Nine Yang Alchemy Emperor

Because they are not under the control of Ding Ku's leader.

A small leader manages a very small mountain area, overseeing only ten Medicine Farmers under him.

"Still daring to be arrogant, publicly threatening us, he must be severely punished! And the punishment should be doubled!" Someone defied Ding Ku head-on.

Late at night, a thief appeared in Medicine Mountain 106, causing such a disturbance. It had already alarmed the upper echelons of the Medicine Mountains. Even high-ranking officials like the Mountain Master and Vice Mountain Masters were alerted.

"What's causing this commotion?" The figure of Lord Mao Wu, the Mountain Master, appeared.

The Chief Clerk, the Vice Mountain Masters, and others, all rushed to the scene.

The leader of Ding Ku, who was very arrogant just moments ago, finally recognized the severity of the situation. He was so scared that he trembled violently.

"Spare my life, Deacon Tang Ying save me..." The leader of Ding Ku pleaded to Deacon Tang Ying in the crowd.

This part of Medicine Mountain is under the jurisdiction of Manager Tang Ying. Now that there's trouble, he is the primary person responsible.

The other seven managers, on the other hand, were happily watching the spectacle unfold.

They were hoping for Manager Tang Ying to slip up, then either fall from power or get punished. This way, they could eliminate a competitor.

Each Medicine Mountain is like its own worldly society. Various forces compete in secret, each scheming and fighting.

"You scoundrel, as a small leader, not only did you fail to help your Medicine Farmers grow Medicinal Herbs, but you secretly committed such harmful acts. This is intolerable! I earnestly request the Mountain Master and the two Vice Mountain Masters to severely punish Ding Ku, to set an example."

How could Deacon Tang Ying dare to save the leader of Ding Ku at this moment?

He had already been caught red-handed by the Mountain Patrol Envoy, causing such a commotion. He couldn't cover it up even if he wanted to.

At this moment, Deacon Tang Ying's ruthlessness was evident. He immediately disassociated himself from the leader of Ding Ku and put on the face of a justice warrior. He advocated for severe punishment of the leader of Ding Ku as an act of righteousness over blood relations.

"No, Manager Tang Ying, you can't be so heartless... I did all these things for you, didn't I?" the leader of Ding Ku pleaded despairingly as he cried.

This just got interesting.

The Mountain Master and the two Vice Mountain Masters all wore stern expressions, looking coldly at Manager Tang Ying.

Manager Tang Ying was one of the Mountain Master's people, while the two Vice Mountain Masters were in a rivalry with the Mountain Master, each covertly seeking power and benefits for their own people.

They were also scheming to win over their subordinates.

This was an opportunity to topple Manager Tang Ying. If they could bring him down, it would be like cutting off one of the Mountain Master's right-hand men.

Then, the position of manager that became vacant could be quietly filled by promoting their own people.

"Facing death, yet daring to spout such nonsense? I, as the manager, swear to heaven that I never intended to harm Chu Feng, nor did I instruct Ding Ku to set him up."

Manager Tang Ying never expected that Ding Ku's leader would bite back at him publicly at this moment.

He was both anxious and angry, immediately swearing to heaven to prove his innocence.

Otherwise, if the charges were proven true, not even the Mountain Master could save him.

"I am quite aware of Tang Ying's character on normal days. To say that he would harm one of his own Medicine Farmers, I doubt anyone would believe it. Moreover, his oath to heaven is sufficient to prove his innocence."

"On the other hand, this Ding Ku has been spewing blood, maliciously harming others before, and has committed countless crimes with a corrupt character. The poison has gone deep, beyond cure, and keeping him is useless."

"According to my opinion as the Mountain Master, we might as well demote this person to a Sword Slave, and send him to a new Medicine Mountain for earth moving and mountain building."

Lord Mao Wu Mountain Master made a decisive decision, sacrificing a pawn to save the chariot. He discarded Ding Ku to save Manager Tang Ying.

For any Sect, Medicinal Herbs are of utmost importance, vital above all else. They are needed for refining Elixirs and preparing Medicine Soup.

If you go to the market to buy them, it would cost a huge sum of money, and it's not guaranteed that you can even buy them.

Therefore, some powerful Great Sects would find ways to cultivate Medicinal Herbs themselves.

Ever since the establishment of the Wan Jian Sect Main Lineage, they have been actively building Medicine Mountain.

Almost every addition of a Medicine Mountain means tens of thousands more Disciples can be trained. Thus, the mountain building project has never halted.

Every Sect Master appoints Sword Slaves to transport soil from other places for mountain building.

This not only facilitates management but also becomes a solid foundation and financial support for the Sect.

Ding Ku was originally a small leader, not very high in status, but he had a relatively comfortable life. Now being demoted directly to a Sword Slave also means he lost his status as an Outer Disciple.

Equivalent only to someone doing Miscellaneous tasks in a Sect, and moreover, burdened with crimes.

Like a prisoner, without clearing his crimes, he can never be freed. Once a Sword Slave, always until death.

And among Sword Slaves, the lowest kind—Mountain Building Sword Slave. Probably every person in the Sect hearing these words would shudder.

"No, I can't…" After hearing he was to be punished to become a Mountain Building Sword Slave, Ding Ku's leader felt as if all strength had drained from his body, collapsing to the ground.

The two Vice Mountain Masters exchanged glances, realizing today's action was futile.

Trying to bring down Manager Tang Ying seemed almost impossible.

As they cursed Mao Wu Mountain Master as an old fox, they strategically said, "Persons like Ding Ku with misbehavior indeed deserve severe punishment! However, Manager Tang Ying also bears the fault of mismanagement and must be disciplined to satisfy the masses."

Manager Tang Ying's expression slightly eased; he knew he had survived the ordeal.

He immediately bowed deeply, apologizing to the Mountain Master and the two Vice Mountain Masters, "Tang Ying admits to poor management, willing to bear the responsibility, and agrees to forfeit a year's salary. It will be contributed to the Public Treasury of Wan Jian Sect to make amends and contribute to the Sect."

"Also, I will ensure that in future days, I learn from this lesson and prevent such harmful individuals from existing in our Sect. Identify and handle them early."

Sounding official is almost a compulsory skill for every leader.

Manager Tang Ying being one of the Eight Housekeepers of Medicine Mountain No.106 and deeply trusted by Mao Wu Mountain Master.

His capabilities in all areas are naturally strong.

By pleading guilty proactively, it seems like he is being forfeited one year's salary. In fact, he has managed to minimize the punishment significantly.

Otherwise, if the two Vice Mountain Masters joined forces forcing the Mountain Master to strip him of his managerial position and reduce him to just a Big Chief of Medicine Mountain, he would have no place to cry.

"Tang Ying, your confession seems sincere. As you suggested, forfeit a year's salary and it will go to the Public Treasury. Be cautious in the future and learn from this lesson."

Mao Wu Mountain Master quickly agreed to Manager Tang Ying's plea.

These two, in coordination, did not give the two Vice Mountain Masters any chance to criticize further.

"With those who deserved punishment already punished, what about those who merit rewards? They should be rewarded publicly to satisfy the masses!" The Vice Mountain Master on the left, named Fang Youming, around forty years old, is also a formidable person.

He looked at Chu Feng, revealing a friendly smile, filled with admiration.

While speaking up for Chu Feng's reward, he also intended to pull Chu Feng into their camp.

The power and status of the two Vice Mountain Masters are inferior to that of the Mountain Master. To confront the Mountain Master, they naturally need to act opportunistically.