"What do you mean?" Shen Ruanzhi asked, his voice filled with doubt.
"It is what it is. We don't owe you any explanations," the leader replied arrogantly, his chin held high.
"But... I have connections with the mayor of Huobing City. You can call him—I'm sure he will let us in," Shen Ruanzhi said, trying to maintain hope.
"Hahaha..." The soldiers burst into mocking laughter.
"Connections to the mayor? What a joke!" they laughed as if deeply amused.
"Listen well, the old order is dead. There's a new regime now. If you want to enter, you'll all need to serve as servants to those in power. That's the fate of mortals like you. Hahaha..."
Shen Ren clenched his fists in rage, but he knew that acting on it now would only worsen the situation. Yet, he silently vowed to make them pay one day.
Shen Ruanzhi's shoulders sagged under the weight of responsibility for his family's safety. His heart sank, overwhelmed by the hopelessness of the situation.
Sensing his father's despair, Shen Ren stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his father's shoulder.
"Don't worry, Dad. Let me handle this," he said gently, determined not to let his father be humiliated any further.
Shen Ruanzhi had always been a respectable man. He had donated more money than most could dream of, enough to make him a billionaire and famous worldwide, yet he chose to live humbly. Now, these lowlifes were treating him with such disdain.
Shen Ren admired his father deeply. He had built the Shen Group into a respected empire, and Shen Ren couldn't stand the thought of his father's dignity being shattered. He knew his father would even kneel if it meant securing his family's safety.
But Shen Ren wasn't going to let it come to that.
He stepped forward, ready to show them his power.
"What's going one here?"
However, just as he opened his mouth to speak, an unexpected sharp voice cut through the air like a blade, silencing the tension in an instant.
Shen Ren and others squinted through the dim evening light, trying to make out the figure approaching them. As the person came closer, the faint light revealed an old man with grey hair, his face weathered but his posture as sturdy as a mountain. He wore some kind of flowing robe, resembling a person from ancient past.
Despite his age, the man's muscular frame and commanding presence suggested hidden power.
Shen Ren felt an unexpected pressure in the air, as if this old man was masking tremendous strength beneath a calm exterior.
"Daoist Cang?" the leader gasped, immediately recognizing him. Without hesitation, the leader and his soldiers dropped to their knees, kowtowing in reverence. "Greetings, Daoist Cang!"
The old man, Daoist Cang, gave a small nod, his sharp eyes narrowing as he surveyed the scene. "What's going on here? Why are these people being held up here?" he asked, his voice carrying authority.
Shen Ren's mind raced with questions. Daoist? Are we really living in such times? He couldn't help but wonder. Why does this man seem so much stronger than Xiao Mei and me? What have we overlooked in our cultivation?
He kept his thoughts to himself, deciding it was wiser to observe and listen.
The leader, now trying to save face, quickly responded. "Daoist Cang, it's nothing serious. A group of mortals came seeking shelter, but I simply suggested they become servants to the venerable Daoists, and they refused. We are at a loss for how to proceed."
His tone was pitiful, trying to gain sympathy, but the flattery was thinly veiled.
Shen Ren clenched his fists in quiet anger, but he waited for Daoist Cang's response. He knew that this old man had the power to change everything in an instant, and the fate of his family now lay in his hands.
Paah!
A sharp, resounding slap echoed through the air as Shen Ren watched in astonishment. The old man's hand had struck the leader with an impact that spoke of hidden power.
The old man's visage, etched with fury, sent shivers cascading down the spines of the surrounding soldiers. Despite their weapons, they quaked in fear, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"Trash!," Daoist Cang's voice dripped with contempt, "since when do you possess the discernment to judge another's worth? You should have summoned a Dao seeker for proper evaluation, as per the instructions."
"How can you, a mere wretch, even comprehend the true essence of heavenly jade?" His ancient eyes, brimming with arcane wisdom and power, burned with a fanatical light as he advanced towards Shen Ru, dismissing Shen Ren with a mere glance.
Shen Ruanzhi and Rong Hua tensed as the old man appeared before Shen Ru in the blink of an eye.
Shen Ru blinked, her gaze fixed on the old man, growing more bewildered by the moment.
"Girl, what is your name?" The old man asked urgently, his tone commanding yet curious.
Shen Ru glanced around before replying hesitantly, "My name is Shen Ru. What do you want, old man?" Her voice held a note of defiance.
The old man's expression softened into a smile.
"Ah, a fine name indeed. 'Shen' means 'Profound,' and 'Ru' signifies 'like,' suggesting you are destined to embody the essence of profundity," he said with a sly grin.
"I am called Elder Cang. How would you like to join our Golden Phoenix Sect? I sense a remarkable talent within you and wish to take you as my disciple. What do you say, Girl?"
Shen Ru hesitated, glancing at her brother for guidance. The new master disciple terms seemed so foreign to her.
Elder Cang continued, his tone persuasive.
"Girl, Should you accept, you may bring your family with you. They will be well-protected within our sect," he offered eagerly.
She looked at her father and then at her brother, her unease evident.
Shen Ren gave her a reassuring nod, his smile both comforting and encouraging. Despite his reservations about Elder Cang's volatile temper, he knew that given their situation, Shen Ru was their best chance. The offer, though not without risks, was undeniably tempting.
Once matters were settled, he could investigate further with a clearer perspective.