Chapter 33: Punishment by the Whip
Pang Zhi Xue answered without hesitation, his voice steady as a sword drawn from its sheath. “According to Sword Sect’s twenty-second law: ‘All disciples must stand united, aiding and supporting one another. If one plots harm against a fellow disciple, the punishment shall range from ten lashes at minimum, up to annihilation by divine lightning, depending on severity.'”
“Ye Zhao Zhao clearly intended harm, though the outcome was not severe. Thus, she shall receive ten lashes.”
Ten lashes…
Ye Zhao Zhao’s face drained of all color.
This was the mildest penalty for betrayal, yet the Enforcement Hall’s whip was like a serpent’s bite—one lash could cut deep into flesh, leaving her bedridden for days.
“Master…” Ye Zhao Zhao’s voice shook as she turned pleading eyes toward True Immortal Ling Xu.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s expression hardened, his gaze sharp as a blade’s edge.
This punishment was not just about Ye Zhao Zhao; it was an attack on his dignity as well.
He was the one who had driven Li Shuang away.
He was the one who had shielded Ye Zhao Zhao.
Now, this punishment announced to all that he had judged wrongly.
At this moment, protecting Ye Zhao Zhao was secondary—defending his pride came first. His voice rang cold and clear, “Zhao Zhao will accept her punishment. But what about Li Shuang? She abandoned her fellow disciples on Snow Mountain. Shouldn’t she also face judgment?”
Before Li Shuang could reply, Pang Zhi Xue spoke, his voice firm as iron, “If undeniable proof is provided about Snow Mountain, justice will be served accordingly.”
The meaning was plain as day.
No evidence.
Though Sheng Yuan and the others favored Ye Zhao Zhao, they wouldn’t invent false charges. Ye Zhao Zhao’s claim was merely her own words, without witnesses.
Li Shuang had her own explanation. Without proof, how could they decide?
True Immortal Ling Xu clenched his teeth, his face dark as winter frost. “One day, the truth about Snow Mountain will surface. When that happens, I wonder how you’ll defend yourself.”
Li Shuang’s gaze stayed calm as still water. “I await the day truth is revealed.”
True Immortal Ling Xu snorted coldly, filled with bitter anger but having nothing more to say.
“Carry out the punishment,” ordered Pang Zhi Xue. “Ye Zhao Zhao is of the Nascent Soul Stage; her punishment shall be given by someone equal in strength. Jiang Yun Ge, you shall administer the lashes.”
“Yes,” Jiang Yun Ge answered without hesitation. In an instant, a whip appeared in her hand, black as night and crimson as fire.
Water commands the Black Tortoise of the North—black as endless night.
Fire rules the Vermilion Bird of the South—crimson as burning flames.
Water and fire, ruthless and unforgiving, just like Sword Sect’s law.
As the blade of justice, the Enforcement Hall wielded this whip as their symbol, a constant reminder of impartial judgment.
Ye Zhao Zhao trembled. She opened her mouth to protest, but before she could speak, Enforcement Hall disciples had already taken away her Dragon’s Roar and forced her onto her knees.
“Little Junior Sister!” Chang Le An stepped forward, desperate to protect her.
True Immortal Ling Xu lifted a hand to stop him, voice cold as ice. “Interfering with sect punishment is also a crime.”
Chang Le An’s eyes filled with helpless rage. Could he really do nothing but watch?
Sheng Yuan bit his lip, uneasy.
Moments ago, he had believed Ye Zhao Zhao was wrong.
But seeing the brutal lashes now, he felt Li Shuang was being too harsh.
[Since when had Eldest Senior Sister become so cold?]
Under countless gazes, the first whip fell.
Ye Zhao Zhao knew punishment was inevitable. She had resolved herself not to cry out—to at least keep her dignity intact.
Yet, when the whip struck her back, the searing pain pierced like lightning, unbearable and sharp.
She had never felt such torment before. A scream ripped from her throat, unstoppable and raw.
Without pause, the second lash descended.
Her cries grew louder, tears streaming uncontrollably down her face as agony overtook her.
Sheng Yuan’s heart tightened painfully.
Since entering Spirit Void Peak, Ye Zhao Zhao had never endured such suffering before.
With each lash, pain seared Ye Zhao Zhao like flames coursing through her body. She dared not think of the agony awaiting her by the tenth strike.
Chang Le An’s eyes burned fiercely as he stared at Li Shuang.
All of this was because of her!
If not for Li Shuang, how could Little Junior Sister suffer such torment?
The third strike fell. Then the fourth…
Jiang Yun Ge, who enforced the sect’s discipline, watched Ye Zhao Zhao’s cries with mild irritation. She had disciplined many disciples before, yet never had she seen anyone react so dramatically.
Still, despite Ye Zhao Zhao’s pitiful tears and heart-rending sobs, Jiang Yun Ge’s strikes were swift and firm. Once the tenth lash fell, she quietly withdrew into the crowd.
Ye Zhao Zhao lay still on the ground, her voice utterly spent, unable to cry anymore.
Chang Le An rushed forward first, gently holding her with an aching heart. Turning his fierce gaze to Li Shuang, he spoke through gritted teeth, “Are you satisfied now?”
Li Shuang calmly replied, “I only sought fairness. Now that justice has been served, yes—I am satisfied.”
Chang Le An’s fists clenched tightly, fury blazing in his eyes.
He was truly enraged this time!
Li Shuang had crossed the line. He would never forgive this Eldest Senior Sister!
Sheng Yuan glanced complicatedly at Li Shuang before speaking softly, “Third Junior Brother, arguing now is pointless. Take Little Junior Sister back to heal her wounds.”
Suppressing his anger, Chang Le An nodded and turned to leave with Ye Zhao Zhao.
Just then, a lazy voice drifted through the air, “The Sword Sect’s punishment has concluded, but the affairs of the Spirit Artifact Pavilion remain unsettled.”
The speaker was Hong Sheng.
Ye Zhao Zhao, who appeared on the brink of losing consciousness, could not stop her eyelashes from twitching.
Irritation flickered within her heart. [How could such a small matter drag on endlessly?]
True Immortal Ling Xu’s voice cut sharply through the tension. “Hong Sheng, the girl has already endured punishment. What more do you desire? Business is conducted willingly—why blame everything on her?”
Hong Sheng inclined his head respectfully. “Certainly, Manager Qiu also bears responsibility. Once the Spirit Artifact Pavilion issues its ruling, he will be stripped of his position and heavily fined.”
“And then?” True Immortal Ling Xu asked coldly.
Hong Sheng smiled slightly. “Manager Qiu profited greatly over the years. Ye Zhao Zhao, benefiting from her status as a disciple of the Sword Sect, also received generous shares. Altogether, she accumulated thousands of High Grade Spirit Stones. The records have been prepared. Manager Qiu, present the accounts to Hall Master Pang.”
Manager Qiu cast a venomous glance at Ye Zhao Zhao as he reluctantly handed the account book to Pang Zhi Xue.
From the moment the blind box scandal erupted, he knew his role as manager was doomed.
Thus, he acted decisively, giving Retainer Hong his entire fortune in exchange for intervention.
His intentions were clear:
First, if he was to fall, Ye Zhao Zhao would not escape unharmed.
Second, if the Spirit Artifact Pavilion punished him financially, Ye Zhao Zhao would share his burden.
Pang Zhi Xue flipped through the records, his expression subtly changing.
A mere Nascent Soul disciple had accumulated such an astonishing fortune of High Grade Spirit Stones.
Her wealth was astounding.
The accounts revealed clearly Ye Zhao Zhao’s profitable schemes. Though lucrative, they carried the unmistakable scent of greed.
If not for the Spirit Artifact Pavilion’s century-long prestige, trouble would have erupted sooner.
Even without Li Shuang’s revelation, Ye Zhao Zhao and Manager Qiu’s dealings would inevitably have led to disaster.
Thousands of High Grade Spirit Stones…
Even True Immortal Ling Xu cast Ye Zhao Zhao another glance.
He had always valued wealth somewhat, and one reason for his favor toward Ye Zhao Zhao was her frequent offerings of Spirit Stones.
Every time, she had sincerely claimed they were all she possessed.
Her devotion had moved him deeply.
But now, the truth was exposed clearly—
She had hidden thousands of High Grade Spirit Stones, yet the ones offered to him…
True Immortal Ling Xu’s expression darkened.
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