247: Chapter 246 Transferred to Another Place 247: Chapter 246 Transferred to Another Place In a reunion among fellow townsmen, the gathering felt as tasteless as chicken ribs; Hou Niao knew that this was the last time, and there would never be such an opportunity again.
Life is just like that, as people walk together and eventually part ways; besides Gong Chengyi, who was a bit regretful, the other two left briskly without even looking back.
Hardly had he returned to his courtyard when Luo Linwang was already waiting for him inside,
“The decree for the punishment and reward for the Southwest debate has been issued.”
Hou Niao appeared quite indifferent—the part that made Luo Linwang really wonder.
He admired this fellow’s ability to adjust himself.
He had seemed dejected in Divine City, but as soon as he was back in Jin City, he was lively and hopping around again.
Everything was restored to normal?
As if none of this had anything to do with him?
“Tell me, where have I been banished to?”
Luo Linwang felt somewhat foolish, rushing in this way, like the eunuch is more anxious than the Emperor, but since he had already come,
He took out a paper and read aloud lazily:
“The four main officials are responsible for the imprecise grasp of the whole situation in the Southwest debate, the prejudiced pre-judgments, the rigid control over the rhythm on site, which caused the event to be temporarily out of control, leaving it to fate, leading to a dozen deaths and injuries; fortunately, the final outcome was still acceptable, achieving the goals.
Thus, the Three Divisions jointly issued this decree.
Zhu Jiuling, Master, lacks control and has been perfunctory, unable to foresee in advance, nor make decisions in the moment, and bears certain responsibility for the defiance of juniors, therefore, he is hereby reprimanded and fined one month’s stipend.”
Listening, Hou Niao clicked his tongue, “Impressive, even daring to penalize Zhu Jiuling.”
Luo Linwang continued, “Li Mengyang, the main official in charge on site at the Southwest debate responsible for direct adjustments, yet repeatedly making mistakes and not correcting them, even recklessly talking about a bloodbath at Anhe Palace…
it is ordered, to forge swords at Mount Wuming for one year, fined one year’s stipend.
Jia Shangguan, Wang Shousan, as deputy officials, neither assisting the main official in making proper judgments nor providing remedial measures afterward, merely nodding along, virtually nonexistent, and nearly even fermenting mutiny…
it is ordered, to forge swords at Mount Wuming for one year, fined three months’ stipend.”
Hou Niao just laughed, “Wow, Uncle Li loses yet another year’s stipend, keep it up, breaking the record isn’t a dream.”
Luo Linwang glanced at this carefree fellow, “You actually have the mood for jokes?”
Hou Niao remained unconcerned, “Why can’t I joke?
Should I be crying instead?
The Southwest debate wasn’t initiated by me, the personnel weren’t organised by me, the deaths and injuries weren’t caused by me.
Without me there, the punishments for these several main officials would only be heavier, never lighter.”
These words were not excessive, and Luo Linwang read on, “Among the multitude of disciples, to those who successfully guarded the flag, grant a peck of the Spiritual Pearl of Tianjin Yang, a hundred pieces of middle-grade Spirit Stone, and record a merit once;
to those who defeated an opponent once, grant…
to those who defeated two, grant…
to those who died in battle, grant…
Finally, it’s your very own exclusive part, Hou.”
He looked at Hou Niao, noting his continued composure, and felt amazed,
“Hou Niao, the patroller of Da Feng Plain and Yinling, successfully guarded the flag, grant a peck of the Spiritual Pearl of Tianjin Yang, a hundred pieces of middle-grade Spirit Stone, and record a merit once;
for publicly defying the elder chief official on site, deliberately disobeying superior orders, and repeatedly refusing to mend his ways, leading to an unclear trend in the debate and an increase in uncertainties, although the outcome was not bad, such a bad habit is absolutely intolerable within the sect.
Considering the circumstances and the secret orders from the Capital Commandant’s office, thus…
Strip him of his rewards, revoke his merits, and additionally fine ten years’ stipend as a deterrent to others!”
Hou Niao’s face finally changed, as if mourning for dead parents, “A hectolitre of spiritual pearls, a hundred medium-grade spirit stones, all gone before I even touched them?”
Luo Linwang sighed, this punishment left one at a loss for words.
From the perspective of the disciples, it seemed unfair, but from the position of those above, it was only to be expected.
What use is a disobedient disciple?
To not be expelled from the Quanzhen Sect was already fortunate indeed.
“Brother, the brand of the inspector system is now seared onto you, and it can never be washed away; I’m not saying the inspector system is bad, but their path is certainly more difficult and more dangerous—with barely any influential connections.
With formidable foes outside and discord within, life will not be easy.”
Hou Niao managed a swollen-faced smile of bravado, “Even if I hadn’t joined the inspector system, how much better could my situation really be?
Now, having taken refuge with the Capital Commandant’s mansion, getting to bluff a bit, at least I can still enjoy some limelight in front of others.”
Hmm, any news from the Da Feng Plain Capital Commandant’s side?
Will they be held responsible because of this?”
Luo Linwang shook his head, “I’m not sure; this should be a separate investigation, part of an internal inquiry, very secretive, and the results are generally not disclosed.
Moreover, all the disciples who once participated in the Southwest discourse must go to the Mu Shuai Mansion early tomorrow morning.
Those deserving of rewards will receive them, and those deserving of punishment will be penalized.
After this event, things will come to a close, and everyone can return home.”
“I’m warning you, Hou Niao, you must arrive on time and you must present yourself with good manners.
You had better even perform an act of rueful repentance.
Don’t be defiant, and definitely don’t complain; your outcome is already the best result many people have strived for under pressure.
Don’t let their efforts be in vain.”
Hou Niao chuckled, “Am I someone who doesn’t understand situations?
When something should end, let it end, dragging it out is good for no one.”
…The next day, Hou Niao arrived early at the Mu Shuai Mansion, waiting outside with other disciples eager to return home.
Despite being punished, it wasn’t without benefits—for example, among the remaining twenty or so companions, he had forged friendships.
This wasn’t out of pity, but respect for strength.
Right now, these fellow brothers might not be able to help him, but in a few years, some of them who have ascended to the Upper Realm and achieved Tongxuan might make a difference.
This was a wealth that became more enriched over time and Hou Niao’s first group of like-minded individuals within the Quanzhen Sect; of course, those few from Jiangyou Town, the yamen runners, and the Yinling patrollers, they were connections he could rely on.
He wasn’t entirely alone.
The great doors of the Mu Shuai Mansion swung wide open and the disciples filed in, beginning a routine procedure.
Essentially everyone had a share of the rewards, even those who hadn’t won a single match.
In this regard, the Quanzhen Sect was quite thorough, at least outwardly, leaving little for people to criticize.
Only he was an exception.
As he had promised Luo Linwang, even when facing punishment, he showed no dissatisfaction.
Instead, it was his fellow brothers who protested on his behalf, causing an uproar.
Although it didn’t change the outcome, it warmed his heart; it was still worth it.
After the ceremony ended and the disciples dispersed, he was deliberately kept back.
You Sunzhi dismissed all the unrelated people, and when only the two of them remained in the great hall, he spoke lightly,
“Hou Niao, in the end, you took refuge with the Commandant’s mansion?”
Hou Niao replied with some difficulty, “I have to continue on the path of cultivation, and besides, do I have another choice?”
You Sunzhi sighed inwardly; he actually admired this junior cultivator—every time the young man appeared before him, he was impressed.
If it happened once, it might be a fluke, but repeatedly, it must be skill.
But the Mu Shuai Mansion was vast and the number of cultivators to manage was also large.
Firstly, he had to focus on the Tongtian-level cultivators; the lesser ones like these could only be handled by subordinates, often leading to less-than-ideal situations.
They were all human, with loves and hates; even in cultivation, one couldn’t escape the tangled web of interests; he couldn’t be as harsh as the Commandant’s mansion and had to let some things slide.
A massive collective versus a single junior disciple—the choice of which side to take required no contemplation; sitting in his position, he was no longer just an individual, but a representative of a collective, and he could not act merely on personal likes or dislikes.
“Jingchuan State Xionger Town needs a town defender.