But before his strike could descend, a cold weight pressed down on his shoulder.
Tai Tan stiffened, his monstrous frame trembling as he slowly turned his head.
What greeted him was a sharp, gleaming lance. Behind She Long, nine soul rings rose in unison, their colors marking an absolute suppression: Two yellow, Three purple, Five black, the soul rings each more suffocating than the last.
She Long had already released his martial soul :Snake Lance Martial Soul. His cultivation as Titled Douluo was shown in front of everyone.
Tai Tan's heart skipped a beat. Cold sweat streamed down his spine, soaking through the clothes that covered his back.
Just when he thought She Long would strike him down, a calm voice intervened.
"Elder," Bishop Robert's tone was gentle but firm, "thank you for your aid. But I believe this issue does not require your hand. I will personally impeach Tai Tan's actions to the Blacksmith Association. Let them judge and punish him for attempting to incite a riot against Spirit Hall."
The words fell like a hammer, reverberating in the hearts of the watching crowd.
She Long's eyes narrowed, but he withdrew his killing intent, giving only a cold snort. The nine rings behind him vanished like receding shadows, leaving only silence and fear in their wake.
Tai Tan's face was pale, his lips trembling. With no other choice, he dispelled his martial soul, his body shrinking back to human form. His chest heaved with ragged breaths, the shame of retreat burning in his bones.
The crowd began to whisper.
"So it was Tai Tan… making a scene?"
"He nearly dragged us into trouble with Spirit Hall!"
"If what Bishop Robert said is true, then we were misled by him!"
Each hushed murmur chipped away at the reputation Tai Tan thought he still held in Gengxin City.
And yet, from the carriage in the courtyard, Qian Renxue remained silent. She had not given any order or signals.
However before Tai Tan could take a step back, a sharp, resounding crack split the air.
Slap!
Tai Tan's massive body lurched sideways as She Long's palm struck his face with the force of a thunderclap. His cheek instantly burned crimson, the sound echoing like a whip across the hushed square.
Tai Tan's hand shot up to his stinging face. His eyes widened in rage, his thick finger pointing at She Long. "Y-YOU!"
"Elder—!" Bishop Robert hurriedly tried to interject, his voice trembling as he sought to calm the situation.
But She Long cut him off with nothing more than the lift of his hand. His eyes were sharp as blades as he looked down at Tai Tan, his voice cold, every word laced with domineering weight.
"This is just a small punishment for the ruckus you dared to cause in front of Spirit Hall." His gaze bore into Tai Tan's soul like venomous fangs. "You should be thankful it was only a slap. You know what happens when you disrespect a Title Douluo."
The words struck harder than the slap itself. Tai Tan's heart pounded in his chest, his blood turning to ice. Though his body shook with suppressed fury, his spirit quailed under the oppressive reminder of the absolute hierarchy in strength.
Grinding his teeth, Tai Tan said nothing further. He turned and stormed off, his massive back hunched, his steps heavy and uneven. To the crowd, it no longer looked like the imposing Patriarch of the Strength Clan—it looked like a beaten, humiliated man retreating with his tail between his legs.
The fire of the potential riot fizzled away like smoke, and the gathering slowly dispersed, leaving behind only silence and unease.
—
Bishop Robert, She Long, and Ci Xue exchanged glances before turning back toward the Spirit Hall's inner courtyard. Their steps were heavy with tension as they approached the waiting carriage.
There, leaning lazily against the polished wood, Qian Renxue's figure was half-hidden in the shadow of the canopy. Her golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her half-lidded violet eyes serene, yet carrying a depth that made the three men instinctively lower their heads. A faint smile tugged at her lips as she stroked the cat perched on the windowsill.
"Now, Bishop Robert," she said softly, her voice carrying just enough for them to hear, "one of your problems will no longer trouble you for a long time."
Bishop Robert forced a polite smile, bowing his head in gratitude. "Young Master, based on the events today, I can ensure Tai Tan's reputation among the blacksmiths will be shattered."
But deep within, Robert's thoughts were far from calm. His palms were slick with sweat, hidden within his sleeves.
'Just this morning, I was explaining to Young Master about Tai Tan's obstruction… '
'Is this really coincidence? Or… did she already know everything, long before I opened my mouth?'
The thought sent a shiver through his spine. The faint smile of the girl with purple eyes lingered in his mind like an unshakable shadow.
As the carriage rolled away, carrying with it the batch of weapons secured by the Angel Corps, Bishop Robert stood rooted in place, staring at its departing silhouette. The noon sun bore down on him, oppressive and sweltering.
He lifted a hand to wipe the sweat from his forehead, murmuring under his breath, "The sun… is pretty hot today."
But in truth, the heat that plagued him was not from the sun at all, it was the fear and respect burning in his heart.