"Your ambition is great, but sadly your strength does not match it."
Jian Dan flicked her finger. The Golden Core female cultivator across from her was lifted into the air, limbs bound and unable to move.
"Ying Luo, during your time as chief steward of Mo Ying Peak, your service was competent. Though you made mistakes, they do not warrant death. Merits offset faults. Go to the Hall of Punishment and receive five hundred lashes as a warning to others."
As for the Golden Core woman still struggling in midair, not once did she beg for her father.
Jian Dan flicked another blast of force that shattered her opponent's core.
She bent her fingers into a claw and pulled out the woman's spirit roots.
One fire root, one water root.
As the roots were ripped free, a shriek of agony echoed through the hall. The other stewards bowed even lower, heads trembling.
Without hesitation, Jian Dan crushed the spirit roots. She had no use for them, nor would she give anyone the chance to use it against her.
"As for your daughter, if she's so infatuated with mortal love and romance, then she has no business being a cultivator."
"You wretched old hag, I curse you—"
Before she could finish, Jian Dan sealed her mouth.
With a wave of her hand, Jian Dan summoned a water mirror and pushed it toward the woman.
"Take a look for yourself. Between us, who's the old hag?"
Her brow arched ever so slightly, clearly amused.
The woman stared at the reflection in horror. Her once-prized beauty had become that of a haggard old woman, hair white, face wrinkled.
She let out a piercing scream and fainted.
The water mirror returned to Jian Dan. She glanced at it, then asked the rest of the stewards lined up below like background props:
"Do I look old to you?"
"Mo Yue Zhūnzhǔ, forever youthful!"
Their reply came in unison, loud and crisp.
Jian Dan nodded, pleased, and dismissed the water mirror with a flick.
"Gong Yi, are you here?"
"Subordinate present!"
Gong Yi, who had been quietly hiding in the corner, appeared immediately.
"Send her to the imperial palace in the mortal realm. I'm sure someone there would love to fall in love with her."
As she spoke, Jian Dan shot a blast of demonic energy into the woman's body, restoring her youthful appearance.
"Yes, I'll take care of it at once."
Gong Yi departed with the woman in tow. Before leaving, Jian Dan sent one final voice transmission:
"Erase all her cultivation world memories."
Gong Yi nodded and vanished from the hall.
"Thank you, Zhūnzhǔ, for sparing her life."
Ying Luo's heart was full of regret. His indulgence had raised such a daughter.
"Enough. Go take your punishment."
With Ying Luo dismissed, Jian Dan swept her gaze across the remaining stewards.
"You all nominate someone to temporarily take over the chief steward position."
Silence. You could hear a pin drop.
"What now? Has the post of Mo Ying Peak's chief steward lost its appeal?"
Privately, they all thought the same thing:
It's not about the appeal. The job is just too dangerous.
The last steward got tossed to the Ma clan. The current one's daughter nearly destroyed everything.
Who would still dare take the job?
"Since no one's volunteering, I'll just choose at random."
As she spoke, Mó Yuè Zhǎn split into a hundred miniature blades, each shooting toward the stewards.
"And remember to fight back. If I see anyone playing dead, don't blame me for making it permanent."
That warning erased all thoughts of luck. The stewards immediately scrambled to defend themselves.
Jian Dan picked up her peach blossom brew and sipped it leisurely, watching the chaos below.
Only now did her anger start to cool.
The stewards fought the miniature Mó Yuè Zhǎn blades like their lives depended on it.
Which they did.
Jian Dan's gaze remained cold. These people always stood aside when it wasn't their concern. She didn't believe the sabotage was only the work of Ying Luo's daughter.
The Ma clan had been entrenched in Mo Ying Peak for years. It would be surprising if there weren't spies. As for the rest, it wasn't hard to guess their motives. Most likely, they had hoped to oust her and move up the ranks.
Jian Dan rotated her wrist, and the Mó Yuè Zhǎn returned to her dantian.
"Your strength is not bad. Looks like some pressure does help. Fifteen days from now, hand your duties to your deputies. I'll be taking you to a blessed land to raise your cultivation."
Now the hall stirred. Those with sharper ears already knew what she meant.
Jian Dan gave a brilliant smile and said slowly:
"You were all recommended by the Palace Master, and I used you. I didn't expect you to turn around and stab me in the back."
"We would never!"
"Hmph. I originally planned to erase you all from reincarnation, but even a dog's owner should be respected. Fifteen days from now, follow me to the Ming Valley."
With that, her decree was final. She waved her hand, dismissing them.
Now the stewards were in chaos. They had hoped to escape punishment in the crowd, but they were all caught. They trickled out of the hall in small groups, each deep in thought.
Just then, Jian Dan received a message talisman from Palace Master Mo Lie, summoning her to the main hall of Tianmo Peak.
When Jian Dan arrived, the Palace Master was already waiting. That in itself was rare.
"Greetings, Palace Master."
"Mo Yue, this was my fault. I allowed an opening, and others took advantage. It nearly ruined your advancement."
Palace Master, ever cunning, began by admitting fault. It left Jian Dan no room to press the issue.
"Palace Master, the situation had its reasons. I do not believe the blame lies with you. Some simply dislike seeing my success."
She smiled and added,
"'Only the mediocre are not envied.' Besides, the culprit is already dead. The karma is resolved. And Master Ancestor even stepped in. Of course I am grateful."
"Haha, Mo Yue, your generosity is admirable. Go to the Treasure Pavilion and select an item as compensation."
He handed her a token inscribed with permission for one entry.
"Mo Yue thanks the Palace Master."
Jian Dan bowed, took the token, and her eyes sparkled.
"Palace Master, now that I have reached the Void Refinement stage, I fear I am no longer suited to remain a Peak Lord. Please begin considering a successor."
"You're right. I'll handle it carefully. You needn't worry."
"Also, once this rest period ends, I'll be taking the current stewards to Ming Valley to raise their cultivation."
Mo Lie raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.
"They've been too idle. All their energy goes into scheming. A bit of tempering will do them good. After this, they'll be more fit to bear responsibility."
"What you say isn't wrong. Do as you will. Just try to keep the casualties low."
He sighed inwardly. "Those brainless fools. They dared target Mo Yue and now handed her a perfect excuse. She would not waste the chance."
"You jest, Palace Master. I'm taking them to battle for the sect, not sending them to die. That would make me petty."
But Mo Lie Palace Master still saw a flicker of bloodthirst behind Mo Yue's charming smile.