Wang Feng's face was utterly expressionless. His gaze was cold and stern, completely unlike his usual smiling appearance. "I'll give you one minute to get dressed."
The female disciple was humiliated and furious beyond measure. In a flurry of panic, she hurriedly put on her clothes, while the thinning-haired male disciple, though enraged, also dressed himself quickly.
Once dressed, his face turned ugly as he gritted his teeth. "Do you know what you're doing?! I will definitely report this to the steward!"
"Shut up! I know the sect rules like the back of my hand. I don't need you to lecture me." Wang Feng shouted sharply, taking the lead into the wooden hut. Wang Kui and another disciple followed him inside.
Wang Feng stopped by the wall and said coldly, "Zhou Tao, do I need to spell out what you've done? Come with us immediately and submit to an investigation!"
Zhou Tao's heart skipped a beat. Uneasy, he began spinning wild thoughts in his head, even as he said, "I don't know what you mean. Wouldn't I know what I've done? If you suspect me of violating sect rules, then produce solid evidence instead of barging in without so much as a greeting!"
"You'll see the evidence soon enough. Will you come with us obediently, or do you want us to use force?"
Wang Feng's expressionless attitude deepened Zhou Tao's unease. His face darkened as he said, "May I ask what you senior brothers are called? My elder brother is an overseer in the mining area..."
"No need to pull connections. I know you're Zhou Han's younger brother."
Wang Kui spoke this time. His stance was unyielding, his tone icy. "But Zhou Han can't cover for what you've done!"
Clang!
Zhou Tao's face went pale, and he tumbled off the bed.
"Take him away!"
With Wang Kui's command, he was the first to walk out. Wang Feng and the other man immediately stepped forward to restrain Zhou Tao. As though he had suddenly remembered something, Zhou Tao frantically pulled out a Sound Transmission Bamboo from his robes and cried for help, "Big Brother, save me!"
In an instant, a low voice came from the other end of the Sound Transmission Bamboo. "What happened?"
"I don't know. I'm over at the spirit fields, and several people suddenly broke in and want to take me away..."
Watching Wang Feng and the other man approach, Zhou Tao struggled with both hands and feet. But Wang Feng and the other man were in the Blood Martial Realm, while he was only at the Qi Martial Eighth Level. He simply could not break free.
Yet Wang Feng seemed to be deliberately allowing him to call for help, for he did not stop him from communicating with Zhou Han through the Sound Transmission Bamboo.
"Hand the Sound Transmission Bamboo to them immediately. I'll speak to them myself!"
There was anger and unease in Zhou Han's voice. Zhou Tao immediately handed the Sound Transmission Bamboo to Wang Feng. Wang Feng did not refuse and took it in hand. "Overseer Zhou, this is Wang Feng. Zhou Tao is suspected of seriously violating sect rules. Our procedure for apprehending him is entirely in accordance with the rules."
"No, no, we aren't targeting him. He committed a grave offense. Meet in person? I don't think that's necessary. If your younger brother is innocent, naturally we wouldn't dare do anything to him."
"What do you mean, I'm not giving you face? Is Senior Brother Zhou threatening me?"
"There's nothing to discuss. If you have objections, come directly to the steward's cultivation grounds and find us. That's it!"
Wang Feng forcefully ended the communication, tossed the Sound Transmission Bamboo back to the pale-faced Zhou Tao, and without another word took him toward the steward's cultivation grounds.
While they were seizing Zhou Tao and heading toward the steward's cultivation grounds, Yang Chen had already met with Lin Chuan and recounted the entire matter from beginning to end.
"This is the first time something like this has happened. It seems some disciples in Area 8 treat the sect rules as though they were nothing."
"Rest assured, I will handle this matter properly. My stance toward disciples with such vicious intentions is unwavering."
Lin Chuan's expression did not change, but his tone grew somewhat heavier. "The spirit fields are the foundation of the sect. Whoever dares stretch their hand toward them must bear the consequences. However, in this matter, I will fully consider your opinion as the person involved. What are your thoughts?"
"Since you have asked, sir, this disciple will dare to say a word." Yang Chen sat upright and spoke in an official, businesslike tone. "According to sect rules, framing others is regarded as having a crooked heart. By precedent, one year's cultivation resources are confiscated, the offense is recorded, and the offender is barred for life from entering any level of management within the Sun Moon Sword Sect. Damaging the spirit fields is regarded as an outrage against Heaven and reason, and by precedent, warrants expulsion from the sect!"
At the end, he added, "However this matter is handled is entirely up to you, sir!"
Lin Chuan nodded slightly. This Yang Chen handled matters methodically. He knew to gather evidence before making a move. Lin Chuan appreciated such people very much. On the path of martial arts, talent and resources were certainly important, but neither intellect nor methods could be lacking.
One had to be able not only to properly handle conflicts with others, but also to think deeply and consider carefully, while showing consideration for one's superior.
He might be a steward, but that did not mean he would personally handle every matter.
Some people, upon suffering a grievance, immediately poured out their complaints and expected the steward to stand up for them and uphold justice. Little did they know that the steward also needed to cultivate. Why would he run himself ragged for a mere Labor Disciple?
Lin Chuan had already made his decision. His expression softened as he asked, "You've been in the sect for nearly five months now. Have you gotten used to the atmosphere of the Sword Sect?"
Yang Chen had not expected Lin Chuan to show concern for such a lowly Labor Disciple as himself. An inexplicable joy rose within him, and he promptly said, "To be frank, sir, this disciple is extremely satisfied with the atmosphere in Area 8. Not only is there a safe cultivation environment here, but the resources and cultivation methods are beyond anything outsiders would dare imagine."
"Moreover, you encourage competition, sir, and opened the cultivation Rankings Board. Everyone I have met remembers your kindness. They all say you are their benefactor—not only kindhearted, but repeatedly attentive to newcomers like us who have just entered the sect."
"I feel exactly the same about what they say. If not for your wholehearted support, sir, I absolutely could not have achieved what I have today."
Yang Chen's words left Lin Chuan somewhat dazed.
That sounded... rather comfortable?
He had never realized that he was apparently so great.
"You brat!"
A rare smile appeared on Lin Chuan's face. He pointed at Yang Chen. "I never expected that not only are you quite gifted in cultivation, but your eloquence also surpasses that of others."
Yang Chen gave two deliberately uneasy dry laughs and said in a low voice, "These are all this disciple's heartfelt words, not empty flattery."
In truth, he was indeed currying favor!
But before the steward of Area 1—especially a steward rumored to have a chance of advancing into the inner sect—there was nothing wrong with offering a little flattery.
In any world, one truth held firm: ten thousand things could be worn through, but flattery never wore through.
At this moment, Lin Chuan knew perfectly well that Yang Chen was flattering him, but that did not stop him from feeling pleased.
He had been in the sect for twelve years and had seen far too many people.
Almost all of them believed themselves peerless geniuses. As long as they were given opportunities and resources, they would not be inferior to anyone. Thus, they lacked consideration in both conduct and speech.
Little did they know: why should opportunities and resources fall upon the head of someone with neither kinship nor connection?
"Apparently, there are still people who remember the good I've done in Area 8."
Lin Chuan smiled faintly. When he looked at Yang Chen again, he no longer appeared as a lofty steward. There was now a touch more ease in his manner. "I came to Area 8 as steward with a mission—to uncover more outstanding disciples."
"Though the Sun Moon Sword Sect's prestige shakes far and wide, who knew how many outside forces hoped for our fall, so they could carve up and devour the Sun Moon Sword Sect. Thus, the sect places enormous importance on nurturing outstanding disciples. It is precisely through the replenishment of generation after generation of exceptional disciples that the Sun Moon Sword Sect has remained prosperous without decline."
"Even fine wine fears a deep alley. The purpose of the cultivation Rankings Board is to let gold shine, allowing outstanding disciples to enter the sect's view on their own initiative and receive focused nurturing."
At this point, Lin Chuan smiled. "Do you know why I'm telling you this?"
Before you continue