Chapter Thirty-One: Withstood

In the midst of icy, furious shouts, it seemed as if a single clear tear slipped away on the wind, making the pretty little girl kneeling on the ground appear even smaller and more fragile. She hesitated, unable to find the words to reply. Her master had always doted on her, never once raising his voice. Was it truly her fault this time, so much so that she had provoked him to such anger?

At some unknown moment, the entrance to the Miao family’s martial arts hall had become crowded with onlookers—some familiar, some not. At the forefront stood Yang Cheng, Yang Jian, Han Feng, and others. This was also the first time Che Wuyou saw the famous Eldest Brother of the Miao family. His face was already somewhat aged, and his attire closely resembled that of Miao Shilin, marking him clearly as Miao Shilin’s direct disciple.

Many disciples, startled by Miao Shilin’s rare harsh words and severe expression, instinctively stepped back. Yet Yang Cheng, seeing his master’s fury, slowly walked forward toward Miao Shilin.

Yang Cheng looked calmly at Miao Shilin, then at Liu Lanzhi. He cupped his hands in respect before speaking, “Master, there’s no need to be so angry. Lanzhi is just young and mischievous… Even if she secretly studied the sect’s secret techniques, it’s not such a serious matter. She’ll be taught them eventually anyway—she simply learned them ahead of time. A little scolding would suffice; there’s no need to take it so seriously. You might frighten the child.”

“But this time, Lanzhi practiced such a dangerous technique without supervision from you or the senior brothers. That was indeed reckless. Fortunately, she is clever and quick-witted, avoiding disaster. That is a blessing amidst misfortune.”

These ambiguous words made Miao Shilin’s expression grow darker. Though usually a man of deep calculation, the matter today involved a dispute among his most valued disciples, causing his emotions to fluctuate. With a swift motion, he brought his palm down—“crack!”—and the table that normally held green herbal decoctions shattered into pieces.

Miao Shilin glared at Yang Cheng and snapped, “So, according to you, secretly learning the sect’s secret techniques isn’t wrong? Then what counts as wrong? What purpose do the Miao family’s rules serve? If today’s matter is simply brushed aside, what happens when your other junior brothers and sisters secretly practice the sect’s skills? The other families might not care, but the Miao family has always held the rules in the highest regard. It is precisely this caution that allowed our family to endure to this day. Otherwise, with so many precious medicinal recipes, we would have long become the target of countless factions.”

Liu Lanzhi, startled by Miao Shilin’s actions, felt a chill run through her. Even the words of the usually authoritative Eldest Brother had failed to sway the master. She furtively glanced up at his gloomy face, feeling deeply ashamed for her mischievousness, guilty for betraying the master’s patient guidance. Remembering her master and mistress’s kindness, she was overcome with both embarrassment and remorse. Stirred with emotion, she looked directly at Miao Shilin and choked out, “It’s all my fault. Master, please punish me as you see fit.”

Yang Cheng opened his mouth slightly, as if to plead for Liu Lanzhi, but in the end said nothing. He could only shake his head, sigh, and step aside.

Time seemed to stand still. Every gaze was fixed on Miao Shilin, waiting for his final decision. Miao Shilin narrowed his eyes, surveying the disciples, then Yang Cheng, and finally Liu Lanzhi. Pain flashed in his eyes. After a long pause, he asked in a steady voice, “According to the rules of the sect, how should a disciple who secretly learns our secret techniques be punished?”

Yang Cheng hesitated briefly before answering, “According to Rule Six: Any Miao family disciple who secretly studies the sect’s secret techniques is, if the offense is grave, to be executed outright; if minor, their cultivation is to be abolished, they are expelled from the sect, and never taken back.” His calm voice echoed through the hall, chilling every heart.

Liu Lanzhi trembled slightly, not expecting the punishment to be so severe. Was the master truly going to abolish her cultivation? Yet, she gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and offered no defense. Even if the master punished her harshly, she would not resent it. If the master had not rescued her years ago, she would not be who she was now. She had failed his careful nurturing.

The hall fell silent. All eyes turned to Miao Shilin. Liu Lanzhi was his most cherished disciple, groomed as the family heir. How would he handle this? Would he show favoritism? If other disciples followed Liu Lanzhi’s example, how could he maintain order in the family?

Miao Shilin looked again at Yang Cheng, but Yang Cheng seemed lost in thought, oblivious. Sweeping his gaze over the other disciples, Miao Shilin saw only indifference—no one pleaded for Liu Lanzhi. He looked back at her, and his expression grew exceedingly complex: disappointment, pain, and confusion mingled together.

Resolute determination flashed in Miao Shilin’s eyes as he prepared to pronounce judgment on Liu Lanzhi. Suddenly, a timid voice called out, “M-master, it’s my fault. Lanzhi had nothing to do with it.” Che Wuyou knelt before Miao Shilin, looking up at him without a hint of fear despite the master’s chilling gaze.

Liu Lanzhi stared in surprise at the awkward youth; Yang Cheng also glanced at him, as did everyone else. But Che Wuyou seemed no longer afraid or evasive; he met their eyes openly and insisted, “It’s my fault. Lanzhi is innocent.” Though his voice was not loud, it was resolute.

Miao Shilin listened to the boy’s calm words and, for some reason, felt even more enraged. He stared at Che Wuyou and burst into a bitter laugh, then shouted, “Explain! How is it your fault? Speak! And if you dare lie…” He left the threat unfinished, but his sinister glare made it clear.

Che Wuyou’s voice faltered briefly under Miao Shilin’s anger. After a moment’s hesitation, he recalled, “Yesterday when Lanzhi was teaching me to practice, I saw how envious she was of the technique I was learning. So I said, ‘If you like it so much, why not practice it together?’”

“Lanzhi’s expression changed, and she angrily replied, ‘Master hasn't permitted it. Secretly practicing is forbidden by the sect. Do you want me to become a criminal?’”

“I had never seen Lanzhi so angry, and was frightened, so I tried to persuade her, saying, ‘When Master left, he clearly said we could practice together. You just didn’t hear it, and now you blame me.’ Lanzhi saw how confident I was and believed me, so we practiced together. So everything is my fault; Lanzhi is innocent.”

Miao Shilin stared intently at Che Wuyou and sneered, “You got her to secretly practice the sect’s technique—weren’t you afraid I’d find out? If I blamed her then, how would she explain herself? Or are you simply trying to confuse us and lie?”

“Not afraid. Only the two of us practiced. If neither of us spoke, how would you ever know? If she had questions during practice and asked you, you’d just assume it was something she encountered while teaching me, never guessing she studied the scripture herself. Besides, with Lanzhi’s intelligence, what scripture could she not understand? She wouldn’t need to ask. And you’ve always been indifferent to our practice, never interfering.”

Miao Shilin asked coldly, “Then why did she, knowing she might fail, attempt to practice the scripture without a senior brother or master to protect her? Did she disregard my words and the family’s rules?”

Che Wuyou looked up at Miao Shilin and asked, “What does Master think of my talent?”

“Extremely poor,” Miao Shilin replied, to the confusion of many disciples. Che Wuyou’s lack of aptitude was well known.

Che Wuyou continued calmly, “That is why Lanzhi, despite knowing she might not succeed, still practiced. It wasn’t that she ignored your words or the family rules. It’s just that if someone as dull as I can succeed, her talent is far superior; how could she possibly fail? So she wasn’t acting recklessly, but with certainty. Thus, all the fault lies with me; Lanzhi is innocent. Her injury was a mere accident.”

Miao Shilin found Che Wuyou’s answers flawless and was momentarily speechless. He glanced at the disciples present, then at Yang Cheng, as if to say, “This has nothing to do with Lanzhi. Do you have any more questions?”

Yang Cheng cupped his hands to Miao Shilin, then examined Che Wuyou carefully. He saw a boy of about seven, awkward in appearance yet with a hint of maturity. His eyes were not lively, but exceptionally clear, inspiring trust at first sight.

Yang Cheng shook his head. Though he still had doubts, there was no concrete evidence to prove Che Wuyou was lying. Seeing that the other disciples seemed to believe him, Yang Cheng let the matter drop.

He regarded Che Wuyou for a moment, then asked, “Are you Che Wuyou? Master’s registered disciple? Younger brother of Che Yeming?” He paused slightly at Che Yeming’s name, glancing at Miao Shilin. When Che Wuyou nodded in confirmation, Yang Cheng cupped his hands to Miao Shilin, indicating he had nothing more to say.