"So, Chu Tian, Zhong Guang, the two of you who led the insurrection, step outside and receive twenty lashes. Anyone else who offends again will be severely punished."
Upon hearing this, Chu Tian and Zhong Guang didnât even dare to plead for mercy. Why? Because standing before them was Elder Quan, known for his decisive cruelties. Offending him would mean their lives were as worthless as childâs play.
They could only clasp their fists and say, "Yes, we accept the punishment!"
At this moment, Elder Quan looked at Chen Jiusi and said, "You are Chen Jiusi?"
Chen Jie said, "I am Chen Jiusi. Greetings to Elder Quan."
Elder Quan chuckled, "Hehehe, youâre quite something. You managed to see through our arrangements in Huangzhou Prefectureâyouâre a real talent."
"But I heard what they said earlier. Youâve indeed caused our Holy Sect to lose quite a number of our people. This is a grave sin, a crime difficult to atone for, so Iâm afraid I canât spare you."
"Ah, Elder Quan."
Han Lingâer was instantly flustered upon hearing this and exclaimed in shock.
Elder Quan squatted down at this point and said, "Saintess, Iâll teach you the second lesson today: rewards and punishments should be clear."
"These people who led the insurrection must not be allowed to inflate their arroganceâthey must be severely punished."
"But this person harmed our Holy Sectâs members, and he also cannot be forgiven. Although the Saintess is fond of this person, we cannot let personal likes and dislikes influence the interests of the entire Holy Sect."
"Therefore, this person must be killed!"
Upon hearing this, Han Lingâer fell silent.
She looked at Chen Jiusi and then at Elder Quan, her face full of conflict.
How should she choose?
Chen Jiusiâs heart trembled as well. He didnât expect this turn of events; he thought coming here would be smooth sailing, but who would have thought the Saintess wasnât as authoritative as he believed.
No, he couldnât just sit and wait for death.
However, the person in front of him was an elder of the Dragon Realm. Escaping from his hands wouldnât be easy.
With this in mind, Chen Jie quickly devised a strategy. What should he do?
But Chen Jie realized that it was very difficult to come up with a way to escape. If he couldnât manage, heâd have to bring up someone else, although he wasnât sure if it would work.
Chen Jie pondered, contemplating in his heart how to cleverly bring someone up.
And whom would he bring up? Naturally, Peng Yingyu.
This thought crossed Chen Jieâs mind.
Just then, Han Lingâer finally made up her mind and said, "Then, letâs listen to Elder Quan."
Upon hearing this, Elder Quan laughed aloud, "The Saintess indeed has a noble character and is quick to understand."
After his words, Elder Quan looked at Chen Jiusi and said, "Chen Jiusi, it seems we can only inconvenience you. Men, drag him out for execution!"
"Yes!"
With a command, people immediately came forward to prepare to execute Chen Jie.
Chu Tian and Zhong Guang watched with faces full of delight, thinking that this person deserved to die.
Just as Chen Jie was about to speak, suddenly, a voice shouted from behind, "Wait!"
Everyone was shocked and turned to look, only to find it was Han He.
Chu Tian frowned and said, "Han He, what place do you have to speak here? Stand down."
Han He did not back down but said, "Elder Quan, this person cannot be killed; otherwise, the Holy Sect will not be able to bear the consequences."
Upon hearing this, everyone was stunned, and then Chu Tian burst into laughter, "Hahaha..."
"Han He, what nonsense are you spouting? Itâs just a mere leader of the Mianshui Fishermen Guild. What consequences could killing him bring, consequences we canât bear? Ridiculous, hahaha..."
"Yes, Han He, did you perhaps know him before and now wish to plead for him? I tell you, it wonât work. He must die today; no amount of pleading will help."
Zhong Guang also spoke up.
The people around also shouted, "Yes, today Chen Jiusi must die. No amount of pleading will help. Kill, kill, kill!"
The shout of "kill" echoed in the cave, tremendously terrifying.
Han He remained silent for a moment upon seeing this. Elder Quan frowned and looked at Han He, saying, "Han He, what do you mean by this? What do you mean by saying that killing him would have unbearable consequences for the Holy Sect?"
Han He clasped his fists and said, "Elder Quan, Iâm not trying to frighten you. I only have the Holy Sectâs best interests at heart. This Chen Jiusi cannot be killed!"
"Heh, I donât believe thereâs anyone I canât kill. Explain your reasons, and if you fail to convince me, it wonât just be him; you also wonât escape punishment!"
Hearing this, Han He said, "Elder Quan, my intention is solely for the Holy Sect. The reason he canât be killed is that he is Peng Yingyu, favored by the Venerable Peng!"
"What!"
"How can this be possible!"
Everyone around was wide-eyed in disbelief upon hearing this.
Elder Quan furrowed his brow at this moment as well.
"Favored by Venerable Peng?"
Elder Quan scrutinized Chen Jie, looking incredulous.
The Zoroastrian Three Venerables, Peng Yingyu, were formidable figures on par with Han Shantong and Liu Futong. With a high status, his prestige in the Zoroastrian Sect even surpassed Liu Futong.
Elder Quan, arrogant as he was, was also taken aback upon hearing Peng Yingyuâs name.
He looked at Chen Jie and said, "You, know Venerable Peng?"
Chen Jie remained calm at this moment; it seemed Peng Yingyu still held some sway. Chen Jie said, "Naturally, Brother Peng and I are friends."
"Hmph, friends? What kind of person is Venerable Peng? Could someone like you, an ant, be his friend? Stop trying to deceive us."
Chu Tian, on the side, expressed his disbelief.
Zhong Guang also showed disbelief on his face, "Elder Quan, donât fall for their tricks. I believe these two are conspiring to deceive us."
Elder Quan paused, not expressing his thoughts but instead looking at Chen Jie, "Words alone arenât enough. You claim to be a friend of Venerable Peng; do you have any proof?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jie smiled and said, "Yes! Certainly, I do!"