Is It Wrong to Bully the Novice Village for System Rewards?

Chapter 197: This Matter Is Actually a Misunderstanding

A short while later.

The tranquility of Blood Refining Peak was shattered by a sudden, violent gale. Streaks of light tore through the sky as hundreds of demonic cultivators descended like a swarm of angry hornets.

Their expressions were cold, their eyes burning with fury, and their bodies radiated a terrifying, suffocating killing intent. In moments, they had completely surrounded the peak.

Leading the charge was a gaunt, black-robed elder. His skin was ashen, his eyes deep abysses of darkness. Ghostly shadows swirled around him, accompanied by the faint, eerie wailing of tortured souls. He was a Dao Integration stage monster—a true terror of the demonic path.

Behind him was a mob of righteous indignation. Most were admirers of Shen Xingxuan, including many high-ranking Legacy Disciples. Hearing that their goddess had been kidnapped by a lowly Outer Sect disciple had driven them into a frenzy.

“He dares to kidnap Senior Sister Shen? Flay him alive!”

“Let him taste every torture in the Saint Sect! Make him regret being born!”

“How could a Foundation Building ant capture a Nascent Soul expert? He must have used despicable tricks! Or he has accomplices!”

“Kill them all! Anyone related to that lecher must die!”

The mob surged forward, ready to storm the cave.

“HALT!”

The black-robed elder’s voice boomed like thunder. The mob froze, involuntarily stepping back.

Beside the elder, a middle-aged man whispered nervously. “Elder Shen, the madman lives in Grade A Courtyard No. 1. Xingxuan is still in his hands. If we push too hard, he might panic and harm her.”

“Hmph!” The elder’s eyes flashed with cold light. “If that little beast touches a single hair on her head, I will make him beg for death.”

“Let’s go!” He waved his sleeve, leading the army toward the courtyard gate.

…

The gate to Grade A Courtyard No. 1 was wide open.

The mob rushed up, weapons drawn, ready for a bloodbath. But when they saw the scene inside, they froze.

It was… peaceful.

The courtyard was a sanctuary of quiet elegance, surrounded by lush green vines. A young man in Outer Sect robes lay leisurely on a rattan recliner, eyes closed, basking in the sun.

Nearby, a stunning beauty with golden hair sat cross-legged on a stone platform, meditating. Her expression was serene, her breathing steady. She looked like a sleeping lotus—pure, untouched, and utterly safe.

Birds chirped. Flowers bloomed. It looked less like a hostage situation and more like a young couple enjoying a lazy afternoon.

The mob stared, jaws dropping.

Wasn’t she kidnapped by a vicious criminal?

This looks like domestic bliss!

Sensing their arrival, Shen Xingxuan opened her eyes. She rose gracefully, walked over to the black-robed elder, and bowed.

“Xingxuan greets Third Uncle.”

The elder blinked, shaken out of his confusion. “Xuan’er… what is going on here?”

Shen Xingxuan paused for a split second. Then, in a calm voice, she said:

“It’s nothing. There was a small misunderstanding earlier. It has been resolved.”

“Misunderstanding?” The elder frowned, glaring at Qi Yuan, who had lazily stood up. “They said you were kidnapped. Is this brat not the kidnapper?”

“Thank you for your concern, Third Uncle.”

Shen Xingxuan took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to murder everyone in the room. Through gritted teeth, she smiled.

“It really is a misunderstanding. As for the details… I’ll let Big Qi explain.”

She stepped aside, her face expressionless.

Qi Yuan walked forward calmly, bowing respectfully to the elder.

“Disciple ‘Big Qi’ greets Senior.”

The elder stared at him, his gaze piercing. “Speak. Tell me everything from beginning to end. If there is half a word of falsehood, I will Soul Search you myself.”

“Understood.” Qi Yuan nodded, his voice clear and confident.

“Reporting to Senior: Earlier today, I went to the Enforcement Hall to report a death on Blood Refining Peak. However, when I arrived, I found Elder Zhao in a state of Qi Deviation. He had lost his mind and was attacking Senior Sister Shen like a rabid beast.”

“Senior Sister Shen, being kind and noble, refused to let the crazed Elder escape and harm innocents. She fought him bravely.”

“Elder Zhao fought like a demon, even using self-harming secret arts to try and drag us down with him. Fortunately, Senior Sister Shen’s skills are peerless, and she managed to suppress him.”

“However, his final counterattack injured her. To save her, I had no choice but to carry her back to my cave for emergency treatment.”

“As the saying goes, saving a life is like fighting a fire. I didn’t have time to explain to onlookers, so I just ran. I assume my haste caused some… misunderstandings.”

Silence.

The mob stood there, brains short-circuiting.

What?

So he’s not a lecherous kidnapper? He’s a hero who saved the damsel?

The twist was so sharp it gave them whiplash. But looking at the peaceful scene in the courtyard… it made sense. A Foundation Building disciple kidnapping a Nascent Soul expert was absurd. Heroically assisting an injured senior? That was plausible.

Instantly, the killing intent in their eyes vanished, replaced by naked envy.

This kid’s luck is insane! A hero-saving-beauty scenario with the Goddess?

“Xuan’er, is this true?” The elder asked, still skeptical.

“Correct.” Shen Xingxuan nodded, her face impassive.

The elder relaxed. He was a shrewd old fox. He sensed something was off, but this explanation saved everyone’s face. It was the optimal solution.

He turned to the crowd, his voice stern.

“The truth is revealed! It was a misunderstanding. Big Qi saved Xingxuan’s life. The Shen Family will repay this debt.”

“Furthermore… if anyone dares to spread rumors slandering Xingxuan’s reputation, the Shen Family will hunt you down to the ends of the earth!”

“Understood!” The crowd bowed in unison.

“Third Uncle is wise,” Shen Xingxuan said. “Please, send everyone back. I have a few words for Junior Brother Qi, then I will return to the Inner Sect.”

The elder nodded and shooed the crowd away.

Once they were gone, Shen Xingxuan’s face instantly froze over. She glared at Qi Yuan, her eyes spitting fire.

“Scoundrel! I did as you asked! Give me the Recording Talisman!”

If not for the Heavenly Dao Oath, she would have torn him to pieces right there.

“Hehe. Senior Sister Shen must be joking.”

Qi Yuan smiled, spreading his hands. “That talisman is my life insurance. Why would I give it up?”

“But I promise: as long as you behave and don’t try to kill me, no third person will ever see it.”

“If you break your word, however… well, the entire cultivation world will get a copy.”

Shen Xingxuan exploded.

“You… DESPICABLE!”