Pang Zhixue spoke calmly, "Article 20 of the Sect Rules: Sword Sect disciples must unite and support one another. If anyone schemes against a fellow disciple and causes harm, the punishment will range from ten lashes to a thunderbolt that annihilates both body and soul, depending on the severity of the crime. Ye Zhaozhao's intent to harm is undeniable, but since the consequences were not severe, she is sentenced to ten lashes."
Ten lashes… Ye Zhaozhao's face turned pale.
It was the lightest punishment possible for framing a fellow disciple, but the lashes of the Law Enforcement Hall were far from easy to endure. After ten strikes, she would likely be bedridden for days.
"Master…" Ye Zhaozhao looked to Lingxu Zhenren with pleading eyes.
Lingxu Zhenren's expression darkened.
This wasn't merely a punishment for Ye Zhaozhao—it was a blow to his own reputation. He had been the one to drive Li Shuang away. He had been the one to shield Ye Zhaozhao. Did this not mean he had misjudged her entirely?
At this point, defending her further would only tarnish his name. He said coldly, "Zhaozhao can accept the flogging. But what about Li Shuang? She abandoned her fellow disciples on the Snow Mountain. Shouldn't she also be punished?"
Before Li Shuang could reply, Pang Zhixue said, "If there is solid evidence about the Snow Mountain incident, the law will be enforced accordingly."
His meaning was clear—there was no evidence at all.
While Sheng Yuan and the others supported Ye Zhaozhao, none dared fabricate witnesses to claim they had seen Li Shuang abandon her companions. Both Li Shuang and Ye Zhaozhao had their own versions of the story, yet neither was backed by proof.
With no conclusive evidence, the matter remained unresolved.
Lingxu Zhenren's voice was low but sharp. "One day, the truth of the Snow Mountain incident will come to light. I'll see how you respond then."
Li Shuang remained unruffled. "I await that day."
Lingxu Zhenren snorted, anger simmering, but said no more.
"Then, let us enforce the law," Pang Zhixue ordered. "Ye Zhaozhao is a Nascent Soul disciple, so the punishment will be carried out by a Nascent Soul enforcer. Yunge, proceed."
Jiang Yunge of the Law Enforcement Hall stepped forward, a whip in his hand—black at the top, red at the bottom.
Black for water, symbolizing the Black Tortoise of the north.Red for fire, symbolizing the Vermillion Bird of the south.Water and fire are both merciless—and so are the laws of the sect.
The Law Enforcement Hall, the Sword Sect's arm of justice, wielded this whip as a symbol of impartial authority, striking fear into all disciples.
Ye Zhaozhao's body trembled. She tried to speak, but the enforcers had already stripped her of the Dragon Roar Sword and forced her to the ground.
"Junior Sister!" Chang Le'an rushed forward in alarm.
Lingxu Zhenren raised his hand to stop him, his face cold. "It is a crime for disciples to obstruct law enforcement."
Chang Le'an's eyes burned red. Was he just supposed to stand here and watch?
Sheng Yuan's lips tightened. At first, he had thought Ye Zhaozhao was in the wrong, but now… Li Shuang seemed far too merciless.
Senior Sister—when had she become so unforgiving?
Before everyone's eyes, the first lash fell.
Ye Zhaozhao had hoped to endure the punishment in silence, to at least keep some dignity. But the instant the whip struck, a searing pain tore through her, forcing a scream from her lips.
The second lash fell before she could recover, drawing an even louder cry. Tears and snot streamed down her face.
Sheng Yuan's heart trembled. She had never endured such pain before. After ten lashes… who knew how much she would suffer?
Chang Le'an's gaze blazed toward Li Shuang. This was all her doing!
The third lash. The fourth…
Jiang Yunge said nothing. She had enforced punishments many times, but Ye Zhaozhao's wails were the most exaggerated she'd ever heard. Still, she did not relent—ten lashes, each one precise, without mercy.
When it was over, Ye Zhaozhao lay limp on the ground, unable to make a sound.
Chang Le'an was the first to reach her, cradling her in his arms. He looked at Li Shuang with anger. "Are you satisfied now?"
Li Shuang's expression was calm. "I asked only for fairness. Now that it has been served, I am satisfied."
Chang Le'an gritted his teeth, hatred flickering in his eyes. She had gone too far. He would never forgive her for this.
Sheng Yuan gave Li Shuang a complicated look. "Third Junior Brother, enough. Take Junior Sister back to heal her wounds."
Suppressing his anger, Chang Le'an nodded and prepared to leave with Ye Zhaozhao—
—when a lazy voice interrupted.
"The Sword Sect's punishment is complete, but my Spiritual Weapon Pavilion's matter is not."
Ye Zhaozhao's eyelids fluttered, though moments ago she had looked unconscious.
Really? Even now this petty matter wasn't over?
Lingxu Zhenren's tone turned icy. "Mr. Hong, Zhaozhao has been punished. What more do you want? Business is conducted by mutual consent. Can you lay all blame on her?"
Hong Sheng shook his head. "Of course not. Manager Qiu bears equal responsibility. Once the Pavilion headquarters hears of this, he will be stripped of his post and fined heavily."
Lingxu Zhenren's eyes narrowed. "And then?"
Hong Sheng smiled. "Over the years, Manager Qiu has made great profits through cooperation. Out of regard for the Sword Sect, he has given Ye Zhaozhao a full share of the dividends. She has received thousands of high-grade spirit stones. Manager Qiu has compiled the records. Please, Hall Master Pang, take a look."
Manager Qiu shot Ye Zhaozhao a look of spite before handing the list to Pang Zhixue.
When the blind box scandal erupted, he had known his position was doomed. He had quickly given all his savings to Hong Sheng, asking him to make this trip. His aim was simple—if he had to fall, he would make sure Ye Zhaozhao did not have an easy time either. And if the Pavilion fined him, he would ensure she shared the burden.
Pang Zhixue scanned the document, his expression shifting.
A Nascent Soul disciple with thousands of high-grade spirit stones—an astonishing fortune. The booklet also detailed the methods Ye Zhaozhao had used to make money—profitable, yes, but excessively greedy.
If not for the Pavilion's century-old reputation keeping matters quiet, this scandal might have erupted long ago, even without Li Shuang's interference.
Thousands of high-grade spirit stones!
Lingxu Zhenren's gaze moved to Ye Zhaozhao.
He had always had a weakness for wealth, and one reason he favored Ye Zhaozhao was that she frequently offered him gifts of spirit stones. Each time, she had claimed it was her entire fortune.
Her "filial piety" had deepened his bias toward her.
But now…
Now he saw that she had secretly hoarded thousands of high-grade stones. Those generous gifts she had given him…
His face darkened.