Chapter 40

Bai Chen, upon hearing these words, immediately became unhappy.

"Ridiculous! Your disciples ambushed my convoy halfway. Do you expect me to surrender and let you plunder at will?" Bai Chen glanced at Gongsun Chenxing behind Mei Jiangxue.

Gongsun Chenxing's expression turned even uglier, his gaze filled with hatred as he looked at Bai Chen.

"Shut up! It's clearly you who are scheming against them!" Mei Jiangxue was also greatly angered. Being so bluntly contradicted by a junior made her already tumultuous chest heave even more.

"As the saying goes, one should not have the heart to harm others, but one must be on guard against others. I may not be very talented, but I have no regrets. If your disciples had no intention to harm, how could they be outwitted by me? Your Seven Virtues have been aggressive and intimidating, and last night, you even colluded with your fellow disciples to rob me halfway. Is this the conduct of your Seven Virtues?"

Bai Chen's words were lofty and righteous, making Mei Jiangxue's face even more stern. Gongsun Chenxing's expression changed several times, and his gaze towards Bai Chen was filled with a desire to kill.

Although Bai Chen was in the right, his aggressive attitude and tone made the two, who were already dissatisfied with him, even more unwilling to let go.

Mei Jiangxue could not find a reason to counter him. This matter was indeed a fault of her Seven Virtues. She did not originally intend to delve into it, only planning to give Bai Chen a minor punishment before letting him go.

Regardless of whether Bai Chen could refine the True Yang Pill, as long as he admitted his mistake and said a few pleasant words, she would let the matter drop.

Who would have thought that the boy who was previously meek and obedient would suddenly become defiant? Mei Jiangxue could not possibly lose face.

Gongsun Chenxing was also burning with anger: "You have the nerve to say such things. As a person of the martial world, you disregard the welfare of the common people, buying up grain and fodder in Shu, causing the people to suffer. Ask your conscience, are you at peace?"

"My family is small, and we do a little business. What does it have to do with you? Your Seven Virtues claim to care for the world, but why don't you see your disciples abandon their homes and properties to save the suffering people of the world?"

Gongsun Chenxing was furious: "Since you cannot feel the suffering of the people, I will let you taste the pain of the heart!"

A strange look flashed in Mei Jiangxue's eyes as she saw Gongsun Chenxing extend her jade hand and swiftly sweep over Bai Chen's body.

Bai Chen could not avoid Gongsun Chenxing's rapid strikes. He only felt a fragrant scent, but then a indescribable pain surged within him.

It felt as if all his meridians were rebelling, continuously absorbing and expelling the external spiritual energy of heaven and earth.

Ordinary internal skills absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to enhance one's cultivation.

However, this absorption and exhalation are filtered through internal skills to remove impurities.

If pure spiritual energy of heaven and earth invades the body, it is not just a matter of severe pain.

It is like breathing in toxic gas, which is a fatal threat.

Bai Chen collapsed on the ground, trembling with fear.

This pain was indescribable.

It was as if his heart was being torn apart, and Mei Jiangxue glanced at Gongsun Chenxing, slightly reproaching: "Chenxing, how can you use such a vicious move?"

The resentment in Gongsun Chenxing's eyes had not dissipated, but she answered her master's question seriously: "This despicable person deserves a lesson to know the consequences of his actions."

"Although he has acted improperly, he is not a great villain," Mei Jiangxue said, then looked down at the struggling Bai Chen. "Enough, he should be given a lesson."

Bai Chen was filled with hatred. At this moment, he had already cursed Mei Jiangxue and Gongsun Chenxing's ancestors, but it did nothing to alleviate the intense pain.

The excruciating pain made him almost wish for death.

"Don't fall into my hands... or I will make you suffer a hundred times, a hundred times..."

Although Bai Chen could not speak, his eyes clearly showed his hatred towards Mei Jiangxue and Gongsun Chenxing.

"If you admit your mistake now, I will release you from the Hundred Flowers Burial."

In Gongsun Chenxing's view, Bai Chen had no choice. She had used the Hundred Flowers Burial before and knew its pain well. No one had ever lasted more than three quarters of an hour.

In the Seven Virtues' rules, it is strictly forbidden to use the Hundred Flowers Burial on fellow disciples.

Regardless of the circumstances, even if the other party is a traitor to the Seven Virtues, it is not allowed.

The Hundred Flowers Burial is known for its viciousness and dominance, and is one of the three forbidden moves in the martial world.

"Are you begging me?" Bai Chen barely lifted his head, his face contorted with pain, his forehead drenched in cold sweat, and his complexion as pale as a zombie.

But the stubbornness in his eyes showed no sign of compromise, which thoroughly enraged Gongsun Chenxing.

"Let's see how long you can keep your mouth shut!" Gongsun Chenxing coldly snorted and angrily turned away.

Mei Jiangxue frowned all along. Although she did not approve of Gongsun Chenxing's actions, she did not intervene.

After all, Gongsun Chenxing would be her successor. Whatever decisions she made in this process, she would have to take responsibility for them.

She glanced at Bai Chen on the ground but did not help to alleviate his pain. To her, even killing Bai Chen would not be a big deal.

The name "Heartless Flower" was not just a rumor. Those who knew the story behind it would be haunted by nightmares.

"Boy, do you feel it's unfair?"

Bai Chen weakly looked at Mei Jiangxue, his face showing a smile more bitter than crying: "You... you must be thinking that there's no fairness in this world, and strength determines our fate. Is that what you want to say, Senior?"

"It's good that you understand. Don't think about revenge. The Hundred Flowers Burial has damaged your meridians. Even if you are not crippled, you will never break through to the innate stage in your life. The gap between you and her will only grow wider," Mei Jiangxue said calmly.

Bai Chen laughed bitterly: "Senior, have you heard of the saying, 'Thirty years on the east bank, thirty years on the west bank'?"

Mei Jiangxue was slightly taken aback. She found that this seemingly unruly young man could occasionally say things she had never heard before.

But each word made her heart skip a beat. Upon careful reflection, she could sense a profound truth in them.

"The boy you bullied today may become the star that crushes the Seven Virtues tomorrow!"

Mei Jiangxue did not get angry but laughed instead. Although Bai Chen had no heart to appreciate it, her smile was indeed breathtaking. If Bai Chen were not in excruciating pain, he might have lost control.

"The Seven Virtues have stood for over three hundred years. Many enemies of the Seven Virtues have vowed to crush us in their lifetimes, but none have succeeded. Even the notorious demon Jiang Xinheng met his end at the gate of the Seven Virtues. How much stronger are you than Jiang Xinheng?"

"Ha ha... What Jiang Xinheng? I've never heard of him... But..." Bai Chen panted a few times, his gaze roving over Mei Jiangxue's body: "Has... has anyone ever said that your smile is really beautiful, a breathtaking beauty that never gets old?"

Mei Jiangxue's expression changed several times, her gaze fixed on Bai Chen, her eyebrows furrowed.

"What is your relationship with that person!?"

"Ha ha..." Bai Chen's body twitched, the pain intensifying: "Who is that person you're talking about? Your old lover?"

Mei Jiangxue suddenly realized she had lost her composure, her expression returning to calm.

A flush rose to her cheeks, as if she realized she had been too emotional and had lost her composure in front of Bai Chen.

At this moment, she thought Bai Chen was just talking nonsense.

"If you keep talking nonsense, don't blame me for ending your life with one palm!"

Bai Chen felt the pain in his body suddenly ease, and the malevolent energy was surging from his eight extraordinary meridians.

At the same time, the Suspended Pot Technique was also taking effect, like a fully revved engine, continuously neutralizing the malevolent energy.

The malevolent energy seemed endless, threatening to overwhelm Bai Chen.

But the Suspended Pot Technique's magic was also revealed, keeping the malevolent energy at about 50/100.

If it exceeded this level, the Suspended Pot Technique would accelerate its neutralization. If it was less, the neutralization speed would automatically slow down.

The Suspended Pot Technique seemed to have a protective mechanism for Bai Chen. Whenever his body was in danger, the Suspended Pot Technique would automatically protect him.

In the past, Bai Chen had been injured many times, and the malevolent energy had often exceeded 50, but the Suspended Pot Technique's reaction had never been so intense.

The malevolent energy surging from various acupoints was produced by the injured acupoints.

Although the value of this malevolent energy was not high, the quantity was more terrifying than the malevolent energy produced by internal injuries in the past.

Bai Chen's true energy was also rapidly increasing. Each point of malevolent energy only brought a tiny increase in true energy.

But the quantity was significant, with dozens of points of malevolent energy converting to true energy with each breath.

This meant that Bai Chen's cultivation was increasing even faster than before, with dozens of points of malevolent energy increasing with each breath, and there seemed to be no end.

This was a characteristic of the Hundred Flowers Burial. It would not kill a person immediately but would keep them struggling in endless pain.

Bai Chen slowly propped himself up, leaning against the wine rack, panting as he looked at Mei Jiangxue.

But to avoid being seen through by Mei Jiangxue, Bai Chen still made an effort to show a pained expression.

"Who is that person you mentioned?"

Mei Jiangxue's shoulders trembled slightly. This was the second time Bai Chen had seen her like this, as if she was trying hard to control herself.

Her teeth bit her lower lip, her eyes shimmering with tears, but Mei Jiangxue was still the Heartless Flower.

The tears did not fall, but her gaze on Bai Chen was no longer as cold.

At the same time, she said in a nearly indifferent tone: "Dead."

Bai Chen, for once, did not mock, only looking at Mei Jiangxue calmly. At this moment, the woman in front of him was no longer the Heartless Flower feared in the martial world, but a pitiful woman.

"Ten years of life and death, vast and boundless, no need to think, yet unforgettable, a lonely grave a thousand miles away, no place to speak of sorrow, even if we met, you would not recognize me, dust on my face, hair like frost..."

Bai Chen couldn't help but recite Su Dongpo's "Jiangchengzi" written for his deceased wife. At this moment, Mei Jiangxue was no different.

"Ten years of life and death, vast and boundless... no need to think, yet unforgettable..."

Mei Jiangxue couldn't help but savor the words, the sorrowful beauty of the poem resonating with her heart.

At this moment, the tears finally could not be held back, but she did not cry out loud, only two streams of tears of sorrow.

Bai Chen watched Mei Jiangxue's retreating back under the dim candlelight, her figure swaying before his eyes, unable to fade away.

"Damn... Is this the first time I've been moved, and it's by her?"

Bai Chen, unwilling to accept it, had to admit that the figure had stirred his heart.

Was Mei Jiangxue beautiful?

Of course, her incomparable beauty and mature allure were something Bai Chen had never seen in his past or present life.

But it was those two streams of tears for her former lover that made Bai Chen feel a sense of jealousy.

Gongsun Chenxing saw Mei Jiangxue walk out of the wine cellar in a daze, the tear marks on her face wiped away, but a faint sadness still lingered.

"Master, are you okay?" Gongsun Chenxing couldn't help but worry. What had the little thief said to her that made her look so disheartened?

Mei Jiangxue came to her senses and put away her sadness: "Where is Nalan? Why hasn't she returned?"

"Little Sister went to Xizhou to gather information. She should be back soon."

As they spoke, Nalan Ruyue walked in, her expression hurried and somewhat lost.