Wan Lei felt a surge of frustration. He was talking about the law, and the other party was talking about connections. Wasn't that just bullying?
What, did you think you were something special just because you had connections?
"The Bai family's contributions are indeed indelible, but contributions are one thing, and mistakes are another. It is not because Patriarch Bai has made contributions that his descendants can run amok, disregarding human lives.
Patriarch Bai, this junior would also like to remind you. You have contributions, and you have influence, but these cannot withstand your constant self-sabotage over the past fifty thousand years.
If you continue to act against righteousness, defy the law, and commit wicked deeds, how long can the Immortal Venerable tolerate you? How long can the Sword Saint protect you?"
"Oh, you young junior are lecturing me now. I thought you were quite spirited, and I was considering letting you keep Bai Qi and spare your life. But if you say things like that, then you won't be able to leave."
Bai Hanjie let out a wild laugh, his domineering presence as the Lord of the Southern Territories fully displayed.
"What, I am upholding the law impartially, and Patriarch Bai not only refuses to cooperate but intends to attack me?"
Wan Lei's expression turned grim.
"Upholding the law impartially? If it weren't for your impartiality, you would be dead by now. But now, it's no longer a matter of law.
You arrested my people in front of me and insulted me. This is a personal vendetta, and no one can fault me, Bai Hanjie, for seeking revenge, can they?"
Wan Lei was taken aback. The words sounded so familiar.
Damn it, wasn't this exactly what he had said to Chai Lian back then? Identical.
Truly, heaven's ways have their cycles. What he had done to others, now others were doing back to him. He used to act like a spoiled brat, bullying people with his connections, and now others were using their connections to bully him.
Karma, retribution, it was all coming back.
"Hmph, this junior truly did not expect that a hero who once sacrificed himself to protect the Immortal Realm would now become a villain who harbors criminals and wreaks havoc.
This junior knows an elder who, in order to defend the Southern Territories, fought against a supreme god of the God Race. He fell but did not yield, and was later revived by an Immortal Venerable.
He had a descendant who committed the grave offense of mass murder, yet that elder personally stepped in to discipline his family, slaying the criminal and personally handing over the head to this junior to deliver a report.
But when it comes to Patriarch Bai, things have changed. Those who once protected the Southern Territories have become those who harm it."
These words caused Bai Hanjie to show a slight flicker of emotion, and he fell silent for a moment.
Those who once protected the Southern Territories had become those who harmed it.
Bai Hanjie loved the Southern Territories. When the Immortal Venerables had all gone to Great Tang, he had not left the Southern Territories, and he had even risked his life to protect his home during the war against the God Race.
However, this moment of emotional stirring made Bai Hanjie somewhat exasperated and angry. With countless descendants watching, how could he, the ancestor, lose face?
"Hmph, you know nothing. I have protected the Southern Territories for fifty thousand years. The peaceful development and prosperity of the Southern Territories, the absence of war, and its flourishing – these are all the merits of Bai Hanjie. What right do you have to stand here and accuse me?"
"You only see the prosperity and flourishing of the Southern Territories, but you fail to see the underhanded dealings of those at the bottom.
You are immersed in the glory of the Southern Territories' prosperity and turn a blind eye to the illegal acts committed by your Bai family members.
You protecting the Southern Territories, protecting the Bai family, is not wrong.
But what about the people who have been harmed by your Bai family?
When your Bai family members are bullied, you, the ancestor, naturally come forward to protect them. But what about others who are bullied?"
Wan Lei said with righteous anger.
"Then go find your own ancestor."
Unable to win the argument, Bai Hanjie retorted shamelessly.
Wan Lei's face turned ashen. He never expected that the esteemed leader of the Southern Territories Unity Alliance, the Patriarch of the Bai family, a friend of an Immortal Venerable, and a highly respected elder, would speak so shamelessly.
"Good… good… you wait for me. Don't run, I'll call my ancestor over right now."
Wan Lei's fingers trembled with anger. He took out a spirit communication device and began to make a call.
He looked like a street thug calling for backup when he couldn't win a fight.
Ring… ring…
"Hello, Ancestor, I'm being bullied. Yes, in the Southern Territories. This person is Bai Hanjie.
Oh, Yuan Jun and the others were ordered to apprehend a criminal, someone from the Bai family. The Bai family refused to let them apprehend him, so they called me. I came, and the Bai family still refused to let them apprehend him, even threatening to kill me…
Oh, alright, hurry up and come."
Wan Lei hung up the phone and pointed at Bai Hanjie.
"You wait, my ancestor will be here soon."
"Hmph, who is your ancestor? I, Bai Hanjie, have never heard of him? And he dares to interfere with my affairs?"
"His ancestor is me. Do you have a problem with that?"
A cold voice came from behind Bai Hanjie.
Upon hearing this, Bai Hanjie turned his head, and upon seeing the newcomer, he was utterly stunned.
"Wan… Wan Qingyi?"
"Yes, it is I. I heard you were bullying my direct descendant?"
"No… no, it's a misunderstanding, all a misunderstanding."
Bai Hanjie's imposing demeanor vanished instantly. He recognized Wan Qingyi, though they were not close.
He was only familiar with the few elders of the Five Elements Hall who had come from the Southern Territories; he was not acquainted with the others, and they would not give him face.
At this moment, Bai Hanjie felt a pang of regret. He had never expected Wan Lei's ancestor to be the Sage Sanyang.
He had never heard of Wan Qingyi having descendants; wasn't he a lifelong bachelor? How did a direct descendant suddenly appear?
Not only him, but the surrounding Bai family disciples, especially Bai Qi, were all dumbfounded.
Their Bai family had always prided themselves on their deep connections, but they never expected the youth who came to apprehend someone to have even stronger connections.
"Hmph, my Five Elements Hall wants to apprehend someone, and your Bai family refuses?"
Wan Qingyi cast a cold gaze at Bai Hanjie.
"No, no, apprehend them freely. Those who make mistakes should be apprehended."
Bai Hanjie clasped his hands.
"Brother Wan, I am an old acquaintance of Sword Saint and Golden Immortal Venerable as well. Let this matter pass. I will invite you for a drink when we reach the Five Elements Hall. You can take the criminal with you."
"How much is your face worth? You say it's over, and it's over? For fifty thousand years, my Wan family has only produced one grandson who can be acknowledged, and you bullied him, and it's just over like that?"
Bai Hanjie's posture was indeed very low, but Wan Qingyi was extremely domineering, giving him no face at all.
"Then what does Brother Wan suggest?"
"Take a beating. Losing an arm or a leg would suffice."
Wan Qingyi was very much like a triad boss.
"I…"
Damn it, as the Lord of the Southern Territories, to be beaten in front of so many descendants? Did he still have any dignity left?
"Brother Wan, it's always good to leave some room for maneuver. If I call Sword Saint over, then no one will look good."
Bai Hanjie said, taking out his spirit communication device.
"Go ahead and call him. Call Wan Jianyi over. I'd like to see what his attitude is towards handling this matter?"
"Alright."
Bai Hanjie clasped his hands, then dialed the spirit communication device.
"Hello, Big Brother, I'm being bullied…"