“So that’s how it is, she must have used the Yin-Yang Eye to confuse Senior Sister.” Chun clapped her hands, suddenly enlightened.
Now the truth was out.
The Great Dog Deity stood up, her tone stern as she coldly stepped back, eyes filled with contempt.
“……”
The Sword Sect Master said nothing, simply looking at Dong Huiting—everything was clear without words.
“Venerable One, you are absolutely right. Your insight is as sharp as a torch; I have nowhere to hide, and I am utterly convinced.” Bai Wuzhuang squirmed on the ground like a maggot, flattering with every word.
“Don’t try to sweet-talk me. No matter what you say, it won’t work. You go and persuade Dong Huiting to come back. If she falls into madness, you won’t live either.” The Respected Master said coldly.
The Great Dog Deity went over to untie the hemp rope from Dong Huiting, thoughtfully bringing over a stool for her to sit on, and patted Senior Sister’s shoulder.
“Senior Sister, have some water first.” Chun handed Dong Huiting a cup of water, comforting her.
“It’s all fake? Was our relationship all fake too? Think about how many letters we wrote to each other…” Dong Huiting’s hands trembled as she held the cup, her head bowed and her back hunched, not daring to meet Bai Wuzhuang’s eyes, mumbling to herself.
“Fake, fake, all of it is fake.” Bai Wuzhuang ruthlessly cut her off.
“Didn’t you… feel my sincerity from our letters?” Dong Huiting trembled even more, her voice choked, tears streaming down and falling into the cup.
“Uh, let’s not talk about this anymore.” Bai Wuzhuang tried to change the subject.
“Sister, I’ll give you one last chance. Tell me what really happened to Young Master Bai?” Dong Huiting asked again.
Even at this point, she still believed that Bai Wuxie truly existed.
The Respected Master and the two fellow sisters felt it was absurd that Senior Sister still didn’t believe the truth.
But everyone could empathize—no one could laugh, only feel sorrow.
“There never was a Bai Wuxie. All those love letters were written by me.” Bai Wuzhuang said.
“……”
Dong Huiting fell silent, her whole body lifeless, suddenly motionless, no longer trembling.
“Why did you do this? Of all the people, why did you have to trick her?” Chun asked.
“I saw her wandering in the marketplace, obviously from a small sect, easy to fool, but she had a certain aura, so I figured she must have some ability.” Bai Wuzhuang explained.
It was logical and flawless—no one could argue back.
“Dong Huiting, that fool, really almost fell for your trick. But you overlooked one thing—our sect is just too small. If it were a bigger sect, a single master couldn’t keep track of so many disciples. She almost got away with the Dan Medicine Box, but luckily I stopped her in time.” The Respected Master commented sharply, shuddering at the thought.
“Sister, I’ll give you one last, last chance. If it’s true, just tell the truth.” Dong Huiting muttered softly.
“Another chance? She already said it was fake!” The Respected Master was furious and shouted.
“I can’t accept it! I gave everything! How am I supposed to accept this?” Dong Huiting remained stubborn.
“Senior Sister, she already said she wanted to trick you out of your Dan Medicine.” Even the Great Dog Deity was exasperated.
“Junior Sister, look at her now. Please, talk some sense into her.” The Respected Master said to Bai Wuzhuang.
“The person is fake, but the feelings are real. It’s too cruel, you completely broke Senior Sister’s heart.” Chun shook her head helplessly.
“It’s all fake, everything is fake. The person is fake, the love letters are fake, the feelings are fake. I never had any feelings for you, not even sympathy.” Bai Wuzhuang replied coldly, with a hint of pleading, her words like a sharp blade piercing Dong Huiting’s heart.
“Cough, cough, cough! Puh!” Dong Huiting suddenly coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of black blood.
Overwhelmed by grief, she couldn’t hold on any longer. Her eyes closed, and she fainted.
“Take her down to rest. Whatever needs to be said, we’ll discuss it tomorrow.” The Respected Master cried out in alarm.
The Second Senior Sister and Junior Sister hurriedly carried Senior Sister away, bringing her back to her room to rest on the bed.
“Venerable One, please take me in. My whole family was killed by evildoers; I have nowhere to go, that’s why I ended up as a swindler. I’ll do anything, be it ox or horse, just please give me something to eat.” Bai Wuzhuang seized the opportunity, groveling and begging the Sword Sect Master.
“Pa!” The Respected Master finally lost patience and slapped her across the face.
Bai Wuzhuang was sent flying, sprawling on the ground, her mind dazed, half her face swelling up instantly.
But she knew the Venerable One had already shown mercy; otherwise, her head would have flown off by now.
“This matter isn’t over! When my disciple wakes up, you are responsible for persuading her to return. There’s a Room of Sundries over there—go stay there. Don’t even think about escaping under our noses, or I’ll break your legs.” The Respected Master scolded angrily.
“Thank you, Venerable One, thank you, Venerable One.” Bai Wuzhuang thanked her repeatedly, utterly humble.
She got up, limping as she went to the Room of Sundries, which was filled with piled-up odds and ends.
In the corner, there just happened to be a wooden bed.
Bai Wuzhuang collapsed onto the bed and fell fast asleep.
This body was too frail.
If she were still her former Qi Cultivator male self, she could have run all day without tiring, but now she didn’t even have the most basic stamina or endurance.
She closed her eyes and instantly dreamed of the lovestruck, obsessed Dong Huiting, but her own words had wounded her like a merciless blade.
“Huiting, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”
Sad tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, soaking the pillow as she repeated these words in her sleep.
Bai Wuzhuang slept until nightfall and woke up hungry.
To be precise, she was awakened by the smell of food.
Clutching her empty, dried-out stomach, she left the Room of Sundries and followed the aroma to the next room.
There, she saw the Sword Sect Master and two female disciples gathered around, eating dinner.
Though they were just a small sect, their dinner was lavish—plenty of meat and fish, dishes and soup, the meals were quite good.
“Gurgle~” Bai Wuzhuang stood at the door, staring at the food, drooling.
“Xiao Mei, get her a bowl and chopsticks.” The Respected Master said.
“Eh? She tricked Senior Sister almost to death, and we’re still feeding her?” Chun protested.
“Everyone needs to eat. She’s not a Qi Cultivator, she can’t go hungry like we can.” The Respected Master replied.
The Great Dog Deity got up and prepared a set of bowl and chopsticks for Bai Wuzhuang, dishing up some food and handing it to her.
Bai Wuzhuang wasn’t allowed at the table, so she could only squat to the side, holding her bowl, eating like a starving dog.
A perfectly good dinner was ruined by this pitiful soul.
Seeing how deliciously she ate, everyone else lost their appetite.
“May I ask, ladies, how is Lord Dong doing?” Bai Wuzhuang quickly finished her food, feeling full.
Her appetite had shrunk considerably—just a little food was enough, which was quite odd.
Bai Wuzhuang hadn’t actually had the chance to carefully observe her new body—she’d been on the run the whole time, with no time to spare.
“Senior Sister is still recovering. You can help deliver her dinner and atone for your sins.” The Great Dog Deity brought over a big bowl, filled it with food, and asked Bai Wuzhuang to deliver it.
“I understand, I’ll go.” Bai Wuzhuang obediently took the big bowl with both hands and went to deliver the meal.
Senior Sister’s room was right across the hall—the one with the shattered window.
With a nervous heart, Bai Wuzhuang walked into the room.