Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

After the meeting, the representatives from each faction left with their own thoughts. The representatives from smaller sects were elated, feeling much more confident. The representatives from larger sects, however, had somber expressions, clearly feeling the pressure.

Shen Mo returned to Liuyun Palace, with Han Lin and Su Xiao following behind him.

Han Lin stroked his beard and smiled, "Sect Leader, from today onwards, the rules of the alliance are established. However, I'm afraid the grudges between the Blazing Sun Sect and the Heavenly Sword Sect have deepened even further."

Su Xiao coldly replied, "Establishing rules will inevitably infringe upon the vested interests. If they are dissatisfied, let's see who jumps out."

Shen Mo walked to the window, gazing at the distant mountains shrouded in mist, and said calmly, "The rules have been established, and they must be enforced. The real test is yet to come. Elder Han, the Arbitration Hall must quickly replenish its manpower, especially those who are well-versed in the law and of upright character."

"Junior Sister Xiao, the Shadow Guards must keep a close eye on things and see where undercurrents are brewing after the regulations are issued."

"Yes!" the two replied in unison.

After the promulgation of the "Provisional Regulations on Arbitration of Disputes of the Qingyun Alliance", the Qingyun Sect was like a pot of water that was slowly boiling, calm on the surface but surging with heat underneath.

The details of the regulations spread to every corner of the mountain gate through various channels. The disciples no longer discussed which senior brother had obtained some kind of opportunity or what kind of treasure had appeared in the secret realm, but rather which rule in the regulations had the most severe punishment and which rule was the easiest to violate.

"Have you heard? The regulations say that damaging alliance property without cause can result in a fine of up to 500 contribution points! My goodness, that's enough for me to save up for half a year!"

"Five hundred points is nothing! See? Betraying the alliance and leaking secrets will result in the loss of your cultivation and expulsion from the alliance! That's truly terrible!"

"It's better to be honest. Once the rules are established, it's not something to joke about."

Naturally, some disapproval was also mixed in with these discussions.

In particular, some senior disciples with high cultivation or those who are proud of their merits feel that this regulation is mainly for those small sects and independent cultivators outside. They think that we Qingyun Sect members are our own people and direct descendants of the Alliance Leader, so how can we really follow such rigid rules?

Zhao Hu, a disciple of the Zhan Tang, is a representative example.

Zhao Hu is a veteran of the Battle Hall, with a Qi Refining Level 9 cultivation. He wields the "Mountain-Breaking Blade" with great skill and is straightforward and hot-tempered. He is a capable subordinate of Shi Tie.

He also went with Wanfayuan on his journey. He was brave and fierce when clearing out the monsters in the Blackwater Marsh. He killed several henchmen of the Five Poisons Sect, made meritorious contributions, and earned a lot of contribution points.

This person doesn't have any bad intentions, but he has a bad temper and is very concerned about his image. After a few bowls of wine, he easily loses control of himself.

That evening, the "Fierce Wind Courtyard," where the disciples of the War Hall gathered, was brightly lit and bustling with activity. Today happened to be the day the War Hall distributed the previous month's contribution points.

The disciples lined up to have their amounts checked by the steward disciples and then received the corresponding spirit stones and pills. An atmosphere of excitement and anticipation filled the courtyard.

Zhao Hu and a few of his close fellow apprentices received their share of the stipend and gathered together for a celebratory drink. After a few jars of strong liquor, they became quite talkative.

"Hey, not bad this time! I killed three bastards from the Five Poisons Sect, and my contribution points are 30% more than last month!" Zhao Hu said, beaming, patting his chest and speaking loudly.

Qian Bao, standing nearby, laughed, "Tiger Brother is awesome! But speaking of contribution points, Zhou Bin was really lucky. Last time he went to gather herbs with Senior Sister Mu, he found a small patch of 'Star Pattern Grass.' Although he didn't kill as many people as we did, he still got a lot of contribution points!"

What was said in jest was taken seriously by the listener. Zhao Hu's face darkened upon hearing this. Zhou Bin was a newcomer to the Battle Hall, with a cultivation level of only the sixth level of Qi Refining, and he was usually not very noticeable.

Zhao Hu's competitive spirit flared up, fueled by the alcohol, and he muttered, "Hmph, how much merit can there be from gathering herbs? Wasn't it just Senior Sister Mu taking care of him? We brothers risk our lives, that's real merit!"

Another disciple, Sun Lang, hiccuped and chimed in, "Exactly! When it comes to rewards, we should see who kills the most enemies!"

Just then, Zhou Bin walked by, receiving his allowance, a happy look on his face. His aptitude was average, but he had accumulated quite a few contribution points this time, and he was planning to exchange them for a "Qi Condensation Pill" to aid in his breakthrough.

Upon seeing him, Zhao Hu, feeling the effects of the alcohol, shouted, "Hey! Zhou Bin! Come here!"

Zhou Bin was taken aback. Seeing that it was Zhao Hu and the other veterans, he didn't dare to be negligent and quickly walked over: "Brother Hu, did you call me?"

Zhao Hu glanced at him sideways and sized him up: "Kid, not bad. You've quietly accumulated almost as many contribution points as me? Tell me, how did you manage to curry favor with Senior Sister Mu?"

Zhou Bin's face stiffened, somewhat embarrassed: "Brother Tiger, you're joking. I just got lucky and happened to find some medicinal herbs..."

"Good luck?" Zhao Hu scoffed, stood up, and staggered over to Zhou Bin, his breath reeking of alcohol. "While I was risking my life in the Myriad Laws Abyss, where were you hiding? Now you've only got so many contribution points by luck, is that fair?"

The disciples who had been drinking nearby fell silent and looked over. Qian Bao and Sun Lang also gathered around, creating a tense atmosphere.

Zhou Bin's face flushed red as he argued, "Brother Tiger! Contribution points are calculated according to the hall rules and alliance regulations! Discovering the spirit herb is also a merit! How can you say that?"

"Oh ho? You're even bringing up the rules now?" Zhao Hu's anger flared even more after being rebuffed. He shoved Zhou Bin, "Where were the rules when I was chopping people up? You think you can talk to your Tiger Brother about rules?"

Zhou Bin stumbled from the shove and became agitated: "Zhao Hu! You've had too much to drink! What right do you have to push me?"

"So what if I pushed you? I'd like to beat you up!" Fueled by alcohol, Zhao Hu punched Zhou Bin in the face. With his high cultivation level, if that punch landed, Zhou Bin would be seriously injured.

Zhou Bin turned pale with fright and instinctively raised his hand to block. Several disciples nearby, seeing that something was about to happen, quickly stepped forward to break up the fight.

"Tiger Brother! You mustn't!"

"Stop it!"

"We're all from the same sect, don't fight!"

The courtyard instantly descended into chaos. Some tried to take sides, others tried to break up the fight, and still others watched the spectacle, all arguing and shouting.

As Zhao Hu was being pulled away, he became even more enraged, punching and kicking while hurling insults at others.

Zhou Bin also took a few hits, his lip was cut, and he was both shocked and angry.

In the chaos, someone shouted, "Senior Brother Deacon is here! Elder Shi is here too!"

At the entrance of the courtyard, the deacon in charge of the daily management of the Fierce Wind Courtyard arrived in a hurry with two law enforcement officers, followed by Shi Tie, who had come after hearing the news.

Shi Tie was shirtless, clearly having just come from the training ground, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

"What's going on?!" Shi Tie roared, his voice like a thunderclap, making the entire courtyard buzz.

The chaos subsided instantly. Zhao Hu, now half-sober, looked at Shi Tie's ashen face and his heart skipped a beat.

The disciple in charge quickly stepped forward and whispered the whole story.

Shi Tie's face grew increasingly grim as he listened. Finally, his large, round eyes fixed on Zhao Hu, and he forced out a voice through clenched teeth: "Zhao Hu, you've grown bold, haven't you? You've learned to be a bully at home? You even dare to disrespect Senior Sister Mu?"

Zhao Hu's scalp tingled, and he forced a smile, saying, "Uncle Shi... I... I drank too much, it wasn't intentional... Zhou Bin started it..."

"Bullshit!" Shi Tie ignored his explanation and kicked Zhao Hu in the stomach, sending him flying backward and crashing into a stone table, spilling food and wine all over himself.

"I saw you lay a hand on me! And you still dare to argue? The alliance rules were just issued, and you're already using them as toilet paper? Huh?"

Zhao Hu grimaced in pain, lying on the ground, too afraid to get up. The surrounding disciples remained silent, not daring to utter a sound.