Song Wanníng had returned.
The Sect Master of Wentian Sect instantly felt something was wrong. He instinctively avoided her gaze.
But just moments later, he raised his head with forced confidence and spoke, irritation creeping into his voice.
"Junior Sister Song, you've finally come back. I sent you so many message talismans before. Why didn't you respond?"
The elders behind him widened their eyes in disbelief. They could understand the Sect Master's attempt to distance himself from the scandal, trying to deflect blame. But did he not see who he was talking to?
Trying that trick on Song Wanníng wouldn't work. In fact, it would only pour oil on the fire.
Clearly, the Sect Master had been out of his depth for some time.
The elders exchanged glances and sighed again. He was no longer suited to lead this sect.
"...Heh."
Song Wanníng let out a quiet laugh. She took in the expressions of the elders behind him. After enduring for so long, it was time to end this. She'd been waiting for the right moment, and now, the Sect Master had handed it to her on a silver platter.
"Sect Master, let me ask you something. I told you long ago that Ye Chuxue was the one who murdered Lu Nanfeng. You refused to believe me and delayed for half a month, never giving me a clear response.
Even when it became obvious that she was the killer, you did everything you could to reduce her punishment. You even went along with those slanderous rumors, damaging my disciple's name. Even after death, he was humiliated by the sect. What exactly were you thinking?"
As she spoke, Song Wanníng's eyes turned red.
The disciples had never seen her like this before. A surge of envy rose in their hearts. To be a disciple under Song Wanníng… it had always been a dream. But now, that dream burned brighter than ever. Many of them couldn't help but shoot scornful, accusing looks at the Sect Master.
"Even if you were dissatisfied with me, Lu Nanfeng was a disciple of Wentian Sect. Why would you protect Ye Chuxue?
Are the sect's rules just for show now? Or do they only apply when convenient? How do you expect anyone to accept this?" Her voice was sharp, striking like thunder.
The Sect Master turned pale, eyes flickering. He opened his mouth several times, but not a single reasonable excuse came out.
Now that Lu Nanfeng's name had been cleared, nothing the Sect Master said could justify his choices.
In the end, his face turned red from shame as he forced out an apology.
"Junior Sister Song, I… I didn't think things through. But Gu Qingyuan gave me repeated assurances, so I chose to believe him…
Don't worry. I'll give you justice. Ye Chuxue will be stripped of her cultivation and expelled from the sect. That way, Lu Nanfeng's soul can rest in peace."
There were no other options left. Ye Chuxue was already finished, and frankly, he was exhausted. He let out a long sigh. In that moment, he seemed to age a decade. He thought that apologizing would put an end to all this.
But Song Wanníng had no intention of letting him off so easily.
"Do you think an apology is enough?"
Her voice was cold. Unforgiving.
"Do you understand how much disappointment you've caused among the disciples? First, you led Wentian Sect to be downgraded and turned into a laughingstock. Then, you repeatedly shielded Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue. And now your private life…
Now that their scandal has gone public, Wentian Sect has become a joke to the entire cultivation world. Have you still not grasped how serious this is?"
Her words shifted the crowd's attention back to Gu Qingyuan and Ye Chuxue.
"I warned the sect long ago. I told you that Gu Qingyuan had disgraceful intentions toward Ye Chuxue. And what did you do, Sect Master? You knew and did nothing. Worse, you protected them. Now the entire world knows what kind of filth has come out of Wentian Sect. How do you plan to take responsibility for that?"
A Nascent Soul elder caught in a scandal like this would be condemned across the cultivation world.
How could the Sect Master not have known this outcome?
But it wasn't like he had pushed the two of them together. Why was Song Wanníng blaming him?
He immediately tried to defend himself.
"As soon as I found out, I warned Senior Brother Gu. I never indulged them, and I certainly didn't shield them. I only wanted to protect Ye Chuxue because she was a genius. For the future of the sect, I thought—"
"So the Sect Master admits to being biased?"
Song Wanníng's voice turned mocking, her tone slicing like a blade.
"So what if she was a genius? If she joined Wentian Sect, she should've followed its rules. If it were my disciple who did this, I wouldn't need the sect to step in. I would've handled it myself.
And you, Sect Master of this sect, don't even understand your own responsibilities. What are you doing still sitting in that seat? I say it's time you stepped down and made way for someone capable."
Her words dropped like a stone into boiling oil.
"That's right! Master Song is absolutely right. We're all supposed to be equal in this sect. But the Sect Master clearly favors the talented. It's not fair!"
"This must be addressed!"
"Yes! There has to be accountability!"
The disciples had already been complaining in private for a long time. With Song Wanníng speaking out, she gave voice to what they had only dared whisper.
Though they were still afraid of retaliation, they couldn't hold back anymore.
Several elders exchanged glances. If this continued, the sect would fall into chaos.
Now that Song Wanníng had taken the lead, this might be their only chance.
The Second Elder stepped forward.
"I agree with Junior Sister Song. Sect Master, you've disregarded sect rules, ignored the advice of your elders, and protected two individuals who brought shame to our sect. You've lost the trust of the people. If you still care about your dignity, you should resign your post voluntarily."
Her words were blunt and unforgiving.
The Sect Master stared at her and Song Wanníng in shock, his raised hand trembling uncontrollably.
"You… you…
You're pushing me too far!"
His eyes reddened as he looked at the crowd around him, all filled with expectation and condemnation. A wave of bitterness washed over him.
"I gave everything for this sect, and now you want me to step down? You've gone too far!"
His entire body was shaking. Fury consumed him. Everything he had done, every compromise, every decision… wasn't it all for the sake of Wentian Sect?
"What did I gain from protecting Ye Chuxue? I only did it because I saw the sect heading downhill and wanted to salvage what I could. And now, I'm the one being blamed?"
He couldn't understand. He couldn't accept it.
The crowd fell silent. Some disciples even began to waver, their expressions uncertain.
But Song Wanníng's gaze turned sharp as ice. She let out a cold laugh.
"Was it really for the sect's future? Or was it to polish your own name? You know the answer to that better than anyone.
Over the years, how much profit have you skimmed off the top? How many women have you kept outside the sect? Shall I start counting for you?"