Free Web NovelChapter 926: Chapter 922: The Scepter of Authority
The whole time, Xiao Tian, who was coldly observing from the side, accurately captured a look of shame and anger in Fujiwara Akita’s expression. However, under the collective denunciation of so many people, he clearly dared not show it too much. Hence, he could only lower his head and, in a place unseen, stare at Xiao Tian with eyes like those of a poisonous snake.
Regarding the intense hostility from Fujiwara Akita, Xiao Tian didn’t care too much. He was, however, very thankful that the leader of the village, Fujiwara Daisuke, was straightforward enough to agree to his proposal.
A moment later, as the commotion gradually subsided, Fujiwara Daisuke waved a hand to signal everyone to be silent, and then ordered, "A few of you, go and clean up the house and the yard."
After speaking, he turned his gaze to Xiao Tian and said, "You haven’t eaten yet, have you? Come to my house for a meal first, and after everything is tidied up over there, you can move in."
After expressing his gratitude, Xiao Tian hesitated briefly and said, "Rest assured, we won’t stay for free. When the time comes, we will pay a certain rent according to the number of days we reside. Please be sure to accept it."
As soon as these words came out, before Fujiwara Daisuke could respond, the villagers behind him started whispering to each other. The dissatisfaction from earlier instantly vanished upon hearing Xiao Tian say that they would pay rent, and everyone looked exceedingly excited.
Especially Fujiwara Akita, whose house had been forcibly commandeered, immediately raised his right hand and charged in from outside the crowd, bumping into people along the way and causing another burst of curses to erupt.
Fujiwara Akita shouted as he squeezed into the crowd, "Clan Leader, I’m willing—I’m willing to rent the house to these three guests, only the rent..."
Before he could finish, the crowd unanimously let out a loud "Hmph," unable to hold back from condemning Fujiwara Akita’s shamelessness.
Seeing this scene, obvious displeasure appeared on Fujiwara Daisuke’s face. Such consecutive noisy incidents, with everyone talking over each other, especially in front of these three outsiders, made him feel that his authority had been seriously challenged.
Subsequently, Fujiwara Daisuke abruptly raised the staff that symbolized his power high above his head, not even looking back, exuding a confident posture.
Seeing Fujiwara Daisuke’s action, everyone around was stunned, and they quickly shut their mouths, standing straight, their expressions solemn.
Even Fujiwara Akita, who had been the most boisterous earlier, hurriedly stopped causing trouble and stood up straight when he saw the staff raised high, not daring to utter another word.
In an instant, the entire scene was enveloped in an eerie silence, as if Fujiwara Daisuke at that moment was an absolute ruler towering above everyone, holding the power of life and death over the surrounding clansmen!
Meanwhile, Xiao Tian’s gaze suddenly changed, sensing a scattered pressure emanating outward, like surging waves crashing against the defenses of his mind one after the other.
Xiao Tian was sure that if someone’s mind was not strong at this moment, they would appear panic-stricken instantly without any defense.
Tracing the source of the pressure, Xiao Tian saw the staff held aloft by Fujiwara Daisuke, but it was clear that the pressure was not coming from Fujiwara Daisuke himself, but from the staff in his hand.
Noticing this, Xiao Tian couldn’t help but carefully examine the raised staff.
The staff was about 1.2 to 1.3 meters long, its entire body displaying a black-red interwoven color, appearing both metallic and wooden, with a top adorned by a pattern never seen before, like some kind of ancient totem.
Xiao Tian quickly focused his vision, but saw that around the complex pattern at the top of the staff, some thin, almost invisible strands of energy were continuously gathering. As time passed, the pressure intensified.
Although it was no more than a minute and a half since Fujiwara Daisuke raised the staff, some clansmen whose minds were not firm enough had already started to show signs of pallor. Fujiwara Akita, in particular, had cold sweat covering his forehead, but he dared not recklessly wipe it away, forcing himself to endure this discomfort.
As for the three outsiders including Xiao Tian, they were all affected to varying degrees. However, although this level of pressure did inevitably affect him a little, it was easily possible for him to become immune if he wished.
But considering it was someone else’s domain after all, and Fujiwara Daisuke, who controlled the pressure, clearly targeted his clansmen more intensely, while the outsiders including Xiao Tian only faced a slight diffuseness of the pressure, so they did not make a fuss.
On Xiao Tian’s left, Xiang Yiting, whose meridians had fully opened, blinked in bewilderment at the people seemingly worshipping Fujiwara Daisuke. The pressure seemed to have no effect on her whatsoever.
Seeing this scene, Xiao Tian could generally understand that it must be due to Xiang Yiting’s physique. The pressure was evenly distributed by the energy spontaneously circulating in her meridians, which is why she seemed unaffected.
On the other hand, Adison Claire was not in such fortunate circumstances. This was evident from the intermittent unnatural movements of her fingers in her pocket.
Xiao Tian noticed this anomaly and subtly shifted towards Adison Claire, using his own body as a shield to share the majority of the pressure, preventing any unexpected situations.
Adison Claire, whose palms were already covered in sweat, felt a sudden relief from the inexplicable pressure upon seeing Xiao Tian’s actions, prompting her to glance at Xiao Tian twice in bewilderment, her mind questioning...
Was that inexplicable agitation and unease real or just a psychological effect?
But regardless, it was because of Xiao Tian’s actions that she could relax, and she couldn’t help but trust him more deeply!
When Fujiwara Daisuke felt that most people could no longer hold on, he glanced curiously at the unaffected trio of Xiao Tian and the others, then lowered the staff at an appropriate moment, turning around to sweep his gaze over everyone’s face.
The clansmen, who initially felt relieved, were about to breathe a sigh of relief when seeing Fujiwara Daisuke’s stern gaze startled them into that atmosphere where they dared not breathe again.
Fujiwara Daisuke nodded slowly. Although his facial expression remained stern and solemn, he was quite satisfied with the effect.
Meanwhile, a deep sense of loss followed his satisfaction. As he recalled the former glory of the Fujiwara Clan, this clan leader in his fifties couldn’t help a flash of loneliness and helplessness pass through his eyes, unable to reverse the tide.
After a while, Fujiwara Daisuke shifted his attention back to Xiao Tian and the others, extending his hand and saying, "This way, the three of you!" With that, he led the way, and everyone blocking his path quickly made way.
Xiao Tian and the other two exchanged glances, then followed in an orderly fashion, their pace steady.
