Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 162 | A Nightmare Made Real | Novela.app

"Quite the gathering we have here." Those five words were enough to strike a chill into everyone’s bones. This was no longer the voice Lin Jianghong had been imitating; it was the real thing—the genuine, unmistakable voice of the person they dreaded most. Bai Zhier supported the unconscious Chu Ruo, not daring to retreat or show any opening. If the woman before them sensed even a hint of hesitation or fear, the situation would only turn more horrific. She stood her ground, meeting the woman's gaze with cold composure. "Nan Menghua." Standing on the high ground, Nan Menghua let out a twisted, mocking laugh. She gave a light clap of her hands. Behind her appeared Nan Yunshuang and Mo Fei—the woman who looked exactly like Chu Ruo. Mo Fei held a sword to the throat of Nan Muxue, who had a trace of blood at the corner of her mouth. "Did you truly think you could hide here and be safe? Hahaha..." Nan Menghua laughed manically. "It’s useless. No matter if you flee to the ends of the earth, you cannot escape me. I am your living hell!" In an instant, a large contingent of Hundred Flowers Palace disciples surrounded them. Some even held crossbows loaded with flaming bolts. Fenghuang and Bai Zhier scanned their surroundings, whispering a strategy. "With our current strength, a head-on confrontation isn't an option," Bai Zhier murmured. "Our only hope is to find a way to retreat first." Fenghuang glanced at Chu Ruo. "Dragging her along won't be easy. And then there’s Nan Muxue..." "We can't worry about that now. She is Nan Menghua’s daughter; her life isn't in immediate danger. We have to fight our way out first." However, Nan Menghua seemed to have everything under control. She wasn't in a hurry, nor did she order her disciples to attack. After a moment, she spoke with a sneer, "Finished discussing your plan?" Lin Jianghong shouted, "Nan Menghua! No matter what you say, I am still the Alliance Leader. If you kill me, the martial world will not let you get away with it!" "The martial world? Should I call you naive or just plain stupid?" Nan Menghua countered. "In this day and age, which sect still dares to meddle in the affairs of my Hundred Flowers Palace? I spared you once when you brought Chu Ruo up the mountain to find this wench, yet you dare to show your face again. And you two—you're so eager to help them, aren't you? I will make sure you all suffer for eternity!" "If you have the guts, then do it!" Lin Jianghong shot back. "We might be outnumbered, but we won't lose our spirit to the likes of you. Come on! You've slaughtered sects and terrorized the land; retribution will find you sooner or later!" "Hahahaha!" Another bout of wild laughter erupted. "Retribution? Why don't you take a look at this first?" With another wave of her hand, Fenghuang and Bai Zhier tensed, expecting an attack. Instead, they were met with a sight they never could have imagined. The entire village had been captured. They were all bound and marched forward under the guard of the Hundred Flowers Palace disciples. In the front row were the kind auntie who had taken them in, the village chief, and Qian Tong’s entire family. With a series of thuds, they were forced to their knees, blades pressed against their necks. "Will you surrender, or will you not?" Bai Zhier’s face turned ashen. "You are despicable." "Kneel before me, or I shall chop off their fingers one by one," Nan Menghua threatened. "Remember, whatever happens to them is because of you." "You! These villagers are innocent!" "Anyone who dares to harbor them deserves to die! They are nothing but blades of grass. As for you lot, I haven't had my fill of fun yet. How could I let you escape your misery so easily?" Lin Jianghong whispered urgently, "You two, say something! What do we do? And Chu Ruo is still out cold—wake her up so we can run!" Fenghuang noted, "The Flower Elders went to town yesterday to buy supplies before we left. I don't know if they can make it back in time. If they do, they might be able to create a distraction so we can get out." Bai Zhier gritted her teeth. "We can't stall for much longer. We can't let these villagers lose their lives for nothing." "Nan Menghua," Fenghuang stepped forward. "Do you know who I am?" "Does it matter? Anyone who helps those two is just another wretch!" Since leaving Miaojiang, Fenghuang had stopped wearing her traditional tribal clothing, so Nan Menghua didn't know her background. "Heh. I am the Shaman Chief of Miaojiang. You—" "Miaojiang?" Nan Menghua’s expression shifted slightly. "You are her..." She quickly regained her composure. "I didn't expect a Miaojiang native to appear here. Don't your people usually stay out of worldly affairs? Especially a Shaman Chief." Fenghuang smiled, hands behind her back. "I didn't think you'd know so much about our Miaojiang. But I'm much more interested in knowing why you possess our lost Gestation Gu." Nan Menghua didn't answer, saying only, "I have no desire to tangle with Miaojiang. Leave now, and I will grant you a path to live." Seeing her avoid the question, Fenghuang gave a disdainful snort. "And what if I don't agree? I've always been the type who likes to do the exact opposite of what people tell me." "Then don't blame me for being heartless. Since you refuse to be sensible and have clearly run out of ideas... kneel. I won't say it a second time." "In your dreams!" "Fine. Then their blood is on your hands." At her command, several villagers were dragged to the front. With a swift stroke of a blade, their throats were slit. These were the simplest, most honest people, and now they were reduced to shivering, whimpering wrecks begging for mercy. Nan Menghua walked up to the village chief and the others. "If you still won't kneel, I will cut off their fingers next, then their hands and feet. These are the people you are most familiar with in this village, aren't they?" Bai Zhier and Fenghuang exchanged a look. Finally, they yielded. When Nan Menghua saw them drop to their knees, her laughter sent shivers down their spines. "No one can defeat me! Hahaha!" She walked down to them, looming over the group. She reached out and grabbed the throat of the unconscious Chu Ruo, her grip so tight the bones began to creak. "What a fine shell this one is." The sharp pain jolted Chu Ruo awake. Though she couldn't see, she could feel the overwhelming terror. Her jaw ached under the crushing grip, and she heard that terrifying voice. "You..." "Neither of you shall ever escape my grasp!" Nan Menghua threw her aside with a violent flick of her wrist. "Don't worry, I won't kill you yet. Men! Escort our Holy Envoy and the Young Palace Mistress back to the palace." Though she said "escort," the disciples moved in to seize Chu Ruo roughly. Bai Zhier started to rise, but Nan Menghua’s sharp gaze caught her, and Fenghuang pulled her back. Nan Menghua smirked at the sight. "That's right. Learn to recognize the reality of your situation." She returned to her original position, looking down at the three still kneeling on the ground. She ordered her disciples to herd all the villagers into the ancestral hall. Then, she smiled triumphantly. "It’s so cold out. We should add a bit of fire." Bai Zhier and the others bolted upright. "You! You want to burn the villagers alive! You despicable—" "I told you," Nan Menghua interrupted. "Everyone here dies because of you." Chu Ruo heard the commotion and began to struggle desperately. "Nan Menghua! You... come at me! Let the others go!" *Slap!* Nan Menghua didn't even have to move; a disciple did it for her. "I want you to hear their wails with your own ears. I want you to hear exactly how they die because of you. And as for those three fools down there, once the villagers are dead, I will take my time torturing them to death!" "You're not even human! Ahhh!" Chu Ruo screamed like a madwoman, but she couldn't break free from the disciples' hold. Suddenly—as if the heavens themselves were answering her—cold droplets splashed against her face. Then came a torrential downpour! "Hahaha!" Chu Ruo began to laugh. She looked half-insane, screaming one moment and laughing the next. "Hahaha! Even the heavens can't stand to watch this! You will be struck down by the gods!" "Is that so? Well, you won't be around to see it." Nan Menghua raised her hand, pointing at Bai Zhier and the others. *Crack! Boom!* At that critical moment, a massive explosion echoed from nowhere. Before anyone could react, thick white smoke billowed from all directions, blanketing the area for miles within seconds. Nan Menghua charged forward instantly, but she was a step too late. Bai Zhier, Lin Jianghong, and Fenghuang had vanished. "Hmph!" She snapped her sleeve. "They'll fall into my hands sooner or later. Let's go." Before leaving, she gave a final order to Nan Yunshuang: "Kill them." The order was to kill all the villagers. Soon, the Hundred Flowers Palace disciples faded into the distance, and Chu Ruo’s frantic voice grew faint, leaving only Nan Yunshuang behind. The villagers looked at her with eyes full of terror. Hardening her heart, she unsheathed her blood-red sword. Before anyone could even scream, the ropes binding the people in the front row fell away. "Go," she whispered. "Take your families and leave. Never return to this place again."