At the Martial Arts Arena, the onlookers watching the Liu Family and Sun Family people coming to cause trouble couldn't help but murmured that Zhao Letian was really unlucky. They just heard that his cultivation was crippled, and now he has gotten into so much trouble. Truly, misfortunes never come singly.
"Humph! What else can this piece of trash do now other than causing trouble everywhere? He's truly disgraced our Zhao Mansion!" Zhao Liehu, sitting in the stands, said sarcastically, pleased with the misfortune before him. It would have been difficult to gain an advantage over Zhao Letian and his mother just by himself, but now with so many people here, his chance to avenge his son, Zhao Kang, was much greater.
"Trash? Are you suggesting that your son, Zhao Kang, and Sun Ergou's son, are even less than trash? Otherwise, why would they lose to my son?" Zhao Yixin countered calmly.
"You…"
Both Zhao Sangye and Sun Ergou were suddenly at a loss for words, their faces burning red with shame and annoyance.
"Everyone, I understand your intentions, but today is an important day for the Zhao Family. No matter what grievances you have with Zhao Letian, I hope you can wait until after the Zhao Family's mid-year examination to discuss them," Zhao Wuji suddenly spoke, his expression unchanged and inscrutable, making it impossible to guess what he was thinking.
"Brother Wuji, letting us wait until the Zhao Family's mid-year examination is no problem, but then, I hope Brother Wuji will not cover up the truth and must give us a satisfactory answer," Liu Siye said with a cold smile.
"That's right, the Zhao Family absolutely cannot shelter the criminal Zhao Letian!" Sun Ergou stated angrily, nodding his head.
"Everyone, rest assured. As the head of the Zhao Family, I will never allow any family member to misbehave outside, causing trouble and tarnish the reputation of our Zhao Family. If Zhao Letian really has done wrong, I will not condone it," Zhao Wuji said solemnly.
"Hehe, that's good to hear. With Brother Wuji's assurance, we all can be finally assured. We will just wait here quietly until the Zhao Mansion's mid-year examination is over, and will also take the opportunity to observe the young talents of the Zhao Family. Brother Wuji wouldn't mind that, right?" Liu Siye said with a feigned smile.
"Brother Liu's words are too kind, your presence is an honor to our Zhao Mansion. Attendants, please offer seats to our honored guests," Zhao Wuji responded, still deep and calm.
"No need for that, it's just a mid-year examination, not the annual meeting at year-end. I think it won't take long to end, we prefer to stand," Liu Siye said, shaking his head.
"Then please make yourselves comfortable," Zhao Wuji said casually, then he looked to the Elder presiding over the examination and asked, "Has Zhao Letian arrived?"
"Not yet," the presiding Elder replied.
"Humph! I think he's too scared to come, with all the trouble he's caused. He must know very well he can't escape his guilt today. Perhaps he's already fled out of fear!" Zhao Sangye mocked sarcastically as he glanced at Zhao Yixin, who remained calm and composed, looking serene because she knew very well that her son wouldn't run away today, and in fact, would give these accusers a big surprise.
"Let's not worry about that too much now. Whatever concerns Zhao Letian can wait until after the examination. Since he hasn't shown up, let's revoke his eligibility for the examination this year, as we cannot afford to delay the examination for everyone because of him. Announce the start of the examination," Zhao Wuji said evenly, casually revoking the examination eligibility of the Zhao Family's top talent as if it were a trivial matter.
"Yes, Clan Leader," the presiding Elder responded, and immediately began to revoke Zhao Letian's examination eligibility and announced the start of the examination.
"What's this? Zhao Letian can't even participate in the examination this year?"
"Such a disappointment, I was looking forward to seeing the once-prized gem of the Zhao Family, and how he would be humiliated today."
"Yes, if he were to participate in today's assessment, he would inevitably be severely humiliated by his peers from the Zhao Family."
The Martial Artists in the audience all have excellent hearing, and since Zhao Wuji did not intentionally lower his voice, his decision was heard by everyone in the Martial Arts Arena, prompting a flurry of discussion.
"I declare the cancellation of Zhao Letian's assessment for this year..."
"Hold on!"
Just as the presiding Elder was about to make the announcement, Zhao Yixin suddenly spoke up, drawing everyone's attention.
"Sister Four, do you have anything else to say?" Zhao Wuji asked expressionlessly. Zhao Yixin, although not his biological sister, was ranked fourth among their generation within the clan, and hence he addressed her as Sister Four.
"Clan Leader, the designated time for the assessment has not yet arrived. Announcing the cancellation of my son's qualification now seems rather premature," Zhao Yixin stated indifferently, not looking at Zhao Wuji. She knew well what kind of person Zhao Wuji was—a hypocrite who had always perceived her as the greatest threat within the clan, and had secretly used numerous methods to marginalize her and her son. She had anticipated that today he would seize the opportunity to oppress them further.
"Hasn't the time arrived yet?" Zhao Wuji frowned slightly, but then dismissed the concern, "What if the time hasn't arrived yet? Sister Four, you should be well aware of your son's current condition. Canceling his qualification for the assessment might actually be a good thing for him. If he were to participate, I'm afraid it would only serve to humiliate both you and your son. Moreover, there are esteemed guests here today; let's not have him come out and embarrass himself, or bring shame upon our Zhao Family."
"My son's condition is none of your concern. All I know is that he isn't late, and according to clan rules, you cannot revoke his qualification," Zhao Yixin responded coldly.
"Heh, Elder Wuji, since the mother and son themselves do not mind being publicly embarrassed, why spoil the fun? Besides, we came here mainly to see this once-celebrated prodigy of the Zhao Family. If we cannot witness him participating in the assessment, wouldn't that be a great loss of amusement?" Liu Siye jeered sarcastically, emphasising the term "celebrated prodigy" heavily, clearly reminding everyone that Zhao Letian, once esteemed and hopeful, had now become a laughingstock in Qingzhou City.
The faces of the Zhao Family members turned sour at Liu Siye's words, which not only ridiculed Zhao Letian but also humiliated the entire Zhao Family, exacerbating their resentment towards Zhao Letian. Because of him, the Zhao Family had been publicly shamed.
"Liu Brother is correct. We are willing to wait for Zhao Letian; after all, as Martial Artists, we have plenty of time, even waiting several hours is no issue," Sun Second Master also added with a sneer.
"Since all the esteemed guests have spoken thus, let us wait a bit longer for him. However, once the designated time arrives, the assessment must start on schedule. If Zhao Letian is still absent by then, his qualification will be officially revoked," Zhao Wuji stated calmly.
"Damn it! That bastard Zhao Letian, making so many of us wait for him!"
"Hmph! A useless fool still having the audacity to act superior, truly clueless about life and death. When he arrives, I vow to humiliate him severely!"
"That's right! Zhao Letian, this good-for-nothing has brought shame to our entire Zhao Family. If we do not teach him a harsh lesson, the resentment in our hearts won't subside!"
Upon hearing the Clan Leader's decision, the young men neatly lined up in the Martial Arts Arena gritted their teeth with hatred, each secretly swearing to vent their frustration on Zhao Letian when he arrived.
Meanwhile, Zhao Lingshan, Zhao Kang, and other distinguished younger members of the Zhao Family also harbored their own thoughts, silently speculating why Zhao Letian hadn't shown up yet. Perhaps, he really was afraid. After all, the scenario today was not something a young lad of his age could bravely face.