The Sickly Beauty and Her Guide Leopard - Chapter 9

Hearing the commotion, Yan Qingshuang relaxed her shoulders, which had been tensed in support. She bent down weakly and gently tugged at Jian Li’s tail.

 

“Good girl, release your bite first.”

 

Reluctantly, Jian Li retracted her sharp little teeth, her fur bristling as she hissed fiercely at the menacing executioner.

 

Despite her small, kitten-like appearance, she posed no real threat.

 

To Zhang Yuan, Jian Li’s bite felt like a mosquito’s tickle.

 

Removing her green-faced, fanged mask to reveal a kind face, Zhang Yuan chuckled, “Such a tiny thing, but you bite with such ferocity.”

 

Obsessed with the bl00d Yan Qingshuang had shed, Jian Li snarled, “You pretend to care about Little Shuang, yet you strike so harshly! You’re a beast in human skin, heartless, soulless, a wolf in sheep’s clothing!”

 

“What did it say?” Zhang Yuan asked.

 

“It said you care about me,” Yan Qingshuang replied.

 

Zhang Yuan sheathed her nine-section whip, unconvinced. “It sounds like it’s cursing me, and with quite foul language.”

 

That’s exactly what I’m doing! Jian Li bared her teeth.

 

“Xiao Li,” Yan Qingshuang said, “I’ve already carved the inscription on the stele to accept punishment. If Steward Zhang fails to complete her task, she’ll face double the lashes.”

 

Zhang Yuan couldn’t deny this. She put her mask back on and spoke gently, “Step aside, Little Spiritual Beast.”

 

She’s still going to strike me?

 

Jian Li leaped up and bit Zhang Yuan’s wrist.

 

“Little thing,” Zhang Yuan said, “I’m telling you one last time: let go. Don’t waste everyone’s time.”

 

Jian Li whimpered and refused to release her grip.

 

Zhang Yuan had always been a ruthless woman, strictly separating personal feelings from professional duties.

 

The expression behind her mask suddenly shifted.

 

The whip, imbued with spiritual power, cracked through the air, its razor-sharp energy palpable even to Jian Li.

 

Jian Li trembled uncontrollably, momentarily regretting her defiance. Yan Qingshuang had willingly accepted the punishment, at worst facing a beating that would leave her half-dead. But Jian Li was just a little leopard; one strike from that whip could kill her outright.

 

What was I thinking, acting so tough when I’m so weak?!

 

The sickening crack of the whip tearing flesh echoed through the air.

 

But the expected searing pain never came. Jian Li remained unharmed.

 

Her perspective shifted abruptly as she was pulled into someone’s arms.

 

Dazed, Jian Li tilted her head upward.

 

Yan Qingshuang’s brow was furrowed in a tight frown, sweat dripping from her forehead to the tip of her nose, then onto Jian Li’s fluffy fur.

 

Still shaken, Jian Li instinctively burrowed into Yan Qingshuang’s chest, finding comfort in its softness and sense of belonging.

 

“Ten more lashes,” Zhang Yuan stated matter-of-factly.

 

“Very well,” Yan Qingshuang replied, setting Jian Li aside and ruffling her head. Her voice was hoarse. “Be good. Don’t cause any more trouble.”

 

Jian Li collapsed, feeling guilty and helpless.

 

She closed her eyes and covered her ears, miserably.

 

I’m sorry, Little Shuang. Your health bar is too thick. I won’t waste my energy trying to break a rock with an egg.

 

Just then, a deep voice echoed from above the dungeon.

 

“Stop.”

 

Zhang Yuan, whip in hand, turned to see who had spoken.

 

What is Elder He doing here?

 

She glanced at Yan Qingshuang, who seemed to sense something. “Master,” Yan Qingshuang murmured.

 

Jian Li, who despised He Guhua, stepped protectively in front of Yan Qingshuang, adopting a defensive posture. It’s all his fault.

 

He Guhua shot Jian Li a sidelong glance. So this little beast is my eldest disciple’s spirit pet?

 

He spoke gently to Yan Qingshuang, gesturing toward her wounds. “Disciple, take this pill to ease the pain. I was wrong to doubt you earlier.”

 

Yan Qingshuang hesitated, her eyes lowered, unsure whether to accept.

 

Zhang Yuan protested, “What do you mean, Elder He?”

 

Seeing his disciple’s awkwardness, He Guhua directly pressed the pill into Yan Qingshuang’s hand.

 

He turned to Zhang Yuan. “Forget what I mean for now. How many lashes remain? Put the whip away.”

 

Zhang Yuan stood firm. “A word spoken cannot be taken back, Elder He. It would undermine the Disciplinary Hall’s authority to go back on our word.”

 

Why can’t you be more flexible? He Guhua shot Zhang Yuan a meaningful look and pulled her aside.

 

“Rules are made by people. Let’s be flexible. We just wrote her name on the memorial stone—we can simply cross it out with the Heavenly Mandate Pen.”

 

“Elder He, are you alright? This isn’t just about crossing out a name! If Junior Sister Yan is innocent, then the blame lies entirely with Palace Master Meng and the others!”

 

Zhang Yuan’s voice rose sharply.

 

Hearing the word “innocent,” Jian Li instinctively wanted to step forward and argue on Yan Qingshuang’s behalf. But she froze, remembering she could only meow—essentially mute.

 

“Why are you shouting so loudly? Does that make Qingshuang right?” He Guhua lowered his voice. “Look, there’s more to this than meets the eye. I can’t explain it all right now. She’s already taken ten lashes. Let’s just leave it at that!”

 

His tone brooked no argument, leaving Zhang Yuan with no room to argue.

 

The Heavenly Mandate Pen could only be wielded by Elders, requiring a significant expenditure of spiritual power.

 

If Yan Qingshuang’s own Master didn’t care, what business was it of hers to interfere?

 

Yan Qingshuang’s palm was damp with sweat. Jian Li licked it, finding it slightly salty. “Your Master seems to have dropped the matter.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Jian Li continued licking. “Aren’t you happy?”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s palms itched, and a piercing pain shot through her back. She forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

 

Jian Li gently pulled at the fabric of Yan Qingshuang’s robe, only to find it stuck to her skin. Keep pretending, she thought.

 

She marveled at Yan Qingshuang’s extraordinary resilience. Anyone else would have collapsed long ago.

 

He Guhua and Zhang Yuan agreed to send Yan Qingshuang to Wending Peak for treatment, covering the expenses themselves.

 

“Qingshuang, come here,” He Guhua called. “I need to speak with you.”

 

Yan Qingshuang obeyed, stepping past Jian Li to approach him.

 

Zhang Yuan grumbled to Jian Li, “Little thing, tell me—why should I pay for her medical bills when it’s Elder He and Palace Master Meng who caused this?”

 

“You beat up our Little Shuang for no reason, and now you’re complaining about paying a little money? It’s not going to kill you!”

 

To Zhang Yuan, Jian Li’s meows sounded like complete agreement.

 

“You agree with me, right? I selfishly want Junior Sister Yan to recover, but some people don’t want her to.”

 

Tired of the hassle of trying to communicate, Jian Li simply bit Zhang Yuan’s calf to make her point.

 

Zhang Yuan finally understood: the little thing was still angry.

 

“You’ve got quite the temper! Good thing you’re so cute. Let me pet you?”

 

She reached out to ruffle Jian Li’s fur.

 

Jian Li dodged sideways and darted away, scampering wildly through the dungeon.

 

Zhang Yuan chased after her, calling out, “Hey, hey, don’t run that way!”

 

Jian Li slipped through a narrow passage and vanished into the distance.

 

Ahead, in the darkness, a flickering red light appeared, accompanied by rustling sounds.

 

Her sixth sense screamed danger. Discretion is the better part of valor, she thought, and silently retreated.

 

Better go back to Yan Qingshuang, she decided. Otherwise, my neck might get squeezed again.

 

Despite being covered in scars, Yan Qingshuang stood respectfully before He Guhua, answering his questions with unwavering deference.

 

He Guhua had also read Zhao Yu’s letter and subtly sided with Yan Qingshuang throughout their conversation, even issuing veiled threats.

 

Perfect. She needed Yan Qingshuang to do something for her anyway.

 

He Guhua spoke earnestly, “Qingshuang, I know the figure in the Recording Stone wasn’t you. That Life-Bound Sword was wrong—I remember your sword having a Sword Tassel.”

 

The sword tassel had been a gift from He Guhua to five-year-old Qingshuang during their descent from the mountain. Little did he know the child would wear it for over twenty years.

 

He was confident that mentioning this would move his eldest disciple.

 

Yan Qingshuang hesitated. “Master, my Life-Bound Sword…”

 

After her Golden Core was stolen, her Life-Bound Sword had shattered into two pieces. The remaining half had been pulverized to save Jian Li.

 

He Guhua sighed. “It’s just a Life-Bound Sword. I understand your hardship and appreciate you enduring those ten lashes. But voluntarily offering your Golden Core to Meng Ruoyi…”

 

“Among all the disciples on Sword Peak, you were the only one at the Nascent Soul stage. Alas, now everything is gone. My days ahead will be difficult.”

 

The Tianyan Sect comprised six major peaks, led by the Sect Master and five Elders, each with a Nascent Soul-level personal disciple.

 

Now, the personal disciple of the Elder of Sole Jianxing Peak had become the scapegoat, willingly sacrificing her Golden Core.

 

Yan Qingshuang lowered her head. “It was my blindness… I’ve failed to repay Master’s years of cultivation.”

 

He Guhua smiled. “Silly child, a teacher is like a mother for life. How could I blame you? I received Zhao Yu’s letter; she truly cares for you.”

 

“Aunt Zhao has always been kind.”

 

“What? Do you think I’ve treated you poorly? Even though you sought the Lotus Heart Marrow for me, wouldn’t your own cultivation benefit from my advancement?” He Guhua continued, “The Sect’s internal competition is just a few days away. Many are eagerly waiting to see our master-disciple pair make fools of ourselves.”

 

Yan Qingshuang paused, then said softly, “Master, there’s actually a way for me to recover my cultivation sooner.”

 

He Guhua raised an eyebrow, finally getting to the point. “Are you referring to the Bl00d-Rending Needle, Qingshuang?”

 

“Yes. I humbly request your assistance, Master.”

 

“Have you considered the risks? Using that needle could lead to mild mental confusion or, in severe cases, soul fragmentation.”

 

“Yes, I understand, Master.”

 

A useful tool should be put to good use, He Guhua thought, patting Yan Qingshuang’s shoulder with satisfaction. “Good disciple, you are my pride.”

 

Just as Yan Qingshuang was about to speak, a furry paw gripped her palm.

 

She froze for a moment, then whispered, “Xiao Li?”

 

He Guhua: “Xiao Li… your spirit beast?”

 

“It was this creature that saved me in the Mystic Realm,” Yan Qingshuang said.

 

He Guhua nodded. He didn’t have a strong impression of the Spiritual Beast; it had seemed clever enough when delivering messages, but showed no signs of cultivation. He wasn’t worried about it posing any threat.

 

After exchanging a few polite words and arranging their next meeting, He Guhua called Zhang Yuan over and invited everyone to dine together.

 

Yan Qingshuang politely declined, citing her injuries and the need to retrieve medicine from Wending Peak.

 

Zhang Yuan handed Yan Qingshuang a set of soft white robes and summoned a Celestial Crane to escort her.

 

Jian Li clung tightly to Yan Qingshuang, determined to keep Zhang Yuan from plucking any more of her fur.

 

On the way to Wending Peak, Jian Li anxiously peeled back Yan Qingshuang’s robes to check her wounds. The delicate skin was no longer bleeding.

 

“Did you take the medicine your Master gave you?”

 

“Mm-hmm. I feel much better now. Stop staring…”

 

Jian Li irritably tugged Yan Qingshuang’s collar closed. “Your Master is awful! She didn’t even speak up for you.”

 

“The greater good comes first.”

 

Yan Qingshuang’s face was utterly drained of color. What have they done to her?

 

Jian Li protested indignantly, “Sacrificing you is the ‘greater good’? Is the Immortal Alliance’s reputation and interests more important than you? You’ve been her disciple for decades—don’t you think she’s heartless?”

 

Yan Qingshuang smiled, a flicker of emotion crossing her violet-tinged eyes.

 

She reached out and gently touched Jian Li’s paw pad.

 

Bending down, she pressed her cheek against Jian Li’s paw pad and explained slowly, “Master isn’t bad, she’s just… impatient. Within the Immortal Alliance, her rank is lower than Palace Master Meng’s, so she can’t afford to offend him. Besides…”

 

“Whether on Jianxing Peak or within the Immortal Alliance, there are plenty of petty people coveting her position. She needs to be constantly wary of others.”

 

I think your Master is the petty one, Jian Li thought.

 

“You’re so filial…” Jian Li remarked sarcastically.

 

“That’s the second time you’ve called me filial.”

 

“Exactly!” Jian Li withdrew her paw irritably. “Between the Mystic Realm and delivering this message, I’ve saved you twice now. You should be filial to me too.”

 

Yan Qingshuang straightened up, a faint smile curving her lips. “Alright,” she murmured softly. “What do you want?”