Chapter 24: Enforcement Hall
After roaming the bustling market, Li Shuang exchanged all her spirit stones for valuable supplies.
In terms of artifacts, she chose only one—a protective treasure able to transform into clothing. True to her graceful habits, she immediately shaped it into a flowing robe of purest white and put it on.
She also purchased several common talismans and a handful of Frost Flowers to strengthen her spiritual roots. Secretly, she fed the remaining treasures to the Heaven and Earth Furnace.
With the Clear Heart Jade Pendant and the carefully bargained resources, the Heaven and Earth Furnace’s progress surged to thirty-five percent.
Li Shuang sighed softly with regret.
[If only fortune smiled on me more often. One Clear Heart Jade Pendant alone pushed it twenty percent, but everything afterward merely added fourteen percent.]
Yet she was patient. The Heaven and Earth Furnace had become her treasure-seeking compass. As long as she persisted steadily, filling its progress would only be a matter of time.
Luo Ming Yue and Li Shuang returned swiftly to Sword Sect.
Just as they entered, a disciple spotted them and gasped in shock.
“Senior Sister Luo! Senior Sister Li! Why are you two here?”
Luo Ming Yue frowned. “Why shouldn’t we be here? Speak clearly!”
The disciple hurriedly explained, “Senior Sister Luo, haven’t you heard? Early this morning, Peak Master Lin stormed to the Sect Leader, accusing True Immortal Ling Xu of stealing Senior Sister Li’s resources and demanding justice. But True Immortal Ling Xu denied all wrongdoing. They argued fiercely in front of the Sect Master without reaching an agreement.”
“Afterward, two senior brothers from Spirit Void Peak brought charges before Enforcement Hall, claiming Emotionless Peak disciples deliberately injured others.”
“Now the Sect Master has sent the matter to Enforcement Hall. Both sides are quarreling furiously there as we speak.”
The disciple’s eyes shone with excitement. He had planned to see the drama unfold himself. Who knew he’d run straight into the ones at the heart of this storm?
“These shameless scoundrels dare accuse us at Enforcement Hall?!” Luo Ming Yue’s anger flared sharply. “I’d love to see how they’ll twist the truth this time!”
Li Shuang said calmly, “Eldest Senior Sister, let’s go together.”
Luo Ming Yue nodded firmly, quickening her steps.
“This is getting interesting!” The disciple excitedly followed close behind.
…
Enforcement Hall
Lin Qing Ling sneered coldly. “Ling Xu, how dare you claim innocence about withholding Li Shuang’s resources? In front of so many disciples, we clearly heard Shen Yue admit that Li Shuang’s Frost Flowers were diverted to Ye Zhao Zhao, and the Sword Stones taken by him!”
“Everyone heard it—Li Shuang’s own resources were given to someone else!”
She sharply turned toward Pang Zhi Xue, the master of Enforcement Hall. “Master Pang, the truth is clear as sunlight! Why hesitate? Pronounce judgment!”
Hall Master Pang Zhi Xue appeared troubled, as though about to speak.
Before he could, True Immortal Ling Xu spoke calmly, face devoid of any feeling, “As the eldest senior sister, Li Shuang willingly gave those resources to her juniors. Can one take back what has been freely given? The truth is indeed clear, and nothing more needs to be said.”
“But Emotionless Peak disciples interfered unjustly! My second disciple was first struck down by Luo Ming Yue, ambushed again by Liu Jun Cheng, and then ruthlessly beaten by Jiang Yi until he spat blood! Emotionless Peak acted in clear defiance of sect rules forbidding harm among fellow disciples. What will you say to this?”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s piercing gaze locked onto Pang Zhi Xue. “Even now, my disciple lies unconscious. Emotionless Peak disciples committed wrongdoing—shouldn’t Hall Master Pang punish them severely?”
“And yet you dare speak of punishment!” Lin Qing Ling sneered, her eyes sharp like a drawn blade. “Countless disciples witnessed clearly—it was your second disciple who agreed to a fair sword duel, yet suddenly unleashed spiritual force, nearly crippling Li Shuang! Such dishonorable actions! My disciples simply stepped forward to teach him a proper lesson. What wrong have they committed? Even Jiang Rong Yi saw clearly. He declared both sides should settle the matter and both have agreed.”
Pang Zhi Xue turned his gaze toward Jiang Rong Yi, who hesitated under Lin Qing Ling’s fierce words. He nodded stiffly, admitting, “It is true.”
True Immortal Ling Xu gave Jiang Rong Yi a cold glance. “Jiang Rong Yi is merely a junior. His words alone do not define truth! My disciple merely reacted out of instinct—a momentary lapse! But your disciples deliberately attacked!”
“Instinct?” Lin Qing Ling’s voice was icy cold. “If Ming Yue and the others hadn’t acted swiftly, should my disciple have quietly accepted serious injury?”
“Li Shuang was unharmed in the end,” True Immortal Ling Xu replied without feeling.
“What clever words, True Immortal Ling Xu!”
Within the Enforcement Hall, Lin Qing Ling and True Immortal Ling Xu faced each other, their words clashing like sword blades. Disciples from both peaks stared at each other, eyes filled with silent hostility.
Pang Zhi Xue wished to speak, but their arguments gave him no opening. Sect Master Meng Yi Fei, having endured this battle of words for half a day, had quietly disappeared, unwilling to get involved.
“Li Shuang! Li Shuang has arrived!”
A shout from outside rippled through the hall. The gathered disciples quickly moved aside, creating a clear path. Luo Ming Yue entered, accompanied by Li Shuang.
True Immortal Ling Xu’s gaze grew colder as it landed on Li Shuang. Once, he had proudly chosen her as his first disciple, believing her heart pure and noble. But now, he realized her schemes had been hidden deeply!
“Ingrate,” True Immortal Ling Xu spat coldly. “On Spirit Void Peak, you constantly opposed Zhao Zhao, turning disciples against each other. Now, you’ve stirred Emotionless Peak into action, destroying the peace of the sect! Li Shuang, your skill at manipulation is truly impressive! Peak Master Lin, beware—do not let her fool you as she did me!”
Lin Qing Ling frowned and quietly stepped forward, shielding Li Shuang from True Immortal Ling Xu’s accusing gaze.
Li Shuang lowered her eyes slightly, a gentle warmth flickering in their depths.
In truth, since dedicating herself to the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art, Li Shuang no longer felt negative emotions. Peak Master Lin knew this well. Yet still, she instinctively shielded Li Shuang from harm, unwilling to let her endure the scornful looks of others.
“Senior Sister Li!” a voice suddenly broke out, filled with anger.
Sheng Yuan, silent until now, could no longer contain himself. His fists clenched tightly as he glared angrily at Li Shuang. “We were once fellow disciples! How could you strike down our second junior brother so cruelly?”
“Eldest Brother, why waste breath on a traitor?” Chang Le An sneered openly, eyes locked fiercely onto Li Shuang. “If you truly have courage, stop hiding behind others. Face me openly in battle!”
Luo Ming Yue laughed coldly, her voice filled with disbelief. “Little Shuang has only recently shattered her cultivation and begun anew. If you have true skill, then wait patiently until she rebuilds her golden core!”
Chang Le An’s expression twisted with arrogance. “Do you fools still think she’s some peerless genius? The moment she steps into the Nascent Soul stage, her cultivation will halt forever! Ridiculous! As for me, I was born blessed by the heavens themselves! I am destined to stand above all others. Even if she rebuilds her golden core, what have I to fear?”
Arrogance filled every word he spoke.
Li Shuang gazed at him calmly.
[He truly believes the heavens favor him so greatly?]
A faint spark flickered quietly in her eyes.
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation