Translator: CinderTL
Wu Xin clenched his jaw inwardly. He couldn't understand why Xu Sanyan was pushing him so relentlessly. They could have lived in peace, and he had even agreed to share spirit stones with Xu Sanyan annually. Why couldn't Xu Sanyan just stay home, collect his spirit stones, and live peacefully?
Why make an enemy of him?
But Wu Xin didn't know that Xu Sanyan had little need for spirit stones. He wasn't particularly concerned about them. As long as he had enough, more spirit stones wouldn't make much difference.
What Xu Sanyan truly craved was power!
He didn't want anyone to stand on equal footing with him except the Hall Master. He wanted to hold all the power in his own hands!
Once he had power, what were mere spirit stones worth?
Strength and authority were paramount, while spirit stones were merely their byproducts.
Once he firmly controlled the Crimson Heart Faction, what couldn't he obtain?
Their eyes met, and Wu Xin squeezed the golden orb in his hand tightly.
Song Wuqiu spoke up, "Hall Master, you could send someone to Elder Wu's cultivation cave to investigate. The annual share was just submitted recently; I doubt Elder Wu has had time to process it yet."
Wu Xin sighed softly at these words, remaining silent.
Every year, there were countless items to handle, and he hadn't had time to deal with them. If someone were to search his residence, they would easily find evidence.
Years of peace had lulled him into complacency, and he had come to view such matters as routine. His actions grew increasingly reckless, and now he had finally reaped the consequences.
The Mad Daoist turned to Wu Xin, as if waiting for him to confess.
With things having come to this point, how could he not know that Song Wuqiu's words were true?
Xu Sanyan smiled and looked at him as well.
Wu Xin's expression was listless as he slowly rose to his feet. "This subordinate admits his guilt. I beg the Hall Master to consider my years of service and allow me to resign as hall master and go down the mountain to atone for my crimes."
The Mad Daoist took a long swig of wine and looked at Xu Sanyan. "From now on, all matters, great and small, on Crimson Dragon Mountain will be decided by the Holy Son. Don't bother me with them anymore."
With that, he stood up and walked out.
"Farewell, Hall Master."
Everyone bowed respectfully.
Only Xu Sanyan pursed his lips. A voice echoed in his ear: "I hope there won't be a next time."
Xu Sanyan understood what this meant. He had only been able to resolve the matter so swiftly and decisively because he had leveraged the Hall Master's authority. Without the Hall Master's presence, even with the evidence he had presented, he wouldn't have been able to nail Wu Xin so quickly.
Because in this world, strength is the foundation of everything.
Wu Xin, at the Peak Stage of Soul Refinement, wasn't afraid of facing Xu Sanyan head-on.
Xu Sanyan glanced at Wu Xin, who stood beside him, and smiled faintly. He then spoke loudly, "Elder Xuan, according to sect discipline, how should we punish him?"
Elder Xuan, the hall master of Crimson Dragon Mountain's Discipline Hall, was nominally part of Crimson Dragon Mountain but was actually from Harmonious Heart Mountain.
The Discipline Hall didn't fall under the Holy Son's jurisdiction, answering only to the Sect Leader and the three Hall Masters. Therefore, Xu Sanyan couldn't order him around.
A plump figure emerged from the crowd. His face was round, too, making him look like a small ball stacked on top of a large one—an unforgettable sight.
Elder Xuan said solemnly, "We should strip him of his elder status, confiscate all his assets, and send him to the spirit mine for a hundred years of hard labor to atone for his crimes."
Wu Xin was shocked and about to protest when Xu Sanyan spoke, "That's a bit harsh, isn't it? Elder Wu has toiled for many years. Even if he hasn't earned any merit, he deserves some consideration for his efforts. In my opinion, it would be better to have him stationed in White Ram City to atone for his crimes through service. What do you think?"
Elder Xuan nodded. "As the Holy Son wishes."
He was happy to give Xu Sanyan face.
Wu Xin seethed inwardly. Was this act of false sympathy meant to make him express gratitude?
"Hmph!"
Wu Xin snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, and left without uttering any threats.
The future is long, he thought. There's plenty of time ahead. No matter what, my Peak Stage Soul Refining Realm cultivation remains. Once I break through to Dao Harmony, even if I don't become Hall Master, my status will be vastly different. Then I'll return to reclaim everything I've lost!
Wu Xin cast one last glance at the Crimson Heart Hall before turning and leaving without looking back.
Xu Sanyan turned to the elders of the various halls. "Will you confess yourselves, or shall I investigate? If you confess yourselves, your punishment will be lenient. But if I uncover the truth..."
Xu Sanyan's cold gaze swept across the elders, who remained silent.
After a moment, some elders began to confess voluntarily. Xu Sanyan didn't execute them, but merely demoted them to deputy hall masters, allowing them to continue managing hall affairs while his own people were promoted to hall master to oversee them.
Though these elders had erred, they were still familiar with the hall's operations. Replacing them abruptly could lead to mistakes. It was better to let them atone for their sins through service.
However, all embezzled funds would be confiscated, half going to the sect and the other half to the internal affairs hall for its own use.
The internal affairs hall was essentially Xu Sanyan's personal purse.
Ten days later.
The various halls had stabilized and were operating normally without any major issues. Wu Xin had already descended the mountain, leaving Liu Tang as the Hall of Affairs master.
Xu Sanyan had originally promised the position to Song Wuqiu, but Song, aware of his own status, declined. Thus, it was given to Liu Tang, while Song Wuqiu remained the hall master of the Corpse Blood Hall, his position unchanged.
Outside the Crimson Heart Hall, in a spacious plaza, eight martial arts platforms had been erected. Each platform hosted a pair of disciples in combat.
The Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition had reached its final stage, with only sixteen disciples remaining. Today, the top eight would be decided.
Xu Sanyan sat at the head of the assembly, his gaze fixed on the platforms. He raised his teacup and took a sip.
These sixteen disciples were all quite skilled, having been selected from over two thousand Outer Sect Disciples—a truly exceptional group, representing the best of the best.
One disciple in particular caught Xu Sanyan's attention. This young man, around seventeen or eighteen years old, had an unremarkable appearance and ordinary physique. He wore a plain black robe, blending seamlessly into the crowd. He was the type of person you'd pass on the street without a second glance.
Yet Xu Sanyan held him in high regard. He predicted that this young man would emerge as the champion of the competition.
The young man wielded a pitch-black longsword, and in just three moves, he had already placed the blade against his opponent's neck.
In Xu Sanyan's estimation, the young man was holding back. Otherwise, he could have defeated his opponent in a single strike.
Invincible in the Mortal Realm?
"Lin Fan wins!"
The victor on the stage was clear. As expected, the young man had defeated his opponent and advanced smoothly.
Xu Sanyan propped his head up, silently rolling his eyes. Lin Fan?
Based on his years of experience reading novels in his past life, anyone with the surnames Ye, Lin, Xiao, Wang, or Chu, and whose name included characters like Fan, Yan, Feng, or Yi, was likely the protagonist.
If they also happened to be orphaned, had a sister but no home, possessed a family heirloom, or had been jilted by their betrothed, then they were undoubtedly the protagonist.
Xiang Tan stood beside him, watching Xu Sanyan stare intently at the young man. She whispered, "What's wrong, Senior Brother? Is there something wrong with him?"
Xu Sanyan slowly shook his head and instructed, "Bring him to my room later."
Xiang Tan paused, then slowly nodded. "Yes..."
Xu Sanyan sensed something strange about her. He glanced at her and asked, "What are you thinking about?"
"Nothing, Senior Brother. I'm just curious why you want to see him alone."
Xu Sanyan remained silent for a moment before replying, "Have someone investigate his background. Don't do anything unnecessary, and don't let him find out. Just check his background."
"Yes."
Xu Sanyan pondered inwardly, hoping he was overthinking things. How could something as absurd as a protagonist panel possibly exist?
As he thought this, a Heart Thought stirred within him, and a panel materialized before his eyes.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c218. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (4.1K+) Chapters, (5.8M+) Words.