Book 2 : The Masked Strength of the Sect's Trash Chapter 107

Xiao Chuang looked at his niece in disbelief, his expression almost as if she were playing a joke on him.

"Xiao Yi, are you serious?"

Xiao Yi nodded confidently. "Of course. Cang Zhengchu acted shamelessly, bullying the three of us. I don’t think it’s wrong to call him out."

Lu Shaoqing nodded approvingly, clearly proud. "Exactly right. You did well. Keep it up."

With a sweet smile, Xiao Yi was beaming. Her eldest brother praised her, her second brother praised her. She felt like she was going places.

Xiao Chuang, however, felt a chill run down his spine. His dear niece was changing, and he couldn’t bring himself to scold or berate her, let alone resort to harsher measures. Sighing, he spoke to her as gently as he could.

"Xiao Yi, as a young lady of the Xiao family, you represent our family’s honor. Behaving with dignity means not resorting to such language."

Xiao Yi asked in confusion, "What’s undignified about it? I couldn’t beat him in a fight, so I spoke up. Otherwise, it would just feel unfair. Besides, back home, if I lost to Xiao Qun in a quarrel, I had to keep my voice down. It was frustrating. I may not win in a fight, but I should at least win with words."

Lu Shaoqing backed her up, "Exactly! You can lose in many things, but never lose your spirit."

Xiao Chuang was exasperated. Good heavens, what happened to the polite, well-mannered niece he once knew? She didn’t feel any shame at speaking her mind so directly. She was even proud of it!

Heart heavy, Xiao Chuang gently tried again. "Xiao Yi, you shouldn’t be so impulsive. The person you were speaking against is a powerful Nascent Soul cultivator—just one finger and you’d be..."

Xiao Yi, obediently nodding, replied, "I know that."

Xiao Chuang felt a bit of relief; perhaps his niece wasn’t beyond saving.

But then she added, "But you and the Sect Master were both here. With you around, why should I worry? I’ll say what needs to be said; no need to give him face."

Xiao Chuang suddenly felt his energy drain, almost as if he’d developed an inner injury. For a Nascent Soul cultivator to feel so worn down, it was something else. He felt a headache coming on; Xiao Yi had not only learned to be bold but to rely on the protection of others as well. He couldn't imagine how to explain this transformation to her father.

Shao Cheng also gave Lu Shaoqing a hard look, suspecting him. "Did you teach your junior sister to act like this?"

"Please, Master," Lu Shaoqing said, feigning innocence. "These talents are all her own. She has a gift—probably even sharper than Eldest Brother’s."

Xiao Chuang glared, "It’s you who corrupted her, Lu Shaoqing! You’re going to pay for this."

Lu Shaoqing smirked, "Oh? You sure you want to go down that road?"

Ordinarily, Lu Shaoqing’s threats carried weight, and even Xiao Chuang, a Nascent Soul elder, would hesitate. Despite Lu Shaoqing’s laziness, his cunning was infamous among the sect’s elders. But this time, Xiao Chuang’s tolerance had reached its limit.

Today was the day he’d teach this lazy disciple a lesson he wouldn’t forget. Xiao Chuang gathered spiritual energy and locked Lu Shaoqing in place, preventing him from slipping away.

"Are you serious, Elder Xiao?” Lu Shaoqing said in shock, struggling against the hold.

Xiao Chuang sneered, "What do you think?"

"Master, help!" Lu Shaoqing called out.

Shao Cheng, crossing his arms, addressed Xiao Chuang. "Senior Brother Xiao, let’s not get carried away."

It wasn’t lost on Shao Cheng that Xiao Chuang was venting his frustration—not just about Lu Shaoqing but about Cang Zhengchu’s earlier aggression that nearly harmed Xiao Yi, whom Xiao Chuang regarded like his own daughter. Shao Cheng had been able to release some anger in his own clash with Cang Zhengchu, but Xiao Chuang hadn’t gotten that chance.

"Junior Brother Shao, this rascal of yours is out of control," Xiao Chuang argued. "He can’t just get away with everything."

Shao Cheng stood firm, his voice resolute. "You can ask anything of me, Senior Brother, but you cannot harm my disciple."

Shao Cheng’s stance was clear: he wouldn’t tolerate anyone, even fellow sect members, laying a hand on his students.

Xiao Yi also stepped in front of Lu Shaoqing, "Uncle, please don’t be angry. Second Brother treats me very well."

"He’s ruined you!" Xiao Chuang said, his voice full of regret. It hurt to see his niece siding with Lu Shaoqing.

"It’s true!" Xiao Yi insisted. "Second Brother has been good to me."