178: Chapter 177 The Secret Is Out [Extra for 3000 Votes] 178: Chapter 177 The Secret Is Out [Extra for 3000 Votes] Hou Niao played dumb, “My house has no east window!
Disciple also doesn’t understand what Uncle-Master is saying.”
Yu Zhengxing sneered, “Is that so?
Then who was it that colluded with a disciple from the Buddhist Sect to torment Soul Ghosts for two months at West Mang Mountain a year ago?
Or was it perhaps Xiang Zhiwen?”
In the Cultivation World, some things cannot truly be concealed and are riddled with loopholes; to high-ranking cultivators, if they wish to know, then they inevitably will.
Still a bit rebellious, “Such a big monster, and it even tattles in private!”
Yu Zhengxing shouted, “If it hadn’t tattled, it would have directly taken your life!
Otherwise, do you think in Yinling, it would have been difficult for a Huan-Pi Ghost to find you?”
Hou Niao was somewhat surprised, “Uncle-Master, have I actually become one of the bargaining chips?”
Yu Zhengxing snorted and couldn’t be bothered to reply.
This match with the Huan-Pi Ghost was probably evenly matched, each with their reservations; it was difficult for him to kill the Huan-Pi Ghost completely, a matter decided by the difference in their realms, and it also didn’t fit with the survival situation of Yinling; the Huan-Pi Ghost had even more reservations about killing him and was also afraid of the backlash.
The agreement they reached actually had many options, among them was to let the chief instigator Hou Niao pay with his life, and the Soul Ghosts of West Mang Mountain would not be hostile to humans for a hundred years, this incident would be glossed over, and human cultivators could still come to West Mang Mountain for training, as long as they did not go too far.
He chose to protect his disciple’s safety, and then for a hundred years the Quanzhen Sect would not organize cultivators to enter West Mang Mountain, as for those individual actions, the Soul Ghosts could deal with them as they pleased, and the Quanzhen Sect would not intervene.
These, there was no need to explain to this troublemaker.
Privately, in this incident, this little patrol officer was actually the brightest spot, planning ahead, prioritizing the safety of mortals, possessing formidable strength, brave and tactful; nearly single-handedly resolved most of the ghostly spirits’ attacks, such disciples were rare in the Quanzhen Sect.
Those truly elite, with exceptional talents, were all in the Jade Capital, yet no one came to this small place.
Yu Zhengxing did feel appreciation for talent, but to ensure that the saplings grew tall, it still required some special methods, especially not to be overzealous in helping them grow, and certainly not to keep such people in a comfortable nest.
They needed to be thrown into the most perilous environments to train; if they grew up, they would become towering trees, and if they couldn’t, then they deserved their thin fate.
The Demon Sect, after all, didn’t have that many tender sentiments.
“You have contributed to this incident!
With your careful consideration, the nearby human fortresses remained safe and unharmed, that is the first achievement; brave enough to take responsibility, you made it so that Anhe Daoist and Huncheng Sect didn’t die too miserably, saving the face of the sects, that is the second achievement.
According to the rules of Quanzhen, you shall be rewarded!”
Hou Niao finally heard something human-like from his Uncle-Master, “Hehe, disciple will certainly keep up the good work and achieve new merits…”
Yu Zhengxing interrupted him, “Don’t be in such a hurry to achieve new merits just yet, we’ve talked about your contributions, now let’s discuss your transgressions.
A year ago, it was precisely you and a disciple from the Buddhist Sect who committed evil deeds on West Mang Mountain for two months, which triggered the dissatisfaction of the West Mang Soul Ghost cluster; if it had been a few days of taking souls, it wouldn’t have been a big deal, but two months without rest was too much, and because of this, the seeds of evil were sown, which made the Soul Ghost cluster feel the need to do something, otherwise, they couldn’t stop humans from taking an inch and wanting a mile.
They had always been waiting for such an opportunity to express their stance, and thus the surge of Soul Ghosts occurred!”
Hou Niao forced a laugh, “Uncle-Master, isn’t that a bit of an exaggeration?
How could a disciple in the Essence Building Realm practicing Fasting invoke such fear from a Golden Core Realm Huan-Pi Ghost?”
Yu Zhengxing spoke sternly, “It wasn’t looking at one person, but a trend!
If it hadn’t been for your transgressions, this trial would have been completed in just a few days, and just killing some low-rank Soul Ghosts would have been the end of it; the Soul Ghost cluster wouldn’t have done much.
But it was exactly because of your groundwork, so things evolved differently.
So I said, this time the human fortress’ encounter, plus the death of seven other cultivators, isn’t it fair to add this to your account?”
Hou Niao felt deeply ashamed and spoke honestly, admitting that he was responsible, a fact he did not deny,
“Yes, Disciple is at fault.
I failed to stop everyone from going in.
In addition to causing the death of five fellow Daoists from Anhe Daoist Sect and Huncheng Sect, two senior brothers also met with disaster.
My heart is truly uneasy, wishing I could take their place and offer penance…”
Yu Zhengxing bellowed, “Stop feeding me these tasteless, self-serving words in front of me!
You couldn’t stop them because of that idiot Zheng Shixie!
Those two Quanzhen disciples also deserved to die.
They’ve been coddled in comfort for too long and have forgotten how to wield a sword.
People like them, if they remained in Quanzhen Sect, would only bring shame to our Sect.
Better dead sooner than later, to spare us future trouble!
But those five external cultivators didn’t deserve to die, because we need to maintain good relations with their Sects!
Therefore, according to the rules of Quanzhen, you must be punished!”
Hou Niao listened, sweating profusely.
This Uncle-Master Yu was truly outspoken, judging by his words and actions, he was firmly on the path of the Demon.
Rather than Zhengxing (Righteous Conduct), he should be called Skewed Conduct, Crooked Conduct, Dangerous Conduct…
“Disciple acknowledges his mistakes and is willing to accept punishment.
As the saying goes, to know one’s mistakes and correct them is the greatest virtue.
Disciple is willing to repent for past wrongs and strive to accomplish new merits out of shame…”
Yu Zhengxing probably understood this rascal’s character by now—he was tough meat that couldn’t be steamed tender or boiled soft.
Let the merits offset the demerits, neither recognizing your achievements nor proclaiming your faults.
Let’s turn the page on this matter.
Do you have any objections?”
Hou Niao breathed a sigh of relief.
This was quite good for him; he didn’t care for any merits, as long as he wasn’t punished again.
He had been without his stipend for five years; if he were punished further, who knew for how many more years?
Wouldn’t that be the same as working for Quanzhen Sect for free?
“I will heed Uncle-Master’s instructions.
Disciple has no objections.
I just don’t know about Uncle-Master Zheng…
How should Disciple explain this to the higher-ups?”
Yu Zhengxing said dismissively, “He knows nothing, and it’s not his turn to negotiate!
He doesn’t even know how to clean up his own mess, so don’t worry about it.
I alone will make the decision on this matter.
You don’t need to report anything.
A small pawn—do you think anyone would bother if you did report it?”
Hou Niao forced a smile—the man really had a way with blunt truths, regardless of whether others wanted to hear them.
“You are the Uncle-Master, and you have the final say.”
Yet Yu Zhengxing wasn’t finished, “Moreover, after this incident, I will report to the Mu Shuai Office to take charge of your deployment.
Without putting a bridle on you, I worry you will cause more trouble!”
Hou Niao became interested.
Was there such a good thing?
“Do you mean to move me to Miao Gao Town to enjoy the wealth and glory?”
Yu Zhengxing scolded him, “Keep dreaming!
You will still serve in Yinling, doing your patrol duty, but if I summon you, you must come here to carry out tasks, no excuses!”
Hou Niao was disappointed, “So it’s like working two jobs!
Not a bit of stipend yet the work just piles on…
Not only is the donkey not allowed grass, but it must also plow the field by day and operate the mill by night.
Quanzhen Sect really knows how to overwork people…”
Yu Zhengxing ignored his complaints and tossed him down, “We’ve arrived.
Get going and grind the mill.”
Hou Niao quickly adjusted his body, barely steadying himself atop the wall, and when he looked up, Yu Zhengxing’s sword trail had long vanished.