75: Establish authority

After becoming a Gold-Medal Deacon, Qin Feng did not act ostentatiously and continued to live in Green Bamboo Courtyard. At dusk, he took his newly acquired gold medallion and headed to the Sect's Dining Hall for a meal. Gold-Medal Deacons had an independent dining area with an elegant environment and much more refined dishes.

While he was dining quietly, a burst of suppressed sobbing and slightly sharp rebukes drifted over from the Ordinary Disciples' dining area, faintly interspersed with the name 'Su Yuchun.'

Qin Feng frowned, put down his utensils, stood up, and walked over.

He saw Xiao Chun standing alone to one side, her eyes red. The meal tray she held had been knocked to the ground, and food was splattered all over her. Standing before her were three women dressed in Advanced Disciple attire. The leader was quite pretty, but there was a mean streak between her brows as she pointed at Xiao Chun and scolded her:

"...Hmph, just a wild girl who got lucky and came in through connections! A mere Mid-stage Martial Artist dares to occupy a good spot in 'Listening to Rain Pavilion'? If you know what's good for you, apply to transfer to the Servant Quarters yourself. Otherwise, there will be bitter days ahead for you!"

"Senior Sister Liu, I... I didn't..." Xiao Chun's voice carried a sob, filled with grievance and fear.

"You still dare to talk back?" That Senior Sister Liu raised her hand to strike.

"Stop!"

A cold shout, like ice shattering, caused Senior Sister Liu's hand to freeze mid-air. Qin Feng's figure flashed, and he was already in front of Xiao Chun, shielding her behind him. His face was calm, but his eyes were as cold as knives as they swept over the three women.

His powerful Mid-stage Grand Martial Master Aura was released without reservation, pressing down like an invisible mountain. The three women, who were only at the Martial Master Realm, turned pale and retreated repeatedly. Senior Sister Liu's legs even went weak, nearly causing her to collapse onto the ground.

"Big Brother... Big Brother Qin..." Seeing Qin Feng, Xiao Chun felt as if she had found her pillar of support. Her tears could no longer be stopped, falling pitter-patter as she tightly gripped the corner of Qin Feng's robe.

"What happened?" Qin Feng's voice was low.

"They... they said my Aptitude is poor and I'm not worthy of living in Listening to Rain Pavilion. They want me to move out, and they even knocked over my food..." Xiao Chun said while sobbing.

Qin Feng's gaze grew even colder as he looked at the three women. "Who gave you the courage to bully a fellow Disciple?"

Senior Sister Liu forced herself to stand straight and said with feigned bravado, "Who... who are you? This is a matter between us sisters; it's not a male Disciple's place to interfere! I am the cousin of Senior Sister Liu Ruoyan from the Alchemy Workshop!"

She tried to bring up her backer. Liu Qingmeng was the very person mentioned in previous intelligence—the Chief Disciple who was in a bad mood due to a failed Alchemy attempt and held significant prestige among the Disciples.

"Oh? Liu Qingmeng?" A cold, mocking arc curled at the corner of Qin Feng's mouth. "So what?"

Just then, a serious-looking middle-aged female deacon arrived upon hearing the news. She was the Law Enforcement Hall deacon responsible for the discipline of this area. Seeing the situation on the field, especially sensing the undisguised Grand Martial Master Aura on Qin Feng, her brows furrowed tightly.

"What is this commotion? Are you gathering for a brawl?" the female deacon asked sternly.

"Deacon Wang!" Senior Sister Liu acted as if she had seen a savior and immediately pointed at Qin Feng to complain. "It's him! As a male Disciple, he's relying on his high cultivation to interfere in our business between female Disciples, and he even pressured us with his Aura! You must seek justice for us!"

Deacon Wang looked at Qin Feng, her tone scrutinizing. "Who are you? Why are you causing trouble here?"

Qin Feng didn't speak; he simply raised his hand slowly and revealed that shimmering gold medallion.

"A Gold... Gold-Medal Deacon?!" Deacon Wang's pupils shrank suddenly. The seriousness on her face instantly turned into shock and respect, and she hurriedly bowed in greeting. "This subordinate did not know a Lord Gold-Medal Deacon was here. Please forgive my offense! May I ask, Lord, what is..."

All the Disciples around who saw the medallion, whether they were dining or watching the commotion, gasped in unison. Their gazes toward Qin Feng were filled with shock and awe. A Gold-Medal Deacon! This was a high-status existence within the Sect, possessing the power of life and death!

Senior Sister Liu and her two companions turned even paler, their entire bodies shaking like sieves. They never imagined that this seemingly ordinary young man would actually be a legendary Gold-Medal Deacon!

Qin Feng put away the medallion and looked calmly at Deacon Wang, his voice carrying clearly throughout the Dining Hall: "Su Yuchun is my sister. From now on, anyone who dares to bully her again is bullying me, Qin Feng."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three deathly pale women like something tangible, finally landing on Deacon Wang. "Deacon Wang, what is the punishment for maliciously bullying a fellow Disciple and knocking over their food?"

Deacon Wang jolted and immediately bowed. "Reporting to the Lord, according to the Sect rules, they shall be punished by cleaning the latrines for one month, have three months of their monthly allowance docked, and must publicly apologize to the victim!"

"Then handle it according to the Sect rules," Qin Feng said indifferently, leaving no room for doubt.

"Yes! My Lord!" Deacon Wang immediately turned and shouted sternly at the three women, "Liu Yun, the three of you, apologize to Junior Sister Su at once! Then report to the Servant Quarters immediately!"

How could Liu Yun still have any of her previous arrogance? She was so terrified she fell to her knees with a thud and kowtowed repeatedly to Xiao Chun. "Junior Sister Su, I'm sorry! We were wrong! We won't ever do it again! Please forgive us!" The other two women also hurriedly knelt and begged for mercy.

Xiao Chun looked at the scene before her, somewhat at a loss, and turned to look at Qin Feng.

Qin Feng gave her a slight nod.

Only then did Xiao Chun say softly, "I... I forgive you. Please get up."

The three women felt as if they had been granted a grand amnesty. Under Deacon Wang's scolding, they scurried off to receive their punishment.

The Dining Hall fell into silence. Everyone looked at Qin Feng and Xiao Chun with gazes of awe.

Qin Feng took Xiao Chun's hand and said gently, "It's alright now. No one will dare to bully you again."

"Big Brother Qin..." Xiao Chun looked up at Qin Feng's resolute profile and the eyes that held up a piece of the sky for her. Tears welled up again, but this time, they were tears of peace and gratitude. She squeezed Qin Feng's hand and nodded vigorously.

After this incident, Qin Feng's status as a Gold-Medal Deacon and his protection of Xiao Chun quickly spread throughout the Hundred Flowers Palace. No one dared to easily provoke Su Yuchun again.