CHAPTER 491: CHAPTER 501: TOO LATE FOR REGRETS

Everyone just hoped not to end up in a tragic fate like Luo Sishui.

The eyes of Mao Wu Mountain Master moved, like a cunning old fox, probably thinking of ways to save himself.

"Iron Judge Tie Pan and Mu Yi, conducting a flawed investigation, abusing their power, almost causing a miscarriage of justice. They should be severely punished, to serve as a warning to others: kill one to warn a hundred, to discourage imitation. Strip them of their judicial titles, expel them from the Law Enforcement Hall, never to be employed again."

The Law Enforcement Hall is akin to a public service department, representing the sternness and fairness, as well as the severity of the sect’s rules.

For members of the Law Enforcement Hall who knowingly break the law, the sect has always been unforgiving.

This is also a sacred and pure land upheld by all members of the sect, never allowing those who bend the law for personal gain to exist within the Law Enforcement Hall and disturb the justice of the law.

Upon hearing such a verdict, Iron Judge Tie Pan felt darkness before his eyes and collapsed on the spot.

It’s over, all over.

Think back to when he first entered the Law Enforcement Hall, how glorious it was? Starting as an ordinary enforcement disciple, he rose step by step, eventually becoming a majestic and authoritative Iron Judge. Holding the rule stick of the sect, he could judge the crimes of those who violated the rules of the sect.

Now, everything is back to zero; he has no further relation with the Law Enforcement Hall.

His bright future has come to an abrupt halt.

Mu Yi could never have imagined that an insignificant Outer Sect ordinary disciple, just a small leader in Medicine Mountain, would possess such formidable means and strength. Actually managing to turn the Outer Sect upside down.

"Medicine Mountain number 106, Manager Tang Ying, for suppressing subordinates and notorious misconduct. Failing the generous kindness of the sect, and even more failing the many Medicine Farmers under his charge. Knowing full well his subordinates were wronged, he not only failed to protect them, he even abetted in tyranny, to oppress and bully his own subordinates. This goes against the sect’s principles of unity and amity."

"Demote you to an ordinary Medicine Farmer, as a punishment. If others commit the same offense, Tang Ying will be made an example of!"

The stern gaze of Jia Zongren swept across the room; no one dared to meet his eyes.

Surprisingly to Chu Feng, the punishment meted out to Tang Ying was even more severe than that of Steward Chen Cheng.

A sect that can stand for over ten thousand years without falling truly has its merits.

Without mentioning anything else, the protection of its sect disciples is enough to give every sect disciple a strong sense of belonging.

Take Chu Feng’s last visit for example, despite the venerable status of Lady Xiong from the Xiong Family who came to the Ten Thousand Sword Sect to demand someone, the sect firmly respected Chu Feng’s wishes and did not give face to Xiong Guansui.

In an ordinary family or power, they might very well have handed over Chu Feng.

Protecting their own people, this principle, is personally exemplified by the higher-ups and continuously inculcated into each member of the sect. This subtle influence unifies the entire sect, making everyone adhere to this system.

Plop~!

Just as Manager Tang Ying was being punished, Mao Wu Mountain Master made a shockingly astonishing move, kneeling down publicly on the spot.

Iron Judge Tie Pan and Manager Tang Ying had both received heavy punishment, and as the Mountain Master, he naturally could not escape either.

"Lord Zong Ling above, this humble Mao Wu knows he is guilty. Failing to control my subordinates, I was biased and credulous, mistakenly treating Chu Feng as a heinous criminal. If not for your personal intervention to clarify the facts, I would still be kept in the dark," he said.

"I am willing to accept punishment voluntarily! From now on, I will certainly remember this lesson at all times and never be complacent again!"

Mountain Master Mao Wu’s move of admitting fault and asking for punishment was indeed astute.

By yielding to advance, and pushing the main blame onto Tang Ying and the others, he was playing the classic chess move of sacrificing a piece to save the game.

"I am not usually a biased person. It’s just that Chu Feng acts too ostentatiously, barging onto other managers’ territories and causing grievous harm, betting with Inner Sect Disciples... incident by incident, each one easily leads to misunderstanding him," he said.

Mountain Master Mao Wu was hinting to Jia Zongren that by acting this way, he was also helping your son to vent his anger.

Jia Zongren’s expression remained stern, but his gaze softened slightly.

"Manager Mao Wu of Medicine Mountain No. 106, considering that you have acknowledged your mistakes and come to your senses in time, along with your many years of laborious and meritorious service for the Sect, you are hereby given a chance to make amends. You will be penalized by withholding your stipend for one year and receive a demerit. Do you accept this punishment?"

Jia Zongren raised his rod of power high, only to bring it down gently in the end.

Mao Wu Mountain Master was overjoyed and repeatedly kowtowed.

"This lowly one Mao Wu fully accepts with both heart and mouth. I will go through fire and water and shatter my bones to pieces in service of the Sect and Lord Jia Zongling," Mountain Master Mao Wu said, his words as sweet as honey and without any superfluous talk.

Every word and sentence was pleasing and comforting to Jia Zongren.

His narrow escape from danger, merely being penalized with a year’s stipend, was not simply a stroke of luck but the result of his own skills.

Ever since Chu Feng was assigned to Medicine Mountain, Mountain Master Mao Wu had been suppressing him in secret, repeatedly ingratiating himself with Young Master Jia. He was extremely cunning in his actions, never directly exposing himself, but hinting at his subordinates to deal with Chu Feng instead.

If Chu Feng were to be taken down, Mountain Master Mao Wu would claim the greatest credit.

If things went awry, Mountain Master Mao Wu could completely dissociate himself from the matter.

"Chu Feng, are you satisfied with this outcome?" Jia Zongren’s authoritative gaze fell upon Chu Feng’s face. Although he found Mountain Master Mao Wu’s flattery satisfying, he merely smiled and let it pass.

After all, there were simply too many people who flattered him on a regular day.

Jia Zongren, as the Lord Zong Ling, punished so many simply to satisfy Chu Feng.

"Lord Zong Ling is fair in his rewards and punishments, how could I dare to be dissatisfied?" Chu Feng’s response held a double meaning. Neither soft nor hard.

To be promoted to Inner Sect Disciple was an affair suppressed by such a high-ranking official as the Lord Zong Ling; for Chu Feng to be fully satisfied was impossible.

Nevertheless, he was still quite content with the outcome.

Staying on Medicine Mountain for a while longer was also good, allowing him to better care for the people of the Dan State Branch. If Chu Feng became the Mountain Master, he could even gather them together, so they would no longer need to suffer any bullying.

Jia Zongren originally wanted to take the opportunity to retrieve the Jade Pendant. However, Chu Feng’s attitude made it difficult for him to speak up.

A man needs his face, a tree needs its bark, after all, he is the Sect’s Lord Zong Ling.

Being of such an esteemed status, surely he couldn’t resort to pressuring Chu Feng like Young Master Jia, could he?

"Forget it, if there’s no opportunity this time, it’s also improper to force it. Mao Wu has received a great favor from me, I can hint to him to handle this matter!" Jia Zongren took a deep look at Chu Feng, paying particular attention to the Jade Pendant at Chu Feng’s waist for a few seconds, before flying back to the Inner Sect.

That Jade Pendant is a treasured heirloom of the Jia family.

He must find a way to reclaim it.

...

Having taken the position of Manager, Chu Feng returned to Medicine Mountain and naturally had no shortage of small leaders and Medicine Farmers coming to kiss up to him and pay their respects.

Chu Feng did not trust these people.

Mountain Master Mao Wu had been in charge of this Medicine Mountain for many years, and it was feared that his trusted followers were everywhere. Chu Feng, a newcomer, could easily meet his end without even knowing if he carelessly trusted these people.

Fortunately, among these subordinates, there were indeed a few members of the Dan State Branch.

Chu Feng’s second senior brother, Liu Dazhuang, and five True Disciples from the Dan State Branch, were all here.