Heavy Punishment

Rustle!

The few people who came with him immediately restrained Yang Chen. Yang Chen didn't resist; their cultivation was all above his, so resistance was meaningless.

His composed face suddenly broke into a sneer. Upon hearing the words "Steward's Office," he suddenly understood. This was all a trap set for him.

"Did Zhou Han instruct you to do this?"

Besides Zhou Han, Yang Chen couldn't think of any other reason. He had ultimately been too careless, underestimating Zhou Han's methods.

"What Zhou Han, schmoo Han? If you dare to covet my woman, you'd better be prepared for severe punishment! Take him away!"

Senior Brother Lei vehemently denied it, and his expression didn't seem fake. Yang Chen looked coldly at Ji Ran. Her complexion was as usual, and her eyes even held a hint of confusion as she looked at him.

"Fine, I admit defeat today!" Yang Chen suppressed the anger in his heart and gave a cold laugh. "But I've noted this down. We have plenty of time in the future!"

"You still have the nerve to talk back?" Senior Brother Lei laughed angrily, escorting Yang Chen out. "Junior Sister Ji, you come along as a witness too!"

"Okay."

Soon, the group headed straight for the mountainside.

At the same time, in room fifty-six of residential area number four, an amorous atmosphere slowly settled. Zhu Xi lay on the bed, half-naked, with Wu Menglan curled up beside him like a kitten.

"Senior Sister, don't worry, my feelings for you are sincere."

Wu Menglan, half-drunk and half-awake, drew circles on Zhu Xi's body with her finger, mumbling softly, "I'll remember what you said. You can't betray me, or I'll be very sad."

"Naturally!" Zhu Xi nodded, feeling refreshed. Glancing at the pitiable Wu Menglan from the corner of his eye, a spark of passion reignited in his heart.

"No, Junior Brother Yang seemed to have something to look for you just now. Hurry and ask him."

"What could it be at this late hour? At most, he just couldn't find his way back when escorting Senior Sister Ji. He could ask anyone."

Zhu Xi's hand became restless, and he asked, "By the way, Senior Sister Ji doesn't have a beau, right? Old Yang is my close friend, I can't put him in a difficult position."

"Absolutely not. Junior Sister Ji and I are very close. If she had a beau, wouldn't she tell me?"

The two were completely unaware that Yang Chen was already being escorted to the mountainside.

Senior Brother Lei and the others stated their purpose. The disciple on duty outside the door showed a flicker of surprise in his eyes when he saw the restrained Yang Chen.

The disciple on duty went in to report and soon returned. "The steward has instructed you to go to the Judgment Hall."

When the group entered the Judgment Hall, Lin Chuan was already sitting on the high platform with a stern expression. When he saw Yang Chen among them, a barely perceptible surprise flashed in his eyes.

"Greetings, Steward!"

Senior Brother Lei prostrated himself and quickly recounted the whole story.

"This person has improper conduct, trespassed into a female disciple's private room with ill intentions. I request your judgment, sir!"

Lin Chuan said expressionlessly, "Is there conclusive evidence?"

"Yes! All four of us can testify, and Junior Sister Ji, as the party involved, can also testify."

The disciples beside Senior Brother Lei immediately testified. Ji Ran also spoke, "Sir, this disciple does not recognize this person. If it is as Senior Brother Lei and the others say, I request that you punish this person severely."

Cannot find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe the name has changed!

Lin Chuan looked at Yang Chen. "Do you have anything to say?"

"This disciple is wronged!" Yang Chen stepped forward and explained, "I was invited to drink by someone. Senior Sister Ji and I had a few drinks at the table. Afterwards, she was drunk by the roadside and asked me to carry her back. I didn't think much of it and took her to Zone Four. However, not knowing the exact location, I asked for directions along the way."

He pointed at the disciple with the indifferent expression. "This Senior Brother gave me directions, and I took Senior Sister Ji to the room. Just as I was about to leave, these four barged in. I explained repeatedly, but they wouldn't listen. Senior Sister Ji also suddenly changed her tune, claiming she didn't know me."

"This disciple believes they deliberately set a trap to frame me. I request the Steward to uphold justice!"

"Nonsense! We don't know you at all. Why would we set a trap for you for no reason?" Senior Brother Lei retorted sharply. "Besides, if it's as you say, why would Junior Sister Ji say she doesn't know you? Are you suggesting she deliberately targeted you using her own chastity?"

Yang Chen said coldly, "I don't want to argue with you. As long as Wu Menglan and Zhu Xi are summoned, the truth will be clear."

"Then summon them both immediately!"

Lin Chuan gave the order, and a disciple next to Senior Brother Lei immediately ran down the mountain.

About two quarters of an hour later, a group of three hurried over.

After Zhu Xi and Wu Menglan entered the Judgment Hall, they were clearly bewildered.

Lin Chuan concisely recounted the matter. Zhu Xi immediately looked at Ji Ran in disbelief, angered, "Senior Sister Ji, what is the meaning of this? Why are you framing Yang Chen!"

Wu Menglan also questioned, "Junior Sister Ji, what are you doing? It's not like this to play a joke."

After the two entered, Yang Chen had been staring at Zhu Xi and Wu Menglan. From his observation, these two genuinely seemed unaware.

"So, you four really drank together?"

Lin Chuan's tone carried a hint of questioning. Zhu Xi and Wu Menglan said in unison, "Absolutely true!"

Hearing their words, Senior Brother Lei's expression changed repeatedly. He looked at Ji Ran, who appeared innocent and explained, "I just remembered, we did drink together, but I never said I wanted him to take me back. Senior Brother Lei and I have already pledged our love to each other, so why would I let a strange man carry me back?"

"I didn't expect this Junior Brother to be a wolf in sheep's clothing, trying to take advantage of me while I was drunk!"

"You!!" Zhu Xi was furious.

Wu Menglan looked as if she had just met Ji Ran, her eyes filled with deep disappointment.

This matter started because of the two of them, yet it put Yang Chen in danger. How would she face Zhu Xi in the future?

"You weren't saying that just now," Yang Chen snorted coldly. "You were absolutely certain you didn't know me earlier, so why the change of tune now? Do you really think such a flawed scheme is believable?"

"I just woke up from being drunk; isn't it normal that I couldn't remember things before?" Ji Ran said with a wronged expression. She looked at Lin Chuan and said tearfully, "He took advantage of my drunken state to harbor ill intentions. Not only did he ruin my purity, but now he's also biting back. I beg you, sir, to uphold justice for me."

Lin Chuan said indifferently, "Yang Chen, do you have any evidence to prove your innocence?"

Yang Chen slowly shook his head. He had already realized something was amiss.

Lin Chuan's gaze swept over the individuals. Deep down, he leaned towards Yang Chen's side, but Yang Chen was definitely going to take the fall this time.

No matter what, the fact remained that he had appeared at Ji Ran's residence. This was undeniable. Even if his intentions weren't what they seemed, with Ji Ran now insisting he had ill intentions, from an objective standpoint, this was an original sin.

Why did you have to escort her back?

Since the person involved vehemently denied it, and Yang Chen couldn't produce irrefutable proof, his guilt was established.

However, since he was inclined to favor Yang Chen, he naturally wouldn't impose the maximum penalty.

"According to the sect rules, trespassing into a female disciple's residence warrants expulsion from the sect," Lin Chuan slowly announced his decision. "However, given the dispute over the facts of the violation and the absence of substantial harm, the punishment can be mitigated at discretion. Effective immediately, Yang Chen's cultivation resources will be revoked for one year, as a warning to others!"