Wuling himself was still unsteady, and he was supported by Tao Zhi to come over.
The elder brother Duan had gained a sliver of hope, wishing for a miracle. He quickly said, "Good! Even if Little Master Brother and Wuling are the same, even if I am wrong! Even if I bring back Silk Yan and two other disciples, it's not a big accomplishment. But I saved Wuling? He was calculated by Mao Sanfurou! If I hadn't entered that deadly mansion, he couldn't have survived and ascended the mountain alive. That doesn't count as an accomplishment?"
Moreover, Wuling has done well! He has extensive connections; he knows more men like Tao Zhi, the kind of Yin-Yang master. As his master, I have not only guided him but also saved his life. Can't you, Senior Brother, show leniency? And can't you, fellow disciples, give me a chance? Remember that back then, Elder Sister Ci Yi knew the Celestial Oracle, and it brought great benefits to our Four Rules Mountain. Wuling has the unique advantage; he deserves recognition for my contribution!
I even feel that Elder Brother Duan is speaking without thinking.
His struggle was meaningless. He You Tian had made up his mind. At this crucial moment, he was going to be removed from his position. Any more trouble would only make him a laughingstock, with no other outcome possible.
Wuling's arrival was rather convenient; even if he couldn't help but beg for mercy, he would still hit a dead end, and he would still be criticized by many elders.
At this precise moment, Elder Brother Duan once again called out, "Wuling, why don't you plead for mercy from your teacher?"
Wuling thumped to the ground, his hands sprawled out, and he almost crawled. His voice choked and trembled, "My disciple has been listening to Grandmaster's reprimanding from the stairs all along. Hearing what the elders say, my master has indeed become attached to form!"
"Please, all the elders, Senior Brother, show some leniency, do not punish him, and let me take him to theThunder God Cliff."
"Master, you also shouldn't be stubborn, mistakes are mistakes. One must admit when one makes a mistake to avoid irreversible severe consequences!"
"You!" Elder Brother Duan exclaimed with a puff, spraying blood over a distance of more than one meter. The entire aura of his body showed immense wilt.
My heart shrank abruptly, with a surge of coldness enveloping my entire body.
Wuling, you've got some great tricks!
Elder Brother Duan, who was treating him as a buffer in the last moment, held him tightly, but he directly threw off Elder Brother Duan and even used this opportunity to express his heartfelt feelings!
The other elders spoke with less severity than the previous few. They all pleaded with Elder Brother Duan to accept his punishment, emphasizing that it would avoid chaos within the Four Rules Mountain and prevent embarrassment in front of other Taoist gates.
Moreover, ascending to the Thunder God Cliff is not a death sentence. Elder Sister Ci Yi will naturally distinguish between right and wrong.
Wuling staggered to his feet and walked towards Elder Brother Duan.
As he approached, Wuling broke free from Tao Zhi and embraced Elder Brother Duan.
Although Wuling is taller than Elder Brother Duan, it feels like a younger generation comforting an elder, making it appear more filial and warm.
In the next moment, Wuling took two steps back, bowed with his fists clenched slightly, and bowed slightly.
Elder Brother Duan looked at He You Tian once more, who remained silent. He glanced around at the many elders and then said in a hoarse voice, "I don't need anyone to accompany me. I will go to see the Ancestress by myself."
After saying that, Elder Brother Duan turned to walk towards the outer gate of the Temple of the Spirits.
"Twelfth Brother, you take Xiang Ke and choose two more disciples to send Elder Brother Duan to the Thunder God Cliff." However, Elder Brother Sanfurou happened to speak at that moment.
This caused Elder Brother Duan's body to tremble slightly. He suddenly smiled, looking very self-deprecating.
In no time, Elder Brother Duan disappeared, followed by the Twelfth Elder, Xiang Ke, and two other disciples. They all vanished from our sight.
The atmosphere in the scene remained tragic and sorrowful.
Elder Brother Si walked over to me, supporting me up and urging me not to be too saddened, to go to the side of the Senior Brother first.
I couldn't laugh, even though Elder Brother Duan received the deserved punishment, I still felt difficult inside.
As I approached He You Tian, he sighed slightly and patted my shoulder.
I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Wuling had also approached, and the other elders had gathered around as well.
He You Tian looked towards the slightly distant Silk Yan, before turning to look at me and said, "The two female disciples who climbed up the mountain informed us about the hundred and eighty-eight lamas. Is that true?"
I nodded.
"No harm done, I will discuss with Yunjin Mountain, Guchang City, and Juyu Mountain. They are unwanted guests who have caused harm to my disciples. Their lives can be counted as a trade-off for this incident. But if they come again, it will be an unresolvable enmity. They have killed my disciples and want to seize my candidate heir. Four Rules Mountain will not agree to this, nor will Yunjin Mountain, Guchang City, or Juyu Mountain. Xianshen, Senior Brother knows you well; you like to take all the responsibility on yourself."
"However, what the previous Fourth Elder and Fifth Elder said was correct. If you had followed them, there would indeed be no today's incident. You have made the most appropriate choice."
He You Tian's words were full of earnestness and care.
I nodded reluctantly, but the inner feelings of disappointment still emerged. Is this really all it takes?
But it seems like this is the right thing to do, and my dad's words were also a passive defense...
The invaders from the Black City Temple are fighting on the home ground of the Taoist sect, which naturally gives them a disadvantage. Four Rules Mountain cannot directly go to the Black City Temple to seek justice; there is no benefit to be gained from such an action.
The Black City Temple also suffered losses.
Under the rationale on all sides, Four Rules Mountain has no ill effects from swallowing this breath, but this breath carries blood and leaves a bitter aftertaste in one's heart.
Gradually, I have developed a subtle change in attitude towards the Black City Temple. At the moment, I now feel a hint of resentment and coldness towards it.
This time, the massacre at the mountain gate was not necessary for the lamas. They could simply have walked away. It can only prove their inner brutality and treachery, killing and robbing people. These are things that they have long since become accustomed to.
Their nature is inherently wicked.
The Taoists hate the wickedness, and those who carry out justice to punish the wicked are those like them!
"Xianshen?" He You Tian shouted me again, and I came back to my senses from deep thought.
I recounted to He You Tian the details that my father had mentioned, as the two female disciples had listened in secret and were bound to miss some details.
Plus, I added my own analysis, and after He You Tian heard it, he nodded.
The other elders pondered for a moment and each put forward some suggestions. Most of their ideas were in line with He You Tian's and my father's.
After that, He You Tian gave an order for the other disciples to collect and bury the bodies of the deceased students.
As soon as the order was given, the disciples began to work in a hurry. Silk Yan was about to leave, but He You Tian called out, "Silk Yan, don't leave just yet. Let's go with me and Little Master Brother to the Six Palace Hall."
The elders began to disperse. After nodding to me and He You Tian, we both walked down the steps.
As for Wuling on the other side, He You Tian seemed to have not seen him at all, treating Wuling as if he was invisible.
Wuling stood there, with an awkward smile on his face.
Of course, I was only observing Wuling out of the corner of my eye. Once we were far away, I didn't pay much attention to him anymore.
I felt a bit uncomfortable in my heart, afraid that He You Tian would do something foolish like arranging a marriage at such a critical time. Determined, if he really did that, I would have to speak up clearly to avoid Silk Yan from misunderstanding.
Not long after, we arrived at the Six Palace Hall. At this moment, the place was exceptionally quiet, with no disciples around.
"Little Brother, take out the night-luminous nostril and give it to Silk Yan." He You Tian's words were surprising!
