Chapter 5127 — Coming to Seize Someone
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 2
"I have no intention of provoking your North Island Cangwu Sect, still less of opposing the entire Primordial Alliance. I have come only to take my Snow Sword Sect's people back. Stand aside." Bing Wushuang rarely deigned to explain himself.
Xin Yi'an did not shift so much as an inch, looking at him askance as he said mildly, "My apologies, but this islet currently belongs to my North Island Cangwu Sect. Taking people is your affair, but to come onto North Island Cangwu Sect's territory and seize them without so much as a word of notice—who gave you that nerve?"
At this Bing Wushuang's eyes narrowed once more, and the frigid aura spilling from his body made several prospective disciples nearby shiver until their teeth chattered, each staring at the other in dismay. Where in the world had this monster sprung from? Simply standing beside him was enough to freeze a man to death, and no mercy about it!
The Primordial Alliance could not be provoked, and neither could the North Island Cangwu Sect, one of the ten minor sects—for it had, after all, the kindred North Island Chongtian Sect and North Island Xuanji Sect at its back. Even one as proud as Bing Wushuang did not dare tear the mask off openly. To set oneself against a sect like that—say nothing of a mere early Golden Core, even an early Nascent Soul might not have the nerve.
"Harboring a renegade disciple of my Snow Sword Sect without leave—who gave *you* that nerve? The Snow Sword Sect and the North Island Cangwu Sect have ever been on good terms. I have no intention of stirring up trouble today; I have merely come to take back my Snow Sword Sect's renegade disciple. This is the unanimous order of every elder of my Snow Sword Sect. Xin Yi'an, are you certain you mean to stand in the way?" Bing Wushuang's voice was grave.
*Renegade disciple*—this was the first time he had fastened that label on Leng Leng's head. Circumstances forced it; had he not done so, Xin Yi'an would likely never have let the girl go easily.
Xin Yi'an raised an eyebrow at that. He had always taken this Bing Wushuang for one of those so-called prodigies with no one in his eyes, and had never expected him to have such a tongue in his head. He had indeed underestimated the man.
In truth, if Bing Wushuang lacked the nerve to provoke the North Island Cangwu Sect outright, Xin Yi'an likewise lacked the nerve to provoke the Snow Sword Sect outright. To push things that far—even if his sect could preserve his life, he would have no future worth speaking of in the Primordial Alliance thereafter.
What gave Xin Yi'an some headache, however, was the martial uncle Wei Zhao. From Wei Zhao's earlier bearing it was plain he would never allow Leng Leng to be dragged back by the other side; and Wei Zhao had not yet returned. If he simply handed Leng Leng over to Bing Wushuang now, how would he answer to Wei Zhao thereafter?
Yet if he insisted on keeping her, Bing Wushuang was no easy man to deal with either—after all, he had no grounds to forcibly shelter a renegade disciple of the Snow Sword Sect. That would be to offend the Snow Sword Sect, and he might well be punished by the North Island Cangwu Sect into the bargain. Plainly it was a thankless task.
For a time Xin Yi'an was caught in a quandary, and the scene lapsed into a deadlock.
"Martial Uncle Xin, if you cannot make up your mind, why not simply let Leng Leng decide for herself? Perhaps she will be willing to go with us," Xue Jianming said suddenly.
"Hm?" Xin Yi'an furrowed his brow. It had to be said, this was a workable compromise: if Leng Leng herself were willing to go back with Bing Wushuang, then even Wei Zhao could not lay the blame at his feet. He nodded. "Very well. I can take you to see her. But whether she goes or stays must be her own decision; you are not to compel her."