Treasure-hunting: Into the Unknown

A few days after the incident, things had developed.

Just as Katrina had previously expected, the rumors had swirled throughout the land. Everyone had been unable to stop talking about it: The news was that Zachary was the culprit and he had killed most of the Welkin Sect's warriors. The Zi Clan reinforced the rumors by announcing that Zachary was also responsible for murdering the clan's former leader. As a result, Zachary was viewed as the public enemy throughout the Enigmatic Kingdom. He was considered to be maddened by power and a loathsome traitor. What was worse was that he was viewed as one of the guiltiest and most unforgivable of villains to have ever walked the continent.

The Celestial College summoned the Cabinet members for a meeting almost at once. The dean and the college's eight warriors of Sage Level, among them Katrina herself, were in attendance.

In the heart of Sage Hall, an old man with long white hair, shining skin, and a remarkable energy was seated. In spite of his snowy hair, his face was that of a young man, and the aura he emitted was that of someone so obviously at the Holy Level. It surpassed everyone else's in the room, and made him the focus of the entire assembly. The contrast of his power, against the eight warriors of Sage Level around him, was considerable. He was far and away the most powerful of them all.

This was none other than the dean of the Celestial College: Barney Bai.

And here, Barney Bai, Katrina, and the other Cabinet members had gathered in order to pass judgment on a grave matter. They had all assembled to sentence and punish the heinous, unspeakable crime that Zachary had committed.

"Dean Barney, if I may say what everyone here is thinking," a gray-haired master said, "Zachary is scum, and his reprehensible actions are utterly undeserving of being forgiven in any manner. I propose that he be kicked out of our Celestial College immediately, and that an order for his arrest to be sent out, that he may face our good judgment and be sentenced!" The master was wearing a golden robe and boots, which made him look distinguished, and more as though he were the dean rather than Barney Bai.

As the most senior Cabinet member, he almost reached the Holy Level himself as well. He was Wesley Wan. His words made their mark—most masters present nodded to concur with him.

"I understand your concern completely," Katrina said firmly. "However, there are numerous points to be contested in the bloody case of the Welkin Sect. We still need irrefutable evidence to confirm all of this. Moreover, Zachary's whereabouts remain unknown, and no one has yet been able to confirm if he is dead or alive. There may be far more to this case than meets the eye." Her tone was firm and commanding, as she looked each of them in the eye.

There was an offended scoff from Wesley Wan. "What do you mean that there'

he hall. "Our illustrious college is famous for the pursuit of justice. We are not here to shield criminals and villains, and the truth is laid before us quite clearly. The massacre of the Zi Clan was declared by its own members, and the disciples of the Welkin Sect have given statements. Both of them point to Zachary as the murderer. He is at the very least clearly involved in these bloody cases. Furthermore, should news of this horrific crime were to spread to the rest of the world, the name of our college will be tarnished! We'd become a joke and a humiliation in the field of martial arts. We simply have no choice but to kick Zachary out of this college and disavow him completely in order to defend our good name!" Wesley Wan spoke with such deep fervency and passion that it was almost as though he were calling for Zachary's execution.

Barney Bai had been a silent witness to the fierce debate that raged between Wesley Wan and Katrina, and he certainly wasn't thrilled about what was going on. He wasn't sure as to whose side he should take. Wesley Wan was, of course, a senior master of great repute and power, commanding great respect. But Katrina was also in a highly revered position in the college. Even though she had recently become one of masters, he had thought highly of her and her good judgment from the moment she had come to the Celestial College, entrusting her with the difficult tasks, believing that she would do the right thing. He wasn't sure now whose judgment to truly turn to.

"Well, we've listened to these two make their case. What do you think?" Barney Bai then turned to the other masters. He thought it was the best way to get more opinions, letting them decide what should be done.

But the other masters were also at a similar quandary. It was not an easy decision to make, as no matter who they supported, someone would end up offended. The right thing to do was yet unclear.