7 Punishment

The Zhennan Palace is situated at the very heart of the Xuantian Sect’s grand protective formation, surrounded by numerous spirit beasts, among which is a azure phoenix.

This azure phoenix was originally brought out of the Small Grotto-Heaven by Ji Guanqi, who hatched it himself before presenting it to Immortal Venerable Zhennan as a birthday gift. His intention had been to provide his master with a riding mount, but since the Immortal Venerable has always preferred to travel by flying sword, the beast remained little more than a decorative ornament.

Yet, remembering how this very creature had desperately tried to save him before his death, a flicker of warmth stirred in Ji Guanqi’s heart.

"Screech—"

A pair of massive wings swept past the group. Qiao You watched the aimlessly circling phoenix with irritation, then turned to Ji Guanqi, muttering, "I truly don't understand what you were thinking. Master has always traveled by flying sword; giving him a flying mount was entirely redundant."

"If you are dissatisfied, you are welcome to ask the Immortal Venerable to release the beast into the wild," Ji Guanqi replied, continuing his ascent.

His retort left Qiao You speechless, leaving him only able to fume, "Ji Guanqi!"

"Raise your voice any louder and the Immortal Venerable will hear you. You might find yourself facing a reprimand," Ji Guanqi said as he walked. "The Immortal Venerable favors silence; I shouldn't need to remind you of that."

Having lost the war of words, Qiao You held a grudge. He glared viciously at Ji Guanqi’s thin shoulders before complaining to Xiao Tangqing beside him, "He’s grown quite bold, hasn't he? To think he dares to speak to me like that."

"You..." Xiao Tangqing had intended to ask if Qiao You felt something was off about Ji Guanqi, but seeing the other man’s arrogant demeanor, he swallowed his words. It was enough that the man didn't cause trouble; there was no point in expecting him to notice anything else.

The three arrived in front of the Zhennan Palace, where the Fangtian Painted Halberd stood in the center, radiating surging spiritual power. Even passing by it left one feeling an immense sense of oppression—a pressure sufficient to keep ordinary, low-level cultivators from even lifting their heads.

Ji Guanqi stopped instinctively. Qiao You, not paying attention, crashed into his back, causing Ji Guanqi to stumble forward.

"What are you doing?" Qiao You rubbed his bruised nose, annoyed. "Why stop so abruptly?"

"Do you not watch where you're walking?" Ji Guanqi glanced back at him coldly before turning his gaze back to the divine weapon.

The Fangtian Painted Halberd—a weapon so formidable that ordinary men could not even wield it, its name alone enough to shake the entire cultivation world. Its owner, Immortal Venerable Zhennan, had used this halberd to harvest countless lives, including, in a former life, Ji Guanqi’s own.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the palpitations in his heart, gripped his sword, straightened his back, and walked toward the palace entrance. He stopped and said respectfully, "Disciple Ji Guanqi pays respects to Master."

"Disciple Xiao Tangqing pays respects to Master," Xiao Tangqing followed.

Qiao You glared at Ji Guanqi’s back but dared not act out in front of the Immortal Venerable. He quickly followed suit: "Disciple Qiao You pays respects to Master."

The doors before them swung open. The hall was empty, save for two cleaning disciples who stood at the threshold and bowed respectfully. "Three senior brothers, the Immortal Venerable is waiting inside. Please enter; it is not convenient for us to follow."

Wu Hangbai had never liked outsiders entering his hall. Aside from his three closed-door disciples, even the disciples assigned to clean were forbidden from stepping inside, forced to remain at the gate.

Whether it was a hallucination or not, the moment the doors opened, Ji Guanqi caught a faint scent of blood. It vanished in an instant, so quickly he convinced himself it was merely his imagination.

Before he could dwell on it, Qiao You shoved past him, heading inside. Ji Guanqi hesitated at the threshold. Behind him was the memory of the halberd that had pierced his chest; before him was the man who had mercilessly killed him in his past life. A cold sweat broke out across his skin.

"What is wrong with you?" Xiao Tangqing’s voice whispered in his ear.

"It is nothing," Ji Guanqi regained his composure. He closed his eyes tightly, then opened them, forcing his fear down. With a plan already forming, he stepped firmly into the hall. He knelt alongside Qiao You before the renowned Immortal Venerable Zhennan and bowed low. "Disciple Ji Guanqi pays respects to Master."

The figure above remained silent. The oppressive aura that had permeated the hall vanished entirely. Ji Guanqi was perplexed; typically, Wu Hangbai did not care whether his disciples could withstand his spiritual pressure, often leaving Ji Guanqi needing half a day to recover after such audiences.

Yet now, the man in the position of power had suddenly retracted his presence.

Qiao You and Xiao Tangqing were equally confused, but however unruly they might be, they dared not act out in front of Wu Hangbai. They kept their heads lowered in silence until the man above spoke: "Are you injured?"

The question was directed at Ji Guanqi.

In truth, Wu Hangbai had noticed him the moment he entered. His gaze was veiled and restrained, but when he saw the trace of blood on the corner of the youth's lips, his pupils constricted, and his tone deepened. "Who did this?"

"I accidentally bumped into something, Master," Ji Guanqi said. He was surprised that Wu Hangbai would inquire about such a minor injury. He lowered his eyes, finding it ironic. He would ask about a small scratch, yet when he had used his halberd to run a blade through his chest, he had shown no mercy at all.

This was Wu Hangbai—the Immortal Venerable Zhennan, wielder of the Fangtian Painted Halberd. How could he possibly harbor any mercy for a disciple of such mediocre talent?

He was just an ordinary disciple; if he died, he died. It would merely vacate the position of the sect's first disciple—how wonderful that would be.

The irony was thick in Ji Guanqi’s lowered gaze—it was unclear whether he mocked the man of high status before him, or himself.

"Accidentally bumped into something?" Wu Hangbai frowned slightly, clearly disbelieving. He was displeased that Ji Guanqi had begun lying to him. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Ji Guanqi bow his head to the ground again. "What are you doing?"

"Disciple has a request," Ji Guanqi said immediately. "I ask for Master’s permission."

At these words, Qiao You’s heart sank. He looked at Ji Guanqi, guessing what he might say, yet clinging to a sliver of hope: *Ji Guanqi cares most about his position as the sect’s chief disciple. How could he really be willing to leave the Xuantian Sect? He must be faking it.*

But before Qiao You could prepare himself to mock him, Ji Guanqi spoke: "Disciple requests that Master allow me to strip off the robes of a closed-door disciple and leave the Xuantian Sect once and for all."

*He actually said it. He really said it!*

Qiao You’s pupils constricted, his gaze fixed on the man kneeling on the floor. His expression shifted, and he instinctively looked toward Xiao Tangqing, only to find that Xiao Tangqing was not looking at him, but at Ji Guanqi. Xiao Tangqing stepped forward and knelt beside Ji Guanqi. "Senior Brother has been injured today and is not thinking clearly. Please, Master, do not take his words to heart; he does not mean them."

"I am willing to accept the outcome of the wager," Ji Guanqi said. Though he didn't know why Xiao Tangqing was trying to stop him, his resolve was set in stone. He had to see this through today. He knelt on the ground and said again, "Please, Master, grant me permission to leave the Xuantian Sect. My talent is mediocre; I am unworthy of being your chief disciple and only tarnish your reputation. I implore you..."

"Who told you that your talent is mediocre?" Immortal Venerable Zhennan interrupted, his voice calm, yet those familiar with Wu Hangbai knew this was a sign of brewing anger.

For a moment, he lost control of his spiritual pressure, and all three disciples were forced to the ground. Qiao You quickly cried out, "Master, please calm your anger!"

Wu Hangbai immediately noticed that Ji Guanqi was trembling, though he remained silent. He pulled back his power, not letting a single ounce leak out, and said calmly, "You wish to leave me? To leave the Xuantian Sect?"

"I am willing to accept the outcome of the wager," Ji Guanqi heard the displeasure in Wu Hangbai’s tone, but he knew this was his only chance. "Since I promised that if I lost to Junior Brother Qiao You, I would shed these robes and leave the Xuantian Sect, never to look back."

The vow was heavy. Even Qiao You looked up. The wager had not been like that; the last part was something Ji Guanqi had added himself, effectively sealing his own exit. Qiao You suddenly realized something was wrong, but he had no way to argue.

For a fleeting moment, as he looked at Ji Guanqi kneeling there, a strange thought crossed his mind—

He felt that Ji Guanqi hadn't really lost to him at all; he had done it on purpose.

Because he wanted to leave the Xuantian Sect. He really wanted to leave!

"Refused," Wu Hangbai said, his brow knitting slightly as he looked at Ji Guanqi. "You stay. The others may leave."

Ji Guanqi looked up sharply at Wu Hangbai. His expression was so sincere that, for once, Wu Hangbai instinctively avoided his gaze.

Qiao You naturally did not want to leave, but since the Master had spoken, he had no choice but to rise. Xiao Tangqing gave Ji Guanqi a worried look before being pulled away by Qiao You.

The moment they were outside, Qiao You said, "I knew it! He wouldn't truly be willing to leave the Xuantian Sect. He knew Master would never agree, so he had to put on this little show."

"I don't think it was a show," Xiao Tangqing frowned.

"What is wrong with you? I go away for a while, and suddenly you’re speaking up for him?" Qiao You tapped Xiao Tangqing indignantly. "That’s not like you. You said yourself how much you hated him."

Xiao Tangqing remained silent. That was indeed what he had said—he had truly loathed Ji Guanqi. But lately, Ji Guanqi had been too quiet—so quiet it didn't seem like him at all.

There were times when Xiao Tangqing even had the illusion that Ji Guanqi simply didn't want to see him.

"Forget it. I’m telling you, at tomorrow’s sect ceremony, I’m going to introduce you to someone—a friend I made while traveling." Qiao You’s eyes lit up. "You won't believe what kind of person he is. You’ll be drawn to him the moment you see him. He’s kind, helpful—anyway, you’ll see for yourself!"

"Mm," Xiao Tangqing said, distracted. He kept looking toward the hall, asking idly, "What is his name?"

"Xi Yao," Qiao You smiled. "Doesn't it sound pleasant?"

At those words, Xiao Tangqing turned abruptly to look at Qiao You, his expression cooling slightly. "You know Xi Yao?"

"Do you know him too?" Qiao You frowned.

The conversation about Ji Guanqi had been completely cast aside. Anywhere Xi Yao was mentioned, even just the name itself, was enough to command all attention.

Inside the hall, the atmosphere was stifling—at least for Ji Guanqi. He had wanted to leave, but Wu Hangbai had kept him behind. He knew the man likely intended to punish him; that was just who Wu Hangbai was—absolutely impartial and cold-blooded.

That was why, when Ji Guanqi had been framed in his past life, his first instinct was to seek his master. Though he knew his master wouldn't offer him protection or favoritism, he had believed his master to be fair. The result, however, had been a stinging slap in the face.

In the eyes of the current Ji Guanqi, the man before him was not just his master, but the enemy who had killed him.

"Let me see your injury." Wu Hangbai walked over to Ji Guanqi and helped him up. He channeled his spiritual power into Ji Guanqi's body without hesitation, clearing the chaotic energy in his meridians. "If you cannot win, you may simply concede. Why bother hurting yourself?"

His tone was as flat as ever, leaving no way for others to discern his thoughts.

In his previous life, Wu Hangbai had never spoken to him so softly, nor had he ever shown concern for his injuries. Ji Guanqi paused, looking up at Wu Hangbai. Their eyes met, but Wu Hangbai’s indifferent gaze betrayed no emotion. They were standing so close that Ji Guanqi could feel his master's breath. He instinctively stepped back and bowed. "Thank you, Master."

"Mm," Wu Hangbai replied. "Take these pills and consume them to heal. The wager with your junior brother is finished. If you ever use your title as chief disciple as a stake again, you will be severely punished."

Ji Guanqi finally found a hint of familiarity in that cold tone. For a moment, he had wondered if Wu Hangbai was also reborn. If he were, surely he would have killed him with the Fangtian Painted Halberd the moment he saw him.

After all, he had poisoned the master's most beloved young disciple.

The corners of his lips curled into a slight smile. He bowed respectfully. "I will take your teachings to heart, Master. I will never dare to repeat this mistake."

With that, Ji Guanqi turned and left, failing to see the dark expression that settled on Wu Hangbai’s face behind him.

When Ji Guanqi emerged from the hall, he saw Qiao You and Xiao Tangqing still waiting. They were not waiting for him, however; they were deep in conversation, and the name "Xi Yao" drifted into Ji Guanqi’s ears. He paused for a heartbeat, then pretended not to hear and walked away.

"Ji Guanqi!" Qiao You started to step forward, but the azure phoenix swooped down, startling him into backing away. By the time he recovered, Ji Guanqi was already gone. He gritted his teeth, ready to hunt him down, but a cleaning disciple hurried over. "Senior Brother Qiao, the Immortal Venerable asks to see you."

"Master wants to see me?" Qiao You froze.

"Yes, the Immortal Venerable is waiting," the disciple said. "Please, go ahead."

Confused but not daring to delay, Qiao You turned to Xiao Tangqing. "Go back and tell Ji Guanqi: if he dares to bully Xi Yao again, I will not forgive him!"

He marched into the hall, not daring to linger.

However, before Xiao Tangqing could walk away, he heard a sudden rush of wind. He dodged instinctively, only to see a figure thrown out of the hall, crashing into the dust.

Xiao Tangqing looked closely and realized it was Qiao You. The man didn't even care about the pain; he scrambled to his knees, looking toward the hall in terror. "Master, I do not know what I did to incur such anger."

"If you ever use your status as a sect disciple as a gamble again, you shall be expelled from the Xuantian Sect," Wu Hangbai’s voice echoed from the hall, carrying a vibrating resonance. It was clearly directed at Qiao You, for Xiao Tangqing felt nothing, yet Qiao You coughed up blood.

Though he was the sect master's only son, he knew Wu Hangbai always kept his word. He bowed his head immediately. "Disciple knows his error. I will never dare to repeat it."

The hall fell silent once more. Only when the cleaning disciples signaled them to leave did Qiao You dare to stand, clutching his chest and stumbling away.

Ji Guanqi knew nothing of this. He had returned to his small cabin, pondering that since he could not leave openly, he would have to do so in secret. It seemed he would have to wait until after the ceremony to leave the Xuantian Sect under the guise of traveling for experience.

"What 'Immortal Venerable Zhennan,' fair and just, never biased..." Ji Guanqi leaned back on his bed, sneering. "Liars."

If Wu Hangbai was truly righteous, then why had he, Ji Guanqi, died in his past life?