Spring Rain drizzled incessantly, due to the northern cold current, the temperature had significantly dropped, bringing a biting chill of a reverse spring.
Below the wooden platform.
After a moment of silence, suddenly there was tumult and boiling noise.
"Ah! My son!"
A woman dressed in magnificent clothes suddenly stood up with a wail, beating her chest and stamping her feet in agony, tears streaming as she stared at the platform where Liu Chang Qing had been reduced to tears by Xi Xi.
The punch Xi Xi landed directly on the waist and abdomen made the woman’s body shudder.
"This malicious little wretch!"
The woman screamed, wanting to rush onto the platform, but before she could take two steps, she was stopped by a soldier of the Divine Guard Army responsible for maintaining order.
On the platform.
A gaze from the Divine Minister, even though restrained, was more than the woman, merely at the Cultivation as Riverlike level, could bear.
Had it not been restrained, if he had wished, a single look from Zhang Qing Zheng could collapse the Divinity river inside the Energy Center of the woman.
"Mind your own tongue."
Zhang Qing Zheng kept a stern face.
"In cultivation and combat, injuries are inevitable. If you cherish your son so much, then take him home and do not let him join my Divine Sect."
The cold words, combined with Zhang Qing Zheng’s stern face that looked as if even the sage owed him money...
The woman was immediately so frightened that she dared not speak.
Zhang Qing Zheng patted Xi Xi’s little head.
"Keep defending the platform, well done. Cultivation and combat are meant for victory, without victory... talking of martial ethics is utterly meaningless."
Although Zhang Qing Zheng was of scholarly origin and an imperial scholar of the Grand Prospect Dynasty, he was by no means old-fashioned or rigid.
While he had his principles, he did not mind the means used during a fight; what he cared about was the meaning of an action.
Xi Xi’s eyes immediately brightened, and she nodded incessantly, "Grandpa, you are absolutely right, Xi Xi understands."
Zhang Qing Zheng smiled, but in Xi Xi’s eyes, Grandfather’s stern face seemed even more severe.
"Liu Chang Qing has failed in his challenge, based on his combat performance, his rating is grade C-plus."
Zhang Qing Zheng said indifferently, then lightly flicked his sleeve. A breeze suddenly surged from beneath the despondent Liu Chang Qing, sending him off the platform and beside the speechless woman. Ɽ
"Mother..."
Liu Chang Qing’s tears "dripped" incessantly.
He had been careless, deceived by Xi Xi’s three-year-old appearance!
"Son, it’s alright. We can still vie for a place in the Inner Sect, don’t cry, you did quite well."
The woman helped Liu Chang Qing back to their spectator spot.
Zhang Qing Zheng’s Divinity had already healed Liu Chang Qing’s injuries; he hardly felt any pain at present.
Only a lingering fear remained in his spirit, indelible.
Leading to a kidney pain that seemed intermittently noticeable.
"That little girl is truly malicious, so cruel at just three years old... What will happen when she grows up!"
Although intimidated by Zhang Qing Zheng, the woman’s resentment could not be quelled.
Her eyes cold, she looked toward her husband, who, however, shook his head, "The little girl’s father is Li Che, though he comes from Flying Thunder City, he has joined the Qintian Observatory in Mansion City and has become a Third-class Guest Official..."
"That’s no low status; I know your family in Mansion City holds some sway, but do not act recklessly."
The husband, being the Patriarch of the Liu Family, appeared extremely grave, his forbearance and timidity incited further dissatisfaction and suffocation in the woman’s heart.
She had thought her son could become a Supreme Spiritual Child, a True Successor of the Divine Sect.
But now, all was lost.
In the first match of the first round, he lost, earning a C-plus rating.
"I’m not satisfied! Clearly, Chang Qing’s performance was not just that, he was merely sabotaged by that wretched girl!" the woman spoke discontentedly.
Patriarch Liu spoke gravely, "What does it matter if you’re not satisfied? Do you think the Divine Sect’s assessment is a child’s play? Do you think they would redo it because you’re not satisfied? I might indulge you at home, but out here, the world doesn’t revolve as you wish!"
"Don’t cause trouble. Mansion City is not Eastern Ring City; every word and action could lead to disaster. Be cautious with your speech!"
It was the first time the woman saw her husband so angry, and she immediately pursed her lips.
But she still muttered somewhat defiantly, "Everyone’s focused on the assessment... who would have time to eavesdrop on our conversation?"
Patriarch Liu’s expression softened slightly, "Why the rush? Chang Qing hasn’t lost all chances. It’s only the first segment now; there are two more segments to go. Chang Qing still has opportunities to turn the tables!"
Upon hearing this, the woman’s expression slightly eased.
...
...
Li Che narrowed his eyes, holding his wife Zhang Ya’s delicate palm, gently playing with her slender fingers.
Yet a sharp and cold glint flashed through his eyes.
"One nasty accusation after another, such a shrew, thinking my Xi Xi... has no parents?"
"It was just a normal injury from a match, and yet she holds such a grudge."
"Vile woman!"
A cold chill surged in Li Che’s eyes, the last vile woman... was now grass over her grave.
However, the Patriarch of Liu Family did seem somewhat sober and steady in the human world.
But...
It was okay to call him, Li Che, names, but to insult his daughter... that he could not tolerate!
His daughter, Li Che’s daughter, should not suffer the slightest grievance!
If Xi Xi heard someone calling her that, how heartbroken she would be?
A parent, if they can’t stand up when their child is being bullied, what kind of parent are they?
Li Che never considered himself a good person.
He was just a man who wanted to keep his daughter safe and took revenge at any slight against her!
A father is always a daughter’s greatest hero.
Letting go of Zhang Ya’s hand, he patted the back of her hand, and then with her puzzled gaze on him, Li Che stood up, his black tunic billowing in the wind.