As the morning sun rose, the Zhao Family Martial Arts Arena was already surrounded by a bustling crowd.
On the main stage of the Martial Arts Arena sat the high-ranking members of the Zhao Family. In the center was a middle-aged man in a blue robe with an awe-inspiring appearance. Standing behind him was Miss Zhao Lingshan, the eldest daughter of the Zhao Family. Without a doubt, this man was the current Family Head of the Zhao Family, Zhao Wuji.
To Zhao Wuji's left sat a man in a white robe with a peaceful and gentle demeanor—the second master of the Zhao Family, Zhao Jianping. Behind him followed two young men with extraordinary temperaments.
To Zhao Wuji's right was seated a burly man with a dense beard and a tempered look, the third master of the Zhao Family, Zhao Liehu. Standing behind him were Zhao Kang and an older teenager also in a black robe.
Additionally, on either side of these three, several high-ranking Elders of the Zhao Family were seated, among them was Zhao Letian's mother, Zhao Yixin.
"Has everyone arrived? If so, let's start this mid-year assessment without further delay," said the imposing Zhao Wuji, scanning the Martial Arts Arena below and speaking in a deep voice. Enjoying the story? Discover more on *.
At this moment, over a hundred young Zhao Family members ready to participate in the mid-year assessment had already lined up. Standing in formation at the center of the Martial Arts Arena below, they presented a mighty spectacle.
"Reporting to the Clan Leader, everyone else has arrived, only Zhao Letian has yet to appear," an Elder by his side immediately responded, casting a stealthy glance at Zhao Yixin nearby.
"Humph! I bet he's too scared to show up!" Zhao Liehu snorted coldly. Just yesterday, Zhao Letian had publicly defeated and humiliated his son, Zhao Kang. The affront was something he could not swallow. If Zhao Letian dared to show up today, he was determined to regain his face.
"What does my son's attendance have to do with you?" Zhao Yixin's expression darkened instantly as she retorted coldly. Although her position in the family did not seem as high as Zhao Liehu's based on the seating arrangement, she was not intimidated by anyone on the stage in terms of strength. Especially when it came to her son Zhao Letian, she felt no obligation to show courtesy to anyone.
"What's it to me? Humph! Are you saying you're unaware of the 'good deeds' your precious son did yesterday? In broad daylight, he attacked our kin without cause, even threatening to cripple my son Zhao Kang's cultivation. As his mother, shouldn't you give me an explanation?" Zhao Liehu pressed on aggressively, not backing down despite knowing Zhao Yixin's formidable strength.
"What explanation do you want?" Zhao Yixin asked indifferently.
"It's quite simple. Just like what your son did to mine yesterday, let him slap himself in front of everyone and sincerely apologize to my son. Moreover, he needs to cripple one of his arms as compensation for Zhao Kang's suffering!" said Zhao Liehu coldly.
"Is that all? Agreed!" said Zhao Yixin calmly, "However, matters involving the young should be dealt with by the young themselves. Elders should not interfere arbitrarily, a principle known to all. If your son is capable, I have no objections to your demands. But if anyone wishes to bully my son by using their seniority, they must first ask if I, Zhao Yixin, will allow it!"
The moment Zhao Yixin's words fell, an astonishing surge of Primordial Energy emanated from her body, spreading like a tidal wave and instantly sweeping across the entire stage. All who were affected by this ripple changed their expressions in alarm, turning their gaze to Zhao Yixin with shock.
The same thought arose in everyone's mind. It was at this moment that they were once again reminded that the woman sitting unassumingly beside them had once been the Zhao Family's legend. Her edge was not a whit less sharp than that of today's Zhao Letian.
"Hmph! Are you planning to bully others with your power and tolerate your son's wrongdoing?" Despite being intimidated by Zhao Yixin, Zhao Liehu was reluctant to lose face in front of everyone and refused to back down easily, continuing to speak with a hard-edged cold voice.
"So what if I am? If you're not convinced, we can have a public sparring match right here!" Zhao Yixin was even less likely to relent.
"You... you're lawless, do you really think that you are the biggest presence in the Zhao Family?" Zhao Liehu said, red-faced with anger but not daring to act rashly, he continued to retort.
"Of course, the greatest figure in the Zhao Family is our Elder Ancestor, I, Zhao Yixin, am not worth mentioning. But, no matter how insignificant I may be, I must still protect my son completely." Zhao Yixin said calmly.
"Heh, is that so? Then I really want to see how you, Zhao Yixin, will ensure his complete safety!"
"Hmph! Zhao Letian must pay the price today, no one can protect him!"
Just at that moment, from outside the Martial Arts Arena, a brazen cold laugh and an angry stern shout suddenly rang out.
Everyone looked towards the source of the voices and saw two groups of people dressed in different colors advancing with great momentum. The group dressed in green robes was from the Liu Family, one of the four major families, while those dressed in white robes were from the Sun Family, another one of the four major families.
"Elder Sun, Elder Liu, may I know the purpose of your visit to our Zhao Family today?" Zhao Wuji looked at the newcomers and asked.
"Heh, the reason for Liu's visit here is something Brother Wuji should be well aware of," said Elder Liu, who was dressed in a green robe. He appeared refined and scholarly but his words carried a sinister undertone, giving people a sly and malevolent impression.
"Zhao is slow-witted, I ask Elder Liu to enlighten me," Zhao Wuji shook his head.
"In that case, let me be direct. Your Zhao Family's pride and joy, Zhao Letian, has dishonored my Liu Family's young miss within Galaxy Sect. This matter has already spread throughout Qingzhou City like wildfire, tarnishing my young miss's reputation. I am here this time to seek an explanation," Elder Liu said with a cold smile.
"I see," said Zhao Wuji, nodding. He then turned towards Elder Sun and asked, "May I know why Elder Sun has come this time?"
"Hmph! Why play dumb? I am here also because of that Zhao Letian!" Elder Sun said angrily.
"Oh? May I ask how Zhao Letian has offended Elder Sun?" Zhao Wuji inquired.
"Zhao Wuji! Do you really want me to spell it out?" Elder Sun, red with anger, did not want to publicly disclose that his son's cultivation had been crippled by Zhao Letian, which was a disgrace. Ordinarily, given Qingzhou City is not very large and news spreads quickly, Zhao Wuji should have knowledge of this already. Yet, Zhao Wuji insisted on making him say it outright, which only fueled his rage.
"How can you say that, Elder Sun? I truly don't know," said Zhao Wuji, frowning slightly as if truly unaware.
"Fine! Fine! I don't care about losing face, I'll say it plainly. Your Zhao Mansion's prized son, Zhao Letian, returned to Qingzhou City just yesterday and publicly crippled the cultivation of my son. No matter what, your Zhao Family must give me an explanation for this!" Elder Sun's face trembled with rage as he spoke coldly, his eyes filled with venom as he glared at Zhao Yixin on the stage.
Seeing this, Zhao Yixin on the stage frowned slightly, her brows knit together as she let out a helpless, bitter smile in her heart. She hadn't expected her son to stir up so much trouble just one day after his return. However, no matter how much trouble it was, if it came down to it, she and her son would carry the burden together.