Chapter 1503 Punishment
All the Autumn Dew Mountain’s disciples who rushed into the arena were sent flying by Lu Zhou. His precise control caused their blood and qi to surge and caused their arms to go numb. It was only for Chen Fu’s sake that he did not kill them. Even then, just this move alone was enough to bring fear into their hearts.
Lu Zhou looked at the people lying on the ground in pain with his hands on his back before he said, “As Chen Fu’s disciple, you actually launched a sneak attack? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at?” “He’s a diabolic cultivator!” Zhang Xiaoruo protested as he clutched his chest with one hand and pointed at Duanmu Sheng with the other hand. He had mustered up all his courage to speak up.
“Shut up!” At this moment, Chen Fu rose to his feet. He had long been in a bad mood and could no longer contain his anger.
Upon seeing this, the disciples of the Autumn Dew Mountain shuddered. Although Chen Fu looked haggard and weak, his sacred position and authority in everyone’s hearts did not change.
Chen Fu’s expression was dark as he glared at Zhang Xiaoruo and pointed at him. “Wicked disciple! What were you thinking?”
“M-master?” Zhang Xiaoruo felt as though he had been doused with a bucket of cold water. He did not understand why his master was standing up for an outsider. How could they let outsiders act as they pleased here?
Zhang Xiaoruo looked at his master in confusion. When his eyes s.h.i.+fted to the people of the Evil Sky Pavilion, he grew angry again. His master was a Great Saint; why should he be afraid of these people?
Chen Fu continued to say angrily, “Wicked disciple, have you forgotten my teachings?”
“Master, I… What did I do wrong?” Zhang Xiaoruo asked, confused.
Everyone from the Evil Sky Pavilion shook their heads.
Just from this alone, it was clear how different the disciples of the Autumn Dew Mountain and the disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion were.
If the disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion were reprimanded, they would not ask for the reason. If their master reprimanded or punished them, they would admit their mistakes first even if they did not know what they did wrong. After all, as long as it was nothing too serious, they would show respect to their master first.
Seeing that Zhang Xiaoruo did not even know what he did wrong, Chen Fu grew even angrier. He said, “Kneel!”
No matter how bold or angry Zhang Xiaoruo was, he did not dare to disobey his master in front of his fellow disciples and the other members of the Autumn Dew Mountain. He kneeled immediately.
Thud!
Chen Fu asked sternly, “They’re honored guests I invited here. I told you to spar, but what did you do earlier?”
“This… I…” Zhang Xiaoruo hesitated for a moment before he said, “I didn’t do anything wrong. I only wanted to win back the dignity of the Autumn Dew Mountain. Since the cultivation of our friends from the Evil Sky Pavilion is profound, I can only go all out. It’s through that we should hold back when sparring, but the sword has no eyes, after all. No one can guarantee they won’t get hurt during a sparring session. Please forgive me, master.”
Chen Fu was so angry that he coughed violently again. “You unfilial disciple! You’re truly unfilial!”
Zhang Xiaoruo’s words brought chaos to Chen Fu’s state of mind. Over the years, even when he faced his seriously injured disciples or when his disciples acted outrageously, he had never lost control of his anger in this manner. However, today, Zhang Xiaoruo’s words greatly disturbed his state of mind.
“Master!” Zhang Xiaoruo got up, looking very worried.
“Enough,” Lu Zhou suddenly said. His voice that contained faint Primal Qi caused everyone to fall silent.
No one dared to speak at this moment.
“Chen Fu, I shouldn’t interfere when you teach your disciple a lesson. However, your body is weak now. Moreover, your disciples are just waiting to rebel,” Lu Zhou said.
These words were both directed at Chen Fu and his ten disciples. Chen Fu’s ten disciples did not dare to protest when they heard these words. Instead, all of them kneeled in unison. Then, they began to speak one after another.
“I don’t dare to do such a thing, master!” “I’m extremely loyal to master! The sun and the moon can be my witness!”
One by one, they began to proclaim their loyalty.
Upon seeing this, the disciples of the Evil Sky Pavilion scratched their heads, feeling awkward. They felt a sense of déjà vu. When Chen Fu was about to speak, Lu Zhou raised his hand and interjected, “You’re host, and I’m just a guest. Under normal circ.u.mstances, the guest should follow the host’s wishes. However, your situation isn’t good now. If you think it’s appropriate, I’ll deal with it on your behalf. What do you think?”
Chen Fu was naturally eager to agree to Lu Zhou. Zhang Xiaoruo’s fleeting killing intent did not escape his notice earlier. Moreover, he had also invited Lu Zhou here in hopes that Lu Zhou would take charge of the world so that the peace would continue. Moreover, it was a fact that his disciple tried to launch a sneak attack on Lu Zhou’s disciple. It was only right that he let Lu Zhou deal with this. On the contrary, the disciples of the Autumn Dew Mountain wore shocked expressions on their faces. How could it be like this? Was this not stealing the limelight from their master?
Chen Fu said, “That’s a great idea.”
The disciples of the Autumn Dew Mountain:
Lu Zhou looked at the disciples of the Autumn Dew Mountain. No one in the world could empathize with Chen Fu more than he did at this moment. Then, he said earnestly, “Your master, Great Saint Chen, and I can be considered to have a mutual understanding after we got to know each other.” Then, he turned to Chen Fu and said, “Thank you for your trust and for inviting me here as your guest. The Autumn Dew Mountain is a friend of the Evil Sky Pavilion.”
“The Evil Sky Pavilion is a friend of the Autumn Dew Mountain as well,” Chen Fu said.
Lu Zhou nodded before he called out, “Zhang Xiaoruo.”
Zhang Xiaoruo was stunned for a moment. “S-senior?”
“When you sparred with my disciple, victory was in your grasp. If you had fought steadily, you could’ve won. Alas, you’re impulsive and eager to win. You even carried killing intent. Do you admit it?” Lu Zhou asked.
Zhang Xiaoruo protested again. “Killing intent? Senior, don’t slander me. How could I carry killing intent? We were sparring. Injuries are unavoidable in sparring sessions.”
Seeing that Zhang Xiaoruo was still trying to quibble, Lu Zhou sighed and shook his head. Then, he said, “I’ll give you one last chance.”
Zhang Xiaoruo was slightly startled by these threatening words. He turned to look at his expressionless master before he looked at Lu Zhou again. Then, realization dawned on him. It seemed like the sparring sessions were just an excuse; his master had found a helper. With this knowledge, he stubbornly said, “I didn’t do anything wrong!”
Lu Zhou sighed again as he looked at Chen Fu and asked, “Saint Chen, this is your disciple. How do you want to deal with him?”
If this were in the past, Chen Fu might have gotten up and taught Zhang Xiaoruo a lesson. Unfortunately, he was weak and dying now. He was not afraid of life and death, but he could not let go of the world. Otherwise, he would no longer bother himself with worldly affairs.
Finally, Chen Fu said, “Brother Lu, just do as you wish.”
IIII
Chen Fu’s disciples were in an uproar. This was equivalent to putting their lives in the other party’s hands. This was enough to make them feel a chill in their hearts.
At this time, Lu Zhou said in a deep voice, “Very well.” Then, he looked at Zhang Xiaoruo again and said, “I will punish you on your master’s behalf. I hope you’ll turn over a new leaf in the future.”
Zhang Xiaoruo grew even more angry and unresigned. “Wait,” Chen Fu suddenly said. He knew Lu Zhou was already being very lenient on his behalf.
“You want to protect him?” Lu Zhou asked.
Chen Fu shook his head and said, “Zhang Xiaoruo, I’ve warned you once when you colluded with the envoy from the Eastern Capital. Now that committed another mistake, you have to be punished. I will destroy three of your Birth Charts as a punishment. Do you accept this punishment?” “T-three, three Birth Charts?”
Zhou Guang, Chen Fu’s third disciple, Yun Tongxiao, Chen Fu’s fourth disciple, and a few others who were not Venerable Masters kowtowed immediately. “Master, although Old Fifth is wrong, it’s not right to destroy three of his Birth Charts. Isn’t this punishment too severe?” Zhou Guang said.
“That’s right. Master, Old Fifth just became a Venerable Master not too long ago. Although Venerable Masters can restore their Birth Charts within three days, how’s he going to find suitable life hearts in such a short time?” Yun Tongxiao said.
“I beg master to spare Fifth Junior Brother!”
“Master, I beg you to show mercy!”
Chen Fu ignored his disciples’ pleas and continued to say indifferently, “Apart from destroying three of your Birth Charts, you’re not allowed to restore them within these three days.”
Chen Fu’s disciples cried out in unison, “Master!”