Suddenly, a small boy sprinted past me, accidentally knocking into my side. I had no time to catch my balance before I tripped over my robe and fell, landing awkwardly on the ground. I heard the boy’s voice calling out: “Master, those people are here for trouble!”
The boy didn’t stop running, his panic evident. His outburst broke the silence, and the other Jade Pearl Sect disciples turned their attention toward us.
“Hey, little one! Why are you sneaking around?” one of the Jade Pearl disciples sneered at me, reaching down to grab the collar of my robe. With a loud scoff, he yanked me forward, as though trying to drag me closer to him.
“You’d better tell the truth,” he added harshly, his grip tightening on my collar.
I froze, unsure of what to say. My heart pounded, and my breathing quickened as I struggled to find a way out of the situation. But before I could utter a word, Qing Chen’s calm voice broke through the tension:
“Enough.”
The Jade Pearl disciple’s grip slackened immediately, his face paling as though an invisible force had brushed past him. I glanced toward Qing Chen, who stood still, his expression as serene as ever. His presence alone carried a weight that rendered the disciple speechless.
I clutched my chest, the coldness of fear still lingering, but there was also an odd sense of comfort in Qing Chen’s intervention. A faint glow surrounded him, and I could feel its warmth even from where I stood.
Without another word, Qing Chen raised a hand and flicked his sleeve lightly. The disciple was pushed backward as if carried by a gentle breeze, his hostility completely dissipated.
The warmth in Qing Chen’s gesture startled me. It wasn’t just his strength—it was his restraint. He carried an aura of complete control, a harmony between power and gentleness. Watching him, I couldn’t help but feel a growing sense of awe.
It was in that moment I realized: Qing Chen’s strength wasn’t just in his cultivation. It was in his ability to wield it without arrogance or cruelty. For the first time, I wondered if this immortal might truly be someone I could trust.
The immortal who always seemed to smile so calmly… it turned out he could also express anger.
“My disciple is a guest under my protection.”
These simple words, spoken with undeniable authority, made my heart tighten. My small hands clung to the hem of Qing Chen’s robe as if it were a lifeline. His presence gave me an inexplicable sense of safety, and I dared not let go.
Being protected—how many lifetimes had it been since I last experienced such a thing? For a thousand years, I had endured on my own, unable to even imagine this kind of feeling.
I glanced at the Jade Pearl Sect disciples. Their expressions shifted uneasily, their arrogant postures no longer confident. The one who had grabbed my collar looked especially pale, his spiritual aura trembling. His skin was now slightly mottled as if Qing Chen’s earlier intervention had left traces. He muttered something, but his words were barely audible.
“I have said enough. You may leave now,” Qing Chen commanded, cutting through the tension with his calm yet irrefutable tone.
The Jade Pearl Sect disciples exchanged looks, unsure how to proceed. Eventually, their leader stepped forward, trying to maintain his composure. “This is outrageous, Master Qing Chen. We have traveled far and only wish for an exchange of knowledge. Is this how you treat those who come seeking enlightenment?”
Qing Chen remained unfazed. “Again, I suggest you leave. Further disrespect will not be tolerated. Your actions today already cross the line.”
The Jade Pearl disciples couldn’t hide their unease. Their leader hesitated for a moment before bowing stiffly, clearly unwilling to provoke Qing Chen any further. They retreated without another word, their earlier bravado reduced to nothing.
Before they left, Qing Chen turned to me. “Little one,” he said softly, his gaze sweeping over me. “Did these people frighten you? Even so, remember this as a lesson.”
His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it that reminded me of the difference between us. I nodded, pretending to understand. As the disciples finally disappeared from view, I breathed a sigh of relief.
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