"No, you can't refuse."
The old Taoist was a man who valued his reputation. If he didn't bring Ning Beichen back, he would surely be mocked by his senior brother. Thus, he grabbed Ning Beichen, intending to force him back.
"Scram!"
Ning Beichen threw a punch, sending the old Taoist flying. Did he really think that just because he was over a hundred years old, people would defer to him?
The old Taoist was located at a steep downward staircase. Knocked back by Ning Beichen's punch, he flew down the stone steps.
The old Taoist was in a panic, his internal Qi in disarray. He desperately tried to circulate his internal energy.
However, Ning Beichen's attack was not something to be trifled with. If Ning Beichen were still at the Grandmaster realm, the old Taoist could have handled it. But Ning Beichen was no longer a Grandmaster; he was at the Mortal Shedding realm.
The old Taoist fell down the two-hundred-meter-long slope, his body battered to the point of nearly losing his life. It took him a long time to recover. If he hadn't cultivated his physical body, he would have likely turned into a puddle of mud by now.
"You... what kind of evil sorcery did you use on me?"
The old Taoist asked Ning Beichen in terror.
"Ignorant fool. I detest the hypocrisy of those who claim to be righteous. When they can't defeat someone, they label them as heretics."
Ning Beichen snorted coldly, and with a flash, he was in front of the old Taoist.
"This is no longer the old era. You have no right to judge what is right or wrong. A hundred years old, and you've all lived like dogs."
After speaking, Ning Beichen slapped the old Taoist across the face.
"Slap!"
The sound was crisp and loud.
The old Taoist's cheek burned with pain.
He felt as though he should have been able to dodge, yet he couldn't. He could only endure the blow.
"Is it evil sorcery?"
Ning Beichen asked.
The old Taoist was dizzy and hadn't answered when Ning Beichen slapped him again, asking,
"Is it?"
"No... no."
The old Taoist hurriedly replied.
He had lived for over a hundred years not because he was stubborn, but because if he were truly that foolish, he would have died countless times over. Those who live long are often cunning.
"Scram! If you pester me again, I'll make sure you have your Qingming Festival early this year."
Ning Beichen told him.
"Young man, why be so angry? I meant no harm. I just wanted to invite you for a visit. Must you disrespect elders like this?"
The old Taoist said, feeling a loss of face.
Most importantly, for many years, no one had dared to scold him to his face, let alone speak harshly to him.
"If you want to die, I'll grant it!"
Ning Beichen didn't care that he was an old Taoist, regardless of his age. He had warned him repeatedly and made it abundantly clear that the old man lacked the strength to provoke him.
The old Taoist never imagined that Ning Beichen would show him no respect at all. Seeing a world-shattering punch hurtling towards him, he felt the aura of death.
Fear, panic, helplessness, and regret were his current emotions. Why had he provoked him in the first place?
It was his own foolish mouth. The old Taoist wished he could slap himself.
Although he had lived for over a hundred years, those who are unwilling to pass on likely wish to live to two hundred, or even more.
Yet today, he had brought about his own demise.
Just as the old Taoist was about to meet his maker, a figure landed in front of him, blocking Ning Beichen's attack.
However, it didn't go well for the newcomer. He was forced to retreat seven or eight steps, only stopping when he hit a large tree behind him. He then opened his mouth, let out a cry, and spat out a large mouthful of blood.
The old Taoist, whose life had been saved, his face drastically changed. He rushed towards the man who was spitting blood and cried out,
"Senior brother."
At this moment, the old Taoist truly regretted it, a regret that went to his very bones.
If it weren't for him, how could his senior brother be injured?
"Hmph, one old Taoist isn't enough? Now there's another? Are you ganging up on me? I shouldn't have been lenient with you Taoists. I shouldn't have let those two 'bull-noses' from Mount Hua go before!"
Ning Beichen said furiously.
If not for those two damned Taoists, why would he, Ning Beichen, have so much trouble?
He Ning Beichen didn't provoke anyone, he just wanted to cultivate properly and find his own path. What was his mistake?
"Mr. Ning, please calm your anger. It was my junior brother's fault. I apologize on his behalf."
The person who had just saved the old Taoist was his senior brother. He had initially thought that sending his junior brother to invite Ning Beichen for a friendly exchange would be fine.
However, he later thought of his junior brother's temperament and rushed over, but it was still too late.
He should have foreseen this outcome. Therefore, he bore half the responsibility.
"So, are you taking him and leaving, or shall I send you both on your way?"
Ning Beichen said sternly.
He really didn't care for these "bull-noses" anymore. Not a single one of them could speak properly.
Every time they came out, they acted like the heavens and he were the only two important beings. If things didn't go their way, they would resort to violence. Not even the people from the Divine Sect or the Holy Palace were as arrogant as them!
"Mr. Ning, you've misunderstood. We truly meant no harm..."
The old Taoist's senior brother felt as if his internal organs were being cooked in boiling water. Although he had blocked Ning Beichen's attack, was it easy to block?
Ning Beichen's strike was aimed at killing. Even if he didn't use his full strength, he had used at least fifty percent.
"Whether it's a misunderstanding or not is no longer important. The important thing is, I find you unappealing. If you don't leave now, you might not have the chance to return. Take care of yourselves."
Ultimately, Ning Beichen let them off the hook, not pursuing them to the death.
Furthermore, the old Taoist's senior brother had taken a blow from him. Even if he didn't die, he wouldn't live long.
Unless he could find someone with the strength of a Mortal Shedding realm cultivator like himself to help him expel the internal energy from his body, he wouldn't survive.
However, it wasn't impossible that there were other ways to resolve it, but that was no longer Ning Beichen's concern. He didn't want to bother.
After Ning Beichen left, the old Taoist quickly helped his senior brother to leave. Along the way, he couldn't help but cry, filled with remorse.
"Senior brother, I'm sorry. It's all my fault."
The old Taoist slapped himself hard.
"Junior brother, don't be sad. I was too lenient with you in the past. From now on, remember to be more humble when dealing with people. Not everyone will yield to you."
The old Taoist's senior brother said, blood still seeping from the corner of his mouth.
"Senior brother, stop talking. I'll take you back to treat your injuries."
The old Taoist said, his voice trembling.
But to his surprise, before they could even reach their residence, his senior brother's injuries flared up. The old Taoist quickly carried his senior brother on his back and used his Qinggong skill to rush back as fast as possible.