80. A Master’s Duty
Gong Yiling went to the meeting alone. When she returned, her face was pale.
On the one hand, this was the first time she had ever killed someone, both in this world and in her entire life.
Yes, even the talismans she used earlier didn’t have a lethal effect, merely trapping their victims in a world of illusions.
But this time, she had killed.
A single, swift strike of the sword.
It wasn’t easy, but it wasn’t as difficult as she had imagined.
A human life, to her, was no more significant than a fly or a bug. It was just the unpleasantness of getting her hands dirty.
“Master?” “Young Palace Master?” “Big Sister…?”
The three disciples were chatting in the room. They had initially brightened at her return, but seeing her expression…
The coldness and darkness in her eyes were something they had never seen before, and the killing intent she exuded was that of a ruthless assassin.
“I’m fine.”
Realizing her appearance might be frightening them, Gong Yiling quickly suppressed her anger and forced a smile.
—Though it wasn’t much better than her previous expression.
“Master.” Qiu Shui simply shook her head, walked over to Gong Yiling, and gently squeezed her left hand. “We are your disciples. We want to do something for you too.”
Lu Xinyao also stepped forward and lowered her gaze. “Whatever difficulties you face, we want to face them with you.”
“Yes, yes!”
Chun Lian, in her usual carefree manner, chimed in, then, feeling her tone didn’t match the gravity of the situation, fell silent.
Gong Yiling looked at the three girls, momentarily at a loss for words.
After a long pause, she finally raised her hand and gently stroked Qiu Shui’s head.
With her emotions no longer concealed, the murderous glint in her eyes was several times more intense than before.
“Why does everyone want to do something to you?” Gong Yiling said softly, “Kill you, destroy you, control you.”
“Demonic sects, righteous sects, and those in between, they’re all the same.”
“I just want you to be happy and safe. Such a simple wish, yet there are always some meddling fools who want to interfere.”
“Master…”
“Qiu Shui.” Gong Yiling looked into her eyes, as if wanting to etch her image into her very soul.
“I want to crush everything that stands in our way, then feed their remains to the wild dogs, leaving not even a complete corpse.”
“If they feel wronged, so be it. If they think they’re doing the right thing, and I’m the villain, then let them.”
“Have I done anything wrong?”
Gong Yiling’s words, perhaps influenced by Lei Che’s death, or her own identity, or her demonic cultivation…
Or perhaps, this was her true self.
The thoughts of a master who only wanted to protect her disciples.
Faced with her question, the three girls gathered around her.
After a moment of silence, Qiu Shui finally broke it.
“We’ll be with you.”
“Whatever you do, we’ll be with you. So, Master, don’t think you have to bear everything alone, okay?”
Her voice was soft and gentle.
Although her words lacked force, they left a deeper impression on Gong Yiling than any passionate speech.
Perhaps this was what she had been waiting for.
—The only thing that can support a person’s heart is another person’s heart.
“Well…”
Gong Yiling looked at the three of them and suddenly burst out laughing. “It’s as if I, your master, need you three little girls to comfort me.”
Lu Xinyao mumbled, “That’s exactly what it is…”
“Alright, with your words, I feel much better.” Gong Yiling turned away, her expression returning to its usual lazy and casual demeanor.
“At worst, I’ll just slit their throats. It’s not like I don’t know how.”
Just then, Chun Lian suddenly raised her hand. “I, I, I don’t!”
“I think roasting them with a talisman would be more interesting.”
Lu Xinyao paused, then added, “Big Sister’s methods are too crude. I think they should be drawn and quartered. It’s more formal.”
The conversation took a strange turn, and Qiu Shui’s suggestion was even more bizarre. “I think turning them into candied hawthorns with vines would be better.”
The other two girls stared at her strangely.
Although they knew Qiu Shui was only quiet on the surface, and a fierce fighter in battle, her words… were quite surprising.
“Sister Qiu Shui, isn’t that a bit too cruel?”
“Anyone who upsets Master deserves to die, no matter how.” Qiu Shui said seriously, “And this candied hawthorn method isn’t an instant kill, just a bit gruesome. Roasting them alive like Chun Lian suggested is much crueler.”
Chun Lian: “What—!? Then I’ll change it. How about striking them with lightning?”
“Wouldn’t that be too quick? Not satisfying enough?”
Hearing their conversation, Gong Yiling almost burst out laughing.
They talked as if they were all ruthless executioners, but they were just trying to cheer her up.
Their methods of comforting her were truly endless.
Just then, Yan Chuyue’s voice came from the door. “I was wondering where everyone went. And what are you all talking about? Killing people quickly or not?”
She saw the beautiful woman surrounded by the girls, walked over to her, and crossed her arms with annoyance. “Look at you, what kind of master are you? Instead of teaching them good things, you’re teaching them how to kill and commit arson, as if you’re so experienced yourself. You’re just a novice.”
“Compared to you, I probably am.” Miss Gong muttered under her breath.
“What did you say?”
“I said nothing. I said you’re handsome.” Miss Gong’s survival instinct was still sharp.
“Stop fooling around.” Yan Chuyue didn’t argue further and took her hand. “You, and you three, come with me.”
