Chapter 219: Naughty and causing great trouble, strict teacher breaks Wen Yan
Si Zhui had been studying magic with Mei Nianqing for half a month, and his control over his immortal energy had become much more stable than before, and his courage had also quietly emerged. That afternoon, while Mei Nianqing was in seclusion organizing magic texts, he sneaked out of the Qingxiuyuan and dragged Yun Miao to the bamboo forest behind the Tianjie Academy. The two of them had agreed to compete to see who could use immortal energy to make the bamboo leaves spin for the longest time.
At first, just for fun, Sizhui condensed a ray of green light, causing bamboo leaves to swirl in the air. Not to be outdone, Yunmiao also summoned his immortal power, imitating his manipulation of the bamboo leaves. But as the fun got intense, Sizhui wanted to try out his newly learned "wind gathering technique." He lost control of his immortal power at his fingertips, and instead, he condensed a stream of air three times stronger than he'd imagined, sending it soaring out of the bamboo forest with a whoosh.
"Be careful!" Yun Miao's cry had barely faded when a muffled groan was heard from outside the bamboo forest. The two hurried outside, only to find their schoolmate, Lingjun, lying on the ground, his face pale and his soul faintly translucent. Si Zhui's uncontrolled immortal energy had brushed past Lingjun's soul, destabilizing it and nearly shattering it!
Si Zhui panicked, his hands and feet freezing cold. He remembered Mei Nianqing's repeated warnings: "Don't use your immortal power lightly, and don't harm others' souls or bodies." He knew he had gotten into serious trouble. Just then, a familiar, refreshing immortal power wafted through the air, bringing with it an unmistakable sense of oppression—it was Master!
"Zhui'er, you..." Yun Miao was also frightened and his voice trembled.
"Go away!" Si Zhui pushed him hard. "I caused this. It has nothing to do with you. I'll take the consequences myself!"
Yun Miao wanted to say something more, but the resolute look in Si Zhui's eyes forced her back, so she gritted her teeth and ran away. After only a few steps, Mei Nianqing appeared outside the bamboo forest, his moon-white robe fluttering in the wind. His usually gentle features were now as cold as ice. His gaze fell on Si Zhui, chilling him to the bone: "Do you know what you've done wrong?"
Si Zhui clutched the corner of his clothes, his nails digging deep into his palms, but he didn't dare look up: "Disciple...disciple lost control and injured Senior Brother Lingjun's soul..."
"Just 'injured'?" Mei Nianqing's voice grew colder. He raised his hand and summoned the immortal doctor to stabilize Lingjun's soul. Turning to look at Sizhui, his tone no longer held any warmth. "It's forgivable for your immortal power to get out of control, but you knew it would hurt others, but you let your companions escape first, trying to take the blame alone. You think this is loyalty, but in reality, you don't understand the rules and can't distinguish right from wrong!"
He paused, his voice deeper, "Go kneel down at the gate of the monastery and think carefully about where you went wrong. I'll punish you after I've dealt with Lingjun."
Si Zhui shuddered, but dared not protest. He walked step by step to the entrance of the retreat and knelt down. The bluestone floor was icy cold, seeping through his robes and into his skin, like countless fine needles piercing him. He stared at the distant Yunshen Pavilion, tears streaming down his face. He missed his father and his father so much, and he missed Brother Lin so much. But he knew that his mistake this time was too great, and his master would never forgive him so easily.
After kneeling for an unknown amount of time, Mei Nianqing finally returned. He stood before Sizhui, his tone unwavering, "You have violated the sect's boundaries and harmed a fellow disciple's spirit. You deserve a severe punishment. Considering this is your first offense, I will punish you: First, for seven days, you may not leave the Qingxiuyuan, let alone see Wei Wuxian, Lan Wangji, or Lin Yan. Second, you must receive thirty cane blows daily at noon, and copy the Sect's Rules three hundred times at noon. You may not eat until you have completed these. Third, until Lingjun's spirit is fully healed, you must return to his residence daily to apologize and protect him."
"Master..." Si Zhui suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with fear. Not being able to see his family for seven days, and being caned every day, this punishment was a hundred times more cruel than he had imagined. But looking at Mei Nianqing's cold, emotionless face, he knew begging for mercy was useless. He could only grit his teeth and nod, "Disciple...disciple accepts the punishment."
Mei Nianqing didn't look at him again. She turned and walked into the Qingxiuyuan, leaving only a cold word: "Tomorrow at noon, I will personally supervise the punishment. If you dare to be lazy, the punishment will be doubled."
As the night deepened, Sizhui was the only one left at the gates of the monastery. The cool evening breeze made him shiver. He hugged his knees, gazing at the starry sky, his heart filled with regret. If only he hadn't sneaked out, if only he had been able to control his immortal power, he wouldn't have gotten into such trouble, and wouldn't have lost his family.
At this moment in Yunshen Pavilion, Wei Wuxian was frowning and muttering, "Why didn't Zhui'er come today? Is he too tired from studying the law with Mr. Nianqing?" Lan Wangji was also a little worried. He stood up and said, "I'll go to Qingxiuyuan to check." He didn't know yet that his child was kneeling on the cold stone ground, enduring unprecedented fear and punishment.
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