Chapter 0002

Chapter 2: Severing-Ties Contract, Sign It!

Zhou Tong met Mo Liu Su’s eyes, the storm in his gaze already calm, and said: “That’s right.”

It felt both expected and sudden, and Mo Liu Su’s heart still jolted hard. [This defiant disciple actually dares to cut all ties with me. But why is my heart rippling?]

Around them, the elders could not hold back and cried out: “No!”

One elder spoke with a heavy tone: “This is absurd. The matter has no clear start or end and lacks key proof. We should not judge like this.”

Another elder raised his hand and said: “Bring out the Omniscient Heavenly Mirror. One look will show all that happened before and settle right and wrong.”

The elders had not thought things would go this far. Zhou Tong was Mo Liu Su’s disciple, so they were slow to interfere. But now they could not stand aside. It was because Zhou Tong was too outstanding. He had done great service for the sect. Countless young disciples saw him as a model and followed him. He had become the spirit and backbone of the younger generation. A person like this, even if he erred, should be judged with care. How could they throw blame on him so rashly?

At those words, Tang Qi’s face changed at once. Fourth Senior Sister Jiang Yu Yao and Fifth Senior Sister Ge Hong Qiu also turned pale. If the Omniscient Heavenly Mirror was used, the tricks between them would be exposed.

Jiang Yu Yao rushed to speak, her voice tight as she said: “Elders, aren’t we making a big fuss over a small thing? The Heavenly Mirror is the sect’s greatest treasure. Turning it on costs a lot each time. Why waste it on a criminal?”

No one answered her. Instead, an old elder stepped forward, looked at Mo Liu Su, and said: “Only the sect master has the right to use that treasure. The sect master is in seclusion. As the sect master’s personal disciple, you may act in their place. You can call for the mirror.”

Hearing this, Zhou Tong’s eyes brightened. [In my past life I feared angering my master and senior sisters. I swallowed a crime I did not commit and never walked this far. Now that the truth is within reach, I want to see what choice Mo Liu Su makes.]

Mo Liu Su gave the answer at once and looked down at Zhou Tong as she said, firm and cold: “There is no need.”

She lifted her chin and spoke sharper: “So, rebellious disciple, you think cutting ties will threaten me? Do not think I will fall for that.”

She turned her hand and said, cool and clear: “Since this is what you want, I will grant it.”

Vast spiritual power surged and wrote words in the air, shaping a severing-ties contract. It was a law-bound pact. If both sides dropped their blood on it, the pact would form. Whoever broke it first would pay a heavy price.

Mo Liu Su did not hesitate. She flicked her finger, and a rosy drop of blood flew to the contract and sank in, leaving a bright mark.

She fixed her gaze on Zhou Tong and said: “Your turn.”

She stared without blinking, watching even the smallest twitch. For some reason, she seemed to be waiting to see tension or struggle cross his face.

Zhou Tong suddenly laughed under the eyes of the crowd, bold and free, and his laughter held a bite of mockery as he said: “Hahaha… what was I even waiting for? I should have known.”

That laugh sent ripples through Mo Liu Su’s heart again. [He is laughing? What is he laughing at? How can he laugh now?] Without noticing, she clenched her fist.

She pressed him in a cold voice and said: “Why are you dazing out? Drop your blood. Or do you regret it?”

Zhou Tong’s smile faded as he said: “I never regret.”

He looked up, his voice steady as he said: “My good master, you could have had the truth, but you cling to your own view. In the end, you only see me as a toy you can move at will. If you say I am guilty, I must be guilty. If I resist, I am a traitor. My biggest mistake in this life was throwing away my dignity to become your disciple. Now I am going to fix that mistake.”

He raised his arm. A single drop of blood flew from his fingertip and shot toward the contract.

Mo Liu Su’s pupils shrank. Her hand lifted on reflex.

A beautiful elder stepped in, cutting across the space as she called out: “Wait!” She caught the blood drop between her fingers.

Seeing this, Mo Liu Su’s chest rose and fell once. Her other clenched hand slowly loosened. It looked like she had let out a long breath.

The beautiful elder looked at Zhou Tong with a complicated face and said: “Zhou Tong, how did you end up like this? I know you may feel wronged. Bear with it for now. When the sect master leaves seclusion, we will petition together and give you a chance to clear your name. Also, Mo Liu Su is your master. Filial respect is right. But your behavior today is too rude.”

Hearing that, several elders nodded and spoke over one another as they said: “She is right. As a disciple you should honor your teacher. You were only wronged a bit. There is no need to make such a scene. Apologize to your master now, and this can end here.”

Mo Liu Su stood like a statue, motionless. When Zhou Tong first flicked his blood, it felt like lightning shot through her body and strung every nerve tight. Even now, her heartbeat pounded, slow to calm.

The beautiful elder smiled and said: “Look, your master is letting it go. Say something soft to her and we can close this matter today.”

Zhou Tong lifted his head with a warm, spring-like smile and said: “Immortal Maiden White Crane, this kid thanks you for caring for me all these years.”

Mo Liu Su let out a sharp “Hmph,” and her eyes cut toward Immortal Maiden White Crane. She spoke coolly and said: “If he wants to leave, let him go. I will not keep him. But if he wants to stay under my teaching, he had better rein himself in. Today will not happen again.”

The elders traded looks filled with quiet joy. For someone as cool as Mo Liu Su, these words already sounded like forgiveness.

Right then, Zhou Tong breathed out lightly. Immortal Maiden White Crane’s face changed. The blood in her palm seemed to come alive, turning hot and violent at once.

She cried out with a start and said: “No!” She tried to clamp down harder, but she was one step too late.

With a sharp crack, the drop, like a red meteor, broke free and slammed into the contract.