Chapter 79: Never Compromise
Old Man Bei had taken a liking to Lin Feng and had even almost killed Mo Xie for him?
Nangong Ling spoke of this matter without any hesitation, and immediately, the expressions of many sect elders changed. They knew exactly what kind of person Old Man Bei was, and Lin Feng was someone he valued.
Not far behind Nangong Ling, an outer sect elder's face turned pale. That person was Lu Yuan.
"Damn it. No wonder Xue Yue went to the Stone Wall Cave Dwelling to protect Lin Feng." Lu Yuan's expression was ugly. He had never imagined that Lin Feng's background was so deep, that he was valued by Old Man Bei. At this moment, he suddenly understood the meaning of Xue Yue's parting words: "You will definitely regret this."
Lin Feng's heart stirred as well. That day, he had been swept away by the Phantom Demon Beast and knew nothing of what happened afterward. He hadn't expected Old Man Bei to be so enraged on his behalf, almost killing Mo Xie on the spot. This was a debt of gratitude he could never repay.
In the Cloud Sea Sect, if there was anyone Lin Feng was reluctant to leave, it was his few friends—Han Man, Jing Yun—and also Old Man Bei and the taciturn Old Man Kong. Of course, Liu Fei, that woman, counted a little too.
"Let's set aside the matter of Old Man Bei for now. In any case, Mo Xie is still an inner sect elder, lofty and untouchable—that is a fact."
"Furthermore, just three days ago, the Sect Leader personally appointed me as an inner sect disciple. I went with the others to the Stone Wall Cave Dwelling to receive my inner sect robes and token. Wenren Yan wanted to kill me. Wenren Yan is also a sect disciple, and if he wanted to kill me, I naturally wouldn't blame the sect. Even if Outer Sect Elder Lu Yuan did not step in to stop it, I would have nothing to say."
"But Lu Yuan, as an elder of the Cloud Sea Sect, not only failed to stop it, he even said I deserved to die, simply because my strength was inferior to Wenren Yan's. Does that mean everyone weaker than Wenren Yan deserves to die? What kind of logic is that? And when I twice requested my inner sect disciple token and robes, Elder Lu Yuan gave me only one word: 'Scram.'"
At this point, Lin Feng paused. Everyone now understood why Lin Feng still called himself an outer sect disciple, why he was still wearing outer sect robes today. It was all because of Outer Sect Elder Lu Yuan.
A variety of gazes fell upon Lu Yuan. Immediately, his whole body tensed as an invisible pressure descended upon him.
"Lu Yuan, is this true?"
Nangong Ling's voice was indifferent, but it carried an undeniable authority that left no room for Lu Yuan to lie.
"Sect Leader."
Lu Yuan lowered his head, not daring to meet Nangong Ling's eyes. At this moment, he was filled with regret. Why had he stirred up trouble for no reason? To curry favor with Wenren Yan, he had offended Lin Feng. Now, Wenren Yan certainly wouldn't stand up for him. This was truly a case of reaping what one sows.
Seeing Lu Yuan's reaction, Nangong Ling understood everything. No further explanation was needed. What Lin Feng had said was the truth. No wonder he still called himself an outer sect disciple. How ridiculous.
"Good, good... You all wield great power, don't you? I personally granted him inner sect disciple status, and you did well—you gave him only one word: 'Scram.' Was that 'scram' meant for me, Nangong Ling?"
"Your subordinate would never dare."
Lu Yuan's head sank lower and lower, his body trembling slightly. He was only an outer sect elder with no strong backing, incomparable to Mo Xie. Mo Xie had offended Lin Feng and was almost killed on the spot. He regretted it deeply.
"I will remember this."
Nangong Ling's voice was calm, but it filled Lu Yuan with terror. He didn't know how Nangong Ling planned to deal with him, and it was this uncertainty that bred fear.
Looking at Lin Feng, Nangong Ling could only offer a helpless, bitter smile. Three times. Each time was so absurd, and each time it had nearly cost Lin Feng his life.
"Sect Leader, now you should understand how I feel, shouldn't you? In the Cloud Sea Sect, I never know when Elder Mo Xie might strike at me. I don't know how many more Mo Xies and Lu Yuans there are in the Cloud Sea Sect. Inner sect disciples may have higher status than outer sect disciples, but to the elders, they are still just disciples—killable at will, like weeds."
Lin Feng's words seemed aggressive, but every sentence came from the heart and was undeniably true. Nangong Ling had no rebuttal.
"Lin Feng, what do you want me, Nangong Ling, to do?"
Looking at Lin Feng, Nangong Ling spoke.
Everyone was shocked. To retain Lin Feng, Nangong Ling had completely set aside his dignity as Sect Leader, his tone even carrying a hint of pleading.
"This isn't really Nangong Ling's fault. It's just that in this world, the mindset that strength determines everything is deeply ingrained."
Seeing Nangong Ling's attitude, Lin Feng felt a slight fondness for him. As the leader of a sect, he was willing to swallow his pride, admit fault to an outer sect disciple, and even ask pleadingly what he should do. This showed that Nangong Ling was broad-minded and cherished talent.
"Sect Leader, you once told me that only with great strength can one earn respect. But have you ever considered that sect disciples, whether talented or not, all start from the bottom and climb up step by step? Their starting point is that of the weak. I ask you, when they were weak and received no respect from the sect, why should they be expected to respect the sect once they become strong?"
Lin Feng's words made Nangong Ling reflect. Yes, even the most talented disciples start as weaklings. Some are discovered and nurtured, receiving the sect's attention, while others go unnoticed—like Lin Feng in the past. And so, today's situation arose. This was a flaw in the sect's system.
"Within the sect, law enforcement must be strict, regardless of whether one is an outer or inner disciple. Even if an elder breaks the law, they should be punished like any disciple. Only then can disciples live in harmony, and only then can wanton killing and elder persecution of disciples be eliminated. Without rules, nothing can be accomplished."
"Elders breaking the law, punished like disciples; without rules, nothing can be accomplished."
A glimmer of light shone in Nangong Ling's eyes. The strong are revered—that is the law followed by everyone on the Nine Heavens Continent. The strong have privileges; the strong can overstep the rules. But within a sect?
Nangong Ling realized he had been wrong. Outside, the strong may be domineering, but within a sect, there must be sect rules. Otherwise, as Lin Feng said, when disciples are weak and receive no respect, why should they respect the sect once they become strong?
"This child is a born leader."
Nangong Ling looked at Lin Feng, stood up, and said solemnly, "Nangong Ling has been taught a lesson. Lin Feng, if the sect were ever governed by you, it would surely flourish and grow strong. I hope you will stay."
Govern the sect? Lin Feng?
The crowd was in an uproar. Did Nangong Ling's words carry a deeper implication?
Lin Feng shook his head dismissively. How could he govern a sect? He had simply lived two lives and understood more than most, seeing further than many. But actually governing a sect? He might not be up to the task.
"Sect Leader, I have no intention of leaving the sect. I only wanted to speak my mind and make those people see their own foolishness. At the same time, what I want is a reason—a reason to willingly stay."
Lin Feng's attitude softened. If Nangong Ling had been like Mo Xie and Lu Yuan, Lin Feng might have stayed in the sect but would never have served it in the future. But now, he rather admired Nangong Ling's character. There was no need for him to betray the sect. So now, he needed a reason.
"Lin Feng, as long as I, Nangong Ling, am here, no one will ever oppress you with their authority again, let alone plot against or ambush you."
Nangong Ling made a promise.
"That's for the future. But what about the oppression and humiliation I've suffered before? How will that be accounted for?" Lin Feng was not satisfied with this.
"Lu Yuan treated my words as nothing and scorned the rules of the Cloud Sea Sect. I will abolish his cultivation and strip him of his outer sect elder status, then expel him from the Cloud Sea Sect."
Nangong Ling's voice turned cold. The crowd couldn't help but shudder. For Lin Feng, Nangong Ling was going to depose an outer sect elder—a warning to others.
"Sect Leader, have mercy!" Lu Yuan's face turned deathly pale at these words. To have his cultivation abolished and be expelled from the sect would make him the most useless of wastes. How could he survive in this world?
"Your crime is unforgivable." Nangong Ling's voice was firm. Lu Yuan had to be deposed to reassure Lin Feng.
"Wenren, save me!"
Knowing that Nangong Ling had made up his mind and he couldn't change it, Lu Yuan shouted to Wenren Yan in the ravine.
But at this moment, Wenren Yan was busy plotting how to deal with Lin Feng. He couldn't care less about Lu Yuan. He coldly glanced at Lu Yuan and ignored him, making Lu Yuan wish he were dead.
"Unkind, unjust!"
Thinking of Lin Feng's evaluation of Wenren Yan, Lu Yuan felt how fitting it was. But for the sake of such a person, he had offended Lin Feng and brought this disaster upon himself. Regret was too late.
"Lin Feng, are you satisfied with this?" Nangong Ling asked.
Lin Feng looked at Nangong Ling and calmly shook his head.
"Sect Leader, it seems you have forgotten one person."
Nangong Ling smiled bitterly. Lin Feng really had a strong personality.
The rest of the crowd was also stunned. All eyes converged on Mo Xie. They naturally understood who Lin Feng was referring to. Who else but Mo Xie?
However, many thought Lin Feng would let this matter go, because when Nangong Ling asked if he was satisfied, it was already a hint.
After all, who was Mo Xie? Not only was he an inner sect elder himself, but his father was the sect's Grand Law Enforcement Elder, of extremely high status. For Nangong Ling to touch Mo Xie would not only offend Mo Xie but also Mo Canglan. This undoubtedly put Nangong Ling in a difficult position.
But Lin Feng showed no sign of compromise. His words were aimed directly at Mo Xie.