Arc 3: Part 18
Before the Golden Core disciples self-destructed to open the communication channel, the sect elders were discussing personally pursuing Bai Tong and bringing her back to the mountains.
After reviewing the information, Tong Su had to admire Feng Yin Yue's deep cunning.
Betraying the sect and conspiring against the world, even if you are seriously injured, it's a trouble that you've brought upon yourself!
If the original owner, whose sanity was lacking, was here today, she wouldn't be able to clear herself of this slander no matter what she did — sadly.
Feng Yin Yue had calculated countless scenarios but failed to anticipate one thing: the naïve Bai Tong had already been replaced!
"Ah Tong, I don't blame you for leaving me behind. I know you were scared, and that's okay."
With red-rimmed eyes and a choked voice, Feng Yin Yue nevertheless managed to lift her face, addressing the sect leaders and others, "Master, please do not blame Ah Tong. It's all my fault. I didn't protect her properly, which caused her to panic and run into this den of demons."
The sight of her betrayal, yet still insisting on protecting her junior sister, was so pure and great, it triggered pity and compassion.
At least, the sect leader, elders, and surrounding disciples all felt deeply sympathetic.
The sect leader comforted her, "Yin Yue, don't blame yourself. Whether the sky rains or someone betrays the sect, these are things we can't stop. It's their own sinfulness that's gone too far. Our sect is not unreasonable, we will not blame you."
"You're a dual earth and wood spirit root, while she's just a single wood spirit. She's often lax in her training. She's nowhere near as diligent and serious as you, Senior Sister."
"Indeed, Yin Yue Senior Sister, even the Sect Leader is saying this. You shouldn't be crying for that thankless person! She said she ran away because she was scared. Who knows if she had been in cahoots with the demon long before and just wanted to join him?"
"It's only you, Senior Sister Feng, who treated her as a close junior sister and took care of her all the time. Bai Tong, with her ungratefulness, never appreciated your kindness!"
"Senior sister, look at her now. She's joined forces with the demon lord. She's likely to betray the righteous path and fall into the demonic realm soon. She deserves death!"
The disciples were indignant.
Though the Sect Leader had ordered to seal the news of Immortal Lord Jing Yang's fall into the demonic path, these core disciples had still received the news.
Ziwei Heavenly Palace didn't want to divulge that the newly-appointed demon lord from the Demon World was none other than the first among the righteous, Immortal Lord Jing Yang. Officially, they wanted to stabilize the situation between the righteous and demon realms and prevent panic among the righteous. In reality, they were too embarrassed to admit it publicly.
One of the main reasons this sect could become the leader of the righteous path was due to the reassurance given by having this leading figure. Other sects also had Mahayana cultivators and were eyeing the leading position.
Once they knew that Jing Yang Peak, a standard for righteousness, could fall into the demonic path, how could they not criticize Ziwei Heavenly Palace?
At that time, Ziwei Heavenly Palace, under the scrutiny and doubt of all other sects, maintaining their leader position would not be that easy.
"Back when Immortal Lord Jing Yang was in the sect, he was so revered and admired. Now that he has fallen into the demonic path, those disciples and juniors who were outwardly envious but inwardly jealous, and who flattered and fawned over him, would certainly spurn him in self-righteous indignation."
Consequently, Bai Tong also became the object of public scorn, the thankless wretch.
"No, Master, Uncle Master, junior brothers, junior sisters, this is all my fault. If I were stronger, Ah Tong wouldn't have run away out of fear..."
Finally, Tong Su raised her head. She looked candidly at the person in the shaking image in the painting. Her lips curled up in a smile devoid of humor, her voice cold.
"Yes, all of this is because of you."
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