That was rather overblown.
Gan Ning couldn't hold back any longer. Forgetting whether it might sour the mood, he raised his voice: "Two Holy Maidens, you are both extraordinary figures, and normally it wouldn't be my place to speak. However, under the bright heavens, one ought to speak from the heart and answer to the sky and the gods. Our Senior Brother Jiang Chen has never gone out of his way to provoke anyone, nor has he schemed against anyone. Every person who had their Trial Orbs taken—who among them didn't come looking for trouble first? Who among them didn't bring disaster upon themselves trying to play tricks? How did it end up becoming us pillaging left and right? Are we just supposed to hand over our Trial Orbs on a silver platter when people come knocking to bully us?"
Gan Ning's tone was filled with indignation, and it was plain to see that his temper was running high.
Had it not been for the two Holy Maidens standing before him, he might very well have started cursing outright.
Wu You also spoke up: "The two Holy Maidens must be mistaken. The trial rules themselves allow any means necessary. Yet our Senior Brother Jiang Chen has always adhered to his own moral baseline and never once resorted underhanded methods to take anyone's Trial Orbs. Every last one of these Trial Orbs—none of it was ill-gotten wealth. The original owners of every single one were far from innocent."
The white-clad Holy Maiden grew even more displeased hearing Gan Ning and Wu You defend Jiang Chen.
"You're his running dogs, of course you'd speak on his behalf."
Jiang Chen offered a faint smile and cupped his fists: "Two Holy Maidens, I didn't come here to argue over these trivial matters. The world's opinions are vast and varied, and I've never expected everyone to view every matter fairly."
"So you're a dead pig that isn't afraid of boiling water."
"Heh. First of all, I'm very much alive. Second, most of the geniuses participating in this trial are the sort who'll stop at nothing. Even if I ran with that crowd, it hardly seems necessary for the two Holy Maidens to single me out." Jiang Chen's manner was measured—neither servile nor arrogant.
He would never compromise endlessly just because someone was a Holy Maiden or held themselves above the rest. Jiang Chen had his own principles.
At that moment, the orange-clad Holy Maiden who had been silent all along smiled gently and spoke: "Fellow Daoist Jiang Chen, this humble one is Sitong. This is my sister, Holy Maiden Yaoguang of the Radiant Holy Land. Her personality is straightforward—she says what she means. Please forgive any offense, Fellow Daoist."
Holy Maiden Sitong's aura was entirely different from that of Holy Maiden Yaoguang.
Yet both of them were peerless beauties, and appearing together like this, their splendor played off one another, making them seem all the more outstanding.
The Sixteen Golden Beauties—especially those ranked near the top—truly lived up to their reputation, every last one of them.
Jiang Chen smiled casually: "I take no offense. I heard that Young Master Suichen came to pay his respects, only to be detained by the two Holy Maidens. Might I ask whether you had just cause to hold him?"
"My sister and I were performing music. He knows absolutely nothing about music, yet he strolled in trying to appear refined, completely ruining the atmosphere, and then started babbling nonsense. Don't you think he deserved a beating?" Holy Maiden Yaoguang's tone carried a clear note of contempt when she mentioned Young Master Suichen.
Jiang Chen smiled bitterly. If that was the reason, then Young Master Suichen had truly shot himself in the foot.
It was obvious that the young man had been trying to flirt with the two Holy Maidens, only to disrupt their enjoyment and get himself caught.
At the end of the day, Young Master Suichen simply lacked the charm, was clueless about social graces, knew nothing about music, and had offended the two Holy Maidens.
"Even if he deserved a beating, you've already beaten him. The two Holy Maidens don't seem like the type to harass people needlessly. Why not release him? It would make things easier for everyone down the road." Jiang Chen cupped his fists.
"Release him?" Holy Maiden Yaoguang snorted. "On what grounds? Besides—we lured you here on purpose."
Jiang Chen's heart stirred. At least she was honest. Hearing the other party confirm they had come specifically for him only made him more vigilant.