112: The strategy of attacking the mind

"What? You want me to harm my own Revered Master and seize her Innate Sword Bone! No, no way, absolutely not. That is my Revered Master!"

Upon hearing that she was to extract the Innate Sword Bone from Nangong Li, Lu Qingyi shook her head like a rattle-drum.

She was just evil, not stupid.

Nangong Li was, after all, from the Chess Sword Pavilion, and more importantly, her own Revered Master.

Even if she wasn't the Sect Master now, if something happened, and the Sect investigated, she wouldn't be able to escape the charge of betraying her Revered Master and destroying her ancestors.

Shen Lian sneered at these words: "You are truly a fine Disciple of Nangong Li. Which Disciple would humiliate their own Revered Master like that halfway through a journey? Which Disciple would splash spirit spring water on their Revered Master just to deny her a drink? Which Disciple would tie their own Revered Master to the back of a carriage and drag her along?"

Lu Qingyi was shocked: "You knew all of that?"

"Hmph, with your trash cultivation, if you could detect my presence, that would be the greatest insult to Shen Lian. Currently, the grudge between you and Nangong Li is already set. If she recovers from her injuries, do you think she will let you go? Even if she can't recover, once she returns to the Chess Sword Pavilion and tells the Sect about how you tortured her, you will still face death. I know Nangong Li's personality too well; this bitch will never let go of anyone who has insulted her pitiful self-esteem. If you don't want to die, you must become stronger than her. But with your talent—the kind that makes even dogs shake their heads—you won't be able to fully comprehend the Blood River Sword Intent by the day you die. However, if you obtain the Innate Sword Bone and then perform Fusion with the Blood River Sword Intent, you can quickly improve your cultivation Foundation and walk the path to the Peak. Of course, the choice is yours. If you want to continue being trash and achieving nothing, only to be killed by Nangong Li in the future, then do nothing. Just send her to the Spirit Realm. If you want to stand out and reach a position where she can only look up at you from afar, then act now. After all, such a great Opportunity is right beside you. If you don't take it, those opportunistic evil cultivators will strike. Think about it carefully. A person doesn't get many chances in life to make a choice. Once missed, it's gone forever, with no chance of a comeback."

After hearing Shen Lian's analysis, Lu Qingyi fell into deep thought.

Indeed, if she obtained the Innate Sword Bone, a bright future would surely unfold.

Moreover, she had been treating Nangong Li so harshly these days; Nangong Li must be harboring resentment. If they reached the Spirit Realm and her Senior Sister, Mu Yaoguang, learned of Nangong Li's ordeal, she would likely make a move against her.

Also, Shen Lian was right—news of Nangong Li possessing the Innate Sword Bone would surely spread throughout the black and white paths.

If she encountered evil cultivators like before, she would have no power to protect herself.

Since that was the case, why let someone else benefit instead of herself?

With her thoughts settled, Lu Qingyi immediately made her decision.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. This Junior knows what to do."

Seeing that Lu Qingyi had taken the bait, Shen Lian put away his Folding Fan and turned to leave.

Actually, Shen Lian could have easily removed the Innate Sword Bone himself, but the moment he thought of what the original owner had suffered at her hands, he immediately suppressed the urge.

Letting her die so easily wouldn't satisfy Shen Lian's anger at all.

Only by letting her lose everything she was proud of, being betrayed by an ant she despised, and dying in despair would he feel a true sense of accomplishment.

Furthermore, with Nangong Li currently no different from trash, Shen Lian couldn't muster the interest to do it himself. It was better to incite this bitch Lu Qingyi to do it; it would definitely have the effect of punishing the heart.

...

Early the next morning, Lu Qingyi brought a bowl of medicinal soup to Nangong Li's bedside, wearing a look of remorse: "Revered Master, I am sorry. I thought about it carefully yesterday. I have been too unruly these past days and have chilled your heart. Please, with your great magnanimity, forgive your Disciple just this once."

Nangong Li looked at Lu Qingyi's pitiful face and couldn't help but groan: "Lu Qingyi, what trick are you playing now? Do you think that by putting on such a pitiful appearance, I will forgive you for everything you have done to me?"

Lu Qingyi said: "Revered Master, your Disciple was blinded by greed these past few days. Because I was afraid that escorting you to the Spirit Realm would delay my own cultivation, I harbored resentment. But yesterday, I suddenly remembered how good you were to me in the past, and I feel deeply regretful for my actions these days. I don't know how to ask for your forgiveness. However, Revered Master, please rest assured. From now on, I will never hurt you again. I will safely deliver you to the Spirit Realm."

Saying this, she scooped the medicinal soup in the bowl with a spoon.

"Revered Master, this medicinal soup can relieve the pain of the different fire devouring your heart. I went to the inn's kitchen at three in the morning to brew it for you myself. Let me feed you."

Lu Qingyi spoke very sincerely, but Nangong Li was clearly unwilling to believe her: "Lu Qingyi, you haven't put anything in the soup, have you? I'm telling you, if anything happens to me, the Chess Sword Pavilion will never let you go."

"How could that be, Revered Master? Even if your Disciple had the courage of a giant, I wouldn't dare to harm your life. If you don't believe me, I will prove it to you right now."

After saying this, Lu Qingyi scooped a spoonful of the soup and swallowed it directly.

Seeing Lu Qingyi drink the soup with her own eyes, Nangong Li's guarded heart finally let down.

"Do you truly realize you were wrong?"

"Revered Master, please believe your Disciple once. Give me one chance to make amends. I will never hurt you again."

Hearing Lu Qingyi speak so sincerely, Nangong Li chose to believe her once.

"You, help me up."

"Revered Master, slowly now. Watch out for your wounds."

Lu Qingyi set down the medicinal soup, carefully helped Nangong Li up, and piled the quilt behind her to serve as a backrest.

"Very well. Since you are sincerely repentant, I will not hold your previous actions against you. I hope you will never again commit such acts of betraying your Revered Master."

"I won't, Revered Master. Come, your Disciple will feed you."

A mouthful of medicinal soup entered her stomach, and immediately a cooling sensation suppressed the heat wave inside her body, making Nangong Li feel very relieved.

Lu Qingyi carefully fed Nangong Li, and after the bowl was finished, she took out a silk cloth and wiped the soup residue from the corners of her mouth.

After finishing everything, Lu Qingyi said: "Revered Master, how is your body now? If you can, your Disciple will take you to continue towards the Spirit Realm. After all, the sooner we arrive at the Medicine King Glazed Valley, the sooner your injuries can recover, and you won't have to suffer like this."

"Mm, my body can handle it. Let's go."

"Very well, your Disciple will help you dress."

Seeing Lu Qingyi taking such careful care of her, Nangong Li finally felt much better.

However, she didn't intend to let Lu Qingyi off so easily.

Once they reached the Medicine King Valley, Nangong Li planned to use Lu Qingyi's skin to restore her own appearance.

Nangong Li had always been a narrow-minded person; she never easily let go of anyone who offended her.

Outside the inn, the carriage was already prepared.

Lu Qingyi and the two Disciples very carefully moved Nangong Li and the wheelchair into the carriage.

With a crack of the whip, the Revered Master and Disciples set off again towards the Spirit Realm.

The carriage sped away, leaving behind a cloud of dust. From the window on the second floor of a teahouse nearby, Shen Lian gently shook his Folding Fan, quietly witnessing it all.