Free Web NovelChapter 181: Chapter 172: Observing the Ceremony (Part 2)
As he spoke, he pointed to Chu Liu, who was bound hand and foot and forced to his knees. "This beast murdered his own master! It’s an act that heaven itself cannot forgive. Today, I will kill this traitor with my own hands!"
Guo Sheng’s mouth fell open, as if he wanted to say something, but after seeing the fierce look in Zhao Lin’s eyes, he ultimately said nothing.
The authorities did not permit commoners to carry out private executions, but there was one exception: avenging a blood relative.
It’s as the adages say: "A son who fails to seek revenge is no son at all," and "One cannot live under the same sky as their parents’ murderer."
This meant that to not avenge your parents’ murder made you an unworthy child; you simply could not coexist with their killer.
"A teacher for a day is a father for a lifetime," so avenging a master was considered the same.
If Zhao Lin killed Chu Liu, not only would the authorities not charge him with murder, they might even commend him.
Yuan Cheng walked over and kicked Chu Liu. "Junior Brother Zhao, let’s each take a stab and finish him off!"
Gao Yuan agreed. "Third Junior Brother is right. One stab each."
Fu Guangming and Zhang Ying also looked over with resolute expressions.
Qian Chengfei hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and nodded.
Zhao Lin smiled and waved his hand. "The Chu family has considerable power. It’s better if I do this and make an enemy of them. You all don’t need to get your hands bloody."
Yuan Cheng sneered. "What is there to fear from the Chu family? They wouldn’t dare oppose our Liuhe Sect even if they had ten times the nerve!"
This was indeed the case. Although the Chu family was wealthy, their martial strength was far inferior to the Liuhe Sect’s. Moreover, the guards and escorts they hired for their residence were fine with getting paid for protection, but they would never take the initiative to attack a sect.
Zhao Lin shook his head. "Third Senior Brother is right, but it’s best not to bring enemies to our sect if we can help it. I’ll kill him, and you’ll all feel just as satisfied, right?"
"Besides, I’m leaving in a couple of days. What can they do to me?"
Gao Yuan, Yuan Cheng, and the others exchanged a glance and said no more.
Zhao Lin drew a dagger from his boot and waved it in front of Chu Liu’s face. "You used this dagger to stab Master to death. Today, you’ll get a taste of your own medicine."
With that, he yanked the cloth gag from Chu Liu’s mouth.
Chu Liu immediately cried out, "Don’t kill me! My cultivation has been destroyed, I’m already a cripple. Just spare my worthless life!"
He crawled forward two steps on his knees, crying his eyes out to the old madam. "Master’s Wife, quickly tell them not to kill me! You always doted on me the most! Help me..."
Zhao Lin reached out, grabbed Chu Liu by the hair, and plunged the dagger into his heart. He then pulled the dagger out and, with a reverse flick of his wrist, lopped off his head.
Blood sprayed out. With a THUD, a headless body fell to the ground.
...
The main courtyard of the Liuhe Sect was decorated with lanterns and colored streamers, and a great banquet was being held.
The once desolate Liuhe Sect was now bustling with excitement again.
In the preceding days, the disciples had been busy with condolences, mourning, guarding the tomb, and hunting the murderer. They had no time to instruct the apprentices in martial arts. Coupled with the oppressive atmosphere, many apprentices had temporarily left.
Now that the matter was resolved, the Liuhe Sect was back on track, and the apprentices had all returned.
Today was the day Eldest Senior Brother Gao Yuan would formally take over as Sect Leader. Invitations had been sent out far and wide to fellow martial artists, and a continuous stream of them were arriving to offer their congratulations.
Gao Yuan, dressed in a long robe, was all smiles as he thanked the guests one by one.
"Master Hong of Shizi Gate!"
"Master Gu of Qinghe Gate!"
"Master Zhu of the Revitalization Martial Arts Hall!"
"Master Sun of the Flying Tiger Martial Arts Hall!"
"Master Zhou of the Kaisan Martial Arts Hall..."
The arrivals were all leading figures from the various sects and martial arts halls. After all, for Gao Yuan’s inauguration as Sect Leader, etiquette demanded that those attending be of equivalent status; they couldn’t just send a random disciple in their stead.
The weapons and training equipment in the courtyard had all been cleared away, replaced by ten banquet tables.
The apprentices greeting guests announced each arrival loudly, while several disciples welcomed the guests who had come to observe the ceremony and guided them to their seats.
"Brother Zhao!"
"Brother Liang!"
Liang Song was an apprentice at the Kaisan Martial Arts Hall. Because of his connection to Zhao Lin, he had also come with his master to attend the ceremony.
"I won’t see you off tomorrow. It’ll save me from feeling sad all over again," Liang Song said, half-joking.
"I was thinking the same thing." Zhao Lin patted his shoulder.
Zhao Lin, along with his several senior brothers, entertained the guests. He tried to keep a low profile in his words and actions. He would be departing for the Xingyun Sect tomorrow; it was only right to let his Eldest Senior Brother have the spotlight.
Although he wanted to keep a low profile, the guests’ eyes would drift over to him from time to time.
The news that Zhao Lin had completed his bone tempering in half a year had caused a considerable stir among the sects and martial arts halls of Qinghe County back then. This time, his return with his cultivation having skyrocketed to the Second Layer of the Qi Realm was simply jaw-dropping.
Everyone was speculating about which great, prestigious sect he had been training with to achieve such results.
At this point, Zhao Lin was no longer worried about exposing his cultivation level.
For one thing, aside from the Sect Leader of the Lingshan Sect, who was a Blood Realm martial artist and gave him slight pause, he had almost no rivals in all of Qinghe County.
For another, he was leaving tomorrow, so whatever anyone else thought no longer mattered.
"Brother Hong, good to see you."
"Ah, Brother Gu. Long time no see."
Hong Sheng, Sect Leader of Shizi Gate, and Gu Chengzhi, Sect Leader of Qinghe Gate, were seated at the same table and greeted each other.
Hong Sheng was in his early forties, with a resolute face and a steady temperament. Gu Chengzhi was younger and had a somewhat scholarly appearance.
The two were old acquaintances, and both were at the Third Layer of the Qi Realm.
Among the four great sects of Qinghe County, the Sect Leaders of the Lingshan Sect and the Liuhe Sect were both Blood Realm masters, so talented young people chose these two sects as their first choice.
For years, Shizi Gate and Qinghe Gate had been suppressed, which was why the two of them had grown closer.
Now that Zhu Huaishan was no longer in this world, although they expressed regret and condolences on the surface, they couldn’t help but feel a sense of schadenfreude.
"Brother Hong, that Zhao Lin from the Liuhe Sect... he was still in the Power Realm when he left. It’s been less than a year, and now he’s at the Second Layer of the Qi Realm. How do you think he trained?"
Gu Chengzhi covered his mouth with his hand and said in a low voice.
"He probably joined a famous, powerful sect, I’d guess? I’ve heard some sects can refine incredibly potent medicinal pills that can help someone in the Power Realm break through to the Qi Realm in one go."
Hong Sheng thought for a moment before replying.
"I’ve heard what you’re talking about, Brother Hong, but those kinds of pills aren’t easy to come by. Even in a major sect, they’re considered incredible treasures. That Zhao Lin is just some kid from the mountains. How could he possibly be worthy?"
"That, I don’t know. Why don’t you go ask him?"
"Heh, I don’t know him well. Besides, he probably wouldn’t talk about such things with an outsider..."
As the two were talking, they suddenly heard an apprentice announce, "Sect Leader Zheng of the Lingshan Sect!"
Everyone in the courtyard stood up, craning their necks to look toward the entrance.
Gao Yuan was greatly surprised. He hurried forward to greet him, bowing as he said, "Thank you, Senior Zheng, for gracing us with your presence. This junior is endlessly grateful!"
Zheng Yuanzhuo, the Sect Leader of the Lingshan Sect, was one of only two Blood Realm masters in Qinghe County. After Zhu Huaishan’s passing, his seniority and status were the highest among all the martial artists.
Even if Zheng Yuanzhuo had sent any random disciple in his place, no one would have found fault. No one had expected him to come in person.
However, there was another reason for Gao Yuan’s surprise.
The Lingshan Sect and the Liuhe Sect had an ordinary relationship, even bordering on unfriendly.
There were two Blood Realm martial artists in Qinghe County, so naturally, they were often compared to each other.
Zhu Huaishan was at the Third Layer of the Blood Realm, one layer higher than Zheng Yuanzhuo. And although the Lingshan Sect had more members and a greater reputation, the quality of their disciples was uneven, and their public standing was not as good as the Liuhe Sect’s.
The two sects also had a sense of rivalry.
This was especially true after last year, when Chu Liu injured a disciple from the Lingshan Sect in a brothel. The incident caused quite a stir. Although Zhu Huaishan had taken the initiative to apologize to Zheng Yuanzhuo afterward, a grudge was formed between the two sects, and they had had no dealings since.
For Zheng Yuanzhuo to come to the ceremony, and even bring three of his favorite disciples, meant that Gao Yuan had to show him respect for the sake of appearances, performing the salute of a junior.
Zheng Yuanzhuo accepted it calmly and said in a booming voice, "I was devastated to hear of my old friend’s passing the other day. Fortunately, the Liuhe Sect has a worthy successor, so my old friend’s life’s work has not been in vain."
Though his words spoke of being devastated, his face showed no trace of sorrow.
Gao Yuan thanked him again and led Zheng Yuanzhuo and his disciples to their seats.
Then he raised his wine cup and announced loudly, "Thank you all for coming today. My skills are humble and my cultivation is mediocre. I hope you will all be tolerant of my shortcomings in the future." freeωebnovēl.c૦m
With that, he drained his cup in one gulp, and everyone else raised their cups and drank as well.
After that, food and wine were brought to the tables in a steady stream, and the scene became quite lively.
At this moment, Liu Kaishan, the master of the Kaisan Martial Arts Hall, suddenly stood up and said, "It’s rare for us martial artists of Qinghe to gather like this. Just eating and drinking is a bit dull. How about we have the disciples spar a bit to liven things up?"
