Chapter Six: Tenderness and Justice

When she left the Pure Spirit Hall, Jiang Heng nearly suppressed the slight curl at the corner of her mouth.

A cave dwelling rich in spiritual energy was a treasure many cultivators dreamed of.

Her decisive abandonment of it left no room for doubt about her earlier words — the blame was surely on Huo Shiqing.

In truth, since she had now cultivated the Hellroad Path, her method and efficiency in absorbing spiritual energy differed greatly from other cultivators. She no longer needed such a useless relic.

Handing over the cave dwelling and distancing herself from the crowds not only prevented others from discovering her secrets but also kept her away from these ominous things — a move that was clearly beneficial in many ways.

Just as Jiang Heng was about to find a senior steward within the sect to change her training location, a powerful pressure suddenly surged from behind!

Invisible chains transformed from the unseen force, tightly binding her feet so she could not move.

Without turning around, Jiang Heng knew who it was and calmly said, “What, Second Senior Brother, are you here to cripple the remaining twenty percent of my meridians?”

Huo Shiqing’s eyes were terrifyingly red as he grabbed her shoulder, as if he wanted to crush her, “Are you lying to play hard to get?”

Jiang Heng did not answer, only staring coldly at him.

Huo Shiqing released her shoulder and took a small step back.

He felt the same as Shen Yanchu — his junior sister had truly changed.

The Jiang Heng who once smiled at him so gently and sweetly called him Second Senior Brother and frowned at him for toying with the feelings of junior sisters was now like a stranger weathered by storms, with no trace of him in her eyes.

Why had she become like this?

Could it be that Jiang Heng’s recent despondency was really because he had crippled eighty percent of her meridians?

Suddenly, Huo Shiqing found it hard to breathe.

Jiang Heng said indifferently, “Second Senior Brother, let me go. I still need to apply for a new cave dwelling. If I’m late, I’ll have to sleep out in the mountains.”

Huo Shiqing’s face darkened. After a long silence, he said coldly, “That cave dwelling cannot be accepted by An’an. I’ll find a way to deal with your meridians. You better go back quietly and stop causing trouble.”

Jiang Heng refused. Huo Shiqing was so irritable he nearly lost control, but when he met her mocking gaze, he forced himself to hold back.

If he hurt her now, neither reason nor conscience would be on his side.

As the two stood in a tense standoff, Shen Yanchu arrived.

He forcefully pressed the cave dwelling key into Jiang Heng’s palm and lowered his gaze, “Junior sister, don’t be stubborn. About last time… you were indeed wronged. Little junior sister and your Second Senior Brother didn’t handle things properly.”

If this were the old Jiang Heng, upon hearing this, she would have choked back tears and then sobbed uncontrollably in the arms of the eldest senior brother, forgiving all wounds.

She had waited a long time for these words, but they had never come.

In the previous life, Shen Yanchu always appeared gentle and just, but he always sided with Xu Ning’an, subtly implying Jiang Heng was wrong.

Now that she no longer expected such verbal support or bias, it finally came — albeit somewhat insincerely and under pressure.

Jiang Heng guessed the real reason they refused to let Xu Ning’an take her cave dwelling was not out of concern for her, but fear of damaging Xu Ning’an’s reputation.

After all, having the departed senior sister’s spirit sword and now the cave dwelling taken away sounded excessive.

Shen Yanchu looked at Huo Shiqing and his voice suddenly grew stern, “Shiqing, apologize to junior sister! How did you promise me before?”

He was reminding Huo Shiqing about the bet.

Huo Shiqing pressed his lips and stiffened for a long moment but did not apologize. With a cold snort, he swept his sleeve and left.

Shen Yanchu, expecting Jiang Heng wouldn’t cooperate so easily, did not release the restriction Huo Shiqing had placed on her but instead picked her up and flew back to her cave dwelling by spiritual artifact.

Last time he came, he hadn’t bothered to carefully examine her cave dwelling. Today, upon closer inspection, his heart sank.

Although Jiang Heng’s cave dwelling was rich in spiritual energy, its furnishings were shockingly simple.

Besides the basic bed, desk, and chair, there was not a single valuable item, not even the most basic cultivation aids.

At first glance, it hardly looked like the cave dwelling of a direct disciple — it was even worse than those of the lowest-ranked outer sect disciples.

He loosened the restriction on Jiang Heng and asked, “What happened to the spirit-gathering tree I gave you before?”

Jiang Heng replied calmly, “I sold it.”

Shen Yanchu’s eyes widened slightly, “Why did you sell it?”

A trace of sarcasm flickered across Jiang Heng’s face, “Obviously because I needed spirit stones to buy elixirs and talismans.”

Shen Yanchu did not believe her, “As a direct disciple, you receive plenty of spirit stones monthly. Besides, several of us have given you many good things. The spirit-gathering tree is such an important cultivation aid. How could you be short of money to the point of selling it?”

Jiang Heng looked at him indifferently, “Eldest Senior Brother, you really have a poor memory. Don’t you remember what happened to those things?”

Shen Yanchu hesitated.

Then he recalled.

Those items that Xia Zhiyu gave were taken back and destroyed by her in front of them because Xu Ning’an had a jealous tantrum. Later, they promised to replenish Jiang Heng but never did.

Huo Shiqing, although he did not retrieve the items he had given, destroyed his own share in front of Jiang Heng, bluntly declaring that having tokens linking them was a disgrace.

At that time, Jiang Heng’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment, nearly unable to stand.

With things said to that extent and Huo Shiqing’s icy gaze upon her, she could only tremble as she destroyed her own tokens.

But those good things on her weren’t only from these two.

He wasn’t sure about Jiang Huai Xu’s side, but his master definitely would never have such a change of heart. So why had Jiang Heng fallen to the point of selling the spirit-gathering tree?

Before he could ask, Shen Yanchu realized the answer and his heart grew even heavier.

It was because they had punished Jiang Heng many times over the matter with the little junior sister.

And many times, Jiang Heng was injured, missing opportunities to earn spirit stones and instead having to spend her own to heal.

Shen Yanchu’s breathing quickened slightly, but upon realizing something, he gradually calmed down.

They didn’t punish Jiang Heng without reason — it was because she had done wrong.

They could never condone her repeatedly bullying An’an. Without firm discipline, she would only make greater mistakes in the future.

Ultimately, her fall was her own fault.

Shen Yanchu wanted to scold Jiang Heng a few words but, remembering the grievances she had suffered this time, he held back.

“I’ll bring you another spirit-gathering tree later. If you’re short of spirit stones, talk to Eldest Senior Brother. Don’t sell such important things.”

Jiang Heng refused, “No need. As I’ve said, my meridians are almost destroyed. Eldest Senior Brother should give it to someone who needs it more.”

Seeing her so stubborn, Shen Yanchu felt an inexplicable irritation and furrowed his brow.

But his image was always gentle and understanding. Knowing Jiang Heng was telling the truth, he guessed her mood must be worse than anyone’s right now.

So, Shen Yanchu softened his expression and squeezed Jiang Heng’s hand gently, “Don’t be afraid. With Eldest Senior Brother here, we’ll definitely find a way to fix your meridians. Rest well these days, and remember to come to the little junior sister’s birthday banquet. She’s been hoping you’d come. We’ll all reconcile and never be estranged again, alright?”