Yun Jin looked around at the crowd and smiled faintly. "Very well. Then let us begin from the start."
She drew out a ledger and tossed it in front of Zhai Ge.
"Deputy Hall Master, explain to me why, within this record, there are three separate missions to eliminate the same Golden Core stage demonic cultivator. The rewards for the mission were also claimed three times. Did that demonic cultivator possess the power to rise from the dead? If he truly had such an ability, why kill him at all? You should have sent him to the Demon-Slaying Alliance headquarters for study!
Cases like this, where achievements were claimed repeatedly, have occurred more than a hundred times over these years! Come, I will list them one by one!" Yun Jin expressionlessly pulled out ledger after ledger, pointing out the discrepancies within.
At first, Zhai Ge did not believe she could possibly have memorized so much in such a short time. But when he opened the books and verified her words, his face grew darker and darker.
Yes.
Every single one was correct.
What kind of mind did Yun Jin possess? In such a brief span, she had managed to sort out the problems in detail and expose them all!
Shi Li's expression shifted as well. Hong Ye had only been here for a little over ten years. But before that? Who knew how many times they had played such tricks. If Yun Jin exposed everything…
Even though he was in the Mahayana realm, he might not be able to withstand the weight of such crimes. Shi Li could not help glancing toward Zhai Ge.
On the surface, these issues had nothing to do with Zhai Ge. As Hall Master, every merit was split to his share, but he merely arranged matters and did not need to participate in the tasks directly.
Yet in truth, without Zhai Ge's instructions, how would they have dared act so brazenly?
"I have only listed a portion," Yun Jin continued coldly. "There are still many cases of repeated claims, which will be compiled into a full record later. Next, we have fabricated achievements. Some individuals appeared in two places thousands of miles apart, carrying out different tasks at the same time. Cases like this alone number in the dozens.
And here—look at the people listed for this mission. None of them cultivated fire-element spiritual power, yet the report states they incinerated the evil with flames. Did they suddenly sprout fire spiritual roots overnight? And here…" One after another, Yun Jin pointed out contradictions in the records.
She knew that what she had uncovered was not everything. After all, too much time had passed. Some traces were already impossible to find. But just the evidence she had revealed was enough to condemn them.
Yun Jin's cold gaze fixed on Zhai Ge. "Deputy Hall Master Zhai, for each and every one of these, what do you have to say? All of these flaws are from your own records!"
Zhai Ge's face twisted, his eyes narrowing with cold fury.
A mere Unity stage junior dared interrogate him like this?
Was she worthy?
He sneered. "Hall Master, what is past is past. Harping on these trivial details is detrimental to unity. You have seen the situation for yourself. Are you really going to punish everyone?"
His voice dripped with mockery.
Yun Jin gave a sharp laugh. She swept her gaze across the hall.
Earlier, when she rebuked them, the loose cultivators all looked at her with reverence.
And the sect disciples?
Some looked unconvinced, some bowed their heads in sullen silence, while others glared at her with open hostility.
In Mingxin Hall, the sect disciples were the overwhelming majority. They occupied most of the positions, and most of the resources. And they did almost nothing. That was why the Qingxiao region had descended into such chaos. Perhaps Lin Xiao had orchestrated much of this in secret.
But the disciples themselves?
Were they truly content to enjoy such privileges without shame?
Zhai Ge was trying to threaten her. He believed that law could not punish the many, that even if she uncovered the rot, she would not dare to censure so many at once.
"Hall Master," Zhai Ge said with a satisfied smirk when she stayed silent. "Why not let the past be bygone? Allow them to atone with future merits instead."
He fancied this a step down for Yun Jin, a way for her to retreat.
Would she really punish so many all at once?
Would she dare offend every sect in this region?
Would she risk Mingxin Hall collapsing overnight?
She could not.
Hong Ye lowered her head and let out a soft sigh. Truly, reaching this point was already remarkable. Over the years, Zhai Ge had bound every sect into his web of complicity. If Yun Jin punished only a few, it would not convince anyone. If she punished them all, then she would be standing against every sect.
Mingxin Hall still needed people to complete tasks. As long as these disciples restrained themselves somewhat in the future, Hong Ye would already be satisfied.
Lin Feng, however, kept his eyes fixed on Yun Jin, his gaze burning with excitement.
He had a strange certainty.
Yun Jin was not someone who acted according to convention.
No one had thought she would appear in the capital of the Canglan Kingdom. Yet she had.
No one had thought she could defeat Blood Daoren. Yet she had chased him across three thousand li and slain him.
Yun Jin—
She had always been someone who defied expectation.
Yun Jin's eyes were cold as she looked at Zhai Ge. "No blame for the past? Atonement with merit? Indeed, that is the safe, conservative approach. Deputy Hall Master, you live up to your reputation."
Zhai Ge's lips curled in a smug smile. He nodded. "As long as Hall Master agrees."
And if she did not agree? What could she do?
No matter how strong Yun Jin was, would she defy all the sects in this land?
She could not.
Yun Jin's expression sharpened suddenly, her voice like ice. "Good. Very good. Deputy Hall Master, you even have the gall to nod. I see your cultivation has not progressed much, but your skin has grown thick indeed. With a single phrase 'no blame for the past,' you want to erase countless wrongs. Do you know how many died on missions, their lives cut short, with no explanation, while you reaped benefits? And now you want them rewarded with a chance to earn merit? Do they deserve such a chance?
And you, Zhai Ge—Mingxin Hall has been under your management since its founding. When the beam above is crooked, the beams below cannot be straight. If the foundation is rotten, it is because the rot began with you! A hall that should have been the vanguard of the Demon-Slaying Alliance, you have turned into this cesspit, and you still dare prattle before me. Utterly shameless!"
Zhai Ge's face flushed red and blue in turn, ugly to behold. With his cultivation so deep, it had been many years since anyone dared scold him so openly.
And this person was just a junior.
And her position truly was higher than his.
His eyes grew stormy as he glared at Yun Jin. "So then? What do you intend to do?"
Yun Jin sneered. "Naturally, merits will be rewarded, faults will be punished. As for your dereliction, Zhai Ge, I will settle that account with you last."
Her gaze shifted to Shi Li. "You. Step forward!"
Her tone was utterly unceremonious. She was only sixteen years old, yet in that instant, she radiated a commanding presence that made hearts tremble.
Shi Li shuddered instinctively. He glanced at Zhai Ge, but seeing that Zhai Ge remained silent, he reluctantly shuffled forward.