"Did I stutter, Elder Yao? Perhaps I did, so allow me to rephrase myself," Bai Ling then spoke slower but in a much louder and clearer voice, "Either I let the Sect Master know about your mistakes today, or you eat your own shoes before the disciples at the Education Peak at the end of your lecture."
"I won't do something as unreasonable as kicking you out of the sect or anything like that so consider yourself lucky that you're getting off so lightly."
'Mother fucker! You dare call this a light punishment?! Telling me to eat my shoes in front of the disciples is worse than being kicked out of the sect! At least I would still have my dignity left for the latter punishment!' Elder Yao cursed at Bai Ling inwardly, as he didn't dare to utter such words for real.
"I know what you're thinking, Elder Yao. After all, you have worked with me for over 10 years now. However, you have no idea how much trouble you are actually in, and I don't blame you for that. That's why I am letting you know right now that you should eat your own shoes before I let the Sect Master know, as he might really kick you out of the sect if he finds out what had transpired today." Bai Ling said to Elder Yao while knowing very well that Long Yijun will definitely hear about this incident sooner or later.
"Is this situation really that serious? I would understand it if that Outer Court disciple belonged to one of the Seven Legacy Families but he's clearly not!" Elder Yao spoke a moment later with a relentless expression on his face.
"Don't even bother asking me about that Outer Court disciple's identity because I won't say anything unless you don't mind dying afterward." Bai Ling looked at Elder Yao with his eyes narrowed and emitting faint killing intent.
Elder Yao swallowed nervously after seeing this, and after a moment of silence, he sighed, "Very well… I shall eat my own shoes in front of the disciples…"
"Good choice. You may leave now." Bai Ling said to him.
Elder Yao nodded and left the room, but he didn't forget to bow to Bai Ling before leaving as that was how much he'd respected the leader of the Disciplinary Hall.
'Not just Grand Elder Xuan but even Leader Bai and possibly the Sect Master is protecting that Outer Court disciple! What on earth is that brat's identity? If he doesn't belong to the Seven Legacy Families then he could only come from the Four Ancient Families!' Elder Yao pondered to himself as he returned home to prepare for the lecture.
Later the same day, Elder Yao walked to the Education Peak with a solemn expression on his face.
'Damn! I shouldn't have run my mouth at that time! No! That fucking brat Qiao Kang is the root of this! If he didn't come to me, I would've never met that damn Outer Court disciple and offended the Grand Elder and Leader Bai! I'll fucking kill him once he comes out of confinement!' Elder Yao cursed inwardly as he approached the Education Peak, where thousands of disciples could be seen walking about.
The Education Peak is where disciples gather to partake in lectures from sect elders. However, not only sect elders gave lectures there, as disciples are also able to give their own lectures if they were approved by the sect, so there would always be lectures for disciples to participate.
Of course, the Education Peak is the most populated when a sect elder decides to give a lecture, as they are often the most knowledgeable and experienced in the sect, hence why when Elder Yao suddenly showed up at the Education Peak, the disciples there immediately began following him.
"Isn't that Elder Yao? It's been a while since I have been to one of his lectures!"
"Me, too! The last time he'd given a lecture was nearly 3 years ago! I heard that over a dozen Outer Court disciples who'd listened to his lecture managed to become an Inner Court disciple within the same year!"
"Really? Then I must listen to his lecture today even if the heavens fall!"
"We still don't know whether Elder Yao is really giving a lecture today or he's just visiting since there was no prior notice! Most sect elders announce their lectures a least a week beforehand!"
"He's not telling us that he's not giving a lecture even though there are so many of us clearly following him. Surely, he intends on giving a lecture today!"
"I hope you're right! I have been dying to attend a lecture given by Elder Yao!"
The hype between the disciples grew as they followed Elder Yao to one of the many empty areas designed for public lectures.
Sometime later, Elder Yao settled down in one of these areas and stood at the spot meant for the lecturers.
"See! He's really giving a lecture today! Looks like we lucked out today by coming here and witnessing it by chance!"
"Hahaha! You are so damn right!"
"Hey, is it just me or does Elder Yao seem a bit off today? He looks kind of sick." One of the disciples there noticed Elder Yao's pale complexion and mumbled to the disciples around him.
"You're right. He looks like he hasn't slept or eaten in a week or something."
Meanwhile, Elder Yao scanned the massive crowd that had gathered for his 'lecture' with his back soaked in cold sweats.
'Fuck… why are there so many disciples at the Education Peak today when there are no sect elders giving lectures? If I don't become a laughing stock after today, I'll eat my damn shoes again!' Elder Yao cursed inwardly, feeling the urge to cry out loud.
There were at least 3 thousand disciples gathered there, and every single one of them was staring at Elder Yao with anticipation in their gazes, looking like a bunch of children before their idol, but alas, little did they expect that they were merely participating in a clown show disguised as a lecture!