I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

“This scheme has been laid out for so long; the real show is finally about to begin.”

Patriarch Situ also said with a cheerful laugh.

“This old man really wants to meet the young master of the Situ Household, to see what kind of talent he is, to have thought of such a strategy that sparked a series of disputes. It’s possible that after this, the Third Family Head might even reward him!”

Elder Wang laughed heartily, and the mere thought of Elder Sun’s livid face brought him waves of satisfaction.

Lately, his behavior had been somewhat reckless, and maybe some had taken notice of him, but so what? As soon as the Third Family Head gained power, he would instantly turn over a new leaf and become the landlord himself!

Even the likes of the Great Elder would be nothing more than dirt under his feet!

“The boy has merely hit the mark by a fluke. Causing trouble at such a critical juncture, I was thinking of punishing him. When he returns, I’ll have him face the wall and reflect immediately.”

Patriarch Situ waved his hand, with the air of a parent disappointed in his son. However, the gleam of triumph in his eyes betrayed his true thoughts.

Elder Wang wanted to say more, but at this moment, an uproar suddenly arose outside the hall, with a flurry of disordered shouting reaching the ears of everyone inside.

“What is this!”

“Why would such a thing appear in front of my Situ Household?”

“Who did this?”

Hearing the series of panicked shouts, Patriarch Situ frowned and asked in displeasure, “What’s the matter outside that has you all so alarmed?”

“Since when have the cultivators of my Situ Household become so undisciplined? How have you been taught on regular days?”

“Patriarch, please calm your anger. This matter is truly beyond belief. Please step outside to the front gate of the clan.”

The voice of the outside cultivator was trembling, his eyes unable to hide the panic. Considering the rumors and whispers they had heard recently, they were harboring an ominous premonition.

“Hmph, what exactly is the matter?”

“We cultivators should remain unruffled even if Mount Tai crumbles before us. If everyone is as alarmed as you, how is the Cultivation World expected to progress?”

Patriarch Situ’s face darkened, and with a flicker of his figure, he left the great hall. It was a great disgrace for his own disciples to make a fool of themselves in front of strangers.

Yet the moment he stepped out of the Situ Household, he felt as if struck by lightning, his body suddenly freezing in place.

“Patriarch Situ, there’s no need to be so severe. The disciples are still inexperienced and lack seasoning. It is natural for them to act improperly; do not punish them too harshly.”

“Hehe, indeed, indeed. Weren’t we just as clumsy in our early days? We grew up amidst conflict and battle…”

“Exactly, Patriarch Situ, people are… ah, this… what is this!”

“How did this thing get here?”

Following him, Elder Wang and the others hurried out, their eyes full of mirth. They never expected to see Patriarch Situ in an awkward position.

They had intended to offer him comforting words, but as they followed everyone’s gaze and looked around, their bodies broke out in goosebumps, and their pupils contracted sharply.

At this moment, in front of the Situ Household, piles of face masks were stacked up like mountains, silently placed beside the main street. Passersby pointed and murmured, and the number of onlookers drawn to the spectacle was growing.

What’s going on?

They certainly recognized these masks. Even if they didn’t, thinking back to the recent major events, it would’ve been easy to guess. Weren’t these the very masks worn by those who had ravaged through Aolai Country, committing acts of murder and plunder?

“What’s happening here, why is there such a heap of masks around the Situ Household?”

“What are these masks for?”

“Can’t you see? It’s the masks worn by that group of famous cultivators recently, the same ones. Wasn’t it said that Li Xiaobai and other overseas cultivators were the culprits? Could it be that the people from the Situ Household did this?”

“I feel like a huge revelation is coming. I’ve already grabbed my bench, just waiting for the twist!”

A crowd of passersby stood agape at the sight on the street, remaining rooted to the spot, waiting to see how the situation would unfold.

If it really was the work of Situ Household cultivators, then this was no simple matter. It was a mighty family challenging the legal authority of Aolai Country!

In other words, this was tantamount to rebellion.

“Who did this? There were disciples on night duty yesterday. What were you doing, allowing someone to place this mess right in front of our Situ Household?”

Infuriated, Patriarch Situ could see that this situation was clearly a deliberate attempt to frame them.

Such a blatant act, yet it successfully drew public attention, which was somewhat problematic.

He was all too familiar with the masks on the ground; after learning of Situ Guixiong’s plan, he had collaborated with several major families to produce a batch of masks for Situ Guixiong’s use, but he had never imagined that this tactic would one day be used against his own Situ Household.

“Re… Reporting to the Family Head, we brothers were somewhat drowsy last night and didn’t notice any suspicious individuals.”

Two disciples nearby stammered out, with a tremendous incident having already damaged the family’s honor, they were now only hoping that their anger wouldn’t result in their execution.

“You didn’t notice any suspicious individuals? Then tell me, who placed these things here?”

“Did they grow legs and walk over by themselves?”

Patriarch Situ’s expression was cold, and a faint murderous intent emerged in his eyes. He swore that if he could uncover the hidden enemy, he would ensure they were torn to pieces.

The disciples didn’t dare to speak and trembled unconsciously.

Elder Wang and a few others also looked quite displeased; having such a number of masks thrown in front of the Situ Household was as good as announcing to the city’s cultivators that the masked cultivators were impostors hired by the Situ Household.

This was a targeted act!

Li Xiaobai and the others had always been confined within the Punishment Hall, unlikely to have the opportunity to cause trouble, so could there be someone else targeting the Situ Household?

Scanning the crowd of onlookers, Patriarch Situ slowly spoke up, his voice calm, “It seems our fellow cultivators have witnessed a farce. I do not know who would play such a prank to insult the Situ Household without cause. Rest assured, this will not be the end of the matter. My Situ Household will investigate thoroughly and unearth the person behind these masks!”

“Let’s end it here for today. Everyone, please disperse.”

Patriarch Situ said, struggling to contain his rage, trying to downplay the incident as much as possible.

But the very next second, his heart raced to his throat.

A cultivator in the crowd suddenly exclaimed:

“Look, everyone, there’s a female cultivator’s Inner Armor here!”