Fantasy: I Am the Villain.

Chapter Sixty-Two: Punishments

Bai Ke was smiling and negotiating with the Shaolin monks when a cold-faced old monk suddenly appeared from among the Shaolin monks.

He had long, narrow eyes and long eyebrows that stretched all the way to his chin. He didn't look compassionate at all; instead, he exuded a murderous aura. It turned out that he was Master Xuanji, the head of the Shaolin Temple's law enforcement monks.

Master Xuanji's identity is similar to that of Bai Ke's father. Bai Yan's identity in Tian Ce Palace is that of an enforcement elder. However, Shaolin does not have the title of enforcement elder, but only the title of enforcement monk.

Master Xuanji is Xuanci's junior brother. The two have been friends since childhood and have supported each other for many years. Now that Xuanci is being criticized by everyone, he is also feeling angry.

Master Xuanji was already worried about how to deal with Xuanci's breaking of the precepts, and as the head of the law enforcement monks, he naturally would not favor Xuanci.

However, Xuanci is, after all, the abbot of Shaolin Temple, and his every word and action represents the face of Shaolin Temple. But strictly speaking, Xuanci broke the precepts more than 20 years ago, so it is not very tenable to use the abbot of Shaolin Temple to break the precepts now.

Bai Ke's pleading for Xu Zhu at this critical juncture was like adding fuel to the fire, further displeasing Master Xuanji.

With a cold snort, Xuanji bowed to Bai Ke and said, "Xu Zhu has not yet broken away from the monastic order and is still a Shaolin monk. Please let Xu Zhu undergo his punishment before we discuss anything else."

Immediately, Master Xuanji turned around and shouted at the Shaolin monks who were punishing Xuzhu with wooden sticks: "Xuzhu broke out of the sect and returned to secular life. Including the 30 blows he took in place of his master, that's a total of 130 blows. Count them for me!"

Xuanji's every move clearly showed his dislike for Xuzhu. Nearby, Granny She from Lingjiu Palace and others, as well as the former Xingxiu Sect members who had recently joined Lingjiu Palace, all started to make a fuss.

The others, including Bao Butong and the eighteen Khitan warriors, were eager to save their master and wanted to take the opportunity to break through the Shaolin Temple's blockade to help their young master, so they all started to make a fuss.

As the situation gradually spiraled out of control, Master Xuanji's expression grew increasingly grim. Finally, when the others joined in, he could no longer contain himself.

Activating the Shaolin secret Lion's Roar skill, Xuanji shouted, "Hey! Shaolin monks, form the Shaolin 108 Staff Formation and seal off the surroundings!"

Seeing Shaolin's anger, the crowd gradually stopped. Master Xuanci, still burdened by past events, could not say anything and thus allowed Master Xuanji to take charge of Shaolin.

"Gentlemen, Shaolin Temple is a place for Buddhist practitioners to cultivate in peace, not a place for you to seek trouble and fight. Please keep quiet. If you have other matters to discuss, please go down the mountain to resolve them. Amitabha!"

The Shaolin Temple took a firm stance, and since everyone was on their territory, they couldn't just recklessly charge into the Shaolin Temple's 108 Staff Formation.

The Shaolin monks, renowned throughout the land, emerged from the mountains during the reign of Emperor Taizong to help Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, restore order to the empire, leaving behind a illustrious reputation. They certainly did not want their illustrious name to be ruined by the Shaolin Temple.

"Indeed, indeed, Shaolin Temple is truly a place for Buddhist practitioners to cultivate in seclusion..." A voice of praise suddenly came from the crowd, and Master Xuanji's expression softened slightly.

Unexpectedly, the man dragged out his words and then added, "Indeed, it's most suitable for raising illegitimate children!"

These words were truly hurtful. Master Xuanci couldn't help but put his palms together, murmur a Buddhist chant, and tremble slightly.

Master Xuanji's face turned bright red, but how could he find that person who was hidden in the crowd?

Xuanji stared hatefully at the source of the voice in the crowd, "Which friend here has the honor of seeing your true face?"

But after a long time no one answered, Master Xuanji was about to continue searching for the person who had mocked Shaolin Temple when Master Xuanci waved his hand to stop him.

“Amitabha Buddha, since evil causes will surely bring evil consequences. As the abbot of Shaolin, Xuanci has not abided by the rules and regulations and should be punished. Junior brother Xuanci, I will request 200 cleavers on your behalf.”

Xuanji was alarmed upon hearing this, "Senior brother, you absolutely mustn't! How could you possibly withstand 200 baguettes..."

The staff-wielding punishment is different from the staff-wielding punishment that Xu Zhu received. It is something that Shaolin Temple only uses when its disciples have committed heinous crimes.

It is a heavy iron staff brought back from the Western Regions by Bodhidharma, the founder of the Shaolin School. Ordinary monks could not wield it, so it has been enshrined in the Bodhidharma Temple.

If there is an important matter to be addressed, one must seek out a Shaolin monk with strong arms and a powerful physique, capable of lifting a cauldron, so that he can unleash his full strength to wield the staff.

Because it requires swinging with all your might, there's no way to hold back. Almost no one can survive this kind of punishment. At least, Xuanji has never seen anyone survive under the baton in his life.

According to Shaolin Temple custom, anyone subjected to punishment must have their internal energy sealed, and they are not allowed to use their internal strength to resist the punishment.

Even if Abbot Xuanci's cultivation was astonishing and his internal energy reached the level of endless vitality, he would probably die on the spot without using his internal energy to resist.

Xuanji's expression was conflicted, and even most of the onlookers around him looked reluctant to see him suffer, as they had all heard of the Shaolin staff's reputation.

Considering Xuan Ci's usual behavior, a group of martial arts heroes pleaded for him, but Xuan Ci remained unmoved and ignored Xuan Ji's pleas for him to retract his order.

Xu Zhu had already been beaten to a bloody pulp. Hearing the abbot request 200 cleavers, he was so enraged that he fainted.

Ye Erniang screamed in grief. Today, her family had finally been reunited, but they had ended up like this. She rushed towards Xuzhu and possessed him, wanting to take the punishment in his place.

In the blink of an eye, another human tragedy occurred, leaving everyone present feeling as if something was stuck in their throats, an unbearable bitterness.

Xuanji tried to persuade Xuanci to no avail, so he could only turn around and order someone to bring the magic staff that was enshrined in the Bodhidharma Temple, intending to carry out the execution himself in an attempt to lighten Xuanci's burden.

The other monks reached out and pulled away Ye Erniang, who was lying on Xuzhu's body crying, and struck Xuzhu with their sticks, making her cry out in grief.