It was also at this time when Shi Ling finally opened her eyes once more. She then stood up and bravely walked towards the party who had come specifically for her.
"Inner Disciple Shi Ling. Do you know the punishment for the crime of killing your own brother in the sect?" The lead person asked in a grave tone.
There was anger barely hidden in his voice and he was commendable indeed for not striking out at once.
For this big man, there was no worse a transgression to be made than violating the edicts of the sect and murdering one of your own brothers and sisters. This was simply unforgivable!
"I know, Elder Zi Wu." Shi Ling replied and was confident enough to return the stern gazes that she was given.
She was well aware of her deeds and knew the consequences in the aftermath also. As such, Shi Ling was mature enough to face them head on.
"Tell me the reason why you chose to take this path?" Elder Zi Wu asked.
As an Elder in the Sect Disciplinary Committee, it was only just for him to weigh judgment between the two parties concerned.
"When we were outside on a sect mission, that bastard Yao Ru tried to poison me.
I was only lucky that I have successfully escaped in time before he could do the vile plans that he has in stored for me." Shi Ling paused before she looked at the bloody mess on the side.
Yao Ru's death face was filled with surprise. The bad boy never expected that he would die in this fine uneventful morning.
"I don't ever regret killing that pig, Elder Zi Wu." Shi Ling added after a beat.
"Do you have any proof of your claim?" Zi Wu asked and his demeanor drastically softened after hearing the woman out.
He could see that this inner disciple Shi Ling was a good enchanting woman that any man would wish to conquer.
If this charge was true then Yao Ru certainly deserved to be cut into pieces for this wrong doing.
"I have none." Shi Ling said in reply. Although she realized that she may have been hasty in getting her revenge but she could no longer persevere for even a day more.
She had waited for more than 5 years already and to wait would only add to her pain.
Yao Ru had asked for help from her 5 years ago and said that he had a map that would send them to the trail of a fallen Senior's cave mansion.
Shi Ling believed partly because of her greed and the promise of treasures that they could find. Alas, the end had only given her a lifetime lesson that she would never ever forget.
There was always danger in believing something that was too good to be true.
"A pity." Elder Zi Wu sighed when he heard Shi Ling's answer.
He had wanted to help the woman but even he was not allowed to tamper with the reality that Yao Ru was indeed murdered today.
"From today on, Inner Disciple Shi Ling... is no longer part of the Wandering Wind Sect!"
"Give me your sect token, Shi Ling." Elder Zi Wu declared his judgment on the spot. This was the usual punishment for murder inside the sect.
Although some of the other sects in the continent had more harsher penalty but the Wandering Wind Sect was a lot more casual in contrast.
The founders of the sect believed that cultivators should strive for freedom in all facets of life. If some people were to seek revenge for the fallen young master, so be it.
And if there were also no one who cared in the aftermath of today's event, that would ultimately be Shi Ling's luck and fate.
What was important was that the Wandering Wind Sect has no disciple in the name of Shi Ling already. Not anymore.
"I have lent it to a friend of mine, Elder Zi Wu. He's in the sect grounds as we speak. I shall get it from him and will deliver the token back into the Disciplinary Pavilion before this day ends."
Shi Ling replied. She knew that this would be the likely result of her actions and thus, this truth was what emboldened her in the first place.
"No need." Elder Zi Wu shook his head and looked at one of the silent men at his back.
"Cheng Fang." He called.
"What is it, Elder?" A big handsome man strode forward and awaited for further instructions from Elder Zi Wu.
"Go with Shi Ling and retrieve the sect token with her." Elder Zi Wu said.
"I hear you, Elder." Cheng Fang bowed.
"WHOOSH!" And immediately after that, five figures floated into the sky and were gone in a heartbeat.
"Please lead the way, Shi Ling." Cheng Fang addressed the recently excommunicated member of the sect. He believed this woman more than the silent woes of the dead body nearby.
Young masters like Yao Ru were used to having their way always. In fact, a case like this one was not at all new in the Sect Disciplinary Committee. It was all too common indeed.
After all, cultivators were human too who has not yet discarded their emotions and feelings on the side.
"I apologize for the trouble, Brother Cheng Fang." Shi Ling whispered in shame. There was a time when she has idolized this elder disciple from afar.
The heroic deeds of this good disciple from the Wandering Wind Sect was known unto every newbie in the sect.
Shi Ling was also one of the many fans of this handsome and righteous cultivator.
"You only did what you thought was best, Shi Ling. If what you said is true, you have been too merciful in granting Yao Ru a swift death."
Cheng Fang smiled but it was like the grin of a predatory beast. He may appear an upright and model big brother to his peers but he was a devil unto his enemies.
"Hmmm..." Shi Ling merely nodded and steadily began her rise into the distance. She used her connection with the sect token and pinpointed the location of our bored gamer easily.
A minute later, they landed on the busy streets of the sect.
"..."
"..." And what they saw and heard had them rooted in the spot for several awkward breaths.
"Hey there, pretty woman! I'm lost. Can you give me exact directions to your heart?"