Bang!
As Li Xuan stepped into the grand hall of the Mu Pavilion Master's residence, a sharp bang reached his ears. Li Xuan frowned at the sound and, in the next instant, vanished from his original spot.
"Chou Jiuqian, you dare to command us with such little strength?" Inside the hall, more than ten people stood in a line. The man at the front had a calm expression, his eyes filled with mockery.
Opposite him, Chou Jiuqian, being supported by Gong Hanfeng and others, clutched his chest, his face extremely pale. The tables and chairs in the hall were overturned, clearly indicating a recent confrontation.
"Liu Wenbo, Captain Chou is a guard captain personally appointed by Pavilion Master Li Xuan. Are you rebelling against your superior?" Bai Xinghan, supporting Chou Jiuqian, glared at the man at the front, shouting angrily.
Liu Wenbo sneered and replied, "You say it's an order from Pavilion Master Li Xuan, and it's true? Even if it is, with his strength, he wants to command us?"
"Look around you, whose strength is lower than your so-called guard captain? We are all guards of the Pavilion Master's residence, and we refuse this appointment!"
"You just said you refuse?"
"Of course not… Greetings to Pavilion Master Li Xuan!" Liu Wenbo blurted out upon hearing the voice. His expression changed drastically upon seeing who had arrived, and he quickly bowed and saluted.
"Pavilion Master Li Xuan!" Bai Xinghan and the others, hearing this, also showed joy on their faces and bowed to Li Xuan.
"Your name is Liu Wenbo?" Li Xuan walked slowly forward, stopping in front of Liu Wenbo, and asked calmly.
Although Li Xuan did not show any emotion or dissatisfaction, he caused Liu Wenbo to break out in a sweat. Liu Wenbo would have preferred Li Xuan to express his displeasure directly.
Liu Wenbo and the others were aware of Li Xuan's development and promotions. Furthermore, Li Xuan was now the Mu Pavilion Master. Although he was only at the early stage of the Divine Transformation realm, his "Three Yang Kai Tai" was not something anyone possessed. With Li Xuan's potential, he would undoubtedly reach greater heights in the future.
If they offended this person, not only would they have a difficult time in the Mu Pavilion, but they might also find it impossible to get ahead in the entire Tianyi Pavilion.
"Reporting to the Pavilion Master, my name is Liu Wenbo." Although Liu Wenbo was sweating profusely, he dared not refuse Li Xuan's question.
Li Xuan nodded slightly, then walked slowly towards the seat behind. "Chou Jiuqian is the guard captain I appointed, and it seems no one in the Mu Pavilion can strip him of his position. And you are all guards of my Pavilion Master's residence, so you should naturally obey the guard captain's orders."
"First, disobedience; second, assault. By committing these two offenses, you have violated two of my rules: rebelling against a superior and disobeying me. Liu Wenbo, tell me, what are the penalties for these two offenses?"
Liu Wenbo immediately knelt down. "Pavilion Master, please forgive me. This subordinate admits his guilt!"
The more than ten disciples beside Liu Wenbo also knelt down. Although Li Xuan was only speaking to Liu Wenbo, they were all accomplices. If Li Xuan were to impose severe punishment, they would likely not escape unscathed. At the very least, they would be implicated by association.
"Although I have just taken office, I am not someone with a good temper. Those who respect me one foot, I will respect ten feet. If you believe the Mu Pavilion cannot do without you, or that you are superior simply because you are an elder here, then I may have to shatter that perception today."
Li Xuan's expression remained unchanged, but his words made Liu Wenbo and the others tremble. If Li Xuan were to expel them from the Mu Pavilion, they would have no choice but to return home, and they wouldn't even be qualified to remain in Tianyi Pavilion.
In the past, other pavilions might have taken them in. However, Li Xuan's current prestige and potential were evident to all. The pavilion masters of the other four pavilions would likely not want to offend such a person as Li Xuan over this matter. Thinking of this, Liu Wenbo and the others were filled with regret.
"Please forgive us, Pavilion Master. We know we were wrong. This subordinate guarantees that such an incident will never happen again!" Liu Wenbo prostrated himself, expressing his remorse.
Seeing Liu Wenbo and the others' actions, Li Xuan remained silent for a moment before shifting his gaze to Chou Jiuqian.
After several breaths of thought, Li Xuan spoke. "I can choose not to punish this matter. However, the decision is not mine to make. If he decides to punish you, I will support him. Captain Chou, please state your decision."
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenbo and the others quickly turned to Chou Jiuqian. One man spoke nervously, "Captain Chou, please be magnanimous and let us off this time. We promise to obey your orders from now on and will never act like this again!"
"Yes, yes, Captain Chou, we promise to obey your commands and would never dare to feign compliance!"
"Please be generous, Captain Chou, we will always remember this!"
"..."
As soon as Li Xuan finished speaking, everyone began to plead with Chou Jiuqian.
Li Xuan's intention was clear: if Chou Jiuqian did not pursue the matter, they would all be safe. But if Chou Jiuqian pursued it, they would face expulsion from the Mu Pavilion.
Once expelled from the Mu Pavilion, they would lose their status as disciples of Tianyi Pavilion. Not only would they lose the Mu Pavilion's generous cultivation resources in the future, but they would also become sinners in the eyes of their families.
"Captain Chou, this matter was initiated by me. And it was I who injured you earlier. If you are displeased, you can blame me entirely. Whatever decision you make, Captain Chou, I will accept." Liu Wenbo said, looking at Chou Jiuqian with a firm expression.
Under everyone's gaze, Chou Jiuqian also fell silent.
Seeing Li Xuan nod slightly in support, Chou Jiuqian sighed and said, "Never mind, it's not entirely your fault. Perhaps if I heard such news, I would also be somewhat unhappy."
"Although my strength is still weak now, I believe that in the future, I will surely make you all submit. Let today's matter be dropped. However, I hope that from now on, you will do as you have promised."
"Thank you, Captain Chou!" Everyone's faces lit up with joy upon hearing this, and they all cupped their fists and bowed to Chou Jiuqian to express their gratitude.
Chou Jiuqian waved his hand to stop them, then turned to Liu Wenbo with a calm expression. "As for you, Liu Wenbo, I must admit that your strength is greater than mine. However, I hope you will remember that in the Mu Pavilion, it is not just about strength, but also about obeying the rules. Liu Wenbo, do you have anything to say?"
"Thank you for your guidance, Captain Chou. I have noted it. Since Captain Chou has not chosen to forgive me, I shall take my leave." Liu Wenbo nodded sadly, then gave a self-mocking smile before standing up.
"If I ask you to be my deputy, are you willing?" As Liu Wenbo reached the entrance of the hall, Chou Jiuqian's voice suddenly rang out. Liu Wenbo's footsteps faltered, then stopped, and he quickly turned around.
"You want me to be your deputy?" Liu Wenbo swallowed and asked, unsure.
Chou Jiuqian smiled and nodded. "That's right. Although I am currently the captain of the guard, what you said is not wrong. My strength is indeed not the strongest. If you are willing to be my deputy, I believe you would be able to manage the situation. I just don't know if you are willing?"
"I am willing!" Liu Wenbo immediately replied.
Seeing Chou Jiuqian's handling of the situation, Li Xuan nodded with satisfaction and said, "Since Captain Chou has resolved this matter, the affairs of the Mu Pavilion will be temporarily entrusted to the two of you. I need to go into seclusion for some time. You must ensure the smooth operation of the Mu Pavilion!"
Everyone bowed in response, "We obey your orders!"