Chapter 685 - 513: Trial of Guilt (3)

"Naturally, he is to be deemed a traitor and a warrant issued for his arrest," Lu Qian said coldly.

Wang Yu shook his head, "Sect Leader, I believe this is inappropriate. If we set aside Tan Yunxing's escape, his crimes aren't actually that severe."

Everyone stared at Wang Yu in disbelief, yet he remained expressionless and continued speaking.

"He wanted to establish a foundation—who wouldn't? Who wouldn't strive for their own path? Of course he had the right to seek help from Senior Brother Yang; there was no deceit in this. Senior Brother Yang was in charge of this mission, and made a hasty agreement without clear judgment—he should naturally bear responsibility for his actions. The mistakes that led to the loss of disciples should largely be shared by Senior Brother Yang."

"As for unauthorized trespassing, what of it? Outside our sect, there is nothing that cannot be taken, no one who cannot be killed. Better to wrong the world than let it wrong me! If I wish to establish a foundation, those who obstruct me are naturally my enemies!"

"Senior Brother Yang and Xiao Tianci must bear leadership responsibility, and Li Da, whose advice was ignored, should be spared punishment. If Tan Yunxing hadn't committed the foolish act of escaping and had honestly returned to face judgment, for his own transgressions, he would at most be confined for three to five years."

"After all, he has established a foundation—there will be times when we have use for him."

Fury surged within Lu Qian, and he shouted angrily, "So you mean to say that if Senior Brother Wang were present at the scene, he would have supported Tan Yunxing's move to establish a foundation?"

Unexpectedly, Wang Yu shook his head decisively, "I am simply making a ruling from the perspective of our sect's laws. If I were present, I would certainly not have supported his foundation establishment. Putting the safety of hundreds of Yun Mountain disciples at risk for the sake of his path—it's simply not worth it."

"That's why I say Senior Brother Yang himself must bear most of the responsibility!"

Lu Qian was rendered speechless by his words and suddenly recalled that over the years, disciples seemed to complain quite a lot about Elder Wang's sternness as the Punishment Elder, saying he acted without compassion.

It seems there are indeed some issues.

From the perspective of law alone, it is correct. But beyond law, there are human emotions, human hearts.

If this is not considered, why else would Tan Yunxing flee? Is it not simply because he feared defamation, fearing being nailed to the pillar of shame?

It seems extra time will need to be spent discussing this matter thoroughly with Senior Brother Wang in the future.

Alas, who knows if Senior Brother Wang will understand and accept it.

"Of course, with Tan Yunxing fleeing now, the nature of the issue changes. According to the sect's rules, he can indeed be convicted of treason," continued Wang Yu, "but even so, I do not recommend doing that."

"He is the Sect Leader's second disciple, a direct lineage, an inheritor of the ancestral vein. If such a person defected from the sect, how much negative impact would it bring if it became public?"

"Our sect is currently at a golden period of development; we absolutely cannot make a great fuss and extensively pursue him."

Lu Qian was awakened by Wang Yu's point, sighed, and realized he had been too enraged, losing his rationality.

Tan Yunxing has now quietly escaped; this matter can be big or small. If he truly is convicted of betraying the sect, not only will the Yunshan Sect become the laughing stock during idle chatter, but his own reputation as Sect Leader would also be tarnished.

"Instruct Bai Ling from Quyang County to closely monitor any news about Tan Yunxing starting today, and keep a close watch on the Yunshan Ancestral Vein. Report immediately if there is any news," said Lu Qian. "As for Tan Yunxing, we will claim that he suddenly disappeared on his return journey after successfully establishing a foundation, and instruct the returned disciples not to speculate or talk too much."

Jiang Qingfeng suddenly interjected, "What about Senior Sister Zhang?"

Everyone fell silent, the image of Zhang Lemei appearing in their minds.

"Inform her of the truth of the entire matter," Lu Qian said in a deep voice. "Then tell her that I am still leaving Tan Yunxing some face and a chance to return to the Yunshan Sect. If she makes a fuss and lets everyone know, then Tan Yunxing's crime of absconding out of guilt and defecting from the sect will be sealed, and he will be fully pursued by our sect thereafter."

"Let her weigh which is more serious herself!"