☆, Chapter 71 System Punishment Procedure

Wu Wang frowned and said, "As expected of a demon, they can even say such things."

Luo Binghe ignored him: "If he were my father, why wouldn't I mention it?"

At most, when beating Luo Binghe, he said, without any praise or criticism, "He looks like his mother."

Like, and then what?

That's it.

Shen Qingqiu was speechless when asked:

How would I know why!

The most likely reason is that Tianlang-jun is really a lunatic, right?

The atmosphere was tense, and Shen Qingqiu didn't have time to launch into a tirade. He turned around and said, "Please calm down, everyone. Luo Binghe's appearance at Zhaohua Temple this time is not to provoke us or harbor any ill intentions..."

Master Wuchen chimed in, "Indeed, Senior Brother, why don't you hear what Peak Master Shen has to say first?" Shen Qingqiu glanced at him gratefully, while Wuwang sneered, "If not harboring ill intentions? Then what is it?"

He said the last sentence while drunk. Suddenly, dozens of monks dressed in crimson and gold robes emerged from the crowd, grabbed a group of people, and pinned them to the ground.

Black energy slowly emanated from the captured person. Naturally, the scene became chaotic.

"A demon has infiltrated!" ×n

"Luo Binghe was indeed prepared!"

This development is ridiculous!

Shen Qingqiu was about to burst into tears.

Jiuchongjun's messy subordinates were originally intended to boost Luo Binghe's positive reputation, but they ended up having the opposite effect and were mistaken for an ambush plotting with Luo Binghe!

With remarkable foresight, he drew his folding fan, and sure enough, the next moment, Wu Wang's staff came crashing down. Shen Qingqiu raised his fan and tapped it, stopping the staff mid-air. He used just the right amount of force, enough to create a stalemate with Wu Wang, and even had time to turn back and hurriedly say to Luo Binghe, "Leave it to your master!" Just as he was about to say something polite, Wu Wang rebuked him, "Shen Qingqiu, have you, like Su Xiyan, been bewitched by the demons? As the master of a peak, you should have some sense of shame!"

Shen Qingqiu slipped and almost lost his footing.

Can these properties be the same?!?!

He finally managed to straighten his contorted facial expression, but then Luo Binghe slashed down at Wu Wang with a palm strike.

The little rascal is causing trouble again! Shen Qingqiu channeled spiritual energy into the tip of his fan, shaking off Wuchen's staff: "Didn't I tell you to leave it to me?!"

Luo Binghe's face was gloomy: "He can talk about me, but he can't talk about you!"

In the blink of an eye, the two were surrounded by cultivators of various attire in the Great Hall of the Buddha. Sure enough, using demonic energy easily provoked hostility. Wu Wang waved his staff: "Sect Leader Yue, this demon still calls Shen Qingqiu 'Master,' and Shen Qingqiu doesn't deny it. What do you think? Does he still acknowledge Luo Binghe as a disciple of the Cang Qiong Mountain Sect?"

Yue Qingyuan did not answer, his face revealing no emotion, his tone neither rising nor falling, and he remained seated steadily: "Qingqiu, come back."

Shen Qingqiu subconsciously took a step towards him, thinking it best to apologize first and let his boss calm down. If Yue Qingyuan could stand by his side, he could definitely keep things in order. But before he could go over, Luo Binghe grabbed him: "Don't go over there!"

Shen Qingqiu had just opened his mouth when Luo Binghe said again, "Don't go over there." His tone even carried a hint of pleading. Just as Shen Qingqiu was about to speak, hundreds of sword energies and spiritual lights simultaneously struck the two people in the center of the encirclement.

Liu Qingge's pupils contracted sharply, and Cheng Luan was drawn from its sheath in response, about to protect Shen Qingqiu, when suddenly, the entire Mahavira Hall began to shake.

A layer of light shield, with white and black electrical currents swirling and crackling, exploded!

After the tremor, the ground was littered with people lying scattered about, with only about a quarter of the people remaining, either standing or leaning. Luo Binghe's eyes were as red as daylight, like blazing, scorching magma, and black smoke billowed endlessly from his sleeves.

One of the demons pinned to the ground burst into laughter: "Truly shameless! You used such a low-down method of ganging up on Tianlang-jun when you were dealing with him, and you're using it again today!"

Luo Binghe, with one arm around Shen Qingqiu, said, word by word, "You can attack me all you want. But what did my master do to deserve being attacked along with me?"

He wasn't actually injured; the shock was so intense that he staggered, but Luo Binghe caught him and pulled him into his arms to protect him. Just as he was about to continue mediating, Wu Wang said, "You call him Master, and he doesn't deny it. Isn't that enough?"

That bald monk!

Shen Qingqiu gave a forced smile: "Whether I deny it or not, what does it have to do with you?"

He twirled his folding fan, deflecting swords and blades flying from all sorts of bizarre angles with a constant clattering sound. Turning around, he suddenly saw Yue Qingyuan approaching, one hand on the hilt of the Xuan Su sword.

His hand went limp on the spot, and he almost threw the folding fan straight away. Fight Yue Qingyuan? Don't be ridiculous!

Unexpectedly, Yue Qingyuan raised Xuan Su with one hand, not aiming at Shen Qingqiu, but deflecting it a few inches. A loud clang rang in Shen Qingqiu's ears, and he jerked his head around. The hilt of Xuan Su and Wu Wang's staff were locked in a tangled knot, locked together.

Wu Wang couldn't hit Luo Binghe, so he actually tried to hit him on the back of the head instead, holy crap!

Although Yue Qingyuan joined the melee, he didn't attack the two targets in the center of the battle. Instead, he occasionally helped Shen Qingqiu by blocking some attacks. With the sect leader involved, Liu Qingge also joined in. The two of them fought wildly, both behaving similarly—attacking everyone except Shen Qingqiu, purely adding to the chaos. What's worse, these two troublemakers were both experts, their attacks precise and ruthless. Wuwang finally couldn't bear it any longer and roared, "Peak Master Liu!"

With a single sword stroke, Liu Qingge shaved all the whisks of the Taoist priests of Tianyi Guanzhong into bald dusters, and said expressionlessly, "It was a slip of the hand."

Wu Wang was so angry that his beard stood on end: "Sect Leader Yue!"

After Yue Qingyuan deflected Wuwang's staff, which was aimed at Shen Qingqiu, three times, Sect Leader Yue said calmly, "Your eyes are playing tricks on you."

Everyone present thought to themselves in unison: The reputation of the Cangqiong Mountain Sect for protecting its own is indeed well-deserved!

One typo can be explained, but two? One moment of eye strain is understandable, but my eyes have been strained ever since I joined! Can't we even have a proper fight? Whose side are you guys on?! (╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻

These two are showing everyone through their actions: Fighting is fine; but bullying the Peak Master of Qingjing Peak is not!

Shen Qingqiu shoved Luo Binghe: "Want to die? Get out of here!"

Luo Binghe was not pushed away; instead, he grabbed his wrist: "Master, let's go. Let's go together!"

Shen Qingqiu didn't turn around to look at his expression, partly because she was too busy, and partly because she couldn't bear to. She pulled her hand away and urged, "Still not moving! I told you to leave, so leave! Be good!"

He didn't know how long he could hold off the others, and he certainly couldn't abandon this chaotic situation and run away with Luo Binghe first. Yue Qingyuan and the others had been too blatant in letting him win, and Wu Wang was already angry. He and Luo Binghe had to stay, otherwise, there would be another conflict between Zhaohua Temple and Cangqiong Mountain Sect.

After a moment of silence, Luo Binghe said softly, "...Okay."

"Since it was you who said it, Master."

The next moment, he landed on the square outside the main hall.

The speed was terrifyingly fast; for a moment, everyone forgot to sheathe their weapons and continued the attack. Wu Wang shouted, "Boundary Formation!"

Several monks rushed towards the plaza. Shen Qingqiu swiftly drew his Xiuya sword, snapped his fingers, and the blade swept across the area, disrupting their formation and footwork. He called out, "I'll return to Cangqiong Mountain first, then I'll come find you." Luo Binghe possessed the Nightmare skill, so meeting him whenever he wanted wasn't a problem; he could just fall asleep. The latter part of his statement was actually meant to reassure Luo Binghe, implying that he would comfort his wounded heart later. However, saying it so openly made him feel a little guilty, and Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but steal glances at the two monks on the Cangqiong Mountain side.

Seeing this, Luo Binghe's lips twitched, revealing a strange smile.

Many people shuddered at his smile, feeling a sudden chill run down their spines.

Luo Binghe said slowly, "I will come back for you."

Before he finished speaking, his figure disappeared outside the hall.

Once the person disappeared, Wu Wang let out a frustrated sigh. Shen Qingqiu, however, breathed a sigh of relief and immediately recalled Xiu Ya back into its sheath.

He unsheathed his sword and held it horizontally, presenting it to Yue Qingyuan with both hands: "The situation was urgent just now, and Qingqiu had no choice but to offend everyone present. Please punish me, Senior Brother Sect Leader."

Yue Qingyuan pushed the sword back: "The person has returned. We'll discuss the punishment when we get back to Cangqiong Mountain."

Shen Qingqiu observed his expression.

Although Yue Qingyuan looked very serious, judging from his behavior during the melee just now... he was indeed just putting on an act in front of outsiders.

"Let's discuss this again at Cangqiong Mountain" is just like saying, "Let's just leave it at that and go back to eat"...

While their own sect leader was indeed easy to talk to, Wu Wang was not so easy to deal with. Luo Binghe was released in front of everyone, and although the three peak masters were mainly to blame for stirring up trouble, Zhaohua Temple was still somewhat embarrassed. He clasped his hands together and said, "I'm afraid this matter cannot be left like this, right? Peak Master Shen should at least give an explanation. Or, Cang Qiong Mountain must give an explanation on behalf of Peak Master Shen!"

Someone in the corner said in a shrill voice, "Just now we said Su Xiyan was muddle-headed, that the loyalty between her sect and her master was no match for a man's sweet words. This Shen Qingqiu is even more muddle-headed, he doesn't need Luo Binghe's sweet words, he's so tactless."

Shen Qingqiu pretended not to hear, while Yue Qingyuan said politely, "I will discipline the people of the Cangqiong Mountain Sect. I am confident that I will give you all an explanation."

Master Wuchen said happily, "Amitabha, that would be best. I believe that Sect Leader Yue and Peak Master Shen will be able to resolve this matter."

Wu Wang snorted and continued to criticize: "That's not necessarily true. Have you all forgotten that Peak Master Shen still hasn't given an explanation regarding the seed-sowing incident in Jinlan City? He escaped from the water dungeon of Huanhua Palace after only a short time, and then faked his death in Huayue City. Cangqiong Mountain still hasn't given a detailed explanation for this matter. If this is Peak Master Shen's and your sect's 'explanation,' this old monk really can't be impressed."

He brought up the old story again, but Shen Qingqiu was lost in thought and wasn't listening at all.

The system has already issued a red warning, who the hell has the mind to listen to the old monk rehashing old stories?!

System: [“Zhaohua Temple” side quest completed. Numerical statistics: Positive value -200. Mission completion status: Complete failure!]

It's reached 200, but not +200, it's -200!

This marked the first time in all his time, after struggling with the system, that he had failed a mission. A complete and utter failure!

Shen Qingqiu hurriedly asked, "What are the consequences of failure?"

Suddenly, a sharp pain and intense dizziness struck my head.

System: [Mission failed! Please prepare to be sent back to your original world within 60 seconds.]

I remember now, if any value is below 0, you will be sent back!

Shen Qingqiu roared, "No way! You're sending me straight back to my original world?! Didn't you know I deleted my original account?! It was just one failure, my satisfaction level is so high, can't it offset some of that? What about my class?! My class level is also very high! It should be of some use, right?!"

His mind was in turmoil, and his face changed unpredictably, alternating between pale, red, and green, looking as if he was about to vomit or faint at any moment. Liu Qingge noticed that something was wrong with his expression: "What's wrong with you?"

System: [Do you want to use all your current enjoyment points to purchase other forms of punishment?]

Shen Qingqiu: "Buy, buy, buy! I'll buy it no matter how expensive it is!"

Ding! System: [Purchase successful. Enjoyment level reset to zero. Please check your balance. Penalty loading.]

The pink satisfaction bar has really gone to 0... Heh, looks like I won't be able to wait until the monthly settlement to be shocked by the satisfaction number. This is the second time it's been reset to zero [manual goodbye] The second time!

Shen Qingqiu's headache was gone, but she was still dizzy.

Yue Qingyuan also noticed that something was wrong with him: "You were just hit?"

Liu Qingge grabbed him with one hand to steady him, then looked up and asked, "Who hit you?"

When the peak master of Hundred Battles Peak asked a question, everyone hurriedly shook their heads.

Is this an act?! Who could possibly hit Shen Qingqiu?! Given the situation just now, no one could possibly get hit except Shen Qingqiu, okay?! Who were those three people openly and secretly protecting?! And they still have the nerve to show off! They're the ones who get to hit others!

The noise from the outside world grew louder and louder. Shen Qingqiu, feeling dizzy, suddenly went black and landed between Yue Qingyuan and Liu Qingge with a thud.

It really collapsed.

When I opened my eyes again, I was no longer at Zhaohua Temple.

Shen Qingqiu looked around, but there was no one there.

Is this a dream?

However, generally speaking, whenever he dreams now, the scene is always Qingjing Peak, because his dream is connected to Luo Binghe's, and the latter's favorite dream map is Qingjing Peak.

Shen Qingqiu walked for a while longer, observed carefully, and suddenly realized that this place was indeed Qingjing Peak.

However, it was Qingjing Peak that had been burned.

The bamboo groves and bamboo houses were completely burned down, leaving only charred ruins and withered roots, leaning and collapsing, with wisps of white smoke mixed with the smell of burning drifting from them.

The more Shen Qingqiu looked at this desolate and bleak scene, the less calm she became.

Burned it all the way to the ground, what kind of deep hatred must there be!

Shen Qingqiu typed into the system: "Can you give me an address?"

System: [Hello. The punishment program is running, and other system functions are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for the inconvenience and wish you good luck.]

WTF……！！！

So it has already begun! Shen Qingqiu punched a non-existent wall, and suddenly, he heard the sound of footsteps crushing sand and gravel.

The footsteps moved slowly, pausing after each step, giving the impression of being full of energy and poised to unleash their power.

A figure walked out from the scorched earth and rubble.

A cold wind swept across the plain, and the man's black robe and wide sleeves fluttered slightly. His face and the overlapping collar were as white and flawless as snow. He walked out slowly, his eyes looking down on everything. He crossed his arms, one foot on a scorched rock, looking completely uninterested.

Shen Qingqiu instinctively called out, "Luo Binghe!"

Luo Binghe blinked, turned his head slightly, and cast a gaze as sharp as an icy blade over him.

Shen Qingqiu felt as if he had been stabbed twice by that gaze; his heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly felt a strong wind and that his clothes were a bit thin. Otherwise, why would his forehead and back feel so cold?

Luo Binghe raised an eyebrow, flicked off non-existent ashes from his sleeve, and let out a slightly puzzled "Hmm?"

Shen Qingqiu suddenly stopped in his tracks.

This feeling is not right.

Luo Binghe tilted his head: "Shen Qingqiu?"

It's getting increasingly wrong.

His tone, expression, and demeanor didn't seem like Luo Binghe, yet they certainly did.

If we must be clear, the person standing in front of Shen Qingqiu seems to be "Luo Binghe" from the original novel.

Author's note: It's too late today, but luckily I made it in time.

I barely passed my driving test (Part 2), and I finally don't have to practice driving for nine hours every day anymore...

Fan art will be posted tomorrow, and I'll start replying to comments. Sorry I've been late lately TAT