Chapter 69 – One Man’s Reward is Another Man’s Punishment
Jun De finished his explanation and fell silent. His expression remained calm, but Elder Mu could see that he was uneasy about what he experienced in the City.
She had taken a seat at a table in the small, but well-furnished room while Jun De had served her tea while he spoke.
Mu Yanyu frowned, and her fingers tapped lightly against the porcelain of her teacup as she thought about what Jun De had said.
“It is possible that you have misinterpreted some of what was said during the lecture. The Dao can be approached in many ways, and not all teachings are immediately clear. You have just begun your journey in cultivation, and, despite your talent, you have not been exposed to a lecture of this nature before.”
Jun De inclined his head politely.
“I considered that possibility, especially since everyone else seemed to agree with his words. But, even so, they didn’t sit right with me. It clashed with what Elder Shen and the other Outer Sect Elders had taught me in the Sect. Cultivation shouldn’t be rushed, and a cultivator shouldn’t seek shortcuts in their journey.”
Jun De paused before continuing.
“It didn’t seem like the sort of thing a Foundation Establishment cultivator should say, not when they are serving an Orthodox City Lord.”
Mu Yanyu’s frown deepened, but she nodded in agreement.
“You are right to be cautious. The City Lord’s Mansion isn’t a Sect, but they abide by the common standards of Orthodoxy. Any open deviation toward unorthodox or demonic paths wouldn’t be tolerated.”
“At least not publicly.” Mu Yanyu finished, and Jun De felt a shiver of fear at the statement. She looked toward the window as she detected a soft, but strong, spiritual sense brush up against the barrier she had erected to prevent eavesdropping.
It wasn’t attempting to probe her defences, but it was becoming insistent that she discontinue flaunting her power within Yunlai City.
“Nonetheless, we can’t ignore what you heard. I am expected, in my position as Vice Sect Master, to greet City Lord Han upon my arrival. He would have sensed me the moment I entered the City’s perimeter, and it is proper protocol to meet with him immediately. I would have done so before meeting with you, but I was concerned for your safety.”
“Thank you, Elder Mu. I apologize for any inconvenience I may have caused you.” Jun De said, and he truly meant it. It was heartening to know that a Core Formation expert like Mu Yanyu was watching over him and was willing to rush to Yunlai City to make sure he was safe.
Mu Yanyu brushed off his words with a wave of her hand, but he could see she was satisfied with his response. Her eyes flicked over his attire and stared at the pristine white robes that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight and fit him perfectly.
“Where are your Sect robes, Outer Sect Disciple Jun De?” Elder Mu said sternly, but her tone was betrayed by a flicker of amusement in her eyes.
Jun De hesitated for a fraction of a second before replying.
“They were ruined in the fight, Elder. These robes were the only clothing I had available.”
Mu Yanyu exhaled through her nose, and her lips twitched as she tried to stifle a smile. She was enjoying making Jun De uncomfortable, and she felt a rare feeling of mischievousness at seeing him standing in front of her.
“Do not worry. I will have it noted that you were journeying outside the Sect and stood in the presence of the Vice Sect Master in improper attire. I will see to it that you are correctly reprimanded when we return to the Sect.”
“Six months within the Ninefold Refinement Array should be an appropriate punishment.”
Jun De, who had been expecting a small punishment such as sweeping stairs or cleaning the beast stables, jolted in shock at her words.
‘Not the Ninefold Refinement Array!’ Jun De screamed inside his mind, while he opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out.
Mu Yanyu chuckled at the young disciple, mistakenly believing that he was overcome with gratitude at her ‘punishment.’ She was well aware of Jun De’s love of intense cultivation and his desire to spend more time in the Array.
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It amused her to think that Jun De had been worried for a moment that she was truly upset with him, only to mask a reward as a punishment.
“Come, we must greet the City Lord.” Mu Yanyu said as she stood up and left the room with a despondent Jun De trailing behind her.
Page Break
Shen Ruolan and her parents stepped into the grand hall of the City Lord’s Mansion, the bronze doors parting in front of them with a faint hum of spiritual energy.
The hall itself was long and brightly lit, with spiritual jade inlaid along the ceiling and tall, open-air windows that let in the last light of the evening sun and a cool breeze. Golden dragon carvings adorned the walls, and banners bearing the insignia of Yunlai City hung proudly between columns.
At the far end of the hall sat City Lord Han, the ruler of Yunlai City. He was seated upon a jade cultivation mat that radiated the subtle pressure of a spiritual artifact.
He appeared to be a man in his early to mid-fifties, with broad shoulders and a straight spine. There was an undeniable presence about him that could command a crowd even if his cultivation were non-existent.
Although his hair was heavily streaked with grey, he still gave a sense of strength. His features were handsome, sharp and refined, while he wore red and black robes that enhanced his appearance.
He opened his eyes as they approached, and a brief smile tugged at the corners of his lips at the sight of his daughter and granddaughter. Despite his overwhelming cultivation as a Nascent Soul cultivator, his greeting was warm to his family.
“Ruolan, Yueqin, you have both arrived quickly. Good. Vice Sect Master Mu will be here soon. It would be improper for us to delay the welcome. Shen Jiuyang, take your place beside me.” Han Zhengwu called out, gesturing for them to come forward.
Attendants, guards, and stewards from the City Lord’s Mansion stood silently along the edges of the great hall, their gazes forward and hands folded behind their backs. No one amongst the crowd spoke, but the air hummed with anticipation of the Tranquil Mountain Sect Vice Sect Master’s arrival.
Shen Ruolan’s heart pounded a little faster in her chest, both from excitement at the impending visit of one of the most powerful figures in the region and the memory of her day spent with Jun De.
Han Yueqin’s brow furrowed slightly as she stood beside her father, the jade-green hem of her robe brushing against the polished tiles of the grand hall.
“Father, is it not strange that the Vice Sect Master of the Tranquil Mountain Sect would arrive without prior notice? Especially now, while their Sect is leading a regional alliance to suppress demonic cultivators?” She asked, turning her attention toward her father, who sat calmly beside her.
Her father’s eyes didn’t move, but a faint line creased his brows as he considered her words.
“Yes, it is unusual. She is not the sort to act impulsively, but I am not aware of any business we may have with Tranquil Mountain that would require her presence. Nor has brother Lu Qingchen communicated with me in several years.” Han Zhengwu replied.
Lu Qingchen was the Sect Master of the Tranquil Mountain Sect and a fellow Nascent Soul Cultivator. They had travelled together when they were younger in search of opportunities when Lu Qingchen had just been an Inner Sect Disciple of Tranquil Mountain Sect, and Han Zhengwu was a talented prodigy of the Han Clan.
“It is more unusual that she has visited a small restaurant and inn in the city before coming to see me.” Han Zhengwu finished, and his frown deepened. He had felt Mu Yanyu approach the city on her flying sword, and he had allowed her entry without forcing her to dismount as was appropriate for most cultivators in Yunlai City.
But, instead of coming to pay her respects to him immediately, she had visited an inn and placed a barrier around it to block his spiritual sense. He could have easily pierced it, but he had decided to give the Vice Sect Master of Tranquil Mountain Sect some face and grant her privacy.
“I will be expecting an explanation.” Han Zhengwu said gravely.
“Do you think it is related to the disappearances in the outer provinces?” Yueqin asked as her expression turned thoughtful.
“Perhaps. We shall know soon enough.”
The great doors at the front of the hall opened without a sound, and a moment later, Mu Yanyu stepped inside. Silence descended on the hall as all noise ceased immediately.
She was incomparable in appearance, and Shen Ruolan saw that she was the very image of a high-ranking cultivator from a great Sect. Her blue robes were trimmed with gold, and the insignia of the Tranquil Mountain Sect was embroidered on the shoulder of her robes.
Mu Yanyu was regal and composed, with a presence that was cold and sharp like a blade. The pressure of her cultivation, solidly in the middle of Core Formation, unfolded across the hall. It wasn’t oppressive like Han Zhengwu’s, but it was undeniable.
But what astonished Shen Ruolan the most was how young Mu Yanyu appeared. She looked to be in her late teens or early twenties, but Ruolan knew that she was in her early to mid-forties. For someone to reach Core Formation at such a young age, it was almost unheard of.
Ruolan could only marvel at how talented Mu Yanyu was, and how she wanted to be her equal in the future.
But then, another figure stepped through the doors behind Mu Yanyu, and Ruolan’s astonishment turned to dumbfounded shock.
It was Jun De.
His white robes were pristine and elegant, causing the light of the fading sun outside to seem to cling to him as though it was reluctant to let him go. His black hair hung below his shoulders, while his expression was calm despite being in the presence of both Mu Yanyu and Han Zhengwu.
In that moment, Ruolan forgot how to breathe.
He looked like an immortal, a young noble from the heavens who had chosen to descend to the mortal world. He was refined, elegant, composed and utterly beyond reach.
Shen Ruolan stood rooted in place, completely stunned, before a sharp breath escaped her lips, and she blurted out his name without thinking.
“Jun De!?”
Every head in the room turned to look at her.
