Chapter 33 - 8: The Flogging

Pang Zhixue agreed. He stated calmly, "Sect Rule Twenty: Sword Sect disciples shall be united and help one another. Those who scheme against and seek to harm their fellow sect members shall, depending on the severity of the offense, receive a minimum of ten lashes from the whip or a maximum punishment of utter annihilation by lightning."

"Ye Zhaozhao’s malicious intent is beyond doubt. However, as her actions did not result in severe consequences, the sentence is ten lashes."

Ten lashes...

Ye Zhaozhao’s face paled.

’This was the lightest possible punishment for framing a fellow sect member, but the Law Enforcement Hall’s lashes are anything but easy to endure!’

’After these ten lashes, I’m afraid I’ll be bedridden for quite some time!’

"Master." Ye Zhaozhao looked pleadingly at Master Lingxu.

Master Lingxu’s expression was glacial.

’This sentence isn’t just about punishing Ye Zhaozhao; it’s a slap in my face!’

He was the one who had driven Li Shuang away.

He was the one who had protected Ye Zhaozhao.

’Doesn’t this just prove I backed the wrong person?’

At this point, it was less about defending Ye Zhaozhao and more about preserving his own dignity. Master Lingxu spoke coldly, "Zhaozhao can accept the lashes. But what about Li Shuang? She abandoned her fellow disciples on the Snow Mountain. Shouldn’t she be punished for that as well?"

Before Li Shuang could respond, Pang Zhixue said, "Regarding the Snow Mountain incident, if there is concrete evidence, the law will naturally be enforced."

The implication was clear.

There was no evidence for what happened on the Snow Mountain.

While Sheng Yuan and the others were partial to Ye Zhaozhao, they wouldn’t go so far as to lie outright. Apart from Ye Zhaozhao herself, no one else had witnessed the so-called abandonment of her sect-mates.

Furthermore, Li Shuang had a completely different story, and there was no conclusive evidence to prove either her account or Ye Zhaozhao’s.

That being the case...

It was an unsolved case. And how could one pass judgment on an unsolved case?

Master Lingxu grit his teeth, his expression cold. "One day, the truth about the Snow Mountain will come to light. We’ll see how you handle yourself then."

Li Shuang’s expression was serene. "I will be waiting for that day."

Master Lingxu snorted coldly. He was seething with frustration but had nothing more to say.

"Then, carry out the sentence," Pang Zhixue said. "Ye Zhaozhao is a Nascent Soul Stage disciple, so the punishment will be administered by a Nascent Soul Stage disciple. Yun Ge, you do it."

Law Enforcement Hall disciple Jiang Yunge acknowledged the order, and a whip, black on top and red on the bottom, appeared in her hand.

Water is the Black Tortoise. The Black Tortoise resides in the North and governs the color black.

Fire is the Vermilion Bird. The Vermilion Bird resides in the South and governs the color red.

Water and fire are merciless, and so are the sect’s laws.

As the Sword Sect’s law enforcement body, the Law Enforcement Hall wielded this whip, a symbol of fairness and justice that served as a deterrent to all disciples of the sect.

Ye Zhaozhao’s body trembled. She wanted to say something more, but the Law Enforcement Hall disciples had already disarmed her of the Dragon Roar Sword and forced her to the ground.

"Junior Sister!" Chang Le’an grew anxious and rushed forward to stop them.

Master Lingxu raised a hand, stopping him with a blank expression. "For a sect disciple to interfere with law enforcement is also a crime."

Chang Le’an’s eyes turned bloodshot. ’Am I supposed to just stand here and watch?’

Sheng Yuan pressed his lips together tightly.

’A moment ago, I thought Ye Zhaozhao was in the wrong, but now I feel that Li Shuang is being too cruel.’

’Senior Sister...’

’When did she become so unforgiving!’

Under the gazes of the crowd, the first lash fell.

Ye Zhaozhao knew she couldn’t escape this punishment. She had originally planned to endure it to show some backbone.

However, as the whip struck, a bone-deep pain washed over her.

Ye Zhaozhao had never suffered such hardship. She immediately let out a loud wail.

However, the second lash followed right after.

Ye Zhaozhao screamed even louder, tears and snot streaming down her face.

Sheng Yuan’s heart trembled as he watched.

’Since joining Lingxu Peak, Ye Zhaozhao has never experienced such suffering.’

’After these ten lashes, I can’t imagine how much pain she’ll be in.’

Chang Le’an glared at Li Shuang, his eyes practically shooting fire.

’It’s all Li Shuang’s fault!’

’Otherwise, Junior Sister would never have had to suffer like this.’

The third lash, the fourth...

Listening to Ye Zhaozhao’s wails, Jiang Yunge was rather speechless.

’This isn’t my first time carrying out a sentence, but Ye Zhaozhao is the only one who’s ever been this dramatic.’

But regardless of how much Ye Zhaozhao cried and sniveled, she administered all ten lashes without fail. Afterward, Jiang Yunge retreated back into the crowd.

Ye Zhaozhao lay on the ground, unable to even make a sound.

Chang Le’an was the first to rush over, lifting Ye Zhaozhao into his arms with a pained expression.

He glared at Li Shuang angrily. "Are you satisfied now?"

Li Shuang’s expression was calm. "All I sought was a simple thing: fairness. Now that my wish has been granted, I am, of course, satisfied."

Chang Le’an gritted his teeth, a trace of hatred in his eyes as he looked at her.

He was truly furious!

’This time, Li Shuang has gone too far.’

’From now on, I will never forgive my Senior Sister again!’

Sheng Yuan gave Li Shuang a complicated look, then said, "Third Junior Brother, that’s enough. Take Junior Sister back and tend to her wounds first."

Chang Le’an suppressed his anger and nodded. He was just about to leave with Ye Zhaozhao.

Hong Sheng’s voice drawled lazily, "Your Sword Sect’s internal punishment is over, but my Spiritual Artifact Pavilion’s business is not."

Ye Zhaozhao, who had been feigning unconsciousness from the beating, couldn’t help but let her eyelashes twitch.

She was annoyed. ’How is this stupid thing still not over?’

Master Lingxu said angrily, "You, Hong! Zhaozhao has already been punished, what more do you want? Business is a matter of mutual consent. How can you pin all the blame on Zhaozhao?"

Hong Sheng nodded and said, "Of course we can’t. Manager Qiu’s fault is equally great. When someone from the Spiritual Artifact Pavilion headquarters arrives, he will likely be stripped of his managerial position and sentenced to a hefty fine."

"And?" Master Lingxu watched him coldly.

Hong Sheng smiled. "Over the years of our collaboration, Manager Qiu has reaped considerable profits. Because Ye Zhaozhao is a Sword Sect disciple, and out of respect for the Sword Sect, he gave her a full and generous share of the dividends. Over the past few years, the dividends Ye Zhaozhao has received add up to several thousand top-grade spirit stones. Manager Qiu has prepared a detailed list. Manager Qiu, please give that list to Master Pang as well."

Manager Qiu shot Ye Zhaozhao a venomous glance, then handed the list to Pang Zhixue.

The moment the blind box incident came to light today, he knew his position as manager was no longer secure.

He had acted decisively, giving years of his savings to Honored Hong to ask him to make this trip.

His goal was simple.

One, since he was now in such a miserable state, he absolutely could not let Ye Zhaozhao get away unscathed.

Two, the Spiritual Artifact Pavilion would certainly fine him, and Ye Zhaozhao had to cough up some of those spirit stones.

Pang Zhixue glanced through the list, and his expression shifted slightly.

A Nascent Soul Stage disciple had managed to accumulate several thousand top-grade spirit stones over the years.

Her wealth was truly staggering.

The ledger also detailed the money-making schemes Ye Zhaozhao had provided.

’These methods... while profitable, are far too greedy.’

’It’s only because the Spiritual Artifact Pavilion is supported by a century of reputation that this hadn’t blown up yet.’

Otherwise, even without Li Shuang exposing them, Ye Zhaozhao and Manager Qiu’s operation would have sooner or later caused a massive scandal!

Several thousand top-grade spirit stones!

Even Master Lingxu couldn’t help but glance at Ye Zhaozhao.

He had a small quirk: a love for wealth. Another reason he was so partial to Ye Zhaozhao was that she often took the initiative to give him spirit stones.

Every time, Ye Zhaozhao would earnestly claim that it was her entire fortune.

Seeing her filial piety, Master Lingxu couldn’t help but favor Ye Zhaozhao even more.

But now, looking at this...

’She secretly has a fortune of several thousand top-grade spirit stones? In that case, the ones she gave me as a sign of respect...’

Master Lingxu’s expression couldn’t help but change slightly.