Yun Jin's expression did not waver. "From these records, I can confirm that over a hundred merits which should have belonged to others were seized by you. Do you want me to list them one by one right now?"
Shi Li's face turned ashen. "This subordinate…"
Yun Jin's voice was flat, without emotion. "Ten years ago, the mission in Chen Shui Kingdom was carried out by Hong Ye, yet the rewards ended up in your hands. That mission involved three bottles of Grade Eight Huanyuan Pills and a lower-tier Heaven-rank artifact. Hand them over."
Shi Li's expression grew uglier. "The artifact… the artifact is still here… but those Huanyuan Pills were long since consumed."
Yun Jin gave a cold laugh. "Then compensate their value. And seven years ago, the mission reward was…"
She listed each item as if reciting them from memory, like treasures rolling off her tongue. By the end, Shi Li's falsely claimed rewards alone required an enormous sum in restitution.
"You will hand everything over according to this list, give it to Deacon Hong Ye, and let her make a fair distribution," Yun Jin said icily.
"I…" Shi Li felt his heart dripping blood. So many items were already in his possession, some even consumed. Now she wanted everything returned. It was no different from cutting out his life.
But with Zhai Ge staying silent, he had no choice but to reluctantly gather his belongings.
"And as for the rest of you," Yun Jin said coldly, "must I call you out by name one at a time? I also have a list. Each of you who took what was not yours knows it well enough in your heart. Today, every last thing must be returned!"
The hall instantly fell into uproar.
Yun Jin shut the doors with a flick of her sleeve. "Until everything is handed back, none of you will leave. Do not look to Zhai Ge. Every action today will be preserved as evidence and sent to my Master for judgment. If I have acted wrongly, I will not need your words. My Master himself will punish me!"
Threats?
Who here couldn't make them?
The name of her Master, Ji Wusi, was more than sharp enough to wield.
"If you hand everything back now, your punishment will be lighter. Refuse, and when I strike down harsh measures later, even I may fear myself." Yun Jin's lips curved slightly, her gaze cold as ice. In that moment, she looked more demon than human.
Zhai Ge spoke with a blank face. "The Hall Master wishes to make a display of authority. If you refuse to comply, do not expect me to save you."
His lips carried a mocking smile. In his eyes, Yun Jin's actions were sheer folly. Did she think this display of might was impressive? All she had done was offend countless sect disciples and their sects. How could the Mingxin Hall continue to function after this?
Childish.
Let her bring disaster upon herself. Once Ji Wusi saw the chaos, he would understand that Mingxin Hall had its own rules. Sending a hot-headed child to take command was never going to work. This Hall Master would not last long.
With Zhai Ge's dismissal ringing in their ears, the others reluctantly began pulling out their gains.
After all, they had indeed swallowed countless benefits over the years. To repay all of it meant ruin. But Yun Jin's sharp eyes bore down on them, giving them no chance but to scrape together whatever they could. Before long, a small mountain of treasures stood piled in front of her.
"There are still some who have not fully returned what is owed," Yun Jin said calmly. "Within three days, you will either hand over the items or repay their full value in spirit stones. Otherwise, the punishment will increase."
She turned to Hong Ye. "You will keep these for now. You know best how they should be distributed."
Hong Ye looked at Yun Jin's youthful face, so unyielding yet oddly convincing, and lowered her head. "This subordinate understands."
She knew well that Yun Jin's actions would plant countless future troubles. She knew it was unwise to offend so many sects at once. But knowing was one thing. Why, then, did it feel so exhilarating?
Hong Ye let out a quiet laugh at herself. After living so long, she was actually stirred like a reckless youth again.
The loose cultivators, too, were trembling with excitement. By rights, most of these rewards belonged to them. Would this not make them rich overnight?
Zhai Ge's voice cut through, flat and faint. "The Hall Master has shown her might. Is this matter finished now?"
Yun Jin arched a brow. "So far, I have only made them return what they stole. I have not yet punished them."
She turned her gaze on Shi Li. "Deacon Shi, you usurped the merits of others, repeatedly claimed rewards falsely. Do you admit it?"
Shi Li did not wish to admit, but Yun Jin had laid out all the evidence.
He could only force out a nod.
"Very well. Shi Li is stripped of his Deacon position. You will surrender your Demon-Slaying Token. Furthermore, you will serve the Demon-Slaying Alliance without pay for one hundred years to cancel your offenses. Do you accept this judgment?" Yun Jin's gaze was steady.
Shi Li's brow twitched violently.
Stripped of rank.
Demon-Slaying Token confiscated.
And one hundred years of unpaid service.
For a Mahayana cultivator, it was an unbearable humiliation.
He clenched his teeth.
"If you are unwilling, you may appeal," Yun Jin said flatly.
Shi Li's expression shifted, but in the end he slunk aside, face black as ink. He knew too well that his deeds could not bear the light. Yun Jin's judgment was not unfair.
Still…
The Qingxiao Region had always operated like this. Every hall was the same. Why were they the ones to be crushed under her hand?
Why could this Yun Jin not simply follow the unspoken rules and enjoy the privileges like any other beneficiary?
Her Wushuang Sect was now ranked among the top sects. By rights, Wushuang Sect disciples in Mingxin Hall should also enjoy such benefits. Yet she insisted on fairness and justice. Was she not ruining her own sect's future?
Even her own disciples would not thank her for such stupidity.
Shi Li fumed inwardly, but said nothing more. He did not believe Zhai Ge would allow Yun Jin to act unchecked. His silence now only meant he had deeper cards to play.
"Vice Hall Master Zhai." Yun Jin turned her sharp eyes on him. "Since you became Vice Hall Master, so many such matters have occurred. Do you truly claim to know nothing? Negligence of this degree, you cannot escape. Hand over your Demon-Slaying Token. Your position is removed. Whatever items remain missing from the others, if they cannot return them, you will cover the deficit. With your wealth, you should have no trouble."
Zhai Ge narrowed his eyes and said without a trace of expression, "As long as the Hall Master is pleased."
He truly handed over the Demon-Slaying Token.
Yun Jin accepted it without hesitation. She turned her gaze upon the rest, her voice calm yet heavy.