She had been hit by a force of wind generated by someone's palm. Qin Xiruo coughed up a mouthful of blood and struggled to stand for the longest time without being able to even lift herself up off the ground.
Ling Chunxi languidly raised her hands behind her head and leaned the crown of her head back against her interlaced fingers as she surveyed this scene with a cold smile. Little White lifted its head off Ling Chunxi's shoulders and lightly nuzzled her cheek. Ling Chunxi saw that Little White was trying to comfort her so she reached out a hand to pet the fox's head to indicate to it that she was fine.
"That's enough!" boomed an angry voice laden with contempt and disappointment. The owner of this voice was the same person who had generated the force of wind against Qin Xiruo, and that was First Elder Qin!
Qin Xiruo gasped as her attention snapped back to reality. She took stock of her surroundings and her heart fell into the depths of a dark pit. Panic, terror and disbelief all surfaced in her at once.
When did they become surrounded by so many people?!
The Qin's First, Second and Third Elders were present, as were the Ling's First, Second and Fifth Elders! There were even a few disciples present from both families, including Qin Yumei. Qin Xiruo's wild eyes met Qin Yumei's glare which was filled with an undisguised hatred that rendered her capable of skinning her alive and breaking all her bones. Clearly, she had heard every word. Everyone here had heard every single word!
What was going on? Qin Xiruo looked at all the familiar faces around her in horror. Each face radiated an expression of either anger, disappointment, shock or hatred towards her. The one common thread present in all the looks thrown her way was contempt and derision. Qin Xiruo didn't understand… The ally was empty earlier on! She had checked multiple times before and after she had insulted Ling Chunxi so viciously. She had made sure to check and she was sure there was no one around!
Yet, so many people were present now. When did they arrive?
"Xiruo, you've really disappointed us." First Elder Qin's face was filled with distress, disappointment and a tinge of embarra.s.sment. He felt as though the Qin clan had lost face due to Qin Xiruo showing her true colors in front of so many people from the Ling clan.
"I hope you can give us an explanation regarding your behavior and what really happened to your arm." First Elder Ling spoke in a calm manner. However, anyone could have detected the suppressed rage beneath his composed demeanor.
"This girl is so young and yet she's already so malicious. Our Chunxi has truly been made to suffer at her hands. Let me tell all you Qin old men this—don't you even think of trying to let this slide. Isn't Qin Yumei guilty as well? If these girls aren't punished properly for all the pain they've caused the Lings, you best believe I'll remember this slight!" roared Fifth Elder Ling. Given his infamous temper, Fifth Elder Ling didn't bother with any niceties and instead yelled out exactly what he had on his mind while angrily pushing up his sleeves. His face and thick neck were beetroot red and he looked as though he was about to get into a fight with the Qins.
"Don't worry, don't worry. We will definitely punish them severely," said First Elder Qin whilst smiling apologetically. The rest of the Qins present were feeling extremely demoralized by this blow against their family's reputation.
Usually, First Elder Ling would reprimand Fifth Elder Ling for losing his temper, but he didn't say a word today. Right now, the Ling clan could use some of Fifth Elder Ling's temper to settle scores with the Qin clan.
Ling Chunxi raised an eyebrow as she watched Qin Xiruo lie paralyzed upon the ground as though she were a lowly pile of mud. A whistle of contentment sounded in her heart at the sight. It wasn't that she'd never bothered taking revenge all these years, it was that she was waiting for the right time to do so, which was now! 'Qin Xiruo, I bet you never thought this day would come, didn't you? My, my, Phantom Mushrooms are useful indeed.'
