Chapter 3: Extermination (3)

◎Melted only once, yet shed tears for a lifetime.◎

This sudden, shocking turn of events was truly abrupt. Even Yun Jinxue was startled, though she didn’t show it on her face.

She glanced subconsciously at Jiang Yanyu, but the girl hadn’t even lifted an eyelid, still slowly eating her food.

The little villainess sure has strong nerves.

That two-meter-tall man slapped his belly hard, the sound echoing loudly. His bald head reflected the lamplight, even brighter than his large knife.

“Where is Wang Er? Tell that bastard to get his ass out here.”

The waiter, who had just been so enthusiastic, was now ashen-faced. His two thick eyebrows twisted into the Chinese character for ‘eight’ (八) as he hunched his back and shuffled closer.

“Lord La Pi… you’ve come?”

(T/N: La Pi = Spicy Skin)

Yun Jinxue nearly burst out laughing. What the hell? A name like La Pi?

What eccentric taste.

Did he have a brother named La Tiao(Spicy Stick)?

(T/N: La Tiao = Spicy Stick)

The bald La Pi grabbed the dawdling Wang Er with his large hand, pressing the tip of his knife against the man’s back and shoving him forward.

“Move. Plenty of fat sheep today. Go table by table.”

Everyone in the room was trembling in fear, their terror visibly growing.

They all squinted nervously, glancing toward the wide-open door.

They wanted to flee, but were afraid of the burly men in animal hides surrounding them and the gleaming, sharp blades, not daring to make a move.

La Pi held Wang Er hostage and swaggered over to the nearest table. “The dishes on this table, how much?”

Wang Er stuttered, “Fried fish 10 wen, preserved meat 13 wen, rice noodle soup 7 wen, rice 3 wen.”

Hearing the “3 wen,” Jiang Yanyu’s chopsticks paused for a split second. The corner of her eye twitched.

She imperceptibly swept a glance at the woman beside her.

What entered her sight was clearly an elegant, unworldly Immortal Lord, yet she looked as if she were seeing something disgustingly filthy, utterly revolted.

Yun Jinxue felt that oppressive stare once more and looked up.

The little villainess’s eating motions were graceful, not looking her way.

Ah, since transmigrating, her nerves had really become tense.

Over there, La Pi’s spittle flew wildly. “What’s the total? You still need me, your grandfather, to calculate? Don’t you know the rules?”

Wang Er was scared out of his wits, his voice turning shrill. “33 wen! 33 wen!”

La Pi turned his knife point toward a gray-robed youth sitting at the table, who was carrying a backpack. “33 wen. Then you give your grandfather 33 taels.”

The gray-robed youth shot up, his stool flying back and clattering to the ground.

He frantically emptied his backpack with both hands. Books, scrolls, and a change of clothes spilled across the table, but he could only barely scrape together 11 taels.

His legs gave way, and he knelt on the ground, crying and pleading. “Good grandfather, I really don’t have that much silver on me. Spare my life.”

La Pi said, “No money? You’ll leave an arm behind later. I’ll give you some time to think, which hand do you want to lose?”

The gray-robed youth collapsed on the ground, his whole body convulsing, already scared stiff.

La Pi paid him no more attention and dragged Wang Er to the next table.

The guests at that table were an elderly couple. Their backs were hunched, their hair and beards completely white, their chopstick-holding hands trembling. They were clearly quite old.

La Pi asked again, “The dishes on this table, how much?”

Wang Er’s face was a mask of misery, tears threatening to spill from his eyes.

The knife point was in his back, making his lips turn purple with fear. He stared at the old couple’s white hair, shaking for a long time, but ultimately couldn’t say anything.

The lamplight flickered, its thin light unable to reach them, thus concealing the people in the shadows.

Using the dim light as cover, Yun Jinxue looked up.

The elderly couple’s table held only simple, watery soup. They hadn’t ordered rice. The two were eating dry steamed buns they’d brought, accompanied by a single plate of salted beans.

Their clothes were exceedingly humble, covered in patches. The soles of their shoes were worn paper-thin, looking ready to fall apart at any moment.

They were clearly poor, and had been traveling for a very long time.

Annoyed by Wang Er’s silence, La Pi kicked him in the knee.

The kick sent Wang Er sprawling to the ground, raising a cloud of dust.

The kick was vicious. Wang Er clutched his leg and howled, rolling on the floor, his face turning the color of wilted greens.

The elderly couple was shaking violently, wanting to help the waiter up, but even the simple act of bending over was difficult for them.

La Pi spat on the floor, about to bring his knife down on the old couple.

Yun Jinxue suddenly raised her voice. “That bald guy over there? Come have a look at my table, how much for these dishes?”

La Pi froze. He likely had never heard such dismissive words. The veins on his forehead bulged, and he turned his head, his eyes blazing like torches.

“Where’d this little hussy come from?!”

The muscles on his arms were abnormally thick. He swayed as he walked over like a muscular duck, his footsteps booming against the floor, his presence imposing.

He stopped at the table. The curse he was about to spew caught in his throat and was swallowed back.

La Pi’s gaze roamed over her body without any pretense, his eyes lighting up. “What do you want with your grandfather?”

Yun Jinxue said, “You’re terribly noisy. You’re disturbing my meal with my… Junior Martial Sister.”

After all, they would indeed become martial sisters later. Using that title early wouldn’t hurt, right?

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanyu seemed to let out a cold laugh.

La Pi clearly wasn’t listening to a word she said, too lost in his own fantasies.

“Beauty, you think your grandfather here is too noisy? No problem, you two come back with me. When night comes, this grandfather will make sure you make even more noise, keep you up all night, how about that?”

Yun Jinxue sighed, grasped the body of the Bright Star Sword, and lightly tilted it. The silver light flashed, blinding him.

She said, “I have no wish to waste words with you. But you’re no match for us. Put down the money you’ve just robbed and leave here. Can you do that?”

La Pi let out a scoffing laugh, turned his head to exchange glances with his brothers, then waved the steel knife in his hand. “Who doesn’t have a weapon? Little hussy, who are you trying to scare?”

After speaking, his eyes practically grew hooks, trying to burrow into the layers of her fragrant collar to trace the line of her pale, slender neck.

His mouth kept running. “But, two delicate, frail girls like you, also venturing out into the Martial World?”

Yun Jinxue asked, “Where is this Martial World?”

His thoughts wandering, his mouth started running even more, and La Pi laughed lewdly. “Where is it? In your grandfather’s pants!”

Jiang Yanyu put down her chopsticks, pinched an empty plate with two fingers, and covered the half-eaten salted duck with it.

At the same moment, Yun Jinxue lightly tapped the table. The teacup by her hand jumped up.

Her fingers, like spring onions and jade, crooked and flicked. The teacup shot forward, smashing squarely onto the bridge of La Pi’s nose.

“Ah–!”

With a wet, splattering sound, as if a vat of pig’s blood had been knocked over, his fat, sturdy body toppled backward, crashing to the ground.

The gushing plasma traced an arc through the air, splattering a few red drops on the table, exceptionally vivid against the white ceramic plate base.

Jiang Yanyu removed the blood-spattered plate. The salted duck underneath was still perfectly clean. She dipped her chopsticks in and continued eating.

La Pi lay on the ground, dizzy and disoriented.

A piece of broken porcelain was still embedded in the bridge of his nose, his face covered in blood, looking like a comical clown from a stage play.

And when his wildly darting vision refocused, the woman in white, wearing a veiled hat, was already standing before him.

The beauty’s eyes looked down. Her sword was half-drawn from its sheath, the sharp edge pressed right against his ear.

His survival instinct made him instantly sober, realizing he had messed with a powerful figure he couldn’t afford to provoke.

His tone completely reversed. “Sorry, sorry, it was Gra… it was I who was blind, disturbing the fairy. Please, I beg you, spare my life. We’ll leave right now.”

The other burly men in animal hides scattered around the inn hadn’t even seen the beauty’s attack clearly.

Understanding they were no match, they all held their breath, ready to slip away quietly.

Yun Jinxue said clearly, “There are nine of you in total. I’ve already counted. Don’t think a single one of you can run. Leave all your money here. All of you, go wait outside the inn.”

At this, the tables turned for the terrified people inside. The burly men exchanged glances for a moment, knowing their time was up, and that escape was impossible.

They could only comply, emptying their pockets and piling the money onto her table, then filing outside to stand in the courtyard.

Yun Jinxue sheathed her sword and walked outside, her hands behind her back. Stepping over the threshold, she stood, facing the group.

La Pi also scrambled up, clutching his nose and grimacing in pain, following behind and obediently standing with the others.

Sweeping her gaze over them, Yun Jinxue held the sword body with four fingers, her thumb pushing the blade out of the sheath.

In the pitch-black courtyard, a silver snake darted through the air.

Instantly, everyone hunched over, screaming shrilly.

A few slightly braver guests held onto the doorframes, craning their necks to look outside.

They saw that all the men in the courtyard had two fingers severed from their right hands. The cuts were perfectly clean, and only after a long moment did blood start to seep out.

The silver light trailed a long tail back into the sheath with a crisp click.

Yun Jinxue said, “I am a cultivator. I have already placed a Tracking Talisman on you just now. I’ll let you go today. Don’t commit evil deeds in the future. Otherwise, what’s severed next time will be your necks.”

It was still that pleasant voice, but no one dared to let their minds wander anymore.

The men in the courtyard had been gritting their teeth and breathing heavily, their faces twisted in pain.

But hearing that she wouldn’t take their lives, they hurriedly kowtowed in thanks and scrambled away, running and stumbling.

Watching them flee into the distance, Yun Jinxue’s taut nerves finally relaxed.

Something like a Tracking Talisman was, of course, just a bluff. She had no way of knowing if these men would do bad things in the future.

But with fear as a seasoning, they would surely believe those mystical things existed.

Looking down at the snow-colored, shimmering sword hilt, she slowly suppressed her agitated heart.

This was the first time she had used Spiritual Power in combat since coming to this world.

Thankfully, everything functioned normally; no problems arose.

Having resolved the matter, Yun Jinxue turned and went back inside.

This time, she again drew stares, but now the gazes were filled with admiration, envy, and reverence. Many people even waved their arms in excitement, praising her peerless, fairy-like appearance, her profound skill, and her chivalrous spirit.

After all, in such a place that could be called a desolate wilderness, even getting a glimpse of the legendary immortals was not easy. It was perfectly understandable for these people to be so excited.

It was just that such unrestrained praise made the pride Yun Jinxue had just managed to suppress ripple through her heart once more.

No wonder everyone liked being a great hero. This feeling really was quite pleasant.

Wang Er was no longer groaning in pain but was still covered in cold sweat, sitting on a stool with the elderly couple’s help.

Yun Jinxue walked to the table piled with money and thought: Mi Ba, help me identify ancient currency.

With the System’s help, Yun Jinxue quickly separated 11 taels and returned them to the gray-robed youth. She then counted out the rough traveling expenses needed for a long journey and gave them to the elderly couple.

The rest was for Wang Er to repair the inn’s door and attend to his leg.

Wang Er held the money, tears welling up in his eyes. “Bullied by this gang of mountain bandits for so long, I never expected an Immortal Lord to come and root out this evil today. It’s truly my great fortune. Really, thank you.”

Yun Jinxue wanted to gloat a little, but her face remained cool and aloof. She merely nodded slightly. “It’s nothing, go get your leg seen to quickly.”

She really wished she could record that scene and post it on her Moments!

But if she were still in her previous modern society, upon encountering such a situation, even if she felt indignant inside, she definitely wouldn’t dare to intervene.

After all, with a mortal body, facing real armed robbers, her weak frame wouldn’t stand a shred of a chance.

Truly, one had to have the strength to challenge something before having the corresponding courage.

She turned around and returned to her seat, secretly observing whether the young girl had taken note of her actions.

The lingering smell of blood was nauseating, and the red splatters all over the table were utterly appetite-killing.

Yet the little villainess was still eating so heartily, as if she were already accustomed to such scenes.

And everything that had happened in the inn moments ago hadn’t stirred a single flicker of interest in her.

Only the salted duck was practically gone.

The person she most wanted to notice her wasn’t reacting at all. The bit of smug pride in Yun Jinxue’s heart quickly dissipated.

After simply finishing up, they returned to the carriage and continued on their way.

She thought this matter was settled, but just as they sighted the main road to Cheng Prefecture in the distance, Jiang Yanyu suddenly spoke up.

“Will the Immortal Lord also be so merciful with the Jiang family?”

Yun Jinxue had been lightly sniffing herself to see if she smelled of blood. She froze upon hearing this, a little unsure of the girl’s meaning.

Did she think she had been too lenient?

But in reality, cutting off others’ fingers was already the absolute limit of what she—someone who never watched horror films—could do.

Even just this much would probably still make her worry about having nightmares tonight.

Carefully choosing her words, Yun Jinxue spoke. “I already meted out punishment. Besides, cultivators cannot casually interfere in purely mortal affairs.”

The cultivators’ power made mortals who couldn’t cultivate yearn for it, but also made them fear it.

After all, not all cultivators were willing to uphold justice, and a conscience wasn’t something that grew just by cultivating.

Moreover, evil cultivators and evil ghosts also manipulated Spiritual Power. Just from outward appearance, there was no difference at all.

So, matters that occurred purely among mortals should be handled by mortal government institutions.

Otherwise, if cultivators could kill anyone they pleased, just by proclaiming they were killing bad people, there would seem to be no need for accountability.

But no one could verify the truth. If everyone acted as they wished, the world would be thrown into chaos.

A thought struck her. If she didn’t want to kill, this could also serve as a suitable reason.

Yun Jinxue fastened the lid on her tea bowl, probing. “So if there’s a misunderstanding about the Jiang Family, if they aren’t evil cultivators, I also cannot act recklessly.”

Afraid these words might anger her, Yun Jinxue quickly added, “It’s not that I don’t believe you. It’s just that human lives carry heavy weight; life and death cannot be decided lightly. And you are a mortal, who hasn’t seen real evil cultivators before. It’s indeed possible to be mistaken.”

Feeling it wasn’t enough, she added yet again. “But if there are indeed suspicious points, I can notify the local authorities. Punish the guilty. Neither let the bad guys go free, nor wrongly accuse the good.”

After finishing this speech, Yun Jinxue inwardly admired herself. She had been incredibly thorough.

Surely the little villainess wouldn’t be angry now.

The girl by the opposite window listened to the whole speech, the corner of her mouth curving upward. She lifted her eyes and looked over.

She repeated emphatically, “Human lives carry heavy weight; life and death cannot be decided lightly?”

Yun Jinxue’s heart skipped a beat. She knew she had touched a landmine.

Jiang Yanyu’s tongue swept across the side of her teeth. She slowly clapped her hands. “The Immortal Lord is truly clear about love and hate, abiding by her own set of principles.”

Her lips held a smile, but her eyes were sharp. The loose strands of hair framing her face made her look thin and coldly indifferent.

Yun Jinxue swallowed, thinking: Mi Ba, I feel like she hates me so much. Why is that? Up to now, I should still be her lifesaver, right?

Mi Ba hesitated. 【I feel like right now, she just hates everyone equally? You need to be a bit patient with gloomy, cold-hearted kids.】

Yun Jinxue felt helpless. Why did she feel like she was being lectured by a little kid on how to care for children… Ah, well.

She straightened her back slightly, trying to speak as gently as possible. “The founding tenet of the Divine Zenith Sect is to respect nature and recognize that all things have spirit. I merely wish to uphold the sect’s philosophy.”

Her gaze fixed on her face. Amidst the dancing blue fireflies, Jiang Yanyu enunciated each word clearly. “Then I am relieved. With such kindness and integrity, surely the Immortal Lord won’t commit deeds like wronging or betraying others, whether in the Jiang Family or elsewhere.”

“……”

Her fingers tightened on her teacup. Yun Jinxue, destined to betray her later, felt a guilty twinge.

“… I also only possess a bit more Spiritual Power than ordinary mortals, and I can make mistakes too. It’s not possible for me to always be fair and virtuous…”

Jiang Yanyu said coldly, “I only hope that if the Immortal Lord does make a mistake, the person sacrificed won’t suffer too horribly.”

Their eyes met. Within those cold orbs was reflected the glimmering blue flames, and the slightly helpless expression on Yun Jinxue’s face.

She was clearly just a child, yet it seemed as if a thousand layers of profound emotion were hidden deep within those eyes, stubborn and unchanging.

In the end, Yun Jinxue averted her gaze, letting it fall on the carriage floor.

Her heart ached with bitterness, yet she had no standing to offer words of comfort.

As the lifesaver who had appeared at a critical moment, she had entered the girl’s life with such a righteous and brilliant image, influencing her so deeply, yet also committed the most despicable act.

Jiang Yanyu, as a Calamity, had a true form that was originally a thousand-mile range of frozen, unmelting glaciers.

This Senior Sister’s presence was the first spring she had encountered in her frigid, steep life.

Yet it was fleeting.

Thus, the book described it like this:

She was the glacial snow enduring the bitter winds. She met a brief spring and learned what warmth meant.

But because of that single melting, she shed tears for a lifetime.