Chapter 111

Chapter 111: Do Not Call Me Father Again!

Shen Sang Ruo’s words left Shen Dao Chen speechless.

Master Ling Xiao could not stand her righteous tone, but he could only snort and say: “Tricky words and forced arguments.”

Both sides were stuck. With so many Flying Cloud Sect disciples watching, Shen Dao Chen could not find a fair reason to punish Shen Sang Ruo. If he made “hurting someone in a match on purpose” a crime, then every Flying Cloud Sect disciple would have to take a walk to the Disciplinary Hall.

The reason did not hold. As Sect Master, Shen Dao Chen could not act on impulse. He had to look fair and just on the surface.

But since Shen Sang Ruo had hurt Bai Mu Mu so badly, he would not let it go easily.

Right now, Shen Sang Ruo was leaning on the strength of the crowd to steady the scene. After the disciples left, he would surely have a long talk with her.

With a dark face, Shen Dao Chen announced to the crowd: “Due to an accident, the Young Sect Master trial ends here. We will decide another day. All disciples, leave in order.”

Strictly speaking, all three parts of the trial were already finished. But Shen Dao Chen did not judge the final winner of the strength round, and he did not say who the Young Sect Master was.

Disciples, Peak Masters, and Elders of the Flying Cloud Sect all understood, but none spoke up. Of course they did not want someone as cruel as Shen Sang Ruo to become Young Sect Master.

Shen Sang Ruo knew exactly what the old fox was thinking. She had not gotten what she wanted yet. How could she let him scatter the crowd?

She raised her voice: “Everyone here saw who won the strength round. Senior Uncle, why will you not announce it? And what about the right to enter the Treasure Pavilion? Senior Uncle, are you going to go back on your word?”

Her voice came at just the right time, like she was picking a fight with Shen Dao Chen on purpose, and his face turned green with anger. In the past, Shen Sang Ruo had been so obedient and gentle, never fighting hard for anything. Now she looked like a different person.

His heart was full of mixed feelings, mostly disappointment and anger.

She said, clear and direct: “I won, yet Senior Uncle still will not give me the right to enter the Treasure Pavilion. Was that spot meant for Junior Sister Bai from the start, so you do not want to give it to me?”

Seeing that Shen Dao Chen still would not speak, Shen Sang Ruo kept going. She wanted to pin him to the wall so he could not step down. She had to get the Soulbond Lock.

Her words pierced through Shen Dao Chen’s plan. Everyone knows that when someone is called out, they get furious. In an instant, all of Shen Dao Chen’s feelings became pure anger.

He snapped: “Is the Treasure Pavilion all you care about? For one spot, you dare to suspect your own father. I raised you all these years for nothing.”

He tried to use these words to shame Shen Sang Ruo.

Shen Sang Ruo’s face did not change. She answered lightly: “I am just speaking about what happened and fighting for what I deserve. Senior Uncle, there is no need to get angry.”

She moved like she would keep talking, clearly not stopping until she got the spot.

Shen Dao Chen had already lost his temper. He forced his voice low, anger surging in his chest, and said: “You care that much about your own gain? Fine. Go to your Treasure Pavilion. From now on, do not call me father again.”

He felt a small bit of relief. Thank goodness Shen Sang Ruo had not forced him to name her Young Sect Master in front of everyone. For a small, petty benefit, she had badly hurt her Little Sister and made a scene. How was that different from a street rascal?

Right now, Shen Dao Chen had fully made up his mind. He would never give the Young Sect Master seat to Shen Sang Ruo. His words shocked the whole crowd.

What he said was no different from cutting off the father daughter bond with Shen Sang Ruo. It showed how truly angry he was.

Wen Xuan’s eyes tightened. He had never thought things would go this far. He rushed to Shen Dao Chen, cupped his fists, bowed, and said in a hurry: “Sect Master Shen, Little Ruo acted without thinking and made a great mistake. Please forgive her.”

Feng He Yun wore a long face and also stepped forward to plead: “Sect Master Shen, please do not hold this against her. She has not been clear headed lately.”

Luo Chu stood with them and said: “Sect Master Shen, think twice.”

Even Lu Shi Qing spoke: “Sect Master Shen, please reconsider.”

Seeing the four former Senior Brothers all pleading for Shen Sang Ruo, Shen Dao Chen’s eyes flashed with surprise. He knew what they had done to her before and hated it. Why were they standing up for her now?

Shen Sang Ruo’s eyes did not ripple at their pleas.

When Shen Dao Chen would not budge, the four moved to her side.

Feng He Yun reached for her and urged: “Shen Sang Ruo, just admit your mistake to Sect Master Shen. Forget the Treasure Pavilion for now. Do not be stubborn.” She slipped away without a trace, and he grabbed only air.

Wen Xuan tried to persuade her: “Little Ruo, please do not anger Sect Master Shen anymore.”

He truly did not want to see her go even further after beating Bai Mu Mu like that. Thinking of what he and the others had done to Shen Sang Ruo, the guilt in his heart kept him from scolding her.

Shen Dao Chen watched all this and was already ready to blame the four of them. He looked to Master Ling Xiao.

Master Ling Xiao’s brows were also tightly drawn. He waved his sleeve, cutting off Luo Chu just as he was about to speak, and said: “I did not know you had such deep feelings for her.”

He added: “She is no longer of Thunder-Scale Peak. Your true Junior Sister was hurt by her, yet you beg for her?”

His half lidded eyes showed clearly how displeased he was.

Feng He Yun and the others closed their mouths, but they still looked at Shen Sang Ruo with hope, wishing their words had helped.

Shen Dao Chen also watched her, weighing her. Even if she admitted she was wrong, he would not take back what he had said. In recent years her edge had grown too sharp. He had to sand it down. If she kept acting like there were no rules, what then?

Everyone thought she would give in to Shen Dao Chen and give up the Treasure Pavilion spot. Not to mention their years as father and daughter, Shen Dao Chen was the sect leader. How could she bear to lose the resources under his hand?

Under countless gazes, Shen Sang Ruo held out her hand to Shen Dao Chen.

He did not know what she meant until she kindly explained: “Treasure Pavilion Token.”

[I have always called him Senior Uncle. Whether I recognize him as father or not makes no difference.]

Shen Dao Chen had imagined many reactions. He thought she might panic at once, hide her sharpness, even cry and beg him, saying she was wrong and asking him not to break off their bond.

He had not imagined this.

She chose the Treasure Pavilion over him so cleanly.

Shen Dao Chen felt his anger surge and said “Fine” several times in a row.