White-Robed Chief

The blazing sun towering above Great Light Peak reflected a red glow over these sparkling and translucent ice peaks.

The lighting in Divine Light Basilica was especially bright.

Saint Sun Mingyue sat behind a desk with a white veil over her face, exposing only her beautiful eyes. She quietly stared at the four elders beneath.

The four elders were dressed in white, hale and hearty like immortal characters.

They were, however, without the elegant bearings of immortal characters. Instead, they were red in the face locking horns.

She watched without saying a word as they squabbled.

“The way I see it, this wild and intractable guy should drop the matter. He would stir more trouble if he’s tolerated further. He killed an Altar Leader, what’s next? A Priest? Then what comes after? Don’t tell me the Saint?”

“Elder Hu, this is an unfair comment. Why don’t you ask why he killed in the first place?”

“Regardless of the reason, he killed someone. Not to mention, it’s someone above him, an Altar Leader!”

“Then let me ask you this: if it were you, would you have done the same and committed murder?”

“No!”

“Even if it’s your beloved who was harmed, you won’t kill?”

“… I believe in the Saint and the church’s rules!”

“Hahaha, how fake!” The other elder shook his head and coldly smirked. “Elder Hu, did you forget how you were when you were young?”

“Zhao! What do you mean!”

“Elder Hu, you’re just the same as this Zhao Dahe, that’s why you despise him so much and want him dead, am I right?”

“Zhao! Don’t you make such a baseless slander! Since when have I wanted him dead?”

“Cripple his martial arts and toss him in Yinyang Cave. How long do you plan on keeping him there?”

“Ten days.”

“Can he last ten days after you cripple his martial arts? Humph, why don’t you just finish him off so he doesn’t have to suffer?”

“Elder Hu, you must be thinking it’s absolute taboo for him to kill his superior? You’re really becoming timid!”

“According to Xiao Fang’s report, Mo Qianjun was the one who went after Zhao Dahe and was instead killed by him. Sure, he killed Mo Qianjun, a superior, but the penalty doesn’t warrant death!”

“How do you plan on settling this?”

“Cripple his martial arts and leave him in Blazing Fire Valley to mine!”

“It’ll be the end of him!”

“It’s better to abandon this guy. Who knows if he’s going to be a scourge one day!”

“He did it for his beloved. Now with his beloved dead, there probably won’t be any girls that would fancy him. He won’t fall in love anymore, so there’s no cause for worry that he’ll go ballistic again.”

“What an emotional man…”

“An empathetic person such as he should be given a chance.”

“Then toss him in Yinyang Cave!”

The people were in a heated debate, lifting their heads to glance at Sun Mingyue at times.

Sun Mingyue sat still as she fell deep into deliberation. Only her eyes were glistening.

A while later, the four elders ended their discussion and looked towards Sun Mingyue.

“Saint, you should make the call.” One of the hale and hearty elders solemnly declared.

“Cripple his martial arts and leave him in Yinyang Cave for a month. If he pulls through, send him to Sharp Vigor Battalion!” Sun Mingyue dully responded.

“This…” The elder who spoke was reluctant. “Saint, isn’t it too heavy a punishment? A month in Yinyang Cave…”

This was no different than killing him. There had not been anyone who could last for a month.

“It’ll be his fate if he’s unable to endure,” Sun Mingyue dully replied, “it’d his fortune!”

“Saint, it’d no different from killing him if he’s able to endure through the month. He would have been pardoned for his crime. Why bother sending him to Sharp Vigor Battalion?”

“Yes, It’s hard to escape from the jaws of death in Sharp Vigor Battalion. With him crippled of his martial arts, sending him to Sharp Vigor Battalion would be no different from sending him to his death. That’s not giving him a way out. It’s simply too cruel.”

Sun Mingyue dully retorted, “Elder Hu, Elder Zhao, Zhao Dahe knew well he shouldn’t kill an Altar Leader, yet did so anyway! He should know this was coming!”

This time, she blew her top and harbored murderous intent.

“Young Zhao shouldn’t be put to blame for the whole thing. One was a woman that liked him, the other a woman that he liked. What man can take two women dying at once? Of course, he went mad!”

“No matter how mad, he shouldn’t overlook the church’s rules,” Sun Mingyue dully answered. “He has to shoulder the consequences of going mad.”

“Sigh…” The four elders were helpless at the situation.

They were displeased with Chu Li’s unconscionable act but could understand his madness. As he was a man of rare talent after all, they were reluctant to kill him. However, by the looks of the Saint, she was not prepared to let him out alive!

“The point is, Young Mo initiated the attack. The blame can’t be all on Young Zhao.”

“Elder Zhao, say no more. Zhao Dahe intentionally provoked Mo Qianjun to attack. Even if Mo Qianjun didn’t respond to the provocation, he’ll still kill Mo Qianjun. Such trends should not be encouraged!”

“What if Young Zhao can’t pull through?”

“If he can’t pull through, he has only but his ill fate to blame.” Sun Mingyue dully responded.

“Sigh… I have nothing to say!”

“Saint, it’s a waste to send him to Sharp Vigor Battalion. What if we don’t cripple his martial arts, and have him eliminate Monk Zhi Shan instead? If he’s able to kill Zhi Shan, then the merit should compensate for his actions.”

“Merits can’t compensate for actions. This is the principle,” Sun Mingyue said. “Elder Hu, you should know that.”

The four helplessly shook their heads. They finally got to the bottom. The Saint wanted Zhao Dahe dead, not giving him a way out alive. They were just wasting their breaths.

Hence, they motioned a fist salute and excused themselves.

Sun Mingyue waved her wave without persuading them to stay.

The four left Divine Light Basilica and noticed Chu Li standing beneath the steps.

Chu Li’s ugly features were famous in Great Light Peak.

Almost all the disciples of Great Light Peak were a generation of outstanding looks. This was caused by both the great genes from several generations before and also the beautifying effect of Great Light Scripture.

Chu Li was a cut above the rest in Great Light Peak. His appearance was quite conspicuous and tale-telling at first glance.

Staring at the serious-looking Chu Li, they shook their heads with regret. It was the end of the road for such a great guy who could be used to kill many more in the name of the Holy Church of Light.

A young lady in green climbed down the steps and cried. “Junior Brother Zhao, please come in.”

Chu Li gestured a fist salute and climbed up the stairs, with each step he slowly entered the basilica.

Sun Mingyue sat behind the desk and quietly stared at him.

Chu Li greeted in fist salute. “Saint.”

“You should understand that your doom is at hand?” Sun Mingyue dully replied.

Chu Li answered, “I understand!”

“You knew, yet you still did so?” Sun Mingyue questioned.

“Yes!” Chu Li nodded.

“Your real enemy isn’t Altar Leader Mo, but Monk Zhi Shan!” Sun Mingyue listlessly retorted, “You did not seek him for revenge and killed Mo Qianjun instead…”

She shook her head.

Chu Li answered, “Monk Zhi Shan is my archrival while Mo Qianjun and I are of the same sect. It’s indignant to fall prey to someone from the same sect… Moreover, I’m incapable of killing Monk Zhi Shan!”

“You’ll have no more chance to seek Monk Zhi Shan for vengeance,” Sun Mingyue said. “You’ll be crippled of your martial arts and reflect on your doings in Yinyang Cave for a month before reporting to Sharp Vigor Battalion!”

Chu Li motioned a fist salute without uttering a word.

Sun Mingyue added, “If you’re able to perform extraordinary deeds in Sharp Vigor Battalion and contribute enough merit to become a centurion, you may resume your position as Branch Leader!”

“Yes.” Chu Li nodded.

“Sharp Vigor Battalion is the camp of sacrificial warriors who are responsible for probing intelligence about the enemy.” Sun Mingyue continued, “It’s not easy to survive in Yinyang Cave. It’ll be your fortune if you’re able to pull through, but it’ll be your fate if you can’t, so don’t blame me for it!”

“Yes,” Chu Li answered.