Chapter 165: Pleading for Mercy from the Master
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Fang Cheng Lang stepped forward from the crowd, his heart heavy with worry. Without hesitation, he dropped to his knees, his eyes reflecting a desperate plea.
Seeing their senior brother kneeling, Su Ming quickly followed, kneeling down beside him without a second thought. Lan Zi Yu glanced over at Yu Zhao before she, too, lifted the hem of her robe and knelt.
Ye Cong Xin, feeling the pressure from the unfolding situation, bit her lip, ready to join them in pleading. However, Quan Ye grabbed her arm, stopping her.
“Junior Sister, they’re all being deceived by that imposter. Don’t fall into the same trap!” Quan Ye warned, his voice laced with urgency.
“But Senior Brother and the others…” Ye Cong Xin’s heart was racing with conflicting emotions, but she masked it with a worried expression.
“Forget about them. If they want to kneel, let them. Master will punish them for it,” Quan Ye said, a hint of satisfaction in his tone.
“Cheng Lang, are you all defying me as your master?” Master Qing Yan’s voice was calm, but beneath the surface, there was an unmistakable edge of anger.
Fang Cheng Lang bowed his head in deep respect. “Disciple wouldn’t dare, but I cannot agree with your judgment of Yu Zhao. I beg you, Master, to forgive her.”
“Please, Master, forgive her!” Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming echoed, their voices united in their plea.
Their words left those who were unaware of the full situation puzzled. Fang Cheng Lang was known for his integrity and uprightness, so if he was standing up for Yu Zhao, could it be that she wasn’t as guilty as Master Qing Yan had claimed? Moreover, Lan Zi Yu and Su Ming, who had always been at odds with Yu Zhao, were now speaking up for her. Even Zhou Jin Yue and Zhang Jun were protecting her. Perhaps Yu Zhao’s reputation wasn’t as terrible as they had thought.
Seizing the moment, Sect Leader Ji Yuan intervened, “Master Qing Yan, even your disciples believe this is a misunderstanding. Let’s drop this matter, shall we?” He forced a laugh, trying to ease the tension, but Master Qing Yan remained unmoved.
“This selection is for our sect’s most promising disciples, and Yu Zhao is unworthy,” Master Qing Yan declared firmly.
Sect Leader Ji Yuan’s face darkened. Master Qing Yan made it clear that he didn’t want Yu Zhao to participate in the Great Competition as a disciple of the Five Elements Sect. The reason was simple: if Yu Zhao’s team were to win, her controversial identity would become a topic of gossip, and Master Qing Yan’s reputation would suffer. To avoid being the subject of such discussions, he intended to cut off the problem at its root.
This left Sect Leader Ji Yuan deeply frustrated. In his mind, the honor of the sect was above all else. What did it matter if Master Qing Yan was gossiped about? It wouldn’t harm him. However, given Master Qing Yan’s status within the sect, Sect Leader Ji Yuan had no choice but to take his words seriously.
“What do the other elders think?” Sect Leader Ji Yuan asked, his voice filled with resignation.
Elder Gu, who had been holding back his thoughts, saw his opportunity to speak and seized it. “The sect should choose its participants based on ability, not status. Yu Zhao’s cultivation has reached the late Golden Core stage; why shouldn’t she compete?”
Sect Leader Ji Yuan immediately gave Elder Gu a look of approval. Ah, Elder Gu, I always thought you were just a bookworm, but it turns out you’re sharper than most. Well done!
But his joy was short-lived. There were few elders and peak masters like Elder Gu who dared to oppose Master Qing Yan. Weighing the pros and cons, most chose either to remain silent or subtly align themselves with Master Qing Yan.
Master Qing Yan sat quietly, exuding an air of detachment, like an immortal cultivator descended from the heavens. He was untouchable and unyielding.
Sect Leader Ji Yuan felt a bitter smile creep across his lips. The moment Master Qing Yan spoke, he knew that no one would dare go against his will. He looked down at Yu Zhao, his eyes filled with guilt and helplessness. As sect leader, I’ve failed to protect you, Yu Zhao.
“Junior Sister Yu Zhao,” Zhou Jin Yue couldn’t help but tighten her grip on Yu Zhao’s hand. She couldn’t hear what was being said on the stage, but she could see the changes in Master Qing Yan’s expression—resignation and compromise. Junior Sister Yu Zhao won’t be able to compete in the Great Competition, and now she’s even lost her chance to participate in the selection.
Master Qing Yan had never fulfilled his responsibilities as a teacher, and now he was using his authority as a peak master to suppress a former personal disciple. He’s gone too far!
The more Zhou Jin Yue thought about it, the angrier she became. She let go of Yu Zhao’s hand, ready to rush forward and demand an explanation.
But Yu Zhao was quicker, pulling her back. “Senior Sister Jin Yue,” Yu Zhao’s voice was calm, “Let me handle this.”
Under Zhou Jin Yue’s worried gaze, Yu Zhao slowly stepped forward, placing herself in full view of everyone.
“Master Qing Yan, I won’t insist on participating in the selection, but I will not accept your judgment of me. No one has the right to judge my character—not even you.”
The entire crowd was shocked by her words. Fang Cheng Lang and the others were almost scared out of their wits. Yu Zhao’s statement was bold, too bold.
Master Qing Yan’s eyes darkened. “Sect Leader Ji Yuan, is this the misunderstanding you were talking about?”
Sect Leader Ji Yuan felt a headache coming on. Yu Zhao’s words aren’t wrong, but in front of so many people, she should’ve given Master Qing Yan some face. She’s still too young.
“Master Qing Yan, she’s young and impulsive. Please try to understand,” Sect Leader Ji Yuan tried to smooth things over while frantically signaling to Master Guan Yun for help.
Master Guan Yun, caught in a difficult position, reluctantly stepped in, out of consideration for her disciple being part of Zhou Jin Yue’s team.
Meanwhile, Su Ming and Lan Zi Yu were whispering to Yu Zhao, urging her to apologize to Master Qing Yan.
“Yu Zhao, do you think Master is as easy to deal with as we are? Kneel down, apologize, and stop being stubborn!”
“Yu Zhao, have you lost your mind? Apologize now, before it’s too late!”
“Yu Zhao, don’t pretend you can’t hear us! Apologize now! You still have a chance to fix this!”
Fang Cheng Lang also wanted to persuade Yu Zhao to apologize, but he recalled their last conversation, and all the words he wanted to say remained stuck in his throat.
This novel is translated and hosted only on BCatranslation
Yu Zhao didn’t spare them a glance. She stood tall and unwavering. She had already considered the consequences of her actions the moment she stepped forward. The worst outcome would be being expelled from the Five Elements Sect, just like in her previous life. But this time, she was prepared. If she had to become a rogue cultivator again, she would not be as miserable as before.
At that moment, the sunlight was at its peak, yet the light in Yu Zhao’s eyes was even brighter, dazzling and impossible to ignore.
Master Qing Yan’s gaze faltered as a sharp pain suddenly tore through his mind. His fingers tightened around the armrest of his chair, his knuckles turning white as his eyes flickered with uncertainty. Why? Why is this happening now, after all these years of control? Is it because of Yu Zhao? No. Impossible! Yu Zhao is just a discarded disciple. She’s not worth my attention! It must be something else.
“Master Qing Yan?” Sect Leader Ji Yuan noticed the unusual tension in Master Qing Yan and immediately grew concerned. Despite his dislike for Master Qing Yan’s domineering ways, he knew that the master was a pillar of the sect. If something happened to him, the Five Elements Sect would be greatly affected.
“It’s nothing,” Master Qing Yan replied, trying to hide his discomfort. But everyone present was sharp-eyed, and they quickly realized something was wrong.