Chapter 797: Punishment

“Ninety Origin Coins?”

Hearing this figure, Jin Teng and the other two stopped their wailing. Their faces turned ashen as they roared, “Why don’t you just rob us instead?!”

“Isn’t that what’s happening now?” Zhou Yuan shrugged, gesturing with the Phoenix Beak Blade towards their hands and feet. He said lightly, “It seems you don’t want to pay? Then we’ll use your limbs as collateral.” He made a move as if to strike.

Jin Teng’s face turned green, and he quickly said, “Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou, we only receive thirty Origin Coins a month. We don’t have much left over. How could we possibly come up with that much?”

“Do you think we’re haggling over groceries? Bargaining? Whatever you’re short on, I’ll cut that much off.” Zhou Yuan was unmoved, his gaze slowly turning cold. “Ten breaths. If you can’t produce them, then there’s no need to.” Zhou Yuan’s eyes closed slightly, but a faint killing intent emanated from his body.

Jin Teng and the two others’ expressions shifted unpredictably. They clearly hadn’t expected Zhou Yuan to be so unyielding. Ten breaths passed in an instant. Zhou Yuan opened his eyes. Without another word, the Phoenix Beak Blade in his hand descended with a chilling gleam.

“I’ll give it!” Jin Teng felt the ruthlessness in Zhou Yuan’s move, realizing that the other party truly intended to chop off their limbs. He finally dared not argue further and hastily shouted. He slapped the Qiankun pouch at his waist, and dozens of glistening coins immediately floated out. With a flick of his sleeve, Zhou Yuan drew the glittering, crystal-like Origin Coins into his palm. He swept his divine sense over them, then calmly put them away, his cold gaze turning to the other two. Lin Zheng and Wu Dao also had bitter expressions. In the end, they could only obediently hand over their Origin Coins, spending money to avert disaster.

Collecting the 270 Origin Coins handed over by the three, a hint of uncontainable joy welled up in Zhou Yuan’s heart. He had been troubled by how quickly Origin Coins were used up, and now, in the blink of an eye, money-bringing “boys” had appeared right at his doorstep. Two hundred and seventy coins should be enough for a month of cultivation, right?

Zhou Yuan flicked his finger, sending fifty Origin Coins flying towards Liu Zhi Xuan, who looked at him with some confusion. “Finders keepers,” Zhou Yuan chuckled. Although he had only met Liu Zhi Xuan a few times, he had a good impression of him. Moreover, he had seen earlier that Liu Zhi Xuan chose to be beaten by Jin Teng and the others rather than reveal Zhou Yuan’s location. Liu Zhi Xuan quickly shook his head. However, Zhou Yuan ignored him and directly placed the fifty Origin Coins into his hand. “You were injured by them, so this is for your medical expenses,” Zhou Yuan said.

Liu Zhi Xuan gave a wry smile. He knew the value of fifty Origin Coins; it was far more than what he deserved for taking a beating. But he also understood Zhou Yuan’s goodwill, so after thinking it over, he accepted them and smiled, “Then I’ll just consider myself lucky to have found such a bargain.” As they shared the “loot,” their relationship grew closer, and they exchanged smiles.

“Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou, can we leave now?” At this point, Jin Teng cautiously asked.

Zhou Yuan glanced sideways at him, a half-smile on his face as he said, “Where are you going?”

Jin Teng was startled: “We’ve already given you the Origin Coins!”

“Those Origin Coins merely saved your limbs. When did I say I’d let you go?” Zhou Yuan sneered. These scoundrels dared to defy their superior; there was no way he would let them off easily today.

“You!” All three men’s faces showed anger. But before they could speak, Zhou Yuan flicked his sleeve, and Origin Qi transformed into a ribbon, directly coiling around and binding the three men, also gagging them.

“Zhou Yuan, I heard that Lin Zheng and Wu Dao are both Chen Beifeng’s people. This matter...” Liu Zhi Xuan said in a low voice.

Zhou Yuan nodded slightly and said, “Could you please go find Deputy Pavilion Master Ye? If you find her, please ask her to come to the entrance of Wind Tower.” Seeing Zhou Yuan’s demeanor, Liu Zhi Xuan knew he wouldn’t let the matter rest today. However, doing so would undoubtedly offend Chen Beifeng, who was currently the strongest contender for the position of Pavilion Master of the Wind Pavilion, enjoying immense prestige far beyond the likes of Jin Teng. Yet, he ultimately said nothing more, as through their previous interactions, he knew Zhou Yuan was not one to easily change his mind.

“All right, be careful.” He nodded and, without further ado, shot directly into the sky.

Zhou Yuan watched Liu Zhi Xuan leave, then cast a cold glance at the three still struggling men. With a sneer, he swiftly darted towards the entrance of the Wind Domain, the ribbon of Origin Qi binding the three men, who dangled as he moved rapidly forward. As he sped through the air, dragging the constantly struggling trio, he was undeniably conspicuous, immediately drawing countless astonished gazes.

“Is that... Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou?”

“What’s he dragging? Looks like three people?”

“Uh, they look a bit familiar...”

“Aren’t those Commander Jin Teng, Commander Wu Dao, and Commander Lin Zheng?!”

“My heavens, what happened? How are these three commanders being ‘kite-flown’ by Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou?!”

“Commanders Wu Dao and Lin Zheng are Deputy Pavilion Master Chen Beifeng’s people... Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou actually dared to touch them?”

“Come on, let’s go follow them and see! Looks like there’s going to be a show today!”

Zhou Yuan, conspicuously dragging the three, swept through the Wind Domain, causing a stir among many Wind Pavilion members. For a time, everyone even stopped their cultivation, hastily following from a distance. Zhou Yuan glanced at the Wind Pavilion members who were constantly rushing over from all directions. His expression, however, remained quite calm. Today, he intended to make a grand spectacle, letting everyone know the consequences of provoking him.

Soon, Zhou Yuan arrived at the floating stone platform at the entrance of the Wind Domain. By then, many Wind Pavilion members had already gathered there, but he paid them little mind. Gripping Jin Teng and the other two, he stepped out of the Wind Domain.

Outside the Wind Tower, a part of the Four Spirits Origin Tower.

As Zhou Yuan stepped out, he saw even more people gathered. Not only were there members of the Wind Pavilion, but even those from the other three pavilions had heard the news and rushed over to watch the spectacle. Holding Jin Teng and the two others, Zhou Yuan’s gaze swept across the crowd as he stated in a deep voice, “Jin Teng, Lin Zheng, and Wu Dao, acting insubordinately within the Wind Domain, dared to launch a sneak attack on me. They were ultimately captured alive by me, with one arm severed. This is an act of blatant audacity, showing utter disregard for the rules of my Wind Pavilion!”

These words instantly triggered countless gasps of astonishment. Stunned gazes fixed on Zhou Yuan. Firstly, because Jin Teng and the other two were audacious enough to openly attack a Deputy Pavilion Master. Secondly, because Zhou Yuan was able to withstand a sneak attack from three commanders and even sever an arm from each of them. What kind of strength was this?! It seemed the new Deputy Pavilion Master had been holding back yesterday! Some gazes now held a hint of awe when looking at Zhou Yuan.

“Does anyone know what the punishment is, according to the Wind Pavilion rules, for attempting to assassinate a superior?” Zhou Yuan asked slowly. The surrounding crowd quieted for a moment. Someone whispered, “According to the Wind Pavilion rules, if a commander commits this crime, their position shall be stripped, and they shall be barred from entering the Wind Domain for one year.”

Zhou Yuan declared, “Since there are rules, then we shall act according to the rules! From this moment forth, strip these three of their commander positions!”

Hearing Zhou Yuan’s declaration, all the Wind Pavilion members gasped. To directly strip three commanders of their positions was no small matter. This Deputy Pavilion Master Zhou, who seemed mild-mannered, was unexpectedly fierce when angered.

“Impudence!”

Just as Zhou Yuan’s voice fell, a furious roar exploded like thunder. “Zhou Yuan, since when did the Wind Pavilion become your personal domain?! You want to slander my people? What do you take Chen Beifeng for?!” A figure of light streaked through the air, his eyes filled with fury. His icy gaze locked onto Zhou Yuan. As his roar echoed, he slammed out a palm, and a mighty wave of Origin Qi surged forth like a torrent, overwhelming and suppressing Zhou Yuan with immense power.

“Let them go!”