Chapter 2: One Hundred Lashes

Page 1/3

Xia Huanjiao felt the gaze from Chu Shiyue beside her, and straightened her waist even more! The beloved disciple surely thought her figure was imposing! Otherwise, how could he be so captivated by her? Just as Xia Huanjiao was about to say something, the elder in charge of the academy suddenly spoke: “Filial piety towards one’s master is natural and righteous.” “Once a teacher, forever a father; such a simple truth—does the sect leader not know it?” His brows and eyes were cold, giving the impression of a man detached from fame and fortune, indifferent to all worldly matters. Most cultivators of the Sword Sect carried this demeanor: desireless and simple, embodying the pure Dao. Whether this was genuine or not—well, that was up to each to judge.

At that moment, a graceful figure dashed out from behind a Yunfeng disciple and knelt directly before Xia Huanjiao and the others, reaching out to grab Xu Yingying’s pant leg. But no matter how fast she was, she couldn’t outrun Xu Yingying. Xu Yingying’s eyes narrowed sharply as she quickly stepped back, causing the young girl to fall face-first onto the ground with a solid thud. Xia Huanjiao noticed the usually impassive elder’s expression subtly change and sensed that something was amiss. She had never seen this elder so invested in any disciple before. What was going on?

Then, a voice devoid of emotion suddenly echoed in Xia Huanjiao’s mind, interrupting her thoughts.

[System No. 61: Gossip Mode Activated.]
[Importing plot summary.]
[White Lianyi is the youngest disciple of the Sword Sect’s academy elder and also his future partner.]
[White Lianyi is the transmigrated heroine who used her pitiful appearance to melt the heart of the eternally cold Sword Sect elder.]
[They embarked on a tragic romance, with Chu Shiyue—the antagonist female supporting character—constantly obstructing their love, ultimately killing White Lianyi, which triggered the elder’s dark transformation and his famous declaration: “I’d rather betray the world than let the world betray me.”]
[The elder then unleashed a massacre, drained the last spiritual energy of the cultivation continent to resurrect White Lianyi, and they lived a blissful immortal couple’s life.]

Hmph. Hearing this, Xia Huanjiao snorted inwardly. Thousand-year ice, ten-thousand-year ice—this emotionless elder would indeed slaughter the world for one person. Terrifying! Xia Huanjiao didn’t know if the previous sect leader’s claim that she was a celestial who underwent tribulations in the mortal realm was true, but she knew for sure that in her past life she did not belong to this cultivation world.

Page 2/3

The world she inhabited was one where online novels were immensely popular, filled with tales of mortal tribulations, transmigration, rebirth, fate alteration, mistaken identities, and special powers—stories worn out by endless retellings! But! While reading those stories, she never thought the supporting characters mattered much. Now, with the so-called villain being her very own junior disciple, she found it hard to accept! These were not cold, lifeless characters; they were living people!

The high-and-mighty young lady from a prestigious cultivation family, the second senior sister of Yunfeng who often looked down on others—Xia Huanjiao felt a disconnect when she saw her little disciple bring her braised pork elbow. Did Chu Shiyue, who only cared about cultivation, truly look down on others? Xia Huanjiao doubted it. The little girl’s mind was swirling with thoughts, but her expression remained unreadable as she tried to communicate with the [Gossip System]. In the end, she found that after the system finished speaking, it went silent. It seemed to be a useless narrator.

While Xia Huanjiao pondered the situation, the always cold elder gently raised White Lianyi up. His tone grew colder still, as if it could freeze a person. “What is the sect leader’s meaning?” Though phrased as a question, his lifeless tone made it sound like a statement. Xia Huanjiao rolled her eyes inwardly. Damn, she hated pretentious people the most! Yet, seeing him glare at Xu Yingying with murderous intent, she naturally refused to tolerate it. One of her virtues was protecting those under her care.

So, she lifted her chin, patted Xu Yingying’s arm, and let her elevate her higher—taller than Lin Xiao—so she could look down on him. Then, in a childish yet authoritative voice, she said, “What? Is this the first day you found out that Yingying doesn’t like to be touched?” “When did your disciple get the Sword Sect’s token? Why did your sect leader not know?” “Besides, Yingying is my personal attendant. Whatever she does, you have no right to speak up for this illegitimate so-called ‘disciple’!” Hearing Xia Huanjiao’s words, Lin Xiao’s face flickered with annoyance. Before he could retort, White Lianyi, as if deeply wronged, began to weep like a broken pearl necklace. Weakly, she said, “Little sect leader, please don’t blame master. Master only brought me back to the Sword Sect first because my body was weak.” She glanced cautiously at Xia Huanjiao, then at the visibly angry Chu Shiyue beside her, lowering her head and suppressing a flash of jealousy in her eyes as she timidly added, “Perhaps this made senior sister unhappy…”

Page 3/3

She choked back her sobs, looking utterly pitiful. That submissive and meek appearance made it seem as if she had been targeted and grievously wronged. The disciples around, innocent and pure in heart—especially those who had always lived on the mountain and knew nothing of human treachery—actually believed White Lianyi’s words and her affected display. Some even expressed sympathy: “Why is second senior sister overreacting and even calling out the little sect leader?” “Yeah, this young lady just came here seeking refuge.”

Upon hearing this, Chu Shiyue’s face turned green. She clenched her teeth, stomped her foot, and shouted, “Why does she need my black iron to seek refuge?” Then, looking at Lin Xiao, she was nearly in tears. Her voice choked with emotion, “Why did you strip me of one cultivation level and transfer it to White Lianyi?!” “Do you think cultivation is that easy?!” Once she spoke, even the disciples standing near White Lianyi instinctively took a step back. To sever someone’s cultivation was comparable to the hatred of clan extermination or spousal betrayal. If it were them, they too would demand the little sect leader stand up for them.

Xia Huanjiao was pleased to see that these mountain disciples understood the need to avoid suspicion; they weren’t completely foolish. She nodded with satisfaction. They recognized that White Lianyi was not their junior sister and addressed her as “young lady.” There was still hope. But Xia Huanjiao herself refused to fall for White Lianyi’s act! She didn’t even glance at her, instead fixing her eyes on the elder in charge of the academy who was seated. Slowly raising her head, the small figure carried the aura of a superior.

“She doesn’t understand the Sword Sect’s rules, and you, the academy elder, don’t know either?” “Whoever joins our Sword Sect hasn’t ascended the Cloud Ladder ten thousand steps, braved countless dangers, and earned the Sword Sect disciple token step by step?” “Those with weak bodies shouldn’t enter the Sword Gate—have you swallowed these words?” “Today you set this precedent, and tomorrow countless people will use the excuse of weak bodies to gain pity and enter the Sword Sect, leading to corruption and chaos!” “How unfair is this to those who have endured hardship to cultivate!” “Guards!”

Two disciples clad in the Yunfeng Peak’s uniform appeared beside Xia Huanjiao, their spiritual energy rippling softly. They responded in low voices, “Sect leader.” Xia Huanjiao raised her hand and pointed at Lin Xiao, whose expression was a mix of disbelief and agitation, then ordered, “Take Elder Lin to the Law Enforcement Tower and administer one hundred strokes of the whip!”