“That’s right.”
Zhou Tong met Mo Liusu’s eyes, the turbulent emotions in his gaze already calmed.
He spoke those two words with perfect composure, his face set with resolve.
She had half expected it—and yet it still caught her off guard.
Mo Liusu’s heart gave a violent lurch.
This rebellious disciple actually dared to sever ties with her…
but why…
why did ripples stir in her own heart?
“Unacceptable!”
The elders around them could no longer hold back; one by one they stepped forward to object.
“This is absurd.
The whole affair is muddled from start to finish, with no hard evidence.
It shouldn’t come to this!”
“Well said.
Why not bring out the All-Revealing Mirror?
One sweep of that mirror can reflect every past event—surely it can settle right from wrong!”
The elders had never imagined the affair would escalate this far.
Zhou Tong was, after all, Mo Liusu’s own disciple, so it had not been their place to interfere—but now they could no longer stand by and watch.
The reason was simple: Zhou Tong was too outstanding, and he had rendered great merits to the sect.
Countless young disciples regarded him as a model to emulate, admiring and following him.
He had, in effect, become the spirit and the backbone of the younger generation.
For such a paragon, even a genuine mistake should be punished lightly—how could he be so recklessly branded with guilt!
At these words, Tang Qi’s face changed abruptly, and the Fourth Senior Sister, Jiang Yuyao, and the Fifth Senior Sister, Ge Hongqiu, also went pale.
If the All-Revealing Mirror were truly used, their little scheme would be exposed!
“Elders, isn’t this making a mountain out of a molehill?
The Mirror is a treasured heirloom of the sect—every activation costs a fortune.
Why go to such lengths for a criminal?”
Jiang Yuyao said anxiously, desperate to keep the truth from surfacing.
But no one paid her any mind.
Instead, an elderly elder stepped forward and addressed Mo Liusu: “Only the Sect Leader has the authority to use the treasured artifact.
With the Sect Leader currently in seclusion, you, as her direct disciple, have the right to act in her stead.
You may employ the Mirror…”
Hearing this, Zhou Tong found himself intrigued.
In his past life, terrified of drawing his master’s and sisters’ displeasure, he had swallowed his grievances, shouldered this baseless guilt, and never once gotten this far.
Now he was curious to see what choice Mo Liusu would make when the truth was there for the taking.
“There’s no need!”
The answer came quickly.
Mo Liusu looked down at Zhou Tong and said without a trace of hesitation: “So the rebellious disciple has a stiff spine, does he?
You think threatening to sever ties will work on me?
Don’t flatter yourself.”
“Since this is what you ask for, then fine.
I’ll grant it to you.”
A torrent of spiritual energy surged forth, inscribing words in the air until a written writ of severance took shape.
This was a Lawbound Contract: once the blood of both parties was dripped upon it, the pact was sealed.
Whichever party dared to break the contract first would pay a terrible price.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Mo Liusu flicked her finger, and a droplet of crimson flew onto the contract, leaving its mark.
“Your turn…”
She watched Zhou Tong, her gaze fixed on him so intently that not a single flicker of expression escaped her.
For reasons she could not name, she seemed to be waiting for some sign of tension or inner struggle to appear.
“Hahahaha…
What was I even expecting?
I should have known all along!”
Before the eyes of the crowd, Zhou Tong burst into laughter—unrestrained laughter, free and unburdened, dripping with mockery.
The sight stirred ripples in Mo Liusu’s heart once more.
He’s laughing?
What is he laughing at?
How can he possibly laugh!
Without realizing it, Mo Liusu clenched her fists.
“What are you standing there for?
Drip your blood—unless you’ve had second thoughts?”
“I have never regretted anything!”
Zhou Tong let his smile fade.
Today, there was no longer any point in deciding who was right and who was wrong.
“My dear master, you could have had the truth within your grasp, and still you chose to cling to your stubbornness.
When all is said and done, you treat me as a plaything to be handled at your whim.
You say I’m guilty, so I’m guilty; if I dare to resist, I’m a traitor.
The most regretful decision of my life was throwing away my dignity to become your disciple.
Now, I’m going to correct that mistake!”
With those words, Zhou Tong raised his arm, and a single drop of blood flew out, slamming into the contract.
Mo Liusu’s pupils shrank.
Her hand had already lifted instinctively.
“Hold on!”
At that very moment, a beautiful female elder cut in, snatching the drop of blood out of the air.
Watching this, Mo Liusu’s chest rose and fell faintly, and the fist she had been clenching slowly relaxed, as though she had let out a breath she hadn’t known she was holding.
“Zhou Tong, how did it come to this?”
The elder looked at him with a complicated expression.
“I know you may have grievances, but won’t you hold your temper for now?
Once the Sect Leader emerges from seclusion, the rest of us will petition on your behalf and win you a chance to prove your innocence.
Besides, Mo Liusu is, after all, your master—it’s only right that you show her filial respect.
But the way you’ve behaved today has been far too rude!”
At that, several other elders nodded and joined in, urging Zhou Tong from all sides.
“That’s true.
A disciple must know to respect his master and honor the Way.
You’ve merely been wronged a little—there’s no need to make such a fuss.
Apologize to your master right now, and this matter can be considered settled!”
Mo Liusu, by contrast, stood like a statue, making no move at all.
No one knew that the moment Zhou Tong had sent his blood flying, an electric jolt had shot through her entire body, tensing her to the breaking point.
Even now, her heart was still pounding, unable to calm for a long while.
“See?
Your master has already tacitly agreed.
Go say something soft to her, and today’s affair will be put to rest.”
The beautiful elder beamed.
She knew Mo Liusu’s silence was itself a concession—if Zhou Tong would just calm down and bow his head in apology, the conflict might yet be dissolved.
Zhou Tong looked up, and a smile like a warm spring breeze spread across his face.
This elder knew something of his trials and had helped him out a few times before—which was why she had stepped forward at this moment.
“White Crane Fairy, this junior has been under your care all these years.”
Zhou Tong replied with a smile, as though he had taken her words to heart.
“Hmph!”
Mo Liusu let out a deeply displeased snort, her sharp gaze boring into the White Crane Fairy.
“If he wants to leave, let him leave.
I won’t make a single plea to stop him.
But if he ever wants to remain under my tutelage again, he’d best rein himself in.
Consider today a one-time exception!”
The elders exchanged glances, each reading the relief in the other’s eyes.
For a woman of Mo Liusu’s icy temperament, saying such a thing was as good as forgiving Zhou Tong.
But at that very moment, Zhou Tong suddenly expelled a breath of qi.
The White Crane Fairy’s face changed drastically—the drop of blood in her palm seemed to come alive, turning scorching hot and savage.
“No!”
She cried out, trying to intensify her hold and imprison the blood—but she was a step too late.
Splat!
Like a crimson meteor striking the earth, it slammed hard into the contract!