These were also the fundamental rules of the Master Teacher Pavilion... Devoid of camaraderie-kill! Devoid of morals-kill! Devoid of respect-kill!
As role models, master teachers were expected to conduct themselves with the highest of values. It was also for this reason that the Master Teacher Pavilion was so respected throughout the continent.
Gritting his teeth, Ding Hong roared furiously, "He killed my kin and destroyed my country. Unless he dies... my hatred will never be quelled!"
For an esteemed elder of a country like him to end up wandering around as though a lost vagrant, not daring to return back to his homeland... It was all that fellow's fault!
"Your hatred will never be quelled unless he dies? Good!"
Seeing the lack of falsehood in the old man's expression, Sect Leader Luo Huang heaved a sigh of relief. "I can help you raise your cultivation to Transcendent Mortal 3-dan swiftly so that you could exact your vengeance personally. What do you think of it?"
Since the other party had an irreconcilable grudge against Zhang shi, under the first condition to killing a master teacher, he was allowed to raise the other party's cultivation so that the other party could exact his vengeance.
After all, given the grudge between the two, as long as it was a fair duel, the Master Teacher Pavilion wouldn't be able to object to it.
"Indeed!"
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"Sect Leader Luo is indeed sharp..."
Hearing those words, everyone slapped their foreheads.
As long as they didn't make
a move themselves, they wouldn't have to take responsibility for this matter. Even if the headquarters wished to punish someone for the matter, the blame wouldn't fall on them.
"This is a good idea, however... there is something very bizarre about that fellow. I fear that I won't be a match for him!"
Ding Hong shook his head.
The other party's offer was extremely tempting, but having fought with the other party himself, he knew that the other party possessed incredible means.
Despite possessing the cultivation of a Transcendent Mortal 1-dan, he actually lost to a Half-Transcension lad. From that experience, he felt that he wouldn't be a match for the other party even if he were to reach Yin-Yang realm.
And once that happened, he would be a goner.
"You fear that you won't be a match? In other words, you want us to kill him in your stead?"
Luo Huang frowned.
"That's right!" Ding Hong nodded in affirmation.
"This..." The crowd fell silent.
If the other party was just an insignificant figure, killing him wouldn't result in any repercussions. However, the other party just had to be a participant of the Master Teacher Tournament, not to mention, a famous one.
If they were to make a move, the Myriad Kingdom Alliance Master Teacher Pavilion would surely retaliate. Once this matter reaches the headquarter, even the strongest Fleeting Cloud Sect would be unable to bear the consequences.
"I'll be honest, Kong shi's handwritten letter isn't in my hands now. No matter who he is, as long as he promises me to accomplish these two matters for me after obtaining the handwritten letter, I'll tell him where it is now."
Seeing the hesitation in everyone's eyes, Ding Hong pushed on.
"It isn't difficult for us to make you the new alliance head and raise your cultivation. However, the matter regarding Zhang shi... has huge repercussions. Even our Fleeting Cloud Sect would have to give this matter some serious consideration!"
Sect Leader Luo Huang contemplated for a moment before replying, "Since that's the case, why don't you tell us where the handwritten letter is first? We will discuss our next course of action after that. If we deem it to be worth the risk, you can count on us for it. Even if it isn't, we'll still fulfill the other two conditions you asked for."
Killing a 4-star master teacher was no joke. Such a matter couldn't be decided on a whim. Thus, they decided to put the matter aside for now and focus on the location of the handwritten letter first.
"Indeed. Don't worry, there are so many of us here. We won't risk damaging our credibility over a small matter like this!" another sect leader said.
"Besides, the handwritten letter isn't in your hands. That lowers the value of your information!" another added.
If Kong shi's handwritten were really in the old man's hands, then even if they had to face the wrath of the headquarters, it would still be worth the risk... But given that the letter was in the hands of another... Just a piece of information couldn't guarantee that they would be able to obtain the handwritten letter. Since that was the case, they had to give the matter some more thoughts.
After all, it was one thing if they were the only ones to know of the information. However, given that so many people knew of the matter, if something were to happen to Zhang shi, there was a high chance that an information leak might occur. If so, not only would they be unable to keep Kong shi's handwritten letter, it might even bring about a great disaster for their sect.
"I believe the honor of all of the master teachers here. To speak of the truth, Kong shi's handwritten letter is with Zhang Xuan at this very moment. He stole it away from me, cutting my arm off in the process even... As long as you kill him, you'll be able to obtain the handwritten letter!"
Ding Hong spoke of the words that he had prepared beforehand.
"Zhang shi stole the handwritten letter from you?"
"He was the one who cut off your arm?"
Everyone was stunned for a moment before frenzied joy gushed into them.
As master teachers, they could tell that Ding Hong wasn't being completely honest here... But all of that didn't matter to them at this moment.
The important matter at hand was him admitting that the handwritten letter was stolen by Zhang Xuan.
That, in itself, was a breach of the moral code of master teachers. This was sufficient to warrant his death.
"Tell us more about the matter. If it's indeed true, Zhang shi would have breached the master teacher moral code. As master teachers, we have the responsibility to purge black sheep like him!" Sect Leader Luo Huang declared righteously.
"Indeed! If you have any grievances, feel free to speak. All of those here today are the noblest of master teachers. If the other party had truly exploited his own identity to oppress you, we will definitely redress your grievances!"
"Such a person mustn't be allowed to remain in the Master Teacher Pavilion!"
Another two master teachers bellowed out.
Most of those seated knew that the matter wasn't that simple. However, seeing the look of determination the eyes of the various sect leaders, they could only sigh and shake their heads.
Even they themselves found it hard to resist the allure of Kong shi's handwritten letter.
"Since everyone is interested in the matter, allow me to speak of it then!"
With reddened eyes, Ding Hong began recounting the matter. "The relic belongs to Qu Clan, and our Ding Clan has been close friends with the Qu Clan for many generations now. In fact, we even once co-governed Xuanyuan Kingdom. Unfortunately, the Qu Clan couldn't withstand the trial of time and slowly went into decline. Just three years ago, the final successor of the Qu Clan came and entrusted the relic to us before passing away."
At which, Ding Hong's eyes suddenly burned in fury. "But who could have known that Zhang Xuan would learn of it. He barged into my great grandson's inauguration ceremony, killed him, and stole the handwritten letter. He even tried to silence me. If not for an escaping art that I practiced, I might have died then!"
Clenching his jaws tightly together, Ding Hong roared furiously in anger, "To conceal the vile deeds he committed for Kong shi's handwritten letter, he created all kinds of excuses to justify his actions! It's fortunate that the heavens took pity on me and I managed to survive the ordeal. Otherwise, the truth would have never seen the light of the day!"
Given that the target he was hoping to have killed was a master teacher, he knew that he had to come up with a sufficient reason for the others to justify their actions.
Thus, he crafted this story.
It was their Ding Clan who tried to snatch the handwritten letter from Lu Chong, but he twisted the story to blame Zhang Xuan for all that happened instead. Only this way would these master teachers be willing to kill Zhang Xuan in his stead.
"Atrocious! How could there be such a person among us?"
"How in the world did such an immoral person become a master teacher?"
"He must be taught a lesson! We must instill in him the dignity a teacher should have..."
"That explains why the Myriad Kingdom Alliance Master Teacher Pavilion had always ranked at the bottom. It's time to do some reorganizing to clear up such degenerating culture!"
Hearing Ding Hong's words, the master teachers were infuriated.
"Sect Leader Luo, I suggest that we confront Zhang Xuan at this instant to have him explain this matter!"
"That's right! We should have him hand over the handwritten letter as well. It's an insult to Kong shi to have such an immoral person to hold onto his relic!"
"Indeed! I share your thoughts as well!"
Everyone turned their eyes to Sect Leader Luo Huang.
"All of your words make sense. A master teacher must be upright to guide others. But of course, we can't only listen to one side of the story. We should also hear Zhang shi's defense. If it is true that he breached the master teacher moral code, we mustn't let him off the hook even if the Myriad Kingdom Alliance Master Teacher Pavilion sides with him!"
Sect Leader Luo announced righteously as he flung his sleeves.
"Alright, let's go over to confront him now!"
Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
Seeing that he had everyone's support, Sect Leader Luo Huang nodded his head in satisfaction. He then turned to Ding Hong and asked, "This friend over here, why don't you follow us there? Until the truth of this matter is revealed, you shall be the most esteemed guest of our Fleeting Cloud Sect. No one will dare to do you any harm!"
"Alright!"
A savage gleam flashed across Ding Hong's eyes.
"Zhang shi lives in a residence in the vicinity of the Alliance Head Residence. I know where it is, allow me to lead the way!" one of the master teachers shouted before walking at the front.
Since they had already come to a decision, the crowd followed behind him and walked out of the Sea Gazing Gazebo, headed for Zhang Xuan's residence.
Seeing the grand line-up here, Luo Xuan couldn't help but shake his head.
Given that everyone knew that Kong shi's handwritten letter was with Zhang shi, how could this 'trial' be fair?
Regardless of whether Zhang shi admits to it or not, one thing was for sure-he would surely be unable to keep the handwritten letter.