Expelled from the Sect

Zhou Han was furious at his brother's incompetence. He knew the path of martial arts inevitably led to making enemies, but even when targeting an enemy, one had to be strategic and choose the right moment, not foolishly act personally and give others leverage.

"Sir!"

Zhou Han burst into tears, pointing at the unconscious Zhou Tao with trembling rage. "My foolish brother has committed a heinous act that has angered heaven and earth. Any punishment you mete out is deserved. But... but he grew up following me! I... sob!"

Overcome with emotion, Zhou Han choked back his sobs and continued intermittently, "This is my negligence, and I cannot escape responsibility. I am willing to compensate with Spirit Crystals. I don't ask for his innocence, only that you consider our brothers' diligence and not expel him from the sect."

His display was a mixture of truth and falsehood, but with things having escalated this far, he could only try to minimize the damage.

"I never expected Senior Brother Zhou to be so sentimental. However, why have I heard rumors of frequent beatings and verbal abuse of mining disciples in the mining area?"

The speaker was Wang Feng. The conflict between them wasn't about the Sound Transmission Bamboo, but stemmed from Zhou Tao's mission. Zhou Tao had wanted to replace Yang Chen, but he hadn't gotten his wish.

Originally, it wouldn't have been a big deal. At least his brother had arranged for Zhou Tao to work in the spirit field area. But who knew what Zhou Tao had said to Zhou Han? He had promised to help Wang Feng find clients in the mining area, but when Wang Feng got there, he was told he could only work in the mining area for the older disciples.

What profit could be made from the older disciples? Disciples who had spent years on Labor Peak knew the bottom prices in Nineteen Peaks town like the back of their hands. He wouldn't make any profit, only earning a pittance for errands.

This back-and-forth left Wang Feng feeling resentful. Now that he had an opportunity, he didn't hesitate to add insult to injury.

If possible, he even wanted to drag Zhou Han down with him and strip him of his supervisor position.

Facing Wang Feng's gloating, Zhou Han was furious, but this was not the time to defend himself. The most important thing now was to get Lin Chuan to impose a lighter sentence. He committed the matter to memory, intending to repay it another day.

Lin Chuan's expression was indifferent. Zhou Tao's actions indeed met the criteria for expulsion from the sect. However, Zhou Han was a supervisor he had personally appointed. Over the past year, he had worked hard, if not with outstanding achievements. Furthermore, the situation had been brought under control and had not caused extremely severe repercussions. Therefore, there was still room for maneuver.

But all of this depended on Yang Chen's attitude. He was the victim. If Yang Chen was willing to accept compensation, the matter could be considered and a lighter sentence imposed.

"I do not accept any compensation!"

"This incident has caused me severe psychological trauma. Only when the perpetrator receives the punishment they deserve can my inner wounds be healed!"

Yang Chen, of course, would not accept compensation. Only he, as the victim, knew how dangerous the situation had been. If he had been even slightly careless, and the Rice Devouring Worms had multiplied in the spirit field, he would have been the one kicked out.

Besides, how much Spirit Crystal could a mere supervisor produce?

Once he broke through to the Blood Martial Realm, he would earn ten Spirit Crystals a day. He simply couldn't be bothered with such meager compensation.

Since he had already offended them, he might as well offend them completely!

Zhou Han wiped away his tears, his face etched with deep remorse. "Junior Brother, Zhou Tao has indeed committed a grave mistake, but he did not cause irreparable damage. I implore you to be magnanimous and forgive him this once. I promise you, after this incident, I will keep him by my side and never allow him another opportunity to commit such acts!"

Yang Chen retorted without hesitation, "Why should I give him another chance? Because his malicious intent almost got me expelled from the Sun Moon Sword Sect? Zhou Tao is ill-intentioned. Leaving him in the Sun Moon Sword Sect will only harm more people!"

"Junior Brother, where you can be lenient, be lenient..."

Zhou Han tried to say more, but Yang Chen had no interest in listening. No matter how eloquently he spoke, it was just a verbal promise. Who knew if Zhou Tao would continue to harbor resentment in the future?

"I stand by my decision. I refuse to accept compensation and reject mediation!"

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This statement completely severed any possibility of reconciliation with Zhou Han. Zhou Han clenched his fists tightly, his anger threatening to erupt.

Yang Chen knew he had thoroughly offended Zhou Han this time, but he wasn't a mining disciple. Zhou Han wouldn't have many opportunities to target him.

Moreover, with his cultivation speed, why should he fear Zhou Han?

He didn't fear him now, and he certainly wouldn't fear him after reaching the Blood Martial Realm!

"Sir!"

Seeing Yang Chen refuse to reconcile, Zhou Han's heart sank. He looked at Lin Chuan, his voice filled with sorrow.

"According to sect rules, Zhou Tao's cultivation should be crippled and he should be expelled from the sect," Lin Chuan announced, looking down at Zhou Han, his decision unquestionable. "However, considering your diligent service over the years, I, this steward, will impose a lighter sentence and allow him to retain his cultivation. You must make it clear to him that after leaving the sect, he is absolutely forbidden from acting under the name of the Sun Moon Sword Sect. Otherwise, he will face certain death!"

Zhou Han knelt on the ground, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. "Thank you, sir, for your mercy! Thank you, sir, for your mercy!"

With Lin Chuan's order issued, the matter was settled. At least his brother's cultivation was preserved, preventing him from becoming a crippled invalid unable to cultivate. As long as he could continue cultivating, he could establish himself outside the sect, even after leaving the Sun Moon Sword Sect.

"You have one day to leave the sect!"

Lin Chuan uttered these words and then left.

"To be able to preserve your brother's cultivation in this situation, Brother Zhou, you have some skill!"

Wang Feng snorted coldly through his nose, mocking him with a sneer.

Zhou Han remained kneeling on the ground, as if he hadn't heard Wang Feng's taunt, his head bowed, not rising for a long time.

Seeing his silence, Wang Feng lost interest and called out to Yang Chen, heading down the mountain.

After everyone had left, Zhou Han raised his head, his eyes red, and looked at the still unconscious Zhou Tao. He walked over, picked him up, and left the steward's cultivation area without a word.

On the way down the mountain, Wang Feng chuckled. "Junior Brother Yang, you are indeed meticulous. To think you would pre-emptively plant a Recording Stone. Zhou Tao's life is over."

Yang Chen didn't show any pride. Instead, he gave a self-deprecating laugh. "Senior Brother Wang, why do you mock me? I never even met Zhou Tao, nor do I know when I offended him. I truly have grievances I cannot express. Although Zhou Tao has brought this upon himself, I have offended Zhou Han. I fear I will have to tread carefully from now on."

"This Zhou Han is indeed not someone to be trifled with. However, rest assured, the spirit field area is my territory. He wouldn't dare target you openly," Wang Kui comforted him, then added, "Moreover, you are now on the rankings. If he targets you, how could the stewards let him off lightly? You just need to focus on improving your cultivation. The higher your rank, the less he will dare to touch you."

"Big Brother is right. Those on the rankings represent the stewards' prestige. Zhou Han would have to risk everything..." Wang Feng stopped short as Wang Kui shot him a fierce glare. He quickly amended with a sheepish smile, "In short, just relax."

"I fear the open enemy is easy to guard against, but the hidden arrow is hard to defend."

Yang Chen sighed. These words weren't just for show. After all, he was just a newly initiated disciple with an unstable foundation and low cultivation. The threat from Zhou Han could not be ignored.

However, he believed that Zhou Han wouldn't dare target him in the short term. This meant he still had time to improve his cultivation. Once he reached the Blood Martial Realm, Zhou Han would have to consider whether he could gain an advantage by attacking him.

Zhou Han might even have to consider how to mend their relationship.

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