Chapter 50: Sect Master Ji Yuan

This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation

Sect Master Ji Yuan of the Five Elements Dao Sect had a tall, imposing figure, a resolute face, and a gait as commanding as a dragon’s stride or a tiger’s prowl, exuding an air of carefree grandeur. His appearance did not align with the traditional image of a sect leader but rather resembled the valiant swordsmen described in folktales.

“Greetings, Sect Master.”

Ye Cong Xin and Su Ming immediately bowed deeply in the disciple’s salute, their hearts filled with astonishment. It was a rare sight indeed for Sect Master Ji Yuan to visit Lone Moon Peak in person. Even when he had matters to discuss with Master Qing Yan, he usually relied on the Paper Crane to communicate rather than showing up unannounced.

Why had he come today?

As they completed their salute, they noticed Yu Zhao trailing behind Sect Master Ji Yuan, closely shadowing his every step. Both disciples clenched their jaws tightly.

Cunning!

She had gone to fetch reinforcements!

Sect Master Ji Yuan, upon entering the great hall, acted entirely at ease, immediately sitting down in one of the empty chairs.

At that moment, Yu Zhao stepped forward. “Greetings, Master.”

Master Qing Yan, however, acted as if he hadn’t heard her and instead turned to Sect Master Ji Yuan to inquire about the purpose of his visit.

Sect Master Ji Yuan let out a hearty laugh. “Master Qing Yan, don’t take offense. My visit was not intended to disturb you. However, upon my return to the Main Peak, I happened to witness Yu Zhao tearfully confessing to my eldest disciple. She claimed to be deeply remorseful for unintentionally offending her master, to the point of wanting to atone through self-sacrifice. Her cries were truly earth-shattering.”

He shook his head, feigning helplessness. “Seeing her so pitiful, I took it upon myself to come as her advocate. Yu Zhao is still young and full of childishness. I hope Master Qing Yan can give her another chance.”

Shameless!

Su Ming glared furiously at Yu Zhao.

Deep remorse? Tearful wails? Lies!

Her face showed no trace of guilt. She had clearly staged the entire act just to avoid punishment!

Sect Master Ji Yuan must have been deceived by her pretense!

Although Su Ming was convinced that the Sect Master had fallen for Yu Zhao’s facade, Master Qing Yan knew Sect Master Ji Yuan far better. Ji Yuan would not come here with only one purpose in mind.

Remaining noncommittal, Master Qing Yan withdrew his gaze, letting it land on Yu Zhao, who still held her respectful saluting posture.

“Yu Zhao, do you have anything to say?”

“I know my mistakes,” Yu Zhao replied solemnly.

“And what mistakes have you made?”

Lifting her head, Yu Zhao met Master Qing Yan’s gaze without flinching.

“Whatever my master declares to be a mistake, is my mistake.”

The boldness of her words stunned everyone present.

Her statement was not an apology but more akin to provocation. Even Sect Master Ji Yuan, who had accompanied her, couldn’t help but marvel at her audacity. She dared to directly confront Master Qing Yan in such a manner!

“Heh.”

Master Qing Yan chuckled coldly, his anger evident.

Yu Zhao was indeed incorrigible, defiant to her core.

“You claim ignorance of your faults? Competing with Little Seven for the Starry Sky Stone, mocking the senior brother delivering messages, defying my orders—each one of these is a grievous offense. Do you deny them?”

Suddenly, the oppressive force of a Nascent Soul cultivator’s spiritual pressure filled the hall. Yu Zhao felt her breath hitch, as though a mountain had been placed upon her shoulders.

“Urgh.”

A muffled groan escaped her lips as her knees buckled slightly, nearly bringing her to the ground.

But she refused to submit.

She had done no wrong!

Clenching her teeth, Yu Zhao stood firm, her spiritual energy surging furiously through her meridians. Under the crushing pressure, she painstakingly straightened her back, the sound of her bones grinding under the strain echoing throughout the hall.

A flicker of admiration appeared in Sect Master Ji Yuan’s eyes.

Su Ming froze, his expression conflicted. This version of Yu Zhao felt unfamiliar, leaving him bewildered and uneasy.

Master Qing Yan, seeing her obstinacy, increased the pressure without hesitation.

Just as Yu Zhao’s body seemed on the verge of collapse, Sect Master Ji Yuan intervened, flicking his hand to shield her from the relentless assault.

After all, he had come at the behest of his eldest disciple to protect Yu Zhao, not to watch her be crushed.

“Master Qing Yan,” Ji Yuan said with a cheerful smile, “Let’s discuss this calmly. There’s no need for such fiery anger—it’s not good for your health.”

Master Qing Yan immediately recognized that Sect Master Ji Yuan had aligned himself with Yu Zhao.

The phrase “family disgrace should not be aired in public” crossed his mind bitterly. Yu Zhao, however, seemed intent on defying that very notion.

Master Qing Yan’s disdain for Yu Zhao surged to its peak.

Sect Master Ji Yuan suggested with a grin, “Master Qing Yan, perhaps we should hear Yu Zhao’s explanation first.”

Master Qing Yan didn’t want to listen, but in front of his disciples and the Sect Master, he had to save face. Reluctantly, he remained silent, neither agreeing nor disagreeing.

Yu Zhao seized the opportunity, unleashing everything she had buried deep in her heart.

“Master, all relationships are mutual. As the saying goes, a father’s kindness inspires a son’s filial piety; a brother’s affection fosters a younger brother’s respect. If only one side continuously tolerates and flatters while the other does nothing in return, there is no equality in such a relationship. How, then, can it be sustained?”

“You say I don’t respect my senior brothers, but do you know what they’ve done to me?”

“For instance, my Third Senior Brother. Since the day I joined, he has borrowed over 700 middle-grade spirit stones from me. Worse, he embezzled my monthly supplies in my name. When I confronted him, not only did he refuse to return them, but he also threatened me with violence.”

“Tell me, why should I respect such a senior brother? What reason do I have to honor him?”

The moment Yu Zhao exposed him, Su Ming’s face flushed a mix of blue and purple. He felt both furious and humiliated as his facade crumbled before his master, Sect Master Ji Yuan, and his beloved little junior sister.

“Yu Zhao! You…”

He wanted to accuse her of lying, but the problem was, everything she said was true. Worse still, Zhou Jin Yue, who had witnessed these events, could testify. There was no way to argue.

Sect Master Ji Yuan’s eyes widened in surprise.

Never in his wildest dreams did he expect to uncover such explosive revelations during this visit. It had been worth coming after all.

Master Qing Yan was equally stunned.

He had been so focused on his cultivation that he rarely involved himself in the personal affairs of his disciples. He had always assumed that his students, all exceptionally talented individuals, were perfectly capable of managing themselves under Fang Cheng Lang’s guidance. Never had he imagined Su Ming would abuse his seniority to extort spirit stones from his junior sister.

Even without concerning himself with such matters, Master Qing Yan knew the standard stipend for personal disciples was ten middle-grade spirit stones per month. Seven hundred stones would have been nearly all of Yu Zhao’s savings since joining the sect.

When his gaze shifted to Su Ming, it now held only disappointment.

Meanwhile, Ye Cong Xin, though unaware of the details, had long suspected Su Ming was taking spirit stones from Yu Zhao. Otherwise, with his stipend, there was no way he could afford his extravagant spending. What caught her off guard was Yu Zhao choosing this moment to expose it.

Does this mean Yu Zhao will reveal something about me next?

Ye Cong Xin felt an unsettling chill.

Her instincts proved accurate.

“As for Ye Cong Xin…” Yu Zhao sneered, dropping the pretense of addressing her as “Junior Sister.” She had decided to tear off the mask. “Since joining the sect, I’ve never done anything to harm her. Yet, I’ve constantly been on the receiving end of warnings, suspicion, and judgment from Master and our senior brothers because of her.”

“That sparring match? She challenged me. She lost because her skills were inferior, and yet I was the one punished for it. Not only was I struck by Master, but I was also sent to the Black Prison to reflect.”

Sect Master Ji Yuan’s frown deepened.

His straightforward nature often clashed with Master Qing Yan’s personality, which was why they interacted less than other peak leaders. He had occasionally heard negative rumors about Yu Zhao but had never paid them much attention, given his responsibilities overseeing the vast sect.

Listening to Yu Zhao now, her voice full of restrained anguish, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt.

If only he had noticed earlier, could he have prevented her from enduring so much injustice?

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