The night was dim, with a slight mist gradually spreading.
Zhang Rongfang ran back with Xiao Qingying, asking her why she wanted to come down the mountain so late.
At night, the mountains were full of wild beasts, even Martial Cultivators with high skills wouldn't dare to enter the forest at this pitch-black hour.
She was just a Martial Cultivator at the Muscle Forging stage, without actual combat experience, going down the mountain to the forest at this time was highly dangerous.
"I just... just wanted to see the scenery of Red Mountain at night by myself, why are you meddling so much?" Xiao Qingying didn't want to reveal the truth.
"Senior Sister, do you know how dangerous Red Mountain is at night...."
Suddenly, Zhang Rongfang felt a blast of evil wind approaching from behind.
The opponent didn't hide at all, making a strong move with great noise, and such noise meant great power as well.
Zhang Rongfang only felt goosebumps rising all over his back.
Immediately, he threw Xiao Qingying to the left and rolled to the left himself.
"Still dare to dodge!!?" A rough voice exploded behind him.
Zhang Rongfang turned around and saw Senior Brother Jiao Teng rushing out from the dark with an angry face.
Under the thin moonlight, Jiao Teng said nothing, and once again threw a punch at him.
The speed of this move was so fast that Zhang Rongfang hadn't even gotten up from the ground. He couldn't avoid it and could only resist it head-on.
But in this situation, resisting head-on would inevitably expose his hidden strength....
"Stop!! Senior Brother!"
Before Jiao Teng could get close, a burly figure rushed out from the side and pressed down on Jiao Teng's arm.
That figure was no less strong than Jiao Teng, and under the moonlight, it turned out to be Senior Sister Zhao Dacong.
"If you haven't figured out the situation, don't act rashly! Avoid misunderstandings!" Zhao Dacong said hurriedly.
"I saw him kidnapping Junior Sister Xiaoying with my own eyes! Do you still doubt it!?" Jiao Teng said angrily. "Get out of my way, or I'll hit you too!"
"Calm down!" Zhao Dacong's arm muscles bulged as she forcefully restrained Jiao Teng. "Whatever the matter is, let the Master handle it. It's not for us disciples to decide!"
With these words, Jiao Teng struggled a few times but couldn't break free.
He could only snort angrily and shake off his hand.
In the darkness, his eyes could be seen faintly glowing, staring at Zhang Rongfang with a cold gaze.
Zhang Rongfang stood up from the ground, patted his slightly damp robe, and clasped his hands in salute.
"Then let's go together to the Master and let him decide."
He instinctively felt that Jiao Teng was very dangerous at the moment.
This person had remained silent, suddenly attacked before, and was a second-rank expert, something felt off.
If Zhao Dacong hadn't intervened, he would have definitely exposed himself just now and fought the opponent.
And with his current strength and cards, fighting did not guarantee victory, he had a greater chance of losing.
This made him crave for more strength.
If he were stronger than Jiao Teng, he wouldn't have to endure this frustration.
"Thank you, Senior Sister." Zhang Rongfang thanked Zhao Dacong again.
"No need, let's go. The Master is already waiting for us." Zhao Dacong's expression didn't look good either.
Junior Sister Xiaoying's sudden disappearance in the middle of the night disturbed everyone's rest, leaving no one in a good mood.
Xiao Qingying, seeing this, quickly walked to Jiao Teng and Zhao Dacong's side without saying anything.
The shouts from the group had awakened several nearby Daoists.
The patrolling Daoists came over to ask a few questions but were blocked by Jiao Teng. They didn't inquire further.
As long as no rules were broken and nothing happened, these small matters of secretly sneaking down the mountain were naturally handled by each Master's sect.
They returned all the way to Xiao Rong's little pavilion.
The pavilion was brightly lit, with many people already standing inside.
Sun Yuanfeng still had rainwater in his hair, evidently, he had woken everyone up.
Chen Hui was quietly yawning with her head down.
Hong Da had his eyes half-closed, seemingly asleep yet awake.
Xiao Rong sat on a grand chair, holding a cup of hot tea, but the edge of the cup had several cracks, looking fresh as if they were just made.
He appeared calm, but clearly not as serene inside as he seemed.
Two servant disciples carefully tidied up the surroundings, and tactfully left on their own after Jiao Teng, Zhao Dacong, and Zhang Rongfang entered, closing the door.
Only those of Xiao Rong's branch were left.
The three, along with Xiao Qingying, entered and each bowed in salutation.
"Master!"
Xiao Qingying was somewhat apprehensive, not daring to meet her father's eyes.
"Father...."
Xiao Rong observed each of them in turn. His gaze stayed on the most disheveled Zhang Rongfang for a moment.
"Speak. What's going on? Why did Xiaoying almost go missing again?"
He turned his gaze to Senior Brother Jiao Teng.
Silence.
From a censer by the wall, a stick of incense slowly exuded smoke.
The slight scent from the incense, typically used to calm and focus the mind, now only added to the oppressive atmosphere.
"I heard some noise earlier, so I went to check, and found Zhang Rongfang holding Junior Sister Xiaoying sneakily, not knowing what he was up to!? In a moment of anger, I was about to take action...."
Jiao Teng took a deep breath and was the first to speak.
At that moment.
The gaze of several people all focused on Zhang Rongfang.
Zhang Rongfang's eyelid twitched, being stared at by so many martial experts, his skin slightly broke out in goosebumps.
In the dim light of the oil lamp, he clasped his fists and bowed.
"Reporting to Master. During the night watch, I discovered that Senior Sister Xiao left suddenly for no reason, so I followed her. Later, I found that she was trying to leave the mountain and was suddenly knocked unconscious by someone. I rushed out to scare that person away and saved her..."
"Nonsense! Clearly, you intended to kidnap and deceive Junior Sister Xiaoying!" Jiao Teng accused loudly.
"Before the facts are clear, could you remain quiet? I believe Rongfang is not that kind of person!" Zhao Dachong also raised his voice.
"I've long suspected that there's something wrong with Zhang Rongfang! Even last time..." Jiao Teng wanted to continue. Just Zhao Dachong alone couldn't suppress him.
"Enough!" Xiao Rong abruptly yelled, "The truth, Xiaoying can clarify it herself! It's not up to you to argue!"
"Xiaoying, is this true?" Xiao Rong looked at Xiao Qingying.
Xiao Qingying bit her lip, lowered her head, her mind in chaos.
"Xiaoying?" Xiao Rong spoke again, his brows furrowed. The hand holding his teacup trembled slightly, and he gripped it tighter.
Jiao Teng, Zhao Dachong, and the others all focused their gaze on Xiao Qingying.
Right now, her words would clearly decide whether Zhang Rongfang was wronged.
But...
Zhang Rongfang watched Xiao Qingying's silence, his heart sinking further.
"Senior Sister Xiao, was it really me who tricked you into preparing to leave the mountain? We should speak and act with conscience, shouldn't we?" he spoke up.
Xiao Qingying's body trembled.
She knew very well that it was her sneaking away wanting to leave, but if she spoke frankly, it would inevitably involve Wuyou Brother.
Wuyou Brother had already been misunderstood enough by her father, and now if this were to happen again...
How could she be with Wuyou Brother in the future?
She felt guilty, but she couldn't manage to speak the words to clarify, stuck at the tip of her tongue.
So she could only remain silent, turning her head away, not daring to meet Zhang Rongfang's gaze.
"Zhang Rongfang, what do you have to say?" Xiao Rong lowered his gaze and looked over.
"...Nothing to say." Zhang Rongfang truly had nothing to say.
Xiao Qingying's silence placed him in the most indefensible position.
At this moment, no matter what he said, it would only be seen as a defense.
"He definitely was secretly up to no good!" Jiao Teng said coldly. "Master, such a disloyal and unrighteous person, let me go and beat him to death!!"
He wanted to step forward immediately.
"Where's the evidence?! If Junior Brother Rongfang was truly saving someone! What you're doing is a huge mistake!" Zhao Dachong also stepped forward, furious.
"You're still speaking for him, I see you're in league with him too!" Jiao Teng snarled, pointing at Zhao Dachong.
"Jiao Teng!! Say that again if you dare!!?" Zhao Dachong was equally enraged. His muscles tensed and were ready to act at any moment.
"And what if I do!?!"
"Enough!"
Xiao Rong suddenly stood and shouted angrily.
The scene immediately returned to silence. Zhao Dachong and Jiao Teng glared at each other but didn't dare to speak again.
Xiao Rong glanced at Xiao Qingying, a complicated look flashing in his eyes.
He knew very well what kind of person his daughter was. Her earlier performance did not escape his eyes.
With hands behind his back, he walked slowly over to the bowed Zhang Rongfang.
"Zhang Rongfang."
"Disciple is here."
"From today, you won't be accompanying Xiaoying. Until the matter is resolved, return and wait," Xiao Rong said sternly.
"Disciple obeys."
Zhang Rongfang bowed again, stood up, cupped his fist towards Zhao Dachong, glanced at Jiao Teng, then turned and walked towards the door.
He understood that from this moment, regardless of the reason, Xiao Rong would no longer trust him.
"Moreover, I initially promoted you for Xiaoying's sake, but since you've mishandled this matter, return to where you came from," Xiao Rong's voice came again.
Regardless of whether Zhang Rongfang had issues, he no longer had the energy or time to investigate further.
Rather than delay, it was better to cut this extra expense and find someone new.
Zhang Rongfang paused, understanding that Xiao Rong had decided to give up on him entirely. These words essentially meant he was expelled.
However, this was also a relief. This troublesome Daoist palace didn't offer a clear path; he had hesitated about leaving, and now it was simply decided for him.
He turned around, stood at the door, and performed a final bow.
"Disciple obeys."
The formalities complete, he turned and swiftly left, his figure soon swallowed by the night.
"Master! I said before, the poisoning incident, and last time, and this time, if not for Junior Brother Rongfang, Xiaoying would surely have been in trouble. By sending him away, you're only playing into the hands of those shady people! If anything happens later, you'll regret it!" Zhao Dachong fumed.
"Alright, disperse for now." Xiao Rong did not reply. He glanced at the seething Zhao Dachong, then turned his gaze to Jiao Teng.
"From now on, the duty of watching over Xiaoying will be yours, Jiao Teng. Dachong, calm down first."
"Yes, Master!" Jiao Teng's expression remained unchanged as he cupped his fists in salute.
"Sigh!" Zhao Dachong stomped heavily but had no choice.
Master had always been easygoing, but when it came to matters involving his daughter, he became indecisive and suspicious.
Where was the responsibility really? How could they still not see it now?
Even if Zhang Rongfang had many questionable points, but nothing ever happened, and to just drive him out like this felt too heartless.