Chapter 133

Soon enough, it was done in one smooth motion; as soon as he stepped into the rear courtyard, Xu Jie, kneeling and crawling, before the others even had time to react, had already reached Hong Zun's knees, grabbed his thigh in one go, and cried out in a heart‑rending, lung‑splitting wail.

"Master, disciple knows I was wrong; Master, please punish me; no matter what punishment, disciple is willing to bear it."

"Ye Zhangqing stared dumbfounded; just now he saw a black shadow, whoosh, and it passed."

"As for Zhao Zhengping and the others, their mouths twitched; 'You damn, what happened to your bearing just now?'"

"But soon they reacted, exchanged glances, and all with a thud knelt on the ground, shouting loudly."

"Master, disciple knows I was wrong.........."

"Good fellow, that move is so practiced it makes one's heart ache."

"Anyway, Ye Zhangqing seeing this scene couldn't help but soften his heart; look, the one crying is truly heart-rending."

"Even Liu Shuang, who had been silent all along, had tears falling in big drops, pear blossoms with rain, making one's heart ache."

"Those who don't know seeing this scene would surely think Zhao Zhengping and the others are peerless good disciples, but Hong Zun clearly knows that each and every one of these guys in front of him is a rebellious disciple."

"Not to mention their rebellious nature, but when it comes to eating, these little brats can do anything."

"Hong Zun glanced at Xu Jie clinging to his thigh, then disdainfully lifted his leg."

"Let go, I don't have a disciple like you; go find your second senior uncle."

"Master, disciple really knows I was wrong."

"Heh, you weren't saying that back then; your methods are quite elaborate."

"Master, I also just want a meal; I really can't live without Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing."

"As Xu Jie said that, Zhao Zhengping and the others also chimed in agreement."

"Yes, Master, disciple really can't live without Junior Brother Ye Zhangqing."

"As soon as those words were spoken, a flash of viciousness appeared on Hong Zun's face, and he roared angrily."

"Then would I lose Little Ye Zhangqing? You want to eat, so why can't you bring me along? Ah."

"Besides anger, there was also deep resentment in the words; watching the master and disciples shouting at each other, Ye Zhangqing silently pretended to be dead on the side."

"In this situation, I suppose it'd be better to just be a transparent person; if possible, Ye Zhangqing even wanted to slip away."

"Faced with Hong Zun's sudden roar, Zhao Zhengping and the others were stunned, and the resentment Hong Zun had harbored all along burst forth completely at this moment."

"One month, do you know how I, as your master, have spent this month?"

"You all entered my sect as children; I raised you as both master and father, and this is how you repay me?"

"Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou, as women, do you remember when you first joined the sect, when you had your first period, who went with a fawning face to ask the Hundred Flowers Peak Master to come? And this is how you repay me?"

"Liu Shuang, Lu Youyou, hearing this, lowered their heads in shame, and involuntarily recalled childhood events."

"Yeah, although Hong Zun can teach them in cultivation, after all men and women differ; there are some things Hong Zun simply can't handle, but for their sake he still went to ask the Hundred Flowers Peak Master."

"The tears in their eyes flowed even more uncontrollably, and meanwhile Qing Shi hurriedly chimed in."

"Exactly, Little Yao'er, back then I, as your master, did the same for you."

"Master, the one you invited was a courtesan, and moreover... you stayed overnight; people say they've never seen someone bring their daughter to wander the Gōulán."

"Cough, Master doing that wasn't for you."

"Shut up."

"Hong Zun turned his head and roared, 'I'm trying to talk serious business, and you've ruined the atmosphere!'"

"He then turned his gaze to Zhao Zhengping, his anger growing."

"And you, Zhao Zhengping, as my eldest disciple, you actually laid hands on your own master; are you trying to kill your master?"

"Back when I brought you into the sect, I raised you through thick and thin, and this is how you repay me?"

"Master, disciple.........."

"You want to talk about sect rules? How could I, in your heart, be worth less than a single sect rule? How could you, in your heart, not think of me when eating? And those midnight diapers you washed for me—were they all eaten by dogs?"

"Hong Zun's eyes turned red, and Zhao Zhengping, without refuting this time, lowered his head deeply and spoke sincerely."

"Disciple knows I was wrong."

"Hmph."

"With a cold snort, Xu Jie, kneeling at his feet, seeing this, hurriedly comforted."

"Master, calm down, it's all.........."

"Shut up; among all the fellow disciples, you Xu Jie are the worst."

"Master, I.........."

"Heh, I've met countless people in my life, yet I failed to see you as such a two-faced traitor, harboring rebellious thoughts, stabbing your master in the back, full of scheming tricks; now you've even learned to file a black report against your master?"

"Master, I really am not.........."

"What, looking at you like this, are you still thinking of switching sects and seeking a petty post in the Law Enforcement Hall?"

"No, disciple really doesn't think that."

"No? Then what do those words you said with Shi Song mean? Letting that old fogey Shi Song severely punish me, even wanting to imprison me in the dungeon, strip me of my position as Peak Master of Divine Sword Peak—are you trying to rebel so you can sit as the new Peak Master of Divine Sword Peak?"

"After saying all that, Xu Jie was completely dumbfounded, not to mention him, Ye Zhangqing beside him was also dumbfounded."

"Even the look toward Xu Jie became somewhat off."

"Because Ye Zhangqing doesn't know the truth, he can't tell whether Hong Zun's words are true or false; but if they are true, then this Shī xiōng truly deserves death ten thousand times."

"But Ye Zhangqing doesn't know; Xu Jie, the person involved, naturally knows very well when he ever said such words."

"No, Master, when dealing with demonic beasts and Demonic Cultivators you can slap on any charge at will, but I'm your disciple—do you really have to treat me like this?"

"Master, I didn't, I really didn't say those words."

"No? Hmph, if you want to keep something unknown, you must not do it yourself; do you think the things you've done behind my back can be hidden from me?"

"I, as master, have shed blood and earned merit for the Dao Yi Sect; do you think a few petty slanderous words of yours can erase that?"

"And you still dare say I collude with demons, force disciples on Divine Sword Peak, embezzle sect resources, intend to seize the sect leader's position—do you think your second senior uncle, who heads the Law Enforcement Hall, is that easy to deceive?"

The more I listened, the more panicked I felt; I really never said those things—I merely lodged a false accusation, when have I ever spoken like that?

I wanted to speak up to explain, but Hong Zun gave me no chance at all, his eyes slightly narrowed, a half-smile playing on his face.

"So others might still be forgivable, but you, Xu Jie, harboring rebellious thoughts, deviating from the Dao, killing your master and father, ten unforgivable sins, truly intolerable by heaven and earth, by law, by the Sect, and as your teacher I cannot tolerate you either."

Damn it, Xu Jie, I'm completely numb—my father is still alive and well, and now they're accusing me of patricide; this is really going all out to kill me.