“What should I do now?”
Inside the prison of the Hall of Punishment, Green Leaf sat on the straw-covered ground, her eyes vacant.
Because it housed not only ordinary disciples but also children of influential families who were caught for their wrongdoings, the environment was decent, and every cell was a single room.
The only thing Green Leaf found unacceptable was that cultivation was forbidden here!
What did that mean? For a cultivator, being unable to cultivate was almost equivalent to having their path to immortality severed. It was more painful than death itself.
Therefore, being confined here for 10 days or half a month, even if they did nothing at all, was the greatest form of torture. They would surely behave themselves once they got out, never daring to return.
“Arrgh! Let me out! I won’t do it again! I just accidentally fell into the women’s bathhouse while passing by, and it just so happened that my favorite junior sister was bathing there! I was too scared to come out, but I still got caught! You really can’t blame me!”
“Let me out!”
In the cell to her right, a man was frantically slamming his head against the iron bars. Even though his head was covered in blood, he continued to wail like a madman.
Green Leaf glanced at the man and let out a disdainful sneer. “What an idiot. If you’re a pervert, just admit it. To use such a clumsy excuse after being caught — are you trying to get a heavier sentence?”
“Why isn’t it working yet? Why is it so stable? Break! Break for me!”
To her left was a fellow sitting cross-legged, attempting to cultivate. However, he kept muttering strange things under his breath and was nowhere near a meditative state.
This was because anyone imprisoned here would have their meridians sealed by a secret technique to ensure they truly could not cultivate. This prevented them from circulating spiritual energy through their meridians, achieving the goal of halting their progress.
Yet, there were always those who refused to believe in the inevitable and tried to defy heaven’s will. This man was one of them.
Green Leaf was somewhat speechless. “The Hall of Punishment has used this method for tens of thousands of years. The fact that they haven’t changed it for so long proves it works. Do you really think you’re some peerless genius who can just crack it at will?”
The head-slamming man and the cultivating man both stopped their actions and glared at her with ill intent.
“Why are you so calm? Unless you’re the type who doesn’t care about cultivation. If that’s the case, then it’s normal.”
Green Leaf smiled confidently, completely ignoring their mockery. “What nonsense are you talking? Do you think I’ll be locked in here forever like you two? It won’t be long before I can leave!”
She still held leverage over Huyan Yazhi. If Huyan Yazhi didn’t want their collaboration to be exposed, she would have to get her out. Otherwise, she would definitely report her.
Moreover, she believed that Huyan Yazhi wouldn’t be so foolish.
As soon as she said this, the two men shuddered simultaneously, immediately realizing that this seemingly disheveled woman had some backing.
“Damn it, even in here people are playing these games. No, we can’t just watch!”
A fierce light flickered in their eyes as they made a decision.
The next moment, with a loud thud, the two of them actually knelt on the ground and pleaded, “Please, take us with you when you leave! Great master, we beg you! We don’t want to be locked up here and tortured forever!”
Hearing this, a trace of smugness flashed across Green Leaf’s face. She said, “Alright, I’ll put in a good word for you once I’m out so you can leave more often too.”
‘As if. It’s better if you’re locked up here for the rest of your lives, suffering the torture of being unable to cultivate. I’m only fooling you now because I’m worried you’ll report me. Once I’m out, who cares about you?’
“Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!”
After a short while, a disciple from the Hall of Punishment slowly walked in and headed straight for Green Leaf’s cell.
The disciple gave her a strange look, then pulled out a piece of paper and a brush. He said expressionlessly, “Sign this. Once you sign it, you can leave.”
Green Leaf, who had been a bit anxious just moments ago, immediately looked overjoyed. She knew in her heart that Huyan Yazhi must have made her move.
“Not bad. As expected of a noble Array Master, her speed is impressive. Dragging her into this really had its benefits.”
Green Leaf didn’t suspect a thing. She picked up the brush and signed her name directly on the paper, not even bothering to read the contents, thinking it was meaningless.
The Hall of Punishment disciple tucked the paper away and led her out. “Walk faster, or it won’t be good if we’re late.”
“Alright, alright.” Green Leaf quickly followed.
The two in the neighboring cells watched her leave, their hearts filled with hope for the future.
“I wonder if she’ll actually keep this in mind. I hope so. I’m really envious.”
Green Leaf followed the Hall of Punishment disciple out of the cells and toward another massive building. Many disciples were dragging struggling people inside.
Green Leaf said curiously, “This seems to be the place where serious criminals are held. It’s quite unlucky. Should we go around?”
“No need. We’re almost there.”
The disciple didn’t look back and led her straight to the entrance. While Green Leaf was still confused, her wrists were suddenly bound, completely stripping her of her freedom.
Green Leaf was in disbelief, an ominous feeling rising in her heart. “What are you doing? Why did you bring me here? Aren’t you going to let me out?”
The disciple ignored her completely, calmly handing her over to a more senior-looking disciple.
“Is this her?”
“Yes, that’s her.”
“Alright, just leave her here.”
The disciple who had brought her nodded and turned to leave, leaving Green Leaf trembling all over.
“Why? Why is this happening? Weren’t you going to let me out?”
The disciple standing at the door held the paper she had just signed and began to read calmly, “Green Leaf, outer disciple of the Lingyun Sect. You have confessed to the crime of using Shangguan Muqing to frame Lin Huanhuan. You have signed and placed your thumbprint on this confession, admitting that this matter was planned solely by you, and stating there were no other accomplices.”
“According to the laws of the Lingyun Sect, you will be imprisoned here for 3 years. During this period, you are forbidden from cultivating. After your release, you must serve the sect for free for 10 years.”
“Do you have anything else to say in your defense?”
Green Leaf finally realized what was happening. ‘That damn Huyan Yazhi sold me out!’
Rage surged within her, and she roared, “I wasn’t the only one! There’s also — “
The disciple at the door coldly interrupted her. “I must remind you that you have already signed and sealed your confession for this matter. If you attempt to implicate others now, it will be considered malicious framing. You will be punished for both crimes, and you know the consequences.”
“So this was the killing blow. She’s really left me with no way out.”
Green Leaf felt a chill run through her entire body. Her fear reached its peak, and she no longer dared to say another word. She could only allow herself to be led inside in a daze.
‘3 years of being unable to cultivate, plus 10 years of free service to the sect… At the Qi Condensation stage, I can only live for 120 years at most. How is this any different from severing my path to immortality? Why did it turn out like this?’
—