Chapter 616: Severe Punishment

“Master Liu, you seem disappointed to see me alive.”

A playful smile touched Luo Tian’s lips.

Liu Lu was far more than just disappointed. He was struggling to control his emotions; he even wanted to kill Luo Tian with his own hands!

“Not at all. Master Luo, it’s wonderful that you’re still alive.”

Liu Lu’s voice was low as he forced an ugly smile.

“It’s just that for Master Luo to escape from that female leader is truly astonishing. It makes me wonder, how did you manage it?”

Liu Lu voiced his doubts.

“I happened to run into a powerful expert on the road who saved me.”

Luo Tian made up an excuse, his tone casual and dismissive.

Liu Lu’s lip twitched. He knew it was a lie, but there was nothing he could do, which only made him angrier.

“Teacher, you’re alive! That’s wonderful!”

“You’re amazing, Teacher! You escaped from that female leader. Teacher Gongsun was just instantly killed by her!”

Luo Tian’s students were all thrilled and excited.

“Oh? You ran into that female leader again?”

Luo Tian feigned ignorance.

“Master Liu, I repeatedly put myself in danger to ensure this mission’s success. I wonder, have you killed the Blood Blade Captain and that female leader yet?”

Luo Tian’s tone held a hint of accusation.

Liu Lu’s face darkened, and he looked utterly embarrassed.

The Blood Blade Captain had escaped and even severely wounded him.

Lü Hongyi had also escaped after killing his woman.

Luo Tian’s words struck a nerve, leaving Liu Lu ashamed, furious, and resentful.

“Huh? What happened to Instructor Liu Lu’s face and eye?”

Luo Tian asked again.

Liu Lu felt even more humiliated, his face trembling with rage.

Luo Tian chastised him a bit more but didn’t press the matter further. After all, even a cornered dog will bite back.

…

「Two months later.」

Everyone returned safely to the Wuji Saint Institute and went to the Sect Affairs Hall to report on their mission.

“One mentor and eleven students dead?”

The Steward’s gaze darkened slightly.

Missions issued by the Saint Institute were usually vetted and not overly dangerous.

The losses Liu Lu’s team suffered were quite significant. There might be more to the story, which would require an inquiry.

“What about the encirclement operation?” the Steward asked.

“We killed forty-six bandits, including five at the Celestial Level. The leaders… escaped!”

Liu Lu reported.

“The mission completion rate is low, so the rewards won’t be substantial,” the Steward said, shaking his head.

“There was nothing wrong with the mission initially, but Master Luo was incompetent and even made a critical mistake, getting himself captured by the enemy. This led to our heavy losses, and Teacher Gongsun Ling even sacrificed herself because of it.”

“I was also severely injured and lost an eye.”

Liu Lu sighed, looking completely helpless.

He had effortlessly shifted all the blame onto Luo Tian.

“Is that so?”

The Steward’s gaze swept over the other mentors.

Hu Chao and the mature-looking middle-aged man didn’t dare say much, remaining silent.

“Master Luo, if the team’s heavy losses were indeed your fault, and you have no merits to show for it, you may not receive any reward. You might even face punishment!” the Steward said, looking at Luo Tian with a grave tone.

“And what if Liu Lu is talking nonsense?”

Luo Tian’s expression was calm, without a trace of panic.

“You’ll need proof,” the Steward said flatly.

In a typical team mission, the leader’s word carried more weight. Luo Tian had to present evidence to refute him.

THUD!

Luo Tian retrieved a Blood Red Package from his Storage Space and tossed it in front of the Steward.

“This is…”

The Steward, Liu Lu, and the other mentors activated their Spiritual Sense to probe it!

“This… Impossible!”

Liu Lu froze on the spot, his face a mask of disbelief!

Hu Chao and the other mentor were also stunned, their gazes turning to Luo Tian in shock!

“It’s the Blood Blade Captain’s head!”

The Steward took a deep breath!

Luo Tian had brought back the Blood Blade Captain’s head. That was a meritorious achievement!

An incompetent person could never have obtained the head of a leader!

Based on this point alone, Luo Tian was likely the greatest contributor on the entire team.

“Given the high casualties on this mission, you will all need to undergo an inquiry by the Sect Affairs Hall.”

The Steward’s expression was stern as he followed procedure.

Inside the Sect Affairs Hall, Luo Tian and the other three mentors were questioned separately.

“Master Luo, please describe the mission’s circumstances,” the Steward asked.

Luo Tian told the truth about everything, except for the part where he and Lü Hongyi had put on an act.

When the Steward asked how he escaped from the female leader, Luo Tian stuck to his original story about being rescued by a powerful expert from the Hydration Realm.

The same words, delivered with a different tone, had a different effect.

The Steward didn’t seem very suspicious.

“While I was searching for the team, I happened upon the heavily injured Blood Blade Captain and ambushed him…”

Luo Tian finished his account.

In reality, Lü Hongyi had been the one to find the wounded Blood Blade Captain, kill him, and give the head to Luo Tian.

This was a condition Luo Tian had demanded when they negotiated their cooperation.

“Master Luo contributed a great deal to this mission.”

The Steward nodded slightly.

After hearing Luo Tian’s account, anyone could tell that Liu Lu had been targeting him.

Luo Tian didn’t try to hide anything, stating his thoughts plainly. “Because of some past grievances, Instructor Liu Lu deliberately made things difficult during this mission, nearly causing even greater casualties!”

“Rest assured, Master Luo. We will investigate thoroughly. If this is true, Liu Lu will face the punishment he deserves,” the Steward said righteously.

Luo Tian was slightly taken aback, noticing the Steward’s friendly attitude toward him.

He quickly understood why.

It was probably because of the rumors about him and Ye Shuiyun.

Ye Shuiyun’s grandfather was an Elder in the Law Enforcement Institute. This Steward wouldn’t dare to neglect Luo Tian on this matter; he was probably eager to curry favor.

The Steward would handle it impartially, but if there was any bias, it would be in Luo Tian’s favor.

After the mentors were questioned, the Sect Affairs Hall Steward casually questioned a few students, and the matter was temporarily concluded.

The total reward for the mentors’ mission was three million Spiritual Essence Coins and thirty Celestial Spirit Pills.

Although Liu Lu was the leader, the mission’s completion rate was low. He had also made poor decisions that nearly led to a greater disaster.

Liu Lu’s personal contribution was very low, so he was only allocated twenty percent of the reward.

Luo Tian alone took a full fifty percent.

The remaining thirty percent was split between Hu Chao and the other mentor.

In addition, the Blood Blade Captain’s head earned a separate reward of one and a half million Spiritual Essence Coins and ten Celestial Spirit Pills.

‘That’s a total of three million Spiritual Essence Coins and twenty-five Celestial Spirit Pills!’

Luo Tian was all smiles, completely satisfied.

His earnings alone were more than what Liu Lu, Hu Chao, and the other mentor had received combined.

In the Martial Arts World, aside from talent, resources were everything.

With enough resources, one’s path in Martial Arts could advance smoothly.

It was only then that Guan Hongfei, Luo Xiaoting, and the others learned that Luo Tian had actually killed one of the leaders!

They had personally witnessed how powerful the two leaders were.

Instructor Liu Lu was severely wounded in a counterattack, and Teacher Gongsun was ambushed and killed!

Yet, just when they thought Luo Tian was dead, he had not only escaped but also successfully slayed a leader!

The other mentors’ students were filled with immense admiration for Master Luo.

“Luo Tian, your luck on this mission was far too good!”

Liu Lu said meaningfully.

Luo Tian’s luck during the mission had been unbelievable, frustrating Liu Lu several times.

He hadn’t thought much of it at first. But when Luo Tian brought back the Blood Blade Captain’s head, he became suspicious.

Still, Liu Lu couldn’t figure out what had really happened.

“Some people are just born lucky. You can’t be envious.”

Luo Tian chuckled.

“Don’t celebrate too early!” Liu Lu snapped, preparing to leave.

“Instructor Liu Lu, please stay. We have already reported the details of this mission to the Law Enforcement Institute. You can’t go anywhere for now…” the Steward called out to stop Liu Lu.

Seeing that the Steward didn’t stop the other mentors, Liu Lu had a bad feeling.

“Steward Song, I am indeed responsible for the heavy losses on this mission, but I did my best. Look at my grievous injuries…”

Liu Lu humbled himself, putting on an innocent act.

He even took out a bottle of Elixir Pills to slip to the Steward, but it was refused.

“Instructor Liu Lu, I wish you the best of luck.”

Luo Tian gave a faint smile and turned to leave.

Hu Chao and the mature-looking middle-aged man also left. Only Liu Lu remained in the Sect Affairs Hall, awaiting the verdict…

「The next day.」

Luo Tian learned about Liu Lu’s punishment.

He was to be confined in the “Yin Wind Cave” for self-reflection, his salary would be docked for two years, and he would receive a major demerit.

For three years, Liu Lu was barred from taking promotion assessments, making it impossible for him to become a Middle Level Tutor.

Furthermore, even after three years, he would face a much stricter assessment if he wanted to become a Middle Level Tutor.

Liu Lu’s punishment exceeded Luo Tian’s expectations.

He had originally felt it was a pity he couldn’t get rid of Liu Lu this time. Once Liu Lu became a Middle Level Tutor, Luo Tian expected to face even more trouble.

But with this punishment, Liu Lu would have to obediently remain a Junior Tutor for the next three years.

“Master Luo, good morning!”

Not far away, a beautiful figure flew over. It was Ye Shuiyun.

“Thank you for guiding my student back then. I’ve now returned the favor,” Ye Shuiyun said with a faint smile.

So it turned out Ye Shuiyun had also played a part in Liu Lu’s severe punishment.

The incident itself wasn’t that serious.

Liu Lu had indeed targeted Luo Tian, but nothing major happened to Luo Tian, and Teacher Gongsun’s death was unrelated to Liu Lu.

With a few bribes, Liu Lu could have even muddled through.

“It’s not like I guided your student for free. Lin Guangchao still has to be a training partner for my student for three months. Still, thank you for this.”

Luo Tian smiled and nodded.

The two didn’t talk for long. Ye Shuiyun seemed to have other business and left quickly.

…

Luo Tian headed to the Grass and Wood Institute.

The team mission had taken over four months. He was going to visit Mu Qingqing again.

Chuyang Tower, Grass and Wood Institute.

Luo Tian found the classroom where Mu Qingqing was.

“Mu Qingqing, kneel!”

“Tell me, did you steal those ten stalks of Blood Jade Spirit Ginseng?”

A long-bearded old man stood with his hands behind his back, his expression severe and his gaze dark.

“Teacher, it wasn’t me.”

Mu Qingqing knelt.

“Hmph, I’m sure you were the one who stole them. I thought you were an honest person, which is why I entrusted that Spiritual Materials Land to your care. But you had the audacity to openly steal Blood Jade Spirit Ginseng!”

The long-bearded old man reprimanded her harshly, his face filled with rage. With one hand, he retrieved a long whip from his Storage Space!