Xue Wen listened to her words and his eyes narrowed in a smile.
He had already expected her to say something along those lines the moment he saw her smug, arrogant demeanor.
'So it really is the Ding Brothers who put her up to this,' he thought, the corners of his lips curling faintly. 'They think they can cut me off like this? Hmph. A dog barking only because its master told it to.'
He stepped forward slowly, voice calm but carrying weight. "Well, I have other ways to contact the Patriarch. After all, I am his son-in-law. I'm sure Ding Mei would be able to connect me to him directly."
The moment her name was brought up, Ding Jing's hidden eyes widened from behind the screen.
He hadn't expected Xue Wen to shamelessly invoke Ding Mei like that.
'This leech dares to pull my cousin into this?' His fingers curled tight against the armrest, veins bulging.
Ding Huian caught his glance and instantly understood.
She forced out a mocking chuckle, masking the faint panic rising in her chest. "To think you would stoop so low, groveling to your wife for a few marrow beads. Pathetic." She leaned forward, her tone dripping with contempt though her pupils quivered slightly. "Here's a better idea, why don't you beg me instead? Perhaps if you cry properly, I might even give you your allowance."
Her voice carried disdain, but she had stepped out from behind the safety of the counter, something she normally wouldn't do.
Though she hid it well, Xue Wen's sharpened senses caught the nervous tremor in her movement.
That tiny detail made his grin spread wider. She's scared. And for good reason.
From his inherited memories, he knew exactly where she stood, half Bone Awakening Realm.
A decent level, but hardly overwhelming.
Bone Awakening Realm itself was divided into stages, Quarter, Half, Three Quarters, and Full.
Not long ago, Xue Wen had only been a Quarter Bone Awakening cultivator, a weakling in the clan's eyes.
But after consuming so many Essence Beads in recent weeks, he had silently leapt forward, his foundation nearly touching the Three Quarters stage. He wasn't the same "leech" they remembered.
His voice carried a cold edge as he spoke. "Is that how you speak to the Ding Clan's son-in-law? Looks like someone needs to be taught some manners."
Ding Huian burst out laughing as though she had heard the funniest joke.
Her shrill voice echoed through the depository, drawing attention from disciples who were waiting to collect their monthly resources.
Heads turned, whispers began to spread.
"And who, pray tell, will teach me these manners?" she sneered, lifting her chin. "You? The useless leech of the clan? Even if the Patriarch were here, if he saw you stirring up trouble inside the Depository Hall, do you think he would protect you?"
Her finger stabbed toward him like an executioner's verdict.
But before she could draw another breath, a sharp sound cracked through the air.
Slap!
Xue Wen's figure blurred.
His palm had already landed across her face, sending her tumbling to the ground in a heap.
A red print bloomed instantly on her cheek.
"You… you dare!" she gasped, clutching her face in disbelief.
Slap!
Her protest was cut off by another strike, louder than the first.
The force snapped her head to the side, blood dripping from the corner of her lips.
A scream ripped out of her throat, high-pitched and ugly, more akin to a squealing pig than a dignified clan lady.
The crowd collectively sucked in a breath.
"The leech… he's beating Ding Huian?!"
"Her father is Elder Ding De, the finance elder!"
"Impossible! Wasn't he just at Quarter Bone Awakening last year? How did he grow this strong so fast?"
A stocky disciple in the back chuckled darkly. "Serves her right! That bitch looked down on me for years. If he breaks her teeth, I'll call it justice!"
Another voice whispered more cautiously. "He's courting death… If Elder Ding De hears of this, Xue Wen won't live to see another sunrise."
The hall buzzed with disbelief and gossip, yet none dared to intervene.
Meanwhile, Ding Jing, still hiding in the shadows, felt his stomach churn. His fists trembled as he muttered under his breath, "Three Quarters already… this bastard…" He hadn't expected Xue Wen's cultivation to surge this far.
Ding Huian tried to rise, her hair disheveled and tears forming in her eyes. "Stop! I will kill you..."
Slap!
"My father will..."
Slap!
"I beg..."
Slap!
"Please...!"
Slap!
Xue Wen gave her no chance to finish a single sentence, each palm strike timed perfectly, silencing her words before they left her mouth.
By the time he finally stopped, her once-delicate face had swollen grotesquely, red and purple like a hive of hornets had stung her.
The onlookers shivered.
If he could do this to a woman, what would happen if he set his sights on a man?
Breathing ragged, Ding Huian collapsed at his feet.
She grabbed desperately at his legs, her voice hoarse and broken. "Please… stop… I beg you…"
Xue Wen's gaze was cold, indifferent, as though he were looking at an insect. "Go get me my allowance."
Her body trembled, hatred and humiliation burning in her eyes.
She glanced toward the back corner for Ding Jing, hoping for support, but her heart sank.
The chair was empty. He had abandoned her without hesitation.
Biting her lip until it bled, she staggered to her feet and rushed into the storage room.
Moments later, she returned with a small pouch, her hands shaking.
Inside were fifteen Essence Beads, the standard monthly allowance.
She held it out with trembling fingers.
Xue Wen glanced inside, then smirked cruelly. "After slapping a pig like you, my hand hurts. Shouldn't you give me some compensation as well?"
The entire hall froze. Shivers rippled down the spines of everyone present.
"So ruthless…" someone muttered.
Ding Huian's knees nearly gave out.
If she gave away more beads, she would have to pay the difference out of her own pocket.
But when she saw Xue Wen's hand twitch, the memory of those relentless slaps surged through her mind.
Her lips quivered, and she vanished into the storage room again.
This time she came back with another pouch, fifteen more beads, her own monthly share.
She placed them before him with a deep bow, tears of humiliation streaming down her swollen face. "This is my own allowance… Please forgive me."
Xue Wen threw his head back and laughed. He snatched the pouch, his grin filled with scorn. "Now you know how to behave."