"Elder, let each person be responsible for their own actions. I should handle this; you don’t need to worry."
Qin Tian said, looking firmly at Murong Bei.
Murong Bei’s expression was even more serious than Qin Tian’s.
He first glanced at Sun Quan, then turned to Qin Tian and said, "This is not someone you can handle. Go to Fei’er, and this is not up for discussion."
One could hear that Murong Bei spoke with care and concern. Qin Tian wanted to argue, but seeing Murong Bei standing confidently before him, he pursed his lips and swallowed the words he was about to say.
"Alright, then please be careful."
After glancing at Sun Quan, Qin Tian stepped back a few paces. He didn’t head in the direction of Murong Fei but stood beside the stone steps about three meters away.
From this position, not too far or close, if Murong Bei and Sun Quan were to clash, Qin Tian would be able to intervene conveniently. He wouldn’t let Murong Bei suffer the slightest injury.
At that moment, Sun Quan’s brow furrowed upon seeing Sun Zhengming’s profusely bleeding thigh.
"Take him aside and apply medicine."
Sun Quan ordered coldly. Then with a gesture, the members of the Brother Alliance surrounding them automatically dispersed, retreating to Sun Zhengfei’s side.
Seeing this, Murong Bei also gave Zhang Sanfeng a look, and the bodyguards from Murong Mansion retreated to one side of the courtyard.
Murong Bei and Sun Quan stood three meters apart, silent and still.
Sun Quan glared harshly at Qin Tian before addressing Murong Bei, "Murong Elder, I respect you as my senior and do not seek conflict with you. Today’s matter, as you’ve seen, your men have injured three brothers from my family, and my second brother, Sun Zhengming, might even be left with a lifelong disability. I can’t just overlook this!"
As he spoke, his gaze swept over Qin Tian again and continued, "This whole trouble was brought on by him alone. I don’t want to escalate the situation. Hand him over to me, and we can put this matter to rest today. In the future, the Brother Alliance and Murong Group can still keep their waters separate."
Sun Quan pointed at Qin Tian with a domineering air.
Upon hearing this, Murong Bei let out a cold laugh, shifted his walking stick, and said, "Nephew Sun Quan, I’m afraid you are distorting the truth. Today is my birthday, and your two sons and one nephew barged into Murong Mansion carrying a coffin and with journalists in tow, claiming to be celebrating my birthday. Hmph, it seems you underestimate Murong Bei too much!"
Murong Bei looked haughty, and his gaze clashed with Sun Quan’s, each filled with sharpness.
"From any angle, your men broke into a private residence, and my men were provoked into defending themselves, causing injury to your people. So what?"
Murong Bei continued, "Legally speaking, your unauthorized entry into a private home, and my men’s self-defense, I’m afraid the police can’t convict my men. With your argument, you expect me to just turn over my men to you? Hmph, the Brother Alliance is not that capable!"
By the end, Murong Bei’s words were stern, showing no intention of compromising in the least.
Sun Quan’s cheeks twitched with these sharp words, and he touched his bald head, looking extremely angry.
"So you’re saying, Murong Elder, that you have no intention of handing over your man?" Sun Quan sneered, his fists clenched so tight that his knuckles cracked.
"Non-negotiable. Alert the police to resolve this, and my stance remains," Murong Bei declared.
Sun Quan roared, "I’ve given you respect as an elder, which you refuse. You’ve chosen punishment over a toast!"
Murong Bei smiled: "I don’t drink toasts, but I love penalties. Hmph, nephew Sun Quan, when your father was alive, he also showed me respect, and I didn’t expect your two well-raised sons would dare bring a coffin to wish me a happy birthday. Today, it’s not about me handing over someone; it’s about you giving me an explanation!"
Sun Quan glanced at the black coffin placed aside and his cheek twitched slightly.
Not long ago, Sun Zhengfei had told him about challenging Murong Bei to enhance the influence of the Brother Alliance; at that time, Sun Quan had advised Sun Zhengfei against acting recklessly.
But to his surprise, the overconfident Sun Zhengfei indeed came to provoke Murong Bei.
And on the man’s birthday of all days, bringing a coffin as a gift, wasn’t that cursing Murong Bei to death? Who could tolerate that?
Thinking this, Sun Quan let out a cold laugh and said, "Old man, you’re nothing but old bones on the verge of the grave, and my son brings you a coffin as a show of filial piety from the younger generation. How could you misunderstand my son’s intention?"
Murong Bei also sneered, "Presenting a coffin as a show of filial piety? Haha, what virtue or ability do I possess to deserve such ’honour’? Should you need a coffin, just say the word, and I’ll have one custom-made for you, how about that? On your birthday, I’ll send my granddaughter to show her filial piety by bringing you a gold coffin, how does that sound? Buy one big one, get two small ones free, what do you think?"
Upon hearing Murong Bei’s words, Sun Quan immediately flushed with anger.
The following month was his birthday, and Murong Bei’s words made Sun Quan quite embarrassed.
Moreover, one large coffin and two small coffins... Buy one get two free, what did that mean?
Was he cursing him and his two sons to die together?
This old man, despite his age, spoke with such venom!
Taking a deep breath, Sun Quan said, "Since you’ve spoken to this point, well then, it seems we can’t settle this through words; we must resort to martial arts!"
"I’m good with both the pen and the sword, vegetarian and non-vegetarian, whatever you want to play, I will keep you company!" Murong Bei, stroking his beard, said.
"Very well, it is rumored that Senior Murong’s martial arts were top-notch. Today happens to be your birthday, so why not let this junior experience how good your kung fu is?"
Sun Quan said ominously.
In the past, Sun Quan’s father had never crossed hands with Murong Bei, and after Sun Quan took over as the leader of the Brother Alliance, he had also never fought with Murong Bei.
Now, at over seventy years old and still relying on a walking stick, Murong Bei presented an opportunity, and Sun Quan was prepared to "deal with" Murong Bei.
An old bag of bones still fight? What a joke!
Murong Fei and Su Xuejiao almost shouted in unison. With Murong Bei’s limping leg and advanced age, how could he fight? Sun Quan’s one move might be more than he could handle; hence, both Murong Fei and Su Xuejiao were worried and cried out.
"Grandfather, don’t fall into his trap," Murong Fei said.
Qin Tian also whispered to Murong Bei, "Old Master, since he wants to fight, how about I take your place and fight him?"
Before Murong Bei could reply, Sun Quan sneered, "What’s the matter? Is the once revered Murong Bei now scared? You want one of your underlings to fight for you? Fine, how about this—one old, one young, you both take me on? Hmph, I don’t mind dealing with the two of you together!"
Murong Bei waved his hand to signal Murong Fei and Qin Tian to be quiet, then turned his gaze to Sun Quan and said:
"Nephew Sun Quan, you wish to challenge me, I will accompany you to the end. If I cannot win against you within ten moves, then I accept my defeat."