The dark, cold prison echoed with the faint sound of water dripping.
This isolated prison was formed by a massive iron cage located in the deepest part of the Snow Prison, where the light was dim. Long golden chains hung down, pinning the prisoner’s limbs in place, making any movement impossible. From time to time, the prison echoed with the agonized screams of tortured souls, shrill and haunting like ghosts, sending chills down one’s spine. Yet, the person trapped in the cage remained motionless.
With a soft “thud,” something soft was tossed into the cage—it was a bundle of human skin wrapped in snakeskin.
A nauseating stench filled the air, but the bound prisoner did not react in the slightest.
“What’s wrong? This is the skin of one of your comrades—don’t you want to take a look?” A woman dressed in blue stood outside the cage, sneering as she looked at the captive within. “Oh, right, I forgot. You can’t see anything now, can you, Tong?”
Still, there was no response from him. Five golden chains pierced through his body, pinning him tightly.
Since being poisoned by the Seven-Star Begonia three days ago, the once feared assassin—whose very name struck terror throughout the land—had remained silent, letting the venom quietly consume his body without uttering a word.
Miao Shui felt a surge of frustration. Ever since the Holy Leader had handed Tong over to her, she had a plan in mind—she wanted to find out where the Dragon Blood Pearl had gone after his failed rebellion.
Since Miao Huo’s death, only she and Tong knew of the pearl’s existence. It was the only thing in the world capable of killing the Holy Leader. If she could get her hands on it…
But no matter how much torture she inflicted, Tong had kept his lips sealed.
Those from the Asura Field had an extraordinary tolerance for pain. Sometimes, Miao Shui even wondered if the poison from the Seven-Star Begonia had spread too quickly, paralyzing his body before it could erase all his memories. Otherwise, how could any human body withstand such relentless torture?
“How about this?” Another object was tossed into the cage with a thud. “That female physician offended the Holy Leader—she’s been beheaded. Do you remember who she is?”
Tong suddenly raised his head, his nearly blind eyes flashing with a sharp, snow-bright light!
Desperately, he reached out to feel for the head that had been thrown at him. The golden chains instantly tightened, cutting into his flesh, causing fresh blood to gush from his already battered body.
However, what his fingers touched was the bearded head of a man!
“Hahaha…” Miao Shui threw her head back and laughed. “That’s Miao Huo’s head—look how frightened you are.”
It was as if a vital point had been struck. Tong collapsed back into a sitting position, his eyes showing a helplessness and fear. Everything in his mind was slowly fading away, the cursed poison erasing his memories bit by bit. But the image of that woman seemed etched into his very bones.
“Don’t you want to see her die?” Miao Shui’s eyes gleamed with triumph as she approached the cage, whispering softly. “You know well that once someone climbs this mountain, it’s near impossible to leave. She has already angered the Holy Leader—soon enough, her head will roll!… Hehe, Tong, and it’s all because of you.”
Tong’s shoulders trembled suddenly, and blood dripped from his wounds.
“Miao Shui,” he finally spoke, his voice hoarse from the torture, “let’s make a deal.”
“Oh?” Miao Shui smiled, leaning closer to the iron bars, her voice low. “So, you’re finally ready to reveal the whereabouts of the Dragon Blood Pearl?”
“What do you want?” she asked with keen interest. “A quick death? Or do you want to save your life?”
“If you let her leave safely, I’ll tell you where the Dragon Blood Pearl is,” Tong said, his eyes cast down, a mocking smile tugging at his lips. “You want to use it to poison the Holy Leader, don’t you?”
“Heh,” Miao Shui trembled slightly, as if surprised, then quickly laughed and yanked harshly on the chain around his neck. “You’re trying to be clever even now? Figuring out my plan will only get you killed faster!”
But the next moment, she giggled and said, “Fine, I agree… What use do I have for her life? All I want is the Holy Leader’s head. Of course—there’s no way I’ll let you live either. Don’t think I’ll spare you.”
Tong remained expressionless. Ever since learning he was poisoned by the Seven-Star Begonia, he hadn’t expected to survive.
“The Dragon Blood Pearl has already been crushed into powder and smeared on the Bleeding Sword,” he closed his eyes and revealed his final secret in a low voice. “To kill the Holy Leader, you must first get the sword.”
“…” Miao Shui’s breath caught in her throat, and she muttered, “No wonder we couldn’t find it. So that’s what happened!”
She laughed, patting him on the shoulder. “Rest assured, I’ll keep my promise—there’s no point in killing that woman.” After a pause, Miao Shui’s face took on a meaningful smile. “But I must say, I never expected that you and Miao Feng, two heartless people, would both risk your lives to protect her… It’s truly surprising! What kind of magic does that Master Xue have?”
“Miao Feng?” Tong was startled.
Why would someone like him want to protect Xue Zi Ye?
“You should thank your Master Xue,” Miao Shui laughed again. “Thanks to her, Miao Feng’s ‘Spring Wind’ technique was broken, and he’s no longer a threat. Miao Kong doesn’t care about anything, Ming Li is dead, Miao Huo is dead, and you’re crippled. The rest of the work will be much easier.”
Tong raised his head in shock—Miao Feng’s “Spring Wind” technique was broken?
Having known his colleague for years, Tong was well aware of how powerful the “Spring Wind” technique was. Miao Feng had mastered it because he had an exceptionally pure and focused mindset. His only concern was the Holy Leader’s safety, and every action he took exuded an unassailable aura.
But now, someone had actually broken through that state of empty, detached clarity!
How had she managed to break the heart of someone like Miao Feng, whose mind was as calm as still water?
At the summit of Kunlun Mountain, in the highest point of the Heavenly Paradise, flowers bloomed in abundance, and golden walls gleamed magnificently.
This paradise was the most luxurious and seductive place within the Great Hall of Light, a place that enchanted anyone who had ever been there, leaving them reluctant to leave. Even the top assassins from the Asura Field could only enter after performing great deeds to enjoy a fleeting moment of ecstasy.
It was a world made of glass and gems, beyond the imagination of most people: golden trees adorned with precious stones, emerald and jade springs where sweet wine, fragrant milk, and honey flowed freely. Gemstone flowers bloomed perpetually in the forests and springs, while rare birds sang and exotic beasts wandered through the trees. Along the springs, in the forests, and within the maze-like pavilions, beautiful maidens and handsome youths moved about, smiling at every guest and gently fulfilling their every desire.
“Master Xue, are you comfortable?” A white-robed man appeared silently in the jade pavilion, inquiring after the guest who had been lost in thought.
The room was warm, with a roaring fire that made it impossible to feel the cold of the icy world outside. Xue Zi Ye had been drifting off to sleep but snapped awake at the sound of the voice—
“It’s you?” She saw him, and her eyes flickered.
Miao Feng remained silent, bowing. He could sense a range of emotions from her—among them were anger and disdain. It seemed that his actions over the past day had completely ruined her impression of him.
For a healer, killers and butchers were never welcome.
“Please rest well, Master Xue. Tomorrow morning, I will come to escort you to the secret chamber to examine the Holy Leader,” Miao Feng said with a slight bow.
“What about Ming Jie?” Xue Zi Ye asked, standing up. “I want to see him.”
“You cannot see Tong until the Holy Leader’s condition improves,” Miao Feng replied calmly, turning to leave. But as he reached the door, he suddenly staggered, his body tilting as he barely managed to catch himself on the doorframe.
Xue Zi Ye was startled. Glancing down, she noticed a trail of bright red blood drops on the threshold.
“Miao Feng!” She gasped in shock, rushing over to grab his shoulder. “Let me take a look!”
He didn’t turn around, only smiling faintly. “It’s nothing, Master Xue. You needn’t worry.”
“Nonsense!” She took his pulse, her shock and anger rising. “Your old wounds haven’t healed, and now you’re injured again? Come here, let me examine you!”
Miao Feng stood still, not resisting, but neither did he pull away from her hand.
They remained in this silent standoff, one standing inside the room, the other outside, both holding onto their respective beliefs.
Snowflakes fluttered down, covering his shoulders. The hand on his shoulder was warm and persistent, unwilling to let go of any life. He stood in the doorway, gazing up at the snow drifting down from the peak of Kunlun. The icy cold in his heart warred with the warmth on his shoulder, like fire and ice. If… if she knew that he was the one responsible for the massacre years ago, would she still hold on to him?
“Cough, cough!” Suddenly, Xue Zi Ye broke the silence with a fit of violent coughing.
The frigid air of the mountaintop had seeped in, and standing in the doorway for just a moment was too much for her body.
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