Journey to the head

Hmm. Wang Yu raised his eyebrows in slight surprise.

He couldn't understand Liu Zaijiu's feelings now, but in his opinion, if Liu Zaijiu mentioned Cui Linglong, the best thing for him would be to find a way to meet Cui's father and daughter and let them plead for him and reduce his sentence.

But now, Liu Zaijiu actually made such a request which seemed very boring to him.

Don't tell Cui Linglong the truth, don't let her be disgraced in the sect, don't let her know that the person she loves is such a scum.

This was Liu Zaijiu's last thought. He didn't know what was going on.

Before this, he had already planned that if he was exposed, he would ask Cui's father and daughter for help. But when the time came and he was sentenced to death, thinking of that lively and innocent figure, his heart ached, and only this thought remained.

Jiang Qingfeng was slightly moved by the situation in this final request. He couldn't bear it and said, "Brother Wang, although this boy has committed a serious mistake, he still has some good thoughts and conscience in his heart. Why not spare his life and let him build his foundation, and then use the rest of his life to repay his sins."

"No." Wang Yu said firmly, "The sect's rules and regulations are as hard as iron and steel, and there can be no compromise. Once the loophole is opened, the power of the punishment will be lost. How can we control the people in the future? Not to mention Liu Zaijiu, even the backbone managers present here will be severely punished if they make mistakes!"

"Besides, what good intentions can a little bit of love be regarded as? If he gets what he wants, he will be portrayed as a hero, but Cui Linglong will be heartbroken."

Jiang Qingfeng shook his head: "But if Linglong knew the truth, she would not be able to accept it and would be deeply affected. To put it more seriously, it would affect her Taoism and her Taoism would be damaged. For example--"

She stopped talking, but everyone present knew that she was talking about Wang Yu's direct disciple, Wu Zhilan.

Ever since her Taoist partner died in battle, she became disheartened and failed repeatedly in her attempts to break through the foundation-building stage. Her spiritual core also failed to bloom too many times, which had damaged her essence.

There is no hope of entering the foundation-building stage again in this lifetime.

The Yunshan Sect has been in its heyday for decades, but it is really a pity that she, who can be called a veteran, has ended up in such a situation.

Wang Yu was silent for a moment, then said in a cold voice: "Fan Shan is great. He didn't bring shame to Yunshan Sect... In this case, no matter what image Liu Zaijiu has, Cui Linglong may be affected."

"Is Zhilan's state of mind damaged, or is she not strong enough? What happens to Cui Linglong depends on herself."

"Since it's her turn, why not cover it up for Liu Zaijiu?" Jiang Qingfeng continued to persuade, "I believe in the role of 'love'. The positive image of a Taoist couple can always serve as a motivation."

"Besides, my faction has been dealing with a lot of problems recently. Why don't you whitewash it and save some face for my faction?"

No one else present had the right to interrupt, and they listened to the argument between the two Yunshan Sect elders with different expressions.

Liu Zaijiu knelt on the ground, with his head lowered and his eyes closed, waiting for the final verdict.

Even though he sneered at other words, the sentence "give my faction some face" actually touched Wang Yu a lot. He was silent for a moment and actually started to think.

Suddenly, a disciple hurried into the hall and whispered a few words to Wang Yu. Wang Yu nodded. The disciple received the order and passed it to Jiang Qingfeng and other elders and backbones. For a moment, everyone's face was filled with joy.

The hall was completely silent. Wang Ruoyu and the other disciples stood by the door, not daring to ask any more questions, feeling somewhat puzzled. Liu Zaijiu looked up in surprise, not knowing what had happened.

Amid endless anxiety and torment, after half an hour, suddenly a five-colored light descended from the sky, and everyone stood up and bowed.

"Welcome Master!"

Liu Zaijiu's body trembled, and he kowtowed heavily: "I am the sinner Liu Zaijiu, I kowtow to the master."

It was Lu Qian who had successfully come out of seclusion!
The figure with supreme authority in the Yunshan sect stopped in front of Liu Zaijiu. Boundless shame surged in his heart, and Liu Zaijiu buried his head even lower.

Lu Qian said nothing, continued to move forward, and sat on the main seat vacated by Wang Yu.

He greeted several elders first, then turned his gaze to Liu Zaijiu who was kneeling in the hall. After staring for a long time, he sighed heavily.

Liu Zaijiu's body trembled, and he kowtowed again, saying: "I have failed the Sect Master's high expectations, and I have failed the Sect's cultivation..."

In Lu Qian's heart, disappointment was greater than anger, mixed with some frustration. He had only been in seclusion for a short time, how come so many things suddenly popped up?
The summoned disciples have reported the whole cause and effect to Lu Qian, including Liu Zaijiu and the Banlan Liu family, Zhao Zhong and the Gushan Zhao family, as well as many cases of disciples violating laws and disciplines that were discovered recently.

Lu Qian knew that if one problem was exposed, there must be a hundred problems hidden behind it. At present, various problems of internal and external connections and violations of sect rules and regulations would be exposed in a concentrated manner, proving that such problems in the sect have existed for a long time and in large numbers.

The Yunshan Sect has been developing rapidly for decades and has finally reached this stage... Many insects will eventually grow on a tree with lush branches and leaves.

"Bring some wine..." Lu Qian said slowly, "I still remember that year, in August of the 366th year of Jiashen, when you won first place in our sect's first Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation Skills Competition. You stood out and caught the eye of Cui Keqing, and were rewarded and promoted to the third rank of the inner sect."

"I was very happy at that time. I made you a model of hardworking art, and summoned you alone. I thought you would become a backbone of my sect."

"In a blink of an eye, forty years have passed, and you are about to build your foundation..."

Liu Zaijiu suddenly broke down. He fell to his knees, weeping bitterly. His forehead was bleeding. He shouted hoarsely, "I know I have committed serious sins. I only wish to die quickly!"

Lu Qian sighed again and waited quietly for a moment. Seeing that he had calmed down a little, he finally asked, "I just don't understand. You have a bright future, a happy relationship, and everything else. Why did you commit these mistakes?"

Everyone present had different expressions, and seemed to be thinking about something. Liu Zaijiu clenched his fists, and memories of the past few decades flashed through his mind.

Why? And since when did he become involved with the Liu family?

Therefore, the main culprit was the Liu family's inducement to fall into depravity.

But the answer turned in his throat, and finally came out with only a few bitter words: "It's all because of greed burning my heart."

"Yes." Lu Qian nodded, "It's all due to greed. The treatment and benefits you enjoy now can be described as generous. The Liu family is a small Qi training family, what treasures can they bring out? It's just that the greed in your heart is insatiable and selfish desires are at work, which is why you have fallen to this point."

Everyone nodded, and the expressions of several people who had frequent dealings with subordinate sects became tense.

Liu Zaijiu looked ashen, and muttered, "My disciple didn't mean to do that. After the Liu family became friends with me, I just thought that it's better to do business with the familiar than with the new. It doesn't matter who I give these small businesses to. Giving them to the Liu family won't harm the interests of my sect."

"Who would have thought that once they took that step, they would lose control and slide step by step into the abyss, right?" Lu Qian interrupted him. "At first, they only gave them some business, but what happened later? They took kickbacks and bribes, colluded with each other, shared the profits, promised them more and more, and turned a blind eye to their wanton behavior and finally became accomplices, openly covering up vicious cases..."

Liu Zaijiu turned pale, while Hao Qiuguang, Zheng Duan and others were all sweating. "Once the bottom line is broken, there is no bottom line. Once the cage of desire is opened, it can never be closed again."

"A small amount of selfishness will eventually evolve to the point where it is out of control. A thousand-mile dam collapses because of an ant hole, that's all."

"So the best way is not to touch it at all. Not even a little bit is acceptable."

Wang Yu nodded in agreement: "Master, what you said is absolutely right. If there is a first time, there will be a second time. If we want to maintain the integrity of the sect, we must use severe punishments. We must use thunderous punishments so that no one dares to overstep the line."

But Lu Qian did not comment on Wang Yu's words. After a moment of silence, he made his own decision.

"Zaijiu, you have repeatedly violated the sect rules and cannot be forgiven. We have given you time to surrender, but you have ultimately let us down."

Liu Zaijiu shook his body and said in a hoarse voice: "Yes, disciple is willing to die."

"But considering that you have made some contributions in the past and have a good attitude in confessing your guilt, I will help you realize your last request."

Hearing this, Liu Zaijiu raised his head and a gleam of light flashed in his eyes.

"We will tell Cui Linglong. When you were looking for a place to build your foundation, you were spotted by a passing Yuanying cultivator who took you as his disciple. Our sect had no reason to refuse."

"Leave a letter to Cui Linglong now. Tell her to practice well. You must obey the master's orders and obtain the golden elixir before you can return to the mountain to meet her again."

Liu Zaijiu's face was full of gratitude, his eyes were filled with tears, and he kowtowed heavily.

"Disciple...I am so grateful! If there is an afterlife, I will repay you with a grass ring!"

Jiang Qingfeng breathed a sigh of relief, and Wang Yu nodded.

The Sect Leader's plan was a good one. It not only saved the reputation of the sect, but also left Cui Linglong with something to think about. She should practice hard in order to see her lover again.

As for when this lie will be exposed... With Liu Zaijiu's talent, it would normally take him two hundred years to obtain the Golden Elixir.

No one can predict what will happen in two hundred years, so let’s just preserve the present.

The spiritual power between his fingers rustled on the silk cloth, and Liu Zaijiu's tears continued to flow, leaving behind the last traces.

After he finished writing, he pulled down another piece of silk cloth and raised his hands above his head: "Master, I have learned that some disciples have committed illegal acts over the years. I am now presenting the relevant clues, hoping to finally clear out some of the pests for the sect."

Lu Qian nodded, then shook his head: "If you had realized this earlier, you wouldn't have ended up like this. Now even if you make further achievements, it's all in vain."

Liu Zaijiu smiled bitterly: "I dare not say that I have made any contribution, but I hope I can contribute to the cleansing of the sect's tradition. If I can really help my sect, it will be of some use. I only hope that the sect leader can take care of Linglong more, and I will be satisfied."

Wang Yu took the silk cloth into his palm and glanced at it briefly. The heavy and cold spiritual pressure on his body flashed away: "Very good, very good Lin Le."

Lin Le turned around with some confusion.

Wang Yu's voice was cold: "Your intelligence team is very useful externally. No matter whether it is the Zhao family of Gushan or the Liu family of Banlan, they cannot escape our tentacles. But to spy on the inside, it seems that you need to put more effort."

Lin Le hesitated for a moment, and was about to answer when Lu Qian spoke up: "Brother Wang, I have already made plans for this matter. Reform of my sect is imminent, and I also have plans in this regard."

Wang Yu stopped talking. Lu Qian turned to Liu Zaijiu who was kneeling in the hall and closed his eyes. "Ruoyu, you should see Zaijiu off for the last time. This is a confidential matter and must not be disclosed."

Liu Zaijiu suppressed his trembling body and kowtowed once.

Wang Ruoyu bowed and accepted the order, and extended his hand to Liu Zaijiu: "Junior Brother Liu, please."

Liu Zaijiu struggled several times, but in the end he was unable to stand up. Wang Ruoyu sighed, lifted him up, and left the hall.

When Liu Zaijiu's figure disappeared outside the door, his last shout suddenly came: "Master, Linglong, I am guilty!"

The sound was shrill, like a night owl, and then it stopped abruptly.

Everyone present couldn't help feeling sad.

The unspeakable silence lasted for a long time, with everyone having their own thoughts, until the east turned bright and the snow scene was dazzling. The silence was suddenly broken by Hao Qiuguang.

"Master, there is something I don't quite understand."

"Junior brother, it doesn't matter if you say so."

Facing Wang Yu's cold gaze, Hao Qiuguang mustered up the courage to say, "After the Liu Zaijiu case, I was also very alert. I also accepted a lot of gifts in the past. Oh, I know I was wrong! I will definitely change in the future. Brother Wang, if you have any punishment, I will never say no—"

Jiang Qingfeng didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Wang Yu snorted coldly. Hao Qiuguang continued, "In the past, I just thought that there were some welcoming and seeing off, and that it was no big deal to have some human relations. I just need to be clear-headed and not harm the interests of my faction."

"But what the head brother said just now is absolutely right. Once this kind of thing starts, it is difficult to control. One wrong step will lead to many wrong steps. Unless you are a saint, you will not be able to stick to your principles. In the end, the mistakes you make will become more and more outrageous, and you will be completely swallowed up by the abyss of desire."

Hearing the deep reflection in his words, Wang Yu glared at him coldly: "If you confess the stupid things you have done, you will not be able to escape the blame. Don't expect me to be partial to you."

Hao Qiuguang wiped the cold sweat off his forehead and said repeatedly, "That's right, I know it. I just want to ask for clarification to avoid repeating the same mistake later.

"When people interact with each other, they always invite each other to dinner and give each other gifts. This has been the case since the birth of human beings. So what is allowed and what situation violates the law?"

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to Lu Qian. Lin Le also began to think silently. Hao Qiuguang asked a very good question.

Even though he had rejected a lot of private relationships, he had to admit that communication between people was inevitable. If one was cold and ruthless and lived in isolation, neither the Yunshan Sect nor individual cultivators would be able to develop in this collective society.

So, what is the answer?

Lu Qian thought for a moment, and before he could speak, Wang Yu said in a deep voice: "There is a give and take, there is a gift and there is a return, and it does not involve official business, which can be called normal communication. If there is a difference in the exchange, the gift and the return, and ultimately it is necessary to use public power and public interests, then it is a violation of the law!" (End of this chapter)