Chapter 358: By The Way, There's An Ongoing Purge

(MC POV)

"I still can't believe Onii-sama took so much of your precious time to reform those guys. They were really not worth it."

I patted her head, "Killing them might be easier, but it's not always the right choice."

The official story was that I took those bandits to a place and had a long talk about their actions, convincing them to change their ways for a second chance in life.

In reality, I just basically chopped them up into pieces and ignored their screams and cries of mercy. Not much talking was involved actually.

Elaria pouted but kept her attention on the road, the mountain that Heaven Sect was built in just up ahead.

We had to pass through the village on our way there and to say the villagers gave us weird looks was an understatement, but I guess we were all used to it anyway.

Elaria pulled up in front of Heaven Sect's entrance, ignoring the stares that the people around were giving us.

"Want to come in for some tea?"

Her face brightened up, "Can I? Both Onee-sama and I have yet to see Onii-sama's Sect!"

"Well, technically it's not my Sect. I'm just a Master here."

"EEEH?! Onii-sama is not the Sect Master?! How could this be?! Let me talk to the manager!"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "I never said I was. Besides, I don't want to be the Sect Master either, too much trouble and commitment."

"Gnununu... My Onii-sama should still be the Sect Master! How can this imouto let her beloved Onii-sama get ordered around by some old fart!"

Before I could answer her, Lian Li had appeared behind her to whisper something in Elaria's ear. Apparently that was enough since my little sister just nodded her head with a bright smile.

"Onii-sama... You really are amazing, you know?"

"Where did that come from?"

"Ehehehe~ Don't worry about it! Give your cute imouto and Onee-sama a tour, won't you?"

Shrugging my shoulders, I turned back to my disciples and instructed them to go back and unpack first and have the day to themselves, it was a rather long journey and they should be quite exhausted.

They bowed their heads and obeyed, leaving me with my sisters so that I could direct them towards the stables to park their cars. Not really the best place to put them but it's not like there's car parks around here.

Both of my sisters took my sides and wrapped their arms around mine smoothly as though it was something they had practiced millions of times.

"Shall we go, Onii-sama?"

"Fufufu~ This elder sister is looking forward to it too~"

Being the understanding brother I was, I let them have their fun and escorted them up to the main entrance of Heaven Sect.

The usual two guards who were stationed there stood at attention upon seeing me.

"Welcome back, Master Lin," The left one greeted.

"I hope your vacation went well?" His buddy added.

I nodded, "It was ok I suppose. Just had a Kraken, some stupid Leprechaun and the Queen's intrusive uncle popping up. But other than that, it was ok."

The two guards looked at each other, seemingly unsure of how to respond to that.

"Umm... Ahahaha... Master Lin does have a funny sense of humour," The left guard chuckled before ushering towards the gate. "Once again, welcome back, Master Lin."

"Hold up, you guys aren't gonna question about the two girls here?" I asked, gesturing to my sisters. "Isn't this usually the time where the guards would insist that outsiders aren't allowed or something?"

"Ahaha! Master Lin, you're surely jesting. There's no way we would question you of all people about that. Especially when your guests are well... Being so intimate with you."

I raised a finger, not wanting them to be mistaken, "Just so we're clear, they are my sisters."

"Ah, well met ladies. We bid you welcome to Master Lin's Heaven Sect."

Elaria smiled at me, "I like him, Onii-sama."

I was a little confused why he would call it my Sect but I chalked it up to them trying to make me look better in front of my sisters. If anyone needs a good wingman, come find him.

Deciding that it was most likely not a good idea to stay there longer than necessary, I hurriedly escorted my sisters through the gates and past the bowing guards.

"Ehehe~ Seems like sister Lian Li was right~" Elaria giggled.

I raised an eyebrow at her, "What did she tell you?"

"Teehee~ Women's secret~"

I rolled my eyes but chose not to push the matter.

Before I could decide on where I should start introducing my sisters to the Sect, a very familiar voice called out to me from a distance away.

"Master Lin! Welcome back, Master Lin!"

I turned and smiled at my former mentor, "Hello Sect Master Qing, you seem well."

"Hahaha! Not that well, Master Lin! Without you around, it's like the Sect lost its right hand! I already compiled a list of things that need your attention for you to go through, Master Lin. I believe your disciples had already taken the list to your room."

I grimaced, "What? Why would those even be addressed to me? I'm not even the Sect Master."

Sect Master Qing scratched his cheek sheepishly, "Well... Quite a number of them were addressed to you by name, Master Lin. It seems most of the other Grand Sects still believe you are the Sect Master instead of me."

"Well, what the hell do they even want from me?"

Sect Master Qing's face turned serious suddenly, "Remember how Queen Guiying called for aid and the Grand Sects had ignored the call? They were fully convinced that we would not win and thus spurned the Queen's orders. Unfortunately for them, we have instead returned victorious and Master Lin was even directly involved in the war..."

"Fufufu~ They were hoping to curry favour with my dear little brother in order to avoid the Queen's ire, am I right?" Odriana laughed, though there was no mirth in that laughter of hers. "Such is the fate of cowards."

Sect Master Qing nodded, "It is as you say, my lady."

I sighed, "Ugh... Is this urgent?"

He pursed his lips, "Master Lin... I suppose you were unaware since you were on vacation... But Queen Guiying had already begun purging the traitors. All the nobles who had spurned her were killed without mercy."

"What?! Are the other Houses not doing anything?!"

He shook his head, "She has the complete support of the people and the army, there is no way any of them could have gone against the Queen. I heard some of the Houses sold out their Family Head as traitors in order to spare the rest of the Family... The Queen spared a few but most were slaughtered. With the Vera Family also supporting her, half of the noble Houses were purged within a day."

"And the Sects? She's killing them off too?"

"Not yet, but it's quite obvious that it was just a matter of time. None dare to move against her either because Master Lin was declared to be her Royal Tutor, which means she has your protection."

Ah... So that's why she was so insistent on giving me that position... That was quite brilliant of her.

Sect Master Qing continued, "A few Sects and Houses had disbanded and tried to escape to Dong but... I believe she had asked lady Elaria here to block off the entire mountain entrance with her troops and all of them were apprehended before being summarily executed."

Wow... She's quite ruthless huh? I can't deny the fact that this was the most efficient way of clearing out the corruption within the country but I seriously can't imagine her doing that. I mean... Just yesterday, I saw a young woman happily splashing around in the sea with my disciples and I, like she hadn't been committing a mass slaughter at the moment.

She even followed the girls in playing with my new body too and seemed entirely entranced with me too.

I guess she must be able to switch from work mode to vacation mode easily.

Guiying would make a very fine Queen indeed.