Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 141 | To Save Through Scorn | Novela.app

“What!” Bai Zhier knocked over her teacup. “How could she... Search for her immediately! Ruo’er’s eyes are injured; she’ll be in grave danger.” “It’s all that Lin Jianghong’s fault! I wondered why she was always sneaking into Chu Ruo’s room these past few days. I thought that bastard Chu was finally listening to reason and eating because of her persuasion. Who knew they were planning an escape? Heaven knows what she said to that Lin girl, but that wild brat mapped out the fortress’s layout, and the two of them even stole a fast horse...” “Say no more. These are turbulent times, and Foster Father is still in seclusion recovering from his injuries. Don’t involve anyone else. We sisters will go ourselves. We must intercept them before they reach the Hundred Flowers Palace!” *** As the horse thundered down the road, Chu Ruo shouted over the wind, “Hey, thank you!” “Huh? The wind is too loud! What did you say?” “I said—THANK—YOU!” Lin Jianghong sped along with Chu Ruo in tow. “This lady is just performing a heroic deed. No need for thanks for such a small matter.” It was all thanks to this Lin Jianghong. Otherwise, blind and bound as she was, Chu Ruo wouldn't have known how to leave and find her Little Scorpion. “How much longer until we arrive?” “Huh? Don’t you worry, I’ll get us back to the Hundred Flowers Palace in the shortest time possible!” Inside the Hundred Flowers Palace, the Young Palace Mistress, Nan Muxue, was finally released from the ice cellar. Nan Menghua watched her as a disciple attended to her grooming. “Do you know what day it is?” “I do not.” “Today is the auspicious day to select a husband for you.” Nan Muxue remained silent. Seeing this, Nan Menghua rose and gripped her chin. “On such a wonderful day, why aren't you smiling?” Despite the pain, the woman before her remained indifferent. “Duan Ning is dead.” “Do not think I was unaware of what those few were doing behind my back. Leaving her corpse intact was an act of mercy.” “Mother promised with her own lips to spare the others.” Nan Menghua let out a cunning laugh. “I didn't lay a finger on her myself. I even gave Nan Gongyan the chance to leave the mountain. Though, I wonder how long she can keep running.” Nan Muxue’s hands seemed to tighten for a moment before she forced herself to relax. Her mother continued with arrogant triumph, “What, can’t take it already? I told you long ago, I am the one who has the final say in the Hundred Flowers Palace. Those wretches dared to follow you in rebellion; they all deserve to die. Do you think you would still be sitting in the position of Young Palace Mistress if not for your Nan family bloodline?” “I never craved it.” *Slap!* Nan Menghua’s strike was loud and vicious. “I certainly raised you well, for you to dare speak to me like that! What are you? You are only someone because your surname is Nan. Crave it? This was given to you by the Nan family. Everything you have was bestowed by the Nan family; it is not yours to refuse! You are not worthy of rejecting it!” Nan Muxue looked at her and, unexpectedly, the corners of her mouth curled upward. But that smile was filled with nothing but contempt. “You laugh? You dare laugh!” Nan Menghua raised her hand to strike again but stopped just before making contact. “Dress her up properly. Not a single bruise is to be seen on her face!” The disciples trembled in fear. “Yes, Palace Mistress.” “You had best be obedient. Otherwise, that beloved of yours... I wonder how long it will take for her to come looking for you? Hahaha!” At the foot of the mountain, after several days of travel, Chu Ruo and Lin Jianghong finally arrived at Cloud-Piercing Peak. Hiding in the shadows, they watched as members of various sects continuously ascended the mountain. Being unable to see, Chu Ruo asked, “What’s the situation?” “Lots of people are going up,” Lin Jianghong said, pushing Chu Ruo’s head down a bit. “Be careful. You can’t use your martial arts right now. If I’m caught dragging you along, we won't be able to escape.” On the way here, Chu Ruo had heard that the madwoman Nan Menghua was recruiting a husband for her Little Scorpion. Was she even human? She was a total psychopath. At this moment, Chu Ruo wished she could fly to the side of the woman she yearned for. “I know a secret passage.” Lin Jianghong replied, “I know you’re anxious, but what do we do once we’re up there? Just kidnap her and run? First, she came back of her own will. Second, how am I supposed to carry both of you?” “We’ll go up first, and then you do this...” *** “Palace Mistress, there’s a fire.” Inside the Great Hall, Nan Menghua wore a smile that suggested she saw through everything. “Take a few disciples and deal with it. Don’t bother me with such trivialities. What matters now is choosing a husband for my dear daughter.” Chu Ruo was suffering in silence. After getting up the mountain, she had hoped to find a chance to see Nan Muxue privately and take her away, but the woman was already in the Great Hall. How could she approach under the watchful eyes of the crowd? She had sent Lin Jianghong to start a fire to distract everyone, but Nan Menghua had merely sent a few disciples. That old fox. Chu Ruo even suspected that Nan Menghua knew she was here but was simply refusing to expose her, waiting to force her into the open. Fine. Everyone in the hall was staring at Nan Muxue, who sat above them. It had to be said that no matter the time or place, the beauty was always like a radiant pearl—a face that could topple kingdoms, looking down upon the world with disdain. Nan Menghua stood up and had only uttered two words, “Everyone—” “Xue’er.” That single voice made everyone turn their heads in unison. It was Chu Ruo, the discarded disciple currently being hunted by the Hundred Flowers Palace. She stepped forward and softly called out those two words again. “Come with me.” She knew how foolish this was, but she had no other choice. Nan Menghua was going to choose a husband for her daughter today to seal the deal. She could not stand by and watch. *Nan Menghua, since you’re forcing me, then I’ll give you what you want. I’ll come out and satisfy your whims.* The glint in Nan Menghua’s eyes said it all. “You actually dared to return.” Chu Ruo was blind now; she could only turn toward the front by following the sound of that voice. Ignoring everything else, she continued to call to the woman ahead. “Xue’er, come here.” *You worked so hard to protect me, to be with me. The last thing I wanted was for the world to mock you. And yet today, this single call of ‘Xue’er’ has betrayed us after all.* If anyone couldn't see the love between them at this point, they were a fool. “Chu Ruo,” Nan Menghua stared at her. “You are quite bold!” “Bold? What do I have to be bold about?” “Running in here and thinking a single ‘come with me’ is enough to take away the Young Palace Mistress of my Hundred Flowers Palace?” “Ruo’er!” The Bai sisters had finally caught up, though they were a step too late. Bai Zhier rushed forward. “Let’s go!” But Chu Ruo refused to budge. “I’m taking Xue’er with me.” “You should leave.” Those three words came from the previously silent Nan Muxue. “Xue’er, I...” “By what right? I am the Young Palace Mistress of the Hundred Flowers Palace, born to be revered by thousands. Why should I spend my life hiding and running with you? I’ve had enough of that life. Leave.” “Xue’er...” “You have no right to call me that. You have been expelled from my palace. Leave while you still can.” “Xue’er,” Chu Ruo struggled forward, step by step. “I know you’re doing this for me...” “For you?” It was the first time Chu Ruo heard her sneer. “What makes you think you’re worth it? I, Nan Muxue, was born to a life of luxury. Lately, I’ve been living like a street rat. I don’t want to live like that anymore.” “It’s useless to say these things to me on purpose...” Another cold laugh. “On purpose? Look at yourself. No, you can’t see anymore, can you? A useless, blind cripple. What do you have to offer me? Before, it was nothing more than a momentary whim of mine.” Even though she knew these cruel words were spoken just to make her leave, Chu Ruo still felt the sting. She hurt because the woman she loved was still, even now, trying to force her away to protect her. *So, you noticed my eyes long ago... Little Scorpion, as expected, I can never hide anything from you.* “I don’t care what you say. I am taking you with me today. Nan Muxue, today, in front of all these people, I’m going to tell you...” “I will not go with you. There is no need for you to ruin my reputation here. We were master and disciple; for us to be together is against all propriety and reason.” *Pfft!* Blood sprayed onto the floor. “What a fine ‘against all propriety and reason’!” Chu Ruo began to laugh instead. In front of the entire hall, she laughed wildly, though she was trembling with agitation and coughing violently. “Nan Muxue, when have you ever cared about such things! Wealth and power have never meant anything to you!” “Before, I didn't cherish them. Now, I have realized the truth. I, Nan Muxue, want to be above all others. I have always been conceited; you simply aren't worthy.” Bai Zhier couldn't watch any longer and pulled at her. “Ruo’er, let’s go! If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!” Surprisingly, Nan Menghua had not made a move all day, as if she were merely watching a play. Indeed, perhaps this was a play—and in her eyes, a very good one. “I’m not leaving.” Chu Ruo struggled forward, but because she couldn't see, she fell hard to the ground. “Xue’er.” Nan Muxue merely flicked her sleeve and turned her back. “You are nothing but a waste now. I valued you before only because you were a martial arts prodigy and I thought you could serve the Palace. What can you do now? You can’t even make it to my feet. What right do you have to come for me?” “I can...” Hearing this, Chu Ruo groped along the floor, then stood up and struggled to walk forward, trying to reach the other woman. “If I walk to your side, will you promise me to leave?” Nan Muxue said nothing. Chu Ruo continued, “Nan Menghua, I’ll stay. Let Xue’er go.” “In front of the heroes of the world, aren't you afraid of being a laughingstock?” Nan Menghua toyed with her tea lid. “By all means, try. See if she will go with you.” Chu Ruo truly tried that hard, moving forward step by step. Bai Zhier came to support her, but Chu Ruo waved her off. A short distance felt like an impossibly difficult journey. When she finally believed she had reached the woman’s side, she was pushed. Then, she fell to the ground—clumsily, heartlessly. The first reaction from the onlookers was a burst of collective laughter. “So useless,” Nan Muxue’s voice was freezing. She looked down at her. “Why won't you believe me?” “Nan Muxue! Are you truly... forcing my hand?” “Leave.” The blade of Ice Fiend was suddenly pressed against a throat. “Either you go down the mountain right now, or I end my life here today.” Nan Muxue finally reacted. She moved slowly, step by step, until she was right in front of the other woman. Her voice was like ice. “Then do it.” *** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 林绛红 | Lin Jianghong | A girl from the Great Fortress who helps Chu Ruo escape. 冰煞 | Ice Fiend / Bingsha | Nan Muxue's signature sword. 入云峰 | Cloud-Piercing Peak | The location of the Hundred Flowers Palace.