Read Novel Full Chapter 1466: Complete Surrender
Chapter 1466: Complete Surrender
Staring at the several chests of treasure before the main hall's doors, the elders of the New Sword Sect couldn't tear their eyes away.
It took a long time for the crowd to recover from their shock. They couldn't believe they had actually returned victorious from this battle. Having lived most of their lives in the martial world, they had never seen so much wealth. Even less did they dare to imagine that the Sect Master had not only defeated the Golden Saber Sect, but had reportedly crushed them in a completely overwhelming victory!
For a moment, the elders were stunned speechless.
The disciples also displayed two entirely different expressions. Those who had followed Yi Feng into battle wore faces full of reverence and excitement, while the expressions of those who had stayed behind at the sect became rather awkward and subtle.
Just as the entire sect was buzzing with excitement over the great victory and its spoils, a burst of laughter echoed from afar.
"Hahaha!"
"I heard our New Sword Sect displayed incredible divine might and wiped out the Golden Saber Sect. From the looks of it, the rumors are true!"
The voice arrived before the man himself.
Hearing that carefree laughter, many disciples excitedly turned their heads. Sure enough, they saw the black-clad Chief Protector striding through the air, wearing an exhilarating smile.
"Chief Protector!"
"Greetings, Chief Protector!"
Seeing the black-clad young man walking over so dashingly, the disciples bowed respectfully one after another.
The young man waved his hand as he walked, a satisfied smile on his face. He passed through the parting crowd and went straight to the doors of the main hall. Seeing the several chests of wealth and spiritual treasures, he grinned from ear to ear.
"Hahaha!"
"So much money and so many treasures! We've really struck it rich this time!"
After circling the treasures to inspect them for a moment, he excitedly approached Yi Feng, cupping his fists with a look of feigned dissatisfaction.
"Sect Master."
"You're too uncool. How could you not wait for me for something as wonderful as looting money!"
Even though they were incredibly close, the young man still gave Yi Feng full face in front of outsiders by addressing him as Sect Master.
Seeing his posture, Yi Feng also smiled and waved his hand.
"Haha."
"It was just a minor matter, no need to make a big fuss. Chief Protector, you've been busy lately, you should rest for a few days."
Through their brief exchange, everything was understood without needing to be said.
The black-clad young man was well aware of Yi Feng's sincere care and good intentions, feeling an indescribable warmth in his heart. At the same time, he knew better than anyone what kind of methods and cultivation Yi Feng possessed. Taking down a mere Golden Saber Sect naturally required no effort at all.
Having fought side by side for years, they had long developed a perfect mutual understanding.
Outsiders, however, were unaware of the inside story and revealed expressions of shock. The disciples' eyes were filled with even more reverence, their admiration for the demeanor of these two men growing ever stronger.
"Looting money?"
"As expected of the Chief Protector. To speak of something as major as attacking the Golden Saber Sect with such casual ease truly puts us to shame."
"The Sect Master is also unfathomably profound. We disciples are utterly in awe!"
Hearing the excited words of those around him, the black-clad young man seemed to be in an excellent mood. He smiled, waved, and looked back at them with a gratified expression.
"Mm, not bad, not bad."
"Everyone performed decently this time and didn't bring shame to our New Sword Sect. I am very pleased. If anyone tries to cause trouble in the future, we'll beat the crap out of them just like we did this time!"
"From now on, this is our home!"
His words were full of vigor, warm and inspiring.
However, the expressions of the disciples and elders in the crowd became increasingly and noticeably awkward.
As the saying goes, the speaker had no particular intent, but the listeners took it to heart.
The black-clad young man's momentary sigh of emotion struck right at the embarrassing sore spot of many people. Because of their inner cowardice, they had stayed behind at the New Sword Sect, so this great victory had very little to do with them...
At this moment, however excited the disciples who had followed them into battle were, these people were just as embarrassed and desolate.
Taking in everyone's subtle expressions, Yi Feng smiled and spoke aloud.
"Everyone."
"Today is a day of great rejoicing for our New Sword Sect. In this battle to eradicate the Golden Saber Sect, everyone has worked hard and achieved great merit. Now, we shall begin dispensing rewards based on those merits!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the disciples who had gone to battle became even more excited, while a faint look of regret flashed in the eyes of the disciples and elders who had not gone!
Under the gaze of the crowd.
Yi Feng began to speak in a deep voice.
"Those disciples who personally accompanied the sect to the Golden Saber Sect, step forward!"
As his voice fell, thirty or forty people excitedly stepped out, their eyes filled with growing anticipation.
Then, Yi Feng smiled faintly and spoke with a hearty tone.
"You fought bravely and made great contributions to our sect. From this day forward, you are all promoted to inner sect disciples. In addition, you are each awarded twenty taels of silver and three spirit stones!"
Whoosh!
As soon as these words came out, an uproar swept through the square!
The disciples who had participated in the battle were already flushed with excitement, loudly bowing in gratitude as if they were bursting with adrenaline!
"Thank you for the generous reward, Sect Master!"
"This disciple will definitely serve the sect in the future, live up to your high expectations, and brave any danger without hesitation!"
This generous reward instantly ignited the atmosphere in the square. The participating disciples had never expected the Sect Master to be so magnanimous. Twenty taels of silver was already a lot, not to mention the status of an inner sect disciple!
Even more precious was that the Sect Master had generously bestowed three spirit stones!
In the dog-eat-dog world of the Yandang Mountains, spirit stones were the rarest of items. Disciples of ordinary small sects might not even get one in half a year.
They had truly struck it rich this time!
Not only was the Sect Master's cultivation incredible, able to take down even the Golden Saber Sect, but he was also this magnanimous. When there were benefits, he actually gave them out!
Even if one searched through most of the Yandang Mountains, they would never hear of such a good sect!
With such opportunities, who wouldn't be willing to risk their lives to serve?
In an instant, the emotions of the participating disciples soared, their loyalty surpassing what it was before. Almost everyone resolved in their hearts that they were people of the New Sword Sect in life, and ghosts of the New Sword Sect in death!
Watching the participating disciples line up to receive their rewards, each one beaming with joy as they held their silver and spirit stones, the remaining disciples' eyes turned green with envy, their guts twisting with deep regret!
Even the few elders distributing the wealth couldn't help but secretly swallow their saliva, crying silent tears in their hearts.
If they had known it would be like this, they would have risked it all back then!
At this moment.
Many recalled the Sect Master's previous order, the scene of stepping forward to join the battle flashing in their minds. Only now did they realize that it might have been the most important choice of their lives.
Unfortunately, they had already missed it.
After the wealth was distributed, there were still seven or eight full chests of treasure left in front of the main hall. Yet, no one dared to secretly covet them; they all waited quietly for Yi Feng's instructions.
Under the gaze of the crowd.
Yi Feng's expression turned solemn, his peripheral vision glancing toward the few elders who had previously spoken of surrender.
"Elders."
"You were once elders of the Dangjian Sect and haven't been in our sect for long. It is understandable to occasionally have selfish motives, and I have never minded. However, during a time of life and death for our sect, instead of thinking about how to serve, you kept clamoring to beg for forgiveness from the Golden Saber Sect. You have truly disappointed me!"
As his deep voice echoed, the elders were so frightened they quickly bowed their heads and fell to their knees.
"Sect Master, please forgive us..."
Both logically and emotionally, Yi Feng's words were unassailable. Knowing they were in the wrong, they didn't dare to argue. The other disciples who had also stayed behind at the sect, even though they weren't called out by Yi Feng, knelt on the ground with ashamed expressions, waiting quietly.
After a few breaths, Yi Feng surveyed the kneeling people and spoke solemnly.
"You have failed the sect's expectations by fleeing before the battle. Although you can be spared the death penalty, living punishment is inescapable."
"From today onward, the elders will be docked three years' salary and will remain in their positions as outer sect elders to reflect on their mistakes. The remaining disciples will also remain in the outer sect. I hope you will look out for yourselves and learn to be brave after knowing shame."
As soon as these words were spoken, the crowd repeatedly bowed in absolute submission.
Thank you for your grace, Sect Master!
The Sect Master is magnanimous, we are deeply ashamed!
We will definitely turn over a new leaf and achieve great merits for the sect!
These elders and disciples were mostly former members of the Dangjian Sect. Their cultivation bases and character might be slightly inferior, but having mingled at the bottom of the hierarchy for years, their discernment and self-awareness were not lacking in the slightest.
Fleeing from battle was a grave crime. Yi Feng merely demoting them to outer court disciples was already a massive act of mercy. Now that the New Sword Sect could even take down the Golden Saber Sect, its soaring rise was just around the corner. Only a fool would think of leaving!
At such a critical moment, Yi Feng still gave them a chance. This so-called punishment was nothing short of a profound blessing.
Outside the grand hall of the New Sword Sect, the sounds of kneeling and expressions of gratitude echoed endlessly. The sect became increasingly united.
Seeing that everything was going smoothly, Yi Feng continued to speak.
Now that the rewards and punishments have been dispensed, and seeing that night is about to fall, let us take advantage of this joyous day for our New Sword Sect and hold a grand banquet to celebrate! All sect members shall share in today's joy!
Upon hearing this, the elders and disciples who had previously shied away from battle felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude toward Yi Feng, repeatedly kowtowing in deep respect.
Before the grand hall.
The bowing figures resembled rolling waves, and their excited cheers rumbled like spring thunder!
The Sect Master is wise!
The Sect Master is wise!
The Sect Master is wise!
From top to bottom, the entire New Sword Sect had completely submitted to Yi Feng. If their previous awe of him was mostly out of fear toward his and the Chief Protector's cultivation bases, their current reverence came straight from the bottom of their hearts.
Yi Feng's profound cultivation, combined with his magnanimous and fair handling of affairs, as well as his clear distinction between rewards and punishments, had completely transformed the New Sword Sect. The entire sect was brimming with excitement and pleasant surprise.
Looking at the highly revered figure, the black-clad young man stood to the side with a smile in his eyes, quietly enjoying the joy of the night. When the banquet began, drinking heartily in celebration made him feel thoroughly invigorated.
For a time, hearty laughter echoed through the grand hall of the New Sword Sect, becoming one of the most beautiful memories for many.
Eating meat in large bites and drinking wine from large bowls.
There was nothing more delightful in life than this.