"Only a hall master?"
Ye Cangtian pouted, feeling somewhat dissatisfied.
Judging by the other party's age and demeanor, he had assumed he was the sect leader!
However, through the other party's identity, he had at least confirmed one thing: Black Wind Sect was not as simple as it seemed.
Cui Yi to Cui Jiu were likely all people of that faction. With so many people in just one hall, the entire Black Wind Sect must have at least four to five hundred members, likely having become a malignant tumor within the ruins.
"Kid, it's your turn. What's your background?"
Cui Fengxi's face darkened. Even though the Black Wind Sect had a bad reputation, he was, after all, an elder. Shouldn't the other party understand respect for elders?
"Hidden Group, Ye Cangtian!"
"Just arrived here a few days ago. Consider yourselves unlucky to have run into me!"
"Also, the mountain bandits outside the city were also dealt with by me!"
Ye Cangtian said calmly. If the other party dared to reveal their identity, why shouldn't he!
Hidden Group!
With that one sentence, Cui Fengxi's face changed drastically!
The Hidden Group was a ceiling-level existence within the ruins, with few who could rival them!
They were also the most feared existence by the Black Wind Sect.
Members of the Hidden Group always upheld justice and would spare no effort to strike against all sorts of villains and evil forces.
It was only because the Black Wind Sect had previously robbed the rich to help the poor, leaving a sliver of good reputation, and combined with their excellent hiding, that the Hidden Group had not taken action.
But now that Cui Ba had robbed someone from the Hidden Group, how could the other party not pursue the matter?
Thinking of this, Cui Fengxi cursed all eighteen generations of Cui Ba's ancestors in his heart. Damn it, he robbed without using his eyes and now implicated him...
"Mr. Ye, it's all a misunderstanding."
"The Black Wind Sect would never dare to offend the Hidden Group, nor would they dare to engage in banditry. Those were all the subordinates acting on their own accord."
"Of course, it is also my fault for not disciplining them properly. I will definitely educate and restrain them properly in the future. I implore Mr. Ye to let bygones be bygones..."
Cui Fengxi immediately caved.
Although he had lost two capable subordinates and was filled with resentment, the current Hidden Group was a behemoth compared to the Black Wind Sect, whom they could not afford to offend.
Therefore, for the sake of survival, he could only choose to swallow his pride, hoping the other party would show mercy.
"Hey, Old Man Cui, you're a hall master, saying such things is too disgraceful!"
"You should show your spirit and fight me to the death, setting an example for all your disciples!"
Ye Cangtian couldn't help but sigh. Although the other party had backed down, he knew clearly that this was just a temporary measure.
That one sentence caused Cui Fengxi's face to change color from pale to red.
At his age, admitting defeat publicly was already embarrassing enough, but the other party's words had just stomped on his face twice.
"Please, Mr. Ye, spare me some dignity."
"I also hope that Mr. Ye will let this matter rest. I have long wished to reform, but lacked an opportunity."
"Now that Mr. Ye is here, it is precisely an opportunity, so please bear witness for us!"
Cui Fengxi hesitated for a moment before speaking.
Members of the Hidden Group always guided people towards goodness, and for those who were vicious and evil, as long as they genuinely repented, they would be given a certain opportunity.
He also wanted to use this move to impress Ye Cangtian.
After speaking, Cui Fengxi ordered Cui Yi to fetch a golden basin, signifying his intention to wash his hands of his past deeds.
"Haha, it's a good thing to turn over a new leaf!"
"I'll be your witness."
Upon hearing Cui Fengxi's words, Ye Cangtian burst into laughter, but inwardly cursed Cui Fengxi.
Was this old fellow treating him like an idiot?
He said he wanted to reform and only needed to wash his hands with a broken basin?
It wasn't that simple!
...
A short while later.
Cui Yi brought a golden basin before them.
Cui Fengxi smiled slightly and cupped his hands towards everyone present.
"Today, with Mr. Ye's witness, I, Cui Fengxi, from this moment on, wash my hands of my past deeds. All past grudges in the martial world are hereby settled!"
"At the same time, I hope all my subordinates will unite with me and turn over a new leaf..."
Cui Fengxi appeared very serious, stating his intentions while putting his hands into the golden basin.
The subordinates around him, at first, looked at each other, somewhat bewildered.
But since the hall master had spoken, they could only follow suit.
Clap! Clap! Clap!
Ye Cangtian applauded and said with a smile, "Mr. Cui, your intention is admirable, and I sincerely hope you succeed. However, this matter may not be so easy!"
"Hmm? What does Mr. Ye mean?" Cui Fengxi looked at Ye Cangtian curiously.
"The evil deeds committed by the Black Wind Sect, I don't need to elaborate. Mr. Cui should know them well. You say you'll wash your hands of your past deeds and settle everything; even if I agree, others might not."
Ye Cangtian said slowly.
If a villain could escape all consequences simply by saying they would retire from the martial world and wash their hands of their past deeds, then who would bother being a good person?
It would be better to be a villain and rob people; it was faster to get money!
When retribution came knocking, one would just need to wash their hands of their past deeds.
Damn it, this kid is really hard to deal with!
On the other side, Cui Fengxi's face darkened, and he slowly said, "Mr. Ye, I am truly repentant. Please, Mr. Ye, enlighten me."
"There is a way, and it's not difficult for you."
Ye Cangtian smiled slightly and continued, "As long as Mr. Cui reveals the locations of the Black Wind Sect headquarters and its other branch halls, I believe everyone will see Mr. Cui's sincerity."
With that one sentence, a hint of killing intent flashed in Cui Fengxi's eyes.
He understood Ye Cangtian's meaning perfectly; it was a show of loyalty.
If he confessed these things, the Black Wind Sect would surely face a devastating blow.
But if that were the case, perhaps those self-proclaimed righteous sects or families might spare him, but the Black Wind Sect certainly wouldn't.
And the Black Wind Sect's methods of retaliation were terrifying, even more so than death.
Thinking about it, Cui Fengxi gloomily asked, "Mr. Ye, are there truly no other ways?"
"If you want people to accept you again, you must show something. Besides this, I have no other methods," Ye Cangtian slowly shook his head.
"Heh heh, kid, since you're not giving me a way out, then I'll have to fight you to the end!"
Cui Fengxi sneered. The respect on his face had completely vanished, replaced by a viciousness.
With a wave of his hand, the guarding Black Wind Sect members immediately rushed forward.
At the same time, the squads hidden in the dark corners of the courtyard also emerged.
"Alas! Why didn't you just do this from the start!"
"You have to play these mind games, don't you even look at your own brain!"
Ye Cangtian muttered disdainfully. The next moment, his figure flickered.
Under the pale moonlight, a dark streak constantly flashed, and figures fell to the ground.
Some lost their lives directly, while others writhed in agony.
The members of the Black Wind Sect were not strong.
Ordinary members were not even at the Yellow Grade, with only a few scattered squad leaders reaching the Yellow Grade.
With such strength, even with a slightly larger number, they were mere ants to Ye Cangtian, and no one could stop him.
"Hall Master, we should retreat. If this continues, the losses will be heavy."
Cui Yi looked at the horrifying scene and quickly came to Cui Fengxi's side to suggest.
Cui Fengxi's face became even more awkward. If even the most loyal and brave Cui Yi was now considering retreat, let alone other members.
And as the other party said, if they continued to fight, they might exhaust their entire force, while the opponent would remain unharmed!
"Retreat!"
Squeezing out the word with difficulty, Cui Fengxi turned and walked into the room.
Soon, upon receiving the order, the remaining people immediately scattered.
They completely disregarded their heavily injured comrades lying on the ground.
They had long wanted to retreat, but without orders, stepping back was also a death sentence, so they could only charge forward with their heads held high.
Now, with orders, they could flee without restraint.
Heh heh, they really can't take a beating!
Ye Cangtian said with a mocking smile, ignoring the scattering rabble.
As the saying goes, to catch a thief, catch the king first. His only target was Cui Fengxi.
The next moment, Ye Cangtian followed into the room. To his surprise, the room was empty. Cui Fengxi and Cui Yi had already vanished.
Needless to say, there must be a hidden mechanism in the room, and they had escaped through a secret passage.
After searching for a while, Ye Cangtian could not find the mechanism and finally gave up in frustration.
...