The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 8

He Guhua, his head throbbing, waved for her to sit down. “Palace Master Meng, please calm down. You have a point. Besides, everyone knows Young Mistress Meng’s devotion to Qingshuang.”

 

“But everything requires evidence, right? Your mother says she’s right, her mother says she’s right. How are Steward Zhang and I supposed to make a decision? Right, Steward Zhang?”

 

Zhang Yuan stiffly nodded, cleared her throat, and asked, “Junior Sister Yan, do you have any evidence?”

 

Yan Qingshuang clenched her fist, then relaxed it. She sighed softly, “No.”

 

Zhang Yuan and He Guhua exchanged a glance, their eyes reflecting helplessness.

 

Seeing this, Meng Ze’s expression flashed with cunning. She sneered, “Didn’t I tell you?”

 

He Guhua inwardly cursed. “Palace Master Meng, what do you mean by this?”

 

Meng Ze curled her lip downward, tossed the Recording Stone into the air with an air of profound mystery, and infused it with a wisp of spiritual power to activate playback.

 

Instantly, the Recording Stone projected a large black screen.

 

Hiding in a corner, Jian Li rubbed her neck. Strange, why isn’t it tense anymore?

 

Her heart pounded in her chest.

 

He Guhua activated a temporary Spiritual Sense Talisman, its crimson runes hovering between Yan Qingshuang’s brows.

 

“Qingshuang, see for yourself.”

 

Yan Qingshuang met Meng Ze’s evidence with unwavering composure.

 

The projected scene showed Yan Qingshuang and Meng Ruoyi ensnared by the enraged Thousand-Foot Centipede.

 

The centipede’s assault was relentless. Its legs tore through Yan Qingshuang’s robes, piercing her skin as crimson bl00d gushed forth.

 

“Ah!” Yan Qingshuang cried out.

 

Her Life-Bound Sword Canglan clattered to the ground, its white light gradually fading.

 

Meng Ruoyi frantically slashed at the centipede’s legs. “Qingshuang, are you alright?”

 

A strange glint flickered in Yan Qingshuang’s eyes. She suddenly gripped Meng Ruoyi’s sleeve. “Ruoyi, do you like me?”

 

Meng Ruoyi, her face marred by wounds, barely managed to conceal her bashfulness. “I do.”

 

“If that’s the case,” Yan Qingshuang tightened her grip on Meng Ruoyi’s arm and yanked her forward, “then you’ll shield me from it!”

 

“What?!”

 

The scene shifted to the centipede’s sharp legs piercing Meng Ruoyi’s abdomen.

 

Her eyes widened with disbelief.

 

The video concluded, leaving the four present in stunned silence.

 

After a long moment, He Guhua slammed his palm against the armrest, his voice trembling with fury. “Qingshuang! How could you stoop to such vile and despicable acts?!”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s smoky eyes flickered, her breathing quickened, and her fingertips trembled. “Master, that wasn’t me.”

 

Before He Guhua could demand an explanation, Meng Ze leaped forward, pointing at Yan Qingshuang’s detestable eyes. “Liar!”

 

“You claim to be a righteous cultivator, yet your methods are as filthy as those of a Demonic Cultivator! You dare to commit such acts but lack the courage to own up to them? You’re worse than an animal!”

 

He Guhua’s face darkened several shades. Even when punishing a dog, one must consider its master. “Young Mistress Meng, I respect Yuheng Palace as a pillar of the Immortal Alliance. As its leader, how can you spew such vulgarities?”

 

Meng Ze glared. “Ah, Elder He, so meticulous with your manners. With such a disciple, you truly reap what you sow.”

 

Stung by this cold mockery, He Guhua nearly spat bl00d in rage.

 

Knowing she was in the wrong, she could only vent her fury on Yan Qingshuang. “Steward Zhang! Sect regulations!”

 

Zhang Yuan hurriedly pulled out the Sect Rules booklet, flipped through a few pages, and read aloud, “According to Article 103 of the Sect Rules, anyone who attempts to harm a fellow member of the Immortal Alliance shall be punished with twenty lashes, their cultivation scattered, and expelled from the Sect.”

 

He Guhua glared coldly. “What does Palace Master Meng say?”

 

Meng Ze sat calmly in her grand master’s chair, leisurely sipping tea. Only when He Guhua and the others grew impatient did she finally speak, “Then let it be so for now.”

 

Jian Li was frantic, desperate to burst out and shout, That’s not Yan Qingshuang!

 

The Yan Qingshuang on screen, her torn robes revealing white undergarments, was clearly wearing white undergarments.

 

Their first meeting.

 

Jian Li vividly remembered Yan Qingshuang wearing black, bloodstained undergarments!

 

She was furious at Yan Qingshuang’s silence, at her refusal to defend herself.

 

What’s the point of having a mouth if you won’t use it?!

 

He Guhua cast a deep, lingering look at his eldest disciple and shook his head. “Qingshuang, you’ve truly disappointed your master.”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s knees ached fiercely, her body swaying momentarily. Lowering her smoky eyes, she faced Meng Ze. “Palace Master Meng, may I request a meeting with Young Mistress Meng?”

 

Meng Ze frowned. “There’s no need. After this incident, my daughter has decided to seek a new partner. Strength is irrelevant; character is what truly matters.”

 

He Guhua sneered. “Qingshuang, look at yourself now. Do you really expect Young Mistress Meng to forgive you?”

 

“Steward Zhang, take her away.”

 

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and grasped Yan Qingshuang’s arm, but found herself unable to move her.

 

She lowered her head and whispered in Yan Qingshuang’s ear, “Junior Sister Yan, it’s come to this. Let’s go.”

 

Yan Qingshuang staggered to her feet and followed Zhang Yuan toward the Disciplinary Hall.

 

Jian Li hurried after them.

 

When they reached an open space, Zhang Yuan summoned her greatsword.

 

“Junior Sister Yan,” Zhang Yuan said, “everyone has emotions and desires. It’s natural to value one’s life. Your actions were born of desperation, weren’t they?”

 

Yan Qingshuang denied it. “Senior Sister Zhang, the figure in the Recording Stone isn’t me. I don’t know why Ruoyi would frame me like this.”

 

“But you have no evidence to prove…” Zhang Yuan trailed off as a black-and-white spiritual beast meowed at their feet. “Where did this creature come from?”

 

Jian Li nuzzled Yan Qingshuang’s ankle. “Little Shuang, Little Shuang, I finally found you!”

 

Yan Qingshuang knelt down, smiling. “This is the spiritual beast I mentioned earlier, the one that rescued me from the Mystic Realm.”

 

Forced to take the matter seriously, Zhang Yuan asked, “Did it see you with Young Mistress Meng?”

 

“No.”

 

“Then it can’t be considered evidence.”

 

“It’s fine, Senior Sister Zhang. I’ll go receive my punishment,” Yan Qingshuang said, gently stroking Jian Li’s fluffy head. “May I have a few words with her first?”

 

Zhang Yuan stepped back, waiting by her sword.

 

Jian Li frantically clung to Yan Qingshuang’s slender arm. “Don’t go, Little Shuang!”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Are you full?”

 

“Very full! The buns were delicious. I’m even burping! Thank you.”

 

“Can I touch your belly?”

 

“Okay.”

 

Jian Li exposed her belly, and Yan Qingshuang lightly touched its soft fur.

 

“There’s something I need you to do for me. If it’s inconvenient, don’t worry about it.”

 

“Tell me, Little Shuang. I’ll do it!”

 

Yan Qingshuang retrieved a letter from her sleeve. “This is Aunt Zhao’s letter. I didn’t have time to give it to Master earlier. Could you deliver it for me?”

 

Jian Li accepted the letter with both paws, asking plaintively, “What about you? Are you really going to be punished? You’re innocent!”

 

Yan Qingshuang: “Master knows that too, but she has to make this decision because of the Immortal Alliance’s interests.”

 

Sensing the bitterness in her voice, Jian Li pressed the letter to her chest. “Okay, I’ll deliver it. But promise me you won’t take the whipping yet, okay?”

 

“Why?”

 

“I don’t want you to get hurt.”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled reassuringly. “It’s alright. I’m not afraid of pain.”

 

Who in this world isn’t afraid of pain? We’re not made of iron, after all. Jian Li felt a sudden tightness in her chest.

 

She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came. Helpless, she could only watch as Steward Zhang led Yan Qingshuang away.

 

A constricting sensation tightened around her neck.

 

She summoned the System: “Is there something wrong with this beast body? My neck has been hurting for days, like someone’s choking me.”

 

The System crackled twice before replying, “Host, did you even read the bracelet’s manual? Once you’re separated from your master by a certain distance, you’ll experience side effects as a ‘little doggy,’ including neck constriction.”

 

“I’m not a little doggy.”

 

“Wear this, Host, and you’ll become Yan Qingshuang’s little doggy.”

 

What kind of ridiculous logic is this?

 

Exhausted, Jian Li grabbed the letter and dashed toward the Council Hall.

 

She now despised He Guhua. He knew his disciple was innocent, yet he still insisted on punishing her.

 

In the game, everyone in the Tianyan Sect had been portrayed as virtuous and righteous.

 

But after witnessing Du Xiaqing’s jealousy yesterday and He Guhua and Meng Ze’s treachery today, Jian Li realized she needed to reevaluate her perception of the so-called villain, Yan Qingshuang.

 

As if summoned by her thoughts, He Guhua was currently in conversation with Meng Ze.

 

Jian Li hid behind a pillar, eavesdropping.

 

This time, their voices were unusually soft, like hushed whispers plotting in secret.

 

“Meng… what a performance. Three birds with one stone… Heh, am I just another one of those birds?”

 

“You jest, Elder He. We each take what we need…”

 

The two were standing too close for comfort. Jian Li leaned out from behind the pillar, straining to hear their conversation.

 

Suddenly, she heard nothing at all. A gust of wind swept her high into the air.

 

Jian Li panicked, dangling helplessly in mid-air.

 

Then she realized: He Guhua had caught her.

 

“What’s a Spiritual Beast doing here?” He Guhua demanded.

 

“Why so nervous, Elder He?” Meng Ze replied. “It’s just a beast.”

 

“Shouldn’t you be back tending to your precious child? I heard she’s about to advance to the Nascent Soul stage?”

 

“Haha, yes! We’ll be hosting a Breakthrough Feast. Elder He, you must attend!”

 

Despite her burning rage, Jian Li knew better than to act rashly in her current weak state.

 

She feigned docility, relaxing her limbs.

 

Only after Meng Ze rode the wind away did He Guhua release Jian Li.

 

Stumbling to her feet, Jian Li clutched the letter tightly in her mouth.

 

She crawled to He Guhua’s side and tilted her head up.

 

“A letter for me?”

 

Jian Li meowed.

 

He Guhua was in a good mood. The Lotus Heart Marrow Palace Master Meng had given her was enough to advance her cultivation by a small stage.

 

She leisurely tucked the letter into her sleeve, waved her hand dismissively, and sent Jian Li away.

 

Eager to see Yan Qingshuang, Jian Li activated her wristwatch. In an instant, it transported her to the Disciplinary Hall.

 

In the blink of an eye, she saw the gilded plaque of the Disciplinary Hall.

 

Looking around, she saw only the disciples on duty; Yan Qingshuang and Steward Zhang were nowhere to be found.

 

A foreboding feeling rose in her heart.

 

In the game, the Disciplinary Hall had a dungeon specifically for imprisoning high-level criminals—Monster Beasts and Demonic Cultivators.

 

The punishments these prisoners endured were unimaginable.

 

Following the map, Jian Li raced down the stairs toward the dungeon.

 

Located at the bottom of the staircase, the dungeon was dark and damp. The deeper she descended, the louder the clanking of chains and low growls became.

 

Jian Li waded through the water, her paws soaking wet.

 

In the outermost area, she spotted Yan Qingshuang’s slender figure.

 

Yan Qingshuang knelt on the ground, her hands resting beside her legs. Her long, raven-black hair was pinned up with a wooden hairpin, revealing her delicate white ears and beautiful profile.

 

Thank goodness Yan Qingshuang isn’t a high-level criminal, Jian Li thought, relieved she wasn’t confined to a small cell.

 

Just as Jian Li was feeling relieved—

 

Crack!

 

A glowing whip slashed past her eyes.

 

The whip struck Yan Qingshuang’s back. Her fists clenched, her eyes flashed, but she made not a sound.

 

Only then did Jian Li realize that Yan Qingshuang’s white robes were already stained crimson with bl00d.

 

“Little Shuang!”

 

Tears welled in Jian Li’s eyes. She lunged forward and sank her teeth into the executioner’s calf.