Yan Linhao let out a cold snort and retorted, "Hmph, could it be that our sixth junior brother has taken a fancy to Wu Jiahui? I'm warning you, don't entertain any unrealistic ideas. How can a person who has taken vows break the precept of lust? Don't forget the eight precepts of our Buddha. If your mortal heart is stirred, master will surely expel you from the sect when we return."
Zhao Jingyou hurriedly pleaded, keeping his head lowered as he said, "Eldest Brother, as long as Wu Jiahui is spared, I am willing to be expelled by master. I only want to spend the rest of my life with her. We only need to kill that brat; can we please leave Wu Jiahui unharmed? I'm begging you, Eldest Brother, as long as Wu Jiahui is left alone, I will do whatever you ask! Ever since I met her at the Nanzhou Auction last time, I have been unable to forget her stunning beauty. From that moment on, I lost all desire to cultivate. I implore Eldest Brother to grant me this wish!" With that, Zhao Jingyou bowed slightly, his face full of sincerity.
Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that this guy was completely serious. As a Tier 5 Buddhist cultivator, Zhao Jingyou had practiced for nearly twenty years. Ever since he entered the temple with his master at the age of five, he had never slacked off in the slightest. But ever since he laid eyes on Wu Jiahui a year ago, his heart, which had been dormant for so many years, began to waver.
Because of this, despite his extraordinary talent, he should have broken through to a Tier 6 Buddhist cultivator half a year ago. It was precisely because of that sudden stirring of his heart that he remained stagnant at the Peak of Tier 5.
Zhao Jingyou genuinely wanted to marry Wu Jiahui, but because of his status, he had been dragging things out until he overheard a conversation between his master and a Fortune Teller two days ago. That Fortune Teller was only at Tier 5, yet through some unknown method, he had managed to divine the whereabouts of Wu Jiahui, who was a Tier 6 Martial Artist. Knowing that his master intended to make a move against that brat, and fearing that the people his master sent might harm Wu Jiahui, he had volunteered to take on this assassination mission simply to protect her from injury.
Zhao Jingyou had even used his own intelligence network to obtain Wu Jiahui's contact information. Ever since they started trailing her, Zhao Jingyou had been messaging Wu Jiahui, urging her to run away immediately.
After all, in his view, a Tier 5 Martial Artist was no match for a Tier 6 Buddhist cultivator. However, no one knew that Wu Jiahui had already broken through to Tier 6 a year ago. Her purpose in going to the Nanzhou Auction that time was to acquire the Blood Oxygen Herb to refine pills that would assist in breaking through to Tier 6.
Yet even without Zhao Jingyou's warning, as a Tier 6 Martial Artist, she could clearly sense the presence of several people.
Yan Linhao's face turned ashen with anger, and he roared, "Enough! For the sake of a mortal woman, are you going to betray your sect? How can you face master's kindness in raising you?"
Zhao Jingyou choked out, "Eldest Brother, I'm begging you, don't harm her! Otherwise, otherwise don't blame your junior brother..."
*Slap.*
Furious, Yan Linhao swung his hand across Zhao Jingyou's contorted face, turning it instantly red.
Outraged, Yan Linhao roared, "You bastard! If your senior brother refuses, are you going to raise your hand against me? Are you going to slaughter your fellow disciples here?"
Holding his swollen, red face and keeping his head down, Zhao Jingyou replied, "Eldest Brother, this junior brother wouldn't dare. But if Senior Brother truly refuses and insists on killing Wu Jiahui along with him, then this junior brother will have no choice but to prove his devotion with his death."
Yan Linhao said nothing, merely staring at Zhao Jingyou with a blank expression.
Seeing that the situation was turning sour, Xiao Yi, who was driving, hurriedly persuaded, "Sixth Junior Brother, don't do anything foolish. You must not throw your life away for a mortal woman."
The Eighth Junior Brother, who had remained silent all along, also advised, "Sixth Junior Brother, you're losing your mind! We are all cultivators, and we grew up playing together since we were kids. Why leave your fellow disciples behind for a woman? How could you forget master's teachings? How could you forget the eight precepts?"
Xue Xiaodong looked at Zhao Jingyou—who was being reprimanded by the Eldest Brother—with keen interest, feeling quite pleased inside. However, he didn't dare to show it; he was certain that if he dared to mock Zhao Jingyou, he would instantly become Zhao Jingyou's punching bag, and the rest of the junior brothers certainly wouldn't help him, nor would they even bother to pull Zhao Jingyou away. Desperate to salvage his image in front of the Eldest Brother, Xue Xiaodong put on a hypocritical act and said,
"Sixth Junior Brother, don't let down master's expectations for you. Among all of us brothers, you have the highest talent. Even though your strength is currently stagnant, it doesn't mean it will stay that way in the future. Forget that stinky bitch—what's so special about her? She's just an old woman."
Xue Xiaodong's words sounded like comforting advice, but in reality, he was trying to provoke Zhao Jingyou. Knowing full well that Zhao Jingyou loved Wu Jiahui, he kept calling her a stinky bitch and an old woman. Wasn't that asking for a beating? When someone practically hands you their face to slap, not hitting them would hardly make sense!
How could Zhao Jingyou not understand? He wasn't an idiot; was it possible he wouldn't understand Xue Xiaodong's words? To reach the Peak of Tier 5 Buddhist cultivation in his early twenties—such talent and strength easily placed him in the top 100 of the Genius Rankings.
Zhao Jingyou was in no mood to coddle Xue Xiaodong. Immediately, he roared, "Xue, you motherfucker, say that again if you have the guts, and watch me rip that cesspit of a mouth apart!"
Without a second thought, Zhao Jingyou threw a punch straight at Xue Xiaodong, who was sitting behind him.
"Ow!" Xue Xiaodong took Zhao Jingyou's punch, sending blood streaming from his nose as he let out a cry of pain. It took him quite a while to recover. Glaring at Zhao Jingyou's raised hand, Xue Xiaodong was so frightened that he shouted in a hurry, "Junior Brother, I was wrong!"
Yan Linhao merely watched all of this unfold with a cold gaze. At first, he didn't intervene, only stepping in to stop them when he truly couldn't bear to watch any longer.
"Enough! What kind of behavior is this? When we get back, all of you will go face the wall and reflect on your actions."
Only then did Zhao Jingyou slowly lower his hand. Yet seeing that his fellow disciples were all standing on the side of the Eldest Brother, he couldn't help feeling a bitter pang in his heart.
Hearing this, Xue Xiaodong felt a surge of joy, caring not a whit about having to face the wall and reflect upon returning. He lowered his head quickly, a flash of viciousness crossing his eyes, though none of them noticed. Inwardly, Xue Xiaodong swore an oath:
"Hmph, Zhao, sooner or later, I will make sure you die without a burial place."
Zhao Jingyou raised his head and gazed quietly at Yan Linhao, not a hint of murderous intent in his eyes. He took a deep breath and asked the group, "The Three Abominations and Five Precepts—dare I ask Eldest Brother, Fifth Senior Brother, and you younger brothers, what are the Three Abominations and Five Precepts?"
Yan Linhao merely closed his eyes slightly and said not a single word. The other junior brothers remained silent as well. It wasn't that they didn't know; they simply didn't know how to answer.
Looking calmly at his fellow disciples, Zhao Jingyou said indifferently, "None of you junior brothers will speak? Then I shall say it." Pausing once more to confirm that everyone was still keeping silent, Zhao Jingyou raised his voice and declared: The eight precepts are: first, the precept against killing; second, the precept against stealing; third, the precept against unchastity; fourth, the precept against false speech; fifth, the precept against drinking alcohol; sixth, the precept against wearing garlands and perfumes; seventh, the precept against sitting or lying on high, luxurious beds; and eighth, the precept against eating at forbidden times.