Chapter 236: Untitled

“Xue Zhizheng! Three grave faults and eight lesser faults mark your crimes, which cannot be forgiven! However, you have already endured all the punishments of our Lingwu Sect. All debts and grudges are settled; all karma is erased. Therefore, our Lingwu Sect will only submit your case dossier to the County Mansion. From this day onward, you are expelled from the sect! From now on, whether you live or die, whether you do good deeds or commit evil, it has nothing to do with our Lingwu Sect anymore!”

Before the Punishment Grand Prison, a Lingwu Sect Elder, holding an edict scroll, shouted sternly: “Did you understand?”

Before the Punishment Grand Prison, Elder Xue Zhizheng was dressed in tattered grey robes stained with traces of blood. His whole aura seemed wilted and weak, though compared to before, there was now a bit more spirit and vitality. Presumably, he had not endured further punishment these past two days.

Hearing the Lingwu Sect’s edict, he showed no expression whatsoever, only slowly nodding his head.

Now, things had come to this, he naturally understood it completely.

“Go!”

The Lingwu Sect Elder shouted, throwing the edict scroll down before him with a heavy, harsh cry.

This former Lingwu Sect Elder, Xue Zhizheng, slowly stood up, his figure appearing somewhat hunched. In the distance, his personal elderly servant, already tear-streaked, rushed over. The old servant carried a bundle containing all of Xue Zhizheng’s belongings from the Lingwu Sect. Because one of Elder Xue Zhizheng’s offenses involved embezzling property, everything he had amassed – Talismans, Magic Treasures, and even some jade curios – had been confiscated. Now, all he could take with him was this one bundle.

Of course, Elder Xue Zhizheng didn’t care about any of this; it was useless to him now.

He slowly waved his large sleeve, signaling the old servant not to speak. He himself walked slowly out, not even summoning his Soaring Cloud. Instead, he followed the mountain path, step by step, slowly heading towards the mountain gate entrance. He looked like nothing more than an aged old man.

Among the mountains of Lingwu Sect, countless eyes turned towards him, gazes complex and inscrutable.

Meanwhile, gathered outside the Lingwu Sect’s mountain gate entrance, a much larger crowd had assembled.

On an earth slope directly facing the Lingwu Sect’s gates, Yu Qingli, wearing white robes, sat cross-legged on the ground. He quietly watched the mountain gateway, waiting for someone to walk out from within. Beside him stood a grand, high-backed chair. Sitting upon it was a woman whose expression was haggard, her pallor unusually ashen. She wore thick robes, seemingly very afraid of the cold.

The brother and sister duo gave off a feeling of heavy, contained energy, yet also swirling with complex emotions.

Further away, gathered many people: the Shoushan Sect, Leshui Sect, Yun Huan Sect, the Seven Clans, the Nine Immortals Sect, and the County Mansion. All Qi Refiners were now assembled outside the Lingwu Sect’s mountain gate. Although before, the Nine Immortals Sect’s “Divine Eye Young Master” Lu Xiao had attempted to overturn this Elder Xue Zhizheng’s case and ultimately failed, they had still easily uncovered the grudge between Second Young Master Fang and this Elder Xue…

Everyone knew that Second Young Master Fang was waiting for this Elder Xue to walk out alone from the Lingwu Sect.

The brother and sister outside the mountain gates were waiting here precisely for this purpose.

This Elder Xue wasn’t worth much by himself. But because he was connected to Second Young Master Fang, it drew intense scrutiny.

“Second Young Master Fang has arrived!”

Someone shouted loudly. Suddenly, a puff of cloud drifted out from inside the Lingwu Sect.

Accompanying Second Young Master Fang was Little Fox, his peers He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er, and several hooded Shoushan Sect disciples. They moved slowly on Soaring Cloud, arriving beyond the mountain gate. He nodded to the crowd gathered around, then descended onto a nearby hilltop.

“Brother Yu is already waiting here…”

After He Zhenzhang and the others landed, they looked towards the figure of Yu Qingli sitting on the slope ahead. Worry crept onto their faces as they murmured to Fang Cun, “From up on the cloud, I just saw that Lingwu Sect Elder Xue. His aura… it still seems to be at the Condensed Radiance Realm! Brother Yu is only at the Foundation Building Realm! Second Young Master Fang… could it… could it be Brother Yu still won’t be a match for that Elder Xue?”

Meng Qing’er was more direct, “You taught us powerful divine abilities. Surely you gave him some help too?”

“No.”

Fang Cun slowly shook his head. “I previously made a deal with that Elder Xue. As long as he confessed his crime willingly, I would give him one chance. Since I gave my word, I must stand by it. Therefore, I will offer no help during their duel. It rests entirely on Yu Qingli himself. However…” his voice turned firm, “if anyone else tries to interfere? I will not permit it. What I am giving them both… is this single fight!”

He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er exchanged a glance. They understood the meaning behind Fang Cun’s words.

……

Outside the mountain gate, a stooped figure finally appeared.

Xue Zhizheng was actually only in his fifties. But since he was a Qi Refiner, he usually appeared no older than thirty. Having cultivated to the Golden Core level, he could even make himself appear younger. Yet now, after three years confined in the Lingwu Sect’s Grand Prison, he looked like an old man. His movements were slow, his whole body shrouded in the gloom of twilight.

His old servant, carrying the bundle, watched from far behind him, filled with shock and fright, not daring to get too close.

Upon seeing him, Yu Qingli stood up. He leaned close to his sister and whispered something.

His sister, already pale and weak, struggled to open her eyes wider and look towards that figure.

Her whole body shuddered violently. It seemed she was still deeply frightened by the shadow of that man.

Yu Qingli quickly grasped her withered hand, whispering softly to soothe and calm her.

“Xue Zhizheng! You are finally out! Our Xue Clan has questions for you! Though you endured Lingwu Sect’s punishment for your grave mistakes within the sect, the County Mansion must still detain you! Do not resist! Come quietly with us for questioning…!”

Suddenly, a loud shout came from within the crowd behind them. It was Elder Xue Wu.

Beside him stood the County Mansion’s Chief Warden and Divine Generals. Their expressions were reluctant, yet they had no choice but to step forward.

The Xue Clan naturally wished to seize Xue Zhizheng and take him back. While Xue Zhizheng had not spoken according to the Xue Clan’s wishes in the grand hall, they still had many questions for him. Moreover, since Xue Zhizheng’s dossier had been delivered to the County Mansion, the law dictated that the County Mansion must indeed arrest him for questioning. So, no matter how unwilling, the Chief Warden and Generals had to step out and make the necessary declarations.

Truth be told, they were deeply reluctant. After all, they were here to investigate the Ghost Official, not this troublesome matter…

Hearing this, Xue Zhizheng slowly lifted his head.

He looked calmly at Elder Xue Wu and the County Mansion officials. He knew going with them meant safety.

But he also knew someone would certainly prevent his reaching them.

……

“Xue Zhizheng!”

Almost immediately after Elder Xue Wu’s shout faded, a voice rang out from that slope. Yu Qingli, clad in white robes, strode forward three steps. Holding a sword case in his hand, he faced the mountain gateway and shouted sternly: “Or perhaps, I should call you Uncle! Back then, your father and mine were dear friends! My father took responsibility for your grave offense! Entrusting my sister and me into your care! Yet who could have foreseen your beastly heart, hiding behind a human face! You plotted to seize our family’s fortune! You bullied my sister and me! You harmed my sister so that she… Today… I am here for vengeance!”

Hearing his words, all the surrounding cultivators felt a heavy weight settle in their hearts. Since they followed this affair, most had long since learned of the entangled grudges and resentments underlying it. They understood exactly what this was about.

“Nonsense!” Elder Xue Wu shouted coldly and sharply. “Even if this man is gravely guilty, he should be taken to the County Mansion! How can a junior like you demand private vengeance?”

“He may not be a Lingwu Sect Elder anymore, but he once held the position of Chief Warden in the County Mansion! He is not some rogue cultivator lacking rules and discipline! What kind of twisted reasoning allows a junior to block the mountain gate, shout ‘vengeance’, and then just attack?!”

The surrounding cultivators remained silent at his words. Everyone knew Xue Zhizheng was a man propped up by the Xue Clan. Therefore, Elder Xue Wu speaking this way was entirely expected. If he hadn’t spoken thus, it might have chilled the hearts of those serving the Xue Clan.

However, Yu Qingli seemed oblivious to Elder Xue Wu’s words. His eyes remained fixed lethally on Xue Zhizheng.

“Who here speaks such absurdities?”

At this moment, Fang Cun lightly stood up. His gaze didn’t even flicker towards Elder Xue Wu. Instead, his sleeves stirred slightly as he walked unhurriedly to stand behind Yu Qingli, positioning himself firmly between Yu Qingli and the crowd of spectating cultivators. His voice was impassive as he stated:

“To eat while holding up a bowl, to seek vengeance with a drawn blade, to conduct business with the lamp extinguished… these are all matters of natural justice. Even Heaven cannot interfere! Here, one side wishes to settle a blood vengeance; the other likely wishes to eliminate a threat. Both sides act of their own free will. How can others dare to offer unsolicited opinions at such a moment?”

He glanced towards Yu Qingli: “Go. I shall stand as your Guardian. Let me see who dares stop you!”

Meanwhile, He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er exchanged a look. He Zhenzhang gritted his teeth, then soared into the air, landing to the left of Yu Qingli, hovering mid-air. Speaking loudly, almost forcing the words out with bravado, he declared: “Old Yu! I’ll stand as your Guardian too!”

Sitting unobtrusively in the void, the Leshui Sect Leader nodded approvingly.

Meng Qing’er also rose, moving to take position in the air to Yu Qingli’s right. She declared firmly: “A debt soaked in blood and injustice demands repayment! I shall also guard you!”

The Yun Huan Sect Leader covered her mouth with a sleeve, smiling faintly as if pleased.

Yu Qingli looked at his three friends standing guard for him. He didn’t speak. Instead, his gaze pierced forward, landing squarely on Xue Zhizheng’s face. Suddenly, he began to laugh. The laughter swelled, growing louder and louder, as if forcibly expelling years of repressed resentment from his chest.

“Xue Zhizheng! When you committed this betrayal, when you cheated my Yu siblings and abused your position… Did you ever foresee this day?”

Abruptly, the laughter cut off. With a fierce grimace, he hurled down the sword case. At the same moment, he shot forward like an arrow loosed from its bow!

Mid-charge, his hand swept outward.

Whish! Whish! Whish!

Instantly, several sword glows erupted from the sword case! They flew faster than Yu Qingli himself, shooting straight towards the figure standing before the mountain gate.

“Today! It’s time for you to repay your debt!”