Chu He found himself in a passive position, and ultimately, it was Gao Tianhe's foolish actions that had put the God-Slaying Hall in a predicament.
Chu He could, of course, wave his hand and kill all these secular individuals who dared to offend the authority of the God-Slaying Hall.
But doing so would be a violation of righteousness and would greatly impact the reputation of the God-Slaying Hall.
For a moment, Chu He was in a dilemma.
If Chen Xiao were to be dealt with, it would surely incur the wrath of the masses and damage the reputation of the God-Slaying Hall.
However, if Chen Xiao were not dealt with, it would undermine the authority of the God-Slaying Hall.
But as he hesitated, Chu Qingluan suddenly stepped forward and said, "Father, this matter is all my fault. It was my momentary negligence and carelessness that I forgot about the enmity between Gao Tianhe and Mr. Chen, which led to this tragedy."
"Father, I know I was wrong, and I am willing to accept any punishment. But I beg Father not to make things difficult for Mr. Chen. All the mistakes, all the wrongdoings, are mine!"
After speaking, Chu Qingluan bit her lip, displaying a self-reproaching expression, looking pitiful.
Upon hearing Chu Qingluan's words, Chu He praised her in his heart, "As expected of my daughter, Chu Qingluan. She truly has a sharp and discerning mind!"
In this way, Chu He had a way out. He could avoid dealing with Chen Xiao against righteousness and not damage the authority of the God-Slaying Hall.
As for punishing Chu Qingluan, it could be made into a small matter from a big one, and a trivial matter from a small one... the rod would be raised high and then gently lowered.
Even if everyone saw through it, no one would say anything. After all, for such a beautiful young girl, who could bear to forgive her even if she made a mistake?
"Very well, Qingluan. Then, Father will let this matter pass today for your sake... As for your punishment, although this was caused unintentionally, it has indeed led to a tragedy. Father will confine you for half a month. The confinement will begin after the current Martial Arts大会 concludes. Do you have any complaints?" Chu He asked.
"Daughter has no complaints. As I said, daughter is willing to accept all punishments."
Chu Qingluan naturally agreed without hesitation. This punishment was trivial; how could she have any complaints!
However, neither Chu He nor his daughter noticed that Huangfu Yan, standing nearby, had already ignited a fire of anger in his eyes.
Chu Qingluan was his fiancée, and he regarded her as his possession.
For his woman to stand in front of him and plead for another man was something that a proud, heavenly prodigy could absolutely not tolerate.
However, for others, the outcome of this matter could be considered a happy resolution for all, ultimately resulting in only the Gao family father and son suffering harm.
The martial artists of the secular world finally breathed a sigh of relief. They had been terrified just moments ago. Fortunately, Chu Qingluan had pleaded for Chen Xiao, otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
In his excitement, Zhang Yunpeng became a little too carried away and winked at Chen Xiao, saying, "Brother Chen, we have Miss Chu to thank this time. You must thank her properly and not let her good intentions go to waste!"
Zhang Yunpeng was accustomed to speaking without restraint, always ready to crack a joke.
However, as soon as he said this, the atmosphere in the room suddenly became a little awkward.
Everyone, except for Zhang Yunpeng himself, felt that his words were very inappropriate!
Especially Huangfu Yan, his gaze towards Zhang Yunpeng was already filled with murderous intent.
If looks could kill, Zhang Yunpeng would likely have been executed by a thousand cuts by now.
However, just as everyone felt that Zhang Yunpeng was speaking too carelessly, Chen Xiao's words directly drew everyone's attention back to him.
"Why should I, Chen Xiao, need a woman to plead for me?"
Chen Xiao's calm and indifferent words plunged the entire venue into dead silence.
The atmosphere, which had become somewhat cheerful, suddenly solidified again.
Everyone looked at Chen Xiao with different expressions: some were astonished, some were confused, some were at a loss...
"Mr. Chen, you..."
Chu Qingluan looked at Chen Xiao with a face full of confusion, not understanding why Chen Xiao had said that.
Gu He's face had become so grim that it looked like water was about to drip from it.
He asked in a low voice, "Young man, what do you mean by those words?"
He had thought the matter was perfectly resolved, only to find this young man so unappreciative, insisting on jumping out to seek attention!
"It means nothing, just the literal meaning... I killed your God-Slaying Hall people, deal with it as you see fit, and I, Chen Xiao, will accept it."
Chen Xiao said carelessly, his attitude very indifferent.
Hearing this, Chu Qingluan shook her head helplessly, her eyes filled with disappointment.
The reason she stepped forward to take responsibility earlier was not only to help her father out of a difficult situation but, more importantly, to save Chen Xiao.
After all, if things truly escalated, Chen Xiao, no matter how strong he was, would not be a match for the entire God-Slaying Hall.
She had always believed in her ancestors' teachings that the one who shattered the Heaven-Shaking Drum was a peerless genius who would save all living beings, so she had placed great hope in Chen Xiao.
To think that this man would be so driven by pride, willing to risk his life for the sake of so-called male dignity.
He didn't even understand the principle that a true man knows when to bend and when to stand firm. Such a man was incapable of great deeds... Chu Qingluan was utterly disappointed in Chen Xiao and no longer considered him the peerless genius who could save the world.
And Chu He no longer had to worry about righteousness. After all, he had already been sufficiently benevolent. This brat was seeking his own death, so he couldn't be blamed.
"Where is the Head of the Xing Hall!" Chu He shouted in a deep voice.
"Your subordinate, Lin Muzhi, is here!"
A middle-aged man with a goatee stepped forward, bowed respectfully to Chu He with clasped fists. This person was precisely Lin Muzhi, the Head of the Xing Hall of the God-Slaying Hall.
"Hall Master Lin, I ask you, if someone dares to offend the authority of the God-Slaying Hall and insult or kill the disciples of the God-Slaying Hall, how should they be dealt with!" Chu He asked expressionlessly.
"Replying to the Hall Master, if any evildoer dares to kill the disciples of the God-Slaying Hall, they shall be executed according to the law. All disciples of the God-Slaying Hall may kill the evildoer, and it will not be considered indiscriminate killing!"
The Head of the Xing Hall was well-versed in the laws of the Xing Hall.
"Very good!"
Chu He nodded, then shouted, "Four Great Protectors of the God-Slaying Hall, step forward!"
Following this shout, four white-haired old men stepped out. These four stared disdainfully at Chen Xiao, as if intending to tear him apart with their eyes.
"Young man, don't say I didn't give you a chance!" Chu He said to Chen Xiao with a resonant voice. "Today, our God-Slaying Hall will send out the Four Great Protectors. You may choose any one of them. As long as you can defeat him, all grievances between you and our God-Slaying Hall will be settled!"
"Alright, make your choice!"
As Chu He's words fell, the Four Great Protectors immediately began to taunt Chen Xiao.
"Kid, come and choose me. I will definitely let you know the consequences of offending the God-Slaying Hall!"
"Kid, choose me, and I'll give you a quick death!"
"If you're afraid of pain, you'd better not choose me, because before I kill you, I will make you suffer torment!"
"It doesn't matter who you choose, the result will be the same. Kid, you are doomed to die today!"
Listening to the taunts of these four old geezers, Chen Xiao stretched lazily, yawned, and said indifferently, "Choose what? You four old guys, come at me together!"