Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 21 | To Save a Disciple | Novela.app

A sinister sneer twisted his face. "Indeed, it is I. Why? You look quite surprised." *Stay calm. Don't panic.* Chu Ruo’s mind raced as she forced herself to take several deep breaths to steady her emotions. In a situation like this, she couldn't afford to lose her cool; if he sensed her fear, he would only become more arrogant. "What is the meaning of this, Young Fortress Master?" "Calm in the face of danger," Liu Shaopeng remarked, eyeing her with predatory interest. "You’ve certainly improved since the first time we met." "It is only because of my Master’s diligent teachings." Chu Ruo used the opportunity to remind him that she was the "Little Scorpion’s" disciple. He had to have some reservations, didn't he? Then again, it probably wouldn't matter—Nan Muxue hadn't hesitated to kill Hu Nuo in front of him, after all. Besides, the fact that he had used such underhanded methods to kidnap her meant he didn't want Nan Muxue to find out. *Heaven help me, is there any way to get a message to her?* Liu Shaopeng stood up and walked over, gripping her chin with a crushing force. Chu Ruo felt tears prick her eyes from the pain. *What is it with these people and grabbing chins?* Nan Muxue had been rough before, but never like this. This was raw, brutal strength. The handsome face that the martial arts world praised as the "Jade-Faced Gentleman" was now distorted by a cruel grin. "I’d like to see exactly what Xue’er has taught you." Before Chu Ruo could respond—*Slap!* A heavy blow sent her head reeling. Her ears rang violently, and her vision blurred as the world began to spin. Even the sounds around her seemed to echo in distorted layers. "A mere waste," Liu Shaopeng sneered. "To think you’ve been in Baihua Palace for so long, with Xue’er personally teaching you every day, yet you were captured so easily. You are useless. What could she possibly see in you?" "You..." Chu Ruo stammered, dazed. She hadn't realized a single slap could cause such severe disorientation. Only now did she realize that Nan Muxue had actually been going easy on her all this time. She couldn't even finish her sentence; her brain was too scrambled to form words. "Can't take it already? Because of you, I lost several of my top disciples." His laughter grew more manic. "Last time, you even destroyed my precious Ice Underworld Whip. Time and again, you’ve dared to act insolently before me, Liu Shaopeng, just because you have Xue’er’s protection. Who do you think I am, the Young Fortress Master of Feipeng Fortress? Where is that silver tongue of yours now? Where is that clever wit? Why can't you use your little tricks now?" *Here we go again... why do they always love announcing their titles?* Chu Ruo thought bitterly. *What’s there to brag about? It’s just a broken fortress you inherited from your ancestors. If you’re so capable, try starting your own sect.* But survival was the priority. She forced her voice to tremble slightly. "Even if you beat me to death, your whip isn't coming back." "True. But killing you will satisfy the grudge in my heart." Liu Shaopeng looked down, brushing the sleeve of his expensive robes with a look of disgust. "However, I won't do it myself. It would only stain my status. You aren't worthy! You two," he gestured to the men behind him, "give him a proper welcome. But don't kill him too quickly." He reached out and slapped Chu Ruo’s cheek twice. "Torture him slowly for a few days. I can't let him die too comfortably." "Yes, sir." *Good grief, if you find out I’m a woman, there won't even be ashes left of me.* Chu Ruo looked at the whips and branding irons. Her clothes were bound to be torn sooner or later. She couldn't let them discover her secret. Trapped in this cell, she didn't even know if it was night yet. Would Nan Muxue realize she’d been kidnapped when she returned to the inn? In a fit of desperation, she called out to the retreating Liu Shaopeng. "Liu... Young Fortress Master, wait..." Liu Shaopeng turned back with a triumphant smirk. People were all the same; they all feared death. "What? Thinking of begging for mercy now? A bit late, don't you think?" "There’s no point dwelling on the past. Since I’ve fallen into your hands today, why don't we... make a deal?" *Lord, Buddha, whoever is listening, let me stall for just a little longer. Please let that Little Scorpion find out I’m gone.* "A deal?" He laughed mockingly but kept walking toward the door. "I don't see anything about you worth bargaining for. Besides, you aren't in a position to negotiate." "What if it concerns Baihua Palace?" As expected, he stopped. Not only did he turn back, but he walked right up to her. "What did you say?" "I’ll be your mole. I’ll work with you from the inside to help you take down Baihua Palace. How does that sound?" "Oh? You’re willing to betray that overprotective Master of yours?" Chu Ruo forced a disdainful laugh. "Heh, she’s just a woman. We’re both men; there’s no need to spell everything out, is there?" She marveled at her own acting skills, though saying those words made her stomach churn. She hated saying it, but these were desperate times. "People are selfish. When it’s a matter of life and death, why would I care about her?" "Tsk, tsk. What a pity Xue’er can't see your face right now. I warned her long ago that you were no good, but she refused to believe it. From the moment I saw you, I knew you were a piece of filth." *I spit on you! You’re the piece of filth! Just you wait—when I get out of here and find the Little Scorpion, I’ll have her pluck your feathers, you oversized pigeon.* Internally she was fuming, but she kept up the act. "Every man for himself. She poisoned me with the Hundred Flowers Gu; did she really expect me to be loyal? If you let me go, I can lead you up Cloud-Piercing Peak. Once you take the palace, I can find the antidote. I know where the secret passage is." "Young Fortress Master, if what this kid says is true..." "Shut up!" Liu Shaopeng snapped at his subordinate. "I know what I’m doing." He turned back to Chu Ruo. "Tell me where the secret passage is, and perhaps I’ll consider letting you go." *Wow, do I have 'idiot' written on my forehead?* Chu Ruo curled her lip. "You’re a smart man, Young Fortress Master. I may not be your equal, but I’m not that stupid. If I tell you now, would I even leave this place alive?" "Hahaha!" He grabbed her chin again, his voice hissing in her ear. "You’re right. Even if you told me, I wouldn't let you go. I want your life more than anything! And once you’re dead, I’ll personally throw your corpse into a mass grave for the wild dogs to feast on. I’ll watch them tear the flesh from your bones bit by bit. Don't worry, there won't even be enough of you left for a burial. Hahahaha!" "You know, the only reason Xue’er likes you is that pretty face of yours. I wonder if I should carve a few lines into it... No, you won't be seeing her again anyway. Why should I let my men get their hands dirty? I’ll let the dogs and crows rot it for me. A cowardly, despicable villain like you doesn't deserve a quick end." *Clang!* The heavy iron door slammed shut. Only a single layer of metal separated her from the world, yet it felt like an absolute void. Hope was fading fast. *** "Young Fortress Master, come, have another drink~" "If a beauty offers, how could I refuse?" Surrounded by a flock of women, Liu Shaopeng took a cup from one of them and drained it, laughing toward the ceiling. "Excellent wine!" *Boom!* The doors were smashed open as two disciples were sent flying into the room. They clutched their chests in agony, groaning on the floor, clearly severely injured. Liu Shaopeng slammed his hand on the table in a rage. "Who—Xue’er?" He stood up quickly, smoothing his robes with an unnatural smile. "A surprise visit. Is something the matter?" "Where is she?" Liu Shaopeng couldn't miss the bone-chilling tone in her voice. He waved the women away and sat back down, feigning confusion. "Who? I don't know what you're talking about." The air around Nan Muxue was thick with killing intent. "I have no patience. Hand her over, or else." When she had returned to the inn and found Chu Ruo missing, she realized immediately what had happened. It was because she had left her alone that Chu Ruo had been taken. Her mind was filled with nothing but that girl; no matter how calm she appeared on the surface, a frantic fire was raging within her. *Stay calm. You cannot let anything happen to her. I won't let anything happen to you!* "Young Palace Mistress, I really don't understan—" *Shing!* Eight silver needles flew toward him in two parallel rows. Liu Shaopeng dove to the side, the hair-thin needles grazing his cheek. He watched them sink deep into the wall behind him. Even though they had only brushed past him, he felt a biting cold from the near miss. He turned to her, stunned. "You’re actually attacking me? For the sake of a person like that, Nan Muxue, you would strike at me without mercy? Women truly are foolish." "Liu Shaopeng," Nan Muxue said, her sword, *Ice Soul*, already unsheathed in her hand. "I will say this one last time. Hand Ruo’er over." "I don't have her!" he roared. He was incensed that she would call him by his full name with such fury. "The Young Palace Mistress loses her disciple and comes here to interrogate me? What is the meaning of this?" Normally, she would have played along with his games, but the current Nan Muxue had lost all patience and reason. With a flick of her wrist, the round table laden with delicacies was sliced into pieces, the wine and food scattering across the floor, instantly frosted over. Her second strike was a direct, vertical cleave aimed at Liu Shaopeng’s head! Liu Shaopeng was a top-tier talent among the younger generation. He dodged the strike and lunged for his own sword. "Nan Muxue, have you gone mad? To strike so ruthlessly for the sake of a Chu Ruo! Even if you don't care for me, you should consider the relationship between Feipeng Fortress and Baihua Palace!" "The fact that you are still standing here alive is the only chance I am giving you," Nan Muxue declared, an aura of domineering, regal disdain radiating from her. "If she has suffered even a scratch, I will slaughter every disciple of Feipeng Fortress and exterminate your entire clan!" "Fine!" The *Cloud-Turning Sword* was in his hand. Liu Shaopeng unsheathed it with a sharp ring. "You’re the one tearing our families apart for that piece of trash. Nan Muxue, you really are a stupid woman. If only you could have seen him wagging his tail like a dog, begging me for his life. He didn't hesitate to sell you out, saying he’d lead me through the secret passage to Cloud-Piercing Peak just to save his own skin!" "If that were true, why aren't you at Cloud-Piercing Peak right now?" She lunged at him with contempt. "Don't bother with these tricks. I told you long ago they don't work on me." She believed that Chu Ruo might say such things to save herself in a crisis, but she was certain Chu Ruo would never actually betray her or the palace. The girl was likely just trying to stall for time. She was certain of it. Not for any logical reason, but simply because she trusted her. She trusted Chu Ruo. Liu Shaopeng parried her attacks calmly, speaking as they fought. "Hmph, all women in this world are the same—they refuse to believe the truth even when it’s right in front of them. Did you know he went behind your back to the clinics, asking doctors if they could make an antidote for the Hundred Flowers Gu? Your precious disciple wants to steal the cure and run away from you!" *You want to leave? Chu Ruo, how could you? You promised me!* For a split second, Nan Muxue faltered. Seizing the opening, Liu Shaopeng smirked as his sword grazed her right arm. The snow-white sleeve was instantly stained crimson. "What? Hearing that he wants to leave you makes you lose your focus? Xue’er, why must you—" "Shut up! Do not call me that!" Nan Muxue’s face was a mask of murderous rage. Her strikes became ten times more vicious than before. "It’s no use fighting me," Liu Shaopeng said, seeing his psychological warfare working. He decided to strike one final blow to crush her spirit. "He’s already dead." *Dead. Dead.* In the dungeon, Chu Ruo was covered in wounds and lacked even the strength to lift her head. Her body was a map of whip lashes. The torture had only just begun, but she could feel her inner layers of clothing starting to tear. There were no words left to describe the pain. *Nan Muxue, you wicked woman, you Little Scorpion... why haven't you come to save me? If you don't come soon, I’m going to die... Die... Yan’er... Little Scorpion...* *Clang!* The iron door burst open. The two men whipping her turned around, but before they could even see who it was, they were dead. Chu Ruo’s consciousness was fading. She used every ounce of strength she had left to look up. A figure in white, stained with a strange red... a blurred silhouette, yet achingly beautiful. As the figure approached, she spoke, though her voice was barely a whisper. "Mas... Master... Is it... is it really... Master..." Nan Muxue looked at the broken, bloodied girl before her. She didn't spare a single thought for her own injury. Seeing Chu Ruo was the only thing that mattered; everything else was cast aside. She didn't care about the dark, grimy blood staining her clothes. She sheathed *Ice Soul* behind her back with her left hand and used her right to pull the unconscious Chu Ruo into a tight embrace. Her eyes held nothing but tenderness, and her voice was as soft as a still pond. Even though she knew the girl had passed out, she smiled, whispering words of comfort. "It’s alright now. Don't be afraid. Master is here. Ruo’er will be fine." *** ### Glossary Table Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 飞鹏堡 | Feipeng Fortress | The sect led by the Liu family. 柳少鹏 | Liu Shaopeng | Young Fortress Master of Feipeng Fortress. 玉面郎君 | Jade-Faced Gentleman | Liu Shaopeng's honorary title/nickname. 冰冥鞭 | Ice Underworld Whip | Liu Shaopeng's former weapon, destroyed by Chu Ruo. 入云峰 | Cloud-Piercing Peak | The location of Baihua Palace. 冰魄 | Ice Soul | Nan Muxue's sword. 翻云剑 | Cloud-Turning Sword | Liu Shaopeng's sword.