Expelled from the Sect

Zhou Han was furious at his brother's failure to live up to expectations. He knew that on the path of martial arts, making enemies was inevitable, but even if one wanted to target an enemy, one had to use the right methods and choose the right moment—not stupidly step in personally and leave others with something to hold over them.

"My lord!"

Zhou Han actually burst into loud sobs. Pointing furiously at the unconscious Zhou Tao, he trembled all over as he said, "My foolish younger brother has committed a deed that outrages both heaven and man. No matter how you punish him, my lord, it is only right. But... but he grew up following at my heels. I... sob..."

Overcome with grief, Zhou Han choked back his words and said haltingly, "This was my negligence. I cannot escape blame. I am willing to offer spirit crystals as compensation. I do not ask you to pardon him, my lord. I only ask that, for the sake of the hard work my brother and I have put in, you do not expel him from the sect."

There was truth and falsehood mixed in his display, but with matters having reached this point, he could only find a way to minimize his losses.

"I never expected Senior Brother Zhou to care so deeply for family. But why have I heard rumors that disciples mining in the mining area are often beaten and cursed at?"

The speaker was Wang Feng. The conflict between the two had not arisen because of the Sound Transmission Bamboo, but because of Zhou Tao's assignment. Zhou Tao had intended to replace Yang Chen, yet in the end, his wish had not been fulfilled.

That would have been nothing, at least since his brother had arranged for Zhou Tao to enter the spirit field area. But who could have known what Zhou Tao said to Zhou Han? Wang Feng had originally been promised that he could go to the mining area to bring in customers, but after he arrived, he was told he could only go to the mining area where the old disciples worked.

What profit could there be among the old disciples? Those who had stayed on Labor Peak for years knew Nineteen Peaks Town's lowest prices like the back of their hands. He had no profit at all and could only earn a little errand money.

After all that back and forth, Wang Feng had naturally been unhappy. Now that he had caught the chance, he did not mind kicking a man when he was down.

If possible, he even wanted to drag Zhou Han down with him and strip him of that supervisor's skin.

Facing Wang Feng's attack while he was down, Zhou Han was furious, but now was not the time to defend himself. The most important thing was to persuade Lin Chuan to punish lightly. He merely engraved this matter in his heart, saving it for repayment another day.

Lin Chuan's expression was cold. What Zhou Tao had done indeed met the conditions for expulsion from the sect. However, Zhou Han had personally been appointed as a supervisor by him. Over the past year and more, even if he had no great merit, he had at least worked hard. Moreover, the matter had been contained and had not caused an extremely vile impact, so there was still room to maneuver.

But all this depended on Yang Chen's attitude. He was the victim, after all. If Yang Chen was willing to accept compensation, then a lighter punishment could be considered as appropriate.

"I refuse compensation!"

"This matter has caused me extremely severe psychological trauma. Only when the evildoer receives the punishment he deserves can the wound in my heart be smoothed away!"

Of course Yang Chen would not accept compensation. Only he, the victim, knew how dangerous this had been. If he had been even slightly careless, and the Rice Devouring Worms had multiplied throughout the spirit fields, he would have been the one swept out the door.

Besides, how many spirit crystals could a mere supervisor possibly produce?

Once he broke through to the Blood Martial Realm, he would receive ten spirit crystals every day. He did not care about such paltry compensation.

Since he had already offended them, he might as well offend them to the bitter end!

Zhou Han wiped away his tears, his face filled with deep remorse. "Junior Brother, Zhou Tao has indeed committed a grave error, but after all, he has not caused irreparable losses. Please be generous and forgive him this once. I promise you that after this, I will keep him by my side and absolutely never give him another chance to do evil!"

Yang Chen replied without ceremony, "Why should I give him another chance? Because his vicious schemes nearly got me expelled from the Sun Moon Sword Sect? Zhou Tao has a crooked heart. If he remains in the Sun Moon Sword Sect, he will only harm more people!"

"Junior Brother, spare a man when you can..."

Zhou Han wanted to say more, but Yang Chen had no interest in listening. No matter how brilliantly Zhou Han embroidered his words, they were merely verbal promises. Who knew whether Zhou Tao would continue nursing a grudge in the future?

"I stand by my position. I refuse compensation, and I refuse mediation!"

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With those words, Yang Chen had completely shut off any possibility of reconciliation with Zhou Han. Zhou Han clenched his fists tightly, the rage in his heart nearly bursting out.

Yang Chen knew that this time, he had offended Zhou Han beyond repair. But he was not a mining-area disciple, so even if Zhou Han wanted to target him, there would not be many opportunities to strike.

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

He was not afraid now; once he entered the Blood Martial Realm, he would fear him even less!

"My lord!"

Seeing Yang Chen refuse reconciliation, Zhou Han's heart sank straight down. 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 looked down at Zhou Han and announced his decision in an unquestionable tone. "However, in consideration of your diligent service over these years, this steward will punish him lightly and allow him to retain his cultivation. You must make things clear to him: after leaving the sect, he must never use the Sun Moon Sword Sect's name to commit evil outside. Otherwise, he will be beheaded without pardon!"

Overwhelmed with gratitude, Zhou Han fell to his knees. "Thank you for your mercy, my lord! Thank you for your mercy, my lord!"

Now that Lin Chuan had given the order, the matter was set in stone. Still, Zhou Tao had at least kept his cultivation and would not be reduced to a cripple incapable of cultivating. So long as he could continue cultivating, even after leaving the Sun Moon Sword Sect, he could still establish himself outside.

"Leave the sect within one day!"

After dropping those words, Lin Chuan rose and left.

"To preserve your younger brother's cultivation even in such circumstances, Brother Zhou, what impressive methods you have!"

Wang Feng gave a cold snort through his nose and mocked him with a sneer.

Zhou Han remained kneeling on the ground. It was as though he had not heard Wang Feng's ridicule at all; he merely kept his head lowered and did not rise for a long time.

Seeing that he remained silent, Wang Feng lost interest as well. He called to Yang Chen and headed down the mountain.

After everyone left, Zhou Han raised his reddened eyes and looked at Zhou Tao, who was still unconscious. He walked over, picked him up in his arms, and left the steward's cultivation grounds without saying a word.

On the way down the mountain, Wang Feng smiled. "Junior Brother Yang truly has a meticulous mind. You actually knew to plant a Recording Stone in advance. Zhou Tao's road has come to an end this time."

Yang Chen was not pleased with himself. Instead, he laughed bitterly. "Senior Brother Wang, why mock me? I had never even crossed paths with Zhou Tao, much less knew when I had formed a grudge with him. I truly have suffering I cannot voice. Although Zhou Tao has now reaped what he sowed, I have offended Zhou Han. From now on, I fear I will have to tread as if walking on thin ice."

"Zhou Han is indeed no easy opponent, but rest assured. The spirit field area is my territory, after all. He would not dare target you openly."

Wang Kui offered reassurance, then added, "Besides, your name is now on the ranking list. If he targets you, would the steward let him off lightly? You only need to temper your cultivation. The higher your ranking on the list, the less he will dare touch you."

"Big Brother is right. Those on the ranking list are the steward's pride. Unless Zhou Han wants the fish to die and the net to break..." Before Wang Feng could finish, Wang Kui shot him a fierce glare. He hurriedly gave an awkward laugh and changed his words. "In short, just put your mind at ease."

"I only fear that while a spear in the open is easy to dodge, an arrow in the dark is hard to guard against."

Yang Chen sighed. He was not merely saying that for show. No matter what, he was only a newly admitted disciple, with an unstable foundation and low cultivation. The threat Zhou Han posed could not be ignored.

However, he believed that Zhou Han would not dare target him in the short term. That meant he still had time to raise his cultivation. So long as he raised it to the Blood Martial Realm, Zhou Han would have to weigh whether attacking him would bring any advantage.

Zhou Han might even have to consider how to repair his relationship with him.

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