Chapter 29

Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW

Chapter 29: The Five Great Stewards

Gentle Breeze Tower stood as one of the Mo Sect disciples’ primary gathering spots, constantly swarming with activity. The scene remained no different that day.

When Zhou the Skinflint got dragged out, he immediately faced a merciless mob. Hundreds encircled him, buzzing with hushed discussions.

"Isn’t that Zhou the Skinflint? Why’d the Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers arrest him?"

"Look! Fang Lie’s following behind. I bet this was his doing!"

"Ha! If so, Fang Lie finally did something right! That cursed skinflint stole half my sect benefits this month!"

"Same here! He’s been skimming our monthly allowances for ages. Scum like him deserves worse than death!"

Most spectators harbored intense hatred for Zhou, relishing his downfall. Only a handful of his corrupt allies felt uneasy, yet none dared intervene.

Fang Lie’s fearsome reputation preceded him – a ruthless cultivator who’d already slain over a thousand. With such bloody precedents, even Zhou’s partners refused to risk their necks saving him.

Zhou’s desperate cries for help went unanswered. Realizing his last hope vanished if taken to the Ancestral Hall – Fang Lie’s territory where assault and corruption charges meant certain execution – bitterness twisted his features.

"Don’t think you’ll escape if I fall!" Zhou suddenly bellowed. "Fang Lie! I’m not the only corrupt one here! Spare my life and I’ll name every last parasite!"

Fang Lie paused, caught off guard. Exposing all Gentle Breeze Tower’s rot could indeed cleanse the Mo Sect. Letting Zhou atone by confessing might justify sparing the wretch.

But before Fang Lie could respond, four figures descended from the tower, blocking their path.

Leading them stood a Purple Palace-level Daoist – the Chief Steward who oversaw Gentle Breeze Tower’s operations. Three Golden Pool Master-tier Stewards flanked him, each managing a floor. The fourth floor handled Dao magic teachings for outer disciples based on contribution points.

These Five Great Stewards had initially stayed hidden, content to sacrifice Zhou. But his confession threat forced their hand – years of collective corruption would unravel if he talked.

The Chief Steward barked with false bravado, "Fang Lie! How dare you make arrests in my domain?"

"This isn’t your playground! Release him now!" another Steward blustered.

Fang Lie merely smirked. Having deposed a Token Lord, he’d long outgrown fear of petty officials. "The Ancestral Hall’s Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers made this arrest. Interfere at your peril."

The Chief Steward’s aura faltered, words dying in his throat.

He wouldn’t dare interfere with the Ancestral Hall’s work. That would be asking for death!

Though the Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers were puppets, they possessed keen spirit. Upon hearing Fang Lie’s words and witnessing the Chief Steward’s group blocking their path, they immediately recognized the irregularity. Their gaze fixed on the Chief Steward as they barked, "Do you dare obstruct Ancestral Hall justice?"

"Never! Never!" The Chief Steward trembled, hastily waving his hands. "We merely wished to inquire why you’re making arrests!"

"He attempted assassination against outer disciple Fang Lie and failed," the Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers declared solemnly.

The four Stewards rolled their eyes in unison, inwardly cursing: That moron Zhou the Skinflint! Of all people to attack, he picks this bullheaded Fang Lie? Didn’t the thousand deaths last week teach him anything? And a Golden Pool Master failing to kill a mere Qi Sea realm disciple – how utterly shameful!

Though they mentally flayed Zhou alive, self-preservation compelled them to clean his mess. The problem? These puppet enforcers couldn’t be bribed or reasoned with. Their only hope – the victim Fang Lie – happened to inherit the Fang Family’s infamous inflexibility. Getting this stubborn mule to show mercy was harder than scaling heaven!

Swallowing his pride, the Chief Steward coaxed, "Fang Lie, since you’re unharmed, surely Zhou meant no real harm. We’re all Mo Sect disciples – must this end in death? Spare him, and he’ll reward you handsomely."

"Exactly!" another Steward chimed in. "Zhou’s no miser. He’ll empty his coffers for you – third-tier magical items, rare spirit pills, name your price!"

Fang Lie waited until their pleas died before responding coolly, "Save your breath. The real issue isn’t his attack, but corruption. Unless he exposes his backer, he dies."

The Stewards paled. "What backer?" the Chief Steward demanded through gritted teeth.

"The coward propping him up!" Fang Lie’s smile turned razor-sharp. "Do you really think this sniveling worm acted alone? Someone’s been taking bribes and offering protection. Chief Steward, any idea who that turtle-spawn might be?"

"You—!" The Chief Steward’s face purpled. With Zhou being his direct subordinate, the implication was blatant. Fang Lie might as well have slapped him.

Realizing the situation’s hopelessness – between the stubborn Fang Lie and the panic-prone Zhou who knew too much – the Chief Steward’s hand closed on the emergency jade token in his sleeve. It shattered silently, summoning clan reinforcements. All he needed now was to stall.

"Are you accusing me of shielding criminals?" he thundered.

"Your words, not mine." Fang Lie turned to the captive. "Well, Zhou? Ready to name names? Do it now before the Ancestral Hall’s torturers make you sing."

"Really? You’ll spare me?" Zhou’s eyes lit with desperate hope.

Before Fang Lie could answer, the Chief Steward roared, "Idiot! Even if he spares you, losing your cultivation at 280 years means certain death in Cold Prison!"

Zhou’s hope crumpled into terror.

"Since he’s silent," Fang Lie shrugged, "let’s see how long he lasts under Ancestral Hall interrogation."