Chapter 46: Whip Shadows Like Lightning, Blood Splatters the Execution Platform

One contribution point could be exchanged for one spirit stone, but certain special sect resources could only be obtained through contribution points.

Thus, contribution points were more precious than spirit stones.

Having obtained such a "windfall," Jiang Youling felt a slight surge of excitement, but recalling the dangers she had experienced along the way, she felt that this amount of profit was insignificant.

Furthermore, that feeling of watching her senior brothers and sisters fight while being unable to help at all—and even potentially becoming a burden—was actually quite distressing.

Jiang Youling secretly made up her mind: she would stay in the sect and cultivate properly. As for demon hunting, it wouldn't be too late to pursue it once her cultivation had improved in the future.

Walking out of the Deacon Hall, Xie Jingxing looked at Zhao Cheng and said calmly, "Junior Brother Zhao, since you have returned to the sect, you must give an account regarding your poisoning of Junior Sister Jiang. Come with me to the Disciplinary Hall."

Zhao Cheng had already received Xie Jingxing's word beforehand, so he did not panic upon hearing this, though he still feigned an expression of terror and guilt.

"Senior Brother is right. If one does wrong, one must be punished. I will take this as a warning and dare not repeat it in the future."

Xie Jingxing nodded indifferently and glanced at Jiang Youling. "Junior Sister Jiang, as the victim, please come with us."

"Yes."

Seeing that the group was about to leave, Ying Chao spoke up to ask, "Senior Brother Xie, do you require me to come along to testify?"

Zhao Cheng's heart leaped into his throat, but he saw Xie Jingxing shake his head. "No need. I will report the details of this matter to the Law Enforcement Deacon and ask him to handle it impartially."

Relieved, Ying Chao followed Xie Jingxing to the Disciplinary Hall.

Upon arriving at the Disciplinary Hall, Xie Jingxing explained his purpose, and shortly after, someone led them to see Yan Shaokui, a Foundation Establishment stage Law Enforcement Deacon.

Yan Shaokui presided over the discipline; his expression carried a natural authority. His gaze swept indifferently over the three people below. "Tell me the detailed circumstances of this matter."

Hearing this, Xie Jingxing immediately provided a detailed account of the events, including the method Zhao Cheng used to administer the poison, how Jiang Youling feigned illness, and Ying Chao's method of testing the poison.

He even presented the small amount of medicinal powder that Jiang Youling had hidden away.

Seeing how detailed his account was, Zhao Cheng's expression turned grim, but considering this was the standard law enforcement procedure, he had nothing to say.

Suddenly, Yan Shaokui, seated above, asked, "Where is Ying Chao?"

Xie Jingxing replied, "Junior Sister Ying has other matters to attend to and did not come. However, besides her, Su Qingyue and the handyman disciple Qian Zefei are also witnesses to this matter. If the Deacon Uncle has any doubts, you may summon the three of them for questioning."

Yan Shaokui nodded slightly and then turned to Jiang Youling. "How did you determine that Zhao Cheng would poison the detoxification pills given to you?"

"To answer Deacon Uncle, I did not dare to be certain."

Jiang Youling bowed and then replied.

"It is only because, since my entry into Taixuan, I have been repeatedly made difficult by Senior Brother Zhao that I was forced to resort to this desperate measure. If Senior Brother Zhao did not actually poison them, then I have merely judged a gentleman with the heart of a petty man."

Yan Shaokui finally looked at Zhao Cheng, his tone cold. "With both witnesses and physical evidence present, what else do you have to say?"

Zhao Cheng fell to his knees with a "thud," weeping bitterly.

"Uncle, please hear me! I truly did not intend to harm Junior Sister Jiang's life! It was just that Junior Sister showed no respect for seniority and never held this disciple in her eyes. I felt indignant and lost my head for a moment, wanting only to give her a small lesson, which led to this great mistake! This disciple knows his error. I beg Uncle to grant me a chance in view of my desire to reform!"

Yan Shaokui's expression was solemn. "Setting aside the past, the act of harming a fellow disciple is an established fact. You shall receive thirty disciplinary lashes. Should you offend again, your spiritual roots will be destroyed and you will be expelled from the sect!"

Zhao Cheng's face turned ashen. He repeatedly looked toward Xie Jingxing, hoping he would say a few words on his behalf.

However, Xie Jingxing only said in a low voice, "I'm sorry, Junior Brother Zhao. Deacon Uncle Yan is the most impartial person; I'm afraid there will be no leniency this time. Just endure it; thirty lashes will pass quickly."

Zhao Cheng was in a state of panic, but he did not dare to question Xie Jingxing in public.

He could only watch helplessly as the executing senior brother, holding the disciplinary whip, walked toward him and easily used a Spirit-Locking Incantation to seal the spiritual energy within his body.

Zhao Cheng felt like a fish on a chopping block as he was pressed onto the execution platform. Immediately after, a high-swung whip landed heavily upon him.

The disciplinary whip was made of special materials, and the senior brothers in charge of punishment had undergone specialized training, knowing exactly how to strike to maximize the pain.

With a "crack," the whip fell. Zhao Cheng was first dazed, then he heard the "shredding" sound of flesh tearing. His incredibly acute senses allowed him to feel the entire process of his skin being ripped apart by the whip.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

For a moment, Zhao Cheng's mind went blank from the pain.

At that moment, he didn't even know who he was, where he was, or why he had to suffer such inhuman treatment.

But the executing senior brother did not care. Seeing that Zhao Cheng had not fainted from the pain, he raised his hand and delivered another whip to the other side.

"AAAAAAHHHHH!!!"

Another scream rang out. The wound from the first lash had split to a width of a finger, with bright red blood seeping out, while the second lash only managed to crack open a thin slit.

Zhao Cheng's mind was once again filled with a vast emptiness. He even began to regret why he had tried to make things difficult for Jiang Youling just to please Xie Jingxing, only to invite such a catastrophe?

The third lash, then the fourth, fell in succession.

Zhao Cheng finally achieved his wish and fainted from the pain.

The executing senior brother stopped and casually picked up a bucket of water, splashing it over Zhao Cheng.

"Ugh..."

Zhao Cheng was forcibly jolted awake by the pain. His entire body felt as if it were being burned by fire. He glared furiously at the disciple holding the whip.

"You actually added salt to the water?? This is an abuse of private punishment! I will report you!!"

"Senior Brother Zhao, do not frame others."

Jiang Youling, who had been watching the execution from the side, spoke up gently. "I saw that the senior brothers were busy, so I kindly brought some water, but I accidentally dropped a piece of salt in. If you want to blame someone, blame me."

Zhao Cheng grimaced in pain. "Jiang Youling! Just you wait!"

Jiang Youling nodded with a smile. "I will wait. Senior Brother still has twenty-six lashes left to receive; I shall certainly watch closely."

Thinking of the remaining twenty-six lashes, Zhao Cheng felt a chill in his heart, but he heard the executing senior brother shake his head with a cold sneer.

"Fainting after only four lashes—truly useless. According to the Taixuan Penal Code, you are unfit to receive punishment today. Once your wounds have healed, come back another day."

"What? Come back another day?"

Zhao Cheng turned pale with fright. "I have already received four lashes today! Just administer the remaining twenty-six all at once!"

He had no desire to undergo such torture a second time!

The executing senior brother remained unmoved. "Since you have fainted from pain, it proves your body has reached its limit and is unfit to continue the punishment."

No!

A chill ran through Zhao Cheng's heart. No longer caring about anything else, he cried out desperately, "Senior Brother Xie, save me!"