Chapter 232: Chapter 138: The Sky Is High and Hard to Question, Feeble as Chickens and Dogs (Part 2)

Chen Ping immediately recognized the middle-aged man kneeling at the head, it was Cheng Wuduan, who had previously joined forces with Xu Baxian and Wu Changshui to ambush him.

The Hall Master of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall now appeared pale and haggard, arousing pity at first glance.

"Well, I’ve become the big villain, and it seems I’ve come to bully the weak."

Chen Ping carefully examined Cheng Wuduan, wondering if the next moment would be a rain of crossbow arrows, with blade and axe warriors rushing out.

After sensing around, he found there was none.

Before him, this Mid-Stage Innate Hall Master genuinely appeared as if he was ready to be killed or punished without any resistance.

At the far end of the long street, some people were peeking, some sighed, and others clicked their tongues in amazement.

Impressive, the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall gained such fame, and Hall Master Cheng Wuduan was able to enter the Innate Realm by merely learning a bit of cultivation technique at Shenxiao Mountain, establishing such a foundation in Xingqing Prefecture, truly extraordinary.

This move put Chen Ping in a tough spot to respond.

Now that you’ve done this, how can I kill? How can I justify destroying your Martial Hall and maintain my reputation?

"Master Cheng, what do you mean by this? I came only because I heard of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall’s advanced martial arts and wanted to learn a thing or two. Such a scene of carrying thorns to apologize is really not something I can bear."

"General Chen’s martial arts are superb, invincible, while my crude swordsmanship is no match for one round; how dare I duel with the General? Please do not humble us." Cheng Wuduan’s forehead was beaded with sweat.

I’ve already done this, and you still want to fight us?

Who doesn’t know you like to explode people with one punch, and you have a habit of chopping off heads.

After inquiring about the details, I learned that Xu Baxian of the Shifang Martial Arts Hall’s two sons, Xu Ming and Xu He, were exploded on the spot... among the seventy-two disciples, thirteen were directly killed, and the Ten Directions Battle Array was shattered.

It wasn’t the army attacking, but Chen Ping alone entering the array with supreme combat power, charging through and overwhelming a whole hall, making the disciples of the Shifang Martial Arts Hall cry.

Under such circumstances, how else could we not surrender?

You should know, Shifang Martial Arts Hall’s reputation and strength were above the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall.

Given that the Shifang Martial Arts Hall couldn’t withstand his three or two moves, losing miserably.

If the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall wanted to resist, it seems unnecessary for the army behind him to act; this young man, who looks like he still has some baby fuzz above his lips, could destroy the Sword Hall with a lift of his hand.

Comparing people can infuriate you.

How exactly did he train?

’Was I out of my mind, or was my heart led astray when I thought of conspiring with others to assassinate him?’

Regretting in his heart, Cheng Wuduan had no more bitterness or unwillingness, sincerely saying: "Previously, I, Cheng, was blind to the situation and baselessly ambushed the General, certainly deserving of death, but the disciples behind me knew nothing of it; I hope the General can spare them."

Upon these words.

Sounds of lament arose from behind.

The crying was even more pronounced.

Chen Ping felt somewhat helpless. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

He thought, well done, you old fox, making me look like an evil overlord.

I originally intended to kill a few to establish authority and then absorb the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall, so there would be less disobedience.

But they played this game of bearing thorns to apologize, neither fighting back nor speaking against, so doing more, though not entirely unjustified, would inevitably earn me a tyrannical reputation.

Before, alone and adrift, I didn’t care about reputation.

Now that I want to consolidate power, contest the control of Xingqing Prefecture with Beizhou, Great Li, and the Jinghai Prince’s Mansion, I can’t do whatever I want.

Often, I have to consider appearances.

Presumably, Cheng Wuduan figured this out...

And then made a tactical retreat to indirectly engage in a confrontation with me.

Nonetheless, since they gave me enough face, seeking a bit of substance wouldn’t hurt.

I am so magnanimous; I’m not someone who would hold a grudge over a mere assassination attempt.

Talent is hard to come by.

At that point, he hurried two steps forward and helped Cheng Wuduan up.

"Acknowledging one’s mistakes and correcting them, there is no greater virtue; since Master Cheng realized the error of siding with the Hu people of Great Zhou and is willing to amend his ways, this Captain won’t be unapproachable.

Let’s give you an opportunity..."

He turned his head to see that most disciples of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall, even the thirty-two direct disciples kneeling on the ground, faintly exuded defiance and anger, and he suddenly raised his voice, sighing: "To see our mighty Central Plains nation bowing under the Hu’s lascivious... intimidation, becoming servile to the Hu people, killing our citizens, dishonoring our sisters.

Every time I see our Central Plains heroes, for fame and fortune, lower themselves to serve the Hu Nobles, running errands for them, I, Chen, feel pained..."

"People not of our kind, their hearts must be different... beneath Soul-Breaking Pass, the souls of hundreds of thousands of our people are not far; the Hu people’s wolfish nature is indeed cannibalistic.

Today, you may submit to Beizhou, wielding the butcher’s knife against your own people.

In the future, how could we still have a place to stand?

When your families are oppressed by the Hu people, treated as inferior, will there still be anyone to stand up for you?"

"No..."

A female general behind raised her broadsword, roaring in anger.

Near and far along the long street, hundreds of voices roared together.

Even in the distance, echoed responses resounded.

That was the people hearing Sun Ping’s loud rebuke also began to shout.

The disciples of the Wind and Thunder Sword Hall halted in their expressions, all looking bewildered...

Even a few, stirred by passion, opened their mouths, wanting to join the shout.

Thinking it not right, they quickly lowered their heads again, their faces turning beet red.