Chapter 74: List Changed |
Chapter 74 List Changed Under the manipulation of a scheming person, the news that Bian Weiying was the first to sign up to participate in the conference spread.
Like a stone causing a sensation, discussions on Wukang Mountain grew more fervent, and in short, there was widespread praise for Bian Weiying.
The higher the praise for Bian Weiying now, the more dangerous everyone had described the conference to be before.
Similar voices also rose and fell within the Discipline Hall, and Pang Tiansheng even constantly praised "Junior Sister Bian", recounting Bian Weiying's Glorious Deeds from childhood to adulthood.
Informed that Bian Weiying was going to participate in the conference, Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang did not know whether they should be happy. The conference departure was half a month away, but Bian Weiying had only given them three days, and participating in the conference did not hinder Bian Weiying from acting up against them.
However, Shi Chun was not afraid of her; at worst, Without Desire, One Becomes Resolute.
As soon as the news of Bian Weiying's registration came out, dozens of Young Prodigies quickly signed up to participate in the conference.
Inside the Study Room, Bian Jixiong, who had the current Registration List, smiled, "With someone taking the lead, the effect is truly different."
Xia Fuli, standing in front of the desk, joked, "Does the sect master truly not know, or is he feigning ignorance? There are quite a few young people in the sect who admire Weiying; for many of them, this is a good opportunity to get close to Weiying and Share Weal and Woe."
Safety is still paramount."
These words had undoubtedly placed Bian Weiying in the position of Team Leader, and Bian Weiying indeed possessed that Qualification, whether in intellect, Cultivation Level, strength, or Qualifications and Experience.
She was previously the City Lord of Linkang City, managing a city with so many people, let alone leading a few individuals.
Xia Fuli nodded, "Mhm, it should be so."
The registration deadline had not arrived, but the three-day Time Limit Bian Weiying gave Shi Chun had come first.
Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang, carrying water into the Courtyard, immediately saw Bian Weiying by the Water Vat.
After the water splashed into the vat, all three stood before it, silent, just waiting there.
Ultimately, it was Bian Weiying who broke the silence, "Are you not planning to explain?"
Shi Chun sighed in despair, "I truly don't know what to explain. Report your judgment to the sect; do with me as you please."
At this point, he truly had no choice.
At worst, he would revert to the situation when he escaped before: Without Desire, One Becomes Resolute, just leave. He didn't believe the Demonic Path wouldn't rescue them.
In any case, he would never easily reveal the Secret of the Right Eye.
Wu Jinliang nodded in agreement, "We can't just talk nonsense to you.
Shi Chun genuinely likes Xiang Lan'er; he just doesn't feel anything for you. It's useless even if you force it."
Bian Weiying's cold gaze swept back and forth across their faces.
She felt these two were Secure in One's Backing. She had intended to Weigh Their Importance, but considering that the matter of the Conference Participants had not yet been Finalized, she did not want to create extra problems and decided to temporarily endure.
But she wouldn't let the two of them off easily, sneering, "You've arrived just in time. We need a lot of water today.
The water you owed me from the past two days, carry it all for me today. Not even half a bucket less.
Go!"
Shi Chun and the other were both speechless. The goodwill they had previously given had, in an instant, turned into malice.
Alright, the two had nothing to say, because there was no place to be rational about such matters; they couldn't win an argument with this woman. Wasn't it just carrying water? Then carry it.
With much Moral Integrity, the two picked up their Carrying Pole and departed.
Pang Tiansheng soon discovered the abnormality.
Those two annoying scoundrels hadn't returned early. Upon checking, he learned that the two were constantly carrying water for Bian Weiying.
He immediately went to Bian Weiying to inquire what was happening, and informed that Junior Sister Bian's punishment for the two had begun, immediately beaming with joy.
The conference registration deadline arrived in an instant, with the Number of Registrants reaching over a hundred.
The Sect Elders held their Meeting as scheduled, and finally Finalized the Five-Person List.
In front of everyone, Yin Huixin said nothing, but after returning to the Inner Quarters, she erupted at Bian Jixiong over her daughter being on the List.
Bian Jixiong retorted, "Didn't you agree to her signing up?"
Yin Huixin: "I didn't agree. I said Senior Brother Ke was in charge of this matter, and told her to go find you and Senior Brother Ke."
Bian Jixiong: "Then you should first clarify what happened with her, and then come argue with me."
Yin Huixin was somewhat agitated, "Don't use our daughter's wishes as a Shield! You're letting our daughter participate in the conference merely to uphold your prestige as sect master, and to give everyone a good explanation!"
Bian Jixiong was somewhat provoked.
He leaned close to her and asked in a low voice, "Why did Wei Bian die? Was it really Weiying's Primary Responsibility? On The Night of the Incident, who sent someone to Descend the Mountain to deliver a Secret Transmission to Weiying? I tell you, I know far more than you imagine. As long as you can get her to willingly withdraw, I will change the drafted List!"
With a waving a big hand, he turned and left.
Yin Huixin's chest heaved rapidly where she stood, her Face Like a Peach Blossom turning unsightly.
What made Bian Jixiong even more suppressed anger was two days later.
Inside the Council Hall, in front of everyone, an Acknowledgement Slip from the Domain Government in Bian Jixiong's hand almost struck Elder Ke's face, "Tell me, tell everyone, what exactly is going on with this reported Participant List for the conference?"
Elder Ke responded expressionless.
Others immediately picked up the Acknowledgement Slip to examine it.
After seeing it, each and every one was shocked, including Yin Huixin.
"Bian Weiying, Gan Tangyu, Xiang Lan'er, Shi Chun, Wu Jinliang, this…" Elder Feng, muttering the List, and Elder Cui beside him Looked at Each Other in Dismay, their eyes filled with Incredible disbelief.
Indeed, all of Wukang Mountain's High-ranking Officials recognized the people on this List.
Elder Yi stared at Elder Ke and asked, "Elder Ke, this isn't the List we agreed upon.
What's going on? Who changed the List?"
Elder Ke calmly said, "I changed it."
Everyone was shocked again, so shocked they were Speechless.
Bian Jixiong, however, was not surprised by this. Only his Senior Brother Ke could come up with such an Incredible List.
But he was still furious, pointing at his nose and scolding, "Who gave you the Authority to Alter Without Authorization the Sect Resolution?"
That was secondary. Elder Yi Huachun asked, "Don't you know that three of them are not Disciples of Wukang Mountain? This time, the Rules require Disciples from Various Sects to participate in the conference.
Don't you know that what you're doing is a Violation of Rules?"
Elder Ke: "For those three, I reported them under the Status of Wukang Mountain Disciples."
Elder Feng, holding the List, pointed out, "No, the crucial thing is that these three are not Wukang Mountain Disciples.
If you Falsely Reported them, it becomes deceiving. If someone seizes this Leverage to Cause Trouble later, it will be very troublesome, not just with the Domain Government, but these are Conference Rules set by the Royal Court."
Elder Ke: "That's simple.
It's still not too late to bring them into Wukang Mountain now. As for Xiang Lan'er, my Attitude hasn't changed.
I still oppose this woman joining our Mountain Gate. Since everyone insists I obey, so be it.
I'll give her a chance to Join Wukang Mountain. If she's willing to become a Wukang Mountain Disciple, fine.
If not, do you all think there's still a need for such a woman to remain on the mountain? Isn't she Deeply Affectionate towards Weikang? I'd like to see if it's True Devotion or False Devotion."
Everyone was speechless again; it seemed the commotion was still because of Xiang Lan'er's Identity as a Courtesan.
Indeed, regarding Xiang Lan'er's matter before, when everyone had agreed out of respect for the Former Sect Master's face, only Elder Ke Yizong had stubbornly opposed it. In the end, it ended without resolution due to the Minority Obeys Majority principle.
No one expected this fellow to seize this opportunity and create difficulty.
But truly, this reason was valid.
If you want to become a Wukang Mountain person, here's your chance to become a Wukang Mountain Disciple. Do you want it?
Upon hearing this good method, some Elders silently approved in their hearts.
Bian Jixiong's face, however, had turned black as a pot bottom.
Alright, Elder Feng tapped the List again and said, "Then what about Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang?"
Elder Ke: "Knowing there's Danger yet letting Disciples risk their lives is not what Seniors like us should do.
Minimizing Disciple Loss is Our Generation's Bounden Duty. Those two Worthless Prisoners ran to Wukang Mountain to Flaunt One's Power, and I've long found them offensive.
Having them Be Assigned is just right.
In short, give them a chance to become Wukang Mountain Disciples.
If they agree to participate in the conference, fine. If not, then simply eliminate them.
Whether a person is a Wukang Mountain Disciple after they die is not for us to Have the Final Say. We'll Report to superior the Domain Government that an accident occurred.
Who can forbid a couple of people dying in an accident? The List can simply Replace People. When the Sect Disciples see the List change, they will naturally Understand the Senior's Intention and won't have any objections; rather, they'll praise it.
In short, everyone can be satisfied, there's nothing wrong with it."
"…" The Scene grew quiet.
The other Elders' expressions relaxed, because there truly wasn't any problem. They could get rid of those offensive fellows, and having them stay on the mountain was annoying anyway.
But Bian Jixiong was still Uncontrollably Furious, "This is a Sect Resolution! Is it something you can change just because you want to? Why didn't you discuss it first before making a decision?"
Elder Ke composedly said, "If it can save the lives of a few more Disciples, I am willing to accept any Penalty!"
"You…" Bian Jixiong pointed at him, Too Angry to Speak.
Xia Fuli and Yin Huixin's gazes instinctively met.
The two Knew in One's Heart that this had ruined the sect master's Secret Scheme.
Chief Elder Yi Huachun said, "How to punish is a Later Discussion.
First, Deal with the Aftermath properly. Who will go to the three to Finalize the matter of their Initiation and Replace others?"
He was originally the First Senior Brother to everyone, including the sect master.
His opening statement was tantamount to endorsing Elder Ke's actions.
Some glances turned to Xia Fuli, since he had always been in contact with those three.
Who knew Xia Fuli refused, "One Matter, One Master. Since it's Elder Ke's matter, let Elder Ke be Responsible to the End."
In any case, the matter was temporarily settled.
After the Adjournment, Xia Fuli unconsciously walked alongside Elder Ke and said in a low voice, "Elder Ke, you really are daring. I just found those few people to be a hinderance and was only joking, yet you actually dealt with them.
You mustn't say this came from me. I was just making a Joke, don't let the sect master blame me."
Elder Ke's face remained as Inflexible as ever, "Rest assured, This Old Man has always taken full responsibility for his own actions; I will not Shift Blame onto others."
Xia Fuli gave a dry laugh.
In the Sect's Forbidden Ground, Bian Jixiong pushed open the Forbidden Area Stone Gate, walked behind the White-Robed Figure who was in Sitting Meditation, and knelt and sat, informing him of the Situation of Incident.
After speaking, he also voiced a Complaint, "Senior Brother Ke's actions are simply not taking me, the sect master, seriously."
The Aged Voice said, "Enough.
He's just that kind of person. Of those who truly Take You Seriously, he's the only one.
You should Be Aware of this in your heart; the sect also needs someone like him. Later, punish him however you see fit; he won't resent you.
The List, has the Domain Lord Reviewed it?"
Bian Jixiong sighed, "I specifically asked, and it has indeed been Reviewed."
The Aged Voice said, "The Domain Lord won't remember the Minor Characters on the List, but if he Reviewed it, he Reviewed it.
He already harbors some dissatisfaction with us for having Direct Access to the Royal Court on everything. Arbitrarily Changing and Withdrawing the List, and then asking him to specifically Review it a second time for us, is truly inappropriate.
His Impression is more important than our Wukang Mountain's. It's only a matter of Three Months, it will end quickly.
Let's just handle it this way."
(End of this chapter)