Chapter 8: A Heart Laid Bare
The moment Li Shuang spoke, a spark of disbelief danced in Ye Zhao Zhao’s eyes.
“Eldest Senior Sister, what wild words are these? I risked my life to fetch the Heavenly Mountain Snow Lotus! Even if you once left my side, how dare you now accuse me so shamelessly?” she cried, her eyes blazing like burning embers. “And the Sword Spirit stands witness to my deed!”
At once, Ye Zhao Zhao drew forth the Dragon’s Roar. In a flash, Long Yan appeared and bowed deeply in respect.
“Senior Sister,” Zhao Zhao declared, “you have wielded the Dragon’s Roar for ten long years. Yet on that fateful day atop Snow Mountain, when Long Yan tried to rescue me, you turned away. That moment shattered our bond, and now you have forsaken the Dragon’s Roar entirely!”
Long Yan stepped forward, his fists pressed together in a respectful salute. “Zhao Zhao speaks the truth! Li Shuang now weaves deceit with her words!”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s sleeve whipped in anger as he turned on Li Shuang. “Rebellious disciple! With the Sword Spirit as witness, what excuse do you offer?”
Li Shuang’s gaze remained calm, as still as a mountain lake. “For many years, I taught our junior disciples the art of the sword on Spirit Void Peak. In my absence, Long Yan often took my place and grew close to Ye Zhao Zhao. I did not see him tire of my teachings, only to follow another path.
On that snowy day, my strength wavered. Long Yan seized the Dragon’s Roar and forced it into my dantian. Had I not embraced the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art in that desperate moment, my cultivation would have shattered, and I would have perished. I abandoned the Dragon’s Roar only because it betrayed my trust. Now, if Ye Zhao Zhao holds it, how can she be sure it will not turn on her as well?” [The sting of betrayal runs deeper than any wound.]
Long Yan protested, his voice trembling with worry, “Zhao Zhao, I would never betray you! You know my heart is true!”
Li Shuang met his eyes with a gentle smile. “Sect Leader, listen well. His loyalty now belongs solely to Ye Zhao Zhao. Our bond has broken. A blade that turns against its master can never be trusted.”
Her words rang clear, like the toll of a temple bell.
Ye Zhao Zhao’s face darkened. Li Shuang had never before been so unruly!
Yet Li Shuang’s heart was as calm as the silent mist over ancient peaks.
For years, she had borne the weight of Zhao Zhao’s false accusations.
For years, she had defended herself, only to face doubt and sorrow.
Time and again, she was caught in a cycle of self-blame.
But now…
She no longer sought the approval of Spirit Void Peak’s disciples.
She no longer needed their pity.
With the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art surging through her veins, Li Shuang saw the truth as clearly as the rising sun. From this day forth, she would follow only her own path.
“Long Yan simply could not bear Senior Sister’s cruelty,” Zhao Zhao’s voice trembled, tears glistening as they fell. “So he—”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s heart, once softened by Zhao Zhao’s sorrow, now hardened like cold steel. His eyes fixed on Li Shuang. “So you claim we have all been mistaken? That we trusted the wrong soul? Even the Sword Spirit has betrayed us? Li Shuang! No disciple stands with you now—perhaps it is time you look within yourself.” [A bitter truth, as chilling as a cold wind.]
But Li Shuang only smiled.
Yes, this was the same pain that had once shattered her spirit.
She had questioned her own faults again and again.
She had tormented herself, wondering why none believed her.
Had she failed? Was she unworthy?
But now…
Deep in her heart, she knew she had done no wrong.
If the world turned its back on her, then it was the world that was blind.
Cultivation seeks freedom and transcendence—why be bound by chains of false judgment?
Li Shuang spoke firmly, her voice clear as a mountain stream: “I have done no wrong.”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s anger burst forth. Through clenched teeth he roared, “Sect Leader, see her stubborn defiance! Such insolence brings shame upon our sect. Sect Master, expel her at once!”
Meng Yi Fei frowned deeply, troubled by the strife.
Then a clear voice echoed in the hall. “Expel her? Ling Xu, you old fool, where would you cast her away? If you reject this disciple, then I, Lin Qing Ling, will gladly take her in! Unlike you, I have not grown blind with age!”
Luo Ming Yue sighed with relief.
At last, Master had arrived!
Without her guidance, Luo Ming Yue feared that Little Junior Sister would be lost in this storm.
Lin Qing Ling strode into the hall, her eyes aflame with fierce determination as she faced Meng Yi Fei. “Sect Leader! You know that Emotionless Peak has long awaited a worthy master of the Grand Supreme Emotionless Art. Now, because neither side yields, you wish to condemn Li Shuang without fairness? If Ling Xu casts her away, then I shall claim her as my own!”
Her gaze then sharpened as she looked at Ling Xu. “Spirit Void Peak may be your arena, but the Sword Sect is not yours to rule alone!”
True Immortal Ling Xu’s face froze like winter ice. “Lin Qing Ling! Li Shuang is like a hidden snake, waiting to strike. If you shelter her, do not be surprised when her fangs sink in.”
Lin Qing Ling laughed coldly. “It is you who is blinded by old grudges, mistaking wisdom for folly!”
A flash of anger crossed Ling Xu’s face. His voice turned as chilling as an iron blade. “Since reason does not reach you, there is nothing more to say.”
Then he fixed his steely gaze on Li Shuang and commanded, “Step forward.”
Li Shuang walked forward calmly.
Ling Xu’s tone was soft yet heavy as an iron sword. “Driven by envy, cowardice in battle, and twisting truth with cunning words—you bring disgrace upon yourself! My disappointment runs deep. As your master, I demand you accept one palm strike from me. From this moment, you are expelled from Spirit Void Peak. Our bond is severed. We owe each other nothing!”
Lin Qing Ling’s fury flared. “One palm strike? You wish her death!”
Ling Xu replied coldly, “I will spare her life. Does my guidance over these years not earn that mercy?”
“You—” Lin Qing Ling began, but then—
“Very well.” Li Shuang’s clear voice rang out, silencing all dissent.
Lin Qing Ling froze, turning sharply toward Li Shuang.
Their eyes met steadily. “Today, Li Shuang will accept True Immortal Ling Xu’s strike. From now on, the bond between master and disciple is broken. We owe each other no more.”
She stepped forward and stood in silence, ready for the strike.
Ling Xu’s expression twisted for a moment.
Rebellious disciple! Truly rebellious!
At first, he had longed for an apology.
Had Li Shuang simply admitted her mistake to Zhao Zhao and accepted punishment in silence, the matter would have ended.
But she refused, twisting the truth and blaming Zhao Zhao instead!
“Good! Very good!” A cold gleam flashed in Ling Xu’s eyes.
His palm shot forward like a swift blade.
Lin Qing Ling instinctively raised her hand to block, but upon seeing Li Shuang’s calm face, she hesitated.
So be it.
Today, Li Shuang shall sever all ties with Spirit Void Peak!
“Master!” Sheng Yuan cried out in alarm.
Ling Xu’s palm struck with the force of a falling boulder, sending Li Shuang hurtling backward. She crashed to the ground, blood mixing with the dust.
“Li Shuang!”
Lin Qing Ling and Luo Ming Yue rushed to her side.
Examining Li Shuang’s injuries, Lin Qing Ling’s eyes darkened with rage. “Ling Xu! Such cruelty! Her meridians are shattered! Her dantian ruined! You meant to erase her completely!”
Ling Xu’s voice remained cold and calm. “She chose to leave Spirit Void Peak. Such is the price. Now, the ties between master and disciple are forever broken. There is nothing more to say.”
With a respectful bow to Meng Yi Fei, he added, “Sect Leader, please announce this separation to the entire sect.”
He turned and departed, with Sheng Yuan and Ye Zhao Zhao quickly following.
Sheng Yuan hesitated, his lips trembling as he glanced at Li Shuang. Finally, he clenched his teeth and followed his master swiftly, disappearing into the distance.
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