Chapter 969: Call it, will it respond?

Everyone was stunned by the sight. How many years had it been since such a direct conflict occurred in Carefree Pavilion? The key was that one of them was the son of Prime Minister Sun, and this outsider actually dared to confront him directly?

Many began to feel a sense of pity. In Yijun, offending Sun Ji in such a way was akin to holding a lantern in a latrine – purely courting death – unless one was the Crown Prince of Yan. Some older individuals quietly lectured their younger companions: "A moment of patience brings calm, a step back opens up vast possibilities. What this person just did might seem satisfying now, but he will most likely pay with his life. You should learn from this."

Listening to the chatter below, Sun Ji's head buzzed. For a long moment, he didn't realize what had happened. Only when he felt something strange in his mouth did he instinctively spit it out, looking down at his palm to see several broken teeth and a hand covered in blood. "I was hit?" was his initial, disbelieving reaction. "I actually got hit!" Finally regaining his composure, he flew into a rage: "Damn it, you're looking for death!"

With that, he drew a saber from his side, pouring all his cultivation into it, and hurled it at the other party. This strike, fueled by his hatred, was clearly intended to kill. Unfortunately, whether due to his insufficient cultivation or an invisible energy barrier, the saber suddenly plunged downwards when it reached the vicinity of Zu An's private room, causing guests below to scramble for cover amidst gasps of alarm.

"Is that all?" many spectators below wondered, having anticipated a clash of epic proportions, only to find Sun Ji so weak. Without his father's influence, his meager cultivation would have surely led him to an unknown demise. Many thought this to themselves. Sun Ji himself was confused, wondering if his cultivation had been impaired by his injury. Both ashamed and enraged, and realizing the opponent seemed to be a sixth-rank cultivator, he didn't dare charge forward himself. He quickly glared at Yang Long beside him: "What are you standing there for? I've been hit! Attack him!"

Yang Long had been staring blankly at the shattered teacup on the floor, astonished that he hadn't seen how it had flown. Could the opponent be more than sixth-rank? A hint of doubt arose in his mind. However, he quickly dismissed the thought. The opponent was so young; how high could their cultivation be? Most likely, the young master had stood too close, and Yang Long hadn't anticipated such a sudden move, allowing for the surprise attack. Hearing Sun Ji's roar, he finally snapped back to reality. After a nod, he pushed off with his toes, soaring like a giant roc spreading its wings, and lunged directly towards Zu An's private room.

Zu An's eyes narrowed. He thought, these local figures have truly been living in a frog's well for too long, doing whatever they please with their meager cultivation. Today, not only Sun Family's young master, but even his father or the King of Yan would have to be polite to him. Could they possibly be more powerful than the King of Qi?

Just as he was about to make a move, a figure suddenly shot up from the back of the hall, directly clashing palms with Yang Long. With a forward push of the hand, Yang Long was sent flying back towards Sun Ji, while the other figure landed steadily on the balcony near Zu An's private room. Only then did everyone get a clear look: the figure was a short, stout old man, wearing a mask resembling a laughing Buddha. His clothes were embroidered with the Carefree Pavilion's emblem, clearly marking him as staff.

"A ninth-rank!" Many skilled cultivators were present, especially the black-robed man in the corner whose pupils instantly contracted. They had sensed the man's cultivation from the brief energy fluctuations of the recent exchange. Yang Long was also terrified, but he knew the opponent had held back. Otherwise, a direct clash with a ninth-rank master would have led to his immediate demise.

Sun Ji jumped forward, pointing towards Zu An's room and seemingly protesting something. However, with his missing teeth, his words whistled through the gaps, making it impossible for anyone to understand what he was saying. Yang Long cleared his throat and stepped forward to translate for him: "Are you saying Carefree Pavilion intends to protect him?" Although the other party was a ninth-rank cultivator, Yang Long was backed by the Sun family and even the King of Yan, so he wasn't intimidated.

The stout old man cupped his hands and bowed slightly: "Carefree Pavilion has always strictly forbidden private altercations among guests. We ask for your understanding, Young Master Sun and Master Yang." He spoke with a perpetual smile and a very amiable tone. Given that he was a dignified ninth-rank master being so polite to them, Yang Long and the others found it hard to find fault.

Sun Ji finally recovered somewhat, pointing to his bloodied mouth and mumbling indignantly: "But he attacked just now, why didn't you stop him?" The stout old man's smile stiffened. What had just happened was so sudden, and Zu An's strike seemed unusually fast, leaving him no time to react. Now that the Sun family was demanding accountability, he naturally had to show some deference. He turned to face Zu An: "Esteemed guest, why did you injure someone in Carefree Pavilion?"

Zu An spread his hands. "How could you accuse me? I didn't make a move. Perhaps some influential figure in the hall simply couldn't stand the Sun family's arrogance and secretly decided to teach him a lesson?" Hearing his words, Sun Ji nearly fainted from rage. He was accustomed to twisting facts and watching others rage helplessly when he bullied them. He never imagined he would one day be subjected to such a brazen tactic himself.

"Nonsense!" Sun Ji sputtered, still lisping, pointing at Zu An. "The teacup clearly came from your direction!" Zu An shrugged. "Everything requires proof, or I'll accuse you of slander. If you don't believe me, ask them. Did anyone here see me throw it?" The guests below shook their heads. As the saying went, 'each sweeps the snow from their own door.' When two Jade Token guests were feuding, none of them wanted to get involved. Being granted a Jade Token by Carefree Pavilion signified significant status, meaning neither party was easy to provoke. Besides, Sun Ji was truly arrogant and unpleasant, so everyone was secretly pleased to see him in a predicament.

The stout old man from Carefree Pavilion had indeed seen the teacup shot from Zu An's room. However, his position dictated that he couldn't openly intervene. If he helped one Jade Token guest against another, where would their impartiality be? Wouldn't that make all other guests feel unsafe?

Yang Long said coldly, "I saw it with my own eyes!" Zu An scoffed. "You're a thug employed by the Sun family, so of course you'd speak for your master. Even the yamen wouldn't accept your testimony." "I..." Yang Long's chest heaved violently. He was a dignified seventh-rank master, treated with respect even by Prime Minister Sun, yet he was being described by the opponent as if he were merely a watchdog.

Sun Ji pushed him aside, glaring at Zu An. "You dog! You clearly did it, yet you're still here arguing?" Watching his impotent rage, Zu An felt a wave of satisfaction. He was short on rage points, and it would be a shame not to completely provoke him after his earlier arrogance. "My name isn't carved on that teacup. How do you know it's mine? If I call its name, do you think it will answer me?" He even called out to the teacup several times, though it obviously gave no response.

Sun Ji was speechless. Yang Long was speechless. All other guests in the hall were speechless.

Everyone silently wondered where this remarkable individual came from. This rogue's impudence actually surpassed Sun Ji's. Indeed, there was always someone worse to deal with a villain. However, some astute observers began to ponder. For this man to so ruthlessly provoke the Sun family, if he wasn't foolish, he must have a strong backing. Yet, by his appearance, he clearly wasn't a match for the Sun family's guard.

Sun Ji was about to explode with rage and let loose a torrent of curses when Yang Long stopped him. Being older, Yang Long possessed a bit more composure. He looked towards the stout old man from Carefree Pavilion: "Senior, if it's proven that he was the one who acted, what will Carefree Pavilion do?" The stout old man hesitated for a moment but eventually said, "Carefree Pavilion strictly prohibits private fights. Anyone who initiates an attack will be asked to leave the pavilion." This was Carefree Pavilion's iron rule for maintaining order, and he couldn't show favoritism under the gaze of so many.

Yang Long nodded with satisfaction. "Very well then. Please, Senior, check his room. The number of teacups in each private room is fixed, and Carefree Pavilion's teacups are specially made and cannot be replicated by outsiders. If there's one missing from his room, it proves he was the one who acted."