Chapter 365: Heartfelt Jiang Fan

The elders of Qingyun Sect were also speechless.

Wen Hongyao scrutinized Ruan Qingsu with a look reserved for patients. "If our sect had such a monstrous disciple, I'd willingly sacrifice twenty years of my life!"

Even Feng Guzen, who was constantly antagonistic towards Jiang Fan, nearly spat out his tea upon hearing this.

"Thank you, Miss Ruan, for your high regard for my Qingyun Sect disciples," Lin Yuheng said, her face flushing. She shot a glance at Ruan Qingsu and snapped, "Silence! Stop talking nonsense!"

Even the Heavenly Secret Pavilion couldn't cultivate such a heaven-defying disciple, let alone Qingyun Sect. And a new disciple who had just joined the sect? At this moment, she suspected Ruan Qingsu might have suffered a head injury, as her words were so out of sync.

Feeling utterly embarrassed, she repeatedly bowed to Liu Wenchen and the Qingyun Sect elders. "I apologize for making you all laugh. My apprentice might be a little disoriented and speaking incoherently. Please bear with her."

What was supposed to be an interrogation had turned into a public apology. Her reputation was completely shattered.

Ruan Qingsu's eyes widened. "No. The culprit is right in front of us! Why am I the one who's disoriented?"

"Master! It really was him! If you don't believe me, ask him!" Ruan Qingsu cried, stomping her foot in frustration.

Jiang Fan nervously swallowed. A cold sweat trickled down his back. He finally understood the situation. But how did this 'melon' end up involving him? The female 'thief' he had injured yesterday was no stranger—she was indeed a disciple of the Heavenly Secret Pavilion! No wonder her figure seemed familiar. It was Ruan Qingsu, whom he had almost beaten to death! Recalling yesterday's brutal scene, beads of sweat formed on his forehead.

"Jiang Fan, why are you sweating so much?" Liu Wenchen, who was close by, immediately noticed Jiang Fan's unusual state.

Jiang Fan stammered nervously, "N-nothing."

He couldn't even speak properly? Liu Wenchen instantly deduced the reason, glaring at Lin Yuheng and exclaiming, "Commissioner Lin, control your disciple! Look at how she's scared my apprentice! If she damages his Dao heart, my sect will not let this go!"

Jiang Fan was his precious treasure now. How could he allow anyone to intimidate him?

Lin Yuheng quickly turned her head and angrily rebuked Ruan Qingsu, "You wretched girl, are you rebelling? Apologize at once!"

She was so furious her lungs felt like they would burst. Wasn't Ruan Qingsu usually quite sensible? Had she taken the wrong medicine today? Constantly making mistakes in public!

Tears welled up in Ruan Qingsu's eyes, brimming with injustice. The person who had bullied her was right there, yet her Master was forcing her to apologize! She wanted to retort, but Lin Yuheng's swirling, angry gaze intimidated her into silence.

Suppressing her immense grievances, she reluctantly shuffled her feet to stand before Jiang Fan. Glaring fiercely at him, she forced out the syllables through gritted teeth, "I am sorry!"

*Smack!* Lin Yuheng could no longer bear it. She rose and slapped Ruan Qingsu's arm. "You rebellious disciple, are you trying to infuriate me to death? Is that how you apologize? Apologize properly!"

Ruan Qingsu's eyes immediately welled up with tears from the pain. Her Master had never struck her since she became her disciple. Yet now, she was being so unfairly treated.

Jiang Fan, looking guilty, cleared his throat and said, "Senior Lin, Sister Ruan is injured, so it's understandable that she's not in the best mood. Please don't be too hard on her. I accept the apology; let's put this matter behind us."

Upon hearing this, Lin Yuheng couldn't help but look at Jiang Fan with new respect. Her rebellious disciple had stubbornly accused him repeatedly, yet he had dismissed the matter so lightly. Despite his young age, he possessed a magnanimity beyond ordinary people. While feeling apologetic, she also found it hard not to develop a liking for him. In contrast, her own unrepentant and now inexplicably aggrieved disciple only made her angrier the more she looked at her.

"Cry, cry, cry! All you do is cry!" she snapped. "Look at him, he's even younger than you, yet he's so tolerant! If he hadn't interceded for you, I would have punished you severely today!"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qingsu's tightly clenched teeth almost shattered. That hateful man was so brutal last night, and now he was pretending to be a good person! "I'm not done with you!!!" she thought fiercely.

Feeling awkward under her stare, Jiang Fan averted his gaze and bowed. "Senior Lin, you flatter me. My Master and the elders always teach us disciples that humility and tolerance are paramount. I am merely following their teachings."

Listen to that! He received praise but didn't forget to include his Master. Lin Yuheng couldn't imagine how comfortable she would feel if she had such a disciple. Her gaze towards Jiang Fan naturally grew fonder.

"It's truly admirable how sensible you are, child." Lin Yuheng took two iron pellets from her sleeve and said, "Here are two Cloudburst Iron Pellets from the Heavenly Secret Pavilion for you. Consider them a small compensation for the disturbance."

Jiang Fan's sharp eyes immediately recognized them. These were the two incredibly powerful hidden weapons Ruan Qingsu had thrown at him yesterday. If used correctly, their effect would be far greater than what he had witnessed yesterday. He was secretly delighted but didn't dare to take them directly, instead looking at Liu Wenchen first.

At this moment, Liu Wenchen's face was glowing from Jiang Fan's previous remarks. Why hadn't he realized before that Jiang Fan was such a good talker? Seeing Jiang Fan's questioning gaze, how could he hesitate? He nodded, "A gift from an elder should not be refused. Just accept it."

Only then did Jiang Fan take them with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Senior Lin."

Lin Yuheng's fondness grew even stronger. Look at him, he even sought his Master's permission before accepting a gift. This showed that he always kept his Master in his heart. Unlike her own inferior apprentice, who only knew how to talk back!

With Jiang Fan compensated, the matter was considered concluded.

She had originally planned to seclude herself for a few days before addressing the Supreme Sect Master's report. However, since she had come out early and the Qingyun Sect elders and disciples were all present, there was no time like the present. She might as well conclude the matter now so she could report back to the Heavenly Secret Pavilion sooner.

"Sect Master Liu, has the disciple named Jiang Fan returned?" Lin Yuheng said gravely, her smile fading as she adopted a business-like tone.

Upon hearing this, Liu Wenchen's expression immediately became serious. "He has returned," he said. His heart tightened. What was destined to happen had finally arrived.

The relaxed expressions on the elders' faces also vanished. They were all on edge, as if awaiting judgment.

The disciples who were already aware of the matter also became solemn. If this matter was not handled properly, Qingyun Sect would be punished by the Heavenly Secret Pavilion. When that happened, the disciples' lives would also be affected. As the saying goes, "When the lips are gone, the teeth are cold"; no one could escape unscathed.

Learning of Jiang Fan's return, Lin Yuheng slowly nodded, then surveyed the disciples present with an imposing air, "Where is Jiang Fan! Step forward!"

Her voice boomed like a torrent, unsettling hearts. Even the disciples whose names weren't called involuntarily trembled. One could imagine the awe Jiang Fan, as the main subject, would feel. This was deliberate on Lin Yuheng's part: to intimidate him first, making it easier to question him afterward.

Unexpectedly, a voice from nearby, neither humble nor arrogant, reached her ears. "Disciple Jiang Fan, greets Commissioner Lin!"