Everyone turned their heads in unison. As expected, it was Nan Muxue and Chu Ruo. The two of them used their lightness skills to descend slowly, arriving just in time to save the others at this life-or-death moment.
"Xue'er! Ruo'er!" several voices cried out. Among them, the most emotional was Bai Zhier.
Chu Ruo gave a smug wave. "Did everyone miss us?"
Nan Menghua whipped her fly-whisk violently. "You really aren't afraid to die!"
"What are you talking about, you old hag?"
This address naturally sent the other woman into a towering rage. "Not only should you be blinded, but your tongue should be ripped out as well!"
"Mother," Nan Muxue interjected.
"You wretch, you actually—"
Nan Muxue cut her off coldly. "This is the last time I shall call you that. From this moment on, there is no longer any bond of duty or affection between us."
"Fine, fine! Sometimes I truly regret not chopping you all up to feed the dogs. Every single one of you has turned against me!"
"In your dreams!" Chu Ruo gripped the Ice Fiend, settling into a defensive stance. "Every one of us has family and loved ones. Only you, Nan Menghua—you are a monster. You have nothing, and you certainly have no one you love!"
These words clearly provoked Nan Menghua, driving her further into a frenzy. Her eyes turned blood-red as she let out a wild shriek. Her hair billowed out as she poured her entire internal reserve into her fly-whisk. "Today, not a single soul here shall remain alive!"
A powerful killing intent surged, directed first at Chu Ruo. Though she could not see, Chu Ruo pushed those beside her away and dodged. Relying on her divine weapon, she clashed with Nan Menghua’s fly-whisk. As the whisk lashed down, the Ice Fiend—imbued with frigid qi—met it with equal force. For a moment, the two were locked in a stalemate, though it was visible to the naked eye that Chu Ruo was struggling more.
"The Frigid Ice Palm," Nan Menghua sneered. "That wretch really did teach you everything."
"Heh, you're the only wretch here. Nothing you've done makes you worthy of being a Palace Master, let alone Xue'er's mother." Chu Ruo’s strength was flagging, her legs beginning to buckle under the pressure. She gathered every ounce of her remaining strength and shouted two words: "Right shoulder!"
Nan Menghua recoiled as if waking from a dream, but Nan Muxue was already there, striking out with a palm. Nan Menghua retreated further. "Wretch, your martial arts have been restored!" She then glared venomously at Chu Ruo. "You piece of trash, you think you’ve found my vital point just like that?"
Chu Ruo shook her head. "Impossible. It was clearly... clearly the right shoulder just now. I couldn't have been wrong."
"Hahaha..." Nan Menghua laughed with wild abandon. "What a pity." She fixed her gaze on Nan Muxue. "Do not think that just because your martial arts are restored, you can defeat me. Look at them—your end will be no better than theirs."
Nan Muxue merely tucked her hands behind her back. "Instead of wasting your time fighting us here, perhaps you should return to Baihua Palace and take a look."
Nan Menghua’s expression shifted. Unexpectedly, Nan Yunshuang also spoke up. "Since I arranged an escape route, did you really think I had no follow-up plans? Stay here if you wish, and see which is more important: taking our lives, or the safety of Baihua Palace."
Nan Menghua looked between the two of them—one a confidante she had personally raised, the other her own daughter. These were the people she had trained; they knew the secrets of Baihua Palace all too well. With so many enemies currently surrounding her, she ground her teeth and leaped onto the roof. "Fine. I’ll let you keep your lives for now. We have plenty of time in the future."
Nan Menghua’s departure left the others in a state of disbelief. Nan Gongyan asked, "Xue'er, when did you and Yunshuang coordinate this? What exactly happened to Baihua Palace that she would leave so easily?"
"No," Nan Muxue said, immediately pulling Chu Ruo into a close embrace. "I simply saw that Yunshuang had already made her move. If she hadn't, I certainly would have used some methods of my own."
Nan Yunshuang stared at Nan Muxue, her eyes filled with unreadable emotions. "I simply leaked the location of the secret tunnels and the news that she wasn't at the palace. Naturally, people will go up there."
Chu Ruo asked, "And she just let us go because of that?"
Nan Muxue answered the person beside her, "Baihua Palace is of paramount importance to her. She has too many enemies now. While the remaining sects are nothing to fear individually, with her gone and the Four Great Protectors dead, and the secret tunnels exposed... it is not impossible for the palace to be overrun."
Chu Ruo nodded, then spread her arms wide. "Aha! I've fought my way back! Did everyone miss us? Are you surprised? Is it a shock?"
The others were all injured to varying degrees and were currently supporting each other as they stood up. Bai Zhier, however, ran straight for her. "Ruo'er!"
"Zhier!" Chu Ruo smiled and moved to welcome her, but Nan Muxue grabbed her by the back of the neck and yanked her back, stepping firmly between the two. "What do you think you're doing? Hugging and clinging to her? Do you truly think your Master is dead?"
"I wasn't..."
Bai Zhier had reached them, only to find her path blocked. She glared at Nan Muxue. "Move!"
Nan Muxue looked at her with arrogance. "I will not."
"You!" Bai Zhier raised her hand but was instantly seized. Bai Shan moved to step forward. "Sister!"
"If you don't want your sister to get hurt, put those embarrassing toys of yours away," Nan Muxue warned.
"Xue'er," Chu Ruo whispered from behind, gently tugging on Nan Muxue’s sleeve. "Don't be like this."
Nan Muxue looked back, intending to be annoyed, but when she met those eyes, she released her grip and simply stood to the side.
"Zhier."
"Ruo'er."
Bai Zhier looked her over carefully. "Are you alright? Are you hurt? Let me see."
"I'm fine! Are you okay? I heard you guys were injured earlier. Is it serious?"
"It’s nothing," Bai Zhier said, her eyes full of nothing but Chu Ruo. "Ruo'er, you're safe. As long as you're safe, that's all that matters. That's all that matters."
"Hehe, I've got great fortune..."
"Are you finished talking?" Nan Muxue said with a sour face, turning to leave. "It's already dark."
Having witnessed the clash with Nan Menghua, everyone knew that Nan Muxue’s martial arts had not only recovered but were even greater than before. Bai Shan knew she couldn't win a fight, so she resorted to verbal mockery. "My, what a strong smell of vinegar~ If you can't keep your person in check, don't come here acting all sour."
Having just survived a battle, everyone was exhausted and didn't want to start more trouble. They crowded around to change the subject. Duan Ning pounded her own lower back. "You two really are something, surviving even that."
"Blessed by the heavens," Chu Ruo laughed. "I say, we've known each other so long, aren't you all going to give me a hug?" She moved toward the group. Nan Yunshuang and Yin Liuli stepped away in disgust. Nan Gongyan and Duan Ning weren't as bothered, but just as they were about to embrace, Nan and Yin pushed them back. What was with them? "So petty. You guys are no fun."
Shen Ruoxuan chimed in, "Tsk tsk, Little Ruo-ruo, have you forgotten your precious Master is still right here?"
"Shen Eleven, you can't spit out a... oh right, Xue'er is here." Chu Ruo didn't dare turn her head, letting out a dry laugh. "Ah, haha, well, this..."
"Ignore her." In the end, Bai Zhier took advantage of the crowd to pull Chu Ruo into a triumphant hug. "Ruo'er, it's good that you're back. Didn't you promise me you'd protect yourself?"
"I'm fine, Zhier. I made you worry." *But... but don't hug me, ugh! I'm doomed. The Little Scorpion is going to hit me. I'm totally finished.*
But the result was that Nan Muxue didn't even acknowledge her; she simply turned and walked away. By the time Chu Ruo realized it, she was already out of sight. That made her feel even more like crying. Usually, when Nan Muxue was angry, she’d lash out on the spot. This kind of silent treatment, followed by just walking away, meant the consequences would be even worse. *Wuwu, Little Scorpion, I was wrong! Don't go!*
"Ruo'er, how exactly did you end up being unharmed?"
Shen Ruoxuan spoke up, "I think we shouldn't stand here talking. Since no one's injuries are life-threatening, let's go inside."
"Yeah," Chu Ruo yawned. "Whatever works."
Bai Zhier immediately asked with concern, "Ruo'er, what's wrong? Are you very sleepy?"
"I haven't had a good rest in days..."
Before she could finish, the person who had walked away suddenly returned and pulled her into her arms. "Ruo'er is tired. I am taking her to sleep. If there is anything to say, say it later." Without looking back, she walked away.
Shen Ruoxuan looked on mockingly. "This is the Sword Casting Villa, you know. She acts like it's her own home, not even asking to borrow a guest room."
Nan Gongyan joked, "Haven't you known her for a long time? I expect she's been here quite often." She then looked toward Nan Yunshuang. "Yunshuang, your injuries..."
"I'm fine," Nan Yunshuang said, her eyes fixed on the departing Nan Muxue. "So, her martial arts have truly recovered." That would make things difficult.
Inside the room, Chu Ruo was shrinking into herself. She knew that as soon as she reunited with everyone, she’d be in for it. Sigh.
Groping her way over, she found Nan Muxue already sitting by the bed. She crouched down and rested her head on the other woman’s lap in a fawning manner. "Xue'er~ don't be angry anymore..."
"The moment you see your old flame, you toss everything else to the back of your mind."
"No, no, I..."
"Quiet," Nan Muxue said, grabbing her and tossing her onto the bed. She then lay down beside her, still in her clothes. "Weren't you tired?"
"Huh? That... you... you aren't angry? You're not going to hit me?"
This time, the other woman laughed and pinched her cheek. "It seems you really do enjoy me hitting you?"
"You..."
An index finger pressed against her lips. "Sleep. If there is anything to say, we will talk when you wake."
It had been many, many days since she had slept in a bed. Now that there was even a blanket, Chu Ruo nodded obediently, but still insisted on burrowing into Nan Muxue’s arms. "Then, Xue'er, hold me."
"Alright."
After an unknown amount of time, Nan Muxue gently woke her. "Ruo'er."
"Mmm..."
"Let’s go. Go see them. Besides, you must be hungry."
"I'm so sleepy~"
"This is not our place. I feel more at ease with you by my side. You can sleep more once we're there. You don't have to say anything; I will do the talking."
Chu Ruo finally opened her eyes. "You just can't bear to be away from me, can you?"
"Fine, then your Master will go alone—"
"Wait, I'm going, I'm going! Little Scorpion!"
Nan Muxue bit her lip lightly. "Disobedience requires punishment."
***
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Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 179 | A Timely Return | Novela.app | Novela.app
