Mingxin Hall.
Kong Huai stood straight, a subtle unease in his heart.
Today, Zhai Ge had suddenly called him over to speak in private. In principle, Zhai Ge had always worked for the sect's interests, so he should have been on the same side.
Yet, for some reason, Kong Huai felt an inexplicable fear toward him. If it were Hall Master Yun, even if she did not treat sect disciples differently, she would act fairly. That fairness, strangely, brought comfort.
Now, however, Zhai Ge had called him over and had remained silent for the duration of an incense stick. Kong Huai did not dare speak either, his heart pounding with anxiety.
After a long while, Zhai Ge smiled faintly and said calmly, "Kong Huai, during the mission you undertook with Yun Jin, you did not send any messages about what happened?"
The delayed questioning had arrived.
Kong Huai's heart tightened. He whispered, "During the first mission, one disciple deliberately exposed their spiritual energy and was killed by Hall Master on the spot. Her cultivation is profound, and her control over elemental forces tracks everyone's actions. We… dared not use our communication tokens."
Zhai Ge nodded, accepting the explanation.
As for the disciple who had been killed as a warning, Zhai Ge said nothing further. That disciple had acted foolishly. Yun Jin had killed him, and that was that. Complaining further would not only fail to affect Yun Jin but might even backfire.
Zhai Ge had called Kong Huai for a different reason. He said calmly, "Today, Deacon Shi reported that you and the other disciples who followed Yun Jin on the mission seem to have undergone some changes in thought."
Kong Huai's heart shivered. Their thoughts had indeed shifted somewhat. Yet they did not openly support Yun Jin, at most refraining from speaking ill of her. He had not expected Zhai Ge to notice this.
Zhai Ge continued calmly, "Kong Huai, among the sect disciples, your cultivation may not be the highest, but your talent is the finest, and your potential the greatest. I and the senior disciples of your sect have high expectations of you. Hall Master Yun's intentions are clear: for the next ten years, all of you must atone for past mistakes with no rewards. Do you truly accept this willingly?"
Kong Huai lowered his head, saying nothing.
Zhai Ge sighed. "I called you here to tell you this: Yun Jin excels at swaying hearts, but the ones truly looking out for you are your sect seniors, Deacon Shi, and myself. As for Yun Jin… she will only hinder your cultivation."
Kong Huai nodded, whispering, "Disciple understands."
Zhai Ge did not care if he truly understood or not. He smiled. "Previously, Yun Jin gave every disciple a talisman. Everyone who activated it vanished instantly and has not been heard from since. We believe these talismans are dangerous. In our teams, the sect disciples had long since collected and destroyed them. I heard you kept yours?"
Kong Huai hesitated, then nodded.
"If you do not know how to destroy them, it is fine. Go quietly and collect all the talismans. I will destroy them for you," Zhai Ge said kindly.
Kong Huai said nothing.
Zhai Ge's expression darkened slightly. "What, is there a problem?"
Kong Huai's heart trembled. He whispered his compliance.
Zhai Ge then smiled again. "Go then."
Kong Huai nodded and turned to leave.
Zhai Ge narrowed his eyes and let out a cold laugh. The talismans Yun Jin had given carried a fluctuation of space energy. They were clearly long-distance teleportation talismans.
Where they led was already clear to him.
The loose cultivators were Yun Jin's concern. He could ignore them. But the sect disciples, each with talents surpassing loose cultivators a hundredfold, must not be deceived by Yun Jin. Once he destroyed the talismans, Yun Jin's plan would fail.
This also reminded him:
Yun Jin had a master who understood the slightest trace of spatial law. Wushuang Sect's advantage in spatial cultivation was immense.
Yun Jin could use the talismans to make others leave and easily escape herself. To ensure her downfall, arrangements must be made in advance to prevent her from leaving.
Such measures might leave traces.
But as long as Yun Jin fell, the survivors could dictate the outcome.
Kong Huai quickly collected all the talismans.
Zhai Ge destroyed them completely. Then he smiled, "You have done well. Rest assured, once Yun Jin is gone, everything will return to how it was. With your talent, you will obtain the finest resources."
Kong Huai whispered his thanks.
Zhai Ge was in a good mood and waved for him to leave. He never worried that the sect disciples would side with Yun Jin. Even if temporarily deceived, they would eventually understand what truly benefited them. After all, could anyone in this world willingly reject favoritism to chase fairness?
Everything Yun Jin had done was nothing but a joke.
Night fell.
Kong Huai tossed and turned, haunted by Yun Jin's words.
"Clear water washes the collar, murky water washes the feet. It is up to oneself."
Up to oneself.
Whether to choose clear water or murky water…
Could one truly rely on their own choice?
A bitter smile touched Kong Huai's lips. He should not have struggled so. As Zhai Ge said, Yun Jin offered fairness, he offered favoritism. Any normal person would know how to choose.
Yet…
He could not convince himself to accept favoritism without guilt.
Kong Huai held a safety talisman in his hand, lost in thought.
It had been given by a commoner.
It had no power, yet he treasured it.
He recalled the grateful expressions on their faces.
Did he truly deserve such gratitude?
Under the moonlight, Kong Huai sat alone for a long time.
Three days later, deep at night.
Yun Jin opened her eyes.
She had been monitoring the movements of that group. In a few more hours, they would reach Mingxin Hall. Yun Jin had adjusted herself to peak condition. She had long awaited this battle.
Zhai Ge opened his eyes too, a subtle smile in them.
This time, he wanted to see how Yun Jin would escape.
The night stretched endlessly.
The final stretch.
The Evil Dao practitioners abandoned caution, rushing forward and openly releasing their aura. The liquid's masking effect still worked, but it was unnecessary now. They wanted everyone to know that Yun Jin would fall to the grip of the Evil Dao.
As they converged from all directions, Yun Jin sprang into the air.
Immediately, Zhai Ge and Shi Li followed.