"Reporting to the Sect Master — this is no small matter. I, Zuo Ying, would not dare be careless about it."
"That is why I arrived early."
Zuo Ying clasped her fist and spoke.
"Good. We truly chose the right person. For our Chongxu Temple to have someone as talented as Elder Zuo Ying — that is our Chongxu Temple's blessing."
The Sect Master of Chongxu Temple said.
"My apologies for the wait, everyone."
But at that very moment, a booming voice suddenly erupted from the sky. Right after, a figure descended from above and landed in the center of the square.
This person was none other than Zuo Ying's father.
"Elder Zuo, there has been no long wait. In fact, the time has not yet arrived. If we are being precise, you are actually early."
"However, it is of no matter. Since you are already here, we might as well begin ahead of schedule," the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple said with a smile.
"Sect Master, I believe I have not yet agreed to serve as your Chongxu Temple's Honorary Elder."
"Therefore, the appointment of Zuo Ying as the Outer Sect's Chief Elder is not my place to decide as an outsider. That should be something you do yourselves," Zuo Ying's father said.
But the moment these words left his mouth, the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple and the elders all looked rather unsettled.
"Elder Zuo, what is the meaning of this? Was it not you who said you wished to join our Chongxu Temple?"
"Moreover, I have already personally handed you our Chongxu Temple's elder token," the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple asked, thoroughly confused.
"If receiving the token means I have agreed, then — here, I return it to you."
Zuo Ying's father raised his arm and tossed a token straight toward the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple.
And that token was none other than the elder token of the Chongxu Temple.
"You —"
At that moment, the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple was left at a complete loss, and moreover, in an extremely awkward position.
Today was supposed to be a joyous occasion. How had things turned out like this?
Under normal circumstances, he would have flown into a rage long ago. But the Chongxu Temple currently did indeed need the fighting strength of Zuo Ying's father. So he chose to hold back.
Still, the matter had to be resolved. He just had no idea where the problem lay.
In desperation, the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple actually turned a pleading gaze toward Zuo Ying.
"Father, what are you doing?"
At that moment, Zuo Ying was also growing unhappy, because even she had no idea why her father was doing this.
If he kept this up, it would make things extremely difficult for her in the Chongxu Temple going forward.
"Zuo Ying, your father will not serve as an elder in a sect that bullies my daughter," Zuo Ying's father said.
"Bullies? Elder Zuo, what are you talking about? There must be some misunderstanding. No one in the Chongxu Temple has ever bullied Zuo Ying," the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple said.
"No one?"
"Hmph. And you would continue to shield this woman like this?"
Zuo Ying's father let out a cold sneer, then pointed his finger straight at Song Ge.
"Me?"
At that moment, not only was everyone else bewildered — even Song Ge herself wore a look of utter confusion.
"This woman and my daughter are both elders of the Chongxu Temple."
"My daughter showed her great kindness and treated her as a dear friend. Yet time and again, this woman has plotted against my daughter behind her back, resorting to every filthy and despicable scheme she could think of."
"My daughter has suffered such bullying, and you all pretended to know nothing about it?"
"And you have the audacity to ask me whether there is a misunderstanding?"
Zuo Ying's father pointed at Song Ge and demanded answers from the Sect Master of Chongxu Temple.
"Senior, when have I ever done anything to bully your daughter? Where are you hearing all of this from?" Song Ge also challenged Zuo Ying's father.
"Shut your mouth. You have no right to speak here."