Not long after, Hong Qiangya returned from the Myriad Treasures Vault, handing the golden key back to Hong Wangtie and shaking his head.
Hong Wangtie’s face immediately turned cold. He slapped Hong Qiangya across the face. “You scoundrel! Apologize to Zhitian at once!”
A searing pain filled half his face. Hong Qiangya retorted indignantly, “Why should I! If he didn’t take it, he didn’t take it. So what if I wronged him? I am the Young Marshal; Father, you actually want me to apologize to a guest elder?”
Hong Wangtie was about to slap him again, but Hong Lie Feng stopped him. “Father, that’s enough. Don’t hit brother. I’ll apologize for him.”
She then turned to Ming Zhi Tian. “Ming Zhi Tian, I’m sorry. I sincerely apologize to you on behalf of my brother.”
Ming Zhi Tian waved his hand. “No need.”
Hong Wangtie seized the opportunity to pacify him. “Since Zhitian forgives you, let’s drop this matter. Zhitian, if there’s anything you need, just say the word. As long as it’s not excessive, this Marshal will grant it.”
Ming Zhi Tian was uninterested. “No need. I have no needs.”
Hong Qiangya rubbed his face and said, “See? You’re still angry about what happened just now. You said we Hongs are petty, but I think you’re not much better!”
Hong Wangtie slammed the table! Hong Lie Feng chided him, “Brother, you’ve gone too far! Say less.”
Ming Zhi Tian shrugged. “I never agreed to anything you asked from beginning to end, nor did I ever consider being your family’s guest elder.”
Ming Zhi Tian had seen through Hong Wangtie and Hong Qiangya, the father and son. They were narrow-minded. But Hong Wangtie truly valued talent. He did not want Ming Zhi Tian to join the Twenty-Three Sects and Thirty-Nine Gates, but rather to join his Demonic Cult.
Hong Qiangya wanted to say something but swallowed it back.
Hong Lie Feng persuaded him, “Ming Zhi Tian, joining my Demonic Cult offers many benefits. Here, you won’t have to worry about cultivation resources. The provisions here are ten times that of outside. If you join us, I, Hong Lie Feng, guarantee that your status will be far greater than just a guest elder.”
If Hong Lie Feng had said this from the start, Ming Zhi Tian might have been a little moved, but alas.
Ming Zhi Tian shook his head. “My mind is made up. I hope you will not press the matter further.”
“Hmph, unappreciative,” Hong Qiangya muttered under his breath.
Ming Zhi Tian cupped his hands. “Farewell.”
Hong Lie Feng quickly said, “Wait. Ku Pula, let him stay for a few days. Perhaps he will change his mind.”
Ming Zhi Tian had already walked out. Tian Nan Jie looked at Hong Wangtie, awaiting his instructions.
Hong Qiangya was disdainful. “What’s the big deal about being at the tenth level of the God-Sealing Realm? My Demonic Cult has plenty like him!”
Tian Nan Jie, however, shook his head. “Young Marshal, you may not know, but from my observations over the past year or so, this person can continuously defeat opponents beyond his realm and remain undefeated.”
Hong Wangtie’s interest was piqued. Hong Qiangya remained disdainful. “What’s so special about defeating opponents beyond one’s realm? I’ll grant he can defeat someone at the first level of the Awakening Realm, or perhaps the second! So what? My Demonic Cult has several such talents.”
Tian Nan Jie smiled bitterly and shook his head. “No, I mean he can directly kill someone at the tenth level of the Awakening Realm!”
“What?!! Impossible!” Hong Qiangya did not believe it.
Tian Nan Jie said, “I dare to bet my life on it.”
Hong Wangtie stood up again. “Quickly, find any means necessary to keep him here.”
Tian Nan Jie cupped his hands. “Yes, sir.”
He then went to chase Ming Zhi Tian. Ming Zhi Tian had not gone far outside when he was intercepted five li away.
“Something?” Ming Zhi Tian couldn’t help but ask.
Tian Nan Jie smiled slightly and walked towards him. “Young Ming, why the hurry? Stay for a few days. I haven’t fulfilled my duties as a host yet. You are being inhospitable.”
Ming Zhi Tian said, “Hospitable? Your Hong family is very… hospitable. That’s why I’m leaving.”
“Don’t,” Tian Nan Jie said with a bitter smile. “Just consider it doing me a favor, stay for a few days, alright? The Marshal has given an order, and I cannot disobey it. Don’t you think so?”