Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 45 | Awakening from the Abyss | Novela.app

**Hundred Flowers Palace.** "The Young Palace Mistress has returned?" "Yes. Such a major incident occurred at the branch, yet she stayed away for so long. I reckon the First and Fourth Protectors were worried sick. Now that she’s finally back, we can all breathe a little easier." "I heard... Chu Ruo is dead." A few disciples had gathered in secret to trade rumors. As soon as those words were uttered, the others gasped in shock. "That can't be! The Young Palace Mistress was so protective of him; she shielded him wherever they went. Wasn't it said they were just separated and he went missing on the day of the attack?" "Keep your voice down! It’s the absolute truth. I heard Chu Ruo was knocked off a cliff and fell to his death while trying to save the Young Palace Mistress. The reason she didn't return for so many days was that she was waiting for a path to be cleared so she could go down and rescue him. When they finally reached the bottom, it was covered in corpses. They found Chu Ruo’s clothes, and there was a body in the pond that matched his build exactly." "Ah?" One disciple’s mouth hung open. "If he’s dead, will the Young Palace Mistress take her anger out on us?" "What does it have to do with us?" "Shh, we’d better be careful. The Young Palace Mistress has always been unpredictable. Have you ever seen her smile? She’s always wearing that icy, wooden expression. She doted on Chu Ruo so much... who knows, maybe those two had... something going on." The disciple’s expression turned suggestive. Back when Nan Muxue had given Chu Ruo special treatment, this disciple had often hovered around to share in the extra food. Human hearts could be so fickle and cruel. As she continued her eloquent gossip, a cold voice drifted from behind them. "You tell others to be mindful, yet you yourself are blind." The disciple suddenly realized that the others had fallen silent long ago. They were staring behind her with expressions of absolute terror. She instantly collapsed to her knees, her joints hitting the ground with a loud *thwack*. "Spare me, Young Palace Mistress! Spare me! This disciple has a foul mouth!" She began to slap her own face. "This disciple spoke without thinking!" "Chu Ruo saved so many disciples, and in the end, he met with disaster to save me. Yet here you are, using him as fodder for your gossip." Before the others could even kneel, Nan Muxue swept her sleeves and placed her hands behind her back. "As for the rest of you, since you enjoy listening so much—cut off their ears." "And you..." The other disciples began to tremble, while the gossiping girl simply slumped over, paralyzed. Nan Muxue looked down at the useless creature with contempt. "Since you dare to speak, you must bear the consequences. Hook her tongue. You seem to know so much, after all. A-Yue, have her tongue ripped out, then throw her from the summit. Let her experience for herself what it feels like to fall from a cliff! Remember, the Hundred Flowers Palace is not a place for you to act insolently, and I will not tolerate your idle talk regarding Ruo'er!" She turned and walked away, ignoring the wails rising behind her. *If you were here, you would surely plead for mercy and ask me to change the punishment, wouldn't you? You’d call me a 'Little Scorpion' in your heart and curse my cruelty. But do you know? That disciple used to sit at the same table and eat with you; she received so much of your kindness. Now that you’re gone, this is how they speak of you. Ruo'er, where exactly are you?* "Young Palace Mistress, Cai Feng has been brought to you." "Everyone else, out." "Yes." In the vast room, only Cai Feng and Nan Muxue remained. Cai Feng bowed. "This disciple greets the Young Palace Mistress." "You won't even acknowledge me as your Master anymore?" Cai Feng knelt, her voice sincere. "I wouldn't dare. Back then, I committed a grave sin. I am no longer worthy of being Master’s disciple." "Once you are Nan Muxue’s disciple, you are mine forever." A flicker of emotion crossed Cai Feng's eyes. "Master, you..." Nan Muxue brushed her thumb against her jade ring, her gaze fixed on the distance. It was a habit of hers; she rarely looked directly at people, especially after Chu Ruo disappeared. She rarely truly *looked* at anyone anymore. "You have been confined for so long. Do you know your mistake?" "I do. My sins were heavy that day. Whatever punishment Master decrees today, Cai Feng will accept without complaint." "Very well. Starting tomorrow, you are to leave the mountain." *In the end, am I being expelled?* Cai Feng didn't dare hope for more. To have her life spared and be allowed to leave was a great mercy. Yet, she was still loath to go. Though they were close in age, she respected Nan Muxue as her Master from the bottom of her heart. She forced a smile. "This disciple thanks—" "After you descend the mountain, go to an inn called Xueruo Pavilion. From now on, you will manage it." Cai Feng was stunned. She couldn't believe her ears. "Master..." "Go. Manage it well, both the business and other matters. Do not disappoint me. I hope that this time, you will not stray again." *Since Ruo'er trusted you, I will let you go. But if you dare harbor any treachery or betray her faith in you, I will show no mercy.* "Yes," Cai Feng replied, her sharp mind already grasping the true purpose of the inn. "I failed once; I will not fail again. This time, I will certainly not let Master down." "Take your mother with you as well." "Yes!" Cai Feng grew even more emotional. "Thank you, Master!" "Leave us." "Master," Cai Feng did not immediately obey. Instead, she asked, "Chu Ruo..." Nan Muxue opened her eyes, which had been closed. "Nothing will happen to her." *I will find you, Ruo'er. I definitely will.* "I understand. I shall depart for Xueruo Pavilion immediately and send people to investigate." She was indeed quick-witted. "The disciples brought back from the branch were all saved by Ruo'er. I have stationed them at Xueruo Pavilion to serve under you. You must find her." "Yes. I will not fail Master’s expectations." "Go and prepare." As Cai Feng withdrew, Nan Muxue walked outside. Xiao Guo’er and A-Yue hurried to meet her. "Young Palace Mistress." She looked at the sky. Though the sun was still out, it no longer held its former warmth. "The weather is getting colder." "It is," Xiao Guo’er agreed. "It’ll probably snow before long. And once the snow falls, the New Year will be here soon." *Snow. If it snows, you would surely love it. You’d lead the disciples in a snowball fight, or drag 'Yan'er' out to build a snowman. If you don't come back soon, you’ll miss the first snowfall. This was supposed to be your first New Year in the Palace. I promised you I’d let everyone rest for two days, and then I’d accompany you—whether we went down the mountain or stayed here, it would be up to you.* "Young Palace Mistress," A-Yue spoke up. "Shall we go to the study?" Usually, Nan Muxue would head straight for the study upon returning. It seemed today would be different. Where could she go? The Icy Cave, the study, the bedrooms—whether her own or Chu Ruo’s—every inch of the Hundred Flowers Palace bore the marks of their time together. The pain was so sharp Nan Muxue could hardly breathe. Why did these places where she had grown up suddenly feel unbearable? Her mind was flooded with memories of that person. Her body swayed slightly, and the two attendants rushed to support her. She waved them off. "Back to the bedroom first." She wanted to see the things Chu Ruo had given her. She had brought all the drawings and poetry collections from the branch. Every gift—the bracelets, the hairpins, and countless other trinkets—she cherished and protected. In these lonely nights, she could only rely on those objects to remember her beloved. Back in the room, everything was so familiar yet so strange. She glanced at the bedside table. The small cabinet was spotless, but completely empty! She sprinted over, shouting, "Someone, come here!" A disciple hurried in, trembling. "I am here. What are your orders, Young Palace Mistress?" A-Yue was usually responsible for cleaning the room. Seeing the situation, she understood and asked, "Who cleaned this room recently?" Those items were the Young Palace Mistress’s treasures. Now that Chu Ruo was gone, she likely cherished them ten thousand times more. The young disciple, unaware of the significance and having heard about the punishments earlier that day, thought she had made a terrible mistake. She dropped to her knees. "Recently... it has been this disciple’s responsibility." "Did you move the items on this cabinet?" "This disciple... I saw they were gathering dust, so I carefully put them away in the box on the dressing table. Mercy, Young Palace Mistress, mercy! It was this disciple’s own initiative..." Nan Muxue didn't listen further. She rushed to the dressing table and pulled open the box. Fortunately, they were all there. Inside the box, the three grass-woven dancing cranes and the butterfly were safe. She reached out to take them, but then reconsidered, thinking they would just gather dust again. She put them back. "Leave. From now on, you are not permitted to touch anything in this room without permission." "Yes, this disciple obeys!" Nan Muxue picked up the box and walked out again. A-Yue and Xiao Guo’er exchanged a confused glance and followed. As expected, she went to the room where Chu Ruo used to stay. Everything was so familiar. She gestured for them to leave and lay down on the bed. It was a familiar feeling, yet it lacked that person’s warmth. "Ruo'er, the weather is getting colder. Are you really going to leave your Master alone?" After a long time, A-Yue knocked on the door. "Young Palace Mistress, the First and Fourth Protectors seek an audience." Nan Muxue’s eyes remained open. She sat up and said calmly, "Tell Yan'er to come in." *Only the Fourth Protector?* A-Yue looked troubled, but fortunately, Nangong Yan didn't say much. She simply turned to Nangong Yan. "Since she only wants to see you, you should go in." Nangong Yan sighed. "She’s in a bad mood, isn't she? You go back first; I’ll go check on her." "Mhm." Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, three months had passed since Chu Ruo fell from the cliff. This day seemed like any other, except for one thing: Chu Ruo, who had been in a coma for nearly three months, finally woke up. However, she wasn't fully awake. It seemed she had been fed some medicine; her consciousness had returned slightly, but she couldn't move or make a sound. She could only hear what was happening around her. *This doesn't sound like the Hundred Flowers Palace. Where am I? 'Falling off a cliff means you won't die'—looks like I really am the protagonist. That trope really held up.* As she was wondering, she heard a girl walk in. "Finished feeding the medicine?" "Yes." The voice that answered seemed to be right by her bed. It was so gentle and pleasant. *And she’s the one feeding me medicine? Must be a celestial fairy sister.* "I’m telling you, Sister, she’s probably never going to wake up. You should stop being so stubborn." *Hey, watch your mouth! I'm right here, aren't I? Good thing it wasn't you feeding me, or I’d be dead for sure. Honestly, what kind of person are you? Don't give up on patients so easily!* The "Sister" by the bed chided, "Her pulse has returned to normal. I believe she will wake up soon." "It’s been three months. Only you would have this much patience." The other girl’s voice turned suggestive. "Then again, you’ve been so devoted to her. Since you saved her this time, you should make her marry you to repay the debt..." *Three months? I’ve been out for three months! Then my Hundred Flowers Gu... oh right, I have it on me. It’s fine.* At this moment, Chu Ruo had no idea that the pouch containing the antidote had been lost during her fall. "Shanshan!" Even without looking, Chu Ruo knew the "Sister" must be blushing. She could hear it in her voice—who knew you could hear someone being shy? "What nonsense are you talking about?" "Fine, fine, I’m talking nonsense. I’m the one who’s devoted to her, okay?" The one called Shanshan seemed to pull up a stool and sit closer. "But Sister, I have to remind you, we know her identity. She’s Nan Muxue’s disciple. You’ve heard the rumors; Nan Muxue has gone mad looking for her." *The Little Scorpion is worried about me?* Chu Ruo was so moved she desperately tried to force her eyes open and sit up. She missed the Little Scorpion too, especially after hearing she’d been asleep for three months. She pushed harder, and it seemed to work; her fingers twitched slightly. "That... those are just rumors from the martial world." Chu Ruo couldn't see it, but the "fairy sister" bit her lip and blushed. "She... as you know, she is a woman." "So what if she’s a woman? I can see you’re very invested in her, Sister. The Hundred Flowers Palace is full of women; it’s normal for one or two to turn out that way. Besides, we’ve never cared about such things." Then, Chu Ruo heard the woman continue, "And if she ever finds out that we were the ones who gave the colorless, odorless Bone-Softening Powder to Liu Shaopeng..." *What?! Wait a minute, what was that? You guys gave him the drug for the well?! I knew it, you're the bad guys!* Chu Ruo immediately slapped the "villain" label on both of them. *Just you wait. Once I get up, I’m going to smack the living daylights out of you!* "That matter..." The sister’s tone held a hint of regret. "I didn't expect it to escalate like this. That Liu Shaopeng is not a good man. We must not associate with him anymore." "Sister, we can't be soft-hearted. Don't forget our enemy. Sacrifices are inevitable. Those who died can only blame their own bad luck for being disciples of the Hundred Flowers Palace." The girl’s tone was flat, as if it were none of her business. "You’re just too kind. Adoptive Father has moved against so many sects, yet he hesitates to strike the Hundred Flowers Palace. Don't you find that strange?" "Adoptive Father has always been mysterious. How could we guess his thoughts? Besides, even though we are the Saints of the Heavenly Demon Palace, we don't handle the palace affairs. We’re just figureheads; it’s not our place to interfere." *Wait again. What? Saints of the Heavenly Demon Palace? This is too much information. So these two are figureheads in the Heavenly Demon Palace, doing their own thing, and secretly collaborated with that Great Roc bird to deal with the Hundred Flowers Palace? What a mess. What is going on?* The other girl nodded, then stared at Chu Ruo with a smug smile. "We’ve never been able to scout the Hundred Flowers Palace’s true strength. Encountering Chu Ruo must be the will of Heaven. When she wakes up, I’ll interrogate her under torture..." "What are you doing?" The sister immediately moved to protect Chu Ruo. "Don't you dare." "I’m just joking! Sister, you fall for it every time. Hahaha..." "You!" "Right, Adoptive Father is pressing us to refine more medicine. Those sect leaders refused to cooperate, so we might as well turn them into medicinal puppets." "Sigh," the other sighed. "Then they will be nothing more than the walking dead." "It’s their own fault for being ungrateful. I don't actually care about unifying the martial world. I only have one goal: revenge. Oh, and Sister, I’ve been researching something new lately. It’s almost a success. I’ll show you when it’s ready." "Alright. Speaking of which, there’s something I don't understand." "Go ahead, Sister." She said, "Even though Nan Muxue has been searching for Master Chu,"—she still blushed and stole a glance at her whenever she mentioned Chu Ruo—"everyone else says he died falling off the cliff. They even claim to have found his body. What’s that about?" The other girl looked away. "Maybe they saw some other corpse at the bottom and mistook it for her. Isn't that better? Or do you want her to be found?" "You... you brat." "Hehe. Oh, Liu Shaopeng asked to meet me in a few days." "That man is depraved. The way he looks at women is always filthy. Stop dealing with him." "Don't worry, Sister. A piece of trash like him can't get near me. If he tries anything, I have so many poisons on me he’ll regret it. Besides, if it weren't for the fact that he has a very powerful mole inside the Hundred Flowers Palace, I wouldn't bother with him." "He wouldn't tell us that easily." "That’s why I have to find a way. That person’s rank shouldn't be low. I need to think of a plan." "Be careful. He is the Young Fortress Master of the Flying Roc Fortress, and our Heavenly Demon Palace is considered an evil cult by others." "I know, I know!" The two talked for a bit longer before heading out, but it was mostly idle chatter with no real information. Chu Ruo’s fury reached a boiling point. She strained with all her might and finally—*boing*—she sat bolt upright. Though she was still adjusting to being awake, she angrily threw off the blanket. *Wait, is this a tent? Whatever, revenge comes first! There’s a mole in the Hundred Flowers Palace, and a high-ranking one at that. I have to get back and tell the Little Scorpion. But first, I’ll deal with these two.* She stumbled toward the tent flap. Just as she was about to channel her internal power, the curtain was swept aside. *Perfect timing!* Chu Ruo raised her palm to strike, but she was frozen not just by the person in front of her, but by a terrifying realization: her internal power was gone! Or rather, she couldn't use it. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't gather any energy. *Damn it!* The two women were indeed the ones who had saved her. One of them looked at her raised hand and asked in confusion, "What are you doing?" The other was full of joy. "Master Chu, you... you’re awake?" Since she couldn't use her martial arts, this pose was incredibly awkward. But who was she? A person who lived for improvisation. She slid her hand down the back of her head, smoothing her hair with a cocky flourish. "Aha! How’s my hair? Not too messy, right?" *** **Glossary** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation ---|---|--- 雪若阁 | Xueruo Pavilion | An inn named by combining Nan Muxue and Chu Ruo's names. 天魔宫 | Heavenly Demon Palace | A sect often considered "evil" or unorthodox in the martial world. 圣女 | Saintess | A high-ranking, often spiritual or symbolic female role in a sect. 药人 | Medicinal Puppet | A person turned into a mindless, controllable thrall through drugs/poison. 软骨散 | Bone-Softening Powder | A classic fictional poison that paralyzes or weakens a victim's limbs and energy. 内力 | Internal Power / Inner Energy | The cultivated energy used for martial arts in Wuxia/Xianxia.