin Dongfeng’s embarrassment to alleviate the resentment from his recent loss of face.

If the gift Lin Dongfeng presented was too poor, Hermit Hidden Dragon might not mind, but it would be enough to make him lose face in front of his fellow disciples.

Lin Dongfeng’s heart was bitter. He was just about to steel himself and present his gift.

"Hehe, this time, the birthday gift was handled by me, his student. Has my Mentor forgotten?"

A light chuckle was heard.

It was Luo Tian who had stepped forward.

"You..."

Lin Dongfeng’s expression faltered, but then he saw Luo Tian wink at him.

"Ahem, that’s right! This time, I did indeed leave the gift arrangements to my disciple."

Lin Dongfeng coughed lightly and nodded.

He was certain that Luo Tian’s resources were greater than his own, given the great opportunities he had in the Royal Secret Garden.

Lin Dongfeng sighed internally. He would just have to owe this convenient student of his for now.

"Senior Brother Lin, for Master’s 150th birthday, you’re being far too casual."

Miao Jiang and the others couldn’t help but shake their heads.

A discerning person could see that this student, Luo Tian, was saving Lin Dongfeng from embarrassment.

’Hmph! Just a junior upstart. What kind of decent gift could he possibly produce?’

Miao Jiang and his son sneered inwardly.

Besides, it was Luo Tian’s first time visiting the sect; he had no idea what the Ancestor’s preferences were.