"Compensation with Money and Life"
Everyone instinctively followed her pointing finger and looked up—oh, look, isn’t that the Qingcheng Sect Leader making his appearance?
For a moment, all those present stared blankly at the sky.
Apart from the crashing sounds of the collapsing grand hall, the scene was almost eerily silent. The disciples of the Xuanji Sect were dazed, their students gaping in shock. After collectively gazing at the sky, they turned their awestruck eyes toward the formidable figure who had brought down the hall. Bai Roushuang covered her eyes, mourning her senior sister’s reputation for a brief moment, while the two female cultivators Xu Shulou had once saved wore expressions of sudden realization.
Xu Shulou didn’t have time to ask what they had realized, because Feng Jiuyou, staring at the ruins, was already consumed with rage. He drew his blade and attacked her in fury.
The phoenix clan’s fighting style was nothing short of dazzling. Feng Jiuyou, enveloped in radiant spiritual light, charged toward Xu Shulou, his eyes gleaming with a brilliant golden hue, his hair flowing like a waterfall in the wind. As he swung his blade, the air even resonated with a phoenix’s cry. The sheer grandeur of his assault made Xu Shulou hesitate for a moment, unsure if she could withstand the blow.
She flicked open her folding fan, transforming it into a sword, and met his attack head-on. The two clashed mid-air, blades crossing. Xu Shulou didn’t dare underestimate him—she poured all her strength into this strike—and then… Feng Jiuyou was sent flying. Wrapped in his shimmering aura, he skidded several yards across the ground.
At that moment, Xu Shulou even let out a puzzled, "Huh?"
Everyone who heard it understood her meaning—was he really this weak?
Feng Jiuyou was a member of the phoenix clan, born at the Golden Core stage, and had lived for centuries. Even if he’d only spent a tenth of that time cultivating, he shouldn’t have been unable to withstand a single full-powered strike from her, right?
Xu Shulou even suspected he might be playing the victim, deliberately losing to garner sympathy from the sect leader.
Some among the students clearly shared this suspicion, angrily shouting, "What a scheming phoenix!"
"It doesn’t seem fake, though…" Bai Roushuang craned her neck, scrutinizing Feng Jiuyou’s expression closely before excitedly waving her arms in the crowd and cheering, "Senior Sister is invincible!"
Their skirmish ended as quickly as it began. The Qingcheng Sect Leader had already descended gracefully onto the plaza. He had made a brief appearance at the wedding banquet that morning, delivered his congratulations, and left. Now, mere hours later, he had returned. Yet the crowd stared at him as if he were some rare, seldom-seen treasure. The sect leader himself seemed puzzled. "What is all this commotion about?"
Qi Wutong, who had been sobbing over Feng Jiuyou, pointed at Chu Fu. "Sect Leader, today was supposed to be our joyous wedding, yet these people barged in to humiliate us, trampling over Qingcheng Sect’s dignity! I beg you to uphold justice for me and Brother Jiuyou!"
The Xuanji Sect delegation was still reeling from the shock Xu Shulou had delivered, allowing Qi Wutong to seize the initiative. Chu Fu, his expression grave, bowed to the sect leader. "I am Chu Fu of the Xuanji Sect. I accuse Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong of your sect of theft and murder!"
The sect leader’s brow furrowed slightly. "Oh?"
His gaze swept over the gathered guests. Some, mindful of propriety, quickly excused themselves, but many pretended not to understand, shamelessly lingering to watch the drama unfold.
Given Feng Jiuyou’s usual behavior, many of the well-wishers were only there out of courtesy, with no real loyalty to him. Watching the spectacle now didn’t trouble their consciences in the slightest.
Chu Fu recounted the incident in detail before the sect leader—how Qi Wutong had seized the spirit herb, and the subsequent deaths of his niece and elder brother.
"Feng…" The sect leader scanned the scene, his gaze landing on the sect elder currently sprawled on the ground, struggling but failing to rise. He paused. "Elder Feng, what do you have to say for yourself?"
Supported by Qi Wutong, Feng Jiuyou stood. "I compensated them with double the spirit stones—I’d done all I could! Besides, his brother died from qi deviation—how is that our fault? Meanwhile, they ruined my wedding and destroyed my hall! They’re the ones who owe me an explanation!"
Qi Wutong timidly glanced at Chu Fu and added in a small voice, "Yes… When his brother came to me, he looked absolutely terrifying. I was too scared to even speak harshly to him. Who knows how he really died? How can you blame us without proof?"
"You go too far!" Chu Fu, never one for eloquent speech, flushed with anger. "My brother was beaten and thrown out by your people! That very night, he showed signs of instability and demonic possession—how can you claim it had nothing to do with you?!"
The sect leader studied him, then glanced at Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong, as if weighing his words. "This matter will be thoroughly investigated. Justice will be served. For now, Sect Leader Chu and your party may lodge at Qingcheng. As for today’s wedding banquet—it is hereby canceled. Escort the guests out!"
"Sect Leader," Qi Wutong called softly, "Today was the wedding we’ve longed for. At least let us finish the ceremony…"
Instead of relenting, the sect leader’s frown deepened. "Take Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong into custody—separately. Ensure they cannot collude. The Law Enforcement Elders will interrogate them in turn!"
"Thank you, Sect Leader." Chu Fu cupped his hands. "May I ask—if they are indeed found guilty, what will their punishment be?"
"Expulsion from the sect. No leniency."
Whatever his private thoughts, whatever room for maneuver might remain, the sect leader could not afford to tarnish Qingcheng’s reputation for impartiality before the crowd. He believed his decision was fair—but Qi Wutong trembled, tears streaming down her face. "It’s all my fault… I only wanted to save Xiaolan… Brother Jiuyou… But I never thought a girl would die because of it…"
Bai Roushuang sneered. More like she never thought a minor figure from the Xuanji Sect would dare make such a fuss.
A sharp-witted student suddenly realized, "‘Never thought a girl would die’? Sect Leader, isn’t she hinting for Feng Jiuyou to plead ignorance to lessen his guilt? They’re coordinating their stories right in front of you!"
Feng Jiuyou roared, "How dare you slander Wutong?!"
The sect leader barked, "Silence!"
Qi Wutong stiffened, pearly tears dripping one by one. "Brother Jiuyou… I don’t want to go to prison."
Feng Jiuyou gritted his teeth and clasped his fists at the sect leader. "I take full responsibility! Punish me alone!"
The sect leader ignored him. "And if I refuse?"
"Sect Leader!" Feng Jiuyou pleaded desperately. "Wutong has always been delicate—she won’t survive the harsh conditions of confinement!"
How could she not survive? The sect leader was baffled. Qingcheng’s prison cells were neither damp nor dark, furnished with beds and desks. Qi Wutong might neglect her cultivation, but she was still a six-hundred-year-old demonic cultivator with spiritual power. How could she possibly not endure? Such words made it sound as though Qingcheng routinely mistreated prisoners.
Seeing his plea fall on deaf ears, Qi Wutong pouted. "If the previous sect leader were here, he would never allow this!"
These words left the sect leader momentarily stunned. He had only taken over the position after his senior brother ascended to immortality twenty years prior. Though his tenure wasn't long, he prided himself on being as just and strict as his predecessor. How could Qi Wutong claim the former leader would never have acted this way?
He had little interaction with Qi Wutong in the past, remembering her only as a rather naive and carefree female cultivator. Now, seeing her stubbornly argue even after causing such a scene, his impression of her soured completely. "Take them both away at once!" he ordered.
Qi Wutong struggled and wailed, "Fine! Since we're under the roof of Qingcheng Sect, we must abide by the leader's decisions. Whatever punishment you decree, we have no choice but to obey..."
Feng Jiuyou urgently interjected, "Sect Leader! If you insist on imprisoning Wutong, don’t blame me for leaving Qingcheng of my own accord!"
The sect leader fixed him with a gaze full of disappointment. "You would betray Qingcheng for her?"
Feng Jiuyou stiffened his neck, radiating the tragic defiance of a man standing against the world.
The sect leader glanced back at the lingering guests, who were dragging their feet and glancing over their shoulders, and felt nothing but exasperation.
Bai Roushuang observed coldly, thinking Qi Wutong wasn’t as foolish as her lover—at least not entirely. Feng Jiuyou truly believed himself in the right, but she seemed aware that once the truth came out, she would bear responsibility. Failing to coordinate their stories, she was now urging Feng Jiuyou to abandon Qingcheng. Voluntarily leaving sounded far better than being expelled.
Still, they were a perfect match—Feng Jiuyou was indeed simple-minded, but his disregard for human life was just as real. Without his indulgence and protection, how could Qi Wutong have wielded such unchecked power? He was far from innocent in this matter.
To Bai Roushuang, Qi Wutong’s current display was unbearably affected. "No, Brother Jiuyou, I can’t drag you down with me. I’ll leave alone. It’s just... I can’t bear to part with you, or the attendants who’ve served me day and night in Phoenix Roost Hall."
"Then we’ll take them with us!" Feng Jiuyou turned to the sect leader. "These attendants were all personally recruited by me and have no ties to Qingcheng. I’m taking them when I go."
The sect leader’s disappointment had faded into indifference. "As you wish."
Feng Jiuyou embraced Qi Wutong. "Don’t be afraid. I’ll take you back to the Phoenix Clan’s territory at once."
The sect leader spoke again. "Announce to the world that Feng Jiuyou and Qi Wutong are henceforth severed from Qingcheng."
"Yes," someone acknowledged before departing to carry out the order.
Bai Roushuang couldn’t help but wonder how the cultivation world would recount this tale—whether they would be universally condemned or if some would be moved to tears by the "Phoenix Immortal’s love-driven betrayal."
Chu Fu stood rooted in place, visibly disheartened, though he managed to console his disciples. "At least we’ve driven them out of Qingcheng. That’s not a wasted effort. Given the Phoenix Clan’s exalted status, it was never realistic to expect Qingcheng to execute Feng Jiuyou over this."
The Xuanji Sect members were visibly dispirited. They had disrupted the wedding and forced the pair out of Qingcheng, but once they returned to the Phoenix Clan’s domain, they would still live in luxury, waited upon by attendants. Worse, they weren’t even expelled after being proven guilty... The more they thought about it, the more unsatisfied they felt.
"True, Qingcheng would never kill Feng Jiuyou over this. Expulsion is the most they’d do," Xu Shulou mused. "Which means we’ll have to kill him ourselves."
"..."
"What? Wasn’t that your plan?" Xu Shulou touched her cheek, suddenly wondering if she seemed too bloodthirsty.
"We only wanted Qingcheng to hold them accountable," Chu Fu admitted, though his eyes gleamed with interest. "But they outnumber us. Can we win?"
"Shouldn’t be a problem."
As Feng Jiuyou led Qi Wutong and their retinue past Xu Shulou, he suddenly stopped. "I won’t forget you. This isn’t over. You’ll pay for destroying my hall!"
Xu Shulou smiled brightly. "Of course—just as soon as you and Qi Wutong pay with your lives."
