Murong Wuque floated outside to see elder Yan holding a scroll with the valley’s official seal, hovering outside jade palace. He came out and quickly went down on his knees to receive the order, his head bowed. “That you defied your superiors on several occasions, undermining their powers and causing mutiny and insubordination. You arrogantly shielded the valley's sinners, not respecting constituted authority. Do you know your sin?” “I apologize.” “So are you willing to hand them over now and make restitution? If you do, the council will temper justice with mercy.” Elder Yan’s double edged malicious words made everywhere to fall silent. Many disciples have gathered round the moment they heard elder Yan’s order. They were all watching and waiting for him to make the hard choice. If he chooses to lower his head, it will prove that the sect disciples’ trust on him was unmerited and that he was an unfaithful coward that would sacrifice his brothers for himself. If he refused, he wo

“Can't the poison be removed from the punishment? It has no cure. Even if First brother comes from a powerful imperial family, they can't cure it.” “It has a cure. Inside the poison miasma, there's another poisonous flower that can counteract it. But who will enter there to find it?” “Even if someone is willing to enter, will they allow him? They have been looking for ways to end him. They will never allow anyone in there to look for a cure.” “They're truly bold. Are they not afraid that one of the immortal emperors in the Murong family would come for recompense?” “That's right. The Murong family is the only family that has up to five immortal emperors. Others don't even get one. It was said that the two progenitors of the Murong clan were immortals, and Murong Wuque is from the main undiluted branch with a pure immortal bloodline. He's one of the two people expected to reach the level of an immortal emperor in this generation.” “But the valley master is about to cripple his cul

Everyone held their breath, but he didn't flinch or cry out. He knelt there like a block of stone, with no reaction whatsoever. The third, then fourth. His back was filled by red welts which were quickly swelling up. By the tenth strike, his skin burst open and blood splattered on both the platform, the guard, and vine, dripping down to his white silk trousers. People screamed simultaneously the moment the blood splattered. It fell again and on the raw flesh, this time smoke began to come out of his body, and his breath caught in his throat, “Oh my god! The poison has made contact with raw flesh. It is burning him up.” The lash fell again, and again, and again. All Murong Wuque did was open his mouth and take huge gulps of air. Twentieth strike, he was still kneeling, his back ramrod straight. More smoke had covered the surface of his back, and his skin had begun to change color from the poison. Fiftieth strike, he finally trembled and spat out blood. People screamed again

Murong Wuque chuckled and looked at the elder. “I won't hand them over. If I don't find the treasures and you want to break my legs, go ahead. I will also step down and make way for another person.” When he said another person, he turned to look at Yuwen Ruohan. Many people caught the meaning and immediately sneered. “You better remember the words you just said.” “You may leave.” Elder Wen added. A huge cheer went out in the crowd. Hundreds of people were chanting his name. “First brother, we love you!” “With or without the title, you're our only First brother.” “First brother, you are always our only first brother.” “Other people are not worthy. Those that want to hurt you should look in the mirror and see the face of a loser.” “We don't need the title. You're the only First brother we acknowledge.” “Only Murong Wuque is our first brother.” “First brother, we love you.” Murong Wuque looked at the elders, making sure they and the people over there saw his face. Th

The person feeling the worst was Murong Wuque. His hands remained awkwardly by his side. Then there was Chu Feng who stood silently, watching them with a mixture of pain, jealousy and heartache. Murong Wuque sighed and wrapped his arm around her, patting her back to console her. Their compromising situation, with her chest rubbing against his due to how tight she was hugging him was the least of her problems. She didn't even notice their proximity or feel turned on, even though she had been dying to hold him like that. But all she felt was pain and fear. “I was so afraid. I… I..” She began to cry again, loudly sobbing and hiccuping, her face buried in his chest. “Silly child. You're such a big baby, aren't I alright? Nothing will happen.” He whispered and kissed her hair, tucking a stray strand behind her ear. She soon quieted down under his soft whispers, and reassurances, only sobbing softly instead of her loud cries. Xi Meng Yao walked in at that moment and saw them; her