Chapter 201 – Words as Weapons, Justice in a Single Sentence

All four elders froze at once, then their expressions darkened with rage.

Luo Fan said in a low voice, “We are not defying the laws of the Blazing Fire Sect! It is the Punishment Elder who has gone too far! Excessive punishment for minor offenses—how can that be justified?!”

“The Grand Elder is right!”

“Punishment Elder! You’ve abused your position to settle personal scores! You are the one defying the sect’s laws!”

“We’re not afraid to bring this before the Sect Master himself. I will accuse you of abusing your authority and harming your fellow disciples!”

The other three elders barked out their fury one after another, their voices thunderous.

“Bring forth the Sect Rules and Punishment Records,” Yu Xian said calmly, not even looking at them.

Over ten enforcement disciples exchanged nervous glances but hesitated to act. None dared to move at Yu Xian’s command.

Finally, Qi Yu gritted his teeth, stepped forward, and rushed to the inner hall. Moments later, he returned carrying a thick tome, his hands trembling as he bowed and offered it, “E-elder, the sect laws and records…”

Yu Xian took the book and said simply, “Stand down.”

Qi Yu quickly retreated, exhaling in relief.

Yu Xian opened the book and flipped through it casually. After a few moments, he said evenly, “Blazing Fire Sect Law, Article 31: Any disciple who obstructs, resists, or refuses enforcement by the Disciplinary Hall shall be confined for ten days. Those who use cultivation to resist shall face an elevated penalty—two years of hard labor. Those who injure, assault, or kill enforcement disciples shall be subject to penalties up to and including expulsion or death.”

He shut the book and looked at the four elders with calm eyes. “All three of them have clearly violated these laws. I haven’t even included the offense of attacking me. Tell me—where exactly have I overstepped my authority?”

Luo Fan and the others fell silent, their expressions stiffening.

Pang Yan and the other two inner disciples turned pale and shouted, “We didn’t beat him! It was just a small argument with Senior Brother Wu! Look, he’s perfectly fine!”

Wu Zong tried to speak, but Luo Fan shot him a frosty glare. Trembling, Wu Zong lowered his head and said nothing.

“They were only late in submitting their identity tokens and had a minor argument. That’s not enough to strip them of their cultivation!”

Luo Fan’s voice was stern, “Elder Yu, don’t you think you’ve gone too far?”

“Too far?” Yu Xian remained composed. He casually flipped through centuries of punishment records.

“Year 131 after the sect’s founding: disciple Zhou Guan (Qi Condensation, peak), resisted capture—cultivation crippled, expelled.”

“Year 174: disciple Yue Kun (Qi Condensation, late), insulted enforcement disciples and injured two—cultivation crippled, expelled.”

“Year 243: disciple Sun Ping (Qi Condensation, peak), refused to hand over token—captured, cultivation crippled, expelled.”

He went on and on.

Every case he listed was lesser in severity, yet the penalties were harsher.

So by precedent, these three should absolutely be punished.

Luo Fan and the others turned even more grim.

Pang Yan and the others were in despair, their faces ashen.

After reading several cases aloud, Yu Xian shut the book and scanned the group. “With precedent so clear, how am I being excessive? If my actions are excessive, then all those disciples who were expelled and crippled, dying in obscurity… were they unjustly wronged?”

A cultivator who loses their cultivation is finished.

There are no conveniently appearing immortal mentors with magical pills to heal your core.

Once crippled, you’re done. That’s reality.

This wasn’t even crippling—yet as long as their shoulder tendons remained locked, their cultivation would drop to a fraction. Escape was impossible.

Resigned, Pang Yan and the others let the shackles be pierced through their bones. Tearfully, they looked to Luo Fan, who subtly nodded. Only then did they grit their teeth and accept being dragged off to labor.

Ten thousand jin of Black Ink Ore…

They would have to mine without rest for two full years to complete it.

They only hoped the Grand Elder would help them out soon.

After all, they had only dared to challenge this new Punishment Elder because of his encouragement.

The punishment may not have been crippling, but the labor sentence was severe enough. And it shook the crowd.

After all, punishing Foundation Establishment disciples hadn’t happened in years.

Normally, unless you betrayed the sect, you were untouchable once you reached that level.

Yet today, three Foundation Establishment disciples had truly been punished.

The onlookers—especially Qi Condensation disciples—were fired up.

The authority of the Sect Master remained unquestioned, but Elder Yu… he was now seen as the real Punishment Elder. Just and fearless.

Seeing the situation, the other elders no longer spoke. With cold expressions, they turned and left.

Inside the hall.

The enforcement disciples and Wu Zong erupted into grins, laughing joyfully like victors.

“What are you laughing at?”

Yu Xian frowned and barked, “Is your work done?”

Then he turned to the gathering outside and shouted, “What are you staring at!? Want to come in too!?”

Instantly, the enforcement disciples snapped to attention.

Outside, the Qi Condensation disciples paled and fled.

This Punishment Elder was truly impartial—he gave no face to anyone but the Sect Master.

Yu Xian turned to Wu Zong and the others, saying, “From now on, do your duties without fear. As long as you act according to the rules, I will stand behind you. Wu Zong, once the Disciplinary Hall is fully staffed, you’re in charge. But if you ever knowingly break the rules—I will show no mercy.”

“Yes, sir!”

The disciples responded loudly, full of excitement.

Before, the Disciplinary Hall had authority—but it still answered to the elders. Now, it feared no one.

Yu Xian nodded. “Qi Yu, you did well today. I hereby promote you to Guardian Elder. Assist Wu Zong in managing affairs.”

“Thank you, Elder!”

Qi Yu was overwhelmed with joy and bowed deeply.

Yu Xian waved. “Go now. Do your duties. Unless there’s a serious matter, or a Foundation Establishment disciple misbehaves—don’t disturb my cultivation.”

Then he turned and reentered the inner hall, a faint smile finally tugging at his lips.

With this, he would have at least half a year of peace.

And after half a year, once Zhou Qingyuan’s suspicions faded—he would find a chance to leave the sect entirely.

At this moment, Yu Xian shouted a single line that echoed like thunder:

“This Elder makes judgments by law! You think you can shout your way into this hall!? Step back!”

Immediately, those who had been storming in froze and retreated.

Yu Xian turned again to the three disciples.

They were trembling, drenched in cold sweat.

“Elder, we were wrong. Truly wrong. Please don’t cripple us! We’ll accept any punishment—just not that!”

Luo Fan also pleaded, “They’ve cultivated for decades, and the sect invested heavily in them. Crippling all three is too harsh. Let’s find another way. Anything but this.”

Yu Xian’s voice remained flat. “As the Punishment Elder, I act only according to the law—unless the Sect Master himself gives a different command.”

“You—!”

Luo Fan flung his sleeve. “Fine! Go ahead! One day, the Sect Master will pass his own judgment!”

In the world of cultivation, rules weren’t equal.

A talented disciple was worth a hundred ordinary ones.

Still, Yu Xian remained unfazed. He was here to make a statement—and he had.

He replied coldly, “Then let’s not trouble the Grand Elder further.”

Then he shouted, “Pang Yan, Yang Zhang, Shi Gong—your cultivation is hereby stripped. You are expelled!”

As he raised his hand—

“Wait!!”

A voice shouted.

A figure burst into the hall.

“The Sect Master has spoken! These three disciples have committed grave offenses. Their cultivation should be stripped. However, due to their years of service, the punishment shall be reduced! Each shall mine ten thousand jin of Black Ink Ore—only after completion shall they be released!”

The figure was the Third Elder, Zhang Chengren.

Luo Fan’s face lit up with joy.

The three disciples wept with relief.

Because ultimately, the Blazing Fire Sect belonged to Zhou Qingyuan.

He was the ruler. His word was law.

Yu Xian’s eyes flickered. Then he bowed, “Your disciple obeys.”

Qian Sheng sneered, “So, Elder Yu, what happened to following the law?”

Yu Xian smiled faintly. “Oh? Are you questioning the Sect Master’s decision, Elder Qian? I admire your courage.”

“You—I wasn’t—!”

Qian Sheng panicked, but Luo Fan snapped, “Silence!”

Yu Xian didn’t wait. “By order of the Sect Master: the three disciples shall be shackled and sent to mine. No release until ten thousand jin is complete!”

“Yes!”

This time, the disciples didn’t hesitate. They pierced through the three men’s shoulder bones, cutting off their spiritual flow.

Their odds of recovering cultivation were practically zero.

Having once soared through the skies, they would now crawl among mortals.

Qian Sheng couldn’t hold back, “This isn’t the same! The previous ones you crippled were only Qi Condensation! These three are Foundation Establishment!”

“Enough!” Luo Fan shouted.

Yu Xian’s eyes gleamed. Finally… they said it.

“Oh, I see.” His voice rang out, amused. “So, in your eyes—Qi Condensation disciples who break rules should be crippled. But Foundation Establishment disciples? They get a free pass?”

The crowd outside heard it too.

Their outrage exploded.

“Why should it be different!?”

“Unfair!”

Thousands of voices roared.

Yu Xian looked back at the elders with a smile.

“In the mortal world, it’s said—If the law is unjust, the people won’t obey; if the people rebel, the country collapses. Tell me, Elders—which of us is undermining the foundation of this sect?”

None of the four elders replied.

And thus, justice was done.