["Lie boldly. Scheme quietly. Slap someone publicly. If that fails, wear a disguise and testify on your own behalf." – Wu Feng]
-
The Broken Root Sect's Judgment Platform hadn't seen a crowd this big in years.
Dozens of outer and inner sect disciples gathered, gossiping in hushed tones. Core disciples stood off to the side, pretending to look disinterested. Elders sat atop jade thrones, their auras restrained but ready.
And in the middle of it all?
Wu Feng, sitting in spiritual binding rope, legs crossed, holding a peach like it was a court-issued right.
He took a bite, eyes half-lidded.
"I expected the rope to be tighter," he muttered.
[+5 PP – Casual Disrespect (Under Trial)]
Elder Han, the sect's enforcer, stood tall beside the record pillar, voice echoing as he began the charges.
"Wu Feng, orphan of no lineage, disciple of no master. You stand accused of:
Disrupting sect order,
Humiliating a ranked disciple,
Using illegal illusion techniques,
Forging scrolls to impersonate a rogue sect, and
Threatening the reputation of Broken Root Sect."
The crowd murmured.
"I heard he made Fang Muchen stab himself...""Is he really part of a cult?""My cousin saw him vanish in smoke with a rice bun last week—like a rogue expert!"
Wu Feng chewed another bite of peach, then spoke up.
"Correction, Elder. I threatened arrogance, not the sect."
[+5 PP – Argumentative Bluff (Unapologetic Tone)][+10 PP – Crowd Distraction (Redirection Successful)]
Elder Han's hand twitched. "You admit to these acts?"
Wu stretched in his seat. "I admit to waking up and realizing this sect runs on spiritual nepotism and outdated dress codes. The rest is interpretation."
"Enough."
Elder Ming, older and calmer, gestured. "Let's proceed with formal testimony."
Elder Han nodded. "Fine. Bring in the injured party. Fang Muchen."
⚔️ Enter the Victim
Fang Muchen limped into the arena, thigh wrapped in spirit gauze, face pale but burning with fury. He pointed directly at Wu Feng.
"He attacked me with forbidden arts. Some kind of rogue technique!"
The crowd stirred.
Wu stood, robe fluttering in the breeze like a misunderstood scholar.
"I did no such thing," he said calmly. "In fact, I wasn't even present."
"You—! You planted a scroll!"
Wu looked shocked. "You mean that inspiring handwritten warning that mysteriously appeared after you stabbed yourself mid-technique? Sounds like karma."
[+10 PP – Denial With Style][+5 PP – Redirect Blame (Victim Gaslighting)]
"Lies!" Fang shouted. "That was the Heavenly Meme Cult!"
More murmurs.
"He said the name!""Does that confirm it's real?""Only a fool would say the name out loud..."
Elder Han turned to Fang. "Do you have proof?"
Fang hesitated. "No, but—"
"Then," said Wu Feng, raising a hand, "perhaps I should summon someone who does."
Cult Enters the Courtroom
Before anyone could react, a puff of black illusion smoke erupted at the arena's edge. From it emerged a tall figure in shadow-gray robes, a half-mask covering his face. A glowing, asymmetrical symbol ☯ was emblazoned on his chest.
Gasps exploded.
"That's—!""A member of the Meme Cult?""They're real?!"
Wu Feng bowed solemnly to the figure.
"Master."
[+20 PP – Self-Disguise (Advanced Bluff)][+10 PP – Faked Hierarchy Reference][+5 PP – Spiritual Signature Misdirection (Via Disguise Cloak I)]
The figure turned to the judges and began to speak with voice-shifting talisman assistance:
"I am the Fifth Strategist of the Heavenly Meme Cult.The accused was acting under our directive.We do not harm unless correction is required."
Elder Han snapped, "You admit to interfering with our sect?"
"Interference?" the masked Wu said, "We test hypocrisy. We identify structural decay. Fang Muchen was judged... by his own ego."
Li Qingyu, who had remained silent all trial, finally spoke.
"Who is your leader?"
"Unknown," Wu replied. "We operate in cells. Even I have never seen the Grand Satirist."
[+15 PP – Improvised Lore Creation][+5 PP – Cult Leader Title Invented (Believable Ambiguity)]
Petty System Update
Petty Points: 230Cult Threat Level: 3 – Confirmed AnomalyThe Heavenly Meme Cult is now an acknowledged rogue entity in sect records.Unlocks:
Faction Forgery Tools – Tier 1
Illusion Authority Scrolls (Can create fake "cult orders")
Reputation Masking Cloak (Lv. 1)
Judgment
The sect elders convened briefly.
Elder Han, fuming, pushed for expulsion.
Elder Ming argued for investigation.
Li Qingyu held the final vote.
She stood, arms crossed.
"We have no evidence of illegal acts. Only circumstantial mystery... and fear. Let this serve as a warning."
She looked straight at Wu Feng. "We're watching you."
Wu bowed respectfully.
"Then you'll see how efficiently I nap."
[+5 PP – Shameless Closing Line]
Later That Night
Wu Feng burned the disguise robe behind the meditation pond.
The illusion talisman was still glowing softly.
He pocketed it and opened his Petty Shop.
New items gleamed:
Recruitment Scroll (Fake)
Elder's Seal (Replica)
Shadow Clone Talisman (Narrative Variant)
Mask of Spiritual Ambiguity
He turned toward the sect's main hall, where the next public trial would happen in two days.
Wu grinned.
"Time to give them something bigger."