A middle stage Golden Core cultivator walked out from the crowd of disciples surrounding the Hall of Punishment.
He cupped his hands towards the crowd and said, "Greetings, Shadow Master. I received news that some disciples were causing trouble in the Hall of Treasures and trying to steal the account book.
According to the Blood Shadow Sect's rules, these disciples should be captured and brought back to the Hall of Punishment for interrogation.
The culprit should be executed and the others should be punished severely. I'm currently arresting them according to the sect's rules. "
Zhou Luan nodded and said, "You've done well. Leave this matter to me and the other elders. You may withdraw for now."
The middle stage Golden Core cultivator didn't dare to disobey Zhou Luan's orders. He waved his hand and the disciples of the Hall of Punishment stood by.
Zhang Yue was the first to enter the Hall of Punishment. He shouted, "Shadow Master and the other elders are all outside. Stay here obediently. We'll leave this matter to Shadow Master.
Where's the account book? Shadow Master will examine it in a moment. "
Manager Li took out the account book from his storage pouch and placed it on the counter.
Zhang Yue glanced at him and said, "Take out all your spatial treasures and place them on the counter. We'll wait for Shadow Master to examine them."
Manager Li didn't dare to go against the second elder and obediently took out three storage pouches and a Qiankun Ring.
Zhou Luan and the other elders entered the Hall of Treasures. Everyone in the hall bowed and saluted, "Greetings, Shadow Master."
Zhou Luan waved her hand and said, "No need to be so polite. I heard that the Hall of Treasures didn't distribute their salaries fairly and caused the disciples to fight over the account book.
Where's the account book now? Let me take a look. "
Zhang Yue flipped through all of Manager Li's spatial treasures but didn't find any other account book.
He then showed the account book to the other cultivators present and asked, "Is this the account book he used to distribute your salaries?"
The white-robed cultivator who argued with Manager Li earlier took a look at the account book and said, "It's the account book from before. My monthly salary should be ten mid-grade spirit stones.
Last month, I went on a mission and should've been rewarded with twenty mid-grade spirit stones.
I should've received thirty mid-grade spirit stones in total, but Manager Li only gave me fifteen.
I argued with him, but he said it was decided by the higher-ups and he had no right to interfere.
Most of us disciples have had our salaries deducted. Today, we can't take it anymore. That's why we want to snatch the account book and demand justice. "
Zhou Luan took the account book and looked at it. "Disciples, don't worry. I will definitely give you justice."
After he finished speaking, he pointed at the salaries of some disciples in the account book and asked, "According to the rules of the sect, the salary of a Violet Palace disciple is ten mid-grade spirit stones per month.
Once he reached the peak of the Zifu Disciple realm, it would double again.
Why was there only half of the salary in the account?
Some cultivators don't even get 30% of their salary. Who set this account book? "
Manager Li said, "I'm just a small manager, how could I have the authority to make such a decision?
The account book was given to me by the Head Steward of the Treasury Hall. At the same time, the Spirit Stones given to me were also given according to the account book.
I can only pay according to the amount in the account book. I can't take out an extra one. "
The Head Stewards of the various halls were equivalent to the Deputy Hall Masters. Normally, they would be in charge of the various chores in the halls, which were also handled by Gold Core Elders.
To be able to become the Head Supervisor of the various palaces, he could be considered an Elder with real power.
Zhou Luan asked, "Where is the Head Steward of the Treasury Hall?"
A late Gold Core Cultivator stepped out and cupped his hands. "Head Steward of the Treasury Hall, Zhang Mengguang, greets the Shadow Master."
The Zhang Clan's Meng generation was after the Ding generation, and this Zhang Mengguang was Zhang Dingming's nephew.
"What's going on with this account book? Why did the salary that was supposed to be given to disciples become half, or even less than 30%? "
Zhang Mengguang's forehead was covered in sweat. Embezzling disciples' salaries and stuffing his own pockets was not a light crime.
Although he was also a member of the Zhang Clan, he was only a distant branch and wasn't thought highly of.
He formed his Gold Core when he was over 300 years old and relied on his ability to manage money for more than 300 years to obtain this position of Head Steward.
If he took on this crime, he was afraid his life would be in danger.
If none of his descendants were outstanding, they would probably decline from then on.
But if he didn't take on this crime, he would be killed by Zhang Dingming in the future.
Just as he was feeling conflicted, Xu Qinghe laughed and said, "Head Steward Zhang, just tell the truth. What's there to be afraid of?
If it was your own problem, as long as you can fill in the gaps, you'll only lose your life.
The Shadow Master is benevolent and doesn't blame his family.
If it wasn't your problem, then just tell me where the account book came from.
If you tell the truth, the Shadow Master will protect you and your family. "
Hearing this, Zhang Mengguang's expression became difficult.
Seeing that he was about to confess, Zhang Dingming also said, "Mengguang, if you have something to say, just say it.
With me here, no one will dare to frame you. "
Zhang Mengguang sighed. "In response to the Shadow Master's words, this account book was indeed done by me."
"Since you've admitted it, it'll be easy to handle.
Where is the Punishment Hall Master? Arrest Zhang Mengguang.
Now, send people to search Zhang Mengguang's properties and Immortal's Cave and find the stolen money. "
A late-stage Gold Core cultivator who looked very similar to Xu Qinghe walked out and bowed, saying, "As you command."
Xu Qinghe also said, "Qingquan, you must investigate carefully. You mustn't overlook anything."
Punishment Elder Xu Qingquan was Xu Qinghe's younger brother, so his status wasn't low.
In order to balance things out, the Zhang and Xu Clans usually took turns to be in charge of punishment and finance.
In terms of personnel appointments, the First Elder, Second Elder, and Third Elder split the power.
If Xu Qingquan were to catch the Zhang Clan's weak points, he would definitely be able to do so.
Xu Qingquan waved his hand, and a few Punishment Hall disciples ran in and put shackles on Zhang Mengguang.
These shackles weren't ordinary items, but rather special magic tools.
The cultivation of the person wearing them would be suppressed, and they wouldn't be able to use much power.
Xu Qingquan shouted again, "Qinghui, search all of Zhang Mengguang's properties and Immortal's Cave. Don't leave anything behind.
Bring everything you find here. Don't make any mistakes. "
The mid-stage Gold Core cultivator who led people to surround the Finance Hall walked in and cupped his hands in acknowledgement.
Zhou Luan added, "Elder Han, you're famous for being impartial in Blood Shadow.
You'll be in charge of supervising, so as to prevent anyone from using underhanded means. "
An elderly peak Gold Core cultivator stepped out and cupped his hands in greeting. "As you command."
Then, he walked out of the Punishment Hall with Xu Qinghui.
"Second Elder, find someone to calculate how many spirit stones were deducted from this account book."
Zhang Yue cupped his hands in acknowledgement, and then found a few non-direct elders to check the account book together.
Half a day later, Xu Qinghui and Elder Han returned to the Finance Hall.
Xu Qinghe took out three Yin and Yang Rings and gave them to Zhou Luan.
"Shadow Master, all the properties under Zhang Mengguang's name have been searched.
All the property that can be brought here is here, including the deeds to Immortal's Cave and Residence. All the property should be around 160,000 mid-grade spirit stones. "
Elder Han also cupped his hands in greeting. "I was there during the search and accounting. Manager Xu's words are correct."
Zhang Yue handed a few books to Zhou Luan. "Shadow Master, the account book has been calculated.
This account book records the expenditure of the Finance Hall for ten years, and a total of more than 30 million mid-grade spirit stones were deducted. "
More than 30 million mid-grade spirit stones were equivalent to more than 3 billion low-grade spirit stones.
Xu Qingquan snorted and asked, "Zhang Mengguang, you said you did this account book. Where are the spirit stones that were deducted?
In this headquarters, there is a fifth-grade spirit vein.
You don't need mid-grade spirit stones for cultivation. Where did you hide these spirit stones?
Shadow Master is merciful. As long as you tell the truth, you can be spared from death and your family can be protected.
Being a scapegoat for others is certain death.
How many people have you deducted from their salaries? These people can't wait to kill your whole family.
Think about it, after you die, what will happen to your family?
As far as I know, there are no outstanding people among your descendants.
Will there be people willing to pay a huge price to protect them? "
Zhang Mengguang clenched his fists, and his muscles twitched. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his robe was soaked in sweat.
He was also a member of the Zhang family, so he naturally knew how heartless Zhang Dingming was.
If he became a scapegoat, Zhang Dingming would definitely not protect his family.
But if he confessed, he couldn't take down Zhang Dingming, and his life would be difficult in the future.
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