Chapter 974: Farewell to the Immortal Slayer

Others in the venue thought the Sun family members were quite cunning to have found their opponent's weakness so quickly. Number 333 was in trouble now; he would soon be condemned by irrefutable evidence. Once he was expelled from the Carefree Pavilion, the Sun family would certainly not let him go. However, most people were just enjoying the spectacle, thinking that the man deserved to be humiliated now for his earlier sharp tongue.

"This..." The short, stout elder from Carefree Pavilion hesitated. He truly didn't want to get involved, as Zu'an was also a Jade Card customer. If he were truly disgraced, it would significantly impact the Carefree Pavilion's reputation. Just then, Zu'an's voice rang out: "You can search, but if you don't find anything later, will you two apologize to me?"

The short, stout elder's expression was peculiar. He knew the teacup had been thrown from Zu'an's room and couldn't understand why Zu'an would say that, or what he was relying on. Yang Long and Sun Ji, naturally, were even more confident: "Haha, how could we not find anything?"

Zu'an said calmly, "There's never anything absolute in this world. If you refuse to agree to apologize if you find nothing, then I will refuse your search. Otherwise, it's unfair to me." The short, stout elder smiled, thinking this person was indeed clever; so this was his plan.

At this moment, Sun Ji was also somewhat bewildered. He tugged at Yang Long's sleeve and whispered, "Why is he so confident? Could there be some trick?" Though usually arrogant, he wasn't foolish and immediately sensed something was amiss. Yang Long shook his head: "I'm certain the teacup was thrown from his room."

"Alright!" Sun Ji, trusting Old Long's Rank Seven strength, sneered at Zu'an, "If we don't find anything, we'll apologize to you. But if we do, then get out of Carefree Pavilion!" Of course, he wouldn't state it too clearly in front of so many people, but it was obvious that as soon as the other party left, he would immediately send people to hunt him down, making him wish he were dead.

"I hope everyone present can bear witness," Zu'an bowed to the others in the venue, then turned to the short, stout elder and asked, "What is your title?" The short, stout elder was somewhat displeased, thinking, *These young upstarts don't even address me as an elder. Shouldn't they show me some respect, considering my age and cultivation?* However, considering Zu'an's Jade Card status, he didn't show his displeasure: "Everyone in the Pavilion calls me Venerable Fatty."

Zu'an looked at his spherical figure, thinking, *Indeed, there are only wrong names, never wrong nicknames.* He then said, "Then I ask Venerable Fatty to come to my room and check if any teacups are missing." Venerable Fatty was puzzled. Where did this person's confidence come from? Was he planning to bribe him once he entered the room? *Heh, that's underestimating me too much.*

"Very well," he replied indifferently. Then, with a tap of his toe, he shot into the other party's private room. He had already decided to handle the matter fairly, especially since this fellow insisted on being so provocative. However, his expression quickly froze, because he noticed that not a single teacup was missing from the table. He even worried he had misseen, so he walked over and checked them one by one. Indeed, they were all cups from the Pavilion, undeniable.

"Eh?" he wondered, *Did I perhaps see it wrong just now?* *But how could someone of my venerable Rank Nine make such a mistake?* Just then, Zu'an's voice came: "Venerable Fatty, have you finished your inspection?" Of course, the elder couldn't tell. Zu'an had just used his "Summon" skill to conjure a teacup out of thin air. When he had previously created the more complex Embroidered Uniform Guard's attire, even the Half-Grandmaster Zhu Xie Chixin couldn't discern anything amiss, let alone a mere Rank Nine cultivator.

Having used "Summon" multiple times, he had gained some experience. When creating things out of thin air, there was no need to make them permanent; they only needed to exist long enough to pass the inspection. This way, the backlash afterward would also be smaller. Moreover, during his time on the ship, whenever he had free time, he practiced cultivating his spiritual power according to the chants Mi Li taught him. Therefore, a slight use of "Summon" like this kept the backlash within a controllable range.

"I've checked," Venerable Fatty announced the result outside, still puzzled. This caused an uproar.

"How is that possible!" Sun Ji was the first to cry out. "Venerable Fatty, are you deliberately favoring him?" Venerable Fatty's face darkened: "Are you questioning my impartiality?" Sun Ji was about to say more, but Yang Long stopped him. A Rank Nine master was not someone they could afford to offend right now. If a conflict truly broke out, they wouldn't be able to wait for the Sun family's forces to come to their rescue.

He quickly explained, "It's not that we don't trust your impartiality, Venerable One, but that the other party is too cunning. Perhaps he used some trick to deceive the inspection. It's perfectly normal for an upright person like yourself not to notice. So, may I please take a look?" Hearing the various flatteries in his words, Venerable Fatty felt comfortable. At the same time, he didn't want to offend the Sun family too much, so he nodded in agreement.

Yang Long was overjoyed at this. He quickly brought Sun Ji and leaped into Zu'an's room. First, he glared unpleasantly at Zu'an, then began to inspect the room himself. Unfortunately, after searching for a long time, neither of them found any problem with the teacups.

Zu'an smiled: "Well, have you two come personally to apologize to me?" "Apologize to your mother," Sun Ji cursed furiously. For some reason, the mocking smile on Zu'an's lips made him feel like an ant. Unfortunately, no sooner had he spoken than he let out a miserable cry, having been kicked flying.

Yang Long was greatly alarmed by this. He rushed over to check and saw Sun Ji's face turning purple, spitting blood, clearly having sustained a serious injury. He couldn't help but become enraged: "How dare you, scoundrel!" However, mindful of Venerable Fatty's strength, he looked at him: "I hope Venerable Fatty will uphold justice!"

Venerable Fatty had a headache. He could only look at Zu'an: "Sir, to act in front of me now, aren't you showing too little regard for Carefree Pavilion?" Zu'an replied calmly, "Our dynasty governs by filial piety. Insulting one's parents is an act that even national law permits retaliation for. Not retaliating would make one disloyal, unfilial, and unjust. Are Carefree Pavilion's rules greater than national law?"

Venerable Fatty gasped, *Who is this guy, daring to speak like that?* Carefree Pavilion openly conducts grey-area business, and he's bringing up national law — it's ridiculous. The crucial point was that he didn't dare openly refute it, or it would be tantamount to rebellion. So he decided to observe from the sidelines, letting them resolve their own issues. But to his surprise, Zu'an didn't let him off: "Venerable Fatty, according to our earlier agreement, they should apologize to me now."

Sun Ji had just barely recovered and nearly fainted from anger upon hearing this. *I got beaten and now I have to apologize to him?* He instinctively wanted to curse, but remembering what had just happened, he swallowed his words. Zu'an continued to look at Venerable Fatty: "Venerable Fatty, you were the witness to that wager." Venerable Fatty also felt a pang of annoyance and could only glare darkly at Sun Ji and Yang Long: "A wager made must be honored. You two truly should apologize!"

"What!" Sun Ji directly leaped up. "Do you know who my father is? I..." He was about to say more, but Yang Long stopped him: "I'll apologize for young master." He was afraid the young master's rude words would offend the Rank Nine master; that would truly be the end of them. Zu'an said calmly, "No rush, one by one. I said both of you need to apologize."

Sun Ji was truly going mad with anger. Yang Long pulled him aside and transmitted a message with his vital energy: "Young master, don't be impulsive. A wise man knows when to yield. Once we leave Carefree Pavilion, we'll flay this man alive." At this moment, Venerable Fatty, who was standing nearby, also released his Rank Nine pressure. Clearly, his authority had been challenged repeatedly today, and he was displeased.

Sun Ji glared venomously at Zu'an, even developing a hatred for Venerable Fatty. However, he still heeded Yang Long's advice, casually cupped his hands toward Zu'an, and mumbled an apology, his voice like a mosquito: "I'm sorry." Zu'an cupped his ear: "What did you say? I didn't catch that." "Are you toying with me?" Sun Ji's eyes nearly popped out. "Your voice was so quiet, how could I hear you?" Zu'an said calmly.

Yang Long quietly tugged at Sun Ji's sleeve. Sun Ji took a deep breath and said expressionlessly, "I'm sorry!" In his heart, he was furious, never having suffered such an extraordinary humiliation in all these years. *I will make you pay a hundredfold for this later!* Yang Long, beside him, also swallowed his anger and apologized. He too was stifled with frustration, a dignified Rank Seven expert apologizing to a mere youngster. *I'll show him my methods later!*

Only then did Zu'an smile: "Good. Next time you're out, keep a low profile, lest you offend someone you shouldn't." These remarks made Venerable Fatty glance sideways. The others in the venue also had strange expressions, thinking, *Those words would suit you perfectly as well.* Sun Ji and Yang Long didn't stay in the room to invite further embarrassment. They flicked their sleeves and returned directly to their own private box.

Seeing that the matter was resolved, Venerable Fatty also breathed a sigh of relief. Then he announced loudly, "There was a small disturbance just now, but thankfully it's over. Now, we will continue with the auction of the next item—the Immortal-Slaying Flying Dagger!"