Chapter 5138 Clashing Equally
Within the crowd, there was a particular group of elegant women, each exuding a grand and noble air. Though they numbered only a few hundred, not even Lu Fan dared to look down on them because they came from the Zither Sect.
Unexpectedly, someone amongst them stepped forward. It was Liao Yuhuang.
“Senior apprentice-sister Yuhuang?!” The other disciples of the Zither Sect stared at her in shock.
The experts from the other factions also looked at her in disbelief. What was the Zither Sect thinking?
Everyone knew that all the factions present had been invited by the Brahma Pill Valley. After receiving the benefits of the Brahma Pill Valley, Liao Yuhuang actually spoke up against them?
“Yuhuang, what are you doing?!” shouted Qin Keqing.
With a dark expression, Lu Fan remarked, “I’ve heard that the Zither Sect’s disciples are unbearably arrogant. It seems that the rumors are true.”
If Liao Yuhuang weren’t from the Zither Sect, Lu Fan would have killed her for this insolence. Hence, Lu Fan’s words were a clear message to Qin Keqing.
Qin Keqing was no fool, so she obviously understood what he was saying. As the commander of the Zither Sect’s entourage, any problem with her subordinates reflected on her.
Despite the tension, Liao Yuhuang remained calm and spoke with steady conviction, “The Brahma Pill Valley has graciously invited us to share the power inside the Heavenly Flame Sourcestone, and we are grateful. However, our Zither Sect cultivates the Music Dao, which requires us to be in harmony with the heavens. We must keep our hearts pure and follow the natural order. Moreover, the Dao of Music is intertwined with the sound of all life. We must experience the seven emotions, the six desires, and the hundred flavors of life. In essence, we cultivate music to refine our hearts, refine our hearts to understand the Dao, and understand the Dao to gain power. To seek power at the expense of our hearts is to lose our way. My apology, but my Zither Sect cannot eat a blood-soaked cake no matter how much it would increase our strength. Such a stain would corrupt our Dao.”
Liao Yuhuang’s naturally beautiful voice carried an immense persuasive power. Her words flowed like the music of the Grand Dao, reaching deep into people’s souls and stirring their innermost thoughts.
Long Chen was in awe. Liao Yuhuang was truly a master of the Music Dao. To her, power was merely a foundation for war-like fighters, not her ultimate goal. He now understood that Liao Yuhuang’s dedication to the Music Dao was genuine and profound. While others sought to use the Dao to enhance their power, she pursued it as a higher calling, highlighting a vast difference in their approaches.
All the Zither Sect’s disciples were moved by Liao Yuhuang’s speech. As cultivators of the Music Dao, they felt her words resonate deeply within them, elevating their souls and realms. Now, they viewed Liao Yuhuang with not just respect but also a trace of idolization. They realized that her mastery of the Music Dao far surpassed their own.
Qin Keqing’s expression darkened as she observed their reaction. She had always regarded Liao Yuhuang with disdain. As a heavenly genius from the ancient era, Qin Keqing had awoken with the expectation of dominating this generation. Yet, the Zither Sect had not only produced new geniuses but had also awakened many ancient sealed heavenly geniuses like herself.
While leading a portion of the Zither Sect’s disciples, Qin Keqing found herself overshadowed by figures such as Liao Yuhuang. Among the Zither Sect’s disciples, Liao Yuhuang held significant prestige. Unfortunately, Qin Keqing was a tyrannical and violent person, unable to accept the light of one of her subordinates eclipsing her.
As a result, Liao Yuhuang faced many difficulties due to this dynamic. Despite the challenges and occasional hostility, she had never complained. Instead, she continued to play her music gracefully and took on her role with poise, even as a side character during their last performance.
Due to her elevated status, Qin Keqing could never do anything excessive to Liao Yuhuang. However, now that Liao Yuhuang had stepped forward to go against her, Qin Keqing’s focus shifted from the Heavenly Flame Sourcestone to the challenge against her authority.
“Shut your mouth! What qualifications do you have to say such things?! Are you trying to teach me a lesson? Or do you think it was a mistake for us to come for the Heavenly Flame Sourcestone!?” Qin Keqing’s voice was laced with anger.
Before Liao Yuhuang could reply, Qin Keqing continued, “I’ve long since noticed that you like to go against my orders! It’s one thing to spout lofty ideals, but don’t you find it hypocritical? Just because your mother is a branch sect master doesn’t mean you can do as you please! Didn’t she teach you that as a subordinate, you must obey orders? What kind of upbringing did you have?!”
Qin Keqing’s tongue was nasty, directly insulting Liao Yuhuang’s mother and adding to the confrontation’s intensity.
Hearing this woman curse like a vixen on the street, Long Chen was speechless. Just how did such a malevolent and hateful person become the commander of this group?
Were the Zither Sect’s higher-ups blind? No matter how strong Qin Keqing was, if she couldn’t lead properly, what was the point? It would just ruin their morale.
Compared to Qin Keqing, even an average Zither Sect disciple seemed to possess more grace and wisdom. She was extremely lacking.
Liao Yuhuang’s expression darkened as she suppressed her rage. She coldly replied, “I have never abused my mother’s position to get my way. Everyone in the Zither Sect can testify to this. My mother taught me that if something feels wrong, no matter the reason, it should not be done. I am sure our actions today are wrong, and I refuse to eat a bloody cake. If others want to eat it, it’s their own choice. But the Zither Sect will not be involved.”
“You...!” Qin Keqing fumed. “The white dragon race has constantly gone against the Brahma Pill Valley! They deserve to die! It has nothing to do with the Zither Sect!”
Liao Yuhuang shook her head calmly and said, “I am not qualified to judge whether or not the white dragon race deserves to die, but I know that I cannot eat a bloody cake.”
“Shut your fucking mouth!” Qin Keqing snapped. “What bloody cake?! An idiot stuck at the fifth level of the Supreme Star Overflow Art has no right to spout such nonsense! If you keep arguing, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Killing intent flashed in Qin Keqing’s eyes. This was a prime opportunity to eliminate Liao Yuhuang, and Qin Keqing was tempted to take it. Everyone here could testify that it was to protect the Zither Sect’s relationship with the Brahma Pill Valley. So, even if she killed Liao Yuhuang, the higher-ups wouldn’t be able to blame her.
As the confrontation drew all eyes, Long Chen skillfully blended into the crowd, his aura concealed. He managed to slip into the crowd unnoticed.