If just a moment ago Xue An had only shocked these people, then after he uttered those words, all the elders’ faces changed dramatically.
Zhuge Banzang stepped forward a few paces and took a deep breath, whispering something in the ears of his father and several elders.
The onlookers did not catch what they were discussing.
But after Zhuge Banzang finished speaking, looking at Zhuge Yuan and the other Zhuge Family elders, the dissatisfaction from moments before had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity and reverence.
"Senior, please forgive us for our blindness in failing to recognize you; we truly deserve death!" Zhuge Yuan said with utmost respect.
And those few elders, throwing aside their dignity, hurried to approach Xue An.
"Senior, forgive us!"
"Please, Senior, pardon our offense!"
This scene left countless spectators in shock because, no matter what, they could not comprehend the identity of this youth who had slain Huo Geng and suppressed the entire field, and who could now inspire such utmost politeness from the always arrogant Zhuge Family.
And Dai Yuexing, standing by the side, watched with a face full of shock and a heart full of intense emotions.
She had tried to raise Xue An’s strength and status as high as possible in her mind, but she realized she had still underestimated the young man.
"Senior, how do you intend to handle the matters that follow?" Zhuge Yuan asked reverently.
Now that the Tian Zhao Chess Saint has fallen and the Tian Zhao Star Domain has suffered great losses, this issue must be resolved.
If it were according to the earlier plan, Zhuge Yuan would have taken over the Tian Zhao Star Domain without hesitation, but now with Xue An present, he naturally had to consult Xue An’s opinion.
Xue An responded with a faint smile, "For a hundred years under Huo Geng’s lead, the Tian Zhao Star Domain has committed countless mistakes; now is the time for reckoning! As for the rest, I can’t be bothered to intervene!"
Zhuge Yuan nodded, "Understood!"
Yet Xue An’s words caused a great stir among those present.
Those Chess Masters of Tian Zhao with guilty consciences turned pale, while many who were naturally good-hearted or had done no wrong breathed a sigh of relief.
After all, an explicit statement was all that was needed.
Dai Yuexing, who had held the vain hope of using this opportunity to preserve the honor of noble families, turned pale, because she understood that Xue An’s simple phrase had foiled all her meticulous plans.
Meanwhile, Xue An left, surrounded by the Zhuge Family.
From the beginning to the end, Xue An had not given Dai Yuexing or Gu’E even a single glance.
As if they were nothing but air.
And watching Xue An’s retreating figure, Dai Yuexing’s body trembled, and her knuckles turned white from gripping her hands too tightly.
It was laughable that she had thought her schemes would have any effect, but she hadn’t anticipated that all her painstaking efforts would be invalidated by a casual remark from him.
Before absolute power, all smooth words and cunning plots were indeed futile, Dai Yuexing bitterly realized.
As for Gu’E and Yuan Zhentian, although they had not thought as far ahead as Dai Yuexing, they too sensed that something was amiss.
The talk of retribution from Xue An filled them with inner turmoil, and the way the others looked at them only added to their dread.
Taking their chance, the two of them slunk away.
At this, the events here could be considered concluded.
The Zhuge Family members followed Xue An back to the inn where he was staying.
Once they entered,
Including the elders of the Zhuge Family, everyone knelt to the ground in unison.
"We greet you, great one!"
Xue An did not dodge; instead, he calmly accepted their reverence, then said indifferently, "All rise."
Hearing his words, these people dared to stand up.
Then Zhuge Yuan respectfully asked, "Great one, what brings you to this place?"
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