Li Qiu was panic-stricken. He had not long joined the sect, knew very few people, and making enemies was out of the question. Even if he had inadvertently offended someone, what on earth did that have to do with Zile?
Before Li Qiu's racing thoughts could even allow him time to turn around, how could he possibly speak of coming to Zile's rescue? In his panic, Li Qiu hurled the golden carp remains he had recently acquired straight in front of Zile, hoping it might help block the blow for him. As for himself, there was simply nowhere to hide. Besides, he had brought Zile to this place, and putting him in danger was entirely his own doing.
There was no time for deeper thought; the fraction of a second Li Qiu had for reaction time was already gone. He didn't even have time to cast a protective barrier before the piercing screech reached his back, straight for his heart. Li Qiu thought to himself: *My life is over! But who on earth holds such a deep grudge against me to launch a fatal strike right from the start, not even giving me a chance to explain? So be it, so be it. Father, Mother, your Qiu'er is leaving now. Perhaps the Old Scholar is terribly lonely over there—take me to him, do. Heh, I only hope my brothers can take my place in serving the two of you with filial piety.*
Chapter 69