The joy and happiness on Shangguan Xi and the others' faces were hard to hide. With Xu Yuehuai, their chances of winning this competition had increased, and this competition was also crucial for Xu Yuehuai.
Zi Sangyi had returned to his previous position. As the sect leader, he naturally could not sit with these children.
With a smile on his face, Zhan Qi replied, "I just thought it would be better to clarify things when it comes to this kind of matter, to avoid any misunderstandings later, since this matter concerns everyone."
By saying this, Zhan Qi cleared himself of suspicion and made the problem seem like everyone's problem. What a brilliant plan! Xu Yuehuai, who was watching from the side, just wanted to applaud him.
"That's true, but how come I didn't know I had an affair with Shi Mu? This is quite strange. When I heard it just now, I thought I misheard." No one expected Xu Yuehuai to say this so bluntly. After all, this was not a good thing for the girl, and saying it would greatly damage her reputation.
But Xu Yuehuai acted as if she didn't care, so open and honest that those who had just doubted her began to doubt themselves.
Shi Mu was also startled. He took two steps forward, wanting to pull Xu Yuehuai back and tell her to be steady, but remembering the rumors from earlier, he withdrew his outstretched hand.
Zhan Qi's smile froze completely on his face. He chuckled awkwardly twice and then said, "Oh dear, I'm so sorry that Miss Xu misunderstood this matter. I was just saying a few things I overheard outside, and since you're all here today, I just said it casually. I never expected that you would take these words to heart."
"I wouldn't take it to heart, but I've heard it all along. As the senior sister of Qingtao Valley, I can't afford to be careless about my reputation. So why don't you explain where you heard these things from? After the competition here, I can settle accounts with the person who told me, right?" Xu Yuehuai's smile, which concealed a knife, sent chills down one's spine.
Most people would have stopped asking questions after hearing that this was just hearsay, but Xu Yuehuai insisted on holding onto it, as if she didn't take Zhan Qi seriously at all. In this way, face and such were no longer relevant.
Zhan Qi's smile almost froze. He hadn't expected things to develop to this point. He was still thinking about how to resolve the matter. "To be honest, this only happened when I was cultivating. I overheard some villagers talking about it. They probably didn't do it on purpose, and it's not very convenient to investigate further. I've also forgotten the exact location, so let's just let it go."
Since Zhan Qi had already suggested stopping there, it would seem ungrateful for Xu Yuehuai to continue. His hand, hanging by his side, was clenched into a fist, as if he was about to strike Xu Yuehuai at any moment.
Nangong Yu silently cursed this old schemer in his heart. He was clearly just taking advantage of the fact that Xu Yuehuai couldn't investigate further, which was simply outrageous!
Nangong Yu wanted to continue arguing with him and didn't want to let this person off so easily, but Xu Yuehuai was the one affected by this matter. He was worried that if he didn't handle things properly, Xu Yuehuai would be hurt a second time. If that happened, his sins would be even greater than before.
So he chose to remain silent, though his expression was not good.
Upon hearing this, Xu Yuehuai snorted coldly, a smile that didn't reach her eyes, "It had better be that way. Don't talk nonsense here next time. Since you know you're just repeating hearsay and have been wronged, shouldn't you apologize to Junior Brother Shi Mu?"
Zhan Qi's eyes widened, and he pointed at Shi Mu in disbelief, saying, "You want me to apologize to him? I'm the top disciple of the Ten Thousand Zhang Sect! Do you think he can accept this apology?!"
Zhan Qi raised his voice, his tone revealing a hint of disbelief, as if Xu Yuehuai were saying something that would shatter one's worldview.
Zhan Qi's shock didn't earn him a single glance from Xu Yuehuai. She said firmly, "Of course, I don't care. But as the senior sister, I must get revenge when my junior brother is bullied. Since you said you made it up and that this matter is completely untrue, what's wrong with you apologizing?"
The people below also started to jeer.
"That's right! Zhan Qi, as the top disciple of the Wanzhang Sect, you slandered someone. It's just a matter of apologizing. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"
"If Miss Xu hadn't returned in time to explain things clearly, perhaps we would all believe what you said today. That would have caused so much harm to Miss Xu and Junior Brother Shi Mu! Now that things have come to this, it's your duty to apologize!"
"Hurry up and apologize, Zhan Qi! Stop dragging your feet! If you're a man, apologize now, or everyone will look down on you!"
...
Hearing the mocking and jeering voices, Zhan Qi's face darkened, and his eyes looked at Xu Yuehuai and her group as if he wanted to devour them. "Of course I didn't say I wouldn't apologize, but if you want me to apologize, give me some time to prepare."
"In my opinion, you're just chickening out. You can't bring yourself to apologize. What do you need to prepare to apologize? Just a few words and a sincere attitude, and that's it! The fact that you're wasting your time here just shows that you don't want to apologize!"
"Don't you all agree?" A busybody chimed in, getting everyone involved in the commotion.
"Yes, Zhan Qi!"
"Speak up! Why aren't you saying anything? It's just a matter of saying one sentence!"
Zhan Qi was reluctant, biting his lower lip, unwilling to bow down to someone less capable than himself. His junior brother tugged at his sleeve and said, "Senior Brother, it's not advisable to make such a commotion today. What if the Sect Master and Elders find out..."
The man didn't finish his sentence, but the fear in his eyes was obvious to everyone. Zhan Qi glared at him impatiently, then turned to look at Shi Mu. Seeing the slight joy and smugness in the other man's eyes, he felt a tightness in his chest. "I'm sorry!"
After saying that, he quickly turned his head away, no longer looking at the person's face, worried that he would lose control and want to curse at them in the next second.
Xu Yuehuai didn't do anything further, and the matter ended there. Everyone saw that there was no more entertainment to watch, so they all turned around and went about their own business. Shangguan Xi and the others were relieved and very happy. "Senior Sister, you've finally arrived! I was so worried about you. I thought you wouldn't make it to the competition."
Xu Yuehuai smiled and said, "Don't worry, I'm here, don't be afraid."
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