Chapter 31: Kong Xuan Protects His Own

Yunxiao flew to Dongying Island and entered the Heaven and Earth Hall.

"Senior Brother, hurry and come out of seclusion, something has happened." Yunxiao walked to where Kong Xuan was in seclusion and spoke outside the door.

Kong Xuan was experiencing the feeling of breaking through to the peak of the Seven Turns. Hearing Yunxiao's voice, he immediately walked out and said, "What is it? Has the decisive battle begun? Could it be that the Jie Sect is at a disadvantage?"

"No, the decisive battle hasn't started yet, but something has happened to Yuan Hong and the other two," Yunxiao said.

"What happened? With their cultivation, as long as they don't clash with the outstanding Second Generation Disciples of the three sects, there shouldn't be any problems, right?" Kong Xuan asked in confusion. After all, all three monkeys had already reached the fifth level of the Blazing Profound Art, and even ordinary Great Luo Golden Immortals could do nothing against them.

"Senior Brother, this is what happened." Thereupon, Yunxiao gave Kong Xuan a detailed account of how Yuan Hong had fought a Second Generation Disciple of the Chan Sect, and how Duobao had refused to apologize and had him thrown into the dungeon.

After hearing Yunxiao's words, Kong Xuan's expression immediately darkened. He said, "Yuan Hong was in the right to begin with; that is exactly what he should have done. As for Duobao, he has actually sought trouble with me time and again. If I don't teach him a lesson this time, I would be failing myself. Let's go, let's hurry to the Jie Sect military camp. If my disciple suffers any harm today, I will make the Chan Sect and Duobao pay dearly." Having said this, he flew off first toward the Jie Sect army.

"Guards, bring the Jie Sect sinner Yuan Hong to me." Duobao looked at the azure sky and said sternly. Hmph, Kong Xuan, you dare to oppose me? Today, I will start by making an example of your disciple.

Hearing Duobao's words, Yuan Hong was brought to the center of the military camp, prepared to have his pipa bones pierced to cripple his cultivation.

"Senior Brother Duobao, I don't think we should do this. A small punishment will suffice; why must you cripple the cultivation of Nephew Yuan Hong? Such a punishment is too severe," Guangchengzi pleaded with Duobao. After all, if Kong Xuan were to lose his temper, both sides would have to bear the consequences.

"No, I cannot let him off so easily. Violating military orders is one thing, and disrespecting his elders is another. Today, no one can save him," Duobao said sternly.

"Oh, is that so? Let me see who dares to touch my, Kong Xuan's, disciple. I will have his life today." Kong Xuan arrived just in time.

Seeing Kong Xuan's arrival, Liuer and the other two monkeys shouted with joy, "Grandmaster, save Eldest Senior Brother quickly! This was not Eldest Senior Brother's fault at all."

Kong Xuan looked at the two monkeys with a smile and said, "Rest assured, with Grandmaster here, no one dares to touch your Eldest Senior Brother. You two performed very well; knowing you couldn't resist, you still chose to help your Eldest Senior Brother."

Liuer and the other monkey scratched their heads in embarrassment upon hearing Kong Xuan's praise.

"Junior Brother Kong Xuan, what is the meaning of this? Regardless, I am your Senior Brother. I am punishing Yuan Hong; are you going to stop me?" Duobao said arrogantly.

Kong Xuan ignored Duobao and said to the Second Generation Disciples holding Yuan Hong, "You have such great audacity, daring to bind my, Kong Xuan's, disciple. Untie him at once."

The two Second Generation Disciples holding Yuan Hong hurriedly untied him.

Once freed, Yuan Hong immediately knelt on the ground, "I have troubled Grandmaster to force his way out of seclusion for my sake."

Kong Xuan smiled and said, "It is nothing. I was just about to come out of seclusion when your Aunt-Master Yunxiao arrived. You did the right thing; you were not wrong, and there is no need to apologize to anyone."

After speaking, he turned to Duobao and said, "Duobao, I arrived in time today, and my disciple did not suffer any punishment. If my disciple had suffered even the slightest harm, I would have made you pay." Having said this, he suddenly unleashed his powerful aura. The entire military camp was plunged into immense pressure. Soldiers without any cultivation immediately collapsed, and half of the Jie Sect disciples also fell to the ground. Only a portion of the Second Generation Disciples stood firm under the immense pressure, though they were also rendered unable to move by Kong Xuan's aura.

Duobao, bearing the immense pressure, said, "Your disciple committed a wrong; is it wrong to punish him? You actually rely on your high cultivation to shield your disciple. I will report this to Grandmaster and have him punish you."

"Oh? What wrong did my disciple commit?" Kong Xuan said with disdain.

"First, your disciple openly defied the military order forbidding conflict with Chan Sect disciples, and he refused to listen to the advice of his elders, acting willfully and refusing to admit his mistake. Does this not count as a wrong?" Duobao said angrily.

"Is that so? Qingxu Daoren of the Chan Sect said, 'The Human Race is the protagonist of heaven and earth, and the Demon Clan is naturally meant to be slaughtered.' Was it not you who said this?" Kong Xuan said in a stern tone.

Under the immense pressure of Kong Xuan's aura, Qingxu Daoren's legs trembled, and he said shakily, "I said it, but..."

"There is no need for 'buts'. It is enough that you said it," Kong Xuan interrupted Qingxu Daoren.

"May I ask everyone's opinion on this statement?" After speaking, he looked toward the Golden Immortals of the Chan Sect.

"This... Junior Brother Qingxu's words were indeed incorrect, but Nephew Yuan Hong should not have attacked either," Guangchengzi said, looking at Kong Xuan.

"My disciple did not attack Qingxu; he only blocked his strike. It was he who took the initiative to fight my disciple. It was my disciple showing your Chan Sect respect by not killing him. If it were me, hmph, he would not have lived until today. Therefore, my disciple is not wrong. The one who is wrong is Qingxu, who actually said that my Demon Clan is a target to be slaughtered. I wonder how Senior Brother Guangchengzi intends to handle this?" Kong Xuan continued.

"This... Junior Brother Qingxu was indeed wrong. Please, Junior Brother Kong Xuan, tell us how to handle it?" Guangchengzi said helplessly.

"Good. Since you admit the mistake, and since your Chan Sect only wanted me to apologize earlier, I will not dwell on it further. You only need to have Qingxu apologize to my disciple," Kong Xuan said domineeringly.

"Very well. Junior Brother Qingxu, go and apologize to Nephew Yuan Hong at once," Guangchengzi said immediately to Qingxu Daoren.

Hearing Guangchengzi's words, Qingxu Daoren hurriedly walked to Yuan Hong and said he was sorry.

"Good. Since that is the case, let the matter between the Jie Sect and the Chan Sect be settled here. I hope it will not affect the alliance between the two sects," Kong Xuan said to Guangchengzi.

"Of course it will not affect the alliance between the two sects. Dealing with Buddhism is the priority right now; we will not let such a trivial matter affect the harmony between the two sects," Guangchengzi said tactfully.

"Very well, the matter between the Jie Sect and the Chan Sect is resolved. Duobao, now it is time to resolve your matter," Kong Xuan said, turning his gaze toward Duobao.

"Me? What matter do I have? Fourth Junior Brother, what do you mean by this?" Duobao said with a gloomy expression.

"Hmph. As the Eldest Senior Brother of the Jie Sect, you encounter a situation and do not ask for the truth. It was clearly Qingxu Daoren's fault, yet you stubbornly insisted that Yuan Hong admit his mistake, and when Yuan Hong refused, you even wanted to cripple his cultivation. You say this is not a matter?" Kong Xuan said with an unkind expression.

"This... I admit that I did not discern the truth of the matter. It was my fault; I will be more careful next time," Duobao knew he was in the wrong and spoke a soft word.

"Hmph, 'be more careful next time'? If I hadn't arrived in time today, my disciple would have had the strength he gained through thousands of years of bitter cultivation crippled. You think you can just brush it off with a mere 'next time'?" Kong Xuan said domineeringly.

"Then what do you want? Do not bully people too much!" Duobao shouted.

"And if I do bully you, what then? Let me tell you, if I don't show you what's what today, then I am not Kong Xuan." Having said this, he struck out at Duobao.

Duobao did not expect Kong Xuan to strike without warning. Caught unprepared, he could only hurriedly defend against Kong Xuan's attack.

As they fought, Duobao grew increasingly enraged. Ever since Kong Xuan and the others became disciples, his own status in the Jie Sect had clearly declined. Whenever the Grandmaster had matters to discuss, he would consult Kong Xuan instead of him, even though he was the Eldest Senior Brother of the Jie Sect.

Thinking of this, Duobao let out a roar. His body suddenly emitted a golden light, and his entire body turned metallic, becoming incomparably hard.

Seeing Duobao's transformation, Kong Xuan revealed a hint of surprise. "I didn't expect you to have some skill, actually comprehending Metal Power. But in front of me, it is still not enough." Having said this, his entire body shone with firelight, and he was enveloped in flames—this was the Fire Power that Kong Xuan had comprehended.

Duobao's Mysterious Technique had only been practiced to the early stage of the Seven Turns, and he had only just begun to comprehend Metal Power. Thus, against Kong Xuan, who was at the peak of the Seven Turns and had a moderate comprehension of Fire Power, he was completely outmatched. Before long, he was beaten by Kong Xuan until he had no power to fight back. Kong Xuan's fists continuously left their marks on Duobao's body. After a few minutes, Duobao was beaten beyond recognition. Kong Xuan looked at the miserable Duobao and said, "I hope you remember this lesson well today. My, Kong Xuan's, disciples are not to be bullied by you." Having said this, he gracefully left with Yuan Hong and the two monkeys, leaving Duobao alone in a daze.

Seeing that there was nothing left for them to do, the Jie Sect Golden Immortals hurriedly took Qingxu Daoren and left this place of trouble, fearing that Kong Xuan might return and beat them up if he felt displeased.

In the main camp, Kong Xuan looked at Yuan Hong before him and said, "Do you know where you went wrong in this matter?"

Yuan Hong asked in confusion, "This disciple does not know. Please, Grandmaster, enlighten me."

Kong Xuan looked at Yuan Hong and said, "Your biggest mistake this time was letting Qingxu Daoren go. You should have killed Qingxu Daoren instead of letting him go. If you had killed Qingxu Daoren, this matter would not have happened. At all times, you must prioritize your own safety. Do you understand?"

"Yes, this disciple understands. Next time, this disciple will definitely not be soft-hearted," Yuan Hong said sternly.

"Very well, you are tired too. Go and rest," Kong Xuan said kindly.

"This disciple takes his leave." Having said this, Yuan Hong led his two junior brothers out of the camp.

Kong Xuan looked at the sky and thought, after this lesson, Duobao should not dare to seek trouble with my, Kong Xuan's, lineage again, right?

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