The air was thick with the stench of rot and blood, mingling with the dampness of the earth, making one feel waves of nausea.
Beneath her feet, the stone path was slick and wet.
With every step, the “drip, drip, drip” of water echoed through the empty Dungeon, amplifying the chilling, sinister atmosphere.
On either side of the passageway were cells, their iron bars mottled with rust, creaking out a sound that made her teeth ache.
Some of the cells were empty, reeking of mildew.
Others held people—ragged, filthy, their hair matted, huddled in corners like walking corpses who were letting out low and miserable moans.
The foul stench emanating from their bodies blended with the musty air of the Dungeon, forming a nauseating odor that was hard to bear.
Mu Xi forced herself to suppress the discomfort in her stomach, carefully observing her surroundings.
This place was like a sunless underground kingdom—dark, damp, filled with despair and the scent of death.
She knew that Ye Lan had brought her here for more than just a tour.
What secrets did this Dungeon conceal?
Or perhaps, Ye Lan simply wanted her to witness, with her own eyes, just how dark and terrifying this Manor truly was.
Li Xin led Mu Xi to a cell.
The iron bars were streaked with rust, creaking mockingly, as if laughing at the desperate souls imprisoned within.
Ye Lan stood inside the cell.
The dim oil lamp cast flickering light across her delicate profile, making her seem all the more mysterious and unfathomable.
A few female bodyguards in black stood behind her like statues, radiating silent oppression.
The scene within the cell assaulted Mu Xi’s senses at once.
Two cold, spiked Iron Beds came into view, the glaring rust seemingly congealed with dried blood.
On each bed, a man and a woman were tied up. Their naked bodies were exposed to the filthy air, covered in whip marks and scars—horrific to behold.
They lay there like ruined rag dolls, utterly powerless, their eyes hollow and filled with despair.
Only the occasional pained gasp proved they were still alive.
The stench of decay in the air grew even stronger, enough to make anyone retch.
Mu Xi’s stomach churned violently; it was all she could do not to vomit.
In her past life, she had been an ordinary, law-abiding person.
She had never witnessed such a bloody scene—not even in the movies.
Even though she had tried to prepare herself mentally, the impact on both sight and smell left her mind momentarily blank.
She bit down hard on her lower lip, struggling to compose herself.
No, she couldn’t show any weakness now.
If she did, things would only get worse.
Taking a deep breath, she forced herself to put on a terrified expression, shuffling in small steps to Ye Lan’s side, her body trembling like a frightened kitten.
Her voice quivered, “Master…”
Ye Lan glanced at her, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
She handed Mu Xi the Black Whip in her hand—the handle cold, the leather still carrying the scent of blood.
“Take it.”
Mu Xi took the whip in a daze, not understanding Ye Lan’s intention.
She looked up, her eyes misty as she gazed at Ye Lan, innocence and confusion in her gaze.
Ye Lan watched the bewilderment in Mu Xi’s eyes with interest.
Her red lips parted slightly, her voice carrying a hint of seductive persuasion:
“Mu Xi, you must understand. In this Manor, your status is different from the rest. You are my pet, my most precious treasure. These people are nothing but lowly Prisoners—garbage. They exist only for our amusement.”
She paused, pointing at the two people on the Iron Beds, her tone icy and cruel.
“Now, I want to train you. The first step is to whip this trash. Don’t be afraid. They’re just worthless things to be disposed of at any time. Even if you beat them to death, it doesn’t matter.”
As she listened to Ye Lan’s cold words, Mu Xi felt a chill run through her.
Train?
Train her in what?
To become cruel and cold-blooded?
She looked down at the whip in her hand.
The leather’s twisted patterns looked like warped veins, sending shivers down her spine.
To hit them?
Or not?
Mu Xi’s mind raced, weighing her options.
If she refused, she would surely anger Ye Lan—and the consequences would be unthinkable.
If she did it… her hands would be stained, she’d seem heartless, but at least she might keep herself safe for now.
Besides, Ye Lan was right.
These people were already Prisoners.
Rather than suffer herself…
Mu Xi gritted her teeth and made up her mind.
Now was not the time for mercy.
She had to survive first if she wanted any chance to escape this hell.
She had to show Ye Lan her “value,” convince her she was an obedient “pet.”
She squeezed out a few tears, making her terrified expression even more convincing.
Her slender arm trembled as she raised the whip, her voice choked with sobs, “Master… I… I’m scared…”
Even as she spoke, the whip came down again and again, striking the Prisoners with a dull, heavy sound.
With each lash, Mu Xi couldn’t help but shudder, tears streaming down her face even harder, as if every blow hurt her more than it hurt them.
She cried as she struck, her small body trembling, looking even more pitiful than the Prisoners wailing on the Iron Beds.
Her helpless, sorrowful appearance was like that of a weak little rabbit forced to commit violence—anyone who saw her would feel pity.
As the whip fell again and again, the two Prisoners’ cries grew weaker, their breaths ragged like broken bellows, on the verge of death.
Seeing the blood blossoming on their bodies, Mu Xi’s stomach churned again, her fingertips icy cold.
At last, she couldn’t hold on any longer.
Her hand slackened, and the whip fell to the ground with a smack.
She threw herself into Ye Lan’s arms, her body shaking like a leaf in the wind.
Tears gushed from her eyes as she sobbed, unable to catch her breath, her tiny frame shivering, “Master… I… I’m really scared… They… they’re going to die…”
Ye Lan watched Mu Xi who was now a weeping mess in her arms, with amused interest.
A faint smile played at her lips as her fingertips stroked Mu Xi’s soft silver hair, feeling the warmth and tremor beneath her palm.
Standing to the side, Li Xin looked at Mu Xi’s pitiful appearance, her heart aching unbearably, as if an invisible hand had clenched her chest, making it hard to breathe.
She stepped forward, her tone tinged with a plea.
“Master, Miss Mu Xi is still a child. This is her first time seeing something like this—she might not be able to handle it. Why not stop here for today? In the future… we can take it slowly.”
Ye Lan raised her eyebrows, her gaze shifting from Mu Xi’s tear-stained, delicate face to Li Xin’s anxious one.
She smiled meaningfully, “Li Xin, you really do care for her.”
Li Xin froze, realizing she had overstepped.
She immediately lowered her head, her tone respectful and distant:
“I’m only worried Miss Mu Xi will be frightened and affect your mood, Master.”