Gongyi Tianheng occupied the highest seated position. After thinking it over, Gu Qi and Zhao Ji simply stood on the side so that they didn’t cause trouble for Tianheng. At first, Gu Zuo wanted to be with his dad and father, but his identity was originally different in Tianheng’s territory. Later on, it was still the same as before.
However, it was precisely because Gu Zuo’s position was so important that Gu Qi felt at ease — Regardless of whether it was in life or occupation, it was guaranteed that Gu Zuo could hold a very high position at Tianheng’s side.
Shortly thereafter, the subordinates waiting outside finally entered one by one under Tianheng’s permission. Moreover, with extremely fast speeds, each of them found their own seats, and sat down.
On the side of the pharmacists, the leader was Wu Xing, the Wu Clan Head. Meanwhile, on the side of the martial artists, the leaders were Tianheng’s subordinate battle slaves, Ao Ying and Ao Min.
Tianheng swept his gaze across the venue, and found that there was no one missing. He faintly nodded his head: “Very good. Everyone is present.”
Once these words were uttered, a shiver went through the hearts of numerous subordinates down below.
How couldn’t they understand what their master was implying? Their master had been missing for more than a few months without the slightest hint of news. If there was any disloyalty in their hearts, there certainly wouldn’t be any way to endure. In the end, they might’ve cast their support for others. But now that their master returned, he was probably going to settle the accounts.
Many people were inwardly rejoicing.
They definitely weren’t without some wavering feelings. After all, it hadn’t been long since they sought refuge, the integration of benefits wasn’t that stable, and their feelings hadn’t reached the stage of extreme devotion — Most of all, Tianheng hadn’t completely matured yet. After encountering a calamity, the probability of death was actually quite high.
When it came to an investment, it had to be worth investing in.
But in the end, because Tianheng had been missing for less than a year, Tianheng’s master had issued a Blood Transformation Order, and offered several kinds of precious treasures and high prices as rewards in search for Tianheng’s whereabouts. Until now, no one had given up.
On top of this, Tianheng was an all-star prodigy. It was reasonable to say that his luck was like that of a dragon. He was also missing, and a dead body had never been seen. Perhaps, due to his luck, he had obtained some type of opportunity? If it was like this, it would be a huge loss for anyone who left.
As a result, after considering things from all sides, lots of adherent organizations decided to wait and see.
Meanwhile, because Tianheng treated the servile races and battle slaves fairly and justly, they had long cultivated a certain amount of loyalty. They were fully aware that, if they changed to another master, they wouldn’t necessarily be able to get such good treatment. In particular, Tianheng’s disappearance was related to the dereliction of the battle slaves’ duties. For the time being, the Blood Transformation Palace Master didn’t punish them, but it was difficult to avoid trembling in fear. Thus, they wanted to show that they would atone for their crimes with meritorious acts as much as possible.
Therefore, these people worked with all their hearts.
In addition, the Wu Clan Head was in charge of numerous pharmacists. As he handled matters methodically and thoroughly, the two servile race managers on the mountain also cooperated with each other to stabilize the situation. Thus, under the circumstances that they had to do their best in all sorts of ways during these months, besides a lack of outward intimidation, the entire manor had been running smoothly. No careless mistakes had occurred!
At this time, with Wu Xing first, and the two managers following right after, they respectively reported the situation over the past number of months without any confusion. Once they finished discussing everything, the crowd of subordinates held their breaths with rapt attention as they waited for Tianheng’s judgment.
Tianheng revealed a smiling expression: “Since my departure, all of you have worked without any setbacks. My heart feels reassured.”
When he said this, it was only natural that the numerous subordinates sighed in relief.
Tianheng continued: “Meritorious works deserve rewards. Since you all have done things properly, starting from this month, your monthly stipends will be increased by ten percent.” He swept a glance at the two mangers, “Have you two noted this down?”
The monkey race head manager and the mouse race second manager both affirmed with respectful voices: “Yes, young master.”
As this order was issued, the subordinates listened to what was said. Naturally, they were even happier. They were also rather pleased that they remained firm and steadfast from the beginning, and that they hadn’t rashly abandoned their posts.
At the same time, they looked favorably upon this move of Tianheng. The loyalty in their hearts also rose somewhat.
Soon after, Tianheng said: “Wu Clan Head, Tan Family Head, Hu Clan Head, and the other heads of households, the esteemed elders of the servile races, and the esteemed leaders of the battle slaves — Later on, all of you will also receive an extra parcel of medicinal pills as a commendation.”
As he spoke, he looked at Gu Zuo.
Gu Zuo smiled: “Big brother, rest assured. I will make them tailor-made.”
It was to be expected that Wu Xing and the others bowed once more: “Many thanks, young master!”
They were fully aware that this Pharmacist Gu was incredibly extraordinary. Once he took action, the pills he could obtain would be flawless at the very least. It wasn’t necessary to talk about the benefits he could produce for them.
Hence, the rewards that ought to be meted out were received. The hearts of the people were stabilized.
As for where Tianheng had gone to during this period of time and what he went through, no one raised this question — This really wasn’t something that they could know about.
Shortly after this, Tianheng waved a hand: “Everyone is dismissed. You may return to your duties. Ao Min and those who accompanied me back then, stay behind.”
The crowd of subordinates heard this, and hastily stood up. They didn’t dare to be careless, and departed uniformly.
Contrary to expectations, they didn’t have any matters that were extremely hard to handle. Since Tianheng had already returned, they gained a solid pillar of support. In addition, they were going to be very busy with many affairs. Naturally, there was no need to linger.
— During this time, although everyone found that there were two new ordinary people who hadn’t cultivated a wisp of internal qi yet, no one brought it up.
Meanwhile, Ao Min, the shadow cat race’s Ascendent Realm powerhouse, and several other battle slaves respectfully stood at attention below Tianheng. Each of them professed their guilt: “On that day, we were negligent, and weren’t able to protect the young master. We ask for the young master’s punishment!”
Tianheng spoke: “Although the accident occurred rapidly, all of you indeed failed to fulfill your obligations. Thus, as there are rewards, so too will there be punishments.”
Ao Min and the others lowered their heads: “Yes, young master.”
Tianheng said: “However, you guys were only caught off guard. None of you deliberately neglected your duties. Thus, I will propose two punishments, and you guys will choose on your own.” Speaking up to here, he gave a slight pause, “The first is that I will deduct a year’s worth of monthly stipends. The second is that each of you will receive fifty lashes from the Bone-Splitting Whip, which will be administered by someone of equivalent realms.”
It couldn’t be said that these two types of punishments weren’t harsh, but they couldn’t be called severe either.
With regards to these battle slaves who closely guarded Tianheng, a year’s worth of monthly stipends was quite ample. Among them, there were many good things that could satisfy their cultivation needs. Once these were deducted, they would fall behind. But if their respective racial groups were willing to make up for the losses, it wouldn’t particularly matter. And if the Bone-Splitting Whip was used to strike the body, it would split the skin and flay the muscles until one could see bone. If someone of equivalent realms used this whip, even if it was an Ascendent Realm powerhouse, that feeling of pain would be hard to endure. However, this punishment was only difficult for the body to bear. Once it passed, these flesh wounds could be quickly healed without any negative effects.
After listening to the two types of punishments, Ao Min and the others felt as if they had been relieved of a heavy burden. At the same time, traces of gratitude sprung up within their hearts.
If it was under another master, and a situation occurred where the battle slaves were left unharmed, but the master was involved in an accident, not only would they receive extremely severe punishments, even the members of their race would be implicated. However, under Tianheng’s command, those who held on obtained the same treatment as the other subordinates. While the punishment they received gave a sufficiently bitter lesson, it wouldn’t cause an irrecoverable setback…
Indeed, it really was worth it to follow this kind of master.
Ao Min and the others became increasingly devoted to Tianheng, and submitted willingly: “We choose the second type of punishment. Many thanks for your leniency, young master!”
Tianheng faintly nodded: “Since it’s like this, you guys shall administer the punishment on each other after descending the mountain. I trust that you all won’t do it half-heartedly. Don’t disappoint me again.”
Ao Min and the others naturally responded affirmatively.
Immediately following this, Tianheng stated: “Alright. After Ah Zuo and I left unexpectedly, what happened to Yu Cheng?”
Ao Min took a step forward, and answered: “The young master’s disappearance was all due to the Xiao Clan’s historical ruin. Since Yu Cheng was the person involved, we kept him under control…”
As it turned out, because the disappearance of Tianheng and Gu Zuo was too strange, Ao Min and the others apprehended Yu Cheng, and interrogated the whole story out of him.
Yu Cheng was aware that things were far from reassuring, and cooperated well. As a result, after receiving the inheritance, he informed them of everything he knew without exception.
Even though it was like this, Ao Min and the others also didn’t dare to act arbitrarily. They swiftly brought Yu Cheng before Ten Ultimates Sect’s Blood Transformation Palace Master, and allowed him to tell the palace master about the entire sequence of events.
The Blood Transformation Palace Master was naturally extremely furious. But when all was said and done, he was much more knowledgable and insightful than ordinary people, and didn’t come to the conclusion that Tianheng and Gu Zuo were dead just because they went missing. Thus, in order to find the two people who were teleported to heavens knew where, he issued a Blood Transformation Order, asking everyone in the world to look for them.
As for Yu Cheng, he originally should’ve been imprisoned. However, there was an inheritance in his possession, and it wasn’t known when they would be able to find the two. If Yu Cheng was locked up from beginning to end, he would miss the best chance to cultivate, which would waste the inheritance for nothing. Moreover, this matter wasn’t purposefully done by Yu Cheng.
Later on, the Blood Transformation Palace Master wanted Yu Cheng to pledge an oath. Once his disciple and Gu Zuo returned, Yu Cheng would fall under Tianheng’s jurisdiction as a subordinate and work for one hundred years. Only after those hundred years passed would they discuss anything else. Otherwise, Yu Cheng would be locked up until the two came back. After which, his disciple would handle Yu Cheng as he saw fit.
Yu Cheng wanted to become stronger with all his heart. Although he didn’t really want to be someone else’s subordinate, in the end, it was just one hundred years of time. On top of that, he truly did feel remorseful for Tianheng and Gu Zuo. Thus, he agreed, and made an oath upon his martial path — If he didn’t comply with the stipulated one hundred years, his realm would never have another breakthrough on the path of martial arts.
From that point on, he was able to enter the academy once again, and continued to study and cultivate. It was just that a shadow cat race Immortal Realm powerhouse stayed by his side — Once Yu Cheng had any breakthroughs, the person monitoring him would be changed to someone even stronger.
This period of time was approaching a year. Yu Cheng’s initial Meridian Condensing Realm quickly underwent consecutive breakthroughs. Currently, he was already Xiantian stage eight. It wouldn’t be long before he could advance to the Immortal Realm!
Sure enough, after gaining the inheritance, he improved at lightning speeds!
Tianheng finished listening, and faintly nodded his head: “As expected, master is considerate in handling affairs. It’s very much to my liking.”
Indeed. On this matter, Yu Cheng was considered not guilty. However, despite his innocence, he had also brought about certain consequences. As such, rather than harming him, it was better to have him swear his allegiance. This outcome left Tianheng satisfied.
Ao Min and the others heard this, and set aside their concerns.
Immediately following this, Tianheng said: “Tomorrow, you will bring Yu Cheng.”
Ao Min and the others affirmed with respectful tones.
Shortly thereafter, a wave of suppressive might spread over. It was powerful to a frightening degree.
Tianheng stood up with astonishment. There was a smile on his face: “Master has arrived.”
T/N: The next couple of chapters are double-length, so everyone can expect the usual change to the updating schedule.
Thanks for the corrections, Charysa.
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