Translator: Transn Editor: Transn
Although Half-saint Zixia was only a stone figure, it was still very true to life. A smile appeared on its face. “It is a joyful event that Zixia Sacred Mountain is able to have a new Saint’s disciple, there is no need for everyone to be so nervous.”
“Of course, before we grant you with the title of Saint’s disciple, there is still one thing I need to understand. Lin Yue, did you really kill Serene Blue Emissary from the Black Market Excellence Hall?”
Zhang Ruochen replied very calmly, “Correct. It was indeed I who struck and killed Serene Blue Emissary.”
Zhang Ruochen and Red Wish Emissary had joined hands to kill Serene Blue Emissary and so Zhang Ruochen spoke naturally, without any discomfort.
Half-saint Zixia asked again, “Although your cultivation has broken through to the Fish-dragon realm, it is not enough to kill Serene Blue Emissary. Do you understand the consequences of lying to the Lord?”
Zhang Ruochen felt another faint wave of Holy Aura, even more powerful than the last, fall on his body.
His expression did not change. “I dare not lie to the Lord, there are some secrets in the killing of Serene Blue Emissary.”
“Oh! What secrets?” Half-saint Zixia asked.
For the sake of remaining in the Yin and Yang Sect, Zhang Ruochen had no choice but to create a lie.
Of course, he himself wasn’t really making this lie up. Rather, Lin Yue had made it when he was still alive. At most, Zhang Ruochen was borrowing and relating it.
Zhang Ruochen puffed out his chest and did his best to adjust his state of mind. He told himself that if he wanted to stay in the Yin and Yang Sect, he had to be as shameless as Lin Yue.
He said, “Actually, Serene Blue Emissary was fighting against a senior from the Yin and Yang Sect. Both of them had already sustained heavy injuries. I took advantage of the opportunity and killed the heavily injured Serene Blue Emissary.”
If “Lin Yue” had still been in the Completion of the Heaven Realm, even with this story, no one would believe him.
But things were not the same now. Since “Lin Yue” had already broken through to the Fish-dragon Realm, his cultivation was now many times stronger than a warrior at the Completion of the Heaven Realm. He would indeed be able to kill a heavily injured Serene Blue Emissary.
Zhang Ruochen continued, “Because I rescued the senior from the Yin and Yang Sect, I obtained a great opportunity and broke through into the Fish-dragon Realm.”
Half-saint Zixia smiled and said, “You not only killed Serene Blue Emissary, you also rescued a senior of the Yin and Yang Sect?”
“Correct. It was a desperate situation. I also braved great danger to rescue him. I carried him over 1,200 kilometers but Serene Blue Emissary pursued us relentlessly. With no other choice, I attacked again in desperation and killed Serene Blue Emissary.” Zhang Ruochen spoke unhurriedly.
Half-saint Zixia said, “Where is the senior now? Did he tell you his name?”
Zhang Ruochen shook his head. “He left when he was fully recovered and did not reveal his name. But, in order to repay the favor, he gave me a Fish-dragon Pill.”
After hearing “Lin Yue’s” words, all of the indoor disciples were jealous.
No wonder “Lin Yue” had been able to break into the Fish-dragon Realm. It turned out it was because he had swallowed a Fish-dragon Pill. He had amazing luck to be able to obtain such a precious Pill.
“So he broke into the Fish-dragon Realm because he took the Fish-dragon Pill, it’s nothing special,” Zhao Yibing said coldly.
Lin Yue’s master stood up and said, “Junior fellow apprentice Zhao, that’s not true. Even if someone takes a Fish-dragon Pill, it only increases their chances of breaking through. If Lin Yue had no true learning, he would not have been able to break into the Fish-dragon Realm, even with the Pill.”
Lin Yue’s teacher was a white-haired Elder named Wang Xian.
Initially, Wang Xian had heard Zhao Yibing’s words and felt very angry. He had wanted to teach his rebellious disciple a lesson.
But now, Wang Xian realized that Lin Yue was not as extreme has Zhao Yibing had said. Furthermore, he had broken into the Fish-dragon Realm and was about to become a Saint’s disciple.
It was a great honor to have taught a Saint’s disciple!
How could Wang Xian continue to punish “Lin Yue”? Of course, he had to speak up on his behalf.
What Wang Xian said was true. The Fish-dragon Pill could only increase the likelihood of breaking into the Fish-dragon Realm. Without true talent and learning, taking the Pill wouldn’t do anything.
Half-saint Zixia’s gaze was fixed on Zhao Yibing. “Lin Yue has already explained the incident clearly. Zhao Yibing, shouldn’t you be explaining why Zixia Sacred Mountain’s Treasure Hunting Compass was stolen by an evil cultivator?”
There were only three Saint’s disciples in Zixia Sacred Mountain. Thus, Zixia Sacred Mountain was ranked last among the Long-living Yard’s four sacred mountains.
Finally, there was a fourth. It was time for Zixia Sacred Mountain to be elated. How could Half-saint Zixia punish Lin Yue?
Even though he had some flaws, Half-saint Zixia would still rather believe him as he had no choice.
Zhao Yibing was a clever man and could see that Half-saint Zixia was purposely protecting Lin Yue. Naturally, he did not dare to continue quibbling. If he persisted in doing so, he could lose his life.
“Thunk!”
Zhao Yibing’s legs softened and he knelt on the ground. With a smack, he slapped himself across the face. With tears spilling down his face, he said, “It’s all my fault. I was greedy and wanted a Holy Stone. I angered an evil cultivator, thus causing the loss of the Treasure Hunting Compass.”
Half-saint Zixia saw Zhao Yibing voluntarily confess his crime and immediately huffed coldly. “Although the loss of the Treasure Hunting Compass is your fault, it is not a great crime. But why did you run from the responsibility and try to place the blame on Lin Yue? Do you know that your selfish desires almost cost Zixia Sacred Mountain a Saint’s disciple?” ..
“I know I was wrong. I ask for my Lord’s punishment,” Zhao Yibing said.
Half-saint Zixia’s gaze focused on Zhang Ruochen. “Lin Yue, how do you think Junior Uncle Master Zhao should be punished?”
Naturally, Zhang Ruochen did not like how Zhao Yibing had acted and wished that Half-saint Zixia would punish him heavily so that he could not continue to act against him.
But, what kind of figure was Half-saint Zixia? Why did they ask for his opinion in punishing a Monk in the Fifth Change of the Fish-dragon Realm?
Zhang Ruochen immediately understood that Half-saint Zixia was testing him.
Because Half-saint Zixia did not know the truth. They could only test “Lin Yue”. They wanted to use this opportunity to observe just what kind of person “Lin Yue” was.
Zhang Ruochen took a knee and lifted both of his hands, one wrapped around the other and saluted Half-saint Zixia. “I ask that my Lord show Junior Uncle Master Zhao mercy.”
Everyone in the Taoist temple was once again shocked.
Earlier, when Half-saint Zixia had manifested, he had not kneeled. But right now, he took a knee as he asked mercy on behalf of Zhao Yibing.
Zhao Yibing had tried to kill him.
Yet he was asking for mercy for him?
Zhao Han’er was also surprised. She had not known that elder brother Lin Yue’s moral conduct was so noble. Not only had he sacrificed his reputation to rescue his life, he was also repaying hatred with virtue.
But, not only had she not been grateful. On the contrary, she had deliberately misunderstood him, looked down on him, pushed him aside, and made cutting remarks to him. He must have been hurt.
Zhan Han’er stared toward Zhang Ruochen with tears dancing in her eyes. She revealed an expression of remorse and regret, wiping away her tears.
Suddenly, she felt that elder brother Lin Yue’s figure had become much taller. She could only look up to it.
Half-saint Zixia also revealed a sliver of surprise. “Lin Yue, why are you asking for mercy for Zhao Yibing? You do know that he almost killed you a few moments ago.”
Zhang Ruochen sighed. “Although Junior Uncle Master Zhao is at fault, he is still my Junior Uncle Master. In the past, he has shown great care toward me at Zixia Sacred Mountain. I only remember his past kindness. As for his past hatred, let it go with the wind. Once again I ask you to show mercy to him.”
Half-saint Zixia’s gaze became brighter, it was liking Lin Yue more and more. Satisfied, it smiled. “If everyone could be like you then there would be less internal conflict within the Suzerain. Alright! Zhao Yibing, since Lin Yue has asked for mercy for you, I will allow you to live. However. The death penalty can be avoided but punishment is inevitable. From tomorrow onward, you will go to the abyss and perform hard labor for 10 years. This will be your punishment.”
“Many thanks, Lord.”
Zhao Yibing quickly kowtowed and gave his thanks. As his face touched the earth, no one saw that his gaze had become icy and full of murder.
Other people thought that Lin Yue had truly returned his hatred with virtue. Only Zhao Yibing knew that Lin Yue was not as noble as he made himself out to be. He was just advancing by retreating and purposely putting on a show in front of the crowd.
If it was not for Lin Yue, he would not have been sent to the abyss to mine.
Zhao Yibing quietly decided that before he went to the old mine in the abyss, he had to have his revenge, no matter what. It would be best if he could kill Lin Yue without anyone knowing.
Half-saint Zixia said, “Lin Yue, since you have broken through the Fish-dragon Realm, naturally, you will be a Saint’s disciple. In three days time, I will personally come out of refinement and organize the Saint’s disciple’s coronation ceremony. The Yin and Yang Sect is based on the Tao of the Sword. On the day of the ceremony, there will be a test concerning your talent at the Tao of the Sword and it will be very important to you. You should prepare well.”
“I understand,” Zhang Ruochen replied.
Half-saint Zixia nodded and the holy light of the human-shaped stone figure completely withdrew. Once again it was silent and immobile.
The powerful Holy Aura in the Taoist temple gradually dissipated, returning to the usual calm.
Zhang Ruochen rose and glanced toward Zhao Yibing still kneeling on the ground. Shaking his head, he quickly walked out of Zixia Temple.
“Elder brother Lin… Lin Yue, wait a moment.”
Behind him, a shadow charged out and stopped in front of Zhang Ruochen. With a thump, the figure knelt before him.
It was Xu Chen.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at Xu Chen and stroked his chin with his finger. With a not quite there smile, he said, “Junior fellow apprentice Xu, what do you mean by this?”
Xu Chen’s entire body trembled, and his face was pale like a dead man’s. In a shaking voice, he said, “Elder brother… Lin Yue, it was my mistake earlier. Please… spare my pitiful life.”
“Bang! Bang!”
Xu Chen kowtowed again and again, almost breaking the stone slabs on the ground.
Xu Chen was a clever man. Of course, he understood what the situation was.
He had offended “Lin Yue”. If “Lin Yue” wanted to have his vengeance, given his present cultivation and status as a Saint’s disciple, he only had to move a finger to kill him.
When his life was a stake, what did Xu Chen care about his dignity?
He was like a slobbering dog, kneeling in front of “Lin Yue” and begging for his forgiveness.
Zhang Ruochen glanced at him with disdain. “Didn’t you say earlier that I am a cowardly bastard?”
Xu Chen slapped himself across his face. “No, no, I… I am the bastard, I am just a stupid bastard. I should die, I’m not even as good as a beast.”
In order to stay alive, Xu Chen slapped himself forcefully across the face. Each time his hand landed, a bloody mark appeared.
Zhang Ruochen could not even be bothered with him. Shaking his head, he said, “Since you like to slap your face so much, then kneel here and keep slapping. After you’ve done a full ten thousand, leave the Yin and Yang Sect. Don’t let me see you again. Remember, slap with strength. If you don’t do it hard enough, you’ll have brought the consequences on yourself.”
Zhang Ruochen spoke lightly and went down the mountain without even a glance toward Xu Chen.
“Many thanks elder brother Lin Yue, many thanks for sparing my life.” Joy appeared on Xu Cheng’s face. He knew he had just saved his own life and he kowtowed endlessly in the direction Zhang Ruochen left in.