Xuemo Sect

  Numerous bodies lay scattered on the cold snow at the main entrance of the Tao Hua Chuan Academy. The white snow was streaked with blood. The cold snow had turned the faces and hands white. And through them, Mo Yan advanced with measured steps on the cool, crackling snow. His zither had become a part of his being. His hand was clenched so tightly around his sword that the veins in his hands swelled and his entire hand turned white. But his face held a blank expression; even the freezing winds couldn't move his facial muscles, and behind him, his four disciples walked in unison, like angels.

  But perhaps the academy, which used to celebrate the arrival of this new season with such pomp, was under guard today. Mo Yan walked calmly into the main courtyard, where, seeing the scene, all four disciples looked at each other with pale faces and wide eyes. Their exchange of glances conveyed many things.

  And the situation up ahead had become even worse.

  Everywhere, in every corridor, in every corner, on every rooftop, Queen Wui Guan's soldiers loomed with drawn swords and spears, as if they could attack from above or from the front at any moment.

  And Wui Guan, standing in front, stared at Mo Yan like a poisonous snake, as if she were launching all her attacks with her own eyes. But Mo Yan's lowered eyelids, coldly shielding his gaze, prevented him from even glancing at her. However, Mo Yan saw the academy's head master standing next to Wui Guan and bowed to him in perfect unison. Behind Mo Yan, his disciples also bowed. But when the Master saw Mo Yan showing him such respect, his eyes welled up. His eyes brimmed with unshed tears as he returned the salute with trembling hands. Just then, Wui Guan stepped forward and said,

  "Wow! So, you're preparing to inherit your mother's legacy, Your Majesty Mo Yan!!!... But are you worthy of it or not?"

  Upon hearing this, Mo Yan's four disciples rushed forward, unsheathing their swords and pointing them directly at Wui Guan. Their eyes and breaths burned, as if a delicate bud had revealed its fierce form. But Mo Yan stood still, like a fire smoldering in the snow. His grip tightened on his sword, making it tremble. The Master looked at the sword and sank to his knees. Tears welled in his eyes, but the sweat on his forehead was even more intense. They said

  "Your Majesty, please forgive us for not being able to reach you in time."

  The Master continued, but just then, Wui Guan abandoned all pretense of dignity and kicked the Master's shoulder, as if she were kicking a wall, not a human. And then, with a warning,

  "Watch your words, old man... Watch who you're addressing, Your Majesty! A person, a disciple who has violated not one, not two, but 115 rules of this sacred ancient academy."

  Mo Yan's four disciples sheathed their swords and immediately went to the Master to pick him up.

  Just then, Wui Guan looked at Mo Yan with a bitter look. But then came Mo Yan's reply. He looked at Wu Guan with cold, volcanic eyes, and his voice was so sharp, so sharp, that his words could have ripped a heart clean through. He said,

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  "If you can become an ideal by following rules, then I wouldn't expect to see you here. What rules are you following?"

  Mo Yan looked at the Master as he said this. Then he looked directly into Wu Guan's eyes. Mo Yan stared into Wu Guan's eyes as if he were looking into her soul.

  But Mo Yan's words hit exactly where they should have. Suddenly, Wu Guan drew her sword, and at the same time, Mo Yan's sword also came out of its sheath with a speed that split stones. His sword left marks in the air, resembling an incomplete moon. In just a blink of an eye, a terrifying reality was born between the two. Wui Guan's sword and Mo Yan's sword collided like this.

  But Mo Yan's words hit exactly where they should have. Suddenly, Wu Guan drew her sword, and at the same time, Mo Yan's sword also came out of its sheath with a speed that split stones. His sword imprinted itself on the air, looking like an incomplete moon. In just a blink of an eye, a terrifying reality dawned on them. Wu Guan's sword and Mo Yan's sword clashed like two stones striking each other. The entire courtyard echoed with the noise of their duel, but in the midst of the duel, Wu Guan made her final move. She ordered one of her disciples to bring the book of rules from the sacred library. Mo Yan's sword and eyes were striking with the same edge. He could sense something was happening, but his keen eyes were examining what was happening. But then, from behind, the Master's voice came:

  "Stop!"

  But his eyes seemed to be at a loss for words. When Mo Yan finally turned towards them, Wui Guan seized the opportunity and attacked Mo Yan from behind. She swung his sword in a half-moon motion across his back. Mo Yan's disciples rushed at him at the suddenness of this attack, but Wui Guan's soldiers grabbed them and forcefully threw them to the ground. Mo Yan fell to his knees from the brutal blow. His eyes were red and watering, but he treated this blow from behind like a straw, uttering the words:

  "This is what…. what I expected from you. When a snake is afraid of its prey, it attacks from its burrow, just like you, Master."

  These words struck Wui Guan straight to the core. She threw her sword to the ground and stood beside her master, glaring at him with eyes like blazing fire. And looking into his eyes, she said,

  "Tell me the 115 rules that Mo Yan has broken."

  At this, the Master looked at Mo Yan, whose eyes were shedding tears of blood. Suddenly, blood flowed from Mo Yan's mouth. And at that very moment, the Master's heart, like a sieve, was filled with thousands of wounds. He was forced to recite the rules, his throat choking with every word.

  "Rule 60: Going to any unknown place is strictly prohibited."

  Rule 33: Being in the presence of or possessing any dark energy is considered rebellion against the rules.

  Rule 59: Petting any animal is not your conduct.

  Rule 12: Associating with a person or object that uses dark energy is a sin.

  In the same way, he recited all the other rules that Mo Yan had broken.

  But the disciples spoke up. One disciple spoke in an angry voice.

  "This isn't true. This is part of a conspiracy. Your Majesty isn't that kind of person. And if you're talking about Master Yu Sui, he's far better than your vile actions."

  Then, taken aback by his behavior, the guard holding him closed his mouth with his hand, preventing him from speaking.

  Wui Guan's smiling eyes betrayed the fullness of her intentions. Wui Guan began to seduce the Grandmaster with her devious intentions, her words carrying the sting of a scorpion.

  "I see. I'm never wrong about a situation. But you, Master, were once the respected master of the three noble sects. How could you overlook Mo Yan's violation of the 115 rules?... Huh!!... Or were you also acquiescing?"

  Wui Guan, her venomous nature radiating, said,

  "Whatever. Mo Yan deserves punishment now, and as far as I know, the number of rules Mo Yan has broken is almost enough!"

  Glancing at Mo Yan, she said with a bitter smile,

  "It must be 1,000 lashes."