Chapter 84

The spirit boat left the Supreme Sect and landed inside the courtyard of the Jun Ding Mansion in Ding Jiu City.

Not only were the three of them traveling today, but also cultivators from the Feixian Sect who had come to make amends, as well as Shao Fei.

The Feixian Sect’s people had just paid the fine and offered a sincere apology. Upon raising their eyes, they saw three people with different expressions: a handsome man with a serious look, a cold and inscrutable woman, and a smaller person who had a hint of a smile.

The smile didn’t seem to have any positive connotation; it was more like a cold and detached smile aimed at anyone in the mundane world, as if to watch a show.

“I am Mo Lin, the hundredth generation direct disciple of the Supreme Sect.”

Hearing this name, the person knew that the ancestors they needed to escort were these three.

The two outer sect disciples from the Feixian Sect had committed some nefarious deeds and were detained. Normally, the sect would not handle such matters but would expel them directly. Outer sect disciples are not worth much, so there is no need for special arrangements for their release.

However, these disciples had harmed the direct disciples of the Supreme Sect and had even harmed people on the Supreme Sect’s territory. They were held by Jun Ding Mansion. What kind of place was Jun Ding Mansion?

Even the big demons that once caused chaos had to write a confession when captured. Those confessions are still displayed on a board at the entrance of Jun Ding Mansion, updated daily with new reflections and confessions for over five hundred years.

Would demons really repent sincerely? But Jun Ding Mansion had ways to make them write those confessions.

Who knows what terrible torture those demons suffered inside Jun Ding Mansion.

The Supreme Sect is the largest sect in Zhongzhou, and which sect in Zhongzhou would dare to be its enemy?

Was it the sect elders who sent him here to pay the fine? That was more about social etiquette.

He respectfully clasped his hands. “Taoist Mo Lin, I am Tao Xian, the senior disciple under the Feixian Sect’s Master Yin Zhong.”

“Our outer sect elders failed to manage properly, which led to those two scoundrels causing trouble and harming you. I apologize sincerely on behalf of the Feixian Sect. We will definitely take responsibility for this matter.”

“I heard that you are going to Yunnan. The elders mentioned that the situation in Yunnan is complex and to avoid any further inconvenience to you, I will act as a guide to make things easier for you.”

Tao Xian lowered his head and spoke eloquently, hearing the faint clinking of iron chains behind him.

He turned to see an outer sect disciple from the Feixian Sect being escorted by Jun Ding Mansion’s guards.

The girl looked pale, with dark circles under her eyes. Although her attire was neat, she seemed to have endured significant suffering, swaying like a willow in the wind. Her delicate features were full of weariness, and she had restraining cuffs on her hands and ankles, making a clinking sound as the chains rubbed together.

Lin Du’s eyes narrowed the moment Shao Fei appeared. She used her divine sense to transmit to Xia Tianwu, “So how much did the Feixian Sect pay in fines to get her released?”

“Fifty thousand,” Xia Tianwu replied calmly.

“That’s not much,” Lin Du’s eyes briefly flashed with a hint of murderous intent.

“High-grade spirit stones,” Xia Tianwu’s voice echoed in her divine sense.

Lin Du calmed down; that’s nothing to worry about.

It was only one-tenth of Yan Ye’s fee.

With fifty thousand high-grade spirit stones, the yearly allowance for Jun Ding Mansion’s officials could be fully disbursed in advance.

The dungeon’s revenue methods were indeed effective.

Collecting rents and taxes doesn’t compare to fines.

“May I ask, Taoist, will she have to wear these restraints all the time?” Tao Xian asked, looking at Shao Fei with some reluctance.

Cultivators can use their spiritual energy to heal minor injuries or fatigue. However, these spiritual restraining cuffs blocked the cultivator’s energy, rendering them as vulnerable as ordinary people. There were also spell-bound restrictions that triggered different levels of punishment if broken.

In severe cases, it could result in death.

“This journey may be too glaring. How can a young woman endure such scrutiny, and a cultivator unable to use their spiritual energy might suffer irreparable internal injuries, affecting their lifespan.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he heard a light laugh.

A slightly mocking voice followed, “You’re aware of that too?”

“So, if my senior nephew was harmed and cannot use his spiritual energy, who should be held accountable?”

Tao Xian looked surprised at the small cultivator. Just as he was about to smile and explain, he heard the delicate young cultivator continue, “Besides, what does it matter if it’s glaring? Didn’t all the demonic cultists who entered Jun Ding Mansion have to write confession letters and make them public?”

Lin Du tilted her head and smiled. Since she couldn’t kill her now, making her suffer a bit socially was also quite satisfying.

“I truly apologize. We will definitely take full responsibility for Taoist Mo Lin’s matter, but under the elder’s orders, we must take this person back to the sect. Please, Taoist, understand.”

“Understanding is not my concern; there is heaven for the living and earth for the dead,” Lin Du lifted her chin slightly. “But you’ve said so much without truly taking responsibility for my senior nephew.”

“Aren’t we going to the Miao village to find a solution to the Gu poison? Taoist, what do you mean by responsibility?”

Tao Xian, who was accustomed to dealing with people, had to bow his head and ask these three for their intentions. Was Shao Fei to be punished?

The elder had said to bring the person back, which certainly meant ensuring their life was preserved.

But what kind of compensation was required? Medicinal herbs?

“Additional payment.”

The three words landed heavily, and Tao Xian was stunned.

How could a direct disciple of the Supreme Sect demand more?

But he gritted his teeth and asked, “How much more? Didn’t we already pay the fine?”

“That was just the fee for retrieving her from Jun Ding Mansion. Additional compensation is a separate matter! My senior nephew was harmed, and his life is at stake. Do you know how many resources it takes to train a cultivator to the Tengyun Realm? And what about the compensation for the villagers who lost their children? Have you given any?”

Lin Du quickly continued, “Oh, and there’s me.”

“Because of your sect’s two outer disciples and their evil deeds, my recently healed heart meridian has been damaged again. Who will cover the cost of the medicine?”

As she spoke, she clenched her fist, began to cough violently, and her thin frame shook like bamboo under heavy snow. She seemed as if she was enraged, her figure isolated and her expression shattered.

Then, a hand produced a handkerchief from nowhere, and she spat out a mouthful of blood onto it, leaving a red stain on the once-light-colored cloth.

Tao Xian was completely stunned. Trembling, he took out a communication talisman. “Taoist, perhaps we should go to the sect and discuss this in person.”

“Hold on. If we go to your sect, there are only three of us. If you default or even detain us, what will we do? Let’s settle this here first. If you agree to the payment, then we will proceed.”

“Taoist, please wait while I report to the sect elders.”

Lin Du held the handkerchief to her eyes, looking at the fruit’s juice. It indeed seemed to be effective.

Yan Ye had allowed her to pick some spiritual fruits from Luo Ze, and they weren’t without other uses.

Xia Tianwu was startled. “Why is it hurting again? Isn’t the medicine working? Where’s the pain-relief pill?”

Mo Lin also looked at Lin Du nervously, and the two of them positioned themselves in front of her. They watched as she lifted her eyes and blinked at them, then one of them handed her a bright red fruit.

Xia Tianwu thought: … She said her master’s medical skills had not declined.

When the negotiations were over, Tao Xian, looking as if he was on the chopping block, approached Lin Du. “Taoist, how much more?”

“Five hundred thousand.”

One must not lose to her master.

Mo Lin and Xia Tianwu both looked at Lin Du in unison.

Tao Xian paused for a moment. “I need to speak with your sect’s leader in person. What if there are additional charges?”

Lin Du suddenly straightened, wiping the fruit juice from her lips with the handkerchief. She stood there resolutely, like a silent bamboo.

“Taoist Tao, you might not know my identity. I am Lin Du, the ninety-ninth generation direct disciple of the Supreme Sect. The current sect leader is my senior sister. Although I am young, I manage sect affairs, so what I say naturally counts.”

The matter of the sect’s internal resources is also considered sect affairs.

The two people beside her and the guards remained silent, clearly acknowledging Lin Du’s identity.

Tao Xian had heard of Lin Du’s name. Even the elder had asked him to inquire about her. He never expected Lin Du to be like this in person.

He endured and said, “Alright, no further compensation fees?”

Seeing how frightened the child was, Lin Du smiled. “None.”

“You need to write a written agreement.” Tao Xian was still uneasy.

“Sure,” Lin Du nodded slightly.

Once the payment is settled, everything else can be discussed.