Otherworldly Affairs Office

Chapter 1126: Yielding You Another Step

"Swaggering in iron armor amidst the mortal world, Peisan Monarch, haha! Interesting." After listening to Mei Simiao’s explanation, Pei Yan murmured this title softly several times and couldn’t help but chuckle. This title sounded much better than "Mechanical Tiger" or "Prince Pei." Knowing his new title, Pei Yan felt a bit pleased and prideful, his smile growing brighter and more evident.Zhangsun Zhize was currently very angry; he didn’t understand which of his words had caused Pei Yan to laugh so much. Pei Yan’s slightly self-satisfied foolish smile naturally seemed to Zhangsun Zhize as disdain and contempt directed at him.

"Fellow Daoist Pei, did you find my words amusing?" Zhangsun Zhize suppressed his anger and asked sharply.

"Not funny, I’m just quite happy after hearing them." As Pei Yan spoke, he gradually restrained his smile, looked up at Zhangsun Zhize, who was on the verge of an outburst, and smiled slightly: "Elder, your temper seems quite fiery!"

"Haha, my temper is quite good! If you were toyed with by a junior today, Fellow Daoist Pei, I fear you’d overturn the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion." Zhangsun Zhize sneered, countering sarcastically.

Pei Yan didn’t object, instead nodding in agreement: "You’re not wrong. If it were me, this place would have already been a river of blood. Alas! My temper is poor, but my colleagues are quite level-headed. They’ve been through such tricks four or five times here already, and I even just experienced one personally."

"Fellow Daoist Pei, our Heavenly Guardian Pavilion faces its own difficulties; how can this be considered a jest?" Zhangsun Zhize’s face reddened as he argued against Pei Yan’s claim.

"Enough! Everyone has their struggles! Elder Changsun, some lies should only be told once or twice; if repeated too much, even you might start believing them. My investigation hall understands your difficulties, yet you treat us like a ball to be kicked around as if we’re made of clay. Even clay has some fire, right?" Pei Yan snorted disdainfully: "I’m here today! Either you obediently follow me and cease pestering me, or we continue the wager, and after I defeat you, I’ll take you away!"

"You...!" Zhangsun Zhize pointed at Pei Yan, too angry to speak at first. Actually, upon realizing Pei Yan’s true identity, Zhangsun Zhize already considered retreating. Not only was he intimidated by Pei Yan’s earlier skill display, but he was also primarily concerned about causing trouble that might bring Spirit Lord’s wrath upon them.

Therefore, if Pei Yan offered a way out, Zhangsun Zhize would gladly accept it. However, Pei Yan, true to his reputation, didn’t relent, leaving Zhangsun Zhize in a difficult position.

"Hurry up! Does it really take this long for the elders of the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion to make such a simple decision? Indeed, I regret it; with an efficiency like yours, even if we asked you to interpret texts, it would be a waste of time, wouldn’t it!" As he spoke, Pei Yan’s gaze moved past Zhangsun Zhize, sensing the hidden, watchful eyes from the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion behind him, and smiled: "Ah, if it’s so difficult to decide, I won’t trouble Elder Changsun! Forced deals are never sweet, making me look like a villain. If you’re unwilling to fight or fulfill the promise, let’s be straightforward and admit defeat! I won’t force you; I’ll leave now, and my investigation hall will find other ways for text interpretations."

With that, Pei Yan sighed toward the sky, lamenting: "Just days ago, outsiders spoke of the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion as a dumping ground for those who failed power struggles and had no real strength. I initially scoffed at this claim, thinking how could Spirit Lord assign incapable individuals to such an important place? Now it seems... alas... tsk tsk tsk!"

The more regretful and pitiful Pei Yan’s expression became, the angrier Zhangsun Zhize’s face grew until he couldn’t endure it anymore. He directly called out Pei Yan’s name, interrupting: "Pei Yan, stop using your tongue to provoke. Using tactics to force me into accepting the wager. Haha, young man, don’t worry—today, I will indeed battle you. Even if I can’t win and fall here, the Heavenly Guardian Pavilion will keep its promises, sending someone to fulfill the wager for you!"

"Wonderful! Elder Changsun, your spirit is soaring!" Hearing this, Pei Yan laughed and gave a thumbs-up: "Since the elder is willing to risk a battle, I shouldn’t be stingy!" He bent and patted his leg, saying with a smile: "Didn’t I say before, if you make me move a step from here, consider it your win. Now, I’ll retreat one step further and, in this battle, yield my two legs. If I use my leg to counter in battle, then it’s your win!"

Everyone was surprised by this statement, including Lin Daozi and others watching, thinking Pei Yan was being too arrogant. They believed he had the ability to win this battle, but facing a Tier Nine Celestial Dao and a Tier Eight Asura while standing still was already a considerable concession. Giving up both legs seemed to underestimate his opponents too much!

"Arrogant! Junior Brother Shi, fight this person with me!" Though Zhangsun Zhize was furious with the statement, he felt secretly pleased. Pei Yan’s self-sabotage might become a turning point for today’s battle, so he put aside his seniority, calling his junior brother to join the fight.

"Aba! Aba!" The other person, silent since arriving, opened his mouth and uttered meaningless sounds under Zhangsun Zhize’s call, then followed to attack alongside his senior. Pei Yan then realized the person was mute.

This was rare in the Cultivation Realm, as many cultivators with physical defects from birth or combat could improve them with cultivation techniques or external aids. Talking was a minor issue that could even be resolved by using source energy to simulate sound if the voice was damaged, a basic method known by even novice cultivators.

But a Tier Eight Cultivator maintaining silence suggested either a hidden reason or a link to his cultivation technique.

With this realization, Pei Yan raised his defenses against Elder Shi. Speaking big words isn’t a skill; carrying them out is. Pei Yan didn’t want to make a fool of himself and become the newest joke in the Daoist Realm.