A subtle smile curved Yun Jin's lips. Her purpose for coming this time was twofold: to reorganize Mingxin Hall, and to pay attention to a group often overlooked—the loose cultivators.
Loose cultivators were rarely organized. Occasionally, a prodigy would emerge, but most were limited by talent and resources, unable to match sect disciples in strength.
Yet for Wushuang Sect, these were not drawbacks.
Enlightenment focused on understanding the Dao, and understanding the Dao required experiencing the world firsthand.
In terms of worldly experience, those sect disciples could hardly compare to these loose cultivators.
A thousand years ago, Wushuang Sect could coexist peacefully with the four great sects largely because they recruited disciples differently, reducing conflicts.
Now, a thousand years later, Wushuang Sect had fallen, and the world was dominated by talent alone, leaving loose cultivators with even fewer choices.
Yun Jin now wanted to give them one. If successful, it would be a win-win situation. Since survival for loose cultivators in the Qingxiao region was even more difficult than in other areas, many of them had come to join the Demon-Slaying Alliance halls.
The Demon-Slaying Alliance was loosely organized and placed no restrictions on members. These loose cultivators retained their freedom, and Yun Jin could easily bring them under her wing.
Wushuang Sect was indeed short on personnel, and Yun Jin was willing to accept a group of loose cultivators—but if they were truly hopeless, she preferred none.
Hong Ye had been observing Yun Jin earlier.
Now, Yun Jin's sudden questioning was also a test of Hong Ye. Yun Jin's intentions were clear: she wanted to support these loose cultivators. If Hong Ye still hesitated, Yun Jin would stop intervening.
But Hong Ye stepped forward, and Yun Jin's smile deepened.
She turned to Shi Li, her brow slightly raised. "Deacon Shi, didn't you say that Deacon Hong Ye voluntarily gave you the credit? Yet it seems her meaning now is that you deliberately took it?"
Shi Li's expression shifted slightly. He glanced at the silent Zhai Ge before speaking in a low voice. "Hall Master, it is true that Deacon Hong Ye initially allowed us the credit. Her sudden reversal leaves me confused."
Shi Li then glared at Hong Ye, his tone sharp. "Hong Ye, the Hall Master has just arrived and knows nothing of these matters. You cannot deceive her with words. She is wise and powerful and will not be fooled."
Yun Jin smiled.
"Just arrived, unaware," she thought.
A clever twist, testing Hong Ye.
It was also a warning: the Hall Master's tenure might be brief. If Yun Jin faltered, those who had hidden grudges would settle scores later.
Yun Jin watched Hong Ye with interest, curious about her response. Hong Ye remained calm as she glanced at Shi Li, then turned to Yun Jin, producing a jade slip in her hand.
"Hall Master," Hong Ye said steadily, "over the years, I have led my disciples on a total of one hundred fifty-eight missions. Each mission has full video records. I have also documented the rewards that should have been distributed versus what we actually received. Whether my words are true or not, you can see for yourself."
She presented the jade slip directly to Yun Jin.
Shi Li's eyes widened, his gaze on Hong Ye growing dark. All missions had video records? This Hong Ye, while appearing indifferent in public, had secretly recorded every mission. She had been waiting for this moment.
Yun Jin examined the jade slip, a faintly amused smile forming.
"Elder Shi Li, you are quite interesting. With video records as proof, it is clear that these missions were executed by Elder Hong Ye and her disciples. Yet how is it that all the credit went to you and your disciples?"
Shi Li's face twitched as he opened his mouth to reply.
"You still want to claim that Elder Hong Ye voluntarily gave you the credit?" Yun Jin sneered. "Within the Demon-Slaying Alliance, there is no rule stating that credit can even be given away. Even if it could, why would Hong Ye give it to you? If what you say is true, there is only one possibility: that Deacon Hong Ye…."
Before Yun Jin could finish, Shi Li's eyes lit up. "Yes, Deacon Hong Ye is indeed fond of me. That is why she willingly gave me all the credit. At most, I did not refuse—hardly a major fault."
Hong Ye gave Shi Li a look of contempt. Her disciples glared at Shi Li in anger. Did this scoundrel really think Hong Ye could be fond of him?
Yun Jin rolled her eyes. She had not expected that, even in the cultivation world, some still reveled in spreading baseless rumors.
Her voice turned slightly cold. "This Hall Master is saying that if that's the case, the affection could only be maternal. But considering Elder Shi Li seems to be several hundred years older than Elder Hong Ye, there is no way she could have given birth to you."
Pfft—
Suppressed laughter echoed in the hall.
Hong Ye smiled slightly. "Hall Master, please allow me to speak. I truly don't have such a useless son!"
Shi Li's face turned pale and then flushed, extremely unsightly. He looked helplessly at Zhai Ge. After a long silence, Zhai Ge finally said, "Hall Master, this joke is excessive."
"This joke is excessive?" Yun Jin sneered.
She slammed the table heavily.
The hard table shattered in two.
Yun Jin stood. "Is this joke more excessive than what Elder Shi Li has done? Each of these hundred-plus missions was perilous, each a matter of life and death, forged with blood! And the loose cultivators who risked their lives—their contributions were never reported. Their bodies were disposed of at will, their names erased from the rosters as if they had never participated!
And Shi Li and his worthless disciples? They hardly executed any missions, yet all the resources and rewards piled onto them."
Yun Jin glared at those standing behind Shi Li.
She extended her fingers, flames igniting. In the next moment, the Demon-Slaying badges on their waists fell one by one.
All the badges came into Yun Jin's hands.
She sneered. "Worthless lot, yet each Demon-Slaying badge is at least Level Three. And those who risk their lives to actually do the work? Some do not even have a Level One badge!"
Yun Jin's anger burned.
The loose cultivators lowered their heads. They had accumulated too much grievance over the years. Before Hong Ye came, their situation had been far worse. With Hong Ye's protection, life had slightly improved. They had thought that was as good as it would get. Even Hong Ye could not confront Zhai Ge, Shi Li, or the enormous forces behind them.
But now.
Yun Jin had arrived.
She understood their grievances, their injustices, and she was here to set things right.