Chapter 437: Cleansing

At that moment, someone loosened their fists, and others leaned back with ashen faces. The man at the end of the table announced the result without hesitation. “Based on the decision of the Elders, starting from midnight today, indiscriminate cleansing will initiate at the shelter, targeting all the corrupted members.

“The cleansing order is based on the corruption level, from highest to lowest. It doesn’t matter what family they’re from and what identity they have. From the moment the voting has been completed, they… are our enemies.

“After the cleansing is over, the shelter will be permanently shut down. The cleansed members will have their identities and histories wiped out. They will not appear in the family lineage account or any records. However, we will always remember the contributions they have made.” The man slowly stood up. He raised his left hand and pressed his left chest. He looked holy and solemn. “I stand in the night in the hopes that more people can witness the dawn.”

Moments later, more and more stood up. They mimicked the man. Some were shaking, and others were softly weeping. They understood that after this meeting, many lives would wilt. The victims were the pride of different families.

“I stand in the night in the hopes that more people can witness the dawn.”

“BANG!”

Just as they paid respect to the heroes who would soon die, the black door was pushed open. A figure stumbled from outside the door and retreated into the meeting room. Finally, he tripped and fell to the ground. Moments later, a middle-aged man in a pencil-grey suit entered the room. He had a scar around his mouth. Even though he didn’t seem scary, he looked hard to deal with.

“Gong Zhe!” When they saw the face, an elder recognised him. His face shifted. Compared to his name, the people present were more familiar with his nickname among the Night Guardians.

The bone shaver.

A man who would kill without blinking.

“Why are you here?” Another elder was dissatisfied with Gong Zhe. This was the night guardian’s highest meeting room, not a place for people to act crazy.

Gong Zhe was unfazed. He reached out his left hand and turned it around to open it. Everyone’s gaze froze. There was a ring sitting quietly in his palm.

“I’m here for the meeting.” Gong Zhe straightened himself. His voice was soft, but everyone could hear him clearly. “Representing the Xia Family.”

“20 years ago, Xia Yuan surrendered his post at the Elders and left the night guardian. He has no more rights to join the meeting of the night guardian,” An elder slammed the table and shouted.

“I do not represent Mr. Xia Yuan but his heiress,” Gong Zhe said, “Miss Xia.”

“Even Xia Yuan has no right to be here, much less a little girl?” Someone scoffed angrily. He thought Gong Zhe had lost his mind.

“Back then, there were 13 families that formed Night Guardian. The Xia Family is one of them. Why wouldn’t she have the rights?” Gong Zhe questioned, “Plus, there was an oath that was made. Once one enters the night guardian, one cannot leave unless the family has been completely wiped out. Have you… forgotten all about that?”

People looked at each other. Gong Zhe was telling the truth. But… if he joined the voting, there might be variables, and that was something they would never allow.

There were a few hidden exchanges of heads. People nodded. Some hands reached towards the weapons.

Gong Zhe pulled back the ring. Then, he lowered his right hand. With a slight shake, a giant folding knife slid out. He held it firmly. A scary atmosphere spread in the room. At the same time, a few elders started to mutate. Veins popped on their foreheads, and limbs dislocated from the joints. One elder’s body bulged like a balloon. He became as muscular as an ox. However, all of them had crimson eyes.

The majestic presence descended. People’s ears chimed. They were the owners of the doors. The door was a poison, but at the same time, it was the best cure for time. They relied on the power of the door to survive until now. They were even fitter than the youth. That was the cursed taboo power.

Regardless, Gong Zhe was not scared. He took a giant step forward. His presence suffocated many people.

“Enough.” The man at the end of the table suddenly spoke. “You’re right.” The man sighed. Someone tried to interrupt him, but he continued, “Xia Yuan has surrendered his rights, but the Xia Family hasn’t.

“Our topic today is to discuss how to deal with the corrupted night guardians. The corruption is irreversible. For them, death might be the greatest charity. Everyone here knows the consequences of corruption. All of us are the same. The moment we accepted the door, God had abandoned us.

“One day, we’ll face the consequences. Therefore, the decision we make today will be repeated on us. However, this is inevitable. To deal with the devils, we have to become devils. To resist the curse, we have to consume the curse.

“I’ve said everything.” The man turned to Gong Zhe. “Now is your turn to cast your vote, Mr. Bone Shaver.”

“Gong Zhe!” Someone shouted. “You have to know that your decision might undo all the effort we have made!”

“The corrupted are not the people we know anymore. We can’t do anything to help them!”

“Once some of them escape into our world, do you know what will happen?”

“You’ll be the sinner in history!”

“The history book will make you into the dumbest and cruellest demon! Your thought will cause the tragedy to happen!”

Gong Zhe turned to the symbol of the Night Guardian on the wall behind the table. He flashed the ring that represented the Xia Family. “The Xia Family is against this proposal.”

“Gong Zhe!” Someone’s eyes were red.

The man at the end of the table was the host. He sighed in relief and slumped in his chair.

“The proposal fails to pass. The decision of the 143rd meeting is revoked.” The man finally announced, “The shelter… will remain as is.”