145: Yuelong arrives, Bai family threatens

Three days later, the West Lake City branch of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion changed its usual bustle for an exceptionally solemn atmosphere. Every Disciple and Deacon held their breath in anticipation because today, the Pavilion Master of the Headquarters was visiting in person!

Inside the discussion hall, seated upon the main throne was a woman dressed in elaborate palace robes. She possessed an elegant and noble aura, appearing no more than twenty years old, yet her eyes were as deep as an abyss. She was the current Pavilion Master of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion—Yue Long. Her aura was restrained yet gave off a sense of being unfathomable; her cultivation had clearly reached the Transcendent state.

Standing beside her was a woman in a light pink dress, possessing exquisite beauty and an equally powerful aura. She was the former Lord of Star South City, Hua Qianying.

Below, Su Yuetang and Qin Feng stood solemnly.

"Yuetang (Qin Feng) greets the Pavilion Master," the two said in unison as they bowed.

Yue Long's gaze fell upon them, and a faint look of approval appeared on her cool face. "There is no need for such formality. In the recent upheaval in West Lake City, you two remained calm and handled things appropriately. Especially in finally assisting the imperial court in suppressing the chaos and preserving the foundation and reputation of our Hundred Flowers Pavilion, your contributions are significant. You performed very well."

Her voice was like the light clinking of jade, crisp and carrying an unquestionable authority.

"I have come in person this time, first to stabilize morale, and second, to reward merit."

She raised her delicate hand, and two exquisitely crafted tokens emitting a faint spiritual light and floral fragrance, along with two jade bottles and two Crystal Cards, flew toward Su Yuetang and Qin Feng respectively.

"Qin Feng," Yue Long looked at him, her eyes holding a hint of scrutiny and recognition. "Though you have only been in the pavilion for a short time, you have repeatedly achieved great feats and have even promoted to Martial King. Your potential is limitless. From today onwards, I grant you the Hundred Flowers Pavilion Elder Token, officially promoting you to an Elder of the pavilion, with the corresponding stipend and authority."

A purple token carved with a pattern of intertwined flowers landed in Qin Feng's hand. It felt warm to the touch, representing a qualitative leap in his status within the Hundred Flowers Pavilion.

"Su Yuetang," Yue Long turned her gaze to her. "You have managed the West Lake City branch for many years with diligence. This time, you stabilized the overall situation during the crisis. You are promoted to an Inner Sect Elder and will be transferred back to the Headquarters for duty."

A slightly different, more exquisite golden token flew toward Su Yuetang.

"These two Crystal Cards each contain twenty thousand gold coins as an extra reward from the pavilion. In these two jade bottles are 'Flower Cloud Pills,' Earth Rank Low Grade Medicinal Pills that are quite beneficial for cultivation in the Martial King Realm. I hope you will Cultivate diligently and not let down the reputation of our Hundred Flowers Pavilion."

"Thank you for the bounty, Pavilion Master!" The two accepted the rewards and thanked her in unison.

Yue Long nodded slightly. "Pack your things; you may return to the Headquarters with me at any time. There are better resources and a broader world there."

Hearing this, a hint of hesitation flashed in Su Yuetang's eyes. She looked at Qin Feng, then at the familiar West Lake City, and was about to speak.

Suddenly!

A burst of hurried footsteps came from outside the discussion hall. A branch Disciple rushed in with a nervous expression, reporting urgently before even having time to bow:

"Reporting to the Pavilion Master! Lord! The Grand Elder of the Imperial Capital's Bai Family, Great Elder of the Bai Family, and the head of the Bai Family, Former Family Head of the Bai Family, are outside requesting to see Lord Su Yuetang!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall instantly froze!

Yue Long's elegant brows furrowed slightly, and Hua Qianying's gaze sharpened. Su Yuetang's face turned as pale as paper, her hands instinctively clenching until her nails almost dug into her palms. Qin Feng's eyes also became sharp; he knew in his heart that what was bound to come had finally arrived.

Before those inside could respond, a vast and overbearing pressure had already enveloped the entire discussion hall! Two figures appeared at the hall's entrance like ghosts, ignoring the obstruction of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion Disciples.

Leading them was an old man in a black brocade robe with an ancient face and eyes as sharp as a hawk's. His aura was like a deep abyss or a vast ocean—he was a peak powerhouse at the Late Stage Martial Emperor level, the Grand Elder of the Bai Family, Great Elder of the Bai Family!

Half a step behind him was an old man with slightly graying hair and beard, a majestic face, and eyes filled with scrutiny and displeasure. His aura was equally unfathomable, reaching the Mid-stage Martial Emperor level—the former head of the Bai Family, father of Bai Zijian, and Su Yuetang's former father-in-law, the Former Family Head of the Bai Family!

The Former Family Head of the Bai Family's gaze first swept coldly over Qin Feng with undisguised scrutiny and a hint of loathing, then fell upon Su Yuetang. His tone carried a Senior's overbearing and unquestionable strength: "Yuetang, Kong'er told us everything when he returned. You have been getting quite close to some questionable people here in West Lake City. Where is your sense of propriety? You were, after all, a daughter-in-law of my Bai Family, my, the Former Family Head of the Bai Family's, daughter-in-law! Although there were some misunderstandings between you and Zijian, you are ultimately a member of the Bai Family. Wandering outside only invites gossip and brings shame to our Bai Family. Come back to the Imperial Capital with us; the Bai Family is where you belong."

The "questionable people" he referred to was self-evident. Bai Zijian clearly could not tolerate the woman who once belonged to him being close to another, especially an "uncouth brat" with no background. Thus, he had asked his father to step in and apply pressure.

Su Yuetang's delicate body trembled slightly. Enduring the immense pressure and the humiliation brought by his words, she shook her head firmly. "I do not want to go back. Bai Zijian and I have long since divorced; I no longer have any connection with the Bai Family. Where I am and whom I associate with is my freedom!"

"Humph! Do not be obstinate!" The Grand Elder of the Bai Family, Great Elder of the Bai Family, snorted coldly, his voice like eternal ice.

"Seniors, this is the territory of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion. Are you treating me, Yue Long, as if I don't exist?"

The aura of a Martial Emperor also erupted, instantly alleviating the pressure from the two Bai Family Martial Emperors on the scene.

Great Elder of the Bai Family turned his gaze toward Yue Long on the main seat. His Late Stage Martial Emperor pressure surged forth like a tide. "Pavilion Master Yue Long, this is a private matter of the Bai Family. Su Yuetang's status is special, and we must take her back for discipline. Is your Hundred Flowers Pavilion going to forcibly interfere in my Bai Family's private matters for the sake of a mere Elder today and make an enemy of the Imperial Capital's Bai Family?"

The terrifying pressure made the air in the entire discussion hall feel as if it had solidified. The walls groaned under the unbearable weight. Hua Qianying's face turned pale, and she instinctively took half a step back, circulating her power to resist. Su Yuetang let out a muffled groan, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of her mouth.

Yue Long's face remained calm, but a hint of solemnity and helplessness flashed deep in her eyes. Although her cultivation was high, as the outside world knew, she disliked conflict and avoided battle for years. The Hundred Flowers Pavilion only had her, a single Martial Emperor, presiding over it. Facing the combined coercion of two Bai Family Martial Emperors, especially one at the Late Stage Martial Emperor level, if she forcibly intervened, not only would the risk to herself be immense, but she might also drag the entire Hundred Flowers Pavilion into the abyss of an all-out war with the Bai Family. This was by no means what she desired.

She took a soft breath and was about to speak to mediate, attempting to argue based on reason... Just then, a calm yet clear voice broke through the suffocating pressure:

"Seniors, you are mistaken."

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on the speaker—it was Qin Feng!

He took a step forward, shielding Su Yuetang. Although he was only at the Early Stage Martial King level, standing like a small tree in a gale under that overwhelming Martial Emperor pressure, his back remained straight as a ramrod. His eyes were as sharp as swords as he fearlessly met the cold gazes of Great Elder of the Bai Family and the Former Family Head of the Bai Family.

"Lord Su has long since divorced the Bai Family; this is known to all. She is now an Inner Sect Elder of the Hundred Flowers Pavilion and is under its protection. Her actions and whether she stays or leaves are governed by the rules of our Hundred Flowers Pavilion. How can she be allowed to be coerced by outsiders because of past events?"

His voice wasn't loud, yet every word was powerful, like the clashing of metal and stone, echoing in the oppressive hall.

The gazes of Great Elder of the Bai Family and the Former Family Head of the Bai Family were like four sharp swords, instantly locking onto this young man who didn't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth and dared to speak out in front of them.

Inside the hall, one could hear a pin drop.