Zombie Bodyguard

Chapter 1906 - 1903: Public Humiliation

For Zhang Zhicheng’s words, the younger disciples of the Zhang Family had feelings of disgust, amusement, or indifference.

Lin Tian’s gaze shot toward Zhang Zhicheng, with an undisguised cold sneer on his lips: "Zhang Zhicheng, I am a guest of the Zhang Family and am speaking with the Great Elder. Is there a place for you to interrupt here? Or do you place yourself higher than all the clan members present?"

"You..." No one expected Lin Tian to be so forceful, especially Zhang Zhicheng, who thought he could make Lin Tian kneel and humiliate him by relying on the Great Elder’s authority. Who knew a couple of questions would render him speechless?

Of course, Zhang Zhicheng had no qualification to speak here. What a joke, with the Second Elder and several seniors in the hall, when would it be his turn to interrupt?

"What’s wrong, can’t you speak? My gesture of clasping hands just now is a standard courtesy in the Ancient Martial World, an action expected of an Ancient Martial Artist. What, are you so formidable you can negate the entire Ancient Martial World? Do you want to redefine the courtesies of the Ancient Martial World? If so, I could pass your ideas on to the seniors of the Ancient Martial World."

Lin Tian was unabashedly straightforward, continuing to refute and even dragging the entire Ancient Martial World into the fire. As these words were spoken, the expressions of the old and middle-aged men changed drastically, and they couldn’t sit still. The Great Elder, who had been immovable like a mountain, finally showed a change in eye expression.

Of course, they couldn’t sit still, hearing a young junior from the Zhang Family in the Demon Exorcism World carelessly discuss the courtesies of the Ancient Martial World, even wildly claiming to define them. If this were spread in the Ancient Martial World, who knows how many disputes it would ignite, which is certainly not what the Zhang Family elders wished to see.

"This must not happen, under no circumstances..." A middle-aged man stood up, his face quite anxious: "Brother Lin Tian, this must not be leaked to the Ancient Martial World, otherwise it may trigger disputes between the two worlds, which neither you nor I want to see, right?"

Brother Lin Tian, the term had changed, and with a tone of request, he said these words while signaling to Heyuan, as if aware of his acquaintance with Lin Tian, hinting for him to mediate.

Heyuan seemed completely at ease, not anxious at all, even hiding a trace of a smile in his eyes. He cleared his throat and said to Lin Tian: "Lin Tian, Zhicheng is talented for his age; young people inevitably speak rashly. He misspoke, let him apologize to you, and let the matter drop, what do you say?"

The old man spoke artfully, seemingly defending Zhang Zhicheng, but the reality was a subtle critique, especially the last sentence, asking Zhang Zhicheng to publicly apologize.

"You fool, apologize at once!" The Great Elder suddenly shouted lowly, causing the hall to buzz. Though he ordered the apology, he deliberately showcased his authority, obviously demonstrating.

However, Zhang Zhicheng was uncooperative, unwilling to say, "Great Elder, why should I apologize to an outsider."

He spoke without regard for tact; he was still unaware of the seriousness of his previous words. Many Zhang Family members secretly shook their heads, some even pondering, such lack of discernment and awareness of occasion yet aspiring to the Heavenly Master’s position?

With a "slap," the Great Elder stood up, turned, and struck Zhang Zhicheng’s face with a slap. Despite the Great Elder’s gray hair, his strength was no less than a young man’s. The slap left Zhang Zhicheng dazed, with five finger marks quickly appearing on his face.

Perhaps Zhang Zhicheng hadn’t been hit by the old man before and was stunned in place. Yet, the Great Elder returned to his seat as if nothing had happened and looked at Lin Tian: "Young and ignorant; forgive the embarrassment."

Lin Tian merely boasted, never intending to ignite a conflict between the Ancient Martial World and the Demon Exorcism World. His earlier words were just to teach Zhang Zhicheng a lesson and to diminish the Great Elder’s prestige. Blame those two for attempting to impose a threat.

With the Great Elder’s words, the expressions of the young male and female disciples were exceptionally varied. They all realized that in the first round of confrontation, Lin Tian triumphed.

Previously, those schadenfreude-filled disciples could now only gnash their teeth, while the female disciples admiring Lin Tian and those who disliked Zhang Zhicheng grew more impressed with Lin Tian.

"Zhang Zhicheng apologizing to someone publicly—it’s a first, huh. Heh, it’s refreshing to see." A male disciple quietly laughed.

"That guy relied on the Great Elder’s backing to act arrogantly all the time, even snatching someone else’s chance for training in down the mountain. This time, his arrogance is being curbed." Another disciple agreed.

"Last time, his training down the mountain was also troubled, and even resulted in a complaint, leading to punishment upon return. It was quite satisfying."

"Damn, an outsider can show off in our clan thanks to Lin Tian, this brother indeed deserves gratitude."

Discussions among the disciples arose again, and rather than hold grudges against Lin Tian for embarrassing a clan member, they instead felt grateful and satisfied with Lin Tian.

Zhang Ruyan and Zhang Lingyu were surprised at the crowd’s reactions. Zhang Ruyan said lightly, "Lin Tian, your eloquence is impressive, a few words and Zhang Zhicheng is humiliated and even diminished the Great Elder’s prestige."

"I said he wouldn’t suffer losses easily, though he’s certainly very brazen." Zhang Lingyu’s words seemed unsure if praising or critiquing him, though perhaps it was filled with helplessness.

"Not that I won’t suffer losses; if it were Lingyu and Sister Ruyan as the beauties, I wouldn’t mind losing a bit." Lin Tian jestingly replied, earning a couple of eye rolls from the pair.

"Young man, I heard you managed to breach the maze all by yourself; is this true?" A middle-aged man asked in a loud voice.

As this question was raised, it suppressed the other disciples’ discussions and shifted their focus, easing the embarrassment of the Great Elder and Zhang Zhicheng. While many younger disciples were keen to see Zhang Zhicheng in a predicament, they were much more intrigued by Lin Tian’s feat of breaching the maze.

This time, not only did the young disciples listen keenly, but even the seated middle-aged and older individuals also put down their reserve, their eyes turning to Lin Tian.

"Lingyu, Ruyan, is your family’s maze really that formidable? Their reaction is quite significant." Lin Tian was somewhat puzzled.

The two were momentarily speechless, with Zhang Lingyu glaring at him: "What kind of question is that? Sister Ruyan is gifted; it took her half a day to breach the maze. Moreover, every Zhang Family disciple wishing to train down the mountain must pass through the maze alone."

"Only, most spend a long time doing so. Like Zhang Zhicheng, it took him a full six months to pass the maze, each time getting lost inside requiring others to guide him out, only barely managing in the end."

"The most crucial point is, the maze is currently in dormancy. If the active defense and attack formations were activated, the maze would rise several levels."

"Even in its dormant state, passing through is extremely difficult, serving as a test for disciples, akin to university studies culminating in a final exam." Zhang Lingyu explained swiftly.

"I understand now." Lin Tian realized, and gave a respectful nod to those around: "To be honest, I indeed breached the maze."