The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 84

Luo Qingci stood there, staring at Ruan Li. She hadn't expected to see her under these circumstances.

Handling the situation now wasn't easy, especially since the system didn't give her much time. Moreover, she didn't want Ruan Li to see her in such a state.

Without overthinking, Luo Qingci steadied herself and took slow steps towards Ruan Li.

Su Yu, standing behind her, was uncertain whether to assist or not. When she saw Ruan Li, her suppressed tears turned into a mist in her eyes. Why was it so difficult?

At that moment, Ruan Li's eyes could see nothing but the figure drenched in blood, struggling to walk. Her heart tightened, and her mind couldn't figure out how to react.

Luo Qingci had taken the punishment in her place. She had imagined countless possibilities but never this one.

The cloak Luo Qingci wore hid the bloodstains on her clothes, but the trail of blood followed her every step. The face, usually flawless, was now pale and lifeless, her hair disheveled, clinging to her forehead and neck. The blood at the corner of her lips hadn't dried, making the contrast between her pallor and the crimson even more striking and jarring.

Ruan Li's heart ached as if pierced by a thorn. She wasn't indifferent or emotionless.

Although Luo Qingci's actions had been hard to believe, Ruan Li could endure them. But now, seeing the person who seemed sculpted from ice and snow stained with blood, walking towards her, she could no longer remain indifferent.

With a loud thud, Ruan Li knelt straight before Luo Qingci, her eyes instantly reddening. "Master."

Luo Qingci coughed softly as she reached Ruan Li's side. The scent of blood overpowered the usual fragrance of plum blossoms on her, making Ruan Li tremble with fear.

Bending slightly, Luo Qingci's voice, though weak, remained calm, "Don't kneel. I can't help you up now."

Ruan Li's body shuddered as she looked up at Luo Qingci.

Even now, as Luo Qingci looked down at her, appearing as if she might shatter in the wind, she maintained her usual elegance. "From here on, you'll have to bear it on your own."

Tears nearly spilled from Ruan Li's eyes, but she held them back, bowing deeply. "I won't disgrace you, Master."

Luo Qingci looked ahead. "Go on."

She couldn't bear to watch. Although her system shielded her from the pain, the first few lashes had already left her trembling. Ruan Li would have to endure all hundred lashes, but without punishing her, this storm couldn't be calmed. If the Nan Hua Immortal Sect truly tore apart their relationship, even Gu Zhi Chao couldn't handle it—it would have to be escalated to Tian Ji Zi.

Ruan Li stood up, watching Luo Qingci. After those few words, Luo Qingci never looked back, leaving only a frail, bloodstained figure.

Lowering her head, Ruan Li walked up the white jade steps towards the Sin Cleansing Platform. The bloodstains on the jade steps were glaringly obvious—each drop of crimson a testament to Luo Qingci's suffering.

Her breathing grew rapid as images of Luo Qingci's shattered, pale face and all she had done over the years flashed in her mind.

The blood on the Sin Cleansing Platform wouldn't leave any traces. Ruan Li knelt where Luo Qingci had knelt before; the area was spotless, but the scent of blood and faint plum blossoms seemed to linger in her nose. Clenching her clothes, she straightened her back and closed her eyes.