Chapter Seventy-One: A Midnight Conversation

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“Oh? Is there really such a rule? As I recall, the ninth precept of our sect states quite clearly: ‘If one harbors ill intent toward a fellow disciple, but no grave consequences result, the lightest punishment is confinement and reflection, with an order to correct one’s behavior. For more serious cases, the full weight of the sect’s laws shall be enforced as a warning to others.’”

Yang Jian glanced sidelong at Han Feng, a hint of satisfaction on his face as he spoke. He had recently studied a great deal about the sect’s penal code—after all, he now held the honor of serving as the law enforcement officer. If he did not understand the intricacies of the rules, he felt it would be quite an embarrassment.

“You—You’re blatantly favoring Che Wuyou! I bet he’s given you all sorts of benefits, and that’s why you’re defending him!” Han Feng glared at Yang Jian in anger. This fellow had changed so much—he used to threaten Che Wuyou at every turn, but now he was going out of his way to help him. Han Feng really couldn’t fathom what was going on in his head.

“According to the eleventh precept, second clause: ‘Should anyone, without concrete evidence, attempt to slander a fellow disciple and cause a negative impact, the lightest punishment is three months’ loss of stipend; the heaviest, enforcement of sect discipline and a formal order to correct their mistake. If one refuses, they shall be slapped in public as a warning to others.’”

Yang Jian gave Han Feng a sly smile. “Junior Brother Han, since I became the law enforcement officer at Miao Manor, I have always worked diligently and impartially, treading carefully at every step to set an example for my juniors. And yet, even with such caution, you question my integrity…”

He fixed Han Feng with a sharp stare. “Tell me, what are your motives? You have slandered me and undermined my authority—how am I to enforce the law in the future? If you don’t give me a satisfactory explanation today, I will have no choice but to fulfill my duty as law officer and administer a few slaps in public, to uphold the seriousness of our rules.”

Han Feng’s lips trembled, but he could find no retort. He, the supposed victim, had argued his case for so long, only to find himself facing the threat of public humiliation. Meanwhile, Che Wuyou, the one who had acted out, seemed to escape unscathed. Han Feng felt utterly at a loss for justice.

“All right, all right—let’s focus on how to deal with Che Wuyou. Everything else can wait.” Miao Shilin, seeing Yang Jian’s attempts to muddy the waters, frowned and spoke with authority. “Those who agree with Yang Jian’s proposal for solitary reflection and a one-month house arrest, please stand to my left.”

After speaking, Miao Shilin gave Yang Jian a puzzled glance. In his memory, Yang Jian had always been forthright and direct—why had he become so cunning? Was it all those books he’d read? Perhaps appointing him as law officer had been a mistake. The old saying proved true: a rogue is nothing to fear—unless he’s an educated rogue.

Yang Jian, hearing Miao Shilin’s words, threw a triumphant glare at Han Feng before moving, still grumbling, to stand on Miao Shilin’s left. With Yang Jian taking the lead, Lu Haitang, Duan Xiaoyuan, and others followed suit.

Once these influential figures shifted, a crowd quickly formed at Miao Shilin’s left. Some hesitated, but after seeing the numbers already gathered, they reluctantly joined as well.

Han Feng looked around—aside from a handful of close friends, no one stood with him. His expression darkened further; his own brothers and sisters would rather side with outsiders than support him. Disheartened, he thought that once this was over, he might as well leave Miao Manor and seek his fortune elsewhere. There was no point in staying here anymore. Only the thought of never seeing his little junior sister again left him melancholic—he hoped they might meet again someday.

Han Feng still bore no grudge against Liu Lanzhi; in his eyes, she was always perfect, if a bit stubborn and willful. But he didn’t mind these flaws—in fact, he found them oddly endearing. Watching Liu Lanzhi standing gracefully by Che Wuyou’s side, Han Feng suddenly felt a pang of regret. If he’d known she would protect Che Wuyou so fiercely, he would have chosen to remain friends with him forever.

Miao Shilin, observing the one-sided outcome, was somewhat astonished. He sighed inwardly: Miao Manor has now formed a dominant faction—Liu Lanzhi’s wings have fully grown.

Pacing the hall, Miao Shilin knew he alone must decide Che Wuyou’s fate.

“Che Wuyou has rare talent in alchemy. Though he has committed a grave error, considering his achievements in the alchemy competition and the merit he has brought to Miao Manor, let him be confined for one month as punishment.” Miao Shilin stopped and spoke with calm authority. “This assembly is dismissed. Che Wuyou, go kneel in the courtyard and reflect on your actions.”

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Snow fell ever heavier, and a biting wind began to howl. The night grew extraordinarily cold—Che Wuyou had never felt such chill in all his life. Dressed in thin clothing, he knelt in the wind and snow, resembling a snowman. The icy wind, sharp as steel needles, stabbed him until his whole body was numb and aching. He felt as if his limbs were turning to stone.

“Fool, you must be freezing. Why don’t you find shelter? You’re just too honest.” At that moment, a figure appeared beside him and sighed softly. “Here—take this Cold Dispelling Pill. Swallow it quickly to warm yourself, lest you catch your death out here.”

Che Wuyou jolted awake as if from a dream. He looked up in surprise and joy at the figure beside him. “Lanzhi, you’re not angry with me? Today I… I’m sorry. I didn’t want things to turn out this way.”

“How could I be angry with you? Besides, you already know you were wrong.” Liu Lanzhi gave a gentle smile. “I understand your pain—Han Feng treated you so harshly. If it were me, I might have wanted to kill him too. But he’s still our senior brother, and a senior is like a father—that’s what Master told me when I first joined the sect. In our Miao family, this is held above all.”

“He was in the wrong, and we can teach him a lesson, but we must never kill him. The stain of fratricide is already too much for our sect—I don’t want to see it happen again. Do you understand, you silly fool?”

Her affectionate words stirred something deep within Che Wuyou’s heart. After a long silence, he finally nodded. “I understand, Lanzhi. I promise you, no matter what Han Feng does to me in the future, I will not lose my temper, nor will I ever wish him harm.”

“I’m glad to hear it. You’re still injured—go inside and keep warm. Master isn’t here, so you can sneak back out at dawn to continue your punishment.”

“No, what if Master finds out? I’d better stay here. It’s just one night—I won’t freeze to death.”

She giggled. “You’re tough enough, that’s true, but I worry you might catch something that affects your future cultivation.”

He gave a wry smile. “With my poor aptitude, even if my training suffers, it can’t get much worse.”

“What if you freeze yourself stupid? You may be untalented now, but you’re not dumb. If you turn out both stupid and slow, how will you ever find a wife? Ha ha, ha ha.”

Che Wuyou fumbled for words. “But, isn’t there still…”

“Wuyou, you mustn’t say such things—I'm still just a girl, you know.”

After his words slipped out, Che Wuyou watched Liu Lanzhi closely, worried she might be angry, but she wasn’t. Relieved, he said, “Lanzhi, have you ever thought about leaving Jizhou? The world outside is so vast—don’t you want to see it?”

“Are you tired of Jizhou? Do you plan to leave someday?”

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“I won’t leave. I’ll follow you wherever you go.”

“Oh? If I ever set out, it would be to Azure Pool Sword Sect. They say it’s the greatest sect in the land, even grander than the Ye family of the southern frontier. It’s said Azure Pool’s experts are beyond count, and their talented disciples are as numerous as the fish in the river. If we could join them—even just imagining it makes my heart race.”

“With your talent, Azure Pool Sword Sect would welcome you with open arms. But me… I doubt they’d ever accept me.”

“It doesn’t matter. As long as your senior sister is there, nothing is impossible. If I join Azure Pool, I’ll find a way to bring you in too.”

“I hear Azure Pool’s selection for disciples is extremely strict. Every candidate is rigorously screened—they claim that every disciple is an elite. It would be very hard for me to get in.”

“Then we won’t go. We’ll stay in Jizhou our whole lives, just the two of us.”

“But… I want to see the world,” Che Wuyou said, troubled.

“Why do you want to go out there? The world is chaotic. Who knows when you might lose your life?”

“I must form a golden core. If I stay here, I fear I’ll never achieve it. And if I can’t, how can I hope to spend my life with you?”

“Silly, I thought you were tired of Jizhou. You really are a fool… Everyone dies eventually. Whether you form a golden core or not, it’s just an extra hundred years of life. Unless you can ascend to immortality and open the gates of heaven, only then can you live forever.”

The two of them chatted idly, not knowing how much time passed. Perhaps it was a very long time before Liu Lanzhi finally left.

By then, dawn was breaking. Che Wuyou, groggy, glanced to his side and saw that Liu Lanzhi was gone. He stretched his neck and blinked. He had actually fallen asleep. Brushing the snow off his body, he noticed something strange—a fox-fur cloak had been draped over him. No wonder he had managed to sleep through the freezing night.

Feeling the warmth of the fox-fur cloak, Che Wuyou’s heart filled with gratitude. Meeting Lanzhi in this life was truly his good fortune. Though his years at Miao Manor had been filled with hardships, with Lanzhi by his side, it was all worthwhile.