Chapter 42: Punishment from the Pill Gate

Inside the towering grand hall of the Alchemy Sect, Feng Qingcheng sat elevated in the seat reserved for the sect's elders. Standing beside him was his personal attendant, Yandan. Yandan was no ordinary individual; he possessed the cultivation of the fifth heaven of the Lesser Immortal realm. Having befriended Feng Qingcheng a decade ago at the academy, Yandan had willingly followed him to the Alchemy Sect as his personal attendant when Feng Qingcheng was assigned there.

Feng Qingcheng had been in secluded meditation for over ten days, and today happened to be the day he emerged.

Feng Qingcheng asked Yandan, "During my absence, has anything of note transpired within the Alchemy Sect?"

Yandan shook his head. "Nothing of major consequence." He paused for a moment before adding, "Oh, right, shortly after you entered seclusion, Chief Steward Sun Qinglai notified the two newly recruited alchemy apprentices to report for their probationary training and assigned them their duties."

For many years, the Alchemy Sect had lacked a resident elder to manage its affairs. Sun Qinglai, a tier-four alchemist and the grand steward of the sect, had essentially shouldered most of the elder's responsibilities.

For the past several cohorts, the assignment of alchemy apprentices or inner sect disciples recruited from the immortal cultivation academy had been handled entirely by Sun Qinglai. Unless poached by other elders, these pre-recruited apprentices were destined to become the future inner disciples of the Alchemy Sect. Consequently, their work assignments typically revolved around medicinal pills and herbs.

Feng Qingcheng was the sole high-ranking alchemist who had never cultivated within the Alchemy Sect, having achieved mastery through self-study. He was also the only inner disciple of Sect Master Feng of the Mount Shu Immortal Sect, personally appointed by the sect master to serve as the acting elder of the Alchemy Sect. Previously, he had never interacted with Sun Qinglai.

This time, Sun Qinglai had directly assigned the apprentices their duties according to precedent, without even notifying Acting Elder Feng Qingcheng.

Yandan felt this was highly improper, especially since Sun Qinglai had assigned the apprentice Mingyue to perform hard labor among the lowly outer disciples—a precedent the Alchemy Sect had never set before. Furthermore, Mingyue had secured first place in the selection examinations and was admitted solely due to Feng Qingcheng's insistence.

Yandan had once sought out Sun Qinglai to inquire about the matter, explaining the various risks involved and hoping he would treat the apprentice Mingyue favorably out of respect for Feng Qingcheng.

Sun Qinglai had sneered at him, saying, "Haven't I always made the arrangements in the past? What is improper about that? I will take responsibility for any issues." As Yandan happened to need to descend the mountain to handle some personal matters, he could no longer keep track of Mingyue's situation. Upon returning and making discreet inquiries, he realized the situation had escalated significantly.

Seeing the peculiar expression on Yandan's face, Feng Qingcheng asked, "What is it?"

With a similarly strange expression, Yandan replied, "I wonder if you still remember that among the newly recruited apprentices, there is a young woman named Mingyue? Chief Steward Sun assigned her to the lowly outer disciples' quarters to haul bricks and do hard labor. It has been over ten days now. Although I spoke with Chief Steward Sun earlier, he claimed he would take full responsibility... That Chief Steward Sun seems to have forgotten that you, Elder Feng, even exist here..."

"Hauling bricks and doing hard labor?" Feng Qingcheng's expression turned equally peculiar. Curiously, he asked, "Since apprentice Mingyue was treated so unfairly by Sun Qinglai, did she not leave in indignation?"

Yandan shook his head and said, "That is the puzzling part. It is said that Sun Qinglai repeatedly harassed her at the worksite, subjecting her to verbal abuse at best and floggings at worst. Not only did she refuse to leave in anger, but she also reportedly got along exceptionally well with those lowly outer disciples, making herself a laughingstock throughout the immortal cultivation academy. An ordinary person would have left in fury long ago, but apprentice Mingyue not only persisted in hauling bricks and doing hard labor, she even used her spare time to provide free medical treatments to those lowly outer disciples. She has won their utmost respect and is revered as the 'Little Divine Doctor.' In addition to that, there is also..."

As he spoke, Yandan glanced up at Feng Qingcheng and noticed his thin lips pressed tightly together, as if a chill were emanating from them. Pausing briefly, Yandan continued, "I wonder if you still remember Lin Tian from your own cohort? The one whose immortal cultivation stagnated at the Void-Crossing realm, Immortal Ruin stage, causing him to be demoted to an outer disciple?"

Feng Qingcheng nodded. "He was a talent back then, utterly devoted to joining the Medicine Sect, but alas, it was a pity. What does this have to do with Lin Tian?"

Yandan explained, "That same Lin Tian was assigned to the Alchemy Sect as a lowly outer disciple back then, and he has been doing hard labor among the outer disciples ever since. However, ever since he witnessed apprentice Mingyue's medical skills, he took her as his master. It is said that apprentice Mingyue's medical prowess is truly remarkable; she actually diagnosed that the reason his immortal cultivation had stagnated was due to a chronic, potent poison he had contracted previously." Given that Yandan was Feng Qingcheng's personal attendant, his intelligence network was exceptionally well-informed.

Recalling the rumors surrounding Lin Tian from a decade ago, Feng Qingcheng's expression instantly turned solemn. He cautioned Yandan, "The matter concerning Lin Tian must not be spread outside. As for your investigation into Sun Qinglai taking and soliciting bribes, how does that stand?"

"After half a year of thorough investigation, we have found conclusive evidence. Over the forty years Sun Qinglai has served as the grand steward of the Alchemy Sect, through the sole operation of opening a clandestine channel to illegally sell the sect's medicinal pills, he has embezzled nearly ten million silver taels..." Yandan reported every detail of the investigation to Feng Qingcheng.

Feng Qingcheng nodded. "Very good. This affair with Mingyue happens to be a timely catalyst..."

Just at that moment, a commotion erupted outside the grand hall.

Sun Qinglai strode into the hall with a swagger, casting a proud and haughty glance at Feng Qingcheng without even offering a bow. Zhou Pi entered with a triumphant expression, merely giving Feng Qingcheng a slight nod of the head.

The young man seated in the seat of honor had served as the Alchemy Sect's elder for over half a year, but as veteran figures of the sect, the two of them held no regard for him whatsoever.

Following them, the two boy attendants, Laifu and Laiwang, dragged in a slender, pale, and remarkably beautiful young girl, throwing her unceremoniously onto the cold stone floor of the grand hall.

The girl's frame was frail, and her complexion deathly pale. As she knelt on the freezing floor, her coarse cloth garments were stained with the dust and grime of hard labor, yet nothing could obscure her stunning, lotus-like beauty. Though she appeared extremely weak, her dark, clear eyes burned with unyielding defiance.

At that moment, Zhang Shan, Lin Tian, and a group of outer disciples knelt outside the entrance of the Alchemy Sect's grand hall. Zhang Shan cried out, "Lord Elder, it was I who begged apprentice Mingyue to save those people. It has nothing to do with her; please spare apprentice Mingyue, Lord Elder!"

The other outer disciples at the worksite shouted in unison, "We beg Lord Elder to spare apprentice Mingyue!"

Feng Qingcheng's face darkened instantly. With an expression as cold as ice, he looked toward Sun Qinglai and demanded, "Chief Steward Sun, what is the meaning of this? Can you give me a reasonable explanation?"

Sun Qinglai cast a contemptuous glance at Lin Tian and Mingyue, speaking in a harsh tone, "Reporting to Elder Feng, after Mingyue was recruited as an apprentice by the Alchemy Sect, I assigned her probationary tasks in accordance with established precedent. However, during her probationary period, she privately set up a clinic to treat the sick and peddled medicinal herbs. Her actions have violated Articles Twenty-four and Thirty-six of our sect's rules: those who refuse the work assignments given by the elders shall be expelled from the sect; those who abuse their power for personal gain and infringe upon the interests of the sect shall be expelled. This Mingyue ought to be expelled from the sect, stripped of her student status at the immortal cultivation academy, and never employed again."

"Oh? Mingyue, is what Chief Steward Sun says true?" Feng Qingcheng looked down at the defiantly kneeling girl and asked calmly, curious to see how she would handle these two crafty veterans.

Mingyue glared angrily at the chief steward and replied, word by word, "Lord Elder, Mingyue disagrees with Chief Steward Sun's claims. Firstly, Chief Steward Sun specifically assigned me the task of hauling bricks. I harbored no complaints, reported every single day, and never slacked off. Secondly, in treating my senior martial brothers at the worksite, I did not charge a single coin for consultations, nor did I ever use any medicinal herbs belonging to the Alchemy Sect. How can anyone accuse me of encroaching upon the sect's interests? When one is determined to fabricate a crime, excuses are never lacking. I beg Lord Elder to use your discerning judgment."

"Hmph, you sharp-tongued little hussy! The fifty-year-old Bone-Mending and Marrow-Replenishing Grass you used is worth three hundred gold pieces in the medicine market. Are you going to claim you didn't steal it from the Alchemy Sect's herb storehouse? The sect has its own physicians to treat patients. As a mere student of the immortal cultivation academy, when were you ever qualified to treat the disciples of the Alchemy Sect? If something had gone wrong with your treatments, would it not have ruined the reputation of our Alchemy Sect?" Zhou Pi sneered. "Relying on some amateur parlor tricks, you come to recruit disciples within our Alchemy Sect and bewitch people's minds. Tell me, do you harbor some malicious intentions against the Mount Shu Immortal Sect?"

Mingyue retorted with a cold smile, "Physician Zhou, the fifty-year-old Bone-Mending and Marrow-Replenishing Grass I used was foraged by myself on the back mountain of the immortal cultivation academy; it was not stolen. Since ancient times, the Mount Shu Immortal Sect has encouraged the strong to establish their own sects and forge unique paths. My recruitment of disciples did not violate the principles of the Mount Shu Immortal Sect. I have never uttered disrespectful words toward the immortal sect, nor have I ever done anything detrimental to it—this can be verified by investigating the outer disciples. Your patients' ailments remained unresolved for decades, yet I cured them; this is no mere parlor trick. If you rely solely on groundless fabrications to convict me, Mingyue refuses to accept it. I believe that Lord Elder possesses discerning eyes, capable of distinguishing right from wrong, and will handle this fairly and justly to give me an explanation, and to give the Mount Shu Immortal Sect an explanation."

"You, you, you..." Zhou Pi had not expected this young girl to be so sharp-tongued. Trembling with rage, he pointed a shaking finger at Mingyue, unable to form words. "You wicked wretch, how dare you still argue!"

"Elder Feng, this girl Mingyue has committed insubordination and shown disrespect to the sect's elders. I suggest she be expelled from the Alchemy Sect immediately," Sun Qinglai said loudly. "Men, throw her into the water prison to be detained for a few days before expelling her from the sect. Hand her over to the Enforcement Gate to have her student status stripped from the Mount Shu Immortal Sect, and bar her from ever being admitted again." Two disciples rushed forward, seizing Mingyue to drag her away.

"Hold on!" Feng Qingcheng gave a low shout. With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly paced down the steps. His sharp, cold phoenix eyes fixed on Sun Qinglai with a faint, mocking smile as he said, "Grand Steward Sun, you still remember to address me as Elder Feng, which is good. If you didn't call me Elder Feng, your arrogant and despotic attitude would almost lead me to believe that you are the elder of the Alchemy Sect."

Feng Qingcheng's piercing and icy gaze made Sun Qinglai shiver involuntarily. The steward quickly comforted himself internally: "After all, he's just a brash youngster obsessed with alchemy; nothing to fear."

Having served as the Alchemy Sect's elder for over half a year—spending half of every month in seclusion or refining pills—Feng Qingcheng had appeared utterly indifferent to the sect's administration.

Initially, Sun Qinglai had harbored a trace of apprehension because Feng Qingcheng was the sect master's disciple. Later, seeing that Feng Qingcheng practically never interfered and remained polite during encounters, Sun Qinglai completely dismissed him.

"Of course you are the elder of the Alchemy Sect," Sun Qinglai replied with feigned deference. "Although I am not the elder, over these past decades, I have devoted all my efforts and energy to managing the Alchemy Sect. It is only natural that you are not entirely familiar with the sect's management; I am certainly much clearer on how such matters should be handled."

"Oh? Is that how such matters were handled in the past?" Feng Qingcheng's eyes were like ice, yet a smile played at the corners of his lips as he asked.

Seeing Feng Qingcheng's expression, Yandan's heart skipped a beat. He knew a tempest was about to break, while the ignorant Sun Qinglai was blissfully leaping right into the trap.

Sun Qinglai smugly replied, "Of course. Once someone commits an offense, throwing them into the Alchemy Sect's notorious Northern Polar Frigid Water Prison for a few days always breaks them. Not even an immortal could endure three days of it."

"Very well, that sounds like a rather good idea," Feng Qingcheng praised indifferently, though his voice carried a bone-chilling coldness.

Sun Qinglai felt a surge of joy, assuming Feng Qingcheng had agreed to have Mingyue imprisoned in the water prison. Just as he was about to praise himself further, Feng Qingcheng shifted the topic, leaving Sun Qinglai thunderstruck and trembling in terror.

Feng Qingcheng stated, "Forty years ago, the former grand steward of the Alchemy Sect, Liu Chengxiu, your cohort senior brother, died suddenly of a sudden stroke after drinking with you one day, and was hastily buried. The official account was excessive alcohol consumption. Afterward, you became the grand steward of the Alchemy Sect. Thirty years ago, the Alchemy Sect's tier-four alchemist, Wu Huan, repeatedly came into ideological conflict with the elder's faction, and subsequently died mysteriously in the mortal realm..."

By this point, Sun Qinglai was sweating profusely, his legs shaking violently like a sieve. He cried out with a panicked, shrill voice, "What... what do you mean by this? What do these things have to do with me?!"

"Grand Steward Sun, don't be so rattled; I haven't finished speaking yet," Feng Qingcheng said with a cold smile. "And over these past decades, your illicit sales of the Alchemy Sect's pills and herbs have amassed hundreds of millions of silver taels. This single offense alone is enough to send you to the Execution Platform ten times over."

Sun Qinglai collapsed backward onto the floor, suddenly foaming at the mouth, his eyes rolling back as he fell limp—frightened completely unconscious.

"He couldn't even withstand a little scare," Feng Qingcheng shook his head, then turned his gaze to Zhou Pi, saying, "And you, Physician Zhou."

"Spare my life, Elder Feng! Embezzling the outer disciples' stipends, collecting exorbitant consultation fees, and illegally selling the sect's herbs were all ordered by Chief Steward Sun!" Zhou Pi kowtowed frantically while slapping his own face, crying out, "I am willing to act as a witness and provide physical evidence! I beg Elder Feng to spare my life!"

Disgusted, Feng Qingcheng glanced at them and gave a calm command, "Lock Sun Qinglai and Zhou Pi in separate cells within the water prison! Strip Sun Qinglai of his position as grand steward and Zhou Pi of his position as physician. In three days, deal with them according to sect rules, expel them from the Mount Shu Immortal Sect forever, and report the outcome to Sect Master Feng, the Enforcement Gate, and all neighboring nations."

Yandan ordered people to drag the unconscious Sun Qinglai and the weeping Zhou Pi away and lock them in the water prison.

Kneeling on the ground, Mingyue felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Unable to sustain herself any longer, she fell backward and lost consciousness.