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Human Sacrifice
"I admit, I did confront him, but I did not kill him."
A young man with a handsome appearance and an upright posture let out a cold snort. This young man was Cao Bohou, known as a ruthless figure in the Inner Sect, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, exuding an imposing presence.
"If you didn't kill him, then who did? Are you suggesting it was me?" Cao Bohou pointed at the circular hidden weapon lodged in the tree. "This Star Dart is your signature artifact. Anyone can see that Iron Baldy was killed by a single blow to the head. Are you saying your artifact has come to life and killed him on its own?"
Song Yuan replied, "If I say I didn't kill him, then I didn't. If I had killed him, why would I leave the scene untouched? Why would I allow him to dirty my place of cultivation? Clearly, this is a frame-up!"
Cao Bohou coldly retorted, "You seem to have inflated your ego. It's already unacceptable that you're ranked tenth with just your Foundation Establishment Realm. Now you've killed a master of the Inner Sect. According to sect rules, one life for another; you should just take your own life."
Song Yuan looked at Cao Bohou with disdain and said, "What qualifications do you have to judge me? The Grand Elder hasn't said anything; others may fear you, but I do not!"
"Bold," Song Yuan laughed lightly. "How about we have a life-and-death battle? Don't say I didn't give you this opportunity."
After finishing his words, he turned respectfully to the elderly Grand Elder in a white robe and said, "I ask the Grand Elder to permit me to deal with this traitor who disregards the rules and kills his fellow disciples!"
The Grand Elder frowned but remained silent, while many disciples voiced their support, chanting, "Life-and-death battle! Life-and-death battle!"
In Azure Cloud Sect's Inner Sect, Cao Bohou's reputation far surpassed that of Song Yuan. Firstly, Cao Bohou was straightforward and was rumored to protect his subordinates. Secondly, Song Yuan had a poor reputation due to his effeminate demeanor and severe cleanliness obsession; he looked down on others with disdain.
Cao Bohou had already questioned the disciples under Birch Mountain. Many knew that Iron Baldy had been summoned by Song Yuan late at night for a Foundation Pill. Iron Baldy's fatal injury was caused by the Star Dart piercing his brain, and the other injuries on his body were also inflicted by Song Yuan. No matter how he tried to defend himself, it was futile; there was no need for further investigation.
Song Yuan felt frustrated and said, "Fine, I accept your challenge. Let's see what skills you really have!"
"There's no need to choose a place; let's do it right here!" Cao Bohou declared, drawing his sword from the hands of a disciple beside him and slashing toward Song Yuan.
The crowd stepped back, clearing the area. As Cao Bohou swung his sword, the blade's aura surged, forcing Song Yuan to dodge its edge. In response, he launched his Star Dart at Cao Bohou with incredible speed. However, Cao Bohou deftly flicked his sword, deflecting all the Star Darts before leaping into the air to stab at Song Yuan.
A fierce wind suddenly arose, and the murderous aura of the sword was unmistakable. Observers could easily tell that Cao Bohou's strength far surpassed that of Song Yuan.
Song Yuan was the only late-stage Foundation Establishment expert on the Dragon-Tiger List, just a hair's breadth away from breaking through to the Divine Transformation Realm. The Divine Transformation Realm represented ten times the power of the Foundation Establishment Realm. Even if Song Yuan had better talent than Cao Bohou, he could not be ten times stronger. Moreover, in terms of Qi Sea and Soul, Cao Bohou completely overwhelmed Song Yuan.
As Song Yuan retreated, clenching his fists, Dao Qi surged from his hands as he prepared to unleash a secret technique for a desperate fight. He felt locked onto by Cao Bohou's aura; this strike would not stop until it either harmed him or succeeded.
Just then, a figure flickered into view—a young man in white appeared before Cao Bohou.
The White-Clad Youth pinched Cao Bohou's sword between two fingers and lightly flicked it. The sound of the treasured sword ringing echoed in everyone's ears as Cao Bohou was pushed back by a single finger, stumbling several steps before nearly falling.
The White-Clad Youth remained calm, his long hair swept back elegantly. Dressed in white with fair skin, he was extraordinarily handsome, with delicate brow bones that made him stand out as unmatched in Azure Cloud Sect.
Upon seeing the White-Clad Youth, the crowd spoke in unison: "Greetings, Senior Brother."
"So this is Song Qianqiu; truly a remarkable figure with unfathomable strength," I thought to myself as I watched him from behind the crowd.
Song Qianqiu smiled warmly like a gentle spring breeze and said, "No need for formalities, my junior brothers." He then bowed respectfully to the Elder of Azure Cloud Sect. "Master."
The Elder nodded and said, "Qianqiu, you handle things here; I have matters to attend to. The Sect Leader and your Seventh Master will return by noon today; remember to pay your respects."
"Understood, Master," Song Qianqiu replied.
The Grand Elder looked at Song Qianqiu with a satisfied expression before descending the mountain alongside the Dao Child.
After the Grand Elder left, Song Qianqiu turned to Cao Bohou and said, "I have a rough idea of what happened at Birch Mountain. Regardless of the circumstances, you openly engaged in a life-and-death battle in front of the Grand Elder, forcing him to witness his own disciples slaughtering each other. Isn't that just making him suffer the loss of his white-haired disciples to black-haired ones?"
Cao Bohou replied, "Senior Brother, this Song Yuan is arrogant and killed Iron Baldy while mocking him. If we don't teach him a lesson, he won't take anyone seriously."
Song Qianqiu responded, "It's not about right or wrong; your approach to handling this matter is flawed. Most of us in the Daoist Sect are solitary by nature and tend to be nostalgic. Forcing the Grand Elder to watch his disciples fight amongst themselves is both difficult and hurtful for him. In the future, if such matters arise again, there's no need to inform the Grand Elder. He is old and has many responsibilities within the sect; it’s unnecessary for him to be troubled by your personal disputes. Your actions are unfilial."
"Yes, Senior Brother, I understand," Cao Bohou said.
Song Qianqiu nodded and turned to Song Yuan. "What happened? Why did you kill Iron Baldy?"
Song Yuan replied, "I didn't kill him; I only wanted to ask him for a Foundation Pill. He didn't know his place and attacked me, so I struck him once. Who would have thought he would die in the middle of the night? I can't explain the injury on his head. My Star Dart has been lost in various places within Azure Cloud Sect; it's not surprising if someone found it and used it."
Song Qianqiu nodded and said, "Although Iron Baldy has a bad reputation in the Inner Sect, there are still rules in Qingyun: disciples cannot kill each other. Even if you didn't personally kill him, evidence points to you as the murderer, and this incident arose from your greed for the Foundation Pill. You may escape death but cannot avoid punishment. I will first confine you to face the wall at Azure Cloud Back Mountain for reflection until the Sect Leader returns to decide your fate. Does that sound acceptable?"
Though Song Yuan was visibly displeased, he could only clasp his fists and say, "I dare not disobey Senior Brother's words."
"That's best. Go pack your things and move to the back mountain. During this time of reflection, you must hold gratitude towards our predecessors at Qingyun and sincerely pay respects at their graves. Without their efforts, there would be no Qingyun today. Most people present here are orphans; without Azure Cloud Sect and our mentors nurturing us, we might still be starving on the streets begging for food," Song Qianqiu said warmly.
"Song Yuan will remember," Song Yuan replied with his head bowed.
"We all will remember," everyone echoed.
Song Qianqiu nodded and looked at Cao Bohou. "Take Iron Baldy's body down the mountain for burial. Once you're done, come find me at Qianqiu Peak; I have something to discuss with you."
"Cao Bohou" said, "Understood, Senior Brother."
"Song Qianqiu" instructed everyone for a moment, telling them to return to their own places. Then, with a few light steps, he leaped to the treetops of "Birch Forest," moving gracefully as if walking on air. In no time, he vanished from sight.
Many watched in awe, sighing that "Song Qianqiu" was unparalleled, a celestial being in the mortal world.
"If only I could possess even a tenth of Senior Brother's character and cultivation. How can there be such a perfect person in this world?" a young man lamented, his eyes filled with admiration.
"Cao Bohou" looked displeased and said to the two people behind him, "Carry 'Iron Baldy' down the mountain and bury him."
"Yes," they replied, lifting "Iron Baldy's" body and heading down the mountain.
"Cao Bohou" coldly glanced at "Song Yuan" and said, "Today, I’ll let you off for Senior Brother's sake. You better not fall into my hands; otherwise, you won't even know how you died."
After everyone dispersed, I returned to the "Siheyuan." One of the young men heard the door open and came out to check. He quickly smiled and said, "Brother Yang Hao, you're back?"
The three of them had been recuperating in the "Siheyuan," sleeping until now without knowing what had happened in the "Inner Sect." I ignored him and went back to my room. Upon opening the door, I found the place in disarray; everything had been destroyed, and there were stains of excrement on the bed.
Seeing me standing at the door without moving, the young man stealthily tried to slip out of the courtyard. I said, "You don't need to look for 'Iron Baldy'; he’s already dead."
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