Extremely Protective of His Son . . .
The clan chiefs were utterly flabbergasted, their eyes almost popping out from sheer shock.
[Good heavens! Isn't he overly audacious?]
[Yes, you may be a protective father, but do you comprehend the gravity of the situation and to whom you are speaking? These are Shuang and Han of Qiong-Hua Palace!]
[Even without harming your son, if they chose to strike you, wiping out your entire clan would be child's play for them, wouldn't it?]
[Look at you! You're no more than an ant in their presence. How dare you accuse them?]
[Perhaps you've consumed some leopard gall or bear heart, but that shouldn't have bestowed you with this level of audacity!]
Shuang and Han, the central figures in this event, were genuinely taken aback. They stared at Cha Nantian with a perplexed expression, a tinge of fear creeping into their hearts.
The reason for their trepidation was simple: the man was their brother's father.
Moreover, the man was standing up for their brother!
Ahem! Cha Eun Xiao quickly coughed, attempting to caution the two ladies. He was well aware of their natures. If he didn't alert them, they might readily apologize to Cha Nantian or even kneel in submission.
If Cha Nantian were to attack the ladies, they wouldn't offer any resistance, let alone fight back. Their brother's father was tantamount to their own father.
"So what if we struck him? And what if we didn't?" Yue Han maintained an air of nonchalance, despite her frantic desire to wipe the sweat from her brow.
Humph! Cha Nantian was incensed. "So what? I haven't scolded him even once since the day he was born, let alone struck him..."
He fumed, "How dare you lay a hand on my son! You will pay for this... I..."
Before the irate father could finish his outburst...
"We didn't touch him!"
Yue Han hastily clarified with wide eyes. [It's time to abandon this facade of indifference. I must explain the truth to him immediately, lest things escalate further.]
—Boom!—
Some people were so shocked that their hearts momentarily stopped. The clan chiefs from other clans were so astounded that they collapsed to the floor. Their breathing was heavy and labored.
[Good grief...]
[Have I witnessed a specter or dreamt it?]
[This must be a nightmare!]
[Why else would such a terrifying, chilling, astonishing, and inconceivable spectacle unfold before my eyes if not a nightmare...]
"Why would we lay a hand on him?" Yue Shuang chimed in, maintaining her usual cold and impassive demeanor. "We're here to quell the chaos. You would be dead if we chose to engage in combat. What's the point?"
She spoke in her characteristic manner, as was customary for the two ladies.
Nonetheless, Cha Nantian was taken aback. He inquired, "Then why is he..."
"Father, I suddenly felt drowsy during our conversation. I intended to splash some water on my face to stay alert, but I slipped. That's why my clothes are wet. It was my fault... Not theirs..." What a feeble excuse!
[You're a first-level Dao Origin Stage cultivator, a high-ranking cultivator. Even though you pale in comparison to Shuang and Yue, you're the most influential figure in the Oracle District. In a conversation that could determine the fate of our clan, you actually claimed you were drowsy...]
[How incredibly drowsy were you?]
[So drowsy that it caused you to slip and tumble to the ground...]
Even Zhan Yunfei and Zhu Jiutian felt like they were about to lose consciousness upon hearing this.
[Come on, brother, you could've concocted a better story...]
[Even pigs wouldn't buy this!]
[If you have to tell such a ridiculous lie, please don't reveal that you're a disciple of Cold Moon Palace. We can't bear the shame! Please!]
What astounded them the most was that the ladies went along with this "hogwash" story...
"That's right. He fell asleep..." Yue Shuang and Yue Han actually tried to cover for his falsehood. "He fetched a basin of water from somewhere to try and wake himself up. Something happened, he slipped... The water spilled all over him. That's why he looks soiled... How clumsy..."
Everyone who heard their statements bore the same stunned expression, their mouths agape and their large, round eyes wide open, staring in disbelief at Cha Eun Xiao and the two ladies. Nobody spoke. They were paralyzed!
All of them felt as if they had been struck by divine lightning right on their heads!
Even those who claimed to be clever and resourceful found themselves in a mental fog. They were utterly flummoxed, not knowing how to process this.
It was beyond human comprehension!
They all thought in unison, "I must be going mad!"
"This is an insane world..."
Even Cha Eun Xiao, the sole recipient of support, couldn't help but roll his eyes.
[Goodness, how were disciples of Qiong-Hua Palace trained? How did these young girls survive to this day? They're nothing like the experienced, formidable martial world assassins they're supposed to be!]
[Clearly, they're two naive and foolish young women...]
Cha Nantian was stupefied. When he snapped out of his trance and closed his mouth, he realized his face had gone rigid...
He tried to move his lips and began to say, "Well..."
"Hmm... That..."
Yue Shuang appeared ready to respond as well.
But what followed was silence...
Zhan Yunfei's head was in a fog. He covertly nudged Zhu Jiutian with a finger and murmured, "Do you understand what's happening?"
Zhu Jiutian rolled his eyes and replied, "How could I?"
"This is too bizarre. So peculiar... It's like magic..." Zhan Yunfei scratched his head and grumbled.
Zhu Jiutian was equally baffled. "You're right. It's too... much... that..."
"I simply feel that it's impossible to fathom..." Zhan Yunfei looked deeply pensive. "The only thing I can think of is that I'm the same surname as you at this very moment..."
"Same surname?" Zhu Jiutian was puzzled, and then he caught on to what Zhan Yunfei was getting at. He exclaimed indignantly, "Zhan Yunfei, you rascal!"