Chapter 145: Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao's Token

Chapter 145: Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao's Token

Note: The previous chapter mentioned the Northern Abyss Divine Art. While this technique indeed originates from Jin Yong's novels, few readers likely know why it bears this name.

Zhuang once wrote an essay titled Zhuangzi・Inner Chapters・Free and Easy Wandering, which states: "In the northern abyss, there is a fish named Kun. The Kun is so vast, its size spans thousands of miles. When it transforms into a bird, its name becomes Peng. The back of the Peng stretches so wide, it spans thousands of miles."

Why does the Northern Abyss Divine Art belong to the Free and Easy Sect? Precisely because the term "Northern Abyss" originates from Free and Easy Wandering. Jin Yong's interpretation of the Northern Abyss Divine Art also aligns closely with the essay's central theme, which is why Ning Xiaochuan admitted at the end of the previous chapter that he had plagiarized Zhuang's words.

The fact that the Spiritual Void Venerable acknowledged his explanation at least proves Ning Xiaochuan wasn’t spouting nonsense. His words carried genuine martial truth.

Many highly skilled martial artists silently memorized Ning Xiaochuan’s words, believing they could offer significant insights into martial cultivation. With careful contemplation, one might even unravel the mysteries of the Northern Abyss Divine Art.

Han Fu also committed these words to memory, his expression growing increasingly solemn. "Ning Xiaochuan, even if you weren’t practicing the Blood Devouring Demon Art, it doesn’t change the fact that you killed forty-one students of the Emperor's Martial Palace. If you go unpunished today, we cannot justify this to the martial artists of the academy, let alone the world."

Deputy Headmaster Hun Shi said coldly, "It was the Cloud Alliance who went to kill Ning Xiaochuan. He was merely defending himself—how is that wrong?"

Deputy Headmaster Yan sneered, "The root of this conflict lies in the Fire Demon Mountain Range. Ning Xiaochuan shouldn’t have mistakenly believed Yao Jindao killed his sister, nor should he have recklessly slain Yao Jindao. So, the blame still falls on Ning Xiaochuan’s bloodthirsty nature."

Deputy Headmaster Hun Shi retorted, "A misunderstanding? Should Yao Jindao have actually killed his sister before it stopped being a misunderstanding?"

Deputy Headmaster Yan countered, "The fact remains—Ning Xiaochuan’s sister isn’t dead."

The two factions began arguing fiercely, and the atmosphere in the Assembly Hall grew tense, as if a violent clash could erupt at any moment.

Then, a series of hurried footsteps echoed from the direction of the hall’s entrance.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy squeezed through the crowd, panting as he entered the Law Enforcement Hall. He straightened his crooked hat, cleared his throat, and chuckled, "Emperor's City is quite lively today! What’s this, a grand opera?"

The martial artists in the Assembly Hall fell silent, their gazes shifting to the newly arrived deputy headmaster.

Great.

Another deputy headmaster-level figure had arrived.

Merely judging two students had drawn three deputy headmasters—an exceedingly rare occurrence in the history of the Emperor's Martial Palace.

After all, these were just two students. The Law Enforcement Team alone could decide their fates; even regular instructors need not intervene, let alone deputy headmasters, who typically wouldn’t spare time for such trivial matters.

Yet, for Ning Xiaochuan alone, three deputy headmasters of the Emperor's Martial Palace had gathered in the Law Enforcement Hall, leaving the observing students outside filled with envy.

"This is the treatment reserved for the most exceptional geniuses. People like us can hardly even catch a glimpse of our instructors on a regular day, let alone meet someone at the Deputy Headmaster level—it might take years."

"If you had talent as dazzling as Ning Xiaochuan or Ming Yang, you’d also receive attention from figures at the Deputy Headmaster level."

Han Fu frowned slightly, muttering to himself, The Three Masters Martial Academy is located at Furnace Mountain, over 600 kilometers from Emperor's City. How is this Deputy Headmaster so well-informed? The incident just happened in Emperor's City, yet he already knows about it.

Deputy Headmaster Yan narrowed his eyes and sneered, "Li Lata, you’re quite fast. The main branch of the Three Masters Martial Academy is over 500 kilometers from Emperor's City, yet you arrived so quickly. Seems your cultivation has improved significantly."

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy retorted, "If I hadn’t rushed here, would I have had to wait until you executed the pride of our academy before coming to collect his corpse?"

Han Fu said, "Deputy Headmaster Li, that’s going too far. Emperor's City is the safest place in the Emperor's Ruins. The Law Enforcement Team handles everything impartially—no one dies unjustly here."

"Bullshit! The Law Enforcement Team is full of bullshit!"

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy spat in Han Fu’s face and continued, "Where was your Law Enforcement Team when our academy’s disciples were besieged in Emperor's City? Now you dare claim Emperor's City is the safest place? To me, it feels more like a damn mass grave! I think you’re unfit to be the captain of the Law Enforcement Team. I’ll have a word with your three elders—time for a replacement!"

Han Fu’s expression stiffened slightly. He didn’t take this as a joke, because the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy truly had the influence to make it happen.

The Deputy Headmaster controlled the entire supply of mystic medicines and Mystic Pills in the Emperor's Ruins and maintained excellent relations with all the high-ranking figures in the Emperor's Martial Palace. Many Deputy Headmasters wouldn’t dare offend him lightly.

If he really went to the three elders of the Law Enforcement Team, Han Fu’s position as captain might indeed be in jeopardy.

Han Fu hurriedly apologized, forcing a smile. "Deputy Headmaster Li, please calm down. You’ve just traveled over 500 kilometers—don’t exhaust yourself further with anger. Besides, the three Law Enforcement Elders are in seclusion for cultivation. It’s best not to disturb them."

The Deputy Headmaster flicked his sleeve, his expression still stern. "Don’t think that just because our academy isn’t based in Emperor's City, you can bully our people as you please. Do you believe me if I order all our disciples to boycott Emperor's City from now on?"

"No, no—"

The Deputy Headmaster continued, "Or do you believe me if I cut off this month’s supply of Heart Nurturing Liquid and Intermediate Elixirs to your Law Enforcement Team?"

Han Fu’s face twisted in distress as he kept apologizing. "Please, don’t! Let’s discuss this further. Even if Ning Xiaochuan is guilty, his crimes certainly don’t warrant death."

"That’s more like it." The Deputy Headmaster pressed on, "I suspect you’ve neglected your duties, Captain Han. Should we withhold your Intermediate Elixirs for the entire year?"

Han Fu quickly shifted the blame. "I believe the Cloud Alliance shares significant blame in this matter. While Ning Xiaochuan should be punished, Zhang Linshan must also face consequences—otherwise, how can justice be served?"

Zhang Linshan’s face paled slightly.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy nodded with a smile and patted Han Fu on the shoulder, saying, "That's right, Captain Han. This is what fairness and justice look like. You’re truly fit to continue leading the Law Enforcement Team. I believe the Cloud Alliance bears the greatest responsibility in this matter. As for Ning Xiaochuan, he was merely acting in self-defense. Though he killed forty-one students, his actions were justified, and he should be given a lenient punishment."

"A lenient punishment? Just how lenient should it be?" Deputy Headmaster Yan's voice was icy.

In Emperor's City, few dared to challenge the Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy—but Deputy Headmaster Yan was one of them.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy replied, "Old Ghost Yan, what punishment do you suggest?"

"The consequences of this incident are severe. Both Ning Xiaochuan and Zhang Linshan are culpable. Though death may be spared, they cannot escape punishment. At the very least, Ning Xiaochuan’s hands must be crippled, and Zhang Linshan’s legs must be broken. Otherwise, they will never understand the gravity of their mistakes. This is already the lightest penalty. If I were the captain of the Law Enforcement Team, I would have executed them both on the spot and disbanded the Cloud Alliance!" Deputy Headmaster Yan declared coldly.

Han Fu broke into a cold sweat and hurriedly said, "I think it’s best to settle this matter quietly. Let’s follow Deputy Headmaster Yan’s suggestion—cripple Ning Xiaochuan’s hands and break Zhang Linshan’s legs. Guards, drag them both away now!"

"Wait!" The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy interjected. "Ning Xiaochuan is a peerless genius of our Emperor's Martial Palace. If his hands are crippled, his future in martial cultivation will be ruined. This punishment is far too harsh for him."

Deputy Headmaster Yan scoffed, "Li Lata, this is already the lightest punishment for Ning Xiaochuan. Do you want it to be even lighter?"

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy nodded shamelessly. "Yes, it must be lighter. Ning Xiaochuan just recently passed the Fifth Level of the Heavenly Bridge, earning the right to cultivate in the Heavenly Palace for five days. Why not revoke that privilege as his punishment? Doesn’t that sound severe enough?"

"Severe? What a joke!" Han Fu thought to himself. Ning Xiaochuan cultivated the Northern Abyss Divine Art—even without entering the Heavenly Palace, his cultivation speed was astonishingly fast.

Was this even a punishment for him?

Forty-one students were killed, and this was how it was being handled?

"I disagree with this punishment!" Deputy Headmaster Yan protested.

"Your disagreement doesn’t matter. This is Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao’s will!" The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy pulled out a white jade token from his robes, engraved with the characters "Fu Yao."

Thud!

He slammed the token onto the table, nearly hitting Deputy Headmaster Yan in the face.

At the sight of the token, Han Fu’s expression changed drastically. He immediately issued the order: "The Cloud Alliance and Ning Xiaochuan engaged in a vicious conflict within Emperor's City, resulting in the deaths of forty-one students. The primary instigator, Zhang Linshan, acted with malicious intent, harming fellow disciples of the academy. His legs shall be broken, and he shall be exiled from the Emperor's Ruins. As for Ning Xiaochuan, since he acted in self-defense and his actions were justified, his punishment shall be the revocation of his five-day cultivation privilege in the Heavenly Palace, followed by a year of reflection in seclusion."

Zhang Linshan’s face turned deathly pale, his body drenched in cold sweat as the Law Enforcement Team dragged him away. Moments later, the sound of his legs being brutally broken echoed through the hall.

Ning Xin'er, Murong Wushuang, and Yue Mingsong were naturally overjoyed, their hearts filled with immense satisfaction.

The Deputy Headmaster of the Three Masters Martial Academy chuckled and tucked away the jade token, saying, "Ning Xiaochuan, come with me. You’ll spend a year in reflection. Remember this lesson—don’t go around killing people. Killing is a terrible thing. Have you apologized to the deceased? No? Then let’s go together so you can say sorry to them. A good student knows how to correct their mistakes."

With that, the Deputy Headmaster swaggered off with Ning Xiaochuan in tow, yet no one dared to utter a word of protest. All of this was because of that jade token engraved with the name "Fu Yao."

Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao.

Even Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao had intervened. Forget about Han Fu or Deputy Headmaster Yan—even if the heads of the four martial academies emerged from seclusion, they would still treat Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao with the utmost reverence.

In the Emperor's Ruins, only the Master of the Martial Palace held a status and position that could slightly surpass Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao.

It could be said that Great Heart Nurturer Fu Yao was the second most powerful figure in the Emperor's Martial Palace.