Chapter 1016 - 1012: Verbal Confrontation
With a belly full of doubts unresolved, the middle-aged man had no choice but to comply, as this was the safest course of action. Not many present could harm him, but those who could harm Ozawa Miwa were abundant. Although he was confident he wouldn’t fall prey to an ambush, it was never wrong to be cautious!
After a moment, Mizuno Pengyu showed a meaningful smile, sizing up Xiao Tian before he spoke, "You said earlier that you’ve treated the Hunter, right?"
Xiao Tian remained expressionless, but inwardly he resisted falling into the other’s conversational rhythm, replying, "The Hunter amounts to nothing in my eyes; the princess is far more important than him!"
This behavior, which seemed like fawning over, made many present secretly curse him as shameless. If the Hunter were here, would you dare to say such things!
However, most still felt understanding, since in everyone’s eyes Xiao Tian had already offended Mizuno Pengyu. At this moment, besides clinging tightly to the royal family, was there any other path he could tread?
Little did they know, Xiao Tian said this for two reasons: firstly, to avoid being led by Mizuno Pengyu, and secondly, to reassure Ozawa Miwa, lest she truly regarded the experiences in the Dream Realm as a mere dream, exposing any flaws which would be a hassle!
When Ozawa Miwa heard Xiao Tian say this, she immediately confirmed that the experiences in the Dream Realm were indeed genuine. Though her heart sweetened, she felt somewhat awkward about Xiao Tian belittling himself.
Mizuno Pengyu secretly noted this person as challenging, then guided the topic back, saying, "Anyway, the Hunter is considered a top martial artist, and someone able to make such a master seek help surely can’t be some obscure figure, but..."
Upon this point, Mizuno Pengyu’s gaze suddenly turned fierce, as though two sharp swords were directed at Xiao Tian, continuing, "I had sent people to investigate earlier, and the feedback was that no so-called Divine Doctor with the surname Xiao could be found. This inevitably raises suspicion about your identity."
"What a joke!"
Xiao Tian laughed aloud, "Why should I let so many know about me? Besides, regarding your investigation, you sent them to kindergartens, right? I can plainly tell you, not recognizing me is quite normal."
The implicit meaning being, only those of a certain level qualify to know me!
These words left Mizuno Pengyu somewhat speechless, as he hadn’t been contradicted like this in ages. This wasn’t just because as Mizuno Clan’s leader, none dared challenge him.
But more so, in his youth, Mizuno Pengyu too was eloquent and articulate, yet now he realized how laughable his supposed eloquence had been.
At least on the topic of arguing, Mizuno Pengyu admitted even three of himself combined couldn’t out-debate the other.
But, of course, Mizuno Pengyu’s aim wasn’t merely to bicker with Xiao Tian, and after a cold snort, he directly broached the subject, "I sent people to verify with those among the top fifty Huaxia People on the Dark List; as top masters themselves, could they be unaware of such a Divine Doctor?"
Concluding, fearing Xiao Tian might interject, he added swiftly, "The outcome is, not a single famed Divine Doctor with the surname Xiao was found, yet I heard the Hunter ranked tenth on the Dark List possesses impressive medical skills..."
At this point, anyone with a modicum of intelligence could discern Mizuno Pengyu’s insinuation that Xiao Tian was actually the Hunter. What’s more, when mentioning the Hunter and medical skills, Mizuno Pengyu had emphasized his tone, as if afraid the remark wouldn’t be noticed.
Xiao Tian let out a scoff, as if hearing the funniest joke, bending over with laughter, and after a moment resumed normalcy, speaking, "I think your brain is infected! You said it was hearsay; do you understand hearsay?"
"Moreover, if the Hunter’s medical skills were truly as refined as you suggest, why go out of the way to seek me?"
Upon these words, the elders of the Mizuno Clan, along with the royal family masters in confrontation, suddenly cast ice-cold gazes, filled with killing intent, towards Xiao Tian.
Representing the Mizuno Clan as their leader was Mizuno Pengyu himself, so Xiao Tian blatantly attacking Mizuno Pengyu verbally was naturally akin to attacking them.
Yet having learned from the middle-aged man’s intervention in aiding Xiao Tian earlier, the Mizuno Clan’s elders were naturally wary about exerting pressure again.
Besides, to act rashly would undermine Mizuno Pengyu’s public authority, for if he hadn’t spoken as their leader, acting autonomously wouldn’t favor his image.
But despite such reasoning, so many masters even without intentional pressure amassed a chilling force as their gaze converged upon Xiao Tian, who instantly felt a coldness envelop him, his movements involuntarily stiff.
It wasn’t that Xiao Tian feared these numbers; it was purely that his current prowess paled compared to peak days, and encountering such substantive killing intent inevitably induced abnormal reactions.
And witnessing all this, even spectators lost the urge for mere amusement; such tension-filled atmosphere made everyone feel oppressed, fearing collateral damage might engulf them as well.
As for the middle-aged man, actually at that very moment, he intended to command blocking the Mizuno Clan masters, after all, Xiao Tian was crucial to his daughter’s life. Should mishap occur, who then would save her?
But at that moment, recalling Xiao Tian’s whispered message, he quashed that impulse, choosing to stand aside merely as a spectator, all the while remaining vigilant about Xiao Tian’s every move.
...
After a while, Mizuno Pengyu displayed a cunning smile, stating, "Why do I feel Mr. Xiao seems like a changed man? Before this, Mr. Xiao never showcased such sharp-tongued eloquence, your speaking style resembles that of..."
Before the words were finished, Xiao Tian interjected, "That Hunter you mentioned?"
He continued, not waiting for Mizuno Pengyu’s acknowledgment or denial, "I think you referenced Hunter in likeness, and then again referenced in likeness; why not directly say I’m the Hunter and be done with it? Going in circles, isn’t it tiring?"
Mizuno Pengyu suddenly froze, having considered countless possibilities, never expecting such a statement to emerge from Xiao Tian’s mouth; admitting its accuracy felt inappropriate, yet denying it felt even more so, leaving him speechless.
Of all his years in clash and maneuver, who could verbally corner Mizuno Pengyu this way—Xiao Tian was the first!
And now reflecting upon this, Mizuno Pengyu realized that since beginning with the first sentence, Xiao Tian hadn’t once adhered to his conversational rhythm, showcasing how admirable his adaptability was!