Treasure Hunting

Chapter 31 Be Badly Injured

At that very moment, Lewis, the leader of the Welkin Sect looked around at everyone, turned hisattention to Bruce, and then asked, "Bruce, why did you attack Zachary?" Lewis' voice wasn't loud, butit rang with authority.

"Because he insulted me, provoked me and wounded disciples of our sect, including Benjamin. So Itaught him a lesson. But I didn't intend to beat him that hard," Bruce answered calmly. He had knownfrom the beginning that he would be questioned. So, he cooked up a good excuse beforehand.

"Benjamin, why did Zachary fight you? Even if he could fight other disciples with his current strength,he definitely couldn't have beaten you!" Lewis pressed. He was suspicious the moment he heardBruce's explanation. The whole fight seemed very strange to him. Everyone at the Welkin Sect knewthat Zachary only became a formal disciple not too long ago. Thus, he couldn't possibly have gainedthat much strength in such a short time. And since Benjamin possessed the strength at the eighthgrade of Mortal Level, which was a much higher level than Zachary's, Zachary couldn't have injuredhim that easily.

"Sir, Zachary must have learned something by the back door. He seemed to have eaten somethingwhen we fought," Benjamin replied, beating around the bush.

"How is that possible? Even if he took the most powerful pill, he still wouldn't be able to hurt you."Lewis eyed Benjamin. Of course, he didn't believe his words. The other stewards observing theconversation were doubtful as well. Such a thing didn't make any sense.

"It's true. The disciples who were with me witnessed everything," Benjamin insisted.

"In that case, I will confirm it with the other disciples later. But you still haven't answered my question.Why did Zachary fight you? As far as I know, the treehouse where Zachary lived was burned beyondrecognition," Lewis said very seriously. He was already aware of the incident before he even askedthem. It was Benjamin who initiated the trouble, leading a few disciples to burn Zachary's treehouse.

"The treehouse got burned accidentally because the campfire that I and some disciples made to warmourselves got out of control. And yet, Zachary attacked us so violently without giving us a chance toexplain what had happened," Benjamin stated calmly. He directed all the responsibility to Zachary in anattempt to defend himself.

Zachary huffed with annoyance at the blatant excuse. He knew that Benjamin had practiced his calmdemeanor to avoid any suspicion and punishment from Lewis.

"Zachary, is what Benjamin said true?" Lewis asked, looking straight into Zachary's eyes as if he couldsee right through him.novelbin

"It doesn't matter if he intentionally burned my treehouse or not because he seems to have alreadylearned his lesson," Zachary responded with indifference as he cast a glance at Benjamin's brokenarm.

"Sir, I think the situation was caused by simple misunderstandings. My disciple Benjamin would nevercause anyone trouble or mess around," Barton, one of the five stewards, cut in immediately. He wasalways protective of his disciples.

"Master, I didn't do it on purpose," Benjamin told Barton as he feigned innocence.

"Sir, I can also guarantee that Benjamin had no intention of harming anyone. It was clear that Zacharywas the one carrying malicious intentions," Bruce said, adding fuel to the fire.

"I believe that Benjamin didn't mean to cause trouble as well. A small punishment for him would beenough."

"Yes, what's done is done. It would be useless to investigate their respective sides now."

"I don't think Benjamin would make such an obvious mistake. Zachary must have provoked him first..."

The stewards said one after another. It was clear that they were trying to cover for Benjamin. After all,Benjamin was Barton's disciple. None of the others wanted to offend Barton.

Hearing the stewards' opinions, Lewis felt like he was in a dilemma. But after thinking it over, hebecame determined to enforce the rules of the Welkin Sect on every member equally. He would handlethe situation with no biases and would not give unprincipled protection to anyone!

"The Welkin Sect strictly forbids disciples from having personal fights and forbids any form of bodilyinjuries among peers. Yet, considering that one of your arms is broken and needs medical treatment,you, Benjamin, will be grounded for three days. You shall use this time to reflect on your mistakes,"Lewis declared after his contemplation.

Benjamin pursed his lips. Though displeased, he knew the punishment was very light. So he acceptedthe disciplinary measure with a nod.

"And Bruce, as a senior disciple, you were supposed to handle the situation wisely. What you did wasunacceptable. Zachary has been seriously injured and disabled because of your violent attack, and Iexpect you to shoulder the blame and responsibility. With that, you are grounded and expected toreflect on your mistakes for three months until the Celestial College begins to enroll the new disciples,"Lewis orders Bruce.

'I'll be grounded for three months?' Bruce repeated to himself. He was taken aback, not expecting thatLewis would give him a punishment that would last three months.

"Sir, I apologize for the intrusion, but Bruce cannot be grounded that long. I plan to train him for thenext three months so that he bests the others when he enters Celestial College," Herman, one of thefive stewards, quickly intervened. As Bruce's master, he almost jumped, his expression horrified assoon as he heard his disciple's punishment.

Bruce's strength was quite impressive. His qualifications exceeded his peers in the Welkin Sect.However, such skills were not very outstanding compared to disciples of the Celestial College. At most,Bruce's qualifications would be regarded as average, and wouldn't match with those of the elitedisciples. Herman had hoped to train Bruce before he entered the college. If he lacked the training andpreparation, he wouldn't stand a chance in the fierce competition.

"If any disciple of our sect does wrong, they must be punished. This is the iron rule of our Welkin Sect,"Lewis declared with authority. As the top leader, he had to be tough in upholding his decisions.

Realizing that the leader wouldn't budge with his decision, Herman was helpless. He glared at Zacharyin anger.

Bruce also stared at Zachary with rage. He felt like Zachary was the one who caused him to lose threeprecious months of training.

"As for Zachary, he has already been seriously injured. He can no longer become a warrior because ofthis. Thus, he will receive no punishment. He must first heal from his wounds, and I will decide what todo with him after he has fully recovered," Lewis said as he looked at Zachary and sighed.

"Sir, since he can't be a warrior, shouldn't he leave the sect?" Herman said with loathing.

"Herman is right. Now that he is a good-for-nothing and is basically useless, why would he remain inour Welkin Sect?" Barton echoed.

Hearing the two stewards' words, Zachary despised them for trying to push him into a more miserablesituation. He sneered coldly in his mind, 'You two old farts better be careful. One day, I will pluck allyour beards. Just wait and see. I will soon make you two beg me to be your disciple.'

"Even if he becomes disabled and useless, we should wait for his injuries to heal. Let's talk about theseconcerns after his recovery." Lewis vetoed the two stewards' suggestion with a wave of his hand.

With their leader's objection, the two stewards could say nothing more.

"Elva, take Zachary to the Pill Hall and get a bottle of second-grade white therapeutic pills. I shallexamine his injuries later," Lewis said, signaling for Elva to do as he instructed.

She nodded, glanced at Zachary, and walked out of the Heavenly Martial Hall. Zachary followed suit.When Bruce saw this, he became jealous of Zachary's chance of getting closer to Elva. His fistsclenched with bitterness. Bruce tried to comfort himself by thinking that Zachary was now disabled. Andhe knew Elva's personality—she wouldn't start a relationship with a lame disciple. Despite this, Brucecouldn't help but feel jealous.

Zachary followed a few paces behind Elva as they exited the Heavenly Martial Hall, and soon hecaught up with her. Putting on an innocent expression, he asked, "Are you still mad at me? I'm sorry,but last time I didn't mean to... I only did that because I wanted to save you."

Elva rolled her eyes at Zachary, making it clear that she didn't believe him. She then replied coldly, "If Iwere the one who fought you, I would try harder to break more of your meridians."