Outside Mianshui City, a small grove.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky, warming everyone, yet Nan Batian’s heart was chillingly cold.
He felt like a foolish pig, who had plunged headfirst into a trap devised by Chen Jie, and had become the laughingstock of all the heroes in Mianshui County.
To kowtow and apologize to a bunch of low-born people, who were no better than pigs and dogs, was humiliation, a great and bizarre humiliation!
But he had no other choice, as he had been cornered. Look, Chen Jiusi was watching him, eyeing him with those cunning eyes.
He was too cunning, too despicable – how could he have fallen for his tricks!
Then he looked around at the various heroes from Mianshui County, Liu Laoguai, his old rival, who was now grinning from ear to ear, taking such joy in his misfortune. Yes, he was Chen Jiusi’s accomplice; they were in cahoots.
And those, who would call him Guild Leader Nan on any normal day, now hid and whispered among themselves. Seeing them like that, Nan Batian wished he could stomp them into the ground.
Then, there was Yelu – yes, our Lord Yelu, still so solemn yet cold, no trace of pity in those eyes, only compulsion.
Indeed, compulsion to trade his dignity for the other’s stable rule.
"Guild Leader Nan, what are you hesitating for?"
Yelu’s voice came over, and Nan Batian, startled, promptly replied, "Lord Yelu, do I really have to kneel?"
Yelu said, "Guild Leader Nan, you agreed to the bet, and now that you’ve lost, you must kneel. Otherwise, wouldn’t you be the laughingstock of all heroes? Moreover, you’ve been desecrating the bodies of your Fishing Guild’s disciples. To kneel and pacify their spirits is the least you can do."
After speaking, Yelu looked at Nan Batian and posed a piercing question, "Could it be that Guild Leader Nan believes I am troubling you?"
Upon hearing this, Nan Batian replied, "No, Lord Yelu definitely is not."
Yelu said, "Hmm, then kneel down and bow your head to admit your wrong."
At these words, Nan Batian fell silent. Yelu then turned his head towards Chen Jie and said, "Jiu Si, let’s put an end to today’s farce. These good brothers of White Tiger Hall shouldn’t be left out in the sun; let’s put them back in their coffins, so as not to disrespect the dead spirits."
"Let’s leave today’s displeasures behind; once today is over, everything will be forgotten. No one has to bear a grudge. The future of Mianshui County will still require everyone’s efforts to manage it together. We’ll need to work together to capture the Zoroastrian Sect in the city."
After finishing his speech, Chen Jie immediately clasped his fists and said, "Yes, Lord Yelu’s lesson is well heeded. As long as Guild Leader gives my brothers an apology, today’s incident will be just a misunderstanding, with no one holding onto it. Please be assured, Lord."
Yelu heard this and said, "Good, very well."
After this, Yelu looked at Nan Batian and said, "Guild Leader Nan, Jiu Si has shown his stance, now it’s your turn."
This time, Nan Batian glanced at Yelu, knowing he had no choice but to bow today; he then gave Chen Jie a look filled with venom. "Chen Jiusi, just you wait. I will have my revenge for today’s grudge!"
Chen Jie merely watched Nan Batian with an indifferent gaze. Revenge?
He chuckled. They were already sworn enemies; did he fear his revenge?
Come on, if you don’t seek revenge on me, I will seek it on you. Let’s see who outsmarts the other, who will play the other to death first!
Chen Jie looked at Nan Batian, his eyes brimming with mockery. At this point, Qin Ying and his men furrowed their brows and said, "Chen Jiusi, you’ve gone too far. What status does our Guild Leader have, and you make him..."
As they shouted, Chen Jie snapped back to reality and glanced at Nan Batian, saying, "Guild Leader, these men were all involved in prying open the coffins, but now you’re the only one who has to kneel. I have no complaints, but once you kneel, I’m afraid they will laugh at you in their hearts."
Upon hearing this, Nan Batian looked at Chen Jie. Although Chen Jiusi’s intentions were clear, Nan Batian felt there was truth in his words. Why should he, the boss, kneel alone while this bunch of thugs didn’t? If word got out, it would be he, Nan Batian, who was shameful alone.
But if they all kneeled, it seemed not as shameful, at the very least not just him losing face. It would disperse the target, and the ridicule would be lesser.
With this in mind, Nan Batian glowered at Chen Jie and said, "Chen Jiusi, you win this round. But don’t be too pleased with yourself. Sooner or later, I will let you know what happens when you cross me!"
Chen Jie laughed upon hearing this and said, "Guild Leader speaks the truth, but that’s all in the future. For now, Guild Leader, please proceed!"
Chen Jie gestured invitingly, and upon hearing this, Nan Batian gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, if I, Nan Batian, dare to join the gambling table, then I can play the game!"
After finishing, Nan Batian pointed at Qin Ying and said, "Qin Ying!"
Qin Ying looked his way and replied, "Guild Leader."
Nan Batian said, "Qin Ying, lead all our brothers to follow behind me and bow to our brothers together."
Qin Ying was completely dumbfounded. Guild Leader, what are you thinking? Everyone bows together? You’re going to drag us all down! Why should we kneel just because you do?
It was Chen Jiusi’s intention to have you kneel, not us!
But Nan Batian wouldn’t listen to his explanation and said, "What, are you unwilling?"
Qin Ying immediately said, "Willing, come on, everyone gather up, line up behind the Guild Leader, and kowtow to apologize to the brothers of White Tiger Hall!"
"That includes you, you put in the most effort just now prying open coffins; kneel right next to me."
Qin Ying organized the seven hundred guild members to line up behind Nan Batian, who, seeing this, felt less humiliated than before.