Chapter Sixteen: Entering the Death Seclusion

On the grand hall atop Qingyang Peak of the Danxia Sect, Sect Leader Lu Qingxuan gazed at the white-robed youth kneeling before him, his heart stirring with anger. Last night, Qi Fei had braved Qingyang Peak, offering a superior spirit pill—an act that brought great merit to the sect. Though Lu Qingxuan suspected the youth of privately hoarding such pills and had discreetly sent men to investigate, he dared not make a rash move. Today, the sect held a grand ceremony to induct Qi Fei, giving him the recognition he deserved. Yet barely half a day had passed before the youth dared to harm a fellow disciple.

“Sect Leader, though my disciple acted wrongly in violating the sect rules by killing Ma Deyuan, Ma Deyuan was a brazen villain who has plunged the outer court into chaos for years, tarnishing the reputation of our Danxia Sect. Qi Fei killed him, and it was nothing less than what he deserved,” Mo Zhanpeng, ever intolerant of evil, naturally sought to protect his disciple now that Qi Fei had slain the villain.

Elder Huo Zhongmou, the most accomplished cultivator among the elders of Danxia Sect, was known for his unsavory character, frequently accepting bribes from disciples in secret, and was always at odds with Mo Zhanpeng, who despised corruption. Qi Fei’s slaying of Ma Deyuan not only cut off one of Huo Zhongmou’s sources of income but also exposed the affairs of the outer court, potentially implicating Huo himself.

Seeing Mo Zhanpeng defending his disciple, Huo Zhongmou, already shamed and angered, retorted coldly, “Elder Mo, during the induction ceremony, the Grand Elder made the sect rules clear to Qi Fei. Qi Fei ignored them and harmed his fellow disciple. He will bring disaster upon the sect if not dealt with. If we do not execute him as an example, inner strife will surely follow. How can Danxia Sect ever have peace?”

Mo Zhanpeng shot Huo Zhongmou a glance and demanded, “Elder Huo, listen to the cries for justice from the outer court disciples outside the hall. Does Ma Deyuan not deserve death?”

With a sullen expression, Huo Zhongmou replied, “Even if Ma Deyuan deserved death, it should have been for the Sect Leader and Grand Elder to judge. Qi Fei has only just entered the sect and already acts so arrogantly. Who gave him such courage?”

“You needn’t insinuate. I, Mo Zhanpeng, sent him. Ma Deyuan committed wicked deeds and should have been brought to justice.”

Huo Zhongmou pressed further, his voice sharp, “Are you saying Qi Fei killed Ma Deyuan on your orders, Elder Mo?”

Mo Zhanpeng sneered, “I have heard from disciples who accompanied Qi Fei to the outer court that Ma Zhong claimed all their actions were under Elder Huo’s direction. Qi Fei was angered by their crimes and their slander of the sect elders, which led to Ma Deyuan’s death.”

Huo Zhongmou’s expression changed, panic flickering in his heart. He roared, “Mo Zhanpeng, do not slander me! When have I ever meddled in the affairs of the outer court?”

Mo Zhanpeng snorted, “Outer court disciples are not permitted in the grand hall. Yet you hear their cries outside—willing to risk punishment to seek justice. Ma Zhong’s slander against Elder Huo can be attested by all outer court disciples. If you doubt it, ask and you will know.”

“Enough! The two of you are elders of the sect, yet you disgrace yourselves here in the grand hall. What sort of example is this?”

Lu Qingxuan sighed deeply. Elder Mo and Elder Huo argued their cases, while the crowd outside the hall—outer court disciples risking everything to support Qi Fei—was in a fervor. He knew not how to deal with this arrogant youth who had stirred trouble so soon after joining the sect.

Lu Qingxuan exchanged a glance with Grand Elder Guo Huai, both seeing resignation in each other's eyes. The Danxia Sect was not the vast expanse of the Nine Provinces; the rumors of corruption in the outer court had reached both Lu Qingxuan and Guo Huai, but Huo Zhongmou’s skills were too valuable for the sect, and the outer court was not its foundation. Thus, the two had turned a blind eye.

Never did Lu Qingxuan and Guo Huai expect that Ma Deyuan, an outer court disciple, would be so bold—extorting his peers for wealth and even taking lives. If word spread, the Xuanzhen Temple and Seven Absolutes Gate would seize upon it.

Grand Elder Guo Huai, composed and solemn, coughed lightly and said, “I have questioned many outer court disciples. Ma Deyuan did indeed commit heinous crimes as Qi Fei said, deserving death by sect rules.”

Huo Zhongmou’s face darkened, thinking perhaps his conduct over the years had displeased the Sect Leader and Grand Elder, who now sought to use this incident to rein him in. Yet Ma Zhong and Ma Deyuan had been loyal, offering much tribute. Moreover, Ma Zhong had already implicated him. If the Sect Leader and Grand Elder let this matter slide, Huo’s future in the sect would be precarious.

With this in mind, Huo Zhongmou conceded, “The Grand Elder speaks rightly. Ma Deyuan deserved death. However, Qi Fei violated sect rules by privately executing him, which is a grave mistake. Besides, Ma Zhong has served the sect faithfully for years. Even if he aided Ma Deyuan, his crime is not worthy of death. Qi Fei not only killed Ma Deyuan but crippled Ma Zhong as well. Such cruelty, if unchecked, will surely bring disaster to the sect.”

Mo Zhanpeng wished to defend Qi Fei, but Huo Zhongmou’s step back and his reasoning left Mo momentarily at a loss.

Sect Leader Lu Qingxuan surveyed the elders and proclaimed, “Danxia Sect stands for righteousness. Ma Deyuan harmed disciples and committed unforgivable crimes—he must be executed. Ma Zhong, the outer court steward, betrayed the sect’s trust by letting Ma Deyuan run amok. From this day, Ma Zhong is stripped of his position and handed over to the Grand Elder. From now on, outer court disciples will be taught cultivation methods. Should anyone dare to extort or bully them again, I will show no mercy.”

Lu Qingxuan’s words echoed through the halls, sparking cheers among the outer court disciples outside. Those who had suffered oppression rejoiced, and the promise of learning cultivation moved some to tears.

Having calmed the fury of the masses, Lu Qingxuan ordered the disciples to disperse the crowd outside. “Tell them to leave. Qi Fei’s violation of sect rules will be dealt with by the sect. The outer court disciples have no say in the matter.”

Qi Fei, still kneeling silently, felt his heart settle as Lu Qingxuan’s arrangements unfolded. As he had anticipated, killing the hated Ma Deyuan would not cost him his life.

With the crowd sent away, Lu Qingxuan and the elders began to deliberate how to punish Qi Fei for breaking sect rules and killing Ma Deyuan.

After a brief discussion, Lu Qingxuan turned to Qi Fei. “Qi Fei, do you admit your fault?”

Qi Fei lifted his head slightly and replied, “I admit my mistake. It was only after hearing the villain slander the sect elders repeatedly that, in my anger, I mistakenly killed Ma Deyuan.”

Lu Qingxuan’s anger simmered beneath his calm facade as he spoke coldly, “Qi Fei, you violated sect rules by killing Ma Deyuan, but your crime does not merit death. After consulting with the elders, we have decided to confine you to the penitence chamber on the Cliff of Reflection at the rear mountain for meditation and repentance. While there, you are to devote yourself to cultivation. On the fourth day of each month, the elders will impart their cultivation insights in the grand hall, at which time you may leave the cliff. During these sessions, you will be strictly supervised. Should you attempt to escape the sect, you will not escape death. Only by breaking the ward placed outside the chamber by the elders may you be freed from punishment. Do you have any objections?”

Qi Fei welcomed the punishment and responded promptly, “I have committed a grave error and should accept the sect’s penalty. I submit to the Sect Leader’s judgment.”

Mo Zhanpeng, though somewhat displeased with his unruly and disobedient disciple, now felt a pang of pity and pleaded, “Sect Leader, my disciple has only just joined and has not yet learned the ways of martial cultivation. How can he train alone? Might the punishment at the Cliff of Reflection be delayed for a time?”

Lu Qingxuan glanced meaningfully at Huo Zhongmou, and seeing no objection from him, said, “Elder Mo is right. The punishment may be delayed for seven days.”

No sooner had Lu Qingxuan spoken than a sinister smile appeared on Huo Zhongmou’s face. He said in a low voice, “Sect Leader, this youth broke sect rules upon entering the sect, showing his wild nature. He must be properly disciplined. Allow me to lay the ward outside the Cliff of Reflection. Is that acceptable?”

Qi Fei’s heart tightened. He thought to himself that Elder Huo truly was entangled with the corrupt outer court. In Danxia Sect, everyone knew Elder Huo’s mastery of forbidden techniques—he was the sect’s foremost expert. This old man surely intended to trap him on the cliff and vent his wrath.

Had Qi Fei been an ordinary disciple, he would indeed have been doomed by Huo Zhongmou’s techniques. But now, possessing supreme methods of both righteous and demonic paths, Qi Fei actually sought a secluded place to cultivate. He had no fear of Huo’s schemes.

Before Mo Zhanpeng could object, Qi Fei silently noted the treacherous elder and spoke aloud, “I accept the punishment. Elder Huo, you need not show mercy.”

Huo Zhongmou was taken aback, then said coldly, “Very well! You have some courage. As you wish.”

A flicker of surprise crossed Lu Qingxuan’s face, but he quickly regained composure. “So be it. Seven days from now, Qi Fei will face the penitence at the Cliff of Reflection. Elder Mo, take care to supervise your disciple closely these few days so he does not cause further trouble.”

Mo Zhanpeng blushed and, after accepting the order, hurriedly led Qi Fei out of the grand hall. The tumultuous affair of the outer court was finally resolved, though it had left an ominous seed for future upheaval within Danxia Sect.