Free Web NovelChapter 254: Chapter 201: Audience with Daoist Jiang, a Single Thought Decides Fate (Part 2)
If you want to make an example of someone, you have to wield the knife yourself. But for a mere Qi Cultivation Junior Cultivator like him to go after a Foundation Establishment True Master, that would be suicidal arrogance.
However, to use his status as the Innate Daoist to order the punishment of a Dao Material from the Upper Courtyard would be a breach of decorum. It was a clear dilemma.
As his thoughts raced, Jiang Yi smiled and asked:
"Director He, what do you propose?"
He Shouzhen took a deep breath and answered with the utmost gravity:
"I ask the Daoist to strip me, Shouzhen, of my duties in Jieyun Hall, demote me to the Lower Courtyard, and expel me from the Ancestral Sect!"
Jiang Yi’s eyes shifted slightly.
’What a clean and decisive way to escape the situation.’
He Shouzhen’s plea was perfectly timed. By voluntarily giving up his position as the head of Jieyun Hall, he accepted a punishment that could not be called light. It preserved the Daoist’s authority without implicating any other factions, preventing the situation from escalating and drawing them into a deeper vortex.
More importantly, he could use this retreat to extricate himself and secure his own survival.
It seemed simple and straightforward, but how many people in this world, once in a position of power, find it so difficult to make such a decision and relinquish their immediate benefits?
Take Cultivation, for instance. Staying within the sect year-round meant enjoying abundant Spiritual Energy and all sorts of Dao Materials.
Not to mention, managing Jieyun Hall at least granted one the qualification to interact with Foundation Establishment True Masters and Upper Courtyard disciples as an equal.
Once demoted from the sect and cast out, the days ahead would be far more difficult.
"Director He, I see your sincere remorse."
Jiang Yi didn’t offer any words of pardon to show magnanimity. The Demon Dao Dharma Lineage never concerned itself with "benevolence" or "virtue"; it only distinguished high from low based on strength.
"Since I am the Daoist, I must prioritize the sect’s rules in all matters. Director He, you understand the bigger picture and have personally pleaded guilty, so I will not say more.
As you’ve requested, I will strip you of your position as head of Jieyun Hall."
He Shouzhen felt as if a colossal weight had been lifted from his heart, his entire body relaxing.
Even if it was like being cast down into the mortal world, his life and limb were ultimately safe.
What he feared most was that this Daoist would be relentless, using this incident to engage in Magical Combat with the descendants of the Eight Monarchs.
If that happened, regardless of the final outcome, a minor Qi Cultivation Twelfth Layer cultivator like him would surely be ground to dust.
Jiang Yi lightly tapped his fingers on the table, producing a clear TUK TUK sound.
"Now that you’re leaving your post at Jieyun Hall, Director He, do you have any other plans?"
He Shouzhen raised his head slightly and answered respectfully:
"There are many branch estates outside the sect. I, Shouzhen, am willing to settle in one and continue to serve the Ancestral Sect to the best of my ability."
Upon hearing this, the corners of Jiang Yi’s lips curved up.
"Director He, what do you think of my Changming Heavenly Pond?"
He Shouzhen’s heart skipped a beat. As if something had instantly occurred to him, he abruptly prostrated himself and answered urgently:
"The Changming Heavenly Pond is the Eastern Palace of the Ancestral Sect, the land of the hidden dragon where the Daoist resides! Its magnificence is boundless, far beyond what any ordinary branch estate could compare to!"
Jiang Yi asked again in a clear voice:
"Director He, you are also a veteran of the sect. You have long served diligently and conscientiously in the Lower Courtyard. To be dispatched to a branch estate now seems like a bit of a waste.
My Changming Heavenly Pond is currently short-staffed. I wonder what your thoughts are, Director He?"
He Shouzhen shuddered. The drastic ups and downs of the past few moments sent his emotions churning, making it hard to remain calm.
With a dull THUD, he knocked his head heavily against the golden bricks of the floor.
"I, Shouzhen, am slow-witted. If I am fortunate enough to receive the Daoist’s favor and enter the Changming Heavenly Pond to serve you, I would not hesitate even if it meant being utterly crushed to pieces!"
Hearing this, Jiang Yi smiled faintly.
The formation spirit, Chang Jing, who stood at the side, was adept at reading his superior’s intentions and quickly spoke up:
"Director He, please rise and speak."
Joy was written all over He Shouzhen’s face as he scrambled to his feet. He had thought his future was ruined, that he would be cast into the mud, but he never expected such a sudden turn of events. He had already climbed halfway into the Changming Heavenly Pond.
This was an immortal paradise, a true wonderland that even surpassed the grotto-heavens of the Eight Peaks!
Jiang Yi said slowly:
"I’ve heard you are skilled in alchemy, Director He. I will put you in charge of three places: Baoyang Hall, Zhusha Hall, and Fanben Hall.
You may use any of the pill ingredients and Medicinal Materials within the halls as you see fit. Once you are familiar with the affairs of each place, you may select suitable personnel from the Lower Courtyard to fill the necessary positions."
He Shouzhen was, of course, immensely grateful for the Daoist’s profound grace and recognition. Compared to a thankless post like Jieyun Hall, managing the production of alchemy ingredients at the Changming Heavenly Pond offered far, far greater benefits.
In the future, when the Daoist rightfully ascended to the position of the sect’s Crown Prince, even the True Disciples from the Eight Peaks would probably have to lower themselves and come seeking his favor!
Besides, what kind of place was the Changming Heavenly Pond? The Spiritual Energy there was no less abundant than on Qian Peak!
The alchemy labs and herb gardens must be of the highest quality. Improving his alchemy skills would be a given!
As this series of thoughts raced through He Shouzhen’s mind, a question suddenly surfaced.
’How did the Daoist know he was skilled in alchemy?’
He had never shown it to anyone, only pursuing it privately as a passionate hobby.
Jiang Yi leaned back, no longer sitting so upright. The golden glow in his eyes subsided, and the dense, tadpole-like script within them vanished.
[Deduction Result: He Shouzhen, a native of Long Prefecture in the Wei Kingdom of Hong Shui. Born to a Second-Grade Clan. Skilled in the ’Gold-to-Sand Transmutation’ alchemical technique. Cautious and meticulous by nature. Fond of wine...]
’His background is clean, and with the Celestial Book providing a detailed check on his history and origins, there are no hidden dangers.’
Jiang Yi recruited He Shouzhen into the Changming Heavenly Pond mainly to show the Eight Peaks within the sect that he was willing to use capable people and wasn’t afraid to offer them rewards.
As long as they were willing to serve him loyally, even a Lower Cultivator from the Lower Courtyard with no backing could be promoted by the Daoist.
’Only someone who has been a Lower Cultivator can understand that on the path of Cultivation, it’s not Techniques or Spiritual Objects that are most precious. What’s truly rare is a ’patron’ willing to provide a path for advancement.’
Jiang Yi mused:
’Within the Ancestral Sect, there’s certainly no shortage of ’talented individuals’ suppressed by the descendants of the Eight Monarchs and the master-disciple lineages, unable to get ahead... Heh, this position as an Upper Cultivator is truly comfortable. It’s so easy to let someone make a meteoric rise.’
The formation spirit, Chang Jing, glanced at the head seat, observed Jiang Yi’s expression, and then lowered his voice:
"Hall Master He, first return to the Lower Courtyard to resign and hand over your duties. Then, come to the Changming Heavenly Pond to receive your Token."
He Shouzhen repeatedly agreed, bowed, and took his leave.
Before he could even leave the Changming Heavenly Pond, he saw numerous disciples from Li Peak outside, respectfully seeking an audience.
The one in the lead was clad in crimson armor, majestic and brimming with killing intent. It was none other than Feng Yuan, the head disciple of True Monarch Yuan and a venerable True Disciple!
A chill ran through He Shouzhen’s heart, and he couldn’t help but wonder:
’Have they finished cleansing the past and severing the karmic ties on the Daoist’s behalf, and now they’ve come to report?’
...
...
"Senior Brother Feng, we traveled all the way to Beimang Ridge for the Daoist, returned travel-worn, and even swept through the Lower Courtyard. And now we have to wait outside for so long to be summoned..."
Below the Changming Heavenly Pond, four war chariots were arranged in a line. They looked as if they were cast from Copper Essence, shimmering with a blue-gold hue.
Feng Yuan, a disciple of True Monarch Yuan from Li Peak, was tall and imposing. He wore no crown, his black hair hanging loose. Beneath two ink-black brows, his eyes flashed open and closed like bolts of cold lightning, exuding a daunting aura.
Hearing his junior brother who was driving the chariot speak in such a way, Feng Yuan said in a deep voice:
"Junior Brother, since you’re so resentful, I’ll take you into the hall in a moment. You can go right ahead and accuse the Daoist of neglect."
The driver immediately fell silent.
"Enforcing punishment is the duty of Li Peak’s disciples. If you find it too taxing, just submit a letter to Zhengshu Hall and resign from your post."
Feng Yuan’s voice was calm, but his Qi Mechanism radiated outwards, like an ancient, sacred mountain pressing down from all sides, making one feel suffocated and chest-tightened.
"I misspoke, Senior Brother! Please don’t take offense!"
The driver obediently admitted his mistake. freewebnσvel.cѳm
Feng Yuan said earnestly:
"Countless Lower Courtyard disciples beg to enter Li Peak and are denied. You and I should remember our duties and not think too highly of ourselves."
With that, without waiting for the driver’s reply, he slowly rose. The five weapons on the side of the chariot began to hum and vibrate.
When the great formation of the Changming Heavenly Pond opened a gateway, Feng Yuan transformed into a blazing streak of flame that shot across the sky and through it with a ROAR.
Before long, he set foot before the main hall.
"Feng Yuan of Zhengshu Hall, Li Peak, requests an audience with the Daoist to present a report!" freeweɓnøvel.com
About half an incense stick’s time later, Jiang Yi put down the detailed, folded report.
The contents were simple.
In essence—the Zhao You Sect of Beimang Ridge had its Talisman Decree revoked and was demoted to an "Inner Sect."
The Kang Clan Dao Race was stripped of its rank, deprived of its Spirit Vein and Resources, and demoted to a Fifth-Grade Clan.
Elder Kang Congyun was executed. Huang Zishang was executed...
"All who had karmic ties, harbored malicious intent, or came with ill will—were all to be slain!"
Jiang Yi scanned the list of names, which included Liu Huan of the Qianji Sect, Han Li of Guanlan Peak, and others.
"These are all awaiting your judgment. It is up to the Daoist to decide whether to eliminate them completely or to grant them a future."
Feng Yuan stood below, speaking in a deep voice.
