Qian Learning State Boundary, Qian Taoist Sect.
In a grand hall resembling a jade palace.
Elder Shen, born in the Shen Family, in the Feather Transformation Realm, wielding real power, was discussing matters with a group of elders and instructors.
Soon, Elder Zheng, dressed in a Qian Taoist Sect robe, with half-white hair and a stern brow, pushed the door open with an angry face.
The hall fell silent for a moment.
Elder Shen glanced around, waved his hand, "You all go out first, we will discuss this later."
The group of elders and instructors then exited the hall.
When the hall doors closed, only Elder Shen and Elder Zheng remained inside.
Elder Zheng immediately spoke: "What do you plan to do about the Rouge Boat incident?"
Elder Shen frowned, "What do you mean what to do? What does the Rouge Boat incident have to do with our Qian Taoist Sect?"
Elder Zheng sneered, "Don’t talk roundabout, don’t tell me you have no idea about it at all."
"Is it really just the Gui Water Sect running that boat?"
"Those disciples gathered together are seeking fame, power, and profit. And in the Qian Learning State Boundary, who holds the greatest fame, power, and influence? Which families?"
"Your Shen Family, and the Qian Taoist Sect, how could you not have any involvement?"
Elder Shen remained silent.
Elder Zheng, upon seeing this, sneered:
"Not speaking is useless, I’ve investigated, behind that boat, there’s the shadow of your Shen Family. And many disciples of the Qian Taoist Sect have been on that boat..."
"Elder Zheng..." Elder Shen’s face darkened, and he coldly said, "Don’t make baseless accusations and speak irresponsibly."
Elder Zheng sneered, "Whether it’s slander, you know in your heart. I used to think you were just a fame-seeking, profit-chasing, selfish, greedy person, but never imagined your Taoist Heart would be so corrupted, secretly engaging in such vile actions..."
Elder Shen angrily slammed the table, sharply said, "Enough!"
Elder Zheng remained firm-faced.
Elder Shen took a breath, suppressing his anger, pointed at Elder Zheng and said:
"Zheng, it’s only because of the courtesy to your Zheng Family that I am so tolerant with you, don’t push it!"
"What do you mean by pushing it?" Elder Zheng retorted sarcastically, "Not knowing right from wrong, being in league with your Shen Family, and serving your Shen Family as dogs and horses, isn’t pushing it? Is it the duty of a Qian Taoist Sect elder?"
Elder Shen coldly said, "Elder Zheng, please watch your words."
"What if I don’t watch my words? Let me ask you, what exactly do you plan to do about the Rouge Boat incident?" Elder Zheng said coldly.
Elder Shen originally did not want to discuss this matter, but seeing Elder Zheng being persistent and not backing down until his goal is achieved, he feared escalating the issue, so he said impatiently:
"The Ancestor has already made a plan for this."
"What plan?" Elder Zheng asked.
Elder Shen’s expression changed, and he sighed slightly, "The Rouge Boat incident was due to my Shen Family’s oversight. Originally, it was just to provide a little convenience for the Gui Water Sect, but I didn’t expect them to be so rampant and wanton..."
"Provide a little convenience?" Elder Zheng’s gaze was sharp, "The benefits your Shen Family gained from it are probably not small, are they? Did you turn a blind eye because you were too fattened by it?"
Elder Shen did not answer but asked in return, "Which family doesn’t seek profit? Does your Zheng Family not talk about benefits?"
"At least my Zheng Family would not seek such benefits."
"Good, good, your Zheng Family is noble, and then? What do you intend to do, ask for the Shen Family’s crime?" Elder Shen sneered.
Elder Zheng: "I naturally can’t question the crime of your Shen Family. But as the Law Elder of Qian Taoist Sect, I must manage those disciples who have been on the Rouge Boat and violated the sect’s rules."
Elder Shen suppressed his anger, "What do you want to do then?"
Elder Zheng said, "Abolish their cultivation and expel them from the sect!"
Elder Shen slapped the table, angrily said, "Absurd!"
He was so angry his hands were trembling, "Who are they? They are the Heavenly Pride from various Great Families, each with top-notch Spiritual Roots, the ’pearls’ among the world’s cultivators, how can they be abolished at will? Who gave you the courage?"
"Furthermore, do you know what time it is right now?"
"The Sword Discussion Conference is imminent, if you abolish them, who will fight for rankings for our Qian Taoist Sect? Fight for benefits? Compete for the share of Qianlong Spirit Mine?"
Elder Shen frowned and criticized, "You are short-sighted, do you not consider the bigger picture at all?"
"So?" Elder Zheng sneered, "You intend to protect them ?"
"This isn’t protection..." Elder Shen sighed, "They are still young, who doesn’t make a few mistakes when they’re young? They always need a chance to correct themselves."
"Moreover, the importance of this Sword Discussion Conference is something I think you should be clear about. Compared with the sect’s interests, these trivial matters are insignificant, aren’t they?"
Elder Zheng’s eyes were sharp, "This is trivial?"
"I said, compared with sect’s interests..."
"All you talk about are family interests, sect interests, it’s all about interests, where do you place the ’Daoist Ethics’ of cultivators?"
"Let’s put ’Daoist Ethics’ aside for now..."
"Why put it aside?" Elder Zheng questioned, then coldly said, "Once Daoist Ethics are put aside, can they be picked up again?"
Elder Shen waved impatiently, "I can’t communicate with a person like you."
Elder Zheng also looked as if playing music to a cow, "So, is this matter settled ?"
Elder Shen said, "Major matters don’t concern minor details. To keep the overall situation in mind, these matters won’t be pursued, and moreover..."
Elder Shen originally didn’t want to say, but at this time had to lower his voice and warn Elder Zheng: "The Ancestor has already approved this matter, don’t stir up trouble."
Elder Zheng’s eyes showed deep disappointment:
"You are... losing more by gain..."
Elder Shen impatiently: "I said it was to keep the overall situation in mind, how is it losing more by gain?" ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡⚫𝔣𝔦𝔯𝔢⚫𝘯𝘦𝘵
Elder Zheng shook his head, slowly said, "Focusing on profit and forgetting righteousness, in the long run, the Family Sect will be filled with profit-driven and righteousness-forgetting people..."