After Being Certified by the Immortal Lord on the Path of Ruthlessness - Chapter 60

The scorching sun hung high in the sky, finally breaking through the prolonged gloom on Mount Hua.

 

The person lying in bed slowly stirred awake.

 

Jiang Mianhao lifted her gaze to the one holding her, her cheeks flushing faintly.

 

The events of the previous night had escalated beyond Jiang Mianhao’s comprehension, and she couldn’t even recall how she had eventually fallen asleep.

 

All she remembered was crying until her tears ran dry and her voice grew hoarse.

 

She had even been coaxed by Lu Jiu into licking her fingertips under the guise of “tasting each other’s essence”.

 

Realizing her thoughts had strayed, Jiang Mianhao shook her head vigorously and propped herself up to sit.

 

But as her arms gave way, she collapsed again, tumbling into Lu Jiu’s embrace.

 

Ye Qingge slowly opened her eyes and chuckled softly, “So energetic this early in the morning?”

“Y-you’re not allowed to mention it!” Jiang Mianhao’s face flushed crimson as she buried her head under the covers.

 

Ye Qingge laughed at her reaction and shook her head. “You weren’t this shy last night.”

 

Curled up beneath the quilt, Jiang Mianhao scrambled backward in a fluster, muttering under her breath.

 

Just as the two were playfully bickering, a soft knock sounded at the door.

 

“Miss Jiang, are you awake? The sect leader wishes to see you.”

 

Jiang Mianhao gasped softly and immediately replied, “Coming right away!”

 

Without a backward glance, she clumsily crawled out of the bedding.

 

After washing up and changing her clothes, she arrived at the main hall, only to be startled by the crowd gathered inside.

 

“It’s her, it’s her!” a swordsman exclaimed. “She was the only one with the lady before the incident happened!”

 

Feng Mingyi looked at the newcomer and sighed softly. “Mianhao, do you remember what happened yesterday? After all, you were the only one with the lady at the time and now she remains unconscious.”

Jiang Mianhao was taken aback, looking somewhat dazed. “What happened?”

 

“She’s still pretending!” the swordsman said indignantly. “Yesterday, she and the lady were making dumplings together. How is it that the lady is unconscious while she stands here perfectly fine?”

 

In an instant, all eyes in the room turned toward her.

 

“Are you implying it’s her fault?”

 

A cold voice echoed from the doorway. Ye Qingge narrowed her eyes, her expression instantly turning icy.

 

Ling Lan, who had just arrived, frowned upon hearing this, her expression displeased.

 

Sensing the unintended implication in her words, Feng Mingyi also felt a pang of regret. “That’s not what I meant. It’s just that Mianhao was the only one with my sister at the time, so…”

 

Jiang Mianhao moved to stand beside Lu Jiu, gently tugging at her sleeve to signal her not to be so harsh.

 

“Mianhao, you know how it is. Your sister Jiang has always been frail and has suffered so much over the years with me,” Feng Mingyi said, her worry causing her words to tumble out in disarray. “I wouldn’t even dream of letting her get hurt, I wouldn’t lay a finger on her. But now, even after multiple examinations by physicians, she shows no signs of improvement. And you’re the one who spends the most time with her.”

 

Hearing the subtle coercion in her words, Ling Lan, standing nearby, also furrowed her brow and said calmly, “Early yesterday morning, the junior sister assigned to patrol the foot of the mountain reported capturing a red snake. The issue likely lies with the snake.”

 

“As for you,” Ling Lan raised her eyes and fixed her gaze on the junior sister who had spoken so confidently, “spreading baseless accusations and tarnishing someone’s reputation. Mianhao is also a victim in this matter. Will you apologize for your misjudgment?”

 

Ye Qingge watched Feng Mingyi’s tears coldly, feeling the weight of the room’s judgmental stares fixed upon Jiang Mianhao.

 

An indescribable anger surged in her heart, her knuckles cracking as she clenched her fists.

 

Jiang Mianhao sensed her displeasure and reached out to wrap her arms around Lu Jiu’s waist, patting her soothingly before taking hold of her hands.

 

“Sister Feng, let me tell you what happened yesterday,” Jiang Mianhao said softly, holding Lu Jiu’s hand as she began to recount the events.

 

The junior disciple scoffed discontentedly, “Who knows if it’s true or not? What if—”

 

Her words abruptly cut off.

 

A blade had been drawn, its gleaming edge now steadily pressed against her neck.

 

Ye Qingge said coldly, “Let’s see if your tongue retracts faster or my blade moves quicker.”

 

“Hold on, Immortal!” Feng Mingyi glanced at the blade, then glared at the sword cultivator. “If you have anything to add, wait until Mianhao finishes speaking. Interrupting like this is utterly disrespectful.”

 

The blade pressed firmly against her neck, its edge already digging in slightly. A single move now, and her head would roll.

 

Jiang Mianhao gently tugged at Lu Jiu’s sleeve and hurriedly recounted the entire story.

 

She told of Jiang Yunjuan’s legs buried in the snow, of Jiang Yuanjuan asking her to buy vinegar, of her falling into a hunting pit, and of Lu Jiu rescuing her.

 

“That’s exactly what happened,” Jiang Mianhao said, raising her hand. “Yesterday, the physician reset my arm, and Lu Jiu examined my injuries. If I’m lying, they’ll see right through it.”

 

Feng Mingyi frowned, her voice grave. “That year, when I first ascended Huashan, I was injured and passed out in the snow. My sister came down the mountain to find me, but she slipped and fell, breaking her leg. Even though she’s healed over the years, she still suffers from pain when the weather changes. There’s no way she could have been running swiftly through the snow.”

 

Jiang Mianhao added, “And when her hand landed on my shoulder, the force was immense. Her tone wasn’t like Sister Jiang’s usual self, either.”

 

The more they spoke, the more uneasy they felt.

 

The sword cultivator with the blade at her neck swallowed nervously, her guilt showing.

 

Ye Qingge saw through her hesitation. As she withdrew her blade, she flicked her fingers, sending an ice dagger that pinned the would-be escapee firmly to the doorframe.

 

The ice dagger pierced through the leg bone, nailing the sword cultivator to the wall.

 

The sudden attack stunned everyone in the room. The sword cultivator closest to Jiang Mianhao drew her blade in response.

 

Once one person acted, the entire room followed, their swords now pointed at Ye Qingge.

 

Jiang Mianhao, startled, immediately reached out and hugged Lu Jiu.

 

Ling Lan, who had been standing beside Feng Mingyi, also drew her sword, stepping to Lu Jiu’s side and pointing her blade at the other sword cultivators.

 

The room was instantly divided into factions.

 

Feng Mingyi roared, “What are you drawing your swords for? Sheathe them!”

 

Hearing the anger in her voice, some of the sword cultivators obediently put away their blades.

 

But the one who had drawn first refused to relent, and a few others hesitated, unsure whether to follow.

 

Ye Qingge let out a cold laugh and waved her hand.

 

Ice daggers shot out, pinning the defiant sword cultivators to the door.

 

Those who had sheathed their swords now stood uncertainly, awaiting Feng Mingyi’s command.

 

Feng Mingyi hesitated, looking at the pinned sword cultivators. “Immortal, this…”

 

“They drew their swords first!” Jiang Mianhao, with newfound courage, spread her arms protectively in front of Lu Jiu. “Sister Feng, I’ve told you everything you asked. Is there anything else you want to know?”

“Sect Leader, don’t blame Lu Jiu for taking action. With blades and swords having no eyes, how could you rest assured leaving your wife in such danger?” Ling Lan said gravely. “Lu Jiu has always been kind-hearted and wouldn’t act without reason. For a whole room of people to draw their swords is truly terrifying. Are you forcing someone to face punishment without evidence?”

 

Ye Qingge looked at the two people protecting her and waved her hand, enveloping them in a sphere of spiritual energy.

 

Then, immense spiritual power condensed into a pale blue whip that lashed fiercely toward the sword cultivator pinned to the door.

 

Her movements were ruthless and decisive, so fast that Feng Mingyi had no time to intervene.

 

Everyone in the room was stunned, holding their breath.

 

“Look! Something’s falling out from behind her,” someone among the sword cultivators shouted.

 

Another whip crack echoed through the room.

 

The “person” nailed to the door twisted in agony, their skin peeling off like eggshells.

 

A red, elongated tail emerged from the body as the human form rapidly shriveled, transforming into a fiery red snake.

The spot pinned by the ice blade happened to be the snake’s seven-inch vital point.

 

The entire hall erupted in uproar.

 

Even Feng Mingyi was stunned, staring dumbfounded at the red snake on the door panel, muttering in disbelief, “How could this be? How could this be?”

 

Seeing their disguise exposed, the previously pinned figure shed all pretense and revealed its true form outright.

 

Ling Lan and Jiang Mianhao exchanged blank glances at the door panel before exclaiming in unison, “Lu Jiu is truly amazing.”

 

As several more snakes appeared in succession, Ye Qingge retracted her whip and dissolved the spiritual energy sphere, allowing the people inside to descend safely.

 

“If she won’t wake up, it’s naturally because someone doesn’t want her to,” Ye Qingge said coldly, glancing at the slumbering Jiang Yuanjuan on the bed.

 

With a sweep of her sleeve, a stream of spiritual energy flowed into the unconscious woman.

 

Feng Mingyi froze, wanting to move but fearful of disturbing the immortal lord, and could only remain hesitantly in place.

 

No one in the room dared breathe loudly, their hearts pounding in their throats.

 

The woman enveloped in spiritual energy furrowed her brows slightly and let out a soft moan.

 

“Ayi,” Jiang Yuanjuan slowly opened her eyes, her gaze lingering on the blurry whiteness before her. “Ayi, where are you?”

 

“I’m here, I’m here,” Feng Mingyi said, wiping her tears as she rushed forward to grasp Jiang Yuanjuan’s hand. “Sister, I’m right here, I’m right here.”

 

Jiang Yuanjuan swallowed with difficulty, her voice weak. “There are snakes… snakes. Quick, go save Mian Mian. Tell Mian Mian not to go down the mountain. Stop her! Stop Mian Mian!”

 

The awakened woman rambled incoherently, while Feng Mingyi’s tears fell incessantly.

 

Hearing this, Jiang Mianhao’s heart ached. She stepped forward, gently taking Jiang Yuanjuan’s hand. “Sister Jiang, I didn’t go down the mountain. Mian Mian is still safe and sound.”

 

“Mian Mian…” Jiang Yuanjuan’s voice was faint, heavy with exhaustion and worry. “It’s good that Mian Mian is safe. Mian Mian must not go down the mountain.”

 

Feng Mingyi wiped her tears and hurried over to Ye Qingge, kneeling with a thud. “Thank you, Immortal Lord, for your assistance. I was so disrespectful earlier—I beg your forgiveness.”

 

As the sect leader knelt, all the sword cultivators in the room followed suit, kneeling and pleading in unison for the immortal lord’s pardon.

 

Ye Qingge paid them no mind, flicked her sleeve, and walked out.

 

Even after she left, none of the kneeling cultivators dared to rise.

 

Ling Lan immediately stepped forward to support Feng Mingyi. “Although Lu Jiu rarely smiles, she is an exceptionally good person. There’s no need for self-reproach, Sect Leader. Your wife will recover fully after some rest.”

 

“Thank you, Ling Lan,” Feng Mingyi said, wiping her tears as she stood with the other’s support. “As long as my wife is safe, I would do anything.”

 

On the bed, Jiang Yuanjuan continued to murmur disjointedly, clearly trapped in a nightmare.

 

Jiang Mianhao’s heart ached unbearably. She tore off a piece of her own true form’s leaf, crushed it into juice in her palm, and carefully dripped it into Jiang Yuanjuan’s lips.

 

“Sister Jiang, just sleep for a while and you’ll be fine,” Jiang Mianhao whispered, holding her hand gently. “Mian Mian is right here with you.”

By evening, Jiang Yuanjuan had fully regained consciousness.

 

Seeing Jiang Mianhao alive and well, moving about with all her limbs intact, the worry that had gripped her heart finally eased.

 

The spiritual energy Ye Qingge had bestowed was extraordinarily potent. The woman who had been weak and unconscious earlier, upon hearing about the sword-drawing incident, immediately began scolding Feng Mingyi with renewed vigor.

 

Listening to the torrent of curses filling the room, Jiang Mianhao shook her head with a smile. “Sister Jiang, are you hungry? I’ll go make you something to eat!”

 

“Alright, but be careful not to hurt your hands,” Jiang Yuanjuan reminded her before turning her face away again. “Are you stupid, Feng Mingyi? Would Mian Mian ever harm me? Use your brain and think about it!”

 

Amid their bickering, Ling Lan rose and said, “Let me help you.”

 

“No need, Lanlan,” Jiang Mianhao replied gently, smiling. “You should stay here and help Sect Leader Feng out of this mess. I’ll ask Lu Jiu to assist me!”

 

Ling Lan’s eyes dimmed slightly. She lowered her gaze to conceal her emotions and said softly, “Alright.”

 

Meanwhile, Ye Qingge, having finished treating the patient, had retreated to her room to review official documents and hadn’t stepped out since.

It wasn’t until Jiang Mianhao repeatedly urged her that Ye Qingge finally allowed herself to be snatched from her documents, half-dragged, half-pulled out of the room.

 

“We’re making dumplings!” Jiang Mianhao declared, lighting the kitchen lamps and neatly arranging the tools across the stove. “Today, I’ll show you just how amazing Chef Jiang is!”

 

Ye Qingge nodded perfunctorily and hummed in agreement, her eyes still glued to the documents in her hands.

 

“Alright!” Jiang Mianhao ignored her, tied an apron around herself, and launched into action. “First, chop the filling! Then roll out the dough! Then wrap! Yes! You can do this, Jiang Mianhao!”

 

After her enthusiastic self-encouragement, the kitchen erupted into clattering chaos.

 

Bowls and utensils flew across the counters, and the fire crackled loudly. Yet Ye Qingge didn’t lift her eyes, continuing to review her documents with unshaken focus.

 

“Oh no, oh no, my apron is slipping!” Jiang Mianhao continued wrapping dumplings without pause, soon covering the table with plump little bundles. She wiggled her waist, sending the apron’s ribbons swaying back and forth. The bamboo tray was already filled with dumplings.

 

“Hurry and tie it for me, Lu Jiu~ Aren’t you going to help me?” she called out, her voice full of excitement.

Standing nearby, Ye Qingge tsked, put away her documents, and stepped forward to take hold of the two apron ribbons.

 

The girl in her arms squirmed, so Ye Qingge freed a hand to grip her waist. “Stop moving.”

 

“Hmph, so you’re finally helping me,” Jiang Mianhao said, standing obediently. “What filling do you like? I’ll make it for you. Guaranteed to be the most delicious tonight.”

 

After tying the apron, Ye Qingge lightly patted Jiang Mianhao’s bottom and chuckled. “Oh? Mianhao grass filling, you say? I quite enjoyed the flavor last night.”

 

“You!” Jiang Mianhao’s face flushed bright red, and she nudged Ye Qingge with her shoulder. “Go away, go away. You’re taking up too much space here.”

 

Ye Qingge couldn’t help but laugh. “What, don’t want my help anymore?”

 

Mentioning last night made Jiang Mianhao wish she could dig a hole in the dumpling wrapper and hide inside.

 

Watching her bashfulness, Ye Qingge’s expression darkened slightly. The memory of the serpent-bird lurking in the shadows surfaced.

 

Mount Hua was no longer safe. Even if those people were after Ling Lan, danger could reach them all.

“But we can’t let the emotional tribulation go awry.”

 

Ye Qingge looked at the shy figure before her and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around the other’s waist.

 

“After the festival,” Ye Qingge’s voice softened, carrying a gentle coaxing, “shall we return to Mount Taibai?”