Urban Extraordinary Immortal Doctor-Chapter 1017: Different Factions

Zhuang Zhi’s actions were clearly seen by those with discerning eyes; he was protecting Gao Shuxian and intimidating Liu Liehu.

"Steward Zhuang, conflicts and disputes between disciples should be resolved by Elder Tie Xing stepping forward. By doing this, you’re overstepping your authority!"

Situ Min had a very good impression of Liu Qingqing and already considered her a future Appointed Disciple. Knowing that Liu Liehu was Liu Qingqing’s brother, under the influence of her fondness for the sister, she spoke out to protect Liu Liehu.

"Steward Zhuang, as a high-ranking official of the Martial Academy, it’s beneath you to bully the weak like this!"

Ge Feng twirled his beard, casting a dismissive glance at Zhuang Zhi before speaking up.

The disciples of Bitao Martial Academy all knew that among the four Great Elders, Ge Feng and Situ Min had a good relationship; it was within reason that he would side with Situ Min.

Zhuang Zhi, even though he was a Desolate Level Martial Artist and one of the high ranks of the Martial Academy, had an involvement with many female disciples and neither his character nor his reputation were good. Many high-level officials of the Martial Academy, including Situ Min and Ge Feng, despised his behavior and held him in contempt.

Among the more than a dozen high-level officials of the Martial Academy, aside from a few who were friendly with Zhuang Zhi, most believed his actions were inappropriate.

Even the Dean Ren Jingbo frowned slightly, indicating his dissatisfaction with Zhuang Zhi.

"There are thousands of disciples in our Martial Academy, and disputes arise every day. Elder Tie Xing can’t be everywhere at once. Besides, Steward Zhuang is also one of the high-ranking officials of the Martial Academy and has a duty to discipline the disciples. Liu Liehu was in the wrong, and Steward Zhuang’s minor punishment is, in my opinion, not inappropriate!"

Elder Lei Li of the Classics Hall suddenly spoke up in Zhuang Zhi’s defense.

Over the years, Zhuang Zhi had been particularly close to Lei Li, often bestowing upon Elder Lei Li tributes of Cultivation Resources to gain his favor, and in return, Lei Li reciprocated by becoming Zhuang Zhi’s support. As a result, Zhuang Zhi, who had violated many Academy rules, escaped punishment due to Lei Li’s protection.

Zhuang Zhi’s behavior had once sparked considerable dissatisfaction among the Academy’s disciples and higher-ups; even a high-ranking official reported Zhuang Zhi’s frequent breaches of regulations to Dean Ren Jingbo, asking for a ruling.

Considering the unity of the Martial Academy’s high-level officials and the fact that Zhuang Zhi’s offenses were not unforgivable, Ren Jingbo turned a blind eye and did not punish Zhuang Zhi.

Dean Ren Jingbo’s indulgence only emboldened Zhuang Zhi, making him even more brazen.

Especially with women, Zhuang Zhi went from persistently harassing to using both hard and soft tactics on some of the beautiful female disciples to achieve his vile goals. Those who suffered his bullying were afraid to speak out against him, not only intimidated by his Desolate Level Martial Artist’s strength but also aware that Elder Lei was shielding him and fearful of retaliation and risking their lives.

However, Zhuang Zhi’s deeds could be concealed from other disciples but not from Elders like Situ Min and Ge Feng, who were filled with disdain for the morally bankrupt Zhuang Zhi and also dissatisfied with Lei Li backing him.

This caused both sides to split into two camps, almost always at loggerheads with each other.

Tie Xing, the head of the Enforcement Hall, was impartial and unaffiliated with either camp, standing only on the side with justice.

Ren Jingbo also recognized the discord between the two sides. What he could do was merely to mediate, hoping to prevent the disagreement from escalating into a conflict that could affect the destiny of the entire Bitao Martial Academy.

"Liu Liehu has done wrong indeed, but Gao Shuxian is also not without fault. Why does Elder Lei only mention Liu Liehu’s mistakes and not Gao Shuxian’s? Moreover, may I ask Steward Zhuang, why do you only punish Liu Liehu and not Gao Shuxian? Could there be some unspeakable reason behind this?"

Situ Min’s gaze swept coldly over the faces of Lei Li and Zhuang Zhi as she asked.

Her last sentence was clearly mocking the illicit affair between Zhuang Zhi and Gao Shuxian.

Zhuang Zhi’s old face flushed red, and he harbored silent hatred, but knowing he was no match for Situ Min in strength, he did not dare to speak back.

"This old hag is quite hateful too! The day I surpass you in the Martial Dao will be your death day!"

Gao Shuxian clenched her silver teeth in anger, also harboring hatred toward Situ Min.

"Liu Liehu keeps calling Gao Shuxian ’foul woman,’" didn’t Elder Situ hear that? Moreover, Gao Shuxian is an elder sister, Liu Liehu’s actions are insulting to and disrespectful of one’s seniors, a punishable offense! Therefore, Steward Zhuang did nothing wrong!"

Lei Li countered with a cold heh heh and said.

"Gao Shuxian uses extraordinary language, calling Liu Liehu a ’little brat.’ Any martial artist would probably find that intolerable, right? So Liu Liehu calling Gao Shuxian a ’foul woman’ is a justified and reasonable counterattack!"

Situ Min said unyieldingly.

Seeing the two Great Elders start to argue right then and there, Ren Jingbo felt a headache coming on. To prevent their disagreement from intensifying, he shouted loud enough for all to hear, "Enough! Can you both say less, will that be alright? Our Bitao Martial Academy has been oppressed by the third-rank sect, Purple Flame Sect, for a long time, and if we want to break free from this situation, it requires the sincere unity and effort of everyone, from the top down! But you... You’re actually beginning to fight among yourselves before we even settle the external insults!"

Situ Min and Lei Li wanted to speak, but Ren Jingbo waved his hand and said, "This matter ends here, and no one should bring it up again! As for Liu Liehu... Steward Zhuang, give him a bottle of Healing Pills as compensation."

Ren Jingbo could also see that Liu Liehu might have sustained a slight internal injury from the Sonic Wave Strike unleashed by Zhuang Zhi, and by having Zhuang Zhi offer Liu Liehu a bottle of Healing Pills, he hoped to dissipate some of Liu Liehu’s resentment.

Zhuang Zhi did not dare defy Ren Jingbo’s order, and with a sullen expression, he stood up, walked over to the Stone Platform, took out a bottle of Healing Pills from his person, and tossed it to Liu Liehu who was below the platform.

"I have no use for your trash!"

When Liu Liehu saw the bottle flying towards him, he did not reach out to catch it, but instead slapped the bottle with his palm, sending it whistling back towards Zhuang Zhi.

"Hmph, refusing wine only to be forced penalty wine!"

Zhuang Zhi caught the medicine bottle in his hand, his face growing even uglier, and glanced at Ren Jingbo, seemingly asking for guidance on what to do next.

Ren Jingbo felt quite helpless toward Liu Liehu’s response, but had no solution.

"Qingqing, are you all prepared?"

Situ Min, prioritizing the overall situation, no longer engaged in disputes with Zhuang Zhi and Lei Li and turned her attention back to Liu Qingqing, who was standing on the Stone Platform.

Once Liu Qingqing entered a state of combat readiness, she would become completely immersed, casting aside her initial panic and shyness, to be replaced by determination and decisiveness. The verbal exchanges between Situ Min, Lei Li, and the others went unheard by her, as she swiftly calmed down from her impulsive fervor.

"Elder Situ, I’m ready!"

Liu Qingqing answered loudly.

Having said this, she walked to the center of the Stone Platform and quietly waited for her opponent to take the stage.