Ming Zhi Tian laughed. He wouldn't have intervened if Bei Ming Yuan hadn't stood up for Lai Xiao Yang, but Bei Ming Yuan had offended Ming Zhi Tian.
Ming Zhi Tian instead looked at Xi Zhen Yao, "This is your territory. I'll give you face and let you handle this."
Xi Zhen Yao had already understood the cause and effect: Bei Ming Yuan's disciple, Lai Xiao Yang, had captured Ming Zhi Tian's wife, and then he had intervened to protect Lai Xiao Yang against Ming Zhi Tian.
Without a word, before Bei Ming Yuan could react, Xi Zhen Yao personally severed one of his arms. "Is that enough? If not, I'll cut off another. I only hope Ming Xiu Shen can spare his life."
Bei Ming Yuan broke out in a cold sweat like beans and looked at Xi Zhen Yao in disbelief, "Ah! Your Excellency, the Grand Sect Master, did you cut the wrong person?"
Xi Zhen Yao ignored him, focusing only on the person in front of him, for he feared that this individual might annihilate the Seven Sects and Ten Gates of the entire Di Hai Five Cities.
Ming Zhi Tian was slightly satisfied. "Seeing as you are so sincere, I will let him off for now."
Everyone gasped and murmured to themselves, "This! ...Your Excellency, the Grand Sect Master, is actually obeying his orders! Who on earth is this person?"
Xi Zhen Yao nodded. "Thank you."
He then looked at Bei Ming Yuan, who had lost an arm. "Our great enemy now is the Demonic Sect. Yet you instigate various Sect Masters to engage in infighting? Effective immediately, you are demoted and stripped of all Sect Master privileges, to be demoted to an outer disciple."
Bei Ming Yuan took the pill, enduring the pain. "Grand Sect Master, I!..."
Xi Zhen Yao waved his hand. "Enough! This is already a great leniency shown to you. Say anything more, and you will be expelled from the sect!"
Seeing this, the other Sect Masters dared not say anything further. This time, they had truly disgraced Di Hai Five Cities to the extreme. Bei Ming Yuan could only swallow his resentment.
Xi Zhen Yao looked at Ming Zhi Tian. "Ming Xiu Shen, to express my apologies, I will immediately arrange a banquet to formally apologize to you."
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand. "I appreciate the Grand Sect Master's kind offer, but I am very busy. I must take my leave."
Xi Zhen Yao personally escorted him. "Allow me to see you out."
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand and pointed at Hai Bu Bu and the other two. "You three, come here."
Hai Bu Bu was startled. Xi Zhen Yao said, "Ming Xiu Shen has called you three over, so go. Could it be that the dignified Xiu Shen would lay a hand on three juniors like you?"
Hai Bu Bu nodded, and the three responded, "Yes, Grand Sect Master."
Hai Bu Bu approached Ming Zhi Tian. Ming Zhi Tian put an arm around her shoulder. "Let's go, let's eat."
...
Ming Zhi Tian had promised to treat Hai Bu Bu and the others to a meal. He, along with Dong Cheng Jiu and Chen Qi, came to Xuan Yang City and found the best restaurant to eat a lavish seafood platter.
At first, Hai Bu Bu and the other two still harbored some resentment towards Ming Zhi Tian for having so thoroughly defeated the Seven Sects and Ten Gates in Di Hai Five Cities. However, as the seafood platter was served one after another, Ming Zhi Tian began to feast.
Hai Bu Bu then, without ceremony, revealed her reputation as a big eater and started eating with various exaggerated expressions.
Dong Cheng Jiu and Chen Qi exchanged glances, and then they too joined the eating frenzy.
After a satisfying meal, Hai Bu Bu had a long bamboo skewer in her mouth, one leg resting on her chair, completely devoid of her usual gentle demeanor. "You actually refused the Grand Sect Master's offer of rich delicacies and came to eat simple fare with us?"
Ming Zhi Tian knew what she was referring to. If the Grand Sect Master had treated them, it would have been far beyond a seafood platter. Dishes like Buddha's Temptation, the Eight Treasures of the Sea, and the Eighteen Imperial Dishes would surely have been accompanied by the most famous Yangzhou fried rice.
Ming Zhi Tian shrugged. "What, you don't like eating with me?"
Hai Bu Bu quickly shook her head and waved her hands. "No, no, thank you for your treat, Ming Zhi Tian. Although none of us can beat you, I, Hai Bu Bu, sincerely want to be friends with you."
Ming Zhi Tian said, "Is that enough? If not, I'll order a few more dishes."
Hai Bu Bu patted her large belly and let out a burp. "Burp! Enough, enough, I can't eat anymore. This is the most stuffed I've ever been."
Dong Cheng Jiu and Chen Qi said, "We've also had our fill."
Ming Zhi Tian nodded. "It's good that you're full."