Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The deep, resonant sound of the great Lu Huang bell echoed through Dragon Tiger Mountain, a call that had not been heard in a long time. The disciples, already aware of the gravity of the situation, understood what had transpired. The recent, harrowing battle and the appearances of the Golden Armored Deity and the Nine Jade Maiden, along with the remnants of destruction in the bamboo forest behind the mountain, told them everything they needed to know about the events that had just unfolded.
While the upper echelons were embroiled in power struggles—matters that were difficult for these disciples to intervene in—they were nonetheless deeply affected. Under such circumstances, how could anyone expect to remain unscathed? They began to gather information from various sources about the outcome of this great conflict.
Some eager disciples even set odds on who would take over as leader. Ning Suwen was leading with odds of 1:1.
Such betting was not new to these disciples; they had seen it before and would see it again. But for Lin Lingsu and Xu Suwen, this was a one-time affair. They had staked everything they had—including their lives—on this gamble; it was all or nothing.
Ning Suwen remained calm as he accepted a stick of incense from Li Xin and knelt before the Ancestor's altar, performing nine bows. All the high-ranking members stood on either side of him, creating a tense atmosphere in the hall where not a single sound could be heard.
Xu Suwen knelt before the Ancestor's altar with a pale expression, while Lin Lingsu appeared unexpectedly composed, her thoughts hidden from view.
No one dared to speak or look up; all attention was focused on Ning Suwen.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back before the Ancestor's altar, while Li Xin stood respectfully at his left side, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
Lin Lingsu’s act of killing her master was a grave crime—one that warranted death a thousand times over.
Once Lin Lingsu was dead, Li Xin would naturally take her place as Vice Chairman of Dragon Tiger Mountain, second only to Ning Suwen himself.
How could he not be ecstatic?
As three sticks of incense burned down halfway, Ning Suwen slowly turned around and scanned everyone present. A wave of fear washed over those whose eyes met his; they all understood that such brutal political struggles would ensnare many people. Anyone associated with Lin Lingsu would face dire consequences.
Several elders who usually maintained good relations with Xu Suwen deliberately distanced themselves from both individuals, fearing that Ning Suwen might suspect them and drag them into the underworld alongside Lin and Xu.
At that moment, Zhang Suting's face was flushed with excitement. Everyone in Dragon Tiger Mountain knew that he and Xu Suwen were sworn enemies, and naturally, he relished seeing Xu Suwen in such a predicament.
Ning Suwen spoke up, each word striking like a heavy hammer against the chest of everyone present.
"To kill one's master and betray the sect, what punishment do you think you deserve?"
At this, everyone fell silent, too afraid to speak. A careless word could lead them into an irreversible situation.
Seeing no one respond, Ning Suwen's gaze landed on Zhang Suting. "Suting, you are in charge of the enforcement here. What punishment do you think they deserve?"
Zhang Suting felt the pressure of Ning Suwen's direct inquiry and steeled himself to step forward. "Killing one's master and betraying the sect is one of the gravest sins in Dragon Tiger Mountain. According to our ancestral rules, Lin Lingsu and Xu Suwen should be subjected to three knives and nine cuts, executed slowly, and then their Three Souls and Seven Spirits locked away in the Ninth Underworld for ten thousand years without hope of resurrection."
Upon hearing this, Xu Suwen let out a muffled groan, his face turning as pale as paper. Lin Lingsu fared slightly better but still showed signs of fear.
Xu Suwen had initially thought that death would be the worst outcome, but he never expected Zhang Suting to take personal revenge by condemning him to the Ninth Underworld to suffer for ten thousand years. The punishment seemed excessively harsh.
Ning Suwen sighed. "Xu, Lin, did you hear that?"
With a thud, Xu Suwen's knees buckled as he prostrated himself like a pestle. "Master, please show mercy! Master, please show mercy!"
Lin Lingsu snorted coldly and shot a sideways glance at Xu Suwen. "Uncle Xu, at this point, what good is begging? Are you not even as good as a woman?"
"Lin," Xu Suwen lamented, tears streaming down his face. "I’ve already given up; there’s no need for this. Yet you refuse to listen to my words and insist on dragging me into this mess..."
"Uncle Xu..." Lin Lingsu interrupted sharply. "What’s done is done. A man should take responsibility for his actions; why must it come to this?"
Ning Suwen sighed and said, "Lin, considering your youth and ignorance, and your eagerness for revenge on behalf of your father, if you kneel and beg for mercy, I will spare your life. I will confine you in this ancestral hall so that you may repent for your wrongs throughout the years. What do you think?"
"I did nothing wrong," Lin Lingsu retorted with hatred in his voice. "If there is a mistake, it lies in my lack of skill; I am not your match. Success makes one a king, failure a bandit. Do as you wish; I am not afraid of you." With that, he glared fiercely at Ning Suwen.
"Stubborn and foolish, stubborn and foolish," Ning Suwen trembled with anger, pointing at Lin Lingsu. "I originally considered our master-disciple bond and helped you time and again, yet you repay me like this… Very well. Do you truly wish for death? I will grant it to you."
"Master, please spare me! I was coerced by him; he forced me!" At this moment, Xu Suwen had completely abandoned his dignity, kneeling and banging his head on the ground while pleading loudly for mercy.
"Very well, very well, Xu. I will not kill you, but Lin… if you are willing to plead with me, I will also spare your life. Will you beg me?!"
Lin Lingsu turned his face away and let out a muffled grunt without responding.
"Ah, indeed a stubborn character, one who won't turn back even when hitting a wall. Fine, if you seek death so desperately, I will not grant it to you; that would undermine my authority as the leader. Li Xin!"
Li Xin quickly responded.
"Does our sect still have the tools for the Three Blades Nine Holes?"
"We do have them; I will send someone to fetch them right away," Li Xin replied with his head bowed. He glanced at Lin Lingsu for a moment, their eyes meeting briefly as a sly smile flickered across his face.
"What better time than now?!" Ning Suwen exclaimed loudly.
Soon enough, the sound of footsteps approached. Three disciples entered, each carrying nine steel knives. They knelt before Ning Suwen, the knife tips gleaming coldly, sending chills down the spine of anyone who looked at them. Lin Lingsu shuddered slightly, fear evident in his eyes.
"Who will enforce the law for me?" Ning Suwen called out loudly.
"Disciple is willing to take on the task and clear the gate for the Sect Leader," Li Xin said.
Ning Suwen nodded and replied, "That would be excellent."
Li Xin picked up a sharp blade, circled around Ning Suwen, and knelt before the Ancestor's altar. He declared loudly, "Earth Lord, I, Li Xin, am here today to clear the gate on behalf of the Sect Leader..."
"Sect Leader, spare me! Please spare me..." Xu Suwen beside him was banging his head against the ground in desperation. Everyone else couldn't help but frown; they hadn't expected him to turn into a spineless worm at such a critical moment, even less dignified than a woman. Moreover, the Sect Leader had already promised to spare his life.
Lin Lingsu shouted, "Ning Suwen, you dog thief! I'm paving the way for you; I'll be waiting for you in the Nine Netherworlds. You better come quickly and not keep your aunt waiting..."
The more Lin Lingsu cursed, the worse it became, even resorting to crude rural slang. It was surprising to see someone who usually appeared cold and dignified like a saint reveal such a side; everyone was taken aback. Even Ning Suwen found her words increasingly unbearable and frowned.
"Li Xin, what are you waiting for? Get on with it."
"Yes," Li Xin shouted and stepped forward.
Suddenly, Ning Suwen felt a chill at her neck, her body shook violently. Instantly, excruciating pain surged from her neck into her brain. Slowly turning her head, she saw Li Xin's face twisted with malice and cruelty, a sinister smile curling at the corners of his mouth.
"Has my Sect Uncle also cast an omen for me?"
Comment 0 Comment Count