Chapter 5134 — What Insight Do You Have?
The Blossom Guardian · Page 1 of 3
But at this moment she could not help but step forward. If she did not, and Xue Liping succeeded in pinning the charge of a traitor disciple on Lenglen, then Lenglen truly would have no place left to die in the days to come—not even she, her own master, could hope to preserve the girl's life.
"Deputy Sect Master Xue, those words are mistaken," Chi Qianqiu said with a frown. "Since Xu Xiaoshuang is a member of the Council of Elders, she naturally has the right to take part in deliberations. It has always been so in our Xuejian Sect. Surely the Deputy Sect Master does not intend to arbitrarily rewrite the rules handed down by our ancestors?"
Seeing everyone eyeing him with varying expressions, Xue Liping could not help but curse inwardly at the old bastard, and had no choice but to force a sheepish smile. "Heh, Elder Chi, you exaggerate. I merely noticed that the other great elders had not yet spoken, and that she, ranked last of all, was rushing to be heard first. Not knowing proper order, I simply offered a reminder."
Chi Qianqiu swept his gaze over the assembly and smiled faintly. "The other great elders, it seems, have no intention of declaring their stance just yet. That being so, what harm is there in letting Xu Xiaoshuang say a few words first? After all, she is Lenglen's master, and in this matter she still has no small right to speak."
"Thank you, Elder Chi." Hearing this, Xu Xiaoshuang nodded gratefully to Chi Qianqiu. She was not one of Chi Qianqiu's faction, and she knew full well that his words were not entirely spoken on her behalf—his greater aim was to thwart Xue Liping's satisfaction. But be that as it may, the man had extricated her from her predicament, and it was a debt of gratitude she owed him, however small.
"No need. I merely speak for what is right," Chi Qianqiu said with a wave of his hand, then added, "The Council of Elders has always valued open counsel. If you have something to say, speak freely before everyone."
Xu Xiaoshuang nodded, drew a deep breath, and said, "Good. I would like to ask Deputy Sect Master Xue one question: whom did you just call a traitor disciple? Could it be you meant Lenglen?"
"Of course. Given all her prior conduct—colluding with outsiders against our sect's lead senior brother, openly defying the sect's orders—how is that not treachery?" Xue Liping said as though it were self-evident.
"As for what actually happened to them in the mortal realm, a single letter from your son can hardly be convincing. It was said at the last deliberation as well—everything must wait until Lenglen returns before it can be properly investigated. Even you, Deputy Sect Master Xue, cannot casually slap the label of traitor disciple on someone's head, can you? And besides, when all is said and done, how Lenglen is ultimately dealt with is for the Sect Master to decide. What gives you, a mere deputy sect master, the right to overstep your authority?" To protect Lenglen, Xu Xiaoshuang had resolved to risk everything.
These words were utterly merciless. Even Chi Qianqiu, hearing them out, could not help but show a trace of surprise, while the members of Xue Liping's faction were each and every one purple with fury. "What did you say?!"
Xue Liping, by contrast, showed not the slightest sign of anger; instead he laughed with keen interest. "Interesting. Truly most interesting. In all my years as deputy sect master, no one has ever spoken to me like that. Xu Xiaoshuang, you are the first."
The more he behaved so, the more chilling it was. Meeting his cold, sinister gaze, Xu Xiaoshuang's heart clenched, but she steeled herself and pressed on. "Am I wrong, then?"