Chapter 12: Sect Master’s Entry — A Storm of Face-Slapping Begins!
Sect Master's Entry — A Storm of Face-Slapping Begins!
"When words don't work, slap first. Ask questions never." — Li Qingyu
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Outskirts of Jade Willow Town — Midnight
Moonlight cast shadows over a quiet clearing surrounded by broken rocks and low trees.
It would have been peaceful—if not for the pitiful groans, coughing, and faint cries echoing from the center.
Three disciples of the Eternal Radiance Divine Sect—Yu Niang, Song Dazhu, and Liu Mei—were tied to wooden posts, their robes torn, cheeks swollen from slaps.
A group of disciples in matching azure-blue robes stood nearby, laughing, eating grilled meat, and tossing spirit fruit cores at the tied-up captives.
The emblem on their sleeves shimmered faintly—Azure Wind Sect.
"Hah! This is the 'upstart sect' people were talking about?" one sneered, flicking a pebble at Song Dazhu's nose. "You got pigs running your kitchen and chickens running security."
"I've seen mortals with better spiritual roots than this lot," another added, stepping on Yu Niang's fallen sword. "These guys really think they can join the Capital Tournament?"
"Better yet," chuckled a tall man with narrow eyes and a twisted grin—Senior Disciple Han Long, the one leading the ambush, "let's break their dantians and send them back as a gift. Consider it charity."
Song Dazhu spat out blood. "Y-You won't get away with this…"
"Oh?" Han Long leaned closer. "Who's going to stop me?"
"...My sect master," Liu Mei wheezed.
Han Long stood up laughing. "Sect master? What's he going to do, file a complaint to the Ministry of Cultivation?"
More laughter followed.
Right until the wind dropped.
And something changed.
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Edge of the Forest
Li Qingyu stood calmly with Ye Wuxia beside him, surveying the scene from the treeline.
His gaze fell on his disciples.
Bruised.
Bleeding.
Hung like criminals.
Mocked like dogs.
Ye Wuxia's eyes narrowed. "Permission to draw my sword?"
"Granted," Li Qingyu said, his voice quiet.
He stepped forward.
Then louder—purposefully loud.
"Ahem."
The Azure Wind Sect disciples spun around.
Han Long blinked. "Who—?"
Li Qingyu kept walking. "Sorry to interrupt your late-night dog show. I was looking for my disciples. Imagine my surprise when I found a garbage dump instead."
The clearing went silent.
Han Long sneered. "You must be the Eternal Radiance trash sect master."
Li Qingyu smiled pleasantly. "And you must be the bandit cosplayer who thinks slapping tied-up disciples makes you powerful."
"You dare insult our Azure Wind Sect?!"
"Oh, I dare," Li Qingyu said, still walking. "I also tax, evaluate, and slap—equally."
Han Long growled. "You think you can fight me? I'm Mid Qi Gathering Stage!"
Ye Wuxia snorted. "So is my sect master. You're about to die with confidence."
"Get him!"
Seven disciples rushed forward, blades out.
Ye Wuxia vanished. A breath later, three swords flew into the air, their wielders groaning on the ground.
The remaining four hesitated—then screamed as spiritual energy erupted around Li Qingyu.
> [Skill Activated: One Breath — Crushing Palm]
He moved like smoke—then cracked the ground with a single palm.
The four flew backward, smashing into trees like scarecrows thrown from a catapult.
Only Han Long remained, sword out, spiritual energy crackling.
"You're no ordinary trash…"
Li Qingyu cracked his neck. "I'm the premium trash."
Their auras collided.
The ground trembled. Trees bent under the pressure.
Han Long roared and charged, unleashing a flurry of sword slashes infused with Wind Qi. "Azure Gale Technique!"
Li Qingyu's hand moved like lightning—parrying with two fingers, then twisting, slapping, and throwing the man like a rag doll into the dirt.
Han Long rose, bleeding, screaming. "I'll kill you!"
> [Skill Activated: Drifting Cloud Step]
[Skill Activated: Reverse Pulse Strike]
Li Qingyu blurred forward, palm smashing into Han Long's stomach. Qi exploded from the point of contact.
Han Long's spiritual robe burst open at the seams as he coughed blood and flew back thirty feet, hitting a boulder hard.
He slumped down.
Alive—but not conscious.
Li Qingyu walked up to the unconscious body, picked up the broken Azure Wind Sect token, and snapped it in half.
He turned to his disciples, still tied up.
With a wave of his hand, the ropes sliced apart from his spiritual energy.
"Can you walk?" he asked.
Yu Niang grinned through bloody teeth. "I can kick."
Liu Mei nodded. "Barely, but yes…"
Song Dazhu wept openly. "Sect Master… I knew you'd come."
Li Qingyu patted his head. "Of course. You're my disciples."
Then he turned to Ye Wuxia.
"Burn the emblem into the ground," he said.
"Their emblem?"
"No," Li Qingyu smiled coldly. "Ours."
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