Ma Miao instinctively lifted his foot to dodge to the side when he sensed a streak of flames suddenly bursting out from beneath his foot.
Normally, the speed of ordinary flames would definitely be very slow. Even if they were fast, they couldn’t be too quick.
Thus, Ma Miao didn’t take it too seriously.
His attention was instead fully focused on Chu Feng, because the Sword Qi unleashed by Chu Feng was just too fierce. Merely slashing seven or eight times, he had already scattered Ma Miao’s sword light.
Although Ma Miao’s cultivation ranked at the bottom of the Early Stage Great Sword Masters, he was after all a Great Sword Master.
The attacks he launched were not mere Sword Qi, but highly condensed sword light.
Even some Advanced Sword Masters in the sect, who had cultivated for many years, would not be able to dissolve his attack so easily.
"Chu Feng, I underestimated you! I didn’t expect that not only did you survive in the Fiery Flame Cave, but you also encountered a huge opportunity and had a significant improvement in both your cultivation and strength. However, if you think you can challenge a Great Sword Master , then you’re wrong."
Ma Miao’s face was filled with killing intent, and he was preparing to deal another harsh blow.
However, the streak of crimson flame that had burrowed out from beneath his foot, like a venomous snake, suddenly shot up.
And then viciously bit into Ma Miao’s ankle.
This was not just some venomous snake, but an Abnormal Fire that was a hundred times, a thousand times more terrifying.
Ma Miao felt an excruciating pain in his foot, followed by something even more dreadful happening.
The inconspicuous crimson flame, after burning his foot, spread across his body as if oil had been poured on it. In just the blink of an eye, it had already burned up to Ma Miao’s knee.
At that moment, the high combat quality of the Ten Thousand Sword Sect disciples was displayed. Without any hesitation, Ma Miao lifted his sword and slashed, directly severing his own right leg.
Hopping back on one leg, he escaped the Fiery Flame Cave, tumbling down the peak.
It was only because he acted quickly and ruthlessly that he didn’t just lose a leg but avoided being burned alive by Chu Feng’s Abnormal Fire.
That severed leg turned to ashes in the blink of an eye.
"You see, do too many bad things, and retribution comes! Good begets good, evil begets evil, it’s not that there’s no retribution, it’s just not time yet!"
Chu Feng’s words were meant for both Ma Miao and Steward Mu Kun and the others.
Steward Mu Kun, upon finding that the Fiery Flame Cave was open and with no danger, immediately flew over to this place.
He never dreamed that Chu Feng would still be alive.
Since he failed to kill Chu Feng, he couldn’t satisfy Elder Yang. Mu Kun’s face looked somewhat gloomy.
Because he was quite far away just now, he didn’t see clearly how Ma Miao got his leg severed.
From a distance, he only saw Ma Miao exchange one move with Chu Feng, and then Ma Miao quickly retreated. Following that, like a rolling gourd, he tumbled down the peak.
"Chu Feng, you’ve got some nerve. You assaulted an Advanced Level Disciple, injured Ma Miao, and yet you dare to utter such arrogant and malicious words; today you will not escape the sect’s punishment!" Mu Kun was livid with rage.
Chu Feng, a mere Entry-level disciple, dared to be so insolent in his presence.
He was just worried about not being able to find a handle on Chu Feng.
The hierarchy in the Ten Thousand Sword Sect is strict, and fighting among equals is a grave offense. Assault on a senior is even more severe.
It is entirely possible to cripple Chu Feng’s cultivation, cut his tendons, and expel him from the sect.
This was something that might please Elder Yang even more than killing Chu Feng.
"Heh, did I say something wrong?"
"Steward Mu Kun, there’s no need to roar like thunder here, it’s useless. If you want to avoid retribution, then do fewer bad and evil deeds."
Chu Feng wore a cold smile, facing Steward Mu Kun without the slightest fear.
"You, you... how dare you go against..."
"Quickly capture this disrespectful, brazen beast for this steward!"
Steward Mu Kun was nearly driven mad by Chu Feng, commanding two Law Enforcement Hall experts.
A mere steward, especially one of the lowest ranks, usually had no authority to mobilize the Law Enforcement Hall. The members of the Law Enforcement Hall are executors and guardians of the sect rules and must remain fair and strict.
The status of the disciples of the Law Enforcement Hall is also very high.
However, these two experts of the Law Enforcement Hall were indebted to Steward Mu Kun for past favors.
Now, they were repaying that debt of gratitude.
Even as lowly Enforcement disciples, these two had the authority of a tiger’s skin, commanding immense respect.
Let alone Chu Feng, an ordinary disciple, even elders of the sect wouldn’t dare to resist when these two enforced the law.
This is the sect rule.
The Law Enforcement Hall must possess the highest possible status.
Only then can the integrity and fairness of the sect rules be ensured. Otherwise, during enforcement, if someone of high status is involved, there would be hesitation to act. Or if the disciple who violated the sect rules is under the wing of a certain elder, there would be apprehension.
The end result would be the sect rules becoming nothing but empty words.
Why do many nations fall? Because corruption is rampant; without national laws, there can be no nation.
Eventually, it’s like a wooden boat riddled with worms, sinking straight to the bottom of the water.
The two Law Enforcement Hall experts came this time specifically to deal with Chu Feng.
Now that they believed they had caught Chu Feng violating the sect rules, they pounced on him like two fierce wolves.
Chu Feng made no resistance.
Rather, he raised his hands and let them escort him to the Law Enforcement Hall for trial.
"You little beast, you think you’re so tough? Just wait until your cultivation is destroyed, you’re crippled, and expelled from the sect!" Steward Mu Kun said viciously.
"Afraid you don’t have the ability to do that!"
Chu Feng did not offer further explanation, as he would argue his case at the Law Enforcement Hall.
Explaining to people like Steward Mu Kun was a complete waste of breath.
A moment later, Chu Feng was escorted to the Law Enforcement Hall. Ma Miao, who had a broken leg and had fainted, was also carried in.
Given Chu Feng’s low status and Ma Miao’s being only so-so, the court session for the trial held by the Law Enforcement Hall was overseen by just three protectors.
This method of trial, mirroring the Three Departments and Six Ministries system of the imperial court, ensured fairness and justice to the greatest extent.
"Chu Feng, do you acknowledge your guilt?" the middle-aged protector with a square face sitting in the center demanded authoritatively.
"I am innocent!" Chu Feng lifted his head, appearing arrogant and unyielding.
Steward Mu Kun, spluttering with rage, said, "You little beast, still so arrogant at the Law Enforcement Hall. I implore the three protectors to torture him."
"Ma Miao has been injured to such an extent by him, and many of us witnessed it with our own eyes. With both human and physical evidence available, his denial is unacceptable. This man’s conduct is despicable, no repentance without seeing the coffin!"
The square-faced middle-aged protector frowned and glared at Mu Kun, "Mu Kun, this is the Law Enforcement Hall. You must remain silent unless asked to speak. Don’t you know the rules?"
"If you utter another word out of turn, don’t blame this protector for punishing you!"
Mu Kun, rebuked by the middle-aged protector, immediately shrank back, bowing and nodding in assent, no longer daring to say another word.
(PS: I’ve been really busy these last few days, with fewer updates, so please forgive me, dear Book Friends! Let me wish you in advance a healthy Dragon Boat Festival! May every one of you be in great health!)