"Come now, tell me—what grievous matter could possibly compel a strapping, broad-shouldered man like yourself to bully a young girl in the middle of the street?"
Shao Yan turned toward Vice Commander Qi, the smile on his face vanishing without a trace.
Qi dared not show the slightest disrespect, a sycophantic grin plastered across his face.
"Guildmaster, it's not what you think. Don't be fooled by this little girl's age—her strength is overwhelming. An eight-star Great Warrior, and she's even fused with soul power. I was injured… I barely escaped being completely overwhelmed!"
Qi looked at Shao Yan with a face full of grievance, nearly bursting into tears as he tried to justify being no match for a twelve-year-old girl.
At this point, preserving his dignity was the least of his concerns.
"That's not the crux of the matter. What enmity could possibly run so deep? What offense have this father and daughter committed against you, that you would draw your weapon with the intent to kill?"
Though Shao Yan did not yet know the full story, he was well aware of the domineering nature of the Wolf Fang Regiment and of Qi's notoriously petty and vindictive temperament. Truth be told, he had never held much favor for their group.
His questions were sharp, cutting to the bone. Qi's gaze darted evasively, his mouth opening and closing without forming a proper answer.
Gu Qingli's eyes sparkled as she suddenly understood—there were limits to what even the guildmaster could directly act upon.
"Father, let's return home. Otherwise, if someone decides to chase us down with blades again, there'll be nowhere left for us to seek justice."
Her words held an unmistakable insinuation. Shao Yan glanced at the cunning girl, momentarily speechless—she was clearly alluding to him.
At that precise moment, a commotion stirred from beyond the crowd, followed by a rough, thunderous voice that roared:
"Damn it, Qi, you cowardly bastard! If you've got a problem, come at me! What kind of man goes after a little girl?"
Sun Jie, who now regarded Gu Qingli as a benefactor of the Snow Tiger Regiment, was burning with fury. His rage surged not only from the injustice faced by his savior but from the lingering hatred toward the Wolf Fang Regiment, whose actions had nearly destroyed his own.
Had Gu Qingli not recovered the magic core, the Snow Tiger Regiment might never have risen again.
Sun Jie, a man known for his boldness and loyalty, had long been plagued with guilt over the brothers lost due to his own recklessness—and he bore a bitter grudge against Qi.
"Uncle Sun Jie, you're here,"
Gu Qingli beamed, her cheerful demeanor a striking contrast to the lethal aura she had displayed moments before.
Gu Zhan, too, let out a breath of relief—it seemed someone had indeed gone to fetch reinforcements.
"Whew…"
Sun Jie had rushed over the moment he heard the news. Seeing that both Gu Qingli and Gu Zhan were unharmed, he finally relaxed.
Then his gaze landed on Shao Yan, and he immediately cupped his fists with great respect.
"Guildmaster, your presence is most timely. I ask that you serve as a witness between the Snow Tiger and Wolf Fang Regiments. It's high time we settled the score between us."
Originally, Sun Jie had intended to wait until his regiment had stabilized before seeking revenge for his fallen comrades. But now that Qi had brazenly appeared, it seemed fate had brought the moment to his doorstep.
Old wounds and fresh hatred collided—Sun Jie's loathing for Qi had reached its peak.
"Well…"
Shao Yan furrowed his brow deeply.
"You are both renowned mercenary groups of Loulan City. As Guildmaster, it isn't my place to meddle too deeply in your private feuds. Such matters should be resolved between your two parties. However, if you merely ask me to bear witness or offer judgment, I suppose that can be arranged."
Though he bore no fondness for the Wolf Fang Regiment, Shao Yan had no intention of overstepping his bounds—for even as Guildmaster, he had no right to interfere arbitrarily in the affairs between independent factions.