Next, Jiang Heng began to wash and rest.
While Mi Wenjie urgently compiled task information, wrote a report letter, and arranged for someone to rush back to the sect's residence.
In addition, the expert in the Innate Realm who attempted to assassinate Jiang Heng was also heavily reported.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Mi Wenjie set out with a group of people, driving a carriage.
According to the instructions from Sect Master Wan, they went to the vicinity of the mountain pass where the robbery and murder had occurred and found the hidden cargo, including red iron, in the mountains.
All of them were martial practitioners in the Body Refining Realm, and with Mi Wenjie, a True Qi Realm expert, they worked together to manually transport the goods out of the mountains in batches, loaded them onto carriages, and returned them to the mine.
With this, Jiang Heng and Mi Wenjie's mission was considered successfully completed.
Another day passed.
New orders from Elder Wen within the sect were issued, praising Jiang Heng and Mi Wenjie for their achievements. Jiang Heng was promised 1000 contribution points, and Mi Wenjie was promised 500 contribution points as a reward.
Furthermore, a new mine overseer was appointed to take office.
At the same time, the identity of the expert in the Innate Realm who had attempted to assassinate Jiang Heng was discovered by the sect.
In the Elder Council Hall of the Fifth Peak of the Dalu Sect.
In the center was a long conference table, with Sect Master Bai Haocang sitting at the head, and twelve core elders sitting on either side.
Unlike ordinary elders, core elders held significant power and were the core management of the Dalu Sect. Each one of them was a master at the Fifth Realm of martial arts—the Myriad Manifestations Realm.
In the mortal world, each of them could sit on equal footing with the emperor of a dynasty.
Some appeared relaxed, while others had stern expressions, but all of them exuded a formidable aura like an abyss.
"Today, I have summoned you all for a meeting primarily concerning a major accusation against a core elder," said Sect Master Bai Haocang in a stern voice, echoing through the spacious council hall.
Those who were well-informed had already heard some of the information and immediately looked at Elder Sun, whose face was as dark as coal.
Bai Haocang remained composed and continued, "Recently, an outer disciple distinguished himself in the Grand Competition, demonstrating invincible physical prowess and directly killing a martial practitioner in the True Qi Realm. Many of you should have heard of this."
"This outer disciple is named Jiang Heng, the son of the late Elder Jiang Wenjing."
"Five days ago, Jiang Heng was sent on a mission to investigate the robbery and murder near the Red Rock Mine near Chuanjiang City."
"During this mission, Jiang Heng displayed remarkable insight and formidable martial strength. He not only led the investigation, but also killed the mastermind, captured two accomplices, and recovered a 135-jin piece of Firecloud Iron Mother, making a significant contribution to the sect."
At this point, some of the core elders showed surprise.
A 135-jin piece of Firecloud Iron Mother was worth over a million taels of silver, and even for them, this wealth was not insignificant.
"During this period, a subordinate of a certain core elder, the sect's guardian Lei Song, made a sneak attack on Jiang Heng."
Bai Haocang's indifferent gaze fell on Elder Sun.
"Elder Sun, what do you have to say?"
All eyes were now on Elder Sun.
Feeling the mocking, scornful, and malicious glances directed at him, Elder Sun's face turned even darker. He explained, "It is true that Lei Song is my subordinate, but I did not instruct him to do such a thing."
"The sect's guardians are recruited from outside experts, and their character naturally varies. It is difficult to avoid a few troublemakers."
"Of course, he was invited into the sect by me, and he is my subordinate. I misjudged his character and failed to discipline him properly. I am willing to bear the corresponding responsibility."
The sect's guardian system of the Dalu Sect was established to supplement the sect's mid-tier martial force by inviting external experts. Each guardian had to be proposed by an elder, undergo rigorous scrutiny by the sect, and then officially join the sect, enjoying sect benefits while working for the sect.
The elder who proposed a guardian was responsible for that guardian and acted as their superior.
Upon hearing Elder Sun's words, Bai Haocang's expression turned stern, and he sternly said:
"Corresponding responsibility?"
"Sun Feiyu, do you even believe this sort of deceptive talk yourself?"
"The enmity between you and Jiang Heng's father, Jiang Wenjing, is well-known in the sect."
"You have the motive, and Lei, the guardian, is your subordinate. Yet you tell me he acted on his own?"
"Tell me, why did he attempt to assassinate Jiang Heng?"
Elder Sun fell silent.
At this moment, another elder with a long beard curiously asked, "Sect Master, about Lei's attempt on Jiang Heng, what was the outcome? Who ultimately saved him?"
Several others also looked at Bai Haocang curiously.
Clearly, Jiang Heng survived in the end, or else Lei Song's actions wouldn't have been exposed.
"Jiang Heng killed Lei, the guardian," Bai Haocang stated calmly.
Upon hearing this, everyone present was astonished.
Someone subconsciously disbelieved, "How is that possible? No matter how powerful someone is in the Body Refining Realm, they cannot kill an expert in the Innate Realm, especially when they were ambushed!"
"Their strength difference is at least a hundredfold. It's impossible to counter-kill!"
"Sect Master, could it be that you sent someone to protect him in secret?"
"I heard that you took him as your disciple and increased the champion prize of the competition he participated in by tenfold. It seems you value him greatly."
Elder Sun sneered and said, "As the Sect Master, using your position for personal gains, granting such significant benefits to your disciple, should you not also face punishment?"
Bai Haocang remained as composed as ever.
"If there are objections regarding this matter, we can discuss it in detail later. For now, let's resolve the issue of your subordinates attempting to assassinate a sect genius."
"Furthermore, during the mission, Jiang Heng broke through to the True Qi Realm. He turned the tables and killed Lei Song, an expert at the True Qi Realm. Whether you believe it or not is up to you. It has no bearing on the entire matter."
"So, my proposition now is to forfeit Elder Sun's one year of salary, with ten percent of it converted to contribution points, as compensation to the victim, Jiang Heng. Additionally..."
"...cancel your eligibility for the upcoming Sect Master election ten months from now."
As these words were spoken, Elder Sun immediately stood up, shouting in anger, "Bai Haocang!"
"You want to suppress me using this opportunity? For such a trivial matter, you want to cancel my candidacy?"
"A mere outer disciple, even if he's a genius, the sect has numerous geniuses every year. Adding one more or less won't make a difference. What significant event is this?"
"Furthermore, isn't he living well now?"
"I, a core elder of the Dalu Sect, having my candidacy canceled for such a minor matter, if this gets out, others might think core elders are on par with outer disciples?"
"That would bring shame upon the entire sect!"
Elder Sun's robes billowed, his hair flying, and he exuded a fearsome pressure.
However, everyone present was a peerless expert and naturally didn't take him seriously, merely watching coldly.