Cang Song stared coldly at Wang Lin, who was kneeling on the ground. His tone carried not the slightest hint of warmth.
“Wang Lin, regardless of your reasons for violating the sect rules, the facts remain. My punishment will not change—immediately proceed to the back mountain of Longshou Peak and receive your punishment in Black Wind Cave.”
Hearing this icy verdict, Wang Lin felt a chill spread through his heart.
But he dared not disobey. He could only force himself to bow respectfully.
“Yes, Master. This disciple shall accept the punishment.”
With that, he staggered to his feet, turned, and prepared to fly toward Black Wind Cave.
At that moment, a cold and clear female voice suddenly rang out from outside the Discipline Hall, every word laced with mockery.
“Senior Brother Cang Song, such impressive means. To treat your disciples with such ruthless disregard.”
As her voice fell, two stunningly beautiful figures appeared like phantoms within the Discipline Hall.
Seeing this, Wang Lin, who had been about to leave, quickly bowed and stepped aside.
The other disciples of Longshou Peak also lowered their heads and slightly bowed.
“Martial Aunt Shuiyue.”
Master Shuiyue gave only a slight nod in response, but her gaze shot directly toward Cang Song seated in the central seat.
Hearing her mocking words, Cang Song’s expression remained calm, but displeasure flickered in his eyes.
He spoke in a cold voice.
“Junior Sister Shuiyue, do you mean to say I was wrong? He descended the mountain without permission, violating sect rules. I punished him accordingly. What fault is there in that?”
Master Shuiyue let out a cold snort, her tone growing sharper.
“Hmph, Senior Brother Cang Song, ever since you took over the Discipline Hall, your punishments toward sect disciples have grown increasingly rigid and unfeeling.
Wang Lin descended the mountain this time because someone in his family passed away. Such a case has understandable cause. Yet you forcibly applied the sect rules and imposed the harshest penalty without consideration? Shouldn’t there have been some leniency?”
“My actions require no one’s interference!”
Cang Song’s voice was firm, his gaze icy.
“As the head of the Discipline Hall, I act solely according to the rules of the Qingyun Sect.
If you are dissatisfied, feel free to report me to the Sect Leader.”
Master Shuiyue’s face immediately turned cold. She glared fiercely at Cang Song.
A moment later, her eyes shifted, and she suddenly sneered.
“In that case, I just happen to have a matter here I’d like Senior Brother Cang Song to adjudicate!”
Cang Song was slightly taken aback and asked coldly,
“What is it exactly? Speak plainly!”
Master Shuiyue turned sideways and gestured to Lu Xueqi beside her.
“Xueqi, you speak.”
Lu Xueqi stepped forward in response and saluted Cang Song.
“Greetings, Uncle-Master Cang Song!”
Looking at Lu Xueqi’s stunningly beautiful face, Cang Song merely gave a cold nod.
Memories of past entanglements between Junior Sisters Shuiyue and Su Ru, and Senior Brother Wan Jianyi, flashed through his mind. Back then, Wan Jianyi had been unimaginably brilliant, yet both of these beauties had not chosen him.
This lingering regret and resentment left Cang Song with little fondness for beautiful female disciples.
His tone was indifferent as he said,
“Which one of Xiaozhu Peak’s disciples are you? What’s your name? What matter do you wish to raise? Speak clearly.”
Lu Xueqi was just about to speak.
“This disciple is Lu Xueqi of Xiaozhu Peak. Today’s matter is—”
“Junior Sister, wait!”
An anxious voice suddenly called from outside the Discipline Hall.
Qi Hao rushed in. Seeing that Lu Xueqi was about to reveal his trespass into Xiaozhu Peak, he panicked and hurriedly interrupted.
Cang Song’s face darkened instantly upon seeing someone interrupt Lu Xueqi, anger welling up.
But as soon as he looked up and recognized the newcomer as his own disciple, Qi Hao, and before Lu Xueqi or Master Shuiyue could react, he was the first to rebuke him.
“Qi Hao! Why are you not instructing the disciples at the front mountain? Why did you barge in here? And you dare interrupt your Junior Sister Lu’s words!”
Qi Hao’s heart was in turmoil, but he forced himself to remain calm and explained.
“Master, this disciple came precisely to speak with Martial Aunt Shuiyue and Junior Sister Lu. I hope you will permit me a few words with them.”
Upon hearing this, Cang Song suddenly recalled that Wang Lin had mentioned Qi Hao had been frequently visiting Xiaozhu Peak recently. Now, seeing Master Shuiyue bringing Lu Xueqi to confront him, an ominous feeling surged in his heart—had his prized disciple caused some major trouble at Xiaozhu Peak?
Before Cang Song could speak, Master Shuiyue had already coldly snorted.
“There’s no need for private talk! The wrongdoing you committed today is severe. Since we’re already at Longshou Peak’s Discipline Hall, this matter must be made clear today!”
She turned and looked coldly at Cang Song, mocking him.
“Cang Song, is this what passes for rules on Longshou Peak? In the Discipline Hall, disciples can just interrupt as they please?”
Cang Song’s expression turned extremely ugly. He glared fiercely at Qi Hao, then turned back to explain to Master Shuiyue.
“Junior Sister Shuiyue, Qi Hao must have had something urgent. I’m sure he didn’t mean to interrupt Nephew Lu’s words. I ask for your understanding.” (Nephew is commonly used for both male and female junior disciples.)
Though he was clearly displeased with Qi Hao’s intrusion and interruption of Lu Xueqi, Qi Hao was still his prized disciple. He needed to protect him somewhat.
Master Shuiyue sneered in response.
“Hmph, how strict and proper of Master Cang Song.”
She then said no more but turned to Lu Xueqi and said,
“Xueqi, continue.”
Lu Xueqi nodded slightly, then looked toward Master Cang Song and said,
“Uncle-Master Cang Song, today this disciple was cultivating on the rear mountain of Xiaozhu Peak when I suddenly discovered that Senior Brother Qi Hao, the top disciple of Longshou Peak, had trespassed into our rear mountain and even attempted to act indecently toward me.”
Cang Song’s expression changed dramatically at Lu Xueqi’s words.
Trespassing into Xiaozhu Peak’s rear mountain was a clearly prohibited act. He hadn’t expected that his own disciple would dare to do such a thing.
And to attempt something improper toward a female disciple of Xiaozhu Peak—this matter was far too serious.
But Cang Song still wanted to shield Qi Hao, for he was his outstanding disciple, and with the Seven Peaks Tournament approaching, he didn’t want Qi Hao to suffer severe punishment that could affect the outcome.
At this moment, Cang Song already knew that Xiao Yicai of Tongtian Peak had been sent away on a mission by Dao Xuan and would not be participating in this year’s Seven Peaks Tournament.
Which meant that Cang Song was determined to claim the top spot in this tournament.
Cang Song couldn’t help turning to look at Master Shuiyue and said,
“Junior Sister Shuiyue, could this be a misunderstanding? Qi Hao has always been steady and composed. He surely wouldn’t trespass into Xiaozhu Peak’s rear mountain, let alone act improperly toward Nephew Lu.”
Without waiting for Master Shuiyue to reply, Cang Song quickly turned to Qi Hao and shouted,
“Qi Hao! Speak truthfully now—did you enter the rear mountain of Xiaozhu Peak by mistake?”