Chapter 72: Death Penalty

## Chapter 72: Death Sin

Ye Chen was dragged to the Discipline Hall, the vast crowd still trailing behind him.

Returning to the austere, frigid Discipline Hall, Ye Chen was immediately shackled to the copper pillar. In stark contrast, the true disciples from the Two Peaks, also accused of violating sect rules, stood casually in the hall, merely wearing cangues. Their treatment formed a sharp contrast to Ye Chen's plight.

"Ye Chen, you used the Heavenly Thunder Curse within the sect. Do you admit this crime?" Yin Zhi Ping stood before Ye Chen, hands clasped behind his back, a cold smirk playing on his lips.

"They sought to kill me. I acted in self-preservation."

"Seek to kill you? Where does this come from?" The disciples from the Two Peaks erupted in protest.

"Ye Chen, this is slander! It was clearly a sparring match. How has it become us trying to kill you?"

"Senior Brother Yin's eyes are sharp. Do not listen to Ye Chen's nonsensical excuses."

At that moment, the disciples from the Two Peaks, a veritable tide of voices, began to clamor once more.

"Ye Chen used the Heavenly Thunder Curse; he truly deserves to die!"

"Punish him!"

"So young, yet already so ruthless. What will he become when he is older?"

The hall filled with the shouts and accusations of the true disciples from the Two Peaks, each feigning righteous indignation. They twisted black into white, counter-accused, and piled a heavy burden of guilt upon Ye Chen. And at this moment, Ye Chen, bound to the copper pillar, appeared as a heinous murderer, enduring every insult.

Within the hall stood not only the true disciples from the Two Peaks but also the disciples of Heng Yue who had followed. However, though they knew the truth was not entirely as the Two Peaks' disciples claimed, not a single one dared to speak up for Ye Chen, fearing the Two Peaks' furious retribution. Ye Chen at this moment was a perfect example of what awaited them.

Yin Zhi Ping, who had orchestrated this entire charade, heard the disciples from the Two Peaks and again looked coldly at Ye Chen. "Ye Chen, what more do you have to say?"

Ye Chen remained silent. What more was there to say? What more *could* he say? From the moment he was dragged into the Discipline Hall, he had foreseen his fate. The Two Peaks and the Discipline Hall were in league. He, a mere outer disciple in the Qi Condensation realm, possessed neither connections nor allies. More words were useless.

Perhaps he had underestimated the Two Peaks' methods. Every step had been a trap, every step aimed at his demise. Yet, even at this moment, he did not regret his actions for Hu Wa and the others.

In this moment, he suddenly understood that the path of cultivation was not as glorious as it appeared on the surface. The cruelty within was truly disheartening.

Before him, Yin Zhi Ping saw Ye Chen's silence and sneered. "Your silence means you concede?"

"Spare the words. Do what you must!" Ye Chen's voice was hoarse, weary beyond measure, blurring his vision.

"Good. Very good." Yin Zhi Ping laughed, flipped his hand, and produced an ancient scroll. He unfurled it casually, as if proclaiming an imperial edict. "According to article nine of the Heng Yue sect rules, any disciple within the sect who uses the Heavenly Thunder Curse shall face death."

Having recited the decree, Yin Zhi Ping abruptly closed the scroll and signaled to the disciples on either side.

But just then, a frail, aged figure, pushing his way through the crowd with labored breaths, squeezed into the hall. Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Zhang Feng Nian.

"Don't kill him! Don't kill him!" Zhang Feng Nian pleaded, his face etched with anguish, looking at Yin Zhi Ping. "I beg you all, do not kill him! Kill me instead!"

"Old Grandpa, don't beg them!" Ye Chen's blurry gaze sharpened instantly. He struggled against his bonds.

"Foolish child, be silent," Zhang Feng Nian glanced at Ye Chen, then turned back to Yin Zhi Ping, his body bowed, bent beyond further yielding. "Nephew Yin, he is but a child. Let him go!"

"Let him go?" Yin Zhi Ping wore a mocking smile. "Zhang Feng Nian, are you not confused by age? He used the Heavenly Thunder Curse within the sect. That is a death sin."

Unexpectedly, the frail, aged Zhang Feng Nian suddenly knelt at Yin Zhi Ping's feet with a thud.

In that instant, Ye Chen's eyes bulged, blood vessels lacing them. Unstoppable tears of blood welled up, flowing down his face as he gazed at the humbled and ancient back kneeling on the ground.

"Old Grandpa, how can you kneel to him?" After a brief moment of stunned silence, Ye Chen's roar echoed through the hall.

Ah…!

Ah…!

He went mad, thrashing wildly, attempting to break the iron chains that bound him. He was the unyielding Ye Chen, unafraid of death, but to witness with his own eyes the person he cared for kneeling low and begging for him was truly more unbearable than death itself.

Hearing Ye Chen's roar, Zhang Feng Nian's body trembled, but he remained kneeling.

Bang!

Bang!

Bang!

Soon, a rhythmic thudding filled the hall – the sound of Zhang Feng Nian's forehead striking the ground.

"I beg you, let him go."

"I beg you, let him go."

Each time his forehead struck the ground, Zhang Feng Nian would utter these words. Each time he lowered his head, his aged face streamed with tears of humiliation.

He was Zhang Feng Nian, a contemporary of the Heng Yue Sect Master, yet at this moment, he was kneeling so low before a junior. It was an unprecedented sorrow, and more, a naked lack of dignity.

"He committed a death sin. No one can save him," Yin Zhi Ping glanced down at his feet, completely ignoring him, his chin held high.

"Then just kill me! Exchange my life for his, Nephew Yin, I beg you!" Zhang Feng Nian suddenly clasped Yin Zhi Ping's legs.

This sudden embrace caused Yin Zhi Ping's brow to furrow in annoyance, his eyes filled with contempt. He immediately kicked Zhang Feng Nian away with a foot, shouting sternly, "You old cripple, what right do you have to bargain with me?"

Unexpectedly, the kicked-away Zhang Feng Nian again lunged forward, embracing Yin Zhi Ping's legs. "He is still just a child. I beg you, let him go!"

Get out!

Yin Zhi Ping seemed to lose patience. He raised his foot again, kicking Zhang Feng Nian, who spat blood.

Ah…!

All of this unfolded before Ye Chen's eyes.

He could no longer suppress his rage, roaring hysterically, "Yin Zhi Ping, if I do not die today, I will surely grind your bones to dust and scatter your ashes! Even if I die, as a ghost, I will not let you go!"

Suddenly, a dormant power within his body surged back to life. The sky-high anger seemed to awaken a hidden demonic path within his bloodline. His mind was drowning in fury and a thirst for revenge.

Ye Chen's roar enraged Yin Zhi Ping as well. He immediately bellowed, "Kill him! Kill him for me!"

Immediately, those on either side raised their broadswords. And at this moment, the disciples from the Two Peaks revealed sinister smiles.

However, just as this occurred, a spiritual light flew in from outside the hall. It struck the raised broadsword without deviation, sending it flying. Following closely behind was a languid voice that drifted into the great hall.

"Yo yo yo! The Discipline Hall is truly lively today!"

Before the words finished echoing, a ghost-like figure appeared within the hall. This person was slender, with an immortal wind and bone, a leisurely temperament. His Daoist robe swayed without wind, and spiritual light lingered around his entire body. Even the whisk in his hand was dyed with spiritual light. His eyes seemed to have witnessed countless vicissitudes, filled with boundless wisdom.

"He is…"

Suddenly, everyone in the hall, including the disciples from the Two Peaks and Yin Zhi Ping, bowed respectfully, their expressions full of reverence.