Injustice

Injustice...

In the present day Grand Xia, transcendent powers had dispatched their top-tier talents to the Grand Shang Empire for training and growth. Jun Yu, still unable to locate any traces of Qin Wentian and his companions, departed from Grand Xia, his heart heavy with discontent.

For a brief moment, Grand Xia enjoyed a semblance of peace. However, beneath the surface, turbulent undercurrents swirled. Grand Xia was irrevocably altered and could never return to its previous state of tranquility. Various transcendent powers prepared for the impending storm, recognizing that the previous tempest was only a prelude to a more devastating one. They hoped to withstand the looming disaster, relentlessly plundering weaker sects to bolster their strength.

The Grand Shang Empire boasted an even longer history than Grand Xia. Many of Grand Xia's territories had once been under Grand Shang's dominion. These territories only fell under Grand Xia's rule when an unprecedented genius established the Grand Xia Empire. Despite ceding some territory, Grand Shang Empire remained substantially larger than Grand Xia.

Distinctively, Grand Shang boasted several formidable powers, some of which rivaled or surpassed Grand Xia's transcendent powers. Most notably, the Royal Shang Clan, the paramount force in Grand Shang.

...

In Grand Shang Empire's South Central Region, Luo City!

White clouds blanketed the sky, diffusing the sun's harsh rays and creating a comfortable ambiance. Several cultivators, some riding demonic beasts, leisurely soared through the clouds.

Under one particular cluster of clouds, a young man and a young woman exuded elegance and sophistication. The young man, exceptionally handsome, had eyes that shone like starlight. He occasionally unsealed a gourd in his hand, taking leisurely sips of wine. In contrast, the young woman resembled a snow lotus on an icy peak, her beauty breathtaking and her aura icy, creating an air of unapproachability.

Below them soared a winged demonic beast mount. It gracefully traversed the sky—a pegasus with magnificent white wings. To avoid attracting undue attention, Qin Wentian had transformed Little Rascal into a pegasus.

"Qinger, would you like a sip?" Qin Wentian turned to offer the wine gourd to Qinger. Her response was silence as she averted her gaze, ignoring him.

"Well, since the beautiful lady declines my offer, I'll savor this wine alone," Qin Wentian sighed and smiled wryly. During their journey, he tried to engage Qinger in conversation, but most of the time, he ended up speaking to himself. The interactions with Qinger often left him feeling awkward and helpless.

Was she not excessively aloof? But then again, if she weren't, she wouldn't be Qing`er.

"Yiyi yaya..." Little Rascal's voice suddenly echoed in Qin Wentian's mind. Qin Wentian nearly choked on his wine as he muttered under his breath, "Didn't you empty one of the wine gourds just a few minutes ago? You want more?"

"Yiyi," Little Rascal nodded vigorously, prompting a resigned smile from Qin Wentian. He gently tapped Little Rascal's head. "Alright, lift your head."

Little Rascal obediently raised its head, its movements fluid. Qin Wentian poured some wine directly into its mouth. Little Rascal drank it all, letting out a satisfied whimper before licking its lips contentedly. However, its flight path now wavered erratically from side to side.

"Drunk again?!" Qin Wentian rolled his eyes and gave Little Rascal a firm tap on the head. "You little drunkard, it's not safe to ride you when you're drunk. I wonder, if even a little puppy like you dares to drink, how would that person look when she's drunk? Would she remain as cold as ever, or would her cheeks flush from the alcohol's influence?"

Qin Wentian winked at Qing`er, but she replied stoically, "I won't drink."

With that, she vanished from sight, prompting Qin Wentian to mutter, "Doing the disappearing act again? You're still the most obedient one."

He patted Little Rascal, suggesting that he'd experienced this scenario multiple times.

"Our supply is depleted; time to restock on alcohol."

Little Rascal growled in agreement. Qin Wentian chuckled, realizing that Little Rascal was the bigger alcoholic between them.

Little Rascal descended at a rapid pace. Below them lay a remarkable sight: a villa perched atop a mountain peak, with majestic buildings within.

"No, not here. Go back up," Qin Wentian nudged Little Rascal. It was apparent that this place belonged to a powerful entity. If Little Rascal wanted to drink, it should choose an inn instead, right?

However, his eyes widened in surprise moments later. A figure soared into the sky, directly confronting him—an elderly man with an icy countenance and piercing eyes.

On the ground, another elderly man appeared. This one was meticulously groomed and exuded the aura of a fourth-level Heavenly Dipper expert.

Beside him stood a young woman in her prime, possessing an alluring figure and a pure, heartwarming countenance that could captivate any soul. She appeared to be around twenty-two or twenty-three years old and was at the peak of the Yuanfu realm.

Suddenly, several experts emerged, surrounding the pair. Their expressions were grave as they all focused on Qin Wentian, treating him as a potential adversary.

This tense atmosphere left Qin Wentian feeling disheartened. He couldn't understand why these people viewed him with such hostility. Qin Wentian had done his fair share of good deeds along his journey, helping the weak and defeating bullies. He was confident that he hadn't offended anyone.

"Look at the mess you've gotten us into," Qin Wentian muttered to Little Rascal. The fourth-level Heavenly Dipper expert glared at him, his voice sharp. "Song Jia has already returned to Luo City. Why must the Yin Clan be so overbearing? Are your masters really determined to snatch my granddaughter away from me?"

"Huh...?" Qin Wentian found this situation perplexing. He wore a wry smile as he glanced at the old man. It seemed that this clan had managed to provoke someone.

"Sir, you must be mistaken; I'm just passing by and wanted to ask if you have some wine to spare." Qin Wentian shook his head, causing the old man from the Song Clan to look taken aback. The other clan members were equally surprised.

Three days ago, the young master of the Yin Clan had spread a message throughout Luo City, announcing his intention to take the Little Miss of the Song Clan away on this very day. This was why the Song Clan had heightened their guard, and it was also why the area was devoid of bystanders. Clearly, everyone in Luo City was aware of the situation and wanted to avoid getting involved.

So, when Qin Wentian stopped by, the Song Clan naturally assumed he was connected to the Yin Clan.

"May I inquire, are you from the Yin Clan?" the old man asked.

"Do I look like I'm from there?" Qin Wentian chuckled wryly.

The old man hesitated, examining Qin Wentian closely. The young man before him appeared exceptionally young, perhaps around twenty-four or twenty-five. While he couldn't accurately guess his age, Qin Wentian's demeanor and extraordinary cultivation base indicated he was no older than thirty. It was unlikely that such a young man with significant strength was merely a lackey for the Yin Clan.

With this in mind, the old man shook his head. It seemed he had made a hasty assumption driven by nervousness. He clasped his hands, saying, "It appears there has been a misunderstanding. I am Song Qin, and I apologize for my earlier assumption."

Qin Wentian waved off the apology. "No need to apologize if it was a misunderstanding."

"My Song Clan may not be a major power, but we do possess some fine wines. If you don't mind, you may enter our villa and help yourself. Unfortunately, my clan is preoccupied with certain matters today, so I won't be able to accompany you personally. Once you've taken the wine, please depart promptly to avoid any unexpected incidents," Song Qin said, signaling a servant standing nearby. "Take our guest to the wine cellar."

"In that case, I'd like to thank you for your hospitality," Qin Wentian replied gratefully. He then patted Little Rascal on the head, prompting the creature to understand and follow the servant into the villa.

"Sir, what exactly is happening here?" Qin Wentian asked as he followed the servant.

The elderly servant sighed, "Little Miss has always been kind and avoids conflicts whenever possible. Unfortunately, trouble often seeks us out, whether we invite it or not. If we had known this would occur, the clan lord wouldn't have sent Little Miss away for cultivation. But that would be a disservice to her exceptional talent."

The servant didn't elaborate further, leading Qin Wentian to a wine cellar deep within the villa. The cellar held various types of wine, each of outstanding quality.

"These wines are from our villa's best harvests over the years. We don't know when we'll need them again. The Clan Lord instructed that if a guest like you appeared today, it must be fate. So, please take what you desire and leave immediately afterward," the servant explained before taking his leave.

Qin Wentian pondered the Song Clan's situation. It was evident that the clan was facing significant trouble, and the loyal servant had decided to stand by them. Such men of character were rare to find.

Qin Wentian collected several bottles of wine, storing them in his interspatial ring. Afterward, he extended his senses outward, gaining a clear view of the situation.

The Song Clan remained cautious, and the surrounding area still lacked other cultivators. Most people in Luo City appeared to be well-informed about the situation, and only Qin Wentian had ventured in, seemingly clueless about the ongoing events.

After a while, a middle-aged man dressed in black robes sliced through the air with a piercing whistle. His presence radiated sharpness, accentuated by the ancient sword strapped to his back. His eyes resembled keen swords, and as he appeared, a formidable sword aura bore down on everyone in the Song Clan, enveloping them in an oppressive atmosphere.

This man was the adversary they had been anticipating, someone who also stood at the pinnacle of the fourth level of Heavenly Dipper. It was evident that the Yin Clan had an intimate understanding of the Song Clan's strength, given their decision to dispatch an expert with a cultivation level surpassing the Song Clan's mightiest member.

The black-robed man's gaze landed squarely on Song Jia as he uttered in an icy tone, "Come with me."

"Sir, my Song Clan is willing to offer half of our wealth. Please convey to your young master our plea for mercy. Spare Song Jia," Song Qin implored, realizing that resistance was futile. The black-robed man exuded a horrifying aura, and attempting to fight back would only lead to the pointless loss of his clan members' lives.

"Bzzz!"

A wave of killing intent surged forth, pressing down on everyone present. The black sword strapped behind the black-robed man's back vibrated ominously within its sheath. Although the sword hadn't left its scabbard, a tempest of sword energy swirled through the air, sending chills down everyone's spines.

"Do you intend to come willingly, or should I fetch you myself?" the black-robed man continued coldly. Song Qin's face turned pallid. "Sir, if you continue to force us, our Song Clan will have no choice but to resist."

"No..." Song Jia, standing beside Song Qin, shook her head and said, "Grandfather, it's alright. Let me go with him."

"Absolutely not," Song Qin flatly refused.

"We can't stop this," Song Jia said, her expression filled with despair. Even if the Song Clan fought to the death, it wouldn't change the outcome.

"Grandfather, your granddaughter is unfilial," Song Jia quivered. She then ascended into the air and moved towards the black-robed man.

"Song Jia..." Song Qin and Song Qin's parents all wore ashen expressions, their auras surging, but the black-robed man scoffed and drew his sword, causing the storm of sword qi to intensify.

"I've already agreed to leave with you," Song Jia declared. Only then did the black-robed man cease his actions. He turned and seized Song Jia before departing the area.

Qin Wentian had observed the entire sequence of events, from start to finish. In a world governed by cultivation, strength was paramount, and there were countless injustices. Throughout his journey to Grand Shang, he had encountered numerous incidents where he had intervened when possible. However, the Yin Clan, his current enemy, appeared to wield a significant influence. If he were to act now, it might bring calamity upon the entire Song Clan.

"Ugh, what a troublesome situation. I suppose I should take my payment upfront," Qin Wentian muttered to himself. He gazed at the remaining wines in the cellar and collected them all with a wave of his hand.

Then, with a flicker, he vanished entirely from his original location!