Chapter 5: The Judgment

Unable to run away, Ye Xiaochuan knew he was in for a rough day when he was cornered at the door by Gu Pan'er and her master, Jingxuan Niangniang.

So, he shamelessly knelt down, sobbing and pleading for his master to give him another chance to turn over a new leaf.

Although Drunken Daoist was well aware of Ye Xiaochuan's background, he had raised him, and the bond between master and disciple was genuine.

Jingxuan Niangniang was known in Cangyun Sect for her cold and protective nature. Her most favored disciple, Gu Pan'er, had been provoked by Ye Xiaochuan this time, and he was sure to suffer greatly.

He kicked Ye Xiaochuan, who was clinging to his leg and crying, and turned to Jingxuan Niangniang, saying, "Sister Jingxuan, my disciple is wayward and has caused trouble in Cangyun over the years. This time, he had the audacity to provoke Niece Pan'er. However, he is still young, so I hope you can show some leniency, Sister Jingxuan."

Jingxuan Niangniang narrowed her eyes and looked at Ye Xiaochuan, saying, "Brother Zui, your disciple has caused you much trouble over the years. Stealing a bit of money for alcohol is one thing, but according to my knowledge, he often sneaks into the rooms of female disciples to steal their personal items. Brother Zui, you should know that such actions are strictly forbidden among righteous people. At his young age, he dares to sneak into a woman's room. In a few years, he might resort to even more despicable acts like yin-yang cultivation. If we don't teach him a lesson this time, he will surely go astray in the future."

Drunken Daoist's face changed slightly, and he said, "Sister Jingxuan, you are being too harsh, too harsh."

Then, he glared at Ye Xiaochuan and asked, "Rebellious disciple, did you sneak into Senior Sister Pan'er's room last night?"

Ye Xiaochuan had been caught red-handed by Gu Pan'er that morning and had been punched in the eyes. He dared not argue and had to confess.

However, he still had a sense of righteousness and did not reveal the name of the senior brother who had hired him, Zhu Shixiong.

Jingxuan Niangniang said, "Since he has admitted it, let's hand him over to the Discipline Hall, where the enforcement elder can punish him according to the sect rules."

Gu Pan'er said, "Master, handing him over to the Discipline Hall is too lenient for this guy!"

Jingxuan Niangniang waved her hand, signaling her to be quiet, and looked at Drunken Daoist, saying, "Brother Zui, what do you think?"

Drunken Daoist knew that if Ye Xiaochuan fell into Jingxuan Niangniang's hands, the matter would likely escalate, possibly even reaching the sect leader, which would be difficult to resolve.

Handing him over to the Discipline Hall, according to Cangyun Sect's rules, would likely result in some physical punishment and a few months of confinement and meditation.

He nodded and said, "I have no objections."

Thus, Ye Xiaochuan was tied up and sent to the Discipline Hall, where many young disciples followed to watch the spectacle. Some of those who had been stolen from by Ye Xiaochuan cheered, saying that justice had been served.

In the Discipline Hall, Ye Xiaochuan knelt on the ground. When Elder Yunhe Daoist saw him, his head almost exploded.

Ye Xiaochuan had been to the Discipline Hall several times over the years, as if it were specifically designed for him.

This time, in addition to Ye Xiaochuan, both Drunken Daoist and Jingxuan Niangniang were present, both respected elders in Cangyun Sect.

Yunhe Daoist had a good relationship with Drunken Daoist and had often shown leniency towards Ye Xiaochuan in the past.

However, this time the situation seemed different, as Jingxuan Niangniang was also present. Known for her strictness and powerful daoist abilities, she was one of the top ten in Cangyun Sect, and he could not afford to offend her.

He stood up and said, "Sister Jingxuan, why are you here at the Discipline Hall today? Is there something you need?"

Jingxuan Niangniang glanced at Ye Xiaochuan, who was kneeling on the ground, and said, "A disciple sneaked into my disciple's room, violating the sect rules. Brother Yunhe, you are in charge of the Discipline Hall, so I brought him here for you to handle."

Yunhe Daoist's gaze shifted from Jingxuan Niangniang to Ye Xiaochuan, then to the angry expression on Gu Pan'er's face, and he understood the situation.

Given his close relationship with Drunken Daoist, if Ye Xiaochuan had offended other disciples, it would have been easier to handle. However, this time Ye Xiaochuan had offended Jingxuan Niangniang's disciple. If he did not handle it fairly, Jingxuan Niangniang might take the matter to the sect leader.

Drunken Daoist saw through Yunhe Daoist's thoughts and stepped forward, saying, "Brother Yunhe, my disciple is wayward and has repeatedly violated the sect rules. This time, Sister Jingxuan is personally involved, so you don't need to consider our relationship. Punish him as you see fit."

Yunhe Daoist had no choice and asked Ye Xiaochuan, "Ye Xiaochuan, did you sneak into Gu Pan'er's room last night?"

Ye Xiaochuan had been beaten by Gu Pan'er that morning, and many had seen his bruised eyes.

He said, "Yes, I confess."

Yunhe Daoist said, "Why did you sneak into her room? Don't you know that this violates the Cangyun Sect rules and is strictly forbidden among righteous people...?"

Outside the Discipline Hall, dozens of young disciples were gathered, discussing the matter.

Among them was the mastermind behind the operation, Senior Brother Zhu Changshui.

Hearing Yunhe Daoist's question, Zhu Changshui broke out in a cold sweat, fearing that Ye Xiaochuan might reveal his name to save himself.

Fortunately, although Ye Xiaochuan was carefree, greedy, and lustful, he was still very principled.

He knelt on the ground and said in a low voice, "I know I was wrong, and I will never do it again."

Yunhe Daoist looked at Gu Pan'er and asked, "Niece Pan'er, did Ye Xiaochuan do anything improper when he sneaked into your room?"

Gu Pan'er, furious, said, "He was caught as soon as he appeared and was chased away after I punched him twice. Later, I found that one of my shoes was missing."

The disciples outside the hall were in an uproar!

How could this be tolerated?

Gu Pan'er was known for her beauty and was one of the most outstanding young disciples in Cangyun Sect. Along with Jing Shui Niangniang's female disciple, Yun Qiyou, they were called the "Twin Stars" and were highly regarded among the male disciples. Many of them had a crush on Gu Pan'er.

Hearing that Ye Xiaochuan, the notorious troublemaker of Cangyun Sect, had sneaked into his goddess's room and even stolen one of her shoes, the disciples were outraged, demanding that he be punished severely to satisfy their anger.

Yunhe Daoist saw the commotion outside and the angry curses from the disciples.

He shouted, "Quiet! This is the Discipline Hall. What are you all shouting about?"

Then he looked at Ye Xiaochuan and asked, "Is what Gu Pan'er said true?"

Ye Xiaochuan admitted it openly, saying, "Yes, I stole it."

Yunhe Daoist asked, "Stealing and improper conduct violate the sect rules. You were punished in the Discipline Hall a few months ago and seemed to have calmed down for a while. Why did you revert to your old ways? Tell me, what was the reason this time? Was someone paying you to do it? If you reveal the mastermind, it will count as atonement for your sins."

Outside, Zhu Changshui was tense, shrinking back and trying to run away.

However, Ye Xiaochuan said, "Uncle Yunhe, don't protect me anymore. No one paid me or ordered me to do it. I did it on my own. Although I am only fifteen, I am still a man. I have secretly loved Senior Sister Pan'er for a long time, thinking about her day and night, unable to sleep. So, I wanted to steal one of her personal items to ease my longing!"

Upon hearing this, there was another uproar inside and outside the hall. Gu Pan'er's face turned pale with anger, and if it weren't for her master, Jingxuan Niangniang, stopping her, she might have drawn her sword and cut off the neck of this rogue!