Chapter 71: WHAT A BEAUTIFUL CHILD

Li Yan met his gaze without showing the slightest intention of backing down and calmly replied, "I know exactly what I am saying, Elder Shen."

Fu Hanzheng remained nearby with his arms folded, and the faint amusement in his expression made it clear that he had no intention of interfering with his disciple’s little confrontation.

Elder Shen’s anger deepened when he realized that Li Yan was not intimidated, and he pointed towards Li Yan as he said, "You have not even produced your evidence, yet you are already making demands as though you have won."

Li Yan raised the stone slightly, allowing everyone nearby to see the strange object as he answered, "You were the one who agreed to the consequences if I failed to prove my claim, Elder Shen, so there is no reason for you to be concerned about my conditions if I succeed."

Elder Shen’s eyes narrowed as his attention settled on the recording stone, and the certainty he had displayed earlier began to weaken; Li Yan’s confidence no longer looked like empty bravado.

Li Yan slowly poured spiritual Qi into the stone, and faint spiritual fluctuations immediately spread across its surface. The disciples nearest to him noticed the change and gradually quieted down as curiosity replaced their earlier outrage, since the strange object in Li Yan’s hand appeared to have a purpose after all.

He continued feeding spiritual Qi into the recording stone until the spiritual fluctuations became stronger, then looked at Elder Shen with a smile that held none of the nervousness he had displayed earlier.

"Since you are so certain that there is no evidence, Elder Shen, listen carefully. Maybe this will help you jog your memory."

Li Yan pressed his thumb against the recording stone and poured spiritual Qi into it until the spiritual fluctuations surrounding its surface became strong enough to carry the preserved conversation across the entire training ground. Elder Shen’s voice immediately rang through the open space, followed by the exchange that had taken place after the examination and, most importantly, his clear agreement to compensate Li Yan.

The recording continued until the final word faded into silence, leaving the disciples with no room to misunderstand what they had heard. Elder Shen’s voice was unmistakable, and his agreement had been preserved clearly enough that denying it now would only make him look worse.

No one spoke for several breaths.

The disciples had no intention of involving themselves in the matter. Even if they sympathized with Elder Shen, nobody wanted to attract the attention of Fu Hanzheng, whose reputation as the madman of the Apothecary Department was enough to make most people think twice before crossing him.

Elder Shen’s lips twitched as he stared at the recording stone. He clearly wanted to find another excuse, but before he could open his mouth, Fu Hanzheng stepped forward with a cold smile.

"Do not waste our time anymore. If you do not meet my disciple’s conditions, I will take this issue to the sect master."

The threat was simple, but everyone present understood its weight. There was a reason disciples and elders alike were reluctant to mess with the eccentric head of the Apothecary Department. Fu Hanzheng had ties with the sect master, and if he truly decided to pursue the matter, a single word from him could make Elder Shen’s position within the sect precarious.

Li Yan watched Elder Shen’s expression change and felt no particular excitement about finally obtaining his mana stones. He had wanted the compensation when he first came here, but the matter had become personal the moment Elder Shen insulted his master and then demanded that the two of them leave the sect.

Now that everyone had heard the recording, Elder Shen could no longer pretend that the agreement had never happened, and Li Yan was content to let him suffer the consequences of his own words.

Elder Shen knew that as well. With a sharp hiss of displeasure, he finally gave in.

"I will send someone to deliver a generous amount of high-grade mana stones."

He turned away immediately, apparently intending to end the matter without addressing anything else. Fu Hanzheng’s quiet laugh stopped him before he could get far.

"Have you forgotten the first condition, or do you want to offend me as well?"

Elder Shen’s steps halted, and the surrounding disciples immediately became interested in anything except looking directly at him. Fu Hanzheng’s tone remained almost casual, but the warning behind it was impossible to miss.

"If you value your position, you had better act appropriately."

Elder Shen’s jaw tightened as he turned around. He had already been forced to surrender the compensation, and refusing to apologize now would only give Fu Hanzheng another reason to take the matter before the sect master.

After several seconds of visibly swallowing his pride, he finally spoke.

"I apologize for my behaviour."

The words came out stiffly and without sincerity, but Fu Hanzheng appeared satisfied enough. Elder Shen’s expression became even uglier before he turned around and stormed away, clearly unwilling to remain there for another moment.

Fu Hanzheng watched him disappear before returning his attention to Li Yan. The coldness that had filled his expression during the confrontation vanished, and he reached over to pat Li Yan’s head before gently pinching his cheeks.

"Are you happy? You got what you wanted."

Li Yan’s face immediately brightened, and an unrestrained smile spread across his features. His usual careful expressions disappeared completely as he looked up at Fu Hanzheng with a smile so wide that all of his teeth were visible.

Fu Hanzheng paused when he saw it, and the sight unexpectedly tugged at something soft inside him. His disciple looked so genuinely pleased that the earlier confrontation seemed insignificant by comparison.

What a beautiful child.

He gave Li Yan’s hair another gentle pat before taking his hand and turning away from the training ground.

"Come. Let Master escort you to your residence."

Li Yan happily let Fu Hanzheng lead him away; it felt nice having someone fight for you with no strings attached.

His master was the best.