Chapter 16: The Standoff of Three Purples

After a moment’s shock, Elder Xu Yunzi and the others understood. Elder Chu Yunzi’s animosity towards Li Jing stemmed from a tragic event in his past.

Chu Yunzi was born into a poor peasant family that had farmed for generations. When he was 15, a rare drought struck, and the harvest failed completely. The local corrupt officials not only embezzled the relief funds but also demanded the starving peasants pay the same amount of taxes as in previous years. Cries of grievance filled the land, and the tragedy of cannibalism even occurred.

Chu Yunzi’s parents and relatives starved to death in that disaster. On the brink of starvation himself, he led a group to raid the county granary. He was captured, defeated, and sentenced to death. If his master hadn’t happened to pass by and save him, Chu Yunzi would have been a headless corpse long ago.

From then on, Chu Yunzi hated all officials of the Li dynasty, especially the third prince, Li Jing, whose royal attire made him instantly recognizable.

Years later, after achieving some success in his training, Chu Yunzi knelt before his master’s door for three days and three nights, begging for permission to go down the mountain for revenge. Finally, the sect granted his request, issuing an Immortal Decree that commanded the empire to hand over all officials involved in the incident for execution.

If not for the sect’s rules, Chu Yunzi would have long ago stormed the imperial palace with his talisman sword and slaughtered the entire Li clan.

Although displeased, Li Jing still bowed to Chu Yunzi. “May I ask the elder, where did this disciple speak wrongly?”

Chu Yunzi snorted coldly. “No matter how useless Yuan Shanhu is, he is still at the Third-Leaf Spirit Sprout Realm. How could he be defeated by Qin Haoxuan, who has only been cultivating for two days? I think there is more to this than meets the eye! Qin Haoxuan might be a spy from another sect, or perhaps a demon in disguise.”

Even the other elders found this accusation to be unreliable. Qin Haoxuan’s origins in Small Islet Mountain were clear and verifiable. Even if Chu Yunzi was targeting Li Jing, the spy theory was too far-fetched. As for being a demon, what kind of pathetic demon would disguise itself as a disciple with a weak seed?

Everyone felt that Chu Yunzi was grasping at straws, but Zhang Kuang took it seriously and stepped forward to testify. “Qin Haoxuan and I are from the same town. I know him very well. Before joining the Taichu Sect, he often went into the mountains to gather herbs and would frequently produce rare ones that even old, experienced gatherers could not find. Do you think the son of an ordinary hunter could have such ability? At least, I could not.”

“That’s because you’re not as good as me,” Qin Haoxuan, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, his smile tinged with mockery. “Not only can I find herbs you can’t, but when I feel like beating you, I can beat you worse than a dog.”

Li Jing clapped his hands and laughed. “Junior Brother Zhang, did you hear what Junior Brother Qin said? I think he’s absolutely right. Your words only prove his capability. Just because you can’t do something, does that mean others can’t either?”

“Junior Brother Li! You…” Zhang Kuang’s face flushed, and he was at a loss for words.

At that moment, Chu Yunzi intervened on Zhang Kuang’s behalf, his words aimed at Li Jing. “Li Jing! Qin Haoxuan! This is the Discipline Hall! It is not a place for you to speak so freely! Zhang Kuang was merely citing an example to prove Qin Haoxuan’s abnormality. What is your motive for twisting his words?”

As he spoke, his eyes blazed with anger, as if he wanted to tear Li Jing to pieces.

If any other disciple had been targeted by a Discipline Hall elder like this, they would have been too scared to speak. But Li Jing simply clasped his hands nonchalantly. “Senior Brother, I was just speaking on the matter at hand. There is no need for Junior Brother Zhang to be so sensitive.”

The two of them, calling each other “Junior Brother” while claiming to be the “Senior Brother,” made the atmosphere thick with tension. To prevent the conflict from escalating, Xu Yunzi quickly interrupted. “The elders will now deliberate for a moment. A verdict will be announced shortly.” With a wave of his hand, a pale yellow, soundproof barrier enveloped the four of them. They could be seen speaking, but no sound escaped.

“Senior Brother Xu Yun, what is there to discuss? Just announce the verdict we already agreed upon!” Chu Yunzi said, displeased.

Xu Yunzi ignored the hate-addled Chu Yunzi and turned to the other two elders. “Now that Qin Haoxuan has two Purple Seed disciples on his side, we should re-evaluate.”

“What is there to re-evaluate? I wasn’t suspicious before, but now that this Li Jing from the royal family has stepped up to defend him, I can see that this Qin Haoxuan is no good! Why else would he come to help? I say Qin Haoxuan is either a spy from another sect or a demon in disguise!”

Chu Yunzi made no secret of his hatred for the Li dynasty and Li Jing, and by extension, Qin Haoxuan.

Xu Yunzi and the others were exasperated. They tried to reason with him. “Li Jing is also an Unsurpassed Purple Seed. His future achievements will surely surpass ours. He is helping Qin Haoxuan not for Qin Haoxuan’s sake, but for Xu Yu’s. If he gains her support through this, his chances of becoming Sect Master in the future will be extremely high! If we stick to our original verdict, we will offend two Purple Seed disciples at once. Isn’t that… unwise?”

“The future is the future! If you don’t want to be the bad guys, then let me announce the verdict. If Li Jing really does become Sect Master, I will take full responsibility for today’s events. I won’t implicate any of you. In my opinion, Zhang Kuang’s future achievements will definitely surpass the other two.”

Xu Yunzi and the others still felt it was improper. Even if they didn’t announce it, the verdict was a collective decision. Offending two Purple Seed disciples at the same time would not end well for them.

“How about this,” Xu Yunzi said after a long pause. “Even without Li Jing, Qin Haoxuan still has Xu Yu. We have to give her some face. Moreover, according to our investigation, this incident was instigated by Yuan Shanhu’s group, possibly at Zhang Kuang’s behest. Therefore, I propose we sentence Yuan Shanhu’s group to 15 days of penance at The Frostcliff! And sentence Qin Haoxuan to seven days in the Lava Cellar! As for whether Qin Haoxuan is a spy or a demon, that requires further investigation. If any evidence emerges, he will be dealt with according to the sect’s laws, no matter who protects him. Do you three have any objections?”

Xu Yunzi’s decision was firm and well-reasoned, the punishment fitting. The other two elders nodded in agreement. Any further objection from Chu Yunzi would be futile.

After reaching an agreement, the barrier disappeared. Xu Yunzi cleared his throat, scanned the hall, and announced the verdict. “Yuan Shanhu, Zhang San, and Li Si maliciously provoked Qin Haoxuan, harming the fellowship between disciples. They are to be sent to The Frostcliff for 15 days of reflection. If they repeat this offense, the punishment will be severe! Qin Haoxuan, after Yuan Shanhu’s group had ceased their aggression, still heavily injured them. This is also a violation of the rules against private dueling. He is to be sent to the Lava Cellar for seven days as a warning! The Taichu Sect is clear in its rewards and punishments, with no exceptions for anyone. I hope you will all take this as a lesson!”

After the verdict was announced, the enforcers standing in two rows on either side of the hall suddenly let out three deafening roars in unison: “JUSTICE! JUSTICE! JUSTICE!”

The 20 synchronized roars were so loud they nearly tore the roof off the hall, shaking dust from the rafters.

Li Jing was indifferent to the outcome. His goal was only to show goodwill to Xu Yu and win her over. As for Qin Haoxuan’s sentence, the heavier, the better.

Zhang Kuang was not happy. He had hoped to build on Chu Yunzi’s accusations, but the verdict made no mention of spies or demons. He, who wanted Qin Haoxuan dead, was naturally dissatisfied. But since the elder had spoken, he could only endure it.

Li Jing is already starting to build alliances just two days in, he thought. In the future, I’ll have to be more careful around Xu Yu. If I push her to his side, my path to becoming Sect Master will be even more difficult.

Zhang Kuang endured it, but Xu Yu was still not happy. Her friend had been the victim from start to finish. At the thought of Qin Haoxuan being locked in the Lava Cellar for seven days, her eyes instantly turned red.

The name “Lava Cellar” alone was terrifying.

“The elders’ judgment is unfair! I will go to the Sect Master to seek justice for you!” Xu Yu said, tears welling in her eyes, her face filled with anger.

Qin Haoxuan was touched but shook his head. “It’s alright. Out of sight, out of mind. It’s good to be away from them. I can focus on cultivating without anyone causing trouble.”

Xu Yu thought he was just trying to comfort her. She didn’t know he was speaking from the heart. During the hearing, he had been tormented by the searing spiritual energy in his body but couldn’t show it. All he wanted was a quiet place to meditate.

The kind-hearted Xu Yu didn’t know this. Her phoenix eyes swept over Zhang Kuang and Yuan Shanhu’s group as she said coldly, “I will go to the Sect Master now! And when my cultivation is strong enough, I will definitely get justice for you!”

Her gaze then fell upon the four elders. Hearing her vow and feeling the hatred in her eyes, their hearts sank. As the saying goes, it’s not the thief you fear, but the one who remembers. To be the target of a Purple Seed’s grudge was a terrifying prospect.

If it were any other disciple, the elders could have found a way to set a trap and have them expelled.

But a Purple Seed? None of them dared. The Sect Master was no fool. If he found out, he was fully capable of having their entire families killed. They would have to go and explain themselves properly.

The thought of having to explain themselves to a brand-new disciple made the old elders’ hearts ache with bitterness, but they had no choice.

Xu Yunzi had already made a plan. He would go find Xu Yu immediately and assure her that Qin Haoxuan would not be bullied in confinement. He would even give her some spiritual medicine to help him cultivate, hoping to put the matter to rest.

Yuan Shanhu and his two friends were frozen with fear. They struggled to inch closer to Zhang Kuang on the floor, as if that would make them safer.

Just as the enforcers were about to take the four of them away, Zhang Kuang leaned in close to Qin Haoxuan and sneered, “Did you think being locked up would save you from me? We’ll see about that.”

Qin Haoxuan sighed. It seemed the trouble his stubborn temper had caused him in the village had followed him here. But to ask him to submit to Zhang Kuang? That was something he would never do.

After Qin Haoxuan and the others were led away, Xu Yu returned to her usual calm demeanor. She walked over to Li Jing and said, “Thank you, Senior Brother Li, for speaking up for Senior Brother Qin. I will remember this.”

Li Jing beamed. Girls are so simple. A small trick is all it takes. He was about to say a few polite words to solidify the good impression, but Xu Yu had already turned and walked away without another word.

The Discipline Hall returned to a state of calm, but no one’s heart was at peace.