“Two protectors and one head disciple, yet you couldn't protect a single person?”
Inside Nan Muxue’s room at Wanfu Inn, the four great protectors stood in two rows on either side. A-Yue served from behind, while Xiao Guo’er had already dropped to her knees. “Young Palace Mistress, it... it is this disciple’s fault. I failed in my duty to watch over Chu Ruo—no, the Saint Envoy. I was the one closest to her. I know my mistake; please, Young Palace Mistress, punish me.” Although Xiao Guo’er’s martial arts had improved significantly under guidance since she began following Nan Muxue, her natural talent among the head disciples was not the best. Given the chaotic situation at the time, it was truly difficult to place the blame solely on her.
“Get up. Your martial arts are indeed lacking in refinement, but if even two protectors couldn't keep watch, I cannot blame you.” Nan Muxue’s expression was devoid of emotion, but her words were sharp and unpleasant to the ear. They were clearly directed at Duan Ning and Nangong Yan. The two protectors, knowing this was their oversight, could only lower their heads in silence. “A-Yue, go with her. Take my command token and contact the nearby disciples. Follow the instructions I gave you earlier.”
“Yes.” A-Yue took the token, went over to pull up the terrified Xiao Guo’er, and retreated from the room.
“Sister A-Yue, will the Young Palace Mistress punish me?”
A-Yue shook her head. “You’ve been with her for a while now; don't you know her temperament? Those words weren't aimed at you. It’s just that you know how much she treasures Chu Ruo. It’s the Third and Fourth Protectors who will likely face her wrath this time.”
Inside the room, Yin Liuli spoke up at the opportune moment. “Ning’er and Yan’er... they didn't mean for this to happen...”
“Didn't mean for it?” Nan Muxue leaned her hands on the table, looking up at the two with a cold gaze. “Do you realize that because of what they ‘didn't mean,’ Ruo’er might lose her life?”
Yin Liuli knew that such an incident occurring at this critical juncture was enough to drive anyone to fury. She tried again, “No one wanted this to happen...”
Nan Muxue cut her off again, addressing only Duan Ning and Nangong Yan. “Why did I assign you to guard Ruo’er? What time is it now? It is the Martial Arts Assembly. Almost everyone in the jianghu has gathered here. The number of people who have a grudge against the Hundred Flowers Palace is more than the fingers in this room combined. It’s one thing that you couldn't keep watch over her, but you actually tell me you don't even know who took her? Are the Third and Fourth Protectors of the prestigious Hundred Flowers Palace only capable of this much?”
Nan Muxue was never one to vent her anger on others. In the past, even if a mission failed or palace affairs went awry, she would never act like this, nor would she shift blame. Instead, she was always unnervingly calm, to the point of being frightening. But now, anyone could see the fire in her eyes, nearly erupting, mixed with an undeniable desperation. She had only one weakness: Chu Ruo. *Ruo’er, I cannot afford to lose you again.*
Duan Ning and Nangong Yan both knelt. “It was our negligence. We accept the Young Palace Mistress’s punishment without complaint.”
Usually, their relationship was not so formal, but seeing that she was truly enraged, they understood Chu Ruo’s place in her heart. When Chu Ruo had fallen off the cliff before, Nan Muxue had nearly descended into madness. If it happened again, they feared...
“What use is punishing you now? Every day since we arrived in Mo Yang, I have reminded you to protect Ruo’er with the utmost care. I left her in your hands for half a day—less than half a day—and she has vanished. How is such carelessness any different from sending her to her death? No matter who captured her, what do you think the consequences will be, hm?”
“The priority now is to discover who captured the Saint Envoy,” Nan Yunshuang spoke up calmly. “We must know the opponent's goal—whether it is a personal vendetta or a play for the Alliance Leader position...”
“I don't care about any of that! Ruo’er’s life is the only thing that matters. All of you, get out and search. You must bring her back to me safely.”
“You are being irrational.” Nan Yunshuang stood with her hands behind her back. At this moment, she was even more terrifyingly calm than Nan Muxue. Previously, the two were evenly matched in composure, but since Chu Ruo appeared, everything had changed. “If they wanted her dead, they wouldn't have gone to such trouble. Besides, if she is alive, we must see her; if she is dead, we must see her corpse—”
“Shut up!” Nan Muxue stood up abruptly. She didn't want to hear that word. She wanted to be calm and rational, but her mind was filled with that person, and she was consumed by anxiety. “Get out.”
Nan Yunshuang did not comply immediately, saying coldly, “You should control your emotions. Since Liuli has already won, you should be preparing for the final matches, not losing your composure here and blaming others for the Saint Envoy’s sake. The position of Alliance Leader is what is most important.”
“Get out!”
Nan Yunshuang said no more and left.
“Go find Ruo’er. If she is unharmed, so be it. But if anything has happened to her, I will punish you severely this time!”
Nan Muxue swept her sleeves and left heartlessly.
“Ning’er, Yan’er, get up first,” Yin Liuli helped the two of them up. “Kneeling for so long must be painful.”
“I suspect that if we don't find Chu Ruo, to use her own words, Muxue won't just skin us—she’ll probably take our bones apart too.”
Yin Liuli looked at her reproachfully. “How can you still joke at a time like this?”
Nangong Yan massaged her legs. “I really didn't expect Muxue to be this angry. Although Chu Ruo went missing once before, she thought she was dead then. Did you see her eyes just now? I was actually a bit scared. She’s never been like this before.”
“Liuli and I have said that a thousand times in private. You just haven't seen how much she treasures that disciple of hers.”
Yin Liuli shook her head. “Ever since Chu Ruo went missing the last time, Muxue has likely been traumatized. If Chu Ruo really... she would probably be in unbearable pain. Her behavior today isn't just venting at us. Let’s be more understanding.”
“I know, but it’s not entirely our fault. Going to the brothel was Chu Ruo’s own idea; she insisted on dragging Yan’er and me along. And look, something happened, and now it’s blamed on us. If I’d known, I would have just watched your match today. The more you do, the more you risk; if I’d done nothing, I’d be fine.”
“Chu Ruo is simple-minded. If she acts crazy, do you have to go along with her?” Yin Liuli poked Duan Ning’s forehead in frustration. “You’re a grown woman; you should have some sense.”
Nangong Yan sighed again. “I’ve truly had my eyes opened today. I think even if everyone in the Hundred Flowers Palace went missing, Muxue wouldn't look like that. She’s usually terrifyingly calm; she’d probably just give a faint ‘hm’ and start investigating immediately. She wouldn't be like this—practically frantic.”
“I believe Muxue is still rational. As angry as she is, I think she went out just now to look for clues. I’m a bit worried about her state of mind, so I’ll go follow her. You two try to remember everything you can to see if you missed any details. Also, investigate our rivals secretly, but be careful not to startle the snake. Let’s split up.”
“Understood.”
***
On the other side, E Tu had just finished savoring a slice of a red human tongue. He smiled at Chu Ruo, looking grim and ghastly. His white teeth were stained with a bit of blood, adding a touch of horror. In this environment, his teeth looked sharp, like terrifying fangs that might leap out at any moment to tear into her throat and drink her blood.
“Do you know why the human tongue is the most delicious part?”
While Chu Ruo was wondering how to respond, the man answered his own question. “The human tongue tastes everything in the world. It can be said to absorb all essences. Think about it—thousands of flavors gathered in one place. How exquisite! If made into a sauce, it would be a delicacy even with plain congee. Do you really...” He picked up another slice and offered it to her. “...not want to try?”
Chu Ruo turned her head away. E Tu chuckled and ate it himself. “A fresh human tongue is best, especially raw. Actually, every part of the human body is edible. Nothing in the world compares to this ultimate flavor. But killing is a hassle.” He frowned, looking somewhat disgusted. “You can't terrify them when you do it, or the meat dies—it becomes tough and sour, ruining the texture. So, I practiced for a long time. The people I eat feel no pain. Just a gentle... flick, just like that, and they don't feel a thing. Of course, that’s only for the moment I take the part I want to eat. After I’m done, they wish they were dead. But the more they struggle, the fresher the meat in my mouth feels. This person’s tongue was very nimble; it’s as chewy as I expected, with perfect elasticity. But his meat is terrible. Such a large man, yet only that one spot was good. What a waste.”
The more Chu Ruo listened, the more nauseated she felt. What kind of perverted cannibal was this? To him, people weren't people at all; they were just food. The flat tone in which he spoke was enough to make anyone shiver. However, she knew he hadn't captured her just to eat her “meat.” At least for now, she had value, or she wouldn't be alive. Besides, with so many people in Mo Yang, why capture her specifically? That would mean offending the Hundred Flowers Palace. “I have no history with you. Why did you capture me?”
E Tu picked up a wooden stick with a glowing, hot end and thrust it toward Chu Ruo. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, but after a moment, she felt no burning pain. Opening her eyes, she saw he had only made a feint before pulling back. “Actually, I quite like you.”
*What the hell?! I don't like you! I’m not into men—wait, even if I were, I wouldn't be into you! My fragrant, fair Little Scorpion is so much better, you freak...*
“No, it’s not what you think,” E Tu said.
*What? Can everyone read my mind? Is everyone a telepath?*
“I’m referring to your ability. To be so highly favored by someone like Nan Muxue... no matter the method, as long as you achieve your goal, you are impressive. You want to know why I captured you? I think you’re
