~~~
The Punishnt House is easily the most humble-looking building within the Eternal Fla Clan. Barely two-stories tall, it only has five rooms and does not occupy much area. It is a simple, small house located in the northwestern sector of the compound.
That is how it looks from the outside.
Beneath the building, there are five different basent levels with five hundred and fifty-five cells in total. The first level is for disciples who have committed mild offenses. anwhile, the lowest level, which has the harshest security asures, is reserved for cris so foul it has not seen use in nearly four centuries.
The existence of the Punishnt House is yet another detail Khong Hu neglected to ntion during the tour he gave them. Of course, it likely never occurred to him that theyd be sent here during their first month as disciples.
Life is unpredictable that way.
Lu i, Huang Shing, Bei Hong, and Liu Jin have all been placed in the sa cell. It is only in the first level, but that doesnt make it comfortable. There is barely any ambient Qi inside it, making it entirely unsuitable for cultivation, the opposite of an isolation chamber. Which, Liu Jin supposes, is only proper. Why should misbehaving disciples be rewarded with a good place to cultivate?
Since they are on a basent level, the cell has no windows. It also has no doors. As soon as they walked in, it automatically sealed itself, bricks appearing out of thin air to form a wall. The only source of light is a small red fla, which hovers in the center of the room.
If I may ask, how did you get through the forest so quickly? Liu Jin asks. He is sitting on the floor, his back against a wall.
Flying carpet.
Liu Jin blinks and tilts his head to the side. Truly?
Huang Shing nods excitedly. Sister i has one! Can you believe it?!
I will show it to you once we get out of here. If we get out of here, that is.
Despite her words, the look on Lu is face can only be called amused. The sides of her mouth are tense, as if shes trying not to smile too much. Like the others, she sits on the floor with her back to one of the walls. The fla reflected on her eyes makes them shine more than usual.
Sister i, please dont say such things! Huang Shing holds his head between his hands. I am already nervous enough as it is.
Bei Hong snorts and crosses his arms. He sits opposite to Huang Shing. His right leg is extended while his left knee is pulled close to his chest.
There is nothing to be nervous about. Weve done nothing wrong. The battle started because we were recovering items that were stolen from us. That the site of the battle was an unfortunate place is not our fault.
Liu Jin fights back a smile. An unfortunate place. That is indeed a tactful way of putting it.
Though in their defense, how were they supposed to know things would escalate in such a manner?
~~~
What is the aning of this? Feng Zhi thunders, stomping his way up to them. His overpowering presence has stopped everyone in their tracks. Do you not realize you can not use this level of force here?
One of the disciples opens his mouth. Young Master, I
Silence! What if you had hard the Spring of Clear Insight! What would have happened then?
Young Master, another disciple starts. Please understand
Did I not tell you to be silent!
Feng Zhis words are loud. Angry. However, it is the heat that roils around his body that stops further interruption. The temperature is on a completely different level from Pan Qius fireballs. This heat if they were not as strong as they are, their lungs would have already burned from inhaling the air.
If the Spring had been damaged, itd be fully within my rights to kill all of you. Do you not understand that? Even right now, for daring to commit such a huge blunder, I should save everyone the trouble of dealing with your stupidity and kill you right now.
My, oh my, to think the Young Master is already taking administrative matters into his own hands. How impressive. It warms this Elders heart to know I wont have to worry about such things anymore.
Not a single person noticed her arrival, yet she is suddenly standing a few feet away from Feng Zhi. She is a tall woman with black hair and dark eyesan Elder of the Eternal Fla Clan.
Liu Jin instantly recognizes her.
Elder Xue, Feng Zhi greets her, setting off dozens of alarms in Liu Jins head. I did not expect anyone to react to this altercation so quickly.
It is nothing special. I rely happened to be close by. The sa could be said of you. Elder Xue smiles as she looks over his shoulder. Although in your case, I can understand why you are here. The Spring of Clear Insight does offer quite a lovely view, doesnt it?
Feng Zhi flushes then pales. Elder Xue, this is...I
Your personal affairs are none of my concern. She turns towards the assembled disciples. This... altercation, however, is. I understand your zeal, but I must ask that you do not overstep your boundaries.
Of course, Elder Xue. Feng Zhi bows his head, his expression now completely hidden. I leave the matter in your hands.
~~~
In hindsight, it all makes sense. The disciples who stole the herbs had not chosen that place at random. Quite the opposite, in fact. Liu Jin had only half-realized it at the ti, but it is now clear there are areas within the Sumr Forest that are safe for disciples to traverse. The reason those exist must be because there is sothing valuable in the forest that must remain readily accessible.
The Spring of Clear Insight.
The disciples had not expected them to know about the safe zones. However, because they had tracked them down, a fight ensued, and they ca dangerously close to harming sothing the Eternal Fla Clan clearly considers valuable.
We did nothing wrong? Lu i looks up. I wonder if it will be that simple.
Bei Hong glares at her. It is Bei Duyis fault, and you know it!
True, Lu i admits, unmoved by Bei Hongs anger. However, even if it is not our fault, it can be argued we bear so responsibility. There is also the matter of trustworthiness to consider. It is their word against ours.
Oh. Liu Jin says, realizing what Lu i is getting at. Yes, that could complicate things.
Huh? Huang Shing looks from one to the other. What do Brother Jin and Sister i an?
We are new disciples who have had less than a month to build a reputation, Liu Jin explains. Our foes have had considerably more ti. A year, at least.
anwhile, Lu i says, taking over the explanation. The two of you have certainly been making a na for yourselves, though I cannot say it is a good one. Fighting every day and crushing those beneath you. You two are certainly strong, but I cannot say youre popular.
What do you an us two? Bei Hong asks, offended. What about you two?
Lu i points to Liu Jin with a dainty wave of her hand. Qing Jin has been diligently working in the Apothecary, and I am a pure, delicate flower loved by all who visit the dical Pavilion.
Liu Jin blinks at that, his gaze snapping to Lu i, who stares back at him with a perfectly innocent smile.
She has been doing dical work?
No, that should not surprise him. Her perfu is almost certainly made by her own hands. Her resistance to alcohol also indicates so familiarity with poisons. Lu i should be more than capable of helping out in the dical Pavilion. In fact, his Master had ntioned the Red Sky Pavilions dical and alchemical skill in good terms, hadnt he?
But dont worry. Us, popular ones, will make sure to speak well on behalf of you two brutes, Lu i adds, a teasing smile on her face.
I will make sure to gloss over your flaws as much as possible, Liu Jin says, not quite being able to fight the urge to join in.
Huang Shing groans. He has his arms over his knees and sinks his head in between. Please, dont joke about such things.
Are you really that worried? Bei Hong asks. I did not imagine youd be so frail.
It is not that, Brother Hong. Its just that... if the other disciples will have to speak about us, well, then that ans Feng Zhi will do it as well, wont he?
Lu i raises an eyebrow. She is not the only one who does so. To call the Eternal Fla Clans Young Master by na, that is quite daring of you.
You recognized him by sight, Liu Jin notes, causing the other two to look at Huang Shing with renewed interest. Have you have you t him before?
Huang Shing looks to the right, then to the left, then up, before finally looking down, trying to hide his face between his legs. I well that is...
Huang Shings reaction is as curious as it is unexpected. Regardless, it is clear this is not an issue Huang Shing wants to talk about. Liu Jin is about to tell him he does not need to say more (and hoping the others wont press the issue) when...
He stole my fiance!
He blurts it out all at once. Huang Shing is left panting after this proclamation as if the act of saying those words had taken a physical toll on him.
I grew up in Soaring Cloud City and was the heir to the Huang Clan. I wont say it is so sort of prestigious lineage. Compared to the two of you, it might not even be worth ntioning, he tells Lu i and Bei Hong. However, in Soaring Cloud City, it was sothing to be proud of. I was important enough that a fiance was arranged for since the day I was born.
The words Huang Shing had told him hours ago flash through his mind. Thats right. He ntioned a woman is the reason he is here.
Her na was Yi Jiao. Our fathers were close, so we practically grew up together. We were the best of friends and eventually grew to love each other. It was a truly blessed life, but then he appeared.
Feng Zhi? Bei Hong guesses. Huang Shing nods, grim-faced
He was passing through the city. He ca with so many servants and guards. It was like nothing I had seen before. Back then, we were proud to host him at our house. However, upon laying eyes on Yi Jiao, he instantly fell in love with her. When the ti ca for him to leave, he took her with him.
And since he is of the Eternal Fla Clan, none of you were able to do anything about it. Lu i sums up. Huang Shing does not answer, causing Lu is eyebrows to rise further still. Or perhaps... Did you actually try to stop him?
I challenged him.
How are you alive? Bei Hong blurts out. Its the most shocked Liu Jin has heard him, and with good reason. As impressive as Huang Shing is, Feng Zhi is clearly superior.
He toyed with , humiliated . Huang Shings fist shakes as he recounts his story. I was not even deed worth killing. That is why I left my ho. I needed to grow stronger so that I could
Stop! Lu i cuts him, her voice suddenly cold.
Huang Shing looks taken aback. Sister i?
I am saying this for your sake. It is better if you dont say more.
She is right, Liu Jin adds in a gentler tone. Even if it is only the four of us here, there are certain things you probably shouldnt voice in the Eternal Fla Clan.
Which is not to say I dont understand where youre coming from, Bei Hong says, crossing his arms and nodding. Well, personally, I think won that cause this much trouble are no good, but youre definitely aiming high. Thats worth respecting.
Brother Hong Huang Shing says, touched.
I an it. Most guys in your position usually give up right away. Ive seen it happen plenty of tis.
It happens plenty of tis? Huang Shing repeats, shocked.
A beautiful woman. A powerful man. It is a tale as old as ti, Lu i shrugs. Being beautiful is a curse. There are many stories we could tell you, but that is a matter for another ti. Youre worried Young Master Feng Zhi will speak out against you. Is that it?
Huang Shing nods.
While I realize this may sound a little insensitive, Liu Jin speaks, Brother Shing, youre worried Feng Zhi will speak out against you, but... do you really think he will recognize you?
Huang Shing thinks over his question for a few seconds before sighing, defeated.
No. I dont think he ever put in his eyes.
I see. Thats... Liu Jin trails off. It is a good thing but saying it will probably make Huang Shing feel bad. It ans that event wont affect us.
However, that woman definitely recognized the two of us.
That Yes, that is unfortunately quite true.
Elder Xue.
The Elder in charge of the Apothecary, supposedly a fairly influential person within the Eternal Fla Clan.
She is the sa Elder that tested them during the Selection Exam.
I really dont trust that woman.
Not for the first ti, Huang Shing sums up his feelings rather nicely.
~~~
Five days later, the walls of the cell open up. The four are escorted out of the basent. To their surprise, Elder Xue waits for them on the upper level along with Feng Zhi. Next to them is an Elder. Liu Jin recalls seeing him in the dical Pavilion.
I am pleased to see you are doing well, the Elder from the dical Pavilion tells them.
It is only to be expected, Elder Cheung, Lu i says, bowing respectfully to him. We are not so weak a low-grade repentance cell would have any effect on us.
Naturally, Elder Xue says, Yet, we could hardly have you running around free while we deliberated. Such would be seen as favoritism. Putting you in a repentance cell was the bare minimum.
Does that an there is no need to punish us now? Huang Shing asks excitedly. Elder Cheung laughs.
Not quite. Naturally, we have already examined your testimonies and had other disciples interrogated. Many of those who work in the dical Pavilion spoke quite highly of Disciple Lu i.
anwhile, those in the Apothecary begged not to punish you, Elder Xue adds, looking at Liu Jin. After examining the testimonies and evidence, it beca quite clear which side was to bla for the incident. Those you fought are already going through their punishnt.
I am personally overseeing it, so do not worry. I will make sure they properly repent. The smile on Elder Cheungs face as he says that is decidedly unnerving. For a mont, Liu Jin allows himself to feel sorry for his foes.
Still, that leaves us with the matter of what to do with you, Elder Xue continues. You did almost destroy an important artifact of our Sect. Promising disciples, you may be, but an example must be made. It took us so ti to figure out a proper punishnt for you.
Elder Cheung smiled kindly. Why dont we let the Young Master explain?
An excellent idea. Go ahead, Young Master.
Feng Zhi stiffens as all the gazes turn to him. He takes a deep breath to calm himself, yet his eyebrow cannot stop twitching.
I have been entrusted with the task of visiting Night Phantasm City on a diplomatic mission, Feng Zhi says, barely hiding his irritation. The four of you are to accompany .
Liu Jin blinks. He is not the only one. They are being sent away?
On a diplomatic mission?
You intruded upon Young Master Feng Zhi during a ti of relaxation. Isnt it natural for you to repent by making his life easier? Elder Xue says as cheerfully brings her hands together The four of you will serve as his attendants. Make no mistake, while you are outside, you will be representing the Eternal Fla Clan. Any mistake on your part will be reported by the Young Master. This, it has been decided, is the best use of your ti.
Feng Zhis eye twitches at that.
So please, make sure not to embarrass yourselves out there.
~~~
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