Chapter 86
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Chapter 86: Dealing with the Zhou Family
Seeing this, Fang Lie’s wrath erupted. He jabbed a finger at Zhou Zhengqing, Ancestral Hall Leader, and roared, "Are you blind? They’ve been beaten to toad-like swellings! And you dare claim ‘not a single hair harmed’?"
Zhou Zhengqing’s aged face flushed crimson as he stammered, "They’re merely skin injuries! I’ve inspected them—no internal harm!"
"Pathetic!" Fang Lie sneered before thundering, "Who granted you the audacity to kidnap Mo Sect disciples and threaten participants into abandoning the life-and-death arena? You call yourself Ancestral Hall Leader? You disgrace the title!"
"I’m blameless!" Zhou Zhengqing cried desperately. "I swear upon my ancestors—this matter isn’t my doing! It’s… it’s all…"
Truthfully, Zhou Zhengqing had known nothing beforehand. Had he been informed, he’d have prevented it, fearing Fang Lie’s Ancestor’s Token. One reckless grandson, seeking favor, had acted without consultation. Only when Fang Lie’s rampage shook the Mo Sect did the guilt-ridden youth confess—far too late.
Though the grandson deserved condemnation, blood ties bound Zhou Zhengqing. Moreover, the youth had followed Zhou’s own command to obstruct Fang Lie in the arena. Torn between fury and loyalty, Zhou Zhengqing choked on his words.
Fang Lie’s glare sharpened. "Out with it! Hesitate further, and I’ll hold you personally accountable, old fool!"
Being insulted by a junior generations younger burned Zhou Zhengqing’s pride. Yet he bowed his head—the Benevolence Token Lord’s authority superseded all, carrying ancestral mandate over life and death.
Defeated, Zhou Zhengqing named the culprits, adding weakly, "The youths meant no true harm! Those facial injuries came from the surviving Yuan family scoundrel’s fists!"
"Foolish excuses!" Fang Lie’s voice shook the hall. "Does shifting blame erase your clan’s crimes? Our ancestors decreed the sacred sect competition’s sanctity! Yet your Zhou Family defiles it with kidnappings and threats—have you no shame? What worth do ancestral laws hold to you?"
As guardian of Mo Sect traditions, Zhou Zhengqing burned with shame, unable to retort.
"Execute every conspirator personally!" Fang Lie commanded.
"Impossible!" Zhou Zhengqing protested. "No lives were lost! Let them apologize—"
"Kidnapping alone warrants severe punishment," Fang Lie interrupted coldly. "Worse, you disrupted the sacred sect competition. As Ancestral Hall Leader, name the penalty for mocking this holy tradition!"
Zhou Zhengqing fell silent.
Indeed, kidnapping deserved harsh consequences, though not necessarily death. But meddling with the sect competition—the solemn selection of future pillars—crossed an unforgivable line. This demanded blood to uphold the Sect’s honor.
Moreover, Fang Lie’s response had been cataclysmic—sealing the entire Mo Sect, deploying over one billion and eighty million Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers. The resulting Spiritual Pressure tsunami surely alerted neighboring major sects.
Mo Qianxun, Clan Leader, already faced humiliation. Flying Swords from allied sects inquired about "Demonic Path invasions," forcing him to lie about "routine protective array maintenance." Yet how long before the truth spread? Millions witnessed this farce—an Outer Sect Competition disrupted by kidnappings, provoking the Arena Master to mobilize the Sect’s defenses. This scandal would haunt Mo Sect for centuries!
Mo Qianxun shuddered imagining the next Righteous Sect gathering. Rival leaders would mock him endlessly. How he longed to slap Zhou Zhengqing senseless!
Finally comprehending the disaster’s scale, Zhou Zhengqing paled. This debacle required sacrificial lambs—his own kin. Their true crime wasn’t the kidnapping, but provoking Fang Lie’s earth-shaking wrath.
Yet who could condemn Fang Lie? The Fang bloodline’s trademark was precisely this—defy them, and they’d tear heaven asunder.
Helpless, Zhou Zhengqing, leader of the Ancestral Hall, could only nod and wave his hand. A faint lightning bolt shot from his sleeve.
Thousands of miles away, thunder rumbled briefly before silence resumed. Zhou Zhengqing said bitterly, "The three involved parties, including the last surviving member of the Yuan family, have been eliminated!"
"Good!" Fang Lie nodded solemnly. "Zhou Zhengqing, answer truthfully – did your Zhou family exploit outer disciples?"
Zhou Zhengqing hadn’t anticipated this question, but quickly realized Fang Lie was seizing this chance to settle multiple scores.
Knowing escape was impossible, Zhou Zhengqing sighed. "Yes. I was aware. I’ve disgraced our ancestors. I accept punishment."
"Wise decision." Fang Lie narrowed his eyes. "Return all embezzled resources. You’ll resign as Ancestral Hall Leader and enter closed-door training for a hundred years with your uncle."
Though tempted to execute Zhou Zhengqing, Fang Lie restrained himself. The man had merely tolerated corruption without participating, and Mo Sect couldn’t afford to lose its limited elite forces through indiscriminate killings.
Surprised by the leniency, Zhou Zhengqing studied Fang Lie’s serious expression before chuckling bitterly. "Truly worthy of the Fang Family. I yield completely."
After performing three bows and nine kowtows, Zhou Zhengqing declared, "This disciple accepts judgment." He exchanged resigned glances with Zhou Pinghai before flying to the back mountain for seclusion.
With the Zhou Family matter resolved, Fang Lie recalled the Ancestor’s Token, restored the protective array, and withdrew the Law Enforcement Heavenly Soldiers.
The crowd dispersed with relieved sighs, all discussing Fang Lie’s decisive actions with unanimous admiration.
Meanwhile, Mo Qianxun summoned Thunder Tribulation Immortals to a quiet chamber. "This is disgraceful!" he fumed. "Why do fools keep provoking Fang Lie despite knowing his temper and control of the Benevolence Token? Were my previous warnings meaningless?"
"How many times must I say it? Leave Fang Lie alone! Now we’ve lost an Ancestral Hall Leader to century-long seclusion, and I’m left handling the aftermath!"
"Who should replace Zhou Zhengqing?" Mo Qianxun demanded.
The immortals avoided eye contact, remaining silent. Normally this prestigious position would spark fierce competition, but now it resembled hot coal – none dared touch it.
With Fang Lie monitoring through the Benevolence Token, the Ancestral Hall Leader would become his puppet. Proud Thunder Tribulation Immortals refused to serve under an inflexible youth enforcing strict sect rules without personal gain.
Seeing their reluctance, Mo Qianxun sighed. "We’ll leave the position vacant temporarily."
Huo Wufang remarked wryly, "Doesn’t that effectively grant control to Fang Lie?"
"What choice do we have?" Mo Qianxun shrugged. "That token could even threaten my position as Clan Leader."
A voice interjected, "Fang Lie’s merely a Benevolence Token candidate!"
Huo Wufang countered, "He’ll enter the inner gate soon. With his current combat power and reputation, who can stop him?"
Another immortal sneered, "He must defeat 32 elite Arena Masters to qualify. If we properly support his opponents…"
