northernbook #217 - Final punishment
#217 - Final punishment
Chapter 216 Final Punishment
“Although I didn’t see it with my own eyes, since that white-haired, white-bearded old man was able to catch up with us, I imagine that Senior Jing and Senior Gu… must have met with misfortune.” Lu Jing said, his expression somewhat黯然 (anran - dimmed/gloomy).
Although they hadn't spent much time together, both Gu Zhongling and Jing Xiang, these two seniors from the Sitianjian, had left a deep impression on him.
Especially after learning that Jing Xiang had ultimately chosen to commit suicide in order to prevent Gu Zhongling from catching up with them, Lu Jing's heart was filled with mixed feelings.
“Senior Gu seems to particularly hate strange objects?” Lu Jing hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question in his heart.
Because he remembered Supervisor Huang had mentioned to him that the Sitianjian was established to deal with and dispose of strange objects, but according to Supervisor Huang's words, the Sitianjian's attitude towards strange objects was not to kill them all.
Like the [Well] and the Eight Views of the Academy, even the small temple that distributed secret manuals, the Sitianjian's attitude was very gentle, utilizing what could be utilized, and temporarily leaving alone those strange objects that didn't pose any harm.
Even the seniors who founded the Sitianjian were said to have carried many strange objects with them.
Hearing this, Supervisor Huang sized up Lu Jing with a meaningful look.
“It seems you've noticed it too. This matter isn't something you should be exposed to right now, but since you asked, I'll tell you simply.
“The existence of the Sitianjian is to deal with strange objects, but the attitude towards strange objects has always been viewed differently by different people over the millennia, like Senior Gu, who had family members die because of strange objects.
“Their attitude towards strange objects is often more extreme, hoping to eliminate all the strange objects in the world, and if they can't be eliminated, they must find ways to lock them in dark prisons, preventing them from wreaking havoc on the world again.
“Their reasoning is very simple: strange objects are dangerous existences with powerful abilities that surpass common sense. Even those seemingly harmless strange objects, if they fall into the hands of people with ulterior motives, may cause great disasters. We should always be wary of these things we can hardly understand.
“As for utilizing strange objects, it's an incredibly dangerous thing, because even the most experienced supervisor wouldn't dare to say that they have completely controlled a certain strange object. Perhaps one day, a small detail that they once ignored might cost them their lives.
“Such things are actually not uncommon in the Sitianjian, so their worries are not unfounded. However, more people find it difficult to completely abandon the convenience brought by strange objects and their extraordinary effects.
“For example, the [Well]. If we lose the [Well], it would be impossible for the supervisors to investigate and deal with strange objects so promptly, and simply relying on the Nightingale's flying speed would make it very troublesome to transmit messages.
“In short, people with different views have argued for a long time, and the relationship between the two sides was once strained, even leading to the departure of some people, but ultimately the latter group prevailed.
“Because most people have not lost relatives and friends because of strange objects, they have no reason to kill all strange objects. Thus, the attitude of this group has become the current Sitianjian's attitude towards strange objects.
“However, the Sitianjian has been a very tolerant organization since its inception. Our ultimate goal is the same, which is to solve the problems that strange objects bring to the world. Therefore, we also welcome like-minded people with different attitudes to join us.
“And the supervisors actually enjoy a lot of freedom when handling cases. As long as they don't violate the rules of the Sitianjian, they can often act on their own.
“However, after a thousand years, disputes still exist… As far as I know, there are still some people in the current Sitianjian and even the Academy who hold similar views to Senior Gu. Don't be too surprised if you encounter them in the future.”
After Supervisor Huang finished speaking, he added, “However, in any case, Gu Zhongling, Senior Gu, was indeed a very powerful figure in the Sitianjian a thousand years ago. His swordsmanship was unparalleled, unmatched, and could even be described as breaking all laws with one sword.
“In fact, if it weren't for his extreme attitude towards strange objects, no one could have competed with him for the position of Shaojian (Vice Director) of the Sitianjian at that time. It's a pity that heaven is jealous of talented people. Later, in order to deal with a strange object assessed as a peerless (绝品) grade, he chose to sacrifice himself.
“Afterwards, even those who were most at odds with him sighed with regret after hearing the news. Jiang, the then Shaojian, commented that this person always kept his promises, was upright and righteous, and unafraid of life and death, a hero of his generation.
“And Jing Xiang was his best friend and partner, known for his formations.”
Lu Jing then asked, “Are there memorial tablets for the two of them in the main hall behind the banyan tree? I would like to go and pay my respects.”
“That's only right,” Supervisor Huang nodded, “Especially since Senior Gu also has the grace of teaching you. Since you have inherited his mantle, you should naturally offer a stick of incense, but…”
Speaking of this, Supervisor Huang suddenly sighed again.
“But what?”
“It's nothing. You can practice the Qingguang Yueying Sword (Clear Light Moon Shadow Sword) yourself, but if you can't practice it well, you don't need to mind too much.”
Supervisor Huang's sudden comfort made Lu Jing feel a little baffled, because he hadn't even started practicing the Qingguang Yueying Sword yet, but this supervisor seemed to have already determined that it would be difficult for him to achieve any results.
However, before he could ask further, Supervisor Huang's square face had already become serious again, and then he looked at Lu Jing and Xia Huai and shouted, “Do you two know your mistakes?”
Lu Jing and Xia Huai exchanged a glance, but could only helplessly cupped their hands and said, “We are willing to accept the punishment of the Supervisor.”
“Very good,” Supervisor Huang changed his previous attitude, his tone almost devoid of any emotion, as if a judge was making the final pronouncement in court.
“Lu Jing, Xia Huai, you two disregarded the Academy's ban and trespassed into the forbidden area, and caused one of the Eight Views, the Bie You Dong Tian, to disappear. You are fined to fetch two hundred pieces of bamboo from the Bamboo Path, cultivate the academy's fields for four months, and organize ten thousand volumes of books in the library.
“However, considering that there was a reason for this, that you entered the forbidden area to help the senior envoy retrieve the chick, the final punishment will be reduced by half at the discretion of the court. Do you two… have any objections?”