Chapter 82: The White Moonlight Master (20)

Chapter 82: The Moonlight Master (Part 20)

How could someone be so utterly absorbed? Dongfang Fengyao couldn't fathom it.

Not until he finally uncovered Meng Youyi's secret.

Wearing a magic treasure that concealed his aura, Dongfang Fengyao stealthily made his way to the Bamboo Garden. The moment he passed through the barrier, he breathed a sigh of relief and strode confidently inside.

Today, Realized Snow had gone to play chess with Venerable Lingxiao; otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to come so brazenly.

With Realized Snow absent, the entire Bamboo Garden was Meng Youyi's domain.

Meng Youyi actually reveled in this state. Only when his master was away could he fully unleash his emotions.

Dongfang Fengyao trailed behind Meng Youyi, watching him open Realized Snow's room, then followed him in.

Meng Youyi sat on his master's bed, his expression tender as he caressed the clean, tidy sheets. A faint, cool fragrance lingered at the tip of his nose.

Dongfang Fengyao stared at Meng Youyi in shock. What was he doing? Did he even comprehend his own actions?

Of course, Meng Youyi knew exactly what he was doing. He even felt he hadn't done enough. He shed his outer robe and lay directly on Yun Jinqiu's bed. Yun Jinqiu's sleeping garments were folded neatly beside the pillow. Meng Youyi picked them up, pressed them to his face, and took a deep, almost perverse breath. Then he reached into his own undergarments...

Dongfang Fengyao recoiled as if he'd seen a ghost. If he still couldn't grasp what was happening, he must be utterly mad.

He never imagined Meng Youyi would dare to defile the Immortal Master!

Dongfang Fengyao was so thrilled he almost burst into laughter, delighted to have seized Meng Youyi's vulnerability.

Meng Youyi, oh Meng Youyi, you are doomed! Defiling your teacher, betraying your master and ancestors—how could Qingyun Sect ever tolerate your presence?

After recording the evidence with a memory pearl, Dongfang Fengyao turned and departed.

The Enforcement Elder was refining pills in the alchemy room when Dongfang Fengyao approached with a grave expression.

"Master, your disciple has an urgent matter to report."

"What is it?" the Enforcement Elder inquired.

"How should a disciple who defiles his own master within Qingyun Sect be punished?"

The Enforcement Elder was startled. "Preposterous! Who is it?"

Dongfang Fengyao produced the memory pearl. "Master, please see for yourself."

A flash of spiritual light, and the images within the memory pearl left the Enforcement Elder aghast.

Dongfang Fengyao's recording angle was subtle, but Meng Youyi's actions were undeniably clear.

"Master, we should apprehend Meng Youyi immediately."

The Enforcement Elder frowned. "No, this matter concerns Realized Snow's reputation. We must not act rashly. We need to deliberate carefully."

"Deliberate carefully?" Dongfang Fengyao was perplexed. "Master, since when have you become so indecisive? Meng Youyi harbors ill intentions toward the Immortal Master, who remains completely unaware. If we don't punish him, what if he harms the Immortal Master in the future? Someone who betrays his teacher and ancestors should have his cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect! As the Enforcement Elder, how can you be so lenient?"

The Enforcement Elder knew Dongfang Fengyao was right, but...

"This matter is too significant. I must report it to Venerable Lingxiao first."

Dongfang Fengyao fell silent. If his master had reservations, he would handle it himself.

Meng Youyi raised his longsword and shattered the memory pearl, his sinister gaze sweeping over the crowd.

"Keep staring, and I'll gouge out your eyes!" Meng Youyi snarled through gritted teeth. Yet, the hand clutching his sword trembled slightly, betraying the fearless facade he projected.

Yun Jinqiu was utterly numb. Hadn't the original plot merely stated that Meng Youyi secretly hoarded his belongings? What was this unfolding now?

The Enforcement Elder, left with no alternative, personally escorted Meng Youyi to the Immortal Execution Platform.

Meng Youyi attempted to resist several times but ultimately held back. He didn't know what to do or what his future held. What concerned him most was his master... He dreaded to imagine how his master would perceive him now.

Master... Master...

Meng Youyi lay prostrate on the Immortal Execution Platform, dazed as he awaited judgment.

Who was it, truly? Who had provided that recording? If he ever found out, he would surely kill them.

Meng Youyi lowered his eyes, his expression ruthless.

When Venerable Lingxiao learned of the incident, he was enraged and personally went to the Immortal Execution Platform to interrogate Meng Youyi.

Meng Youyi remained silent, lifting his gaze to survey his surroundings. Hundreds of Immortal Masters looked down upon him with contempt, as if he were something vile.

Vile...

Meng Youyi's face turned pale. Wasn't someone who coveted his own master precisely that—vile?

But thankfully, his master hadn't come. If his master wasn't here, he could still delude himself into believing the news hadn't reached his master's ears.

However, the very next second, Yun Jinqiu shattered that illusion.

"Realized Snow has arrived—"

Yun Jinqiu flew onto the platform, seated himself beside Venerable Lingxiao, and cast his gaze down at Meng Youyi.

Meng Youyi's breath hitched, and his mind instantly went blank. He forgot who he was, where he was, feeling as if the sky had fallen.

"Master, Master!"

Kneeling on the Immortal Execution Platform, Meng Youyi instinctively called out twice.

Yun Jinqiu frowned.

Venerable Lingxiao took a deep breath, releasing immense spiritual pressure that suffocated Meng Youyi, causing him to cough up a mouthful of blood.

With everyone present, the Enforcement Elder produced the disciplinary whip.

"Meng Youyi, you have shown no respect for your elders, defied your superiors, and disregarded human morality. Do you admit your guilt?"

Meng Youyi, prostrate on the ground, struggled to speak: "I plead not guilty! What evidence do you have that I disregarded human morality? That recording—it could have been fabricated! Someone jealous that I became Realized Snow's disciple framed me!"

The Enforcement Elder frowned. "How dare you still argue at a time like this? Very well, today this Elder will make you accept your guilt!"

Even Yun Jinqiu felt a grudging admiration for Meng Youyi. At such a critical moment, he could still articulate his defense so clearly.

"Attendants, bring forth the evidence."

The evidence, of course, was also provided by Dongfang Fengyao. He had discovered a large collection of items in Meng Youyi's room.

Meng Youyi watched helplessly as Dongfang Fengyao brought the box forward, and suddenly everything became clear.

"It was you... It was you all along!"

Meng Youyi struggled desperately, wanting to run Dongfang Fengyao through with his sword.

Dongfang Fengyao sneered coldly, mouthing the words: *You're finished.*

Dongfang Fengyao opened the box in front of everyone.

Meng Youyi’s eyes reddened: "Stop! Stop it! I won’t let you get away with this! I will kill you!"

Dongfang Fengyao showed no intention of stopping: "Everyone, look—these are the items Meng Youyi secretly hoarded, all belonging to Realized Snow. From large items like sleeping robes and undergarments, to small things like cups and bowls, everything is here. Especially these undergarments—the filthy stains are still faintly visible. Why don’t we determine who left these stains?"

Dongfang Fengyao shot Meng Youyi a disgusted glance: "This person covets his master, lewd and immoral. I implore the Enforcement Elder to punish him severely, cast him into eternal suffering, never to be reborn, as a warning to others!"

As soon as Dongfang Fengyao finished speaking, everyone's expressions toward Meng Youyi shifted.

"Realized Snow is pure and spotless—how can such a vile person be allowed to defile him? Please, Enforcement Elder, punish him severely!"

"Punish him severely!"

All the disciples present knelt down. The Immortal Masters looked at Meng Youyi with profound indignation, yet maintained their composure.

The Enforcement Elder, holding a long whip, cast a sidelong glance at Meng Youyi.

"Meng Youyi, what do you have to say for yourself? With both witnesses and evidence present, what else can you say?"

Meng Youyi remained silent, then suddenly burst into laughter, the sound wild and crazed like a madman: "I have nothing to say. I simply fell in love with my master. I’ve never done anything to harm others. When love comes, it takes hold—is that wrong?"

The Enforcement Elder was taken aback: "Incorrigible!"

With that, he lashed him with the whip.

"I admit no guilt." Meng Youyi seemed not to feel the pain. Even as his flesh split open from the beating, he held his ground: "I admit no guilt. I merely fell in love with someone—what crime have I committed?"

Yun Jinqiu, seeing him like this, felt a pang of pity. After all, he had raised Meng Youyi since childhood...

Venerable Lingxiao suddenly slammed the table as he stood up. He looked at Meng Youyi expressionlessly, as if gazing at a dead man.

"Enforcement Elder, hear my command."

The Enforcement Elder immediately retracted his whip: "I am here."

"From this day forth, abolish Meng Youyi’s cultivation, expel him from the sect, with no chance of pardon for all eternity."

Enforcement Elder: "Yes."

Dongfang Fengyao was elated upon hearing this. Abolished cultivation, expelled from the sect. Meng Youyi, let’s see what you’ll use to compete with me now!

Venerable Lingxiao’s verdict felt like a death sentence to Meng Youyi. He stood frozen in place, his eyes vacant, as if his soul had left his body. The words "expelled from the sect" echoed endlessly in his mind.

Expelled from the sect... expelled from the sect...

What would he do from now on? Master...

Meng Youyi closed his eyes, not daring to look at his master. He feared seeing the disappointment in his master’s expression.

The Enforcement Elder gathered spiritual power in his palm, a dazzling golden light enveloping the top of Meng Youyi’s head. The technique to abolish cultivation was extremely brutal, inflicting pain akin to having one’s tendons pulled and bones shattered. For those whose cultivation was abolished, attempting to cultivate again was next to impossible. Most had their foundations destroyed, their bodies weaker than ordinary mortals, let alone capable of cultivation. Especially for someone like Meng Youyi, who was being punished, the Enforcement Elder gave no thought to his physical condition. Whether he lived or died after his cultivation was abolished was left to fate.

"Stop." Yun Jinqiu suddenly spoke.

The Enforcement Elder paused and looked back at Yun Jinqiu.

Meng Youyi’s heart trembled at the sound, and he shakily opened his eyes.

Yun Jinqiu stepped lightly onto the platform.

"Meng Youyi is my disciple. His straying onto this path is due to my failure as his master to discipline him properly. The task of abolishing his cultivation should be done by me, his master."

The Enforcement Elder was taken aback but nodded and stepped aside.

Yun Jinqiu stood before Meng Youyi.

Meng Youyi, bloodied and battered, looked at Yun Jinqiu with tear-filled eyes, yearning for his pity. Today, he had finally spoken openly about his feelings for his master.

"Master..."

Yun Jinqiu frowned slightly: "Do not call me master. I have no disciple like you. Meng Youyi, you have deeply disappointed me. I once thought you were a good child."

Meng Youyi’s pupils contracted, and his entire body felt as if it had been plunged into an icy abyss.

"Ma... Master..." His teeth chattered, the taste of blood filling his mouth.

Yun Jinqiu sighed softly: "Live well in the mortal world from now on."

With that, Yun Jinqiu placed his hand on Meng Youyi’s head. Meng Youyi stared blankly at Yun Jinqiu, his deep pupils reflecting Yun Jinqiu’s aloof figure. Tears blurred his vision, and an excruciating pain surged from the depths of his soul. Yet, he felt nothing, his gaze fixed intently on Yun Jinqiu—filled with profound love and desolate despair. He wanted to etch Yun Jinqiu’s image into his very bones and blood, to never forget him.

Master, my master...

Time seemed to slow to a crawl.

After what felt like an eternity, Yun Jinqiu completely stripped away Meng Youyi’s cultivation. Meng Youyi spat out a mouthful of blood, closed his eyes, and fainted. In the moment before losing consciousness, his blood-stained fingers still clutched tightly to the hem of Yun Jinqiu’s robe.

For some reason, the Enforcement Elder felt tense, cold sweat trickling down his back. Meng Youyi was remarkably resilient, enduring the abolition of his cultivation without a single cry. Though his crimes were unforgivable, he seemed pitiable.

Yun Jinqiu took a deep breath and stepped back: "Enforcement Elder, please send Meng Youyi away."

The Enforcement Elder nodded: "I understand. Don’t worry."

Yun Jinqiu gave a slight nod and turned to leave.

Meng Youyi was discarded under a large tree in the mortal world. On his own, he would never be able to return to the cultivation world in this lifetime. But Dongfang Fengyao still felt it wasn’t enough and even sent assassins to kill him in the mortal world.

Fortunately, Meng Youyi woke up early; otherwise, he might have been successfully assassinated.

After strangling the assassins, Meng Youyi leaned against the tree roots, gasping for breath. His body was extremely weak—having his cultivation abolished was like having a layer of skin torn off, even if he survived.

The Demon World Messenger clicked his tongue: "Lucky you still have your demonic cultivation. Otherwise, you’d be a corpse right now. See the benefits of demonic cultivation now? Speaking of which, your master is truly ruthless, abolishing your cultivation just like that..."

Meng Youyi frowned: "Shut up! You have no right to speak of him."

Demon World Messenger: "Fine, fine, I won’t mention him. You’re such an ungrateful brat."

The Demon World Messenger was taken aback. It seemed they had all overlooked this issue.

Before Meng Youyi could ponder further, the next wave of assassins arrived. Meng Youyi had to summon his strength to defend himself. But this time, the assassins were clearly on a different level—they were not only skilled in martial arts but also cultivators. Meng Youyi, weak and trembling, could only flee after a few rounds of fighting.

So it wasn't just one person who wanted him dead. Meng Youyi gave a bitter chuckle.

The Demon World Messenger watched anxiously: "Why don’t we return to the Demon World first? You'll get yourself killed at this rate."

Meng Youyi never wanted anything to do with the Demon World, but now he had no choice.

Meng Youyi: "How do we get to the Demon World?"

Demon World Messenger: "Just repeat after me."

"By the bones of the abyss as guide, by the corroding mist as medium, heed my command—Demon World—open!"

As soon as Meng Youyi finished speaking, a purplish-red rift tore open in front of him. Without hesitation, he jumped through. The moment he entered, the rift closed instantly.

The assassins who arrived shortly after looked at each other, baffled, and eventually had to leave in frustration.

At Mount Buzhou’s Qingyun Sect, Venerable Lingxiao was playing a game of chess against himself. Beside him stood an Immortal Master, with a look of regret.

"Venerable One, forgive my failure. I let Meng Youyi escape."

Venerable Lingxiao gave a slight nod. "I understand. You're dismissed."

"Yes."

Venerable Lingxiao gazed blankly at the chessboard, then suddenly crushed a piece in his hand.

"How could they fail even in such a simple task?" he muttered.

Yun Jinqiu had some free time lately, with nothing much to do. So he decided to go into seclusion, believing that ascending as soon as possible was the real priority.

Meng Youyi spent half a year recuperating in the Demon World until he'd finally recovered.

In truth, he had been pondering a question all this time, and now he finally had the energy to investigate it.

Meng Youyi casually fashioned a straw doll and transferred the Demon World Messenger’s consciousness into it.

The Demon World Messenger looked at his current form, his face full of resentment.

"I have a question for you."

The Demon World Messenger’s voice was hoarse and unpleasant: "Go ahead and ask."

Meng Youyi shot him a sideways glance: "Dongfang Fengyao entered my room—did you really not notice anything at all?"

The Demon World Messenger’s heart sank at the question: "Of course not. If I had noticed, I would’ve told you immediately."

"No, you didn’t tell me." Meng Youyi stared at him expressionlessly. "You just went with the flow, letting them discover my secret. All so I would leave Qingyun Sect and return to the Demon World."