"The condition that Young Master Ni agreed upon?" someone finally voiced out, "does that mean that he'll have to kneel?"
All eyes laid on the Ni family at that precise moment!
This whole situation might be unnecessary, but Young Master Ni was the one who made his own condition, so no one could blame her for claiming it.
"Father." Ni Hu had no choice but to plead to Ni Biao.
Ni Biao had never felt so regretful in his life. He never had an intention to kill someone, but now an urge to kill was sprouting in his heart.
However, he knew very well that there was no turning back.
Ni Biao took a deep breath, every word of his seemed to be springing out from his gritted teeth, "Apologize, but from now onwards, if anyone of you is in danger in the graveyard, don't you dare wish that the Ni family will save you!"
That was undoubtedly a threat.
Helian Wei Wei broke into a smile as if she was not taking his words seriously. She took her time as she said, "I have something here but I didn't have the chance to give it to you, Old Master Ni. I'll show it to you once Young Master Ni apologizes."
Ni Biao refused to converse with Helian Wei Wei anymore and turned away with a grim expression.
Ni Hu knew that there was nothing else he could say. All he could do was to take his steps toward Helian Wei Wei and the others...
Chapter 751 - Arrogant
Ni Hu's face was completely distorted when his knees touched the ground. He muttered angrily through his clenched teeth in a deep voice, just like a caged beast.
Ni Biao grasped his mahogany sword tightly as he observed. He could hardly accept that his beloved son whom he raised with so much effort was being forced to kneel before those pricks!
I will never let them get away with this!
"Prepare yourselves. Find a way to get rid of these guys after they entered the graveyard." Ni Biao instructed his disciples frigidly with a murderous look.
Ni Hu was already back to standing position though he was clearly displeased as he glared defiance toward Helian Wei Wei and the others.
One of the disciples felt bad and extended his hand to hold him, "Young Master…"
Smack!
Ni Hu slapped the hand away with force and pointed his finger toward Helian Wei Wei, "Don't you dare think that you're unbeatable just because you got here first! We're all here at the tomb entrance now and you don't know who shall prevail. Don't you beg for our mercy after entering the tomb later!"
Helian Wei Wei smirked as she casually replied, "I remembered Young Master Ni said something of the sort before we took off. Well, you were the one who begged for mercy just now, not us."
"You!" Ni Hu despised that fact the most!
Ni Biao reached out to block him and looked at Helian Wei Wei solemnly. "Brother, don't be so full of yourself, you haven't even entered the tomb. Who knows what you'll encounter in there? Nobody can foresee the future. As your senior, here's a word of advice. Stop being so arrogant."
"Old Master Ni, you should say that to your son." Helian Wei Wei raised her chin to meet Ni Biao's gaze. Without giving in, she said, "Stop being so arrogant."
Ni Biao burst into laughter, his eyes narrowed and his tone was cold, "Seems like getting here first has really boosted your confidence. I wonder if you know that despite being early, there are some who took off later than you did. Just like my eldest daughter, her group took off last. If you really want to look at it that way, then you haven't won just yet."
Ni Biao looked somewhat proud as he said that.
Almost all the competing exorcists knew that Ni Biao's daughter who was the reincarnation of Phoenix Girl set out two hours after everyone left just to give the members of other families a head start.
This sole fact shrouded a doubt on Helian Wei Wei's self-assured victorious attitude.
He was keen to see if everyone else would agree that the first victory belonged to the Zhuge family.
Even if they did agree, it would still not be a perfect victory!
Did they expect the Ni family to retreat after getting humiliated? Not so easy!
In any case, Ni Biao's plan worked out perfectly. There seemed to be a small commotion within the crowd after his talk which was exactly the reaction he expected.
Helian Wei Wei looked at him, her pupils were complete darkness without any impurity. She replied leisurely, "This is a competition and we won according to the rules. So why are you mentioning this nitty-gritty stuff to suppress us? If we do this based on your logic, will your group of thirty still be considered as defeated even if you arrived before our group of three since you outnumber us ten times? From the very beginning, everyone thought that we were going to lose. Now that we reach the royal tomb first, you're trying to find some funny excuses to disregard our effort. I'd like to ask, is the result of the competition decided according to the rules or your say?"
As the leader of the Twelve Shadows of Tang Sect, apart from military business, she also majored in law and practiced as a lawyer.
She rarely put these skills to use since there was a specific department from the Tang Sect who took care of these matters. Furthermore, since the mistress of Young Master Tang could solve a case in no time, she did not need to deal with those matters.
However, she never lost her skills as a lawyer.
Ni Biao was attempting to attack them verbally, but he could never succeed without her permission!
A simple reply from Helian Wei Wei had once again made his face rigid!
Helian Wei Wei's words were like a pebble gently tossed into a pool of water, causing ripples to spread over the surface.
There was a shift in the crowd's gaze as they started to murmur among themselves.
"The number of people in the Ni family is equivalent to a few of our groups combined. It will not be easy to defeat them."
"Exactly. The Zhuge family only sent three members as the others are too young to compete. It was not easy for them to win but they did anyway. So what is Old Master Ni going on about?"
"Well, he obviously doesn't want to admit defeat which is understandable since the Ni family has never been defeated."
"If that's the case, then the Ni family is taking this too far!"
"Even Ni Hu's apology was so insincere, that is not the kind of attitude that us exorcists should look up to."
"Perhaps it's just a misunderstanding. I'm sure Old Master Ni didn't mean it that way. Let's just wait and see."
Ni Biao hated the situation he was in. He said those words to teach her a lesson but he ended up to be the one being told off.
He had underestimated this incapable, underprivileged little prick. He never expected that she would be this sharp-tongued!
Everything he said would be perceived wrongly now. Are they really expecting me to apologize to a junior?
How would I be able to face the crowd in the future?
Ni Biao clasped both his hands so tightly that they turned bright red. It was his first time in his life being humiliated like this.
He would have taken her down since the beginning if only he had known!
This was not Ni Biao's first time in regretting his actions on the same day. Compared to his urge to kill earlier, the resentment in his eyes was surging gradually.
Helian Wei Wei who was standing opposite him frowned a little as she had not noticed the arrival of someone new.
Dressed in a fur cloak over a long dress, Ni Feng stood between Ni Biao and Helian Wei Wei. Her soft, gentle voice was like flowing water and it was pleasing to hear, "Please excuse us. Parents tend to brag about their children and I'm afraid that my father is no exception. He meant no harm. He was only mentioning that I took off later than everyone else and nothing more. I hope that you can understand the kind intentions of a parent, there is no need to make things complicated. Of course, the competition will be based on the rules. No matter who took off first, the person who arrived at the royal tomb first will win. In any case, it's getting late and
there are still two more rounds to go. No matter what the final result will be, we shall all enter the graveyard instead of wasting time speculating here."
Chapter 752 - Tables Were Turned While Entering The Tomb
Ni Feng sounded like she was being considerate on the surface.
After all, her tone of speaking was very gentle.
Everyone would have thought that she was sensible, kind, and full of integrity.
In hindsight, her response did not only save Ni Biao from a sticky situation, but it also toned down Helian Wei Wei's victory in this round. She was also pointing out that it did not really matter anyway since it was not the final result.
Helian Wei Wei had never met Ni Feng from this life, but she knew the Ni Feng from her previous life very well. She was the type who would let others be the bad guy while she added fuel to the fire behind them.
Compared to Ni Hu, she could not stand his sister more.
Reincarnation of Phoenix Girl?
Helian Wei Wei chuckled. It was not true and she definitely did not live up to that.
However, people were ignorant and they tended to believe their eyes more than anything else.
Therefore, they all followed suit and nodded to whatever Ni Feng said.
"Lady Ni is right. Let's get going into the royal tomb. Our ultimate goal is to obtain the Sarira, getting here is just the first step. Who knows what kind of danger we'll encounter in there? It's better for us to enter before it's too dark and try to get out before dawn."
Ni Feng was pleased to hear the voice of a supporter. She looked over to the person and gave a smile, once again winning over the exorcists' hearts.
Helian Wei Wei pursed her lips, and she replied with a faint tone, "Lady Ni, the ones who are making things complicated are Old Master Ni and your brother but you're always pointing fingers to others. It's puzzling."
Ni Feng's fingers paused and she clenched her fist upon hearing that but she regained her composure very quickly. She cleared her throat and responded, "This whole thing is just a misunderstanding. Perhaps you've taken my brother too seriously, and that's how it got here. Will you accept my apology if I apologize on his behalf?"
Of course, she had no intention to make a sincere apology, anyone who listened close enough could tell. She was insisting that Helian Wei Wei took the whole situation too close to heart. It was all just a misunderstanding and it made the Ni family members sounded like they were innocent all along.
However, Helian Wei Wei would seem to be the petty one if she refused to accept her apology.
Ni Feng was well aware of Helian Wei Wei's character from the beginning and she knew that she would definitely refute, which was why she chose to be submissive in her response.
Her words would make it appear as if the Ni family was not the one who was being oppressive, but the person standing in front of her.
However, out of Ni Feng's expectation, Helian Wei Wei smirked as she looked at Ni Feng straight in the eyes as if she could see through all her thoughts. She replied coolly, "Alright, go on and apologize then."
Ni Feng was stunned for a moment before clenching her fists once again with her eyes squinted. She absolutely did not expect that Helian Wei Wei would agree so casually! She never really wanted to apologize in the first place and she was only prepared to say things that would make the crowd dislike Helian Wei Wei when she took the bait.
The tables were turned.
Although an apology was nothing but just words to her, to be put down like that had made her feel very uncomfortable.
However, Ni Feng was never one to show her emotions regardless of what she felt inside. Maintaining her composure and clearing her throat again, she said with a gentle tone with hints of coughing, "I apologize."
Zhuge Yun's jaw dropped as he watched everything unfolded.
He had never seen anyone who could make a Ni family member apologize in front of so many people. Apparently, Helian Wei Wei just proved that she was the only one who could and she did it all by herself!
Aside from Zhuge Yun, all the other exorcists were also looking at Helian Wei Wei with a slight yet obvious admiration.
It was a pity that Young Master Xiao and his troops were not there yet. They would definitely cling onto Helian Wei Wei and worship her if they saw what happened.
They were the only group of people that had seen what she was truly capable of.
Up until now, apart from Zhuge Yun, no one else knew the story of Helian Wei Wei and the blood-s.u.c.k.i.n.g bats.
Of course, everyone would be shaken for a long while once they learned about it.
That was the reason why they wanted to get into the graveyard as quickly as possible.
No matter how great those guys were at debating, they were merely average exorcists. The Ni family would be within their familiar territory once they entered the tomb. Those three arrogant pricks should start thinking about their low lives!
Ni Hu grew calmer as he thought to himself. Even though the image of him kneeling down and apologizing kept popping up in his mind and it felt like a big slap from the crowd to him, he had to suppress those thoughts, at least for now.
He could only get back at them when he got calmer!
"It's time," said one of the exorcists. "It's past midday. Even if there are other groups arriving, they should be considered eliminated. We shouldn't wait any longer. Let's enter the tomb."
The exorcists who were sitting relaxed were now completely alert again!
After all, entering the tomb was no joke. Unknown dangers would be faced once they entered.
They might be exorcists, but they still experienced fear.
It was due to the fact that it was an ancient tomb and it was filled with things that they had yet to understand.
He was a local, born and bred there. Therefore, he knew every nook and cranny of this place.
Though he would not want to enter the graveyard if he had the choice.
If it was not for the hefty reward, it would have been difficult to persuade him to enter the royal tomb.
He used to be in a military troop whose task was to obtain valuable items from graves for the imperial government during the previous ruling.
The exorcists might have the power to expel demons, but hunting for treasures was not their forte, hence they needed this old man to enter the tomb with them.
The Ni family had more than two individuals with these experiences in their group which increased their chances of winning tremendously while reducing the possibilities of them facing dangers in the graveyard.
However, these tomb raiders were not all-powerful especially those who worked for the imperial government as they tended to play by the rules than those who robbed graves for their personal gain.
For instance, they were not allowed to touch any gold when the c.o.c.k crows, or they had to light up a candle on the southeast corner of the coffin.
They had to get out of there once the candle was burned out.
Ni Biao did not bother about any of these. All he wanted was to obtain the Sarira, regardless of the cost. In the meantime, he would let that sharp-tongued prick learn what it was like to feel sorry!
They will know who the boss is once they have entered the tomb!
Chapter 753 - The Previous Life Of The Two
Ni Biao did wonder about one thing, how come Lord Xu and his troops are not at the tomb entrance yet?
According to the plan, they should have arrived already.
Perhaps it's because they lost Zhuge Yun and his troops on the way here, but then again, based on their capabilities, they should be able to arrive before the deadline.
Could it be that they have encountered something unexpected?
Ni Biao turned around with his eyes deep in thoughts.
A disciple came over and whispered something in his ear.
Ni Biao's eyes squinted. "Couldn't be found?" Now things are getting fishy. Where in the world are Lord Xu and his troops?
The disciple
gazed at Ni Biao and speculated, "Could it be that Lord Xu and his troops were eaten by the monsters living below Well Sea Waterfall?"
Ni Biao thought for a moment before replying, "I don't think so." Even those pricks were able to cross Well Sea Waterfall and arrive at the tomb entrance. It meant that they did not awaken the monsters so Lord Xu should have no problem crossing over. "Whatever, it's no big deal. Let's enter the tomb first. You guys stand guard at the entrance and wait for Lord Xu, tell him to wait here."
At least Lord Xu could lend a helping hand at the entrance when something went wrong after he obtained the Sarira.
As proud as Ni Biao was, he did not even consider any other possibilities, not even thinking perhaps Lord Xu silently disappeared because someone had eliminated him. Moreover, he could not even make sense of the fact that the person who would take the lead in the graveyard was not him but a demon king...
The person who was standing next to Helian Wei Wei was examining the stone wall at the tomb entrance with his pair of deep eyes. He looked like intellectual judging from his side profile, on the face of it he would even be considered graceful and elegant. In actual fact, there was something sinister about him when he smirked to himself, "Interesting."
Helian Wei Wei raised her eyebrows. "What's interesting?"
"Nothing." Baili Jia Jue adjusted his long robe as he stared at the secret passage leading to the graveyard. "I thought of an old friend of mine just by looking at the graveyard now."
Helian Wei Wei's curiosity piqued. "Old friend? Do you mean Ni Feng?"
"It wasn't someone important." Baili Jia Jue gave a short reply, then proceeded to take Helian Wei Wei into the graveyard under his care.
What he did not share with Helian Wei Wei was that the old friend he mentioned was in fact herself in the previous life.
Legend has it that she was his most dreaded immortal exorcist.
In her previous life, she was probably living in this area as, during that time, he also resided on this mountain.
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