Chapter 40
After getting acquainted with Qiao Wan, these disciples of precepts were still polite. Seeing Qiao Wan's current state, they couldn't help but feel sympathy.
As they escorted Qiao Wan towards Precept Hall, they kindly offered her some advice. "The Law Enforcement Elder of Precept Hall is presiding over this trial. He is strict and doesn't yield easily. When you meet him, it's better to show some humility. Don't confront him directly."
To put it nicely, Law Enforcement Elder Xiao Zongyuan was upright and strict. To put it bluntly, he had held the absolute power over the life and death of disciples for a long time and was stubbornly self-centered.
"Younger martial sister, endure it for now. Once everything is clarified, everything will be fine."
They stopped in front of Precept Hall.
"Go in." One of the disciples of precepts pushed open the door and nodded.
Xiao Zongyuan despised demons the most, as he believed in the power of the law.
Seeing Qiao Wan's back, the disciples of precepts worried. How did Martial Sister Qiao end up being corrupted by demons?
Precept Hall was imposing, with two stone lions crouching on either side of the entrance. These were real and living lions.
The heavy door creaked open, and Qiao Wan stepped onto the cold stone bricks, slowly walking forward until she reached the center of the grand hall.
Several people were seated in the hall.
Not many people attended this trial, although Qiao Wan held a special position, it wasn't special enough to bother several elders.
This time, Gao Lanzhi, Fairy Sumi, and several elders from Precept Hall were present.
Ma Huaizhen's disciples had suffered losses, and he was present this time, sitting in a wheelchair with a gloomy expression, giving no hint of what he was thinking.
Zhou Yan and Ma Huaizhen sat on the left side, while the elders of Precept Hall sat on the right side with the Sentencing Committee.
What punishment she would receive depended on the decision of the Sentencing Committee.
On both sides of the steps stood rows of disciples of precepts, one row with expressionless faces, another row with paper and pen, and another with tools of punishment.
On the high platform, there was a middle-aged man with a somewhat arrogant expression, who must be Xiao Zongyuan, the Law Enforcement Elder. Xiao Zongyuan was also from the Xiao family, and had some relationship with Xiao Huan, who had a marriage contract with Mu Xiaoxiao.
In big families, especially in the cultivation world, relationships were complex and interconnected. Throughout history, whether in the mortal world or the cultivation world, resources and connections were always the most important things.
Moreover, Xiao Huan was currently vying for power. He was the most outstanding talent of the Xiao family's direct line, held a high position, and was the most potential candidate to succeed as the family head.
Qiao Wan remembered from the original story that Xiao Zongyuan was also the senior who helped Mu Xiaoxiao when she confronted "Qiao Wan." Despite being strict and arrogant, he showed great affection for Mu Xiaoxiao. It was not only for Mu Xiaoxiao's sake, but also to show loyalty to Xiao Huan.
Mu Xiaoxiao had also arrived and was sitting anxiously beside Zhou Yan. Her black hair hung over her forehead, and her figure wrapped in a white dress looked small and delicate like a bird.
The plot of Mu Xiaoxiao losing her memory honestly seemed more like a plot device created by the author for his beloved daughter.
Logically, losing one's memory didn't mean losing one's intelligence.
But "Immortal Ascending Road" was ultimately a story full of fighting and romance. The author depicted Mu Xiaoxiao, who lost her memory, as a seven or eight year old girl, doing many innocent and unaware things, which caused many male characters to both love and feel helpless.
More importantly, with the label of memory loss, it became even more reasonable for mu xiaoxiao to confront the malicious female supporting character.
After all, Mu Xiaoxiao's character was a soft girl, and after losing her memory, she became like an innocent child who spoke without restraint.
Mu Xiaoxiao's innocence after losing her memory further highlighted Qiao Wan's despicable character.
As soon as Qiao Wan entered the grand hall, Xiao Zongyuan wasted no time in telling her to kneel.
"Kneel!"
Qiao Wan stood a little straighter and remained silent.
Since leaving the secret realm, she didn't feel like she had done anything wrong. Although she had fallen into darkness, she had managed to resist and hadn't laid a hand on Mu Xiaoxiao.
She didn't want to kneel, especially in front of Zhou Yan.
Zhou Yan, though quiet, was always kinder to his disciples than others. At this moment, he didn't look at her, with half-closed eyes, his white hair hanging down, as if the bright moon in the room, pure and cold. He was extremely disappointed in her.
Xiao Zongyuan immediately frowned and raised his voice, "Kneel down!"
Qiao Wan replied, "I am not guilty, so I will not kneel."
Ma Huaizhen glanced over and said coldly, "If you won't kneel, then don't kneel. You were just pulled out of bed, still recovering from your injuries. If you faint while kneeling, will this trial continue or not?"
Xiao Zongyuan's face turned black, and he restrained himself because Ma Huaizhen was present.
One of the disciples of precepts stepped forward and began reporting the contents of the scrolls.
The disciple of precepts holding pen and paper on the right side threw the scroll and started writing with a brush.
Her descent into darkness was already known to everyone.
The disciple of precepts holding the scrolls slowly checked the casualties caused by this secret realm.
The deaths and injuries were so severe, most of it caused by the Human-faced Scorpion-tailed Spider. Although Qiao Wan hadn't killed anyone, she had seriously injured many secret disciples. Some of them were still lying in bed. It was fortunate that she hadn't killed any fellow disciples. Otherwise, there would be no way to resolve this matter.
"In the Mudstone Secret Realm, she lost control of her mind and attempted to harm her elder martial sister, causing injuries to more than ten secret disciples!" Xiao Zongyuan sternly said, "Do you acknowledge your guilt?"
Qiao Wan fell silent for a moment and her voice was a bit hoarse as she replied, "Elder, I admit to losing control of my mind, but I didn't kill anyone."
"But those seven secret disciples were killed by the monsters in the secret realm."
Xiao Zongyuan coldly sneered, "But you had the intention to harm your elder martial sister! Your master is sitting right here. How could your elder martial sister, Yuqing Spiritual Master, have raised such a disciple like you!"
"Your elder martial sister is also present. Do you have the audacity to face your master and your elder martial sister?!"
Qiao Wan fell silent for a moment and then said, "Elder, I request to present my Souvenir Image."
Seeing Qiao Wan's unrepentant attitude, Xiao Zongyuan's anger flared up, "Fine, present your Souvenir Image. Let us all see clearly!"
Fairy Sumi, gentle in nature and usually speaking softly, felt a bit helpless at the scene before her. But the elders of Kunshan were well aware of Xiao Zongyuan's character and could only gracefully step down.
Fairy Sumi extended her delicate jade finger and tapped Qiao Wan's forehead, delving into her mind and extracting the memories from the secret realm.
From entering the secret realm, connecting with the Human-faced Scorpion-tailed Spider in her mind, to falling into darkness and losing the use of her arms, each scene was vividly displayed in the hall.
They saw the scene of Qiao Wan's seven senses bleeding, and her spiritual consciousness killing tens of thousands of scorpion-tailed spiders.
Elder Xuan Zhong from Precept Hall couldn't help but praise.
Decisive and resolute in her actions! Well! Zhou Yan had raised a good disciple.
The more Ma Huaizhen looked down, the darker his face became. When he saw Qiao Wan reach out and twist off her own two arms, his face was filled with anger.
Zhou Yan felt a jump in his forehead and stood frozen.
Until today's trial, they had only obtained testimonies from other disciples and pieced together the situation. The disciples who entered the secret realm were all seriously injured, and their spiritual awareness was weak. They couldn't extract memories from their minds, so the matter of extracting the "Souvenir Image" was postponed until now.
They waited for Qiao Wan, the "culprit," to wake up before starting the trial in the Precept Hall.
In the files brought by Xiao He, there was no mention of Qiao Wan causing harm to herself.
Zhou Yan looked down at Qiao Wan, and his whole body shook. His throat rolled, and his hand resting on the chair unconsciously tightened, with pale knuckles.
Did he misunderstand her?
Hearing about Qiao Wan severing her own arms was one thing, but witnessing it in person was another.
The remaining elders were also surprised that Zhou Yan's disciple, this seemingly ordinary girl, could be so decisive.
Extracting only Qiao Wan wasn't enough; they also had to extract memories from Yuan Liu and several others.
Just as Qiao Wan stood up, she saw Yuan Liu and the others being brought into the Precept Hall as well.
Among these undercover disciples, Yuan Liu was the only one whose cultivation was barely passable, so they naturally extracted memories from his mind.
When Yuan Liu saw Qiao Wan's cold and decisive appearance, he fell silent for a moment. "We can't blame Qiao Wan for losing control."
"At that time, if it weren't for Qiao Wan and those Human-faced Scorpion-tailed Spiders entering our minds, all twenty of us would have been left here."
Yuan Liu glanced at Ma Huaizhen and smirked, "We outer disciples may have cheap lives, but we are not insignificant. We can still distinguish right from wrong."
Yuan Liu said, "If Qiao Wan wanted to kill Mu Xiaoxiao, it was because she was influenced by the demonic energy. Which cultivator can guarantee that they are never affected by such energy, let alone reaching Qiao Wan's level?"
"We don't care about our insignificant lives," Yuan Liu said, "but Qiao Wan does."
"As for harming fellow disciples..."
"Qiao Wan saved us, saved us, her fellow disciples. How should we calculate that? Are the lives of tens of thousands of outer disciples in Kunshan really worth less than those of the inner disciples? Are we outer disciples just stepping stones for Mu Xiaoxiao?"
"Seven lives," Yuan Liu said in a deep voice. "All seven of my brothers are gone! That still can't compare to the life of Mu Xiaoxiao!"
Yuan Liu pointed a finger and glared in anger. "Because of her, the seven of us protected her!"
Xiao Zongyuan glared in anger, "How dare you!"
Ma Huaizhen leaned back in his wheelchair and chuckled. He spoke in a low voice, "Let him speak."
The raised corner of his lips clearly showed his satisfaction with Yuan Liu's words.
Yuan Liu was a disciple of the Wenshi Hall and Ma Huaizhen's subordinate.
If he hadn't received Ma Huaizhen's consent, he wouldn't dare to argue like this in front of the Precept Hall.
Xiao Zongyuan was angry and short of breath, but he dared to confront Yuan Liu and not Ma Huaizhen.
After thinking for a while, he coldly said, "This is a matter for our Precept Hall, and I hope Hall Master Ma will not interfere with our affairs."
Ma Huaizhen lazily leaned back in his wheelchair, saying, "Elders, your words are biased. The disciples who died in the secret realm were all my undercover disciples. Today's trial is also related to our Wenshi Hall, so of course I have to take charge. Otherwise, why would Precept Hall invite me to come here?"
However, when Qiao Wan decisively bit off the windpipe of the Snow Rock Fox, the situation changed. The image of the girl in the Souvenir Image had a cold expression as she bit off the windpipe of a young boy, creating a bloody scene.
A few elders frowned slightly. Qiao Wan's apprentice was too ruthless, killing without hesitation. This harmed benevolence and virtue.
Ma Huaizhen disdainfully snorted.
He had been involved in more killing and fighting than anyone else at Wenshi Hall. In the end, it was all about killing. What does it matter about the methods? Is it considered moral to place a pillow and pour a cup of tea before killing someone?
Didn't Qiao Wan also lose her life in the same way?
Committing a sin is a sin. Being gentle doesn't mean you won't face consequences in the eyes of heaven.
They had committed many hidden and evil deeds disguised as righteous acts.
Qiao Wan said, "He wants to kill me."
Xiao Zongyuan replied, "That's a spirit beast with a blood contract with Mu Xiaoxiao. You knew you could knock it out and be done with it, so why did you bite the Snow Rock Fox and cause unnecessary harm, resulting in your fellow elder martial sister being seriously injured?"
Yuan Liu gritted his teeth and looked at Mu Xiaoxiao standing beside Zhou Yan. He said, "Mu Xiaoxiao trespassed into the secret realm. Why don't you hold her accountable?"
All seven of his brothers had sacrificed themselves to save Mu Xiaoxiao in the Mudstone Secret Realm. Yuan Liu couldn't help but shed tears at the thought of this.
"The matter of Mu Xiaoxiao's trespassing into the secret realm will be dealt with by Precept Hall tomorrow! Today's trial is about Qiao Wan! Instead of asking her why she trespassed, why don't you ask Qiao Wan!" Xiao Zongyuan said, "Mu Xiaoxiao is the only one who knows nothing about the Mudstone Secret Realm, which is well-known to everyone in Kunshan."
Qiao Wan calmly replied, "I didn't encourage her to go to the secret realm. If I wanted to harm her, why would I enter the cave to find her?"
Xiao Zongyuan sneered, "Smooth talk. Fine, since you can explain these things, let's see how you'll defend yourself next."
Qiao Wan was stunned.
Two disciples of precepts brought up a familiar figure.
It was Xiao He.
The young disciple was brought up and turned to bow to the elders present, blinking his dark eyelashes, but deliberately not looking at Qiao Wan.
Xiao Zongyuan: "Since you're here, in front of everyone, please repeat what you said to Precept Hall a few days ago."
Xiao He: "It was Martial Sister Qiao who convinced Elder Martial Sister Mu to go to Mudstone Secret Realm."
"Ever since Elder Martial Sister Mu returned to the sect, she has expressed her dissatisfaction with me several times."
"She even...even wished for Elder Martial Sister Mu's death."
Upon hearing this, Qiao Wan's eyes narrowed.
Zhou Yan's face instantly changed color!
Ma Huaizhen paused for a moment, surprised that this young disciple who seemed to have a good relationship with Qiao Wan would suddenly turn against her in such a crucial moment.
Seeing the uneasy Mu Xiaoxiao beside Zhou Yan, Ma Huaizhen's expression darkened. "I've lived for so many years, and I should have my own judgment on things. Can't she make up her own mind about whether or not she wants to go?"
Qiao Wan didn't look at anyone, she just stared intently at Xiao He. "Xiao He, did I say such a thing?"
The young disciple hesitated for a moment and then lifted his eyes. "Elder Martial Sister, I know you're unhappy, but Elder Martial Sister Mu is still our elder martial sister."
Qiao Wan froze in place, her mind buzzing.
She felt a bit cold all over, her voice a little hoarse, with only one thought spinning in her mind.
Why would Xiao He provide false evidence?
Ma Huaizhen spoke coldly, "If Qiao Wan wants to kill Mu Xiaoxiao, why would she confide in you?"
The young disciple shook his head. "I was close to Martial Sister Qiao, everyone on Yuqing Peak knows that. Martial Sister Qiao always felt stifled and would often come to me to chat. I...at the time, I thought she was just venting verbally, I didn't expect her to actually do something like this."
Fairy Sumi stepped forward and pulled out the "Souvenir Image" from her and Xiao He's minds. The "Souvenir Image" showed a girl filled with resentment towards Mu Xiaoxiao, undoubtedly Qiao Wan.
Xiao Zongyuan: "At this point, what else can you say to defend yourself?!"
Qiao Wan lowered her eyelashes.
She was certain that someone had tampered with her sea of consciousness.
Just like in the original story, Xiao Zongyuan was determined to seek justice for Mu Xiaoxiao and make amends with Xiao Huan.
The standoff between her and Xiao Zongyuan had lost its meaning, in the end, the punishment would be determined by Precept Hall's disciplinary team and voted on by the elders.
The disciple on the right busy recording the case, handed the documents to the disciplinary team.
After discussing for a while, the disciplinary team revealed the punishment.
Using the Qi Sealing Nail to suppress their cultivation temporarily, imprisoning them in Precept Hall's dungeon for thirty years for introspection.
As soon as this decision was made, Ma Huaizhen's face immediately changed.
Qiao Wan's face also changed.
The lifespan of a Foundation Stage cultivator is only about 200 years. The lower one's cultivation, the more urgent time becomes for cultivators. For the next thirty years, being restrained by the Qi Sealing Nail means they cannot cultivate and won't make any progress.
Moreover, under the dungeon, all the prisoners are wicked and evil. When they are released one day, it will be a disaster.
The disciples of precepts took a step forward, holding jade scrolls, and walked in front of Ma Huaizhen and his group.
Collecting them one by one won't take long.
Soon, a disciple of precepts walked to the center of the hall, holding a jade scroll, and began to count the votes.
"Spiritual Master Miaoxing, yes."
"Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong, no."
"Fairy Sumi, no."
"Fairy Xixia, no."
"Law Enforcement Elder, yes."
"Hall Master Ma, no."
After the votes were announced, it was a tie.
Qiao Wan clenched her fists and widened her eyes a bit.
"Spiritual Master Xuan Zhong, no."
"Fairy Sumi, no."
"Fairy Xixia, no."
"Law Enforcement Elder, yes."
"Hall Master Ma, no."
One more vote to decide.
The disciple of precepts spoke in a cold and flat voice.
"Yuqing Spiritual Master -"
Qiao Wan's breath involuntarily stopped.
The words of the disciple of precepts came down lightly.
"Yes."
One vote difference.
The last vote was cast by Zhou Yan.
After casting this vote, Zhou Yan closed his eyes, his knuckles resting lightly on the chair, and he didn't look at Qiao Wan again. His heart turned cold and slowly sank, following the image of the "Souvenir Image".
It was him who brought her to Kunshan, and now, he was the one who sent her into the dungeon of Precept Hall.
Thirty years.
Mu Xiaoxiao blinked her long eyelashes and thought blankly. Thirty years was too long.
She suddenly felt a bit scared. Her little finger lightly hooked onto Zhou Yan's sleeve. Although she couldn't remember people and things, she still performed this action with great skill, as if she had done it many times before.
But Mu Xiaoxiao was surprised to find that her master, who was always sharp as a sword, had a pale face and was swaying, as if in great pain.
Once the sentence is determined in Precept Hall, it will never be changed, and there is no chance for appeal.
Ma Huaizhen's face turned cold little by little.
Xiao Zongyuan gave the order, and several disciples of precepts immediately came to Qiao Wan's side, carrying handcuffs and shackles to put on her.
These shackles were specially made and weighed heavily, making it almost impossible for a person to walk.
The disciples who helped Qiao Wan put on handcuffs and leg irons all looked familiar. Upon closer inspection, she recognized them as the ones who had been on duty at the entrance of her cave before.
One of the senior brothers, who was thin, whispered, "I know you're feeling upset, but endure it a little longer. Thirty years is not that long for us cultivators."
Before Qiao Wan left the main hall, Ma Huaizhen suddenly stopped the disciples of precepts and, with a stern expression on his face, said to Qiao Wan, "Wait, I won't let you stay in the dungeon for thirty years."
With handcuffs and leg irons on her body, it was not convenient for Qiao Wan to raise her hand, but she still bowed and said, "Thank you, senior."
Thirty years isn't really that long.
From the moment Zhou Yan held her hand and stepped into Kunshan for the first time, only a little over thirty years had passed.
However, she wouldn't be staying in the dungeon for thirty years.
Not even one year.
The debate in the main hall was forgotten.
From the moment the disciples of precepts pressed her down and brought her out of Precept Hall, Qiao Wan had already made up her mind.
She was going to escape.
Meanwhile, in the Demon Realm.
Most people's imagination of the Demon Realm involves a red sky, gloomy buildings, surging lava, and crows crying while demons howl. No matter how terrifying it is, that's how they picture it.
But most demons despise these stereotypical impressions spread by the outside world.
Come on, although they are demons, they still have their senses and their own aesthetics and tastes, you know?
They demons are naturally reckless and love to fight and cause trouble. If the surrounding environment is all flowing lava and the air is so hot, then sooner or later they will turn the Demon Realm upside down.
Therefore, Mei Kangping, the current leader of the Demon Realm, led everyone to renovate the headquarters of the Demon Realm in order to create a harmonious and friendly atmosphere.
Especially Mei Kangping's residence, "Zhuwu Songxi," is even more delightful with gentle breezes and the sounds of birds and flowers.
Since their superior, Emperor Shiyuan, was sealed away, Mei Kangping has been under a lot of pressure. He works hard every day to build the Demon Realm, and on top of that, his personality is not particularly good. He's more like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.
He always keeps in mind the 16th rule of the "Survival Rules of the Demon Realm," which is to never provoke Mei Kangping. When Xue Yunchao arrived at "Zhuwu Songxi," Mei Kangping had just opened his eyes, pulling his divine consciousness back from thousands of miles away.
As the breeze brushed against his sleeve, the lifelike white plum blossoms on his sleeve seemed to fall petal by petal.
Xue Yunchao bowed and said, "You found her."
Mei Kangping picked up the folding fan on the table and glanced at him with a not so friendly expression, saying, "It's you."
The young man was dressed in a sturdy outfit and carried the Jidu Lance on his back.
Xue Yunchao pursed his lips and said in a low voice, "You're not happy."
Mei Kangping's eyes filled with mockery. "I can see that you're not happy either."
"What? Are you feeling guilty for your clone's betrayal of the elder martial sister in Precept Hall, Xiao He?"
Xue Yunchao, or Xiao He, remained silent for a while before asking, "Are you still going to find her?"
"Of course," Mei Kangping impatiently waved his fan, "Why wouldn't I?"
"Not only am I going to find her, but I will also protect her, ride in a splendid carriage, and have a group of demons guarding her, escorting her back personally."
Yong and Xiqu are both fierce beasts in the demonic realm. Yong appears during times of severe drought while Xiqu preys on humans.
Being protected, riding in a carriage, and being guarded by a group of demons are all part of the ceremonial procession for a demonic realm princess.
Xue Yunchao was astonished.
Was Mei Kangping really going to bring her back from Kunshan using the ceremonial procession of a demonic realm princess?
Just the thought of the expression on the faces of the people in Kunshan made Mei Kangping happily hum a few tunes, and a rare smile appeared on his face.
"I love her," Mei Kangping shook his folding fan, "She is my niece, and there is no one in this world who loves her more than I do."
Unlike his counterpart, Xue Yunchao was sparing with his words, "But you are using her."
"I have never distinguished between people based on their gender or age. As long as they are useful to me, have some value, I deeply love them."
Xue Yunchao responded, "That's not love."
Mei Kangping replied, "Until her value is gone, I will love and protect her. This is the most sincere and stable kind of love, even more stable than any other type of love in this world. The most stable and sincere relationship in the world is based on mutual interests. As long as the balance of interests is maintained, no one will easily betray that relationship."
Xue Yunchao said, "But you also hate her. There is no one in this world who hates her more than you do."
Mei Kangping coldly snorted without confirming or denying, "At least, for now, I still love her. And when the time comes, I will bring my niece back from Kunshan in a grand manner."
