Martial Cultivator

At that moment, daoists from all directions in the temple began to gather. They arrived before the ancient pine, and upon witnessing the scene, the elder daoists bowed and asked, ”Temple Master, what has happened?”

Daoist Yinli said nothing, but soon, someone stepped forward to recount everything that had transpired. It was a daoist who had been hiding in the shadows, never revealing himself until now. He had recorded the entire event using a secret technique.

Upon learning the full story, the gathered daoists had extremely complicated expressions.

”According to the temple’s rules, Yun Jianyue’s audacity in attempting to assassinate the Temple Master warrants execution.”

A daoist spoke indifferently, his voice devoid of emotion.

Based on the events that had unfolded, Yun Jianyue had indeed attempted to kill Daoist Yinli. No matter how one looked at it, such an act was inexcusable.

Yet, many elderly daoists who had long admired Yun Jianyue found themselves struggling with the decision as they looked at the severely injured Yun Jianyue.

He was a rare genius of Daoism. If nothing unexpected happened, he was bound to one day reach the end of Nepenthe and become a great daoist sage.

If he were executed today, it would be an immense loss for the Infatuation Daoist Temple.

”Temple Master... Yun Jianyue must have been momentarily misled, and deceived by slanderous words. I watched this child grow up, he would never normally act in such a way... I implore Temple Master to investigate this matter and grant him a lighter punishment in consideration of his youth.”

One of the elderly daoists finally spoke, unable to bear seeing Yun Jianyue die like this.

”Youth? Does being young mean he can recklessly attempt to assassinate the Temple Master?” ”In my opinion, no matter one’s status, committing such an act must be punished according to the temple’s rules. If we do not uphold them, then what purpose do the temple’s rules serve?”

A voice rang out from the crowd, it came from the younger disciples who had hurried over. The one who had spoken was none other than Yu Lu, who had recently gained some renown in the temple.

As soon as Yu Lu spoke, a group of young disciples immediately echoed his sentiments, all expressing their agreement with Yu Lu’s point of view.

The elderly daoist’s expression became ugly as he looked at Yu Lu. On any other day, an ordinary disciple like Yu Lu would have been harshly reprimanded for speaking out of turn. How was this a time and place for a junior to voice his opinions?

However, he also knew that Yu Lu was the Temple Master’s Dao attendant and naturally could not say anything to reprimand him. Moreover, other than Yu Lu, many other young disciples also supported enforcing the temple’s rules to punish Yun Jianyue.

”Temple Master, Senior Brother Yun lost his head for a moment and committed this grave mistake. Temple Master is benevolent, please be merciful!”

A group of young disciples who were usually close to Yun Jianyue stepped forward and knelt on one knee before Daoist Yinli, pleading for leniency on Yun Jianyue’s behalf.

Ye Zhihua had also arrived in the distance but did not step forward. She just watched from a distance.

It was unknown what this other half of the Twin Pillars of Daoism was thinking.

Yu Lu spoke up again, ”Temple Master, if Yun Jianyue is not punished, then what is the point of the temple’s rules? Would the past temple masters, watching from the heavens, simply allow the temple’s rules to be discarded?”

His words immediately drew glares from countless young daoists. Many were displeased with this young daoist who now reveled in his moment of influence. Were it not for his connection to Daoist Yinli, he would have long been met with angry rebukes by people.

Daoist Yinli remained silent the entire time, listening to the disciples’ arguments for a long time before finally saying indifferently, ”Yun Jianyue, do you have any remorse?”

He directed his question at Yun Jianyue, and naturally, everyone’s gaze fell upon Yun Jianyue.

Yet, this one of the Twin Pillars of Daoism simply sat on the ground, staring at Daoist Yinli. He said calmly, ”Chief Enforcer, when people do things, Heaven is watching. One cannot escape from it.”

”Senior Brother Yun!”

A group of young disciples hurriedly interrupted him, fearing that if he spoke further, today would truly be the day of his death.

Daoist Yinli suddenly laughed, ”Indeed, your mind is possessed by obsession. Since you are a junior whom my senior brother greatly admired, and with the body of my senior brother still warm, how could I bring myself to kill you?”

After speaking these words, Daoist Yinli turned to Yu Lu and said indifferently, ”Since we are all from the same sect, we should share the same virtues. Why must you push someone to the brink of death? How could you act this way? Take him away and administer fifty lashes of the Bone Corrosive Whip, let him reflect deeply.”

The Bone Corrosive Whip was a punishment at the Infatuation Daoist Temple. Unlike ordinary people, cultivators would feel little pain from ordinary whips, but the Bone Corrosive Whip inflicted excruciating pain, as though the bones themselves were being corroded.

Yu Lu’s face turned ashen upon hearing this. He immediately knelt, but gritted his teeth and said, ”This disciple accepts the punishment.”

Daoist Yinli did not look at him, he merely turned his indifferent gaze back to Yun Jianyue and said, ”Yun Jianyue has committed such a great offense. I do not wish to kill him, but the temple’s rules cannot be broken. There must be some form of punishment, otherwise, how will the disciples be convinced? He’ll be confined to the Soul Locking Prison for ten years, where he can reflect and cultivate in solitude.”

The Soul Locking Prison was a place in the Infatuation Daoist Temple used to imprison disciples who had committed wrongdoings. Many disciples who had erred but whose offenses were not severe enough for execution or expulsion from the mountain would be confined there.

The duration of imprisonment varied. Given the gravity of Yun Jianyue’s transgression, even a lifetime sentence would not have been unreasonable. However, as a genius of Daoism, if he were truly to be confined there for life, it would be no different from killing him.

Daoist Yinli’s punishment was actually already very appropriate.

“Does anyone still have any objections?”

Daoist Yinli looked at the gathered disciples and casually asked.

”Temple Master is benevolent. We have no objections.”

The disciples responded in unison. From this moment on, many among them gained newfound admiration for Daoist Yinli.

Words spoken in ordinary times were one thing, but to prioritize the greater good of the Infatuation Daoist Temple in this moment and spare Yun Jianyue’s life demonstrated just how magnanimous this Temple Master truly was.

“Since there are no objections, then disperse. I have sustained some injuries and need to rest. During these days, the affairs of the temple will be handled by Junior Brother Shouyi.”

Daoist Yinli spoke calmly and turned his gaze toward an unassuming middle-aged daoist among the crowd.

That daoist was Daoist Shouyi, a trusted confidant of Daoist Yinli. He currently oversaw the Disciplinary Hall and held a considerable position within the temple.

Hearing Daoist Yinli mention his own injuries, some cultivators were shocked. They had not expected that Yun Jianyue, who had only just stepped into the Nepenthe Realm, could actually wound Daoist Yinli. Such cultivation was exceedingly rare.

This only reaffirmed to most people that the decision made today was the right one.

Once the crowd had dispersed, the black ox emerged from the shadows, grinning as it said, “Truly a brilliant move, Sage. Not only did you deal with Yun Jianyue, but you also won over the hearts of the people. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!”

Daoist Yinli remained silent, merely closing his eyes to rest. Seeing this, the black ox knew better than to continue speaking and soon withdrew with disgruntlement.

Not long after, Yu Lu arrived, limping slightly. He had changed into a fresh daoist robe, but his complexion was pale, clearly showing signs of injury.

This was normal, after all, the Bone Corrosive Whip was not something an ordinary person could endure.

He slowly knelt before Daoist Yinli without speaking.

Daoist Yinli was not in a hurry to speak either. He just flicked his fingers, sending a single pill falling before Yu Lu.

Yu Lu cupped the pill with both hands, swallowed it without hesitation, and then kowtowed in gratitude. “Many thanks for the medicine, Temple Master.”

Daoist Yinli said coolly, “I never instructed you to act as you did. Why did you take matters into your own hands?”

He was referring to Yu Lu speaking out earlier.

Yu Lu straightened up, wincing from the pain. “Since Temple Master had such intentions, naturally, this disciple had to put on a convincing act. Otherwise, how would they come to feel gratitude and loyalty toward Temple Master?”

“You truly are sharp-witted. Not bad, I was not mistaken about you.”

Daoist Yinli spoke calmly, revealing his appreciation.

“Since I’m Temple Master’s Dao attendant, it is only right that I consider Temple Master’s interests in all things.”

After taking the medicinal pill, Yu Lu felt much better, his eyes filled with gratitude.

“Yun Jianyue is now imprisoned in the Soul Locking Prison. Keep a close watch on him, make sure he doesn’t escape. Most of the people in this temple are his friends.”

Daoist Yinli tossed over a waist token. “Take this. It will grant you free access to the Soul Locking Prison.”