It had only been a few days since Mei was called out of the sect... and she was already recalled. Hmm... for some reason it felt more like an entire week to her. Was that because of how eventful things had been?

Mei decided that wasn't really worth musing over as she patted the dust off herself, to be more presentable.

Moments ago, she used the token to teleport back to the sect, arriving right outside the sect library. Thankfully, Su Qing had been allowed to follow. It had been afternoon back in Xiagu, so it was a little jarring to see that it was now just getting dark back in the sect.

Mei felt like she would never get used to timezones.

"Mei Mei, I'm tired... I'll go back and rest first..." Su Qing said.

She waved goodbye as the wooden puppet headed to the dorms first. There was still time to kill before the sect announcement tomorrow, so she figured she'd kill some time by reading.

Hei Ye, the other crow grumbled in displeasure as he saw Mei amber in casually.

----------------------------------------

It was 11 AM already?!

Mei rushed out of the library in a panic.

Urgh... she was sitting in a corner without windows, so she didn't realise so much time had passed until she thought to look at a clock...

Normally, she'd have been reminded by hunger, but now that she was a Foundational cultivator, she stopped feeling hungry until she wanted to eat.

She dashed out of the library as fast as she could, hoping she wasn't late. Urgh... why didn't they specify a time?

...

Phew... just in time.

Mei wiped off her sweat as she went to her usual spot.

"Mei Xiu!" Xiuying called out. "Where have you been? We were worried after you just disappeared!"

"Yeah, you should have showed up for breakfast." Wang Wei said.

"Sorry... I lost track of time..." Mei scratched her head.

By now, the hall was mostly packed. On stage, Li Jie stood solemnly, a stern look on his face. It was almost strange to see a man who looked in his twenties standing there, in the sect master's attire. A male disciple stood behind him with a look of indignation, fidgeting around anxiously.

"Shhh..." a nearby spirit flew to them.

"Sorry," Xiuying mumbled.

In almost suffocating silence, Mei sat in the crowd of disciples for what felt like an eternity. Good thing she didn't come earlier...

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"Enough waiting." Li Jie said.

With a flick of his hands, a flash of light appeared above the disciples.

In the next instant, several disciples teleported above them, flailing and screaming. With another flick, each of the disciples was sent floating to the back of the hall.

"Stand there until the hall is dismissed! Tardiness will not be tolerated on such an important announcement!" Li Jie boomed. "Speak to me outside the hall later."

Mei gulped. It was a really good thing she thought of looking at the time...

"Today, I have not gathered you to discuss my new position. The Sect Master has taken an extended period of absence, so it is only natural for someone to assume the position of temporary leader. I have no interest in making a ruckus over such a matter."

Li Jie tapped the shoulder of the boy beside him.

"Introduce yourself."

"My... my name is Yu Hang!" the disciple stammered.

"He is the reason I have gathered you today. Yesterday, in a fit of rage, Yu Hang committed murder."

A few faint gasps came from the disciples.

Yu Hang balled his fists as he shook.

"Go on. I will allow you to defend yourself."

"I... I was not in the wrong!" the boy yelled. "I was passing by a caravan, and I could see people in cages loaded on the back in undergarments! They were bloodied and wounded and some were even missing arms! One of them saw me flying and called to me for help... and when I saw that, I... I was so angry! So I just charged in and killed them! Is it so wrong for me to try to seek justice?"

The disciples began muttering to each other, and anxiety began to build in the hall. Mei was stunned. Of all things, she didn't expect to be called to the hall for something like that?

"How very commendable, to take on the burdens of the innocent, to serve justice swift and due." Li Jie said sarcastically. "Tell me, Yu Hang. What did you think the men you killed were guilty of?"

"I-Isn't that obvious! They were slave dealers! They were capturing innocent people to sell!"

"To so unhesitatingly take a life, is that befitting of a virtuous cultivator?"

"I... But... he was..."

"Yu Han. After you were recalled, we dispatched spirits to do a thorough investigation." Li Jie said emotionlessly. Mohai, Longshan. These states have been embroiled in conflicts for the past few years, with the occasional scuffle every few months."

"Yu Han. That caravan was led by foot soldiers from Mohai, who were lacking the personnel to send cultivators."

"The people in the cages were soldiers of the opposing state, captured from battle. They were not bloodied by torture or mistreatment but from combat. This conflict is not something I have the right or interest to judge, so I will refrain from saying my thoughts on that matter."

"I-I didn't know!" Yu Hang began to tear up. "I really thought-"

"Precisely. You, without careful investigation or thought, charged in to kill."

"I..."

"This is not how a virtuous cultivator should conduct oneself. It is not our way to resolve things with mindless violence and killing. Tell me, Yu Han. Let us assume in theory, that in another reality, they were slave traders. What do you think would have happened after you killed them?"

"I don't know..."

"You would have left a group of slaves to meander about, without food and resources. And even if you have given them such things, they would have been swiftly recaptured and interrogated about the disappearance of the trader in charge."

"Perhaps, in your mind, you could have escorted them to another city. But without proper identification, how would they be able to apply for jobs? Neither Mohai nor Longshan are countries that are light on paperwork."

"You would have thrown already miserable people into a situation even worse. At the very least, slaves would not starve to death."

Yu Han trembled, looking to the ground.

"I only wanted to do what was right..."

Li Jie shook his head and turned to the hall.

"Disciples. Remember what transpired today. I don't believe most of you would be callous enough to act as he did, but before passing judgement, it is always important to investigate, to understand the situation at hand. If you are inexperienced with such matters, do not hesitate to ask the sect spirits for help."

"You will not resume your trip after this. The commotion from the past few days has made me realise not all of you are ready for the outside world."

Li Jie's eyes went from disciple to disciple, as if singling them out. Mei felt a chill as his eyes landed on her. Did he hear of how she lost to a qi gathering bandit? Hopefully, the sect spirits weren't making her a laughingstock...

"I have arranged a trip to one of our allied Buddhist sects. It has been made clear that the Sect Master has not taught you disciples values, so I believe this trip is apt."