Chapter 14: First Immersive Experience in Prison

Punishment Hall—as the name suggests, it’s where each Sect punishes Disciples who break the rules.

Because each Sect has its own laws, each of the Seven Sects has its own Punishment Hall.

In the Dan Sect, you can steal Dan Prescriptions, but not Herbs.

Memorizing Dan Prescriptions is easy for Dan Sect Disciples, but Herbs are a different matter—after all, cultivating them takes a lot of effort and time.

“Hey! Kneeling… standing… who is the one kneeling and laying eggs under the platform!”

An Elder who didn’t look particularly clever sat atop the high platform.

Zhang Ji’s mouth twitched.

He recognized this Elder.

He was famous in the Dan Sect for having reached Elder status through seniority alone.

He’d gotten lucky in his youth and reached Golden Core Realm, and now, with no hope of advancing to Yuan Ying Stage, he worked in the Punishment Hall to make a living.

“Reporting to Elder Wu, this newly inducted Disciple trespassed into the Holy Maiden’s Herb field, stole and ate a premium Zhu Fruit, and claimed to possess a Holy Maiden Token—three crimes at once. I ask the Elder to judge with wisdom!”

Zhang Ji’s lips curled.

He’d made a great contribution this time.

Perhaps the Holy Maiden herself would reward him after hearing about it.

As for why the culprit Qin Mu said nothing—it was because his mouth was gagged.

“Mmph (No), mmph mmph mmph mmph (I have something to say).”

Qin Mu was fuming.

Wasn’t it obvious his mouth was blocked? Couldn’t they see?

Everyone looked upward.

If he wasn’t tied up, he’d have kicked them all in the rear with the tip of his shoe!

“Silence!”

With a slap of the judge’s wooden block, Elder Wu stroked his beard in deep thought.

But under the table, he extended five fingers toward Zhang Ji, indicating he wanted fifty percent of the reward.

Zhang Ji nodded in agreement.

Other Punishment Hall Disciples looked away with practiced indifference.

Qin Mu: “!!!”

Wait, are you really fabricating false charges this blatantly?

Is there no Law left?! Is there no justice?!

“Very well! Since the evidence is conclusive, and considering this is a new Disciple, I sentence three thousand Ling Stones and three months in the Great Prison!”

Elder Wu immediately pronounced.

A nearby Disciple had already finished the paperwork, walked over to Qin Mu, pressed his thumb to it, and sealed the case—smooth and practiced, clearly used to doing this.

Zhang Ji let out a victorious sneer.

Though it was a little less than the sky-high price he’d tried to demand before, it was still a hefty profit!

***

A little earlier.

Qin Mengyu straightened her clothes, looked at her reflection in the mirror, and curved her lips in a stunning smile.

Today, she was full of energy too!

Come to think of it, it had been a long time since she’d slept alone with Mu’er.

Remembering the hard sensation she accidentally touched last night, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“As expected, he’s grown up. For such a young age, he’s not small.”

Qin Mengyu patted her cheeks, trying not to think of the events of last night.

She left the room, her figure turning into a stream of light soaring skyward.

Soon, she arrived at the Saintess’s Pavilion.

As soon as Qin Mengyu landed, a maid hurried over.

“Holy Maiden, news from the Punishment Hall—a thief stole a Zhu Fruit from your Herb field and has been detained. They ask for your judgment.”

She handed over the document.

Qin Mengyu accepted it casually, glanced at it, and frowned slightly.

“Three thousand Ling Stones. Isn’t that too much of a punishment?”

“The Punishment Hall stated the reason was disrespect to you, Holy Maiden.”

The maid replied.

“Oh? Was it verbal insult?”

Qin Mengyu’s expression remained calm.

After all, there were many who insulted her; one more wouldn’t matter.

The maid said, “He claimed to have a Holy Maiden Token, and after being thrown into the Great Prison, he also said he was your brother.”

Clatter—

The document fell to the floor.

In the maid’s memory, the Holy Maiden had always been composed.

Now, however, there was a hint of loss of composure.

“What… is his name?”

Qin Mengyu’s tone carried a trace of anger.

Hearing this, the maid assumed the Holy Maiden was about to punish the insolent one and continued.

“Qin Mu. I think that’s the name.”

“Good, good. Punishment Hall—today’s duty Elder was Elder Wu, correct?”

A fierce light flashed in Qin Mengyu’s eyes.

“Yes.”

“Who made the arrest?”

“A Disciple named Zhang Ji, also in charge of tending your Herb field.”

“Very good. Summon them all to the Punishment Hall. I want to see them myself!”

As soon as she finished, Qin Mengyu turned and left.

***

Deep within the Great Prison, a cell door opened and Qin Mu was thrown in by escorting Disciples.

“Ow! Can’t you be a little gentler?!”

Qin Mu rubbed his backside, shouting at the Disciples who had escorted him in.

“Hmph!”

The escort snorted coldly and walked off.

Inside the cell, there was already someone else.

“Hey, little brother, how did you get in here?”

Qin Mu looked over.

The man was covered in dust, his clothes in tatters—like a Dan Sect Disciple cosplaying a beggar.

“Don’t ask. It’s a long story.”

Qin Mu sat by the wall, weary, resting his head in his hand, exuding a lonely aura that warned others to stay away.

“Hehe, looks like you were sent here by Elder Wu too.”

At those words, Qin Mu’s eyes snapped to the man.

Seeing Qin Mu’s gaze, the man patted the dust off his clothes.

“I’m Liu Lian. Elder Wu got me locked up here a while back too.”

Liu Lian… what a unique name.

Qin Mu replied, “Don’t ask. It’s a long story.”

Liu Lian moved a bit closer, fuming.

“That Elder Wu—greedy to the core, only thinking of lining his own pockets. There are so many Disciples in here because of him.”

At this, Qin Mu frowned.

“Then why don’t you Senior Brothers report him?”

For such blatant corruption, wasn’t it strange that no one had caught him yet?

At this, Liu Lian sighed.

“What can we do? Elder Wu only targets Outer Sect Disciples or Inner Sect Disciples without backing. He flatters Core Disciples and Inner Sect Disciples with status.”

“Because of this, Elder Wu’s never had trouble. Even if someone tries to report him, he bribes the responsible Elders, destroys the paperwork, and even tracks down and locks up the Disciple who filed the complaint.”

“So ruthless!”

Qin Mu was shocked.

“This Elder Wu is way too arrogant.”

“Yeah…”

Liu Lian shook his head.

“Nowadays, we have to wait until Elder Wu finishes embezzling our Allowance before we’re let out.”

“By the way.”

Liu Lian looked at Qin Mu.

“How many Ling Stones were you fined, Brother?”

“Uh… and you, Senior Brother?”

“I… mine was two hundred Ling Stones.”

“…”

“Hey, hey, Junior Brother, what’s wrong? Say something!”