Upon hearing Jiu Hui’s words, Bu Ting fell silent for a moment. He looked at Nan Feng, who avoided his gaze.
Jin Qingqiu turned to look at Nan Feng, then slipped over to Jiu Hui’s side. “Is this fellow Daoist okay?”
“She experienced great sorrow and great anger, anger attacks the heart, but fortunately she wasn’t injured.” Jiu Hui looked down at the pale-faced Yu Luan in her arms, and noticed that her left hand was still tightly protecting something.
It was a……purse?carpreads.pages.dev
Jiu Hui had some impression of this purse. That day when she first met Yu Luan in Wenxian City, a thief had stolen this purse, and she had helped Yu Luan get it back.
So this pouch was so important to Yu Luan?
“This is a Myriad Blessings Pouch,” Jin Qingqiu explained in a low voice. “There’s a custom in Manxiang City where, when a girl turns six, her family’s elders will personally embroider a pouch for her, symbolizing the gathering of myriad blessings.”
“This purse isn’t finished,” Jin Qingqiu paused, a hint of pity in his voice. “Perhaps something unexpected happened to her elder.”
Everyone present understood that this purse should have been embroidered by the young City Lord of Manxiang City for Yu Luan. As for why it was not finished, it was because she never had the chance to finish embroidering this purse.
Pingling Yao walked over and carefully placed the purse on Yu Luan’s waist, adding a protective formation to the purse that was only embroidered on one side.
The furthest distance in the world was between life and death. When separated by life and death, we could never see each other again. No matter how much we care and miss each other, the other would never know.
What were love, hate, grudges, and grievances? In the face of life and death, they all seemed like jokes.
“Leave her to me.” Pingling Yao sighed and took Yu Luan from Jiu Hui’s arms. “I’ll take her to my courtyard to rest.”
“Alright.” Jiu Hui handed Yu Luan to Pingling Yao and reached out to fix the stray hairs by Yu Luan’s temple. “Then I’ll have to trouble you, Sister Yao.”
Unless Fuguang Mountain intervened, handing over Yu Luan to Qinglan School would be the safest choice.
“As the newly appointed head disciple of the Qinglan School, I should handle these matters impartially.” Holding Yu Luan in her arms, Pingling Yao realized that the girl was shockingly thin. She glanced back at Bu Ting, said nothing, and turned to leave.
The Sect Master Immortal Venerable was right. For someone who had fallen into obsession, no amount of words would help, because he had already descended into madness and could not hear any reasons.
Only Jiu Hui, Zhi You, Jin Qingqiu, Yuan Wo, Nan Feng, and Bu Ting remained in the courtyard. No one spoke, and the courtyard fell silent.
Bu Ting didn’t dodge or flee. He put his hands behind his back, looked up at the sky where the warm sun hung high, and squinted uncomfortably at the glaring sunlight.
At some point, he had grown to dislike anything too dazzling.
The sunlight stung his eyes, and he closed them for a moment. When he opened them again and looked at Jiu Hui, his mind was in a daze.
Mu Qi…
No, Mu Qi had already died, died right before his eyes.
The young girl before him was Jiu Hui.
“Sometimes, a big tree rots away gradually without anyone noticing.” Jiu Hui reached out to catch a falling dead leaf. “No one knows when the tree first got sick. By the time it’s completely rotten and falls, everyone suddenly realizes that the tree is beyond saving.”
Everyone knew that Jiu Hui was referring to Bu Ting, but Bu Ting did not say anything.
“Immortal Venerable, what about you?” Jiu Hui looked at Bu Ting. “When did you start taking steps toward becoming so biased that you could never turn back?”
“If Mu Qi could sacrifice herself for the sake of all living beings, then naturally others could do the same.” Bu Ting’s tone was calm. “I treat Mu Qi this way, and I treat all living beings the same.”
This was the first time Bu Ting had spoken Mu Qi’s name in front of so many people. His gaze was too calm, as calm as if he were speaking of a stranger.
“She was a yao, so she couldn’t make a name for herself in the world. If Mu Qi could do it, why couldn’t the young City Lord of Manxiang City do it? Why can’t others do it?” Bu Ting asked Jiu Hui in return, “Are these people more noble and special than Mu Qi?”
“Are you feeling sorry for Mu Qi?” Jiu Hui tilted her head in confusion. “But back then, weren’t you the one who leaked the truth about Mu Qi’s Immortal Tree body?”
Bu Ting’s face instantly turned pale.
Jin Qingqiu and Nan Feng looked up in surprise. Was there really such a past?
“It was you who invited Mu Qi and Qiu Hua to Jiutian Sect as friends, and you were severely injured, your spiritual platform half shattered, and Mu Qi saved you with her heart’s blood.” Jiu Hui sneered, “But you told your master the secret of her true body, and in the end, when the plague was rampant, the ten major sects used her as a medicine in the furnace, and material for the cauldrons.”
Bu Ting suddenly approached Jiu Hui, but Zhi You reached out to stop him.
“How did you know? What’s your relationship with Mu Qi?!” Bu Ting’s eyes were filled with madness. “Do you know where the new Immortal Tree is?”
“What good will it do for you to know all this?” Jiu Hui asked. “The dead will not come back to life. Her flesh and blood were made into medicine by you, and her bones were refined into the Ten Great Immortal Cauldrons. Mu Qi has long since vanished from the world.”
“If it weren’t for Mu Qi, how could you have become the revered Immortal Venerable Bu Ting? How could you have commanded the ten major sects for five hundred years?” Jiu Hui didn’t feel sorry for Bu Ting, she only found him disgusting. “You schemed and plotted your whole life, and now that you’re close to death, you’re filled with regret and sorrow. Is that really sorrow? You’re just trying to use your sorrow and regret to hide the despicable ugliness of your conscience.”
“She only lost a life, but you’ve been feeling guilty and sad for half your life. Isn’t that especially touching?” Jiu Hui sneered, “Bah, shameless!”
Yuan Wo was stunned and could hardly believe his ears. He never expected the grudges and love affairs of the seniors to be so shocking.
“Who exactly are you?” Bu Ting stared at Jiu Hui. “How did you come to know about these things?”
Jiu Hui crossed her arms over her chest. “If you don’t want people to know, then don’t do it.”
“Did Pingling Qiu Hua tell you?” Bu Ting suddenly understood. No wonder when the leech yao captured the Wangshu Pavilion disciples, Qiu Hua, who was the furthest away, arrived before him and even gave her a top-grade magic treasure. It turned out that she and Jiu Hui had known each other for a long time.
Footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate. It was the people from the Ten Great Sects who had arrived.
Jiu Hui looked at Bu Ting in silence, not answering his question.
“Nan Feng, as the Sect Master, you must not be swayed by personal feelings in the future.” Bu Ting pinched a hand gesture. “As your teacher, I will teach you one last lesson. As a person in a position of power, you must not be defeated by the mediocre.”
“Crap, he’s going to self-destruct his spiritual platform!” Jin Qingqiu realized something was wrong and quickly warned.
Before his voice could finish, Jiu Hui’s hand was already moving. No one saw how she did it, but when everyone came to their senses, Bu Ting was frozen in place, unable to move.
“A special edition of immobilization talismans, made by this humble one.” Jiu Hui held a few immobilization talismans in her hand and smiled at Bu Ting. “Immortal Venerable Bu, although this junior is mediocre, I can only offend you in order to save your life.”
Yuan Wo pitied Bu Ting and knew that one should not speak too confidently. Look how awkward it was now.
“Bu Ting.” The Second Elder stepped through the courtyard gate, looking at Bu Ting, who was covered in immobilization talismans from head to toe, with a complicated expression. He sighed and stepped aside to let the sect masters of the Ten Great Sects enter the courtyard.
Since the matter involved his own sect’s disciple, the Sect Master of Wenxing School had an unsightly expression on his face. He stood silently behind the Sect Master of Wanhuo Sect, unwilling to speak or give Jiutian Sect a way out.
“We’ve already heard the details of the incident.” The Palace Master of Changshou Palace looked at the Immortal Venerable who was once a brilliant and peerless talent. “Bu Ting, what else do you have to say for yourself?”
“My apologies.” Jiu Hui reached out and removed the immobilization talisman from Bu Ting’s central acupuncture point. She cupped her hands in a salute and said to the others, “Seniors, you may ask your questions now.”
After she finished speaking, she pulled Zhi You behind the various sect masters, where she joined Jin Qingqiu and Yuan Wo.
“Miss Jiu Hui, did we arrive just in time?” Jin Qingqiu played with his jade fan. “If it weren’t for my help, the people from Wanhuo Sect and Qinglan School wouldn’t have come along.”
“Many thanks to Young Master Jin for lending a helping hand, which allowed Yu Luan to successfully escape.” Jiu Hui dug around in her sleeve and pulled out an orange she had swiped from the banquet. “Here, a token of my gratitude.”
Jin Qingqiu glanced at Zhi You behind Jiu Hui, reached out and took the orange: “Miss, your actions have offended the Jiutian Sect. I’m afraid that the Wangshu Pavilion won’t be able to protect you. Why don’t you…”
“Hold on.” Jiu Hui knew what Jin Qingqiu was going to say and refused him directly. “I trust Nan Feng’s character. He won’t hold a grudge against me for this.”
“Even if Sect Master Nan Feng doesn’t, that doesn’t mean that others won’t.” Jin Qingqiu tapped his palm lightly with his fan and lowered his voice. “Do you know how many disciples the entire Jiutian Sect has? How many city lords and young masters in the world have once entered the Jiutian Sect?”
“As the saying goes, ‘The heart is separated from the belly by a layer of skin.’ Who can guarantee that everyone here is as upright as Sect Master Nan Feng?” Jin Qingqiu chuckled lightly. “If the young lady is willing to join the Yuzhen Sect, others naturally wouldn’t dare to be disrespectful to you.”
“Even though Wangshu Pavilion is weak, if an outsider dares to harm our disciples, we will not sit idly by.” Yu Jing walked over and interrupted Jin Qingqiu’s words. “Jiu Hui is my core disciple. Young Master Jin, is it not a bit inappropriate for you to try to poach her?”
“Pavilion Master Yu.” Seeing Yu Jing approach, Jin Qingqiu put on a flattering smile. “Junior has seen the Pavilion Master.”
“Young Master, you are too polite.” Yu Jing turned to look at Jiu Hui and asked with concern, “Are you hurt?”
Jiu Hui shook her head and whispered, “Master, I’m sorry. I’ve caused trouble for the sect.”
“What trouble is this? You’re only nineteen, and you dare to stand up and protect other little girls. Your teacher is very pleased.” Yu Jing reached out and straightened the shawl on Jiu Hui’s body. “What’s more, there are other sects here. I don’t believe that the Jiutian Sect would dare to do anything to you.”
The Elders of the Jiutian Sect were speechless.
Lower your voice, they all heard it.
“The other sect masters are all fair and just. If anything happens to our Wangshu Pavilion, these sect masters will naturally preside over justice for us. Moreover, your teacher also believes in the character of the others in the Jiutian Sect.” Yu Jing cupped Jiu Hui’s fair face. “My good disciple, don’t be afraid. Not everyone in our cultivation world has become a demon like Immortal Venerable Bu.”
The Elders of the Jiutian Sect were speechless…
Enough, enough, they really understand it all, stop hinting at it.
“Bu Ting, you’ve lost your mind.” The Second Elder was heartbroken. “How could you have become like this?”
Bu Ting didn’t speak. His gaze passed over the crowd and landed on Jiu Hui, who was smiling.
“Second Elder, we can’t make a decision on this matter. We’re afraid we’ll have to invite Immortal Venerable Qiu.” The Palace Master of Changshou Palace said, “This matter concerns the people of Manxiang City. Immortal Venerable Bu has also done many good deeds to protect the people of the world over the years. We have no right to decide on the punishment for Immortal Venerable Bu.”
“Who in the world doesn’t know that Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua and our Immortal Venerable Bu have an old grudge? If we invite Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua, what justice can we expect?” The Fourth Elder retorted, “Moreover, Immortal Venerable Qiu Hua is currently in secluded cultivation. Why bother her?”
Below the Qinglan School and the Jiutian Sect was the Yuzhen Sect.
“Please forgive me, seniors. My knowledge is limited, and I cannot make a decision on this matter.” Jin Qingqiu saw everyone’s gaze fall on him and cupped his hands in a salute. “Why don’t we ask the other sect masters for their opinions?”
Over the years, the ten major sects had been closely connected. If they punished Bu Ting lightly, they wouldn’t be able to live with their conscience. If they punished him too severely, it would seem like they were being ungrateful.
Although the people present were cultivators, they had not yet become immortals who were truly free from worldly affairs.
“There’s no need for further interrogation. Bu-mou am willing to accept death.” Bu Ting spoke up, “Everyone, there’s no need to make things difficult for me.”
“Although the Immortal Venerable has made mistakes, he has also saved countless people over the years.” The Fourth Elder spoke up in his defense. “Isn’t there a way to balance the good and the bad in the world?”
Everyone fell silent in their dilemma. For five hundred years, Bu Ting had indeed saved many people from the clutches of the demons.
“Everyone says that Immortal Lord Fuguang of Fuguang Mountain acts fairly. Although it’s not advisable to disturb Immortal Lord easily, who else is qualified to punish Immortal Venerable Bu besides Immortal Lord Fuguang?” Pingling Yao who had settled Yu Luan and rushed back. “In my humble opinion, we must ask the Immortal Lord for instructions on this matter.”
Everyone turned their heads to look.
Wow, who doesn’t know that Lord Fuguang recently punished Immortal Venerable Bu?
We only wanted to punish Bu Ting, but your Qinglan School wants Bu Ting to live a life worse than death!
Author’s Note
Qinglan School: Look at what you’re saying. We’re just seeking justice according to the Fourth Elder’s wishes.
Little Garlic Chive: Don’t pretend in front of me. I can’t stand it!