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“Senior Gong Ning, is it true, as Tao Lingling stated, that you only learned of her background yesterday?”
“Does it matter? Even if I had known earlier, what would you do about it?”
The judge tapped his desk—this time, more gently.
“Senior Gong Ning, when the sect revised its code of conduct, you provided invaluable input. I believe no one understands the Punishment Sword Division’s fairness and strictness better than you. Please show it respect.”
That was so long ago, even Gong Ning herself had forgotten.
Coming from a place with a well-developed legal system, her suggestions had naturally been highly valued.
Gong Ning remained silent.
“Therefore, you were completely unaware of this matter—and you have the intention to report it, correct?”
Gong Ning said nothing.
The judge rose from his seat, put away the gavel, and returned to his role as an elder.
“The interrogation of you is hereby concluded—no physical evidence exists.
As for Tao Lingling’s crime, if there is injustice, an appeal may be filed with the Punishment Sword Division.
We will not wrong the innocent.”
Gong Ning glanced at Gong Changqian, then turned and left first.
Back in her room, she didn’t speak.
Tang Qiaohuan didn’t dare disturb her.
This was what it looked like when her Master was truly angered.
She was kind because she understood darkness.
“Elder, do you have any thoughts?”
“What do you think I should think?”
“Well, I know you’re kind-hearted… but they’ve already resorted to underhanded methods…”
“You seem quite pleased to see me angry.”
“Not at all! I’m just reminding you—don’t be too merciful to your enemies.”
Tang Qiaohuan whispered beside her.
Gong Ning scoffed.
Was she really that soft? Did she really seem like someone who would silently endure such injustice?
The other elders finally arrived—especially Xue Yingdong, whose expression was icy.
“Jingzhi, your disciple has been taken by the Punishment Sword Division.
Is she truly a remnant of Great Yuan?”
“If I told you that the Heart-Sword Hall failed to recruit any disciples this year—because of her—would you believe me?”
Xue Yingdong’s face flushed with anger.
When she’d first heard the news, she’d been anxious, furious, torn—terrified the girl was being wronged.
But if she wasn’t wronged? What then?
And now, Gong Ning dared say such a shocking thing in front of everyone.
“Harboring a remnant, and still so bold—are you relying on Jiang Yuyao to protect you?”
“Right and wrong are judged by facts.
If there is guilt, Gong Ning will accept it.
But I will not tolerate slander.”
Bai Peilan gasped, but quickly realized this was an internal Heart-Sword Hall matter—her focus should be on the Punishment Sword Division.
“Both of you, calm down. We’re not here to argue.
Jingzhi, can you swear Lingling is innocent?”
“I can.”
“Good. Then we won’t abandon her. Right, Elder Xue?”
Xue Yingdong studied Gong Ning’s eyes—then sighed.
“Even if the Heart-Sword Hall recruits ten, twenty, or even a hundred more disciples, none may amount to much.
I’ll make an exception for you.
But don’t betray my trust.”
This was something Gong Ning hadn’t expected.
She’d thought she’d be abandoned after this.
But the Heart-Sword Hall had never been normal.
“Thank you.”
Bai Peilan finally relaxed. Zhou Yu’an gave a light clap.
“Don’t thank us yet. Tell us the full story.”
Gong Ning took her time, revealing everything.
“So the real issue is the unaffiliated cultivator Tao Lingling killed back then.
Everything else is minor.”
Just like her—she saw straight to the heart of the matter.
Being a remnant of Great Yuan? It could be trivial, or it could be grave—depending on who wanted to exploit it.
With background, it wasn’t an issue.
And Lingling had already distanced herself from that in court—no loose ends there.
“There’s a simple way—identify that unaffiliated cultivator, label him as a demonic sect member.
Problem solved.”
Her method would solve the immediate crisis.
But…
“Yes, simple. But that won’t achieve my goal.”
“What goal?”
“I want Gong Changqian to suffer.”
Xue Yingdong smiled knowingly.
“Hmph. You want revenge?”
“The Gong family of Tianjian Pavilion has targeted me repeatedly for that technique.
Without cultivation, I could only avoid them.
But Gong Changqian… I’ll break his legs.”
“How?”
“Next is the new disciples’ first trial.
If I were still in Tianjian Pavilion, I’d lead it.
But Gong Changqian has been active lately—he took my place.”
“That’s your opportunity? Fine.
I’ll draft a list of disciples and officially appoint you as Trial Elder.”
A woman of action—no unnecessary words. She turned and left.
Bai Peilan and Zhou Yu’an could tell Gong Ning was like someone who’d swallowed a fire spirit stone—her temper was off.
“We’ll go too. If you have problems, tell us. Don’t keep it bottled up…
We’re all family in the Heart-Sword Hall.”
“Alright.”
They left together—just as they reached the gate, they met a familiar girl.
The disciple who had ranked just below Tao Lingling in the freshman competition.
Now, her cultivation had advanced even further.
“Greetings, Elder.”
She seemed in a hurry—gave a quick bow, then walked in.
“Senior Gong Ning, are you in?”
Gong Ning was deep in thought. She looked up to see the girl.
“Coming all this way to the Heart-Sword Hall—what’s the matter?”
“Disciple has something to expose.”
Gong Ning froze.
She realized instantly—this girl’s revelation could shift the entire situation.
She stood, poured tea, and offered it to Lu Yunling.
“Sit. Speak slowly.”
Lu Yunling took a breath—and revealed the dirty dealings between Wang Cheng and Gong Changqian during the freshman competition.
And other secrets she knew from her past life—things she could now speak of.
Like Wang Cheng’s numerous transactions with Tianjian Pavilion—exchanging techniques, resources.
She’d already gathered partial evidence.
Gong Ning’s eyes lit up.
She’d planned to use Desire during the trial—make Gong Changqian experience the pain of having his cultivation destroyed, taste Tianjian Pavilion’s traditional culture.
But that would’ve been too lenient—wouldn’t kill him in the cultivation world.
With this information, she could drag down Wang Cheng—and disgrace Tianjian Pavilion.
“What do you want in return?”
Gong Ning didn’t know how to thank her.
To help at this moment—especially someone who’d once been an adversary.
“Yunling seeks no reward. Only to act without shame.
I hope this cultivation world has no more scum.”
Another reason—she didn’t want her important junior sister to suffer.
Past regrets would not repeat.
No new regrets would be born.
“Lu Yunling.”
Gong Ning gently took her hand.
“If you ever face hardship, come to me.
No matter the difficulty, your Elder will give it my all.”
Tang Qiaohuan pouted.
She knew the truth too—but her position made it impossible to speak.
Sigh.
Same master, different fates.
One already beloved.
One respected before even joining.
One disliked from the very beginning.
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