A Loyal Minister Would Die for His Duty-but He Wasn't Dead Yet!

She understood.

And because she understood, the chill ran deeper.

So even protecting a disciple could be written into a cause.

Even a master-disciple bond could be written into a position.

Zhao Xuan looked at the Clear Gate Register.

"Wen Zhong isn't on the island."

"But his name is in the old register of Jin Ling's disciples."

"His deeds are recorded in the old thunderfire accounts."

"And his thread has already been drawn into the Remnant Position Assignment Register."

"He isn't here."

"But the account is."

At those words, the Clear Gate Register trembled faintly.

Beneath Wen Zhong's name, the old thunderfire mark slowly unfolded.

The first line appeared.

[Studied Thunderfire Arts under Jin Ling.]

[Once traveled the mortal realm at his master's command.]

[Protected Shang Dynasty roads, quelled rebellions, and subdued demons.]

[Where his thunderfire struck, soldiers and civilians alike submitted.]

As the lines appeared, many Interception Sect disciples relaxed a little.

These were all meritorious deeds.

They were deeds Wen Zhong had performed while traveling the mortal realm.

Not one line recorded a wrongdoing.

Not one stroke marked a killing calamity.

Bi Xiao said quietly:

"Isn't that a good thing?"

"Wen Zhong protected order in the mortal realm. Was that wrong too?"

Zhao Xuan did not answer.

He watched a fifth line slowly emerge beneath the others.

[Proficient in Thunder Arts; qualified to fill a vacancy in the Thunder Department.]

Silence fell before Golden Turtle Island.

Then a sixth line appeared.

[Disciple of Jin Ling; capable of drawing in the Dou Department.]

The sword sheath in Holy Mother Jinling's hand made a soft cracking sound.

She had not drawn her sword.

She had gripped the sheath hard enough to crack it.

Zhao Xuan's expression turned cold too.

"Do you see?"

"Wen Zhong