Early the next morning, Nangong Jun arrived at the entrance of the Pure Flame Temple with every elder of the Nangong clan in tow, dragging along Nangong Ping, bound hand and foot. Before the bounty arena even opened for the day, he went straight to Vice Temple Master Gao.
"Brother Gao, I'm deeply ashamed. I've failed at raising my son, and I've wronged you." When Nangong Jun laid eyes on Vice Temple Master Gao, he called out with a face full of shame.
Vice Temple Master Gao snorted coldly, his gaze falling on Nangong Ping, whose face had gone white with terror. "You — you never learn, do you? You took a beating the first time and it still wasn't enough. You dared to cause trouble a second time. Did you think your Nangong clan was the biggest fish in the whole world? Forget about the Peerless Great Emperor being present — even if he weren't, did you really think you could afford to push Chief Arena Master Shao Yuan around? That you could muscle him?"
Vice Temple Master Gao had previously sent harsh words to Nangong Jun, but that was all for show — a performance put on for everyone watching.
Deep down, he had no real intention of falling out with Nangong Jun over this matter.
Hearing this, Nangong Jun understood that Vice Temple Master Gao had let him off the hook, and that the Vice Temple Master had no genuine intention of severing ties with the Nangong clan.
Thinking this, Nangong Jun spun and kicked Nangong Ping hard on the backside. "You beast! Apologize to your Uncle Gao this instant! Beg for a chance to live! Let me make this clear — if Uncle Gao doesn't forgive you, I'll disown you as my son!"
This declaration effectively backed Vice Temple Master Gao into a moral corner.
Vice Temple Master Gao smiled helplessly. "Brother Nangong, there are no outsiders here, so I'll be frank with you. My forgiving him isn't the problem — your son really does lack discipline. But my forgiving him won't help. The Peerless Great Emperor is furious this time."
"The Peerless Great Emperor?" Nangong Jun couldn't help but probe. "Does he have… a close relationship with that Chief Arena Master Shao Yuan?"
"Brother, whether they have a close relationship or not, there's no point in you digging into that. The situation is clear enough. The Peerless Great Emperor is furious, and the consequences will be severe."
Nangong Ping said with a bitter face, "Brother Gao, I'm a fool, and my mind is a complete muddle right now. You've always been the sharp one — please, give me some advice."
"I can relay a word on your behalf, but whether I can get the Peerless Great Emperor to forgive your Nangong clan — I really can't promise that." Vice Temple Master Gao sighed. "The Peerless Great Emperor showing up here in Pill Fire City is already strange enough. From what I've observed, he seems to have something weighing on his mind. Otherwise, given his usual magnanimity, he wouldn't lose his temper like this. Of course, it's also possible he truly admires that Shao Yuan fellow."
"Then I'll go beg his forgiveness right away. Whatever compensation he wants, my Nangong clan is willing to accept." Nangong Jun didn't dare show even the slightest hint of temper.
A Great Emperor cultivator held absolute authority and absolute advantage.
Nangong Jun had never once considered opposing the Peerless Great Emperor. Even though the Peerless Great Emperor was an independent cultivator, the very thought of confrontation never crossed his mind.
Because he knew better than anyone that a single Great Emperor could annihilate his entire clan without breaking a sweat.
"If you go to the Peerless Great Emperor now, you'll probably walk right into the line of fire. The root of this matter lies with Chief Arena Master Shao Yuan. If you're going to apologize, you'd do better to first gain Chief Arena Master Shao Yuan's understanding. After all, in both conflicts, Chief Arena Master Shao Yuan was the victim."
Vice Temple Master Gao had originally harbored some minor complaints about Jiang Chen as well — thinking the young man had too much of a temper, too much of an attitude, that instead of defusing the situation he had fanned the flames.
But he also knew that this really couldn't be blamed on the young man. Moreover, from the Pure Flame Temple's perspective, it would be unwise to offend him.
Setting aside the Peerless Great Emperor's attitude toward the young man — if he truly hailed from the Ten Thousand Abyss Island, then the Pure Flame Temple absolutely could not afford to offend him.
As for the Nangong clan? If they truly crossed someone from the Ten Thousand Abyss Island, they wouldn't even know how they died.
"Brother Gao, are you saying I should go apologize to that young man?" Nangong Jun hesitated. Apologizing to the Peerless Great Emperor — that Nangong Jun could handle without particular shame.
But going to apologize to some young pup? That was a different matter entirely. He was a prominent figure in Pill Fire City, a ninth-level Imperial Realm powerhouse. Bowing his head before a young man — that was truly asking too much.
Seeing the look on Nangong Jun's face, Vice Temple Master Gao's tone turned cold. "Brother Nangong, this is your Nangong clan's affair. I can't make the decision for you. I've given you the most reasonable solution. If you can't accept it, there's nothing more I can say."
Hearing the cold edge in Vice Temple Master Gao's voice, Nangong Jun broke into a cold sweat.
"This…"
Vice Temple Master Gao said lightly, "I have other matters to attend to. If you'll excuse me."
Nangong Jun was completely thrown into disarray. From Vice Temple Master Gao's attitude, he truly sensed a thick, suffocating sense of crisis.
"Patriarch, the situation leaves us no choice. When you need to bow your head, you bow your head." One of the clan elders couldn't help but speak up.
"We don't know what background that young man has. Since the Peerless Great Emperor values him so highly, perhaps his connections are far greater than we imagine."
"Besides, this was Nangong Ping's fault from the start. What's wrong with a simple apology?"
"If you can't swallow your pride, then let Nangong Ping go in your place. We'll tag along, say a few conciliatory words, put on a few smiles. We'll do our best to earn their understanding."
These clan elders had all seen Vice Temple Master Gao's attitude, and their hearts were filled with inexplicable dread. Having lived as long as they had, how could they fail to sense the danger?
From Vice Temple Master Gao's attitude, they could smell it.
Nangong Ping, upon hearing that he was expected to go apologize, immediately cried out, "Impossible! I'll never apologize to that brat — not unless you kill me first!"
"You beast! Shut your mouth!" Nangong Jun was truly beside himself with fury, and he slapped Nangong Ping hard across the face. "Do you think the trouble you've caused isn't big enough already?"