When Xia Jue received Chu Luohen's Message Talisman, he was reading a Jade Slip in the Enforcement Hall.
He tapped the Message Talisman lightly, and Chu Luohen's unmistakably cool voice immediately sounded from within.
"Who led the effort to reinforce the seal on the Composite Grand Array at Great March Mountain last time?"
Xia Jue immediately set down his Jade Slip. Just as he was about to rise and investigate, two Enforcement Hall disciples walked in.
"Hall Master Xia, the matter at the outer gate has been dealt with. Zhao Si has been expelled from the sect for disrespecting a Nascent Soul disciple. His father has been stripped of his steward's position and thrown into Purgatory Peak."
Xia Jue nodded, his expression betraying nothing more.
Once Xia Jue left, the disciple who had delivered the report breathed a sigh of relief.
In his view, the punishment for the father and son was far too severe this time. But with the hall master having spoken, what else could they say?
Of course, the hall master's justification had sounded perfectly high-minded.
He still remembered Xia Jue's exact words.
"We absolutely cannot let this foul wind of corruption grow unchecked in the outer gate. Since such incidents have cropped up endlessly throughout the ages, we will punish them more severely this time. Only a harsher punishment will serve to deter the other outer gate stewards."
With Xia Jue having spoken, even those who had ties to that outer gate steward dared not plead for him, afraid they would be implicated.
Su Yi knew he lacked Su Jiu's talent. Even if he stayed in the sect, he would ultimately fade into the crowd, so after reaching Foundation Establishment, he chose to return home.
He wanted to help his lineage climb to greater heights.