Chapter 17: Distinguishing Right from Wrong Before the Sect Master

Chapter 17: Distinguishing Right from Wrong Before the Sect Master

Jin Ling was usually forthright and rarely angered, but hearing Ming Qi's malicious slander of the innocent fellow disciple, a frost settled over her brows and her spiritual energy turned cold, as if the air itself had thickened.

She stopped in her tracks, marched straight up, and spoke with a cold expression, her voice utterly devoid of warmth.

"Speaking recklessly of the Distinguished Guest Elder and a fellow senior disciple after class, stirring up discord—this is punishable under sect rules."

Jin Ling's sudden fury shocked all the disciples present. Even Ming Qi felt a pang of panic, instinctively clenching his fists inside his sleeves.

Yun Yan, who shared the Sect Master's temperament and always looked out for the younger disciples, stepped forward to restrain Jin Ling and tried to mediate.

"Senior Sister, calm yourself. It was just a few careless words from the junior brother. He's still young, his character not yet formed, and his tongue runs loose. No need to take it so seriously."

He didn't want to be harsh, just to smooth things over, lest excessive severity harm the boy's cultivation mindset.

But Jin Ling would not yield an inch. Her cold gaze locked onto the aggrieved Ming Qi, and her tone turned even sharper.

"Still young? He has been in the sect for many years and is already ninety-seven—almost a hundred years old."

"At nearly a hundred, his cultivation is still stuck at the peak of Qi Refining, unable to break through to Foundation Establishment."

"He hasn't cultivated much skill, but he's thoroughly mastered the art of spreading rumors."

"His skill doesn't match his age, and his character doesn't match his talent. Can that really be called 'still young'?"

These words cut straight to Ming Qi's shortcomings without mercy.

Ming Qi's talent had been exceptional in his youth, but for the past forty years, he'd been stuck in a rut.

Most of his peers had long since broken through to Foundation Establishment, and many exceptionally gifted individuals had even reached the mid-Foundation Establishment stage.

Now, with Jin Ling calling him out so bluntly in public, all his humiliation was laid bare before everyone.

Ming Qi's face turned bright red with shame and fury, his ears and neck burning crimson, resentment churning in his eyes. His fingers at his sides clenched until they turned white, yet he couldn't get a single word out in his defense.

Yun Yan looked at the boy's flushed, indignant face and softened again, speaking gently once more.

"Senior Sister, he already knows he was wrong and will surely change his ways. Why not let it go and spare him just this once?"

"Let it go?"

Jin Ling raised her cold eyes, her expression unyielding, her tone resolute.

"Sect rules aren't just for show, and the dignity of our elders must not be trampled."

"If everyone followed his example and badmouthed their seniors, what would become of the sect's atmosphere? What would become of its discipline?"

She had already let it slide once at the foot of the mountain that day. Now that Ming Qi had maliciously slandered others again, she wouldn't go easy on him.

As the two argued, Ming Qi stood there, filled with grievance, believing he'd only said a few casual words yet was publicly scolded and humiliated, losing face.

He'd become famous young and had always been proud, never having endured such disgrace. Unable to swallow this indignation, he squared his jaw and demanded the Sect Master arbitrate.

"I refuse to accept this! I want the Sect Master—my master—to be the judge!"

Jin Ling let out a cold snort and turned toward the Sect Master's hall.

Ming Qi followed close behind, and Yun Yan, worried Ming Qi would be punished, trailed after them.

When the Sect Master heard that disciples were quarreling, he assumed it was just the usual bickering among juniors after class and didn't think much of it.

Now, looking at Jin Ling's icy expression and then at the aggrieved Ming Qi, he smiled and spoke soothingly.

"Just a few words exchanged between fellow disciples—harmless. Ling'er needn't be so upset. Getting angry over this would only hurt your cultivation."

In his view, this was nothing more than youthful squabbling, hardly a serious violation of sect rules, and not worth such harsh punishment.

But Jin Ling didn't soften her expression. Instead, she stepped forward with solemn seriousness and recounted Ming Qi's words verbatim, clearly and logically.

She spoke out, each word ringing with force: "Sect Master, this is far from a simple spat between juniors."

"Ming Qi, as your disciple, shows no respect for his elders or gratitude for those who saved him. Instead, he maliciously badmouths the Distinguished Guest Elder and slanders the Grand Elder's personal disciple."

"Spreading rumors, defaming the reputation of his seniors, and stirring discord—this kind of behavior must not be allowed to take root!"

After hearing Jin Ling's report, the Sect Master's brows furrowed with real anger upon learning that Ming Qi had dared to publicly slander Ling Xuance and Lin Yu.

He knew Ming Qi had been spoiled and protected by the sect since childhood, his nature inevitably turning proud and arrogant. Occasionally, he'd show off his talent with arrogance, and the Sect Master had always turned a blind eye.

He'd chalked it up to youthful temperament, never truly reprimanding him.

In his eyes, Ming Qi's heart wasn't wicked—he'd simply been indulged too much, never learning to curb his sharp edges or watch his words.

But he'd never expected the boy to lean on that favoritism to speak recklessly of his elders and slander his fellow disciples.

The Sect Master's heavy gaze landed on Ming Qi, his tone carrying unmistakable anger.

"Do you know where you went wrong?"

Ming Qi had been stewing in his grievance, expecting his master to take his side.

But now, looking at the master who'd always doted on him, his eyes grew even redder, filled with disbelief and hurt.

Yet facing the Sect Master's blazing fury, Ming Qi didn't dare to stubbornly defy him.

Despite his reluctance, he could only lower his head and admit in a hoarse voice: "This disciple... knows his mistake."

The admission was weak and forced, soaked in grievance with not a trace of genuine remorse.

The Sect Master suppressed his rising anger and delivered the punishment in a deep voice.

"Speaking recklessly of elders, slandering fellow disciples, and disturbing the sect's atmosphere—you are to copy the entire sect rules three times, reflect quietly, and guard your words from now on. If you offend again, you won't be shown any mercy."

"Yes, this disciple accepts the punishment." Ming Qi bowed his head in submission, his voice dry and strained.

Seeing this, Yun Yan quickly stepped forward, gently smoothing things over for his junior brother, then helped the aggrieved Ming Qi bow and leave.

Once the two figures had fully disappeared, the hall fell completely silent.

Jin Ling gazed toward the doorway. The sect rules were clear: ordinary disciples gossiping about their peers would get at most a verbal reprimand or minor punishment.

But defaming an elder and slandering the Grand Elder's personal disciple should, by the rules, have meant being sent to the Law Enforcement Hall, receiving corporal punishment, and making a public apology to repent—far more than just copying the rules three times.

The Sect Master cherished his disciples and always looked out for his juniors, unwilling to blow things out of proportion.

This time, too, he'd chosen not to humiliate Ming Qi. She saw it clearly and remained indignant, but she couldn't openly call him out on it.

When the hall was finally empty and silence settled, Jin Ling let out a huff, making it clear she was still angry.

The Sect Master helplessly smiled at the sight and turned to speak with her in detail.

"Alright, stop being angry. Ming Qi is a child who has been doted on by his senior brothers since he was young. His temperament is a bit spoiled, but his heart holds no real malice."

"Consider today's matter a lesson for him, to temper his pride. If he dares to act recklessly again, there will be no need for you to speak up—I will personally punish him severely, without any leniency."

Upon hearing this, Jin Ling's tense expression eased slightly. She nodded gently, her tone softening with a hint of understanding.

"Jin Ling knows that the Sect Master is kind-hearted and understands your difficulties. As the leader of a sect, you must both command respect and protect the disciples within, having to balance everything."

The Sect Master was amused by her wise-beyond-her-years words, his brows relaxing as he shook his head with a chuckle: "You little girl, so young, yet you speak with such eloquence—more composed and perceptive than the sect's elders."

Jin Ling looked up with unusual seriousness, her eyes bright and clear, replying with perfect sincerity.

"I'm turning one hundred and twenty this year. If I were in the mortal world, I'd already be an old monster, so naturally, I see things clearly."

This thoroughly made the Sect Master laugh. He laughed heartily, his smile warm and open: "You dare call yourself an old monster at one hundred and twenty? I'm over five hundred now—what does that make me?"

Jin Ling lowered her head in thought for a moment, then said: "Five hundred years—that would be four old monsters piled up together."

The hall soon filled with the Sect Master's hearty, joyful laughter, the weariness of days spent handling sect affairs melting away entirely.

After the laughter subsided, the Sect Master looked at Jin Ling.

"In the future, you should look after Yun Yan more. That child is too soft-hearted and kind. When he one day takes charge of the sect and stands on his own, he will easily suffer losses. Teach him to be more flexible in handling things."

"Rest assured, Sect Master, leave it to me." Jin Ling agreed readily, her expression bright and lively, her tone brimming with confidence.

The incident at the Sect Master's hall quietly drew to a close, and the disputes and conflicts were fully settled.

Meanwhile, Xuan Yue Peak, standing high above the sea of clouds, remained untouched by the clamor and strife below, serene as ever.

Only one day remained until the sect's scheduled apprenticeship ceremony.

During this time, Lin Yu cultivated quietly at the peak, and in his spare time, he learned from Ling Xuan Che about the sect's etiquette and protocols of the cultivation world.

His mind became calmer and clearer, no longer as lost and timid as when he first arrived.

After discussion, the two decided to wait until after the apprenticeship ceremony before heading to Qing Xuan Peak.

Having Lin Yu perform the formal disciple's bow would honor his duty and the sect's traditions.

Today, the sunlight was just right and the breeze gentle, so Ling Xuan Che took the time to carefully teach Lin Yu the proper disciple's salute.

Ling Xuan Che stood opposite him, tall and elegant, robes white as snow, his bearing warm and refined.

He straightened his posture, bowing slowly with head lowered, his movements precise and standard, perfectly demonstrating the respect a disciple owes an elder.

"When you bow, keep your back straight, bow to the proper depth, and maintain correct form," he said in a gentle voice, carefully explaining each movement.

Lin Yu across from him watched intently, memorizing every detail of the motion. He immediately raised his hands and bowed, bending his body slightly, imitating the posture perfectly and obediently.

The two stood face to face on the green stone, both in white, their figures bowing in unison, their bows proper and reverent.

As he bent halfway, just as the movement was forming, Lin Yu suddenly felt a stir in his heart.

Maintaining his bowed position, he lifted his bright, clear eyes to look directly at Ling Xuan Che across from him.

"Brother Che... in this posture, it looks like we're bowing as husband and wife."

Ling Xuan Che paused briefly at the words, lowering his gaze to their mirrored bowing shadows, and naturally pictured the marriage rites of the mortal world.

He immediately laughed softly, reaching out to support the obediently bowing youth, his broad, warm palm steadying his forearm.

Once Lin Yu stood upright, Ling Xuan Che raised his hand and gently ruffled the top of his head, his voice tender with a smile as he answered: "It really does."

Three simple words, spoken openly, with no denial or evasion.

Lin Yu's ears turned red at the tips. He instinctively lowered his gaze to avoid those deep, gentle eyes, his small hands quietly clutching the front of his robes.