Fang Junxue has arrived!
Upon hearing this, Bai Tai, who was seated at the head of the table, felt a surge of surprise, though he did not show it.
"She's here at the perfect time!"
He sighed inwardly.
Had she been a few moments later, the situation in the hall would have been entirely dominated by Bai Fenglang. By then, Bai Tai, the nominal head of the Bai family, would have truly been a figurehead.
Bai Fenglang, on the other hand, was displeased that his plan had been so abruptly interrupted, his expression turning exceptionally grim.
The Dragon Gate was on the verge of surrendering to him.
Yet, at this precise moment, Fang Junxue arrived.
"Let's go! Let's go and meet my cousin!"
Bai Fenglang glanced at the assembled guests, a cold glint in his eyes, and then strode out of the hall. This action completely disregarded Bai Tai's presence.
Witnessing this, the crowd hesitated. By now, they had discerned some of the internal conflicts within the Bai family.
However, they did not deliberate for long. The vast majority of the sects followed Bai Fenglang.
Especially the smaller and medium-sized ancient martial arts factions, who had previously pledged allegiance to the wrong party, became exceedingly enthusiastic. They scurried behind Bai Fenglang, their faces beaming with flattery.
Clearly, they wished to use this opportunity to reaffirm their loyalty.
Yet, this loyalty was directed towards only one person.
After everyone departed, the hall fell silent.
Only Bai Tai and the people from Sky Sword Mountain remained.
Yes!
Even the Dragon Gate had followed them out.
Although they did not fawn over Bai Fenglang as fervently as those smaller factions, Han Tiandao had, in terms of stance, chosen Bai Fenglang.
There was no alternative; the temptation of the Martial God cultivation method was simply too immense.
It was difficult to refuse.
Within the hall, Bai Tai looked at Bu Jianqiu with surprise. Coincidentally, the latter also turned his gaze towards Bai Tai.
"Mountain Master Bu, to be honest, I'm very surprised you've stayed," Bai Tai stated his confusion directly, without unnecessary pleasantries.
He genuinely could not comprehend why Sky Sword Mountain would have a reason to remain.
"Family Head Bai, to be frank, I never expected things to escalate to this point before I accepted your invitation," Bu Jianqiu replied with a slight shake of his head and a hint of a wry smile. "If I had known, it would have been wiser to stay out of it and simply not come!"
These words were indeed from Bu Jianqiu's heart.
"Hahaha! Mountain Master Bu is a straightforward man!"
Upon hearing this, Bai Tai let out a hearty laugh. "Then I am even more curious, why did you choose to stay?"
Bu Jianqiu could have simply left. Even if he did not align with Bai Fenglang, there was no need for him to remain here.
He could have simply washed his hands of the matter and treated it as a mere spectacle.
However, his decision to stay in the hall carried a different significance.
Any observer seeing this would interpret it as a choice of allegiance.
Therefore, Bai Tai found Bu Jianqiu's actions perplexing.
"I didn't want to either!"
In response to Bai Tai's query, Bu Jianqiu looked helplessly at a man and woman standing behind him and said irritably, "This girl has been hinting at staying, staying! I'm still clueless!"
At that moment, Bu Jianqiu's precious daughter was still massaging his shoulders.
Seeing her father's gaze on her, Bu Qingyu immediately put on an innocent expression, her delicate face flushing slightly. "Don't look at me like that, Father! You're making me feel embarrassed!"
Hearing this, even the senior disciple of Sky Sword Sect instinctively covered his forehead, indicating a headache.
As for the elders, Bu Jianqiu and Bai Tai, their lips twitched, unsure of what to say.
After a moment of calm, Bu Jianqiu's expression turned stern as he pretended to be serious. "Girl, it's come to this point, and you still won't tell me the truth."
"Why did you make me stay?"
At this moment, Bu Jianqiu felt his head throbbing. How had he ended up listening to his daughter's hints and actually stayed?
This was no trifling matter.
Thinking back, he wanted to slap himself twice.
But now, all he could do was pray that his beloved daughter would provide him with a valid reason.
"Well... well!"
Seeing her father staring intently at her, Bu Qingyu's eyes clearly darted away. She said weakly, "First, promise me you won't be angry with me after I tell you!"
"Hmm?"
Upon hearing this, Bu Jianqiu's eyelids twitched violently, a bad premonition dawning on him.
"Okay... okay! Tell me, I... I won't be angry!"
His voice began to tremble involuntarily.
Did he look like someone who wasn't angry?
"Really?"
Bu Qingyu flinched back, looking somewhat frightened.
"Speak quickly!"
Bu Jianqiu immediately reprimanded, his face darkening.
"Why are you shouting! I'll tell you if you stop shouting!"
Bu Qingyu removed her hands from his shoulders, her expression one of utter grievance. Coupled with her teary, wide eyes, it seemed as if she would burst into tears at any moment.
"What have I done to deserve this!"
Seeing this, Bu Jianqiu wailed inwardly.
"Tell your father quickly, won't you! I won't be angry, I absolutely won't be angry!"
Finally, Bu Jianqiu relented.
As expected, as soon as his voice softened, the aggrieved look on Bu Qingyu's face vanished without a trace.
Her rapid change in expression stunned even Bai Tai, who was seated at the head of the table. "She's such a cunning little girl!"
"Father! The reason I asked you to stay was actually for the sake of Sky Sword Mountain!"
At this moment, Bu Qingyu's demeanor became uncharacteristically serious.
"How so?"
Bu Jianqiu looked at his daughter with surprise, completely failing to grasp the meaning of her words.
"Father, look! That Bai Fenglang doesn't seem like a good person at all. If Sky Sword Mountain follows him, we'll surely face misfortune in the end!"
Bu Qingyu declared with conviction.
"Ah! Just... just because of this?"
Bu Jianqiu's eyes widened, almost suspecting he was hallucinating.
He doesn't seem like a good person?
That could be a reason for him to stay?
Besides, speaking of someone's grandson not being a good person in front of their grandfather, is that really appropriate?
"Of course, it's not just because of that!"
Bu Qingyu patted her chest, her confidence palpable.
"That's... that's good!"
Bu Jianqiu rubbed his chest, relieved. If he had truly stayed for a reason as flimsy as "the other party doesn't seem like a good person," he would have found a tofu to smash himself against.
However, he could never have imagined that Bu Qingyu's next statement would plunge everyone present into a deep silence.
"Father! Let me tell you! The main reason I asked you to stay is because my woman's intuition tells me..." Bu Qingyu said with a serious and solemn expression. "Staying is the best choice for Sky Sword Mountain!"
A woman's intuition?
"???" Bu Jianqiu.
"???" Bai Tai.
"???" Zhuang Jian.