Chapter 13: I Want to Leave the Sect
With every word spoken, Mo Zichuan and Jiang Wanwan’s faces grew increasingly awkward, for she had spoken truly!
Seeing the situation, the entire hall of disciples erupted in murmurs, some even whispering that this was a great blow to the sect’s reputation.
Mo Zichuan’s complexion turned pale, while Zhai Zhe shouted angrily, “Silence!”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Is twisting the facts the responsibility of a senior sister?”
“If you do not repent, do not blame me for turning ruthless and acting as heaven’s enforcer!”
Shi Murang’s blood-streaked robes fluttered in the wind, her iron will unyielding and proud. On her stubborn face was a resolute, bitter smile.
“What does the sect leader mean? The senior sister is Jiang Wanwan, not me, Shi Murang.”
“Slander or divine justice, it’s always what you say, isn’t it?”
In an instant, the crowd seemed to see a girl wronged but unbowed, pitiful yet dignified.
No matter how downtrodden, she remained elegant, with bright eyes and perfect teeth, her gaze piercing and unforgettable.
Zhai Zhe’s breath caught, first stunned by Shi Murang’s eyes, then boiling with fury.
She refused to acknowledge the senior sister’s identity, and worse, called him sect leader instead of master!
How dare she!
Enraged, Zhai Zhe wanted to lash out, but to preserve his dignity as sect leader, he maintained a celestial composure, like an exiled immortal, hiding his true thoughts from the disciples.
If Shi Murang were a modern traveler, she might have muttered, “Such a good actor! What brand of plastic bag can hold so much?”
Silence fell like the calm before a storm among the disciples of the Heavenly Dao Sect.
Zhai Zhe radiated an oppressive aura that made it hard to breathe.
He raised his hand slightly, ready to decide Shi Murang’s fate.
At that moment, Jiang Wanwan rushed forward and knelt, looking utterly pitiful. “Master, please spare senior sister!”
Shi Murang raised an eyebrow, curious about what performance Jiang Wanwan was putting on this time.
“Senior sister is a good person. She must have been deceived by evildoers. Even if she made mistakes and inadvertently hurt many fellow disciples, she is innocent!”
“It’s all my fault. If I hadn’t appeared, senior sister wouldn’t have ended up like this. It’s all my mistake—please don’t blame senior sister!”
Jiang Wanwan’s tears fell sincerely, as if she were standing up fiercely for Shi Murang.
“After all, senior sister is an extraordinary genius—a young Golden Core cultivator. If she offends those who betray the sect, she’d be serving another sect’s cause for nothing.”
“Just punish her accordingly, but please, master, spare her life!”
“Of course, I’m not suggesting senior sister is the type to betray the sect or collude with outsiders. Those rumors must be baseless. I implore master to investigate thoroughly!”
Shi Murang could not help but applaud silently in her heart—this acting was truly convincing.
Look at how skillfully she turned the tide. After her words, even the previously sympathetic disciples began to look at Shi Murang with disdain.
Rather than pleading, it was more like highlighting the issue.
Intentions of the speaker and the hearts of the listeners were all too clear.
The disciples soon erupted in heated debate.
Especially those who had lost comrades—they wished Shi Murang dead immediately.
Even Zhai Zhe, who had not intended to kill her at first, now found himself wanting to strangle her.
She was truly a villain!
The clever Mo Zichuan noticed Jiang Wanwan’s words were somewhat off, clearly stirring up anger, but he believed she meant no harm.
She was simply too worried about Shi Murang, and to protect her, spoke without caution.
Such a kind junior sister.
“Sigh…” Several elders sighed, agreeing Shi Murang’s punishment was deserved.
Even death at the hands of the sect leader would be just.
However, Jiang Wanwan’s argument was indeed reasonable. Such a young Golden Core disciple was rare even in their Heavenly Dao Sect.
They knew that Golden Core elders in other sects wielded great power.
Having such a genius among their disciples, they did not want to lose her here.
“Sect leader, this is a grave matter. Jiang Wanwan’s words are not without merit…”
Zhai Zhe closed his eyes, as if struggling with a difficult decision.
Resolute, he looked at Shi Murang, all warmth extinguished: “Since everyone pleads for you, I will give you a chance.”
“But though you escape death, you will not escape punishment. You shall enter seclusion in the Forbidden Grounds to meditate on your mistakes, barred from leaving for a hundred years!”
“Your final phoenix bloodline will be stripped and merged with Wanwan’s. Such treachery is wasted on you.”
Jiang Wanwan gratefully kowtowed to Zhai Zhe, overjoyed for Shi Murang: “Thank you, master, for sparing her life!”
“Sect leader’s justice is righteous; we all admire you!” The elders echoed praise, relieved.
Thus, both the phoenix bloodline and the gifted disciple Shi Murang were preserved, while Jiang Wanwan’s talent would be enhanced.
It was the wisest choice!
“Thank you, master! I’m so glad, Murang, you’re safe. The master has forgiven your faults!” Mo Zichuan breathed a sigh of relief and looked happily at Shi Murang.
“Quickly apologize to the master!”
He helped Jiang Wanwan up cheerfully, then reached to pull Shi Murang forward.
Shi Murang stepped back half a pace, smirking at Mo Zichuan with a raised brow, then glanced at Zhai Zhe.
Her eyes seemed to say, “See? I told you so.”
Only then did everyone remember what Shi Murang had said earlier.
If she admitted guilt, they would strip her phoenix bloodline and transfer it to Jiang Wanwan.
“After all I’ve done for the sect, this is how it ends.”
“You say I twist facts? That I lie?”
“Master, I have always respected you as my teacher. When you accused me of twisting facts, I thought I was mistaken, that I misjudged you.”
“But in the end…”
“Who is this deep, heartfelt play staged for? For me!?”
Shi Murang screamed hoarsely, then seemed to lose all strength and collapsed to the ground.
The scene filled everyone with complicated emotions.
The disciples suddenly realized this was even more painful than death for Shi Murang.
Yet after Jiang Wanwan’s words, such punishment did not seem cruel but rather satisfying!
This was how it had to be. Why should so many disciples pay for Shi Murang’s mistakes?
Why should she escape death?
Only such punishment could restore balance to their hearts.
Some wiped tears from their eyes.
“I should feel happy and relieved, but seeing her fall like this, why do I feel such unbearable pain, as if I’ve lost something precious?”
Many felt the same.
Then they heard a cold, indifferent voice they would never forget.
“I’m leaving the sect.”