The prison was not far from Chang Liu’s main hall, but it was a long walk for Hua Qian Gu. Because she was the Sect Leader’s disciple, and she always treated everyone well, the disciples responsible for escorting her knew her and did not press her along.
Hua Qian Gu walked slowly, wising the path would never end. Looking up at Jue Qing Hall floating in the sky, she wanted to return there and look around for one last time, to see if the peach tree she recently planted had bloomed.
Glancing around, the exquisite surrounding was shrouded in mist between the sea and the sky, this had become her second home. Here, she spent the best seven years of her life. No matter how terrible the punishment waiting for her, perhaps she would be killed, but she was not afraid, the only thing she feared, it would be the disappointment in Teacher’s eyes.
The doors of the main hall squeaked open, Hua Qian Gu lowered her head and slowly walked in. The big doors gradually closed behind her, her heart sank along with them.
Not many people were present, those participating in the interrogation were senior immortals, they either held high positions or had a prestigious reputation. Qing Shui, Luo Shi Yi, Yun Duan, Xiu Mu Qing Liu, Huo Xi, Wu Qing Luo were present, there were also Yun Yin and two elders from Mount Mao, they all looked at her with worry.
Sitting at the highest place was Bai Zi Hua, on the right was Mo Yan, on the left was Sheng Xiao Mo, then lining both sides were the elders and sect leaders. There was only silence, the atmosphere was extremely oppressive.
Hua Qian Gu did not raise her head, walked forward a few steps, then knelt.
The Head of the Court of Law stood on the ruling dais, not angry but stern, announcing loudly: “Chang Liu’s disciple Hua Qian Gu, you stole the holy instruments, secretly practiced the dark arts, betrayed your Teacher and ancestors, your actions are intolerable. Cooperating with a treacherous group, colluding with demons, plotting with the cursed demon Sha Qian Mo, your sins cannot be forgiven. You also killed Mount Chang Bai’s Sect Leader Wen Feng Yu, resurrected and released the Demon God, which led to a battle between the immortal realm and the demon realm resulting in heavy casualties, you can die a hundred times and still cannot atone for your sins. Do you plead guilty?”
The sharp condemnation caused everyone to shudder unwillingly.
Hua Qian Gu wanted to plead guilty, she would die anyway, it was better to end this quickly. She did not want to continue kneeling in front of Bai Zi Hua, this was worse than having pieces of flesh sliced from her bones.
But her tongue was not under her control, she heard her voice speaking out in a reasonable tone, neither high nor low: “Wen Feng Yu wasn’t killed by me, I didn’t plot anything with Sha jiejie!”
Mo Yan laughed coldly and sneered: “Sha jiejie? What is this joke, that cursed demon thinks he has a little beauty so now he believes he is a woman?”
Hua Qian Gu looked up in surprise, then quickly lowered her head: “Sha…… jiejie is a man?” Although this was difficult to believe, she thought again and realized she was naive, making such a mistake from the beginning. Sha Qian Mo fought with Teacher because of her, killing many people, she freely embraced him, no wonder people misunderstood them. Why would jiejie not tell her?
Hua Qian Gu knew it was useless to explain, no one would believe her, she repeated calmly: “There’s nothing between me and Sha Qian Mo. I didn’t kill Wen Feng Yu.”
“You still dare to lie? You wanted to steal the holy instruments, Wen Feng Yu would not let you, you hypnotized then killed him, how else could you get the holy instruments?”
“I only stole the holy instruments, I never killed anyone, Lan Yu Lan Feng killed him and blamed me.” Hua Qian Gu felt her voice becoming dry, as if someone else was talking.
“Impudent, traitorous disciple! You still refuse to admit your sins?” Mo Yan said angrily.
Hua Qian Gu straightened her spine: “He died because of me, but I didn’t kill him.”
Mo Yan frowned and was about to explode in anger, Sheng Xiao Mo stopped him with his eyes, saying gently: “You said you did not kill him, tell us what happened when you stole the holy instruments, secretly practiced the dark arts, then released the Demon God. Tell us everything again.”
Hua Qian Gu was startled, gritting her teeth, trying hard to determine what she should say, replying in a trembling voice: “I stole the holy instruments, I released the Demon God, I secretly practiced the dark arts, I betrayed Teacher and the ancestors. I plead guilty, there’s no need for another interrogation, the three Heads can punish me. No matter what happens, I won’t object.”
“Sect Leader!” Yun Yin frowned, looking at her frail body kneeling below, his heart could not help but feel pain.
Sheng Xiao Mo gently shook his head: “Hua Qian Gu, you are a disciple of Chang Liu, the first disciple of the Sect Leader, have you ever thought of your Teacher? How can Chang Liu’s reputation not be affected by this? You obeyed Taoist priest Qing Xu’s wish, became Sect Leader of Mount Mao, how can Mount Mao explain this to the world? You betrayed Chang Liu so you are not loyal, betrayed your Teacher so you are not filial, betrayed Taoist priest Qing Xu so you are not trustworthy, betrayed the world so you are not compassionate. Anyone who is not loyal, not filial, not trustworthy, not compassionate so Chang Liu can longer accept you. Your sentence is to be expelled from the sect, crucified with nine-nine 81 Xiao Hun nails on the Zhu Xian Pillar. Given your young age, we will save a sliver of your soul in the Bai Lu bottle for 300 years and then send it for reincarnation. Do you agree with the sentence?”
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone was horrified. Who knew how many immortals were crucified on the Zhu Xian Pillar, starting from the face to the feet, the nails did not strike the crucial points, but each nail pierced deep into the bones and made living worse than dying. For those with weak power, tolerating more than 20, 30 continuous nails was more than could be expected. This was one of the cruelest punishments at Chang Liu, would Hua Qian Gu really be crucified with 81 nails?
At this moment, Mo Yan said coldly: “Sect junior, with Hua Qian Gu’s sins, destroying her soul is more fitting, your sentence is too light, how can everyone agree?”
Qing Shui, Yun Duan and the others gasped, all the disciples at Chang Liu who knew Hua Qian Gu knelt down in front of Chang Liu’s main hall. Even the disciples of the three Heads like Shang Shang Piao, Luo Shi Yi, Huo Xi, Wu Qing Luo also knelt, only Ni Man Tian gloated at seeing Hua Qian Gu being punished.
Mo Yan narrowed his eyes, shouting: “Are all of you revolting?”
High Immortal Dong Hua, Mount Lao’s Sect Leader and the North Sea Dragon King saw this, feeling sorry for her, they interceded on her behalf.
Mo Yan snorted coldly: “Hua Qian Gu is a disciple of Chang Liu, her mistakes threaten the six realms, how can this be forgiven? Not to mention this is a private matter of Chang Liu, it is not up to outsiders to interfere with our decision!”
Yun Yin retorted angrily: “Hua Qian Gu is also our Sect Leader, Chang Liu can’t easily kill her! Even if everyone from Mount Mao has to die, we’ll never hand her over to you!”
“Yun Yin!” Hua Qian Gu berated softly, looked at him and shook her head, saying calmly: “Mount Mao’s Sect Leader Hua Qian Gu, having committed unforgivable sins, from now on is stripped of her position as sect leader, to be replaced by Yun Yin.” She gave up the feather belonging to the Sect Leader, then transferred the leadership mark through the air to Yun Yin.
“Sect Leader!” Yun Yin looked at her with pleading eyes, wanting to say more but could not.
Hua Qian Gu slowly bowed low to the ground, enunciating each word carefully: “Chang Liu’s disciple Hua Qian Gu, having committed unforgivable sins, thanks to the kindness of the three Heads, I’m willing to be punished. If the three Heads can be merciful, please do not expel me from the sect. Even if my soul is destroyed, I wouldn’t dare to protest.”
Everyone was surprised, they could not believe it, not understanding why she was willing for her soul to be destroyed but did not want to leave Chang Liu. Only Ni Man Tian sneered coldly, she did not realize Hua Qian Gu’s obsession with Bai Zi Hua was so deep.
Everyone looked at Bai Zi Hua, he was the only person who had not spoken, Hua Qian Gu was still his disciple, it was up to him to decide her punishment.
Bai Zi Hua’s face was devoid of emotions, taking a cup of tea and sipping it once, the silence was so deafening that even a pin dropping to the ground could be heard.
Hua Qian Gu did not dare to look up at him, she did not need anything, as long as Teacher would not expel her from the sect. She was Bai Zi Hua’s disciple, even in death!
“Why did you steal the holy instruments and release the Demon God?” Bai Zi Hua’s cold voice resonated in the main hall.
Hua Qian Gu’s heart dropped, this was it.
Her tongue started to tremble, she gritted her teeth, not saying anything, her face began to pale.
“To…… to……”
No! No! She would rather die than confess, she would rather die than confess! She desperately shook her head, biting her lips, causing them to bleed.
Everyone looked at her in bewilderment, not understanding her struggle.
But this was not a simple incantation that could be undone, Hua Qian Gu heard her voice breaking through her throat. She made a cruel decision, biting her tongue, blood flowed, the pain was so great she almost fainted.
“Tho…… thure……Theathe……poithon…… (To cure Teacher’s poison)”. The incomplete words came out of her mouth. Everyone was confused and did not understand what she said.
Bai Zi Hua frowned, it seemed as if she was affected by a spell from Yi Xiu Ge, but what could she be hiding that she rather bit off her tongue rather than confess? Anger unexpectedly flared inside him, she already pleaded guilty so how could he find an excuse to justify what she had done? Does she really want to die?
“Her wish is granted, she will not be expelled from the sect.”
“Zun Shang?!” The Head of the Court of Law and Mo Yan were surprised, how could Chang Liu tolerate such a disciple, she would shame them even in death.
“She is my disciple, I said no expulsion so no expulsion.” Bai Zi Hua said coldly, everyone did not say anything further. He did not make decisions often, but the decisions he made would never change, no one ever dared to protest, they did not know if he was being kind or stern.
“What about the Xiao Hun nails on the Zhu Xian Pillar?” The Head of the Court of Law asked cautiously.
Bai Zi Hua stood up, shook off his sleeves once, walking away: “Begin the punishment immediately.”
As soon as the words were spoken, the main hall broke out in chaos. Qing Shui and Luo Shi Yi had a sliver of hope, as long as Zun Shang considered the teacher and disciple relationship, he would save her. Their group panicked, switching between bowing and kowtowing, pleads rose up continuously.
Mo Yan was secretly relieved, Bai Zi Hua was still the Bai Zi Hua that he knew.
Hua Qian Gu fell limply on the ground, her heart empty, no longer aware of the chaos around her. She wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth, her tongue still hurt, her heart hurt worse, but at least with Teacher, she was still his disciple, she would be at peace even in spirit……
When escorted to the tall Zhu Xian Pillar at the mountain’s cliff, her feet staggered slightly.
Qing Shui wiped her tears, flying on the wind through Chang Liu’s mystical barriers. Hua Qian Gu must not die, she must not die no matter what!
Xuan Yuan Lang saw complete chaos on the mountain, but he could not break through the mystical barriers, Sha Qian Mo quickly arrived a moment later, the two of them waited anxiously for the result of the interrogation.
“Qing Shui?” Xuan Yuan Lang looked at the girl who always smiled while staring everywhere but was now in tears, crying uncontrollably and flying his way.
“Your Majesty Xuan Yuan…… please save Qian Gu!” She leaned close to the mystical barriers and told him about the result of the interrogation.
“81 Xiao Hun nails?” Xuan Yuan Lang’s face paled instantly.
Sha Qian Mo fell back two steps, closing his eyes, the Xiao Hun nails? Still the Xiao Hun nails! Bai Zi Hua…… you are truly heartless!
Hua Qian Gu walked each step on the white jade tiles, the tall Zhu Xian Pillar towered before her, she looked up and felt a little dizzy. The pillar was carved full of patterns, comprising of inscriptions and incantations, the white pillar was transparent, the hollowed crevices were filled with black blood, Hua Qian Gu knew that was the dried blood of numerous immortals who died on the Zhu Xian Pillar.
The Head of the Court of Law read her sins again, then announced the start of the punishment.
Hua Qian Gu was tied firmly to the Zhu Xian Pillar, still appearing calm. It would probably hurt, but if too painful, the pain would not be felt anymore.
The three Heads still sat on high like before, someone suddenly flew in to report, the armies of the human realm and the demon realm were attacking ferociously into Chang Liu.
“All disciples are ordered to protect the mystical barriers, not even a fly is allowed in.” Bai Zi Hua already guessed this would happen so he did not let Xuan Yuan Lang into the mountain. The disciples of Chang Liu would not dare to do anything even if they disagreed with the result of the interrogation, but Xuan Yuan Lang and Sha Qian Mo were different. Bai Zi Hua looked at Sheng Xiao Mo, Sheng Xiao Mo understood, turning and leaving.
Hua Qian Gu looked up, indifferently watching the billowing dark clouds, the thunderous lightning, the rising wind.
Dong Fang Yu Qing was still in the prison with Nan Wu Yue, not allowing Tang Bao to go outside. He did not need to go out, he knew everything happening outside in the palm of his hand, but he could not help but shudder. No one can save someone from Bai Zi Hua, if Bai Zi Hua wanted her to die, she could never escape.
“I will ask again, why did you steal the holy instruments and release the Demon God?” Bai Zi Hua asked carefully.
Hua Qian Gu desperately shook her head, still babbling on with words that could not be understood. Her eyes looked at him, as if there were endless explanations, endless thoughts but only a helpless smile was seen.
The first Xiao Hun nail unexpectedly pierced into her left wrist, Hua Qian Gu was not prepared yet, she could not help but screamed loudly, everyone heard and was terrified.
Hua Qian Gu trembled and closed her eyes, she never felt such intense pain in her life, from the hand spreading to her arms and legs, so painful even her scalp tingled. Fresh blood flowed down along the pillar, lost in the crevices, covering it with a new layer.
“Qian Gu……” Qing Shui cried out, struggling to push forward but Xiu Mu Qing Liu restrained her, pulling her back.
The second nail pierced into her right wrist, Hua Qian Gu did not scream uncontrollably this time, but the intense pain caused her to bite her lower lip to shreds.
Then it was the ankles, knees, femurs, arms, collarbone, 12 nails continuously pierced into her, each nail piercing into her was heard as it embedded through her bones and flesh, along with Hua Qian Gu’s painful screams were gasps from everyone else. Qing Shui fainted, Luo Shi Yi, Xiu Mu Qing Liu, Huo Xi, Wu Qing Luo had tears in their eyes.
It had been so long since Ni Man Tian felt such satisfaction, each nail embedding itself, her heart felt indescribable joy and excitement. She hated that she could not expose Hua Qian Gu’s crush on Bai Zi Hua, that way Hua Qian Gu would die a more gruesome death.
Heaven and earth shook uncontrollably, Sha Qian Mo and Xuan Yuan Lang continued to unsuccessfully attack Chang Liu and were close to going crazy.
Xuan Yuan Lang held his sword under the sky, as if he were a war god. His eyes blazed with murderous intent like a hot fire, his helmet had fallen off, his hair swirling in the wild wind. The internal energy in his body burned, spreading through the blood vessels, turning into power that transferred into the blade of the sword.
Sha Qian Mo panicked completely, his sword was without mercy, Chang Liu’s disciples moving forward to block him exploded under his sword. Blood, brains, limbs, intestines scattered everywhere.
The entire sky reflected various shades of lights flashing violently, howling wind and roaring lighting, gathering clouds and pouring rain, the intent of the swords danced with anger. People from different realms, the ones in front died and the ones behind continued forward, casualties kept piling up.
Sha Qian Mo and Xuan Yuan Lang were close to breaking the resistance, but they were suddenly pushed back by a green barrier. Upon closer look, it was Ru Zun Sheng Xiao Mo.
Sheng Xiao Mo raised his flute, a smile never leaving his face: “I am obeying Zun Shang’s order, I am here to stop you. Before the punishment is finished, do not dream of stepping one foot into Chang Liu.”
Fourteen Xiao Hun nails embedding into her, Hua Qian Gu was near death, half of her immortality already drained away, one-tenth of her soul already dissipated. She fainted several times from the pain, but she was always forced to regain consciousness.
Such intense pain, how could she not die from it already? How to stop this torture? She gathered her internal energy and was about to kill herself, then discovered her power was sealed, she could not use her internal energy at all.
Hurry up and die, hurry up and die…… She continued to scream in her heart, wishing everything would be over quickly.
The atmosphere was filled with the stench of blood, except there was also a fragrance in the blood. Bai Zi Hua detected the familiar fragrance, remembering each and every time she fed him with her blood.
“Zun Shang……” Luo Shi Yi’s group never stopped kowtowing so he would intercede.
Bai Zi Hua was still calm, looking down at his hands for some unknown reason, finding out that his hands trembled slightly.
“Stop!” He suddenly ordered, the 18th Xiao Hun nail about to pierce into Hua Qian Gu’s chest hovered in the air.
“Sect junior!” Mo Yan was shocked.
Bai Zi Hua slowly stood up, deliberately walked down each step. Hua Qian Gu lost too much blood, her face was completely pale, she tried hard to open her eyes and look at him.
Bai Zi Hua raised his hand, his immortal power flowed, the 17 Xiao Hun nails were pulled out of her body, Hua Qian Gu fell hard onto the ground. The 17 holes bled profusely.
Everyone was not sure what was happening, but they did not dare to say anything. Luo Shi Yi’s group was wild with happiness, knowing Hua Qian Gu was saved.
“Hua Qian Gu is a sinner to Chang Liu, a sinner to the world, but she is still Bai Zi Hua’s disciple. It is because I did not teach her properly, endangering everyone, the rest of the punishment, I will do it myself.”
Whispers began to spread, Luo Shi Yi’s group was startled, completely at a standstill. Hua Qian Gu was stunned and her face lost all colors, her lips trembled, she continued to shake her head: “Teacher, no……”
She did not want this! She did not want this! She could endure any pain, but how could she bear it if it came from his hands?
Hua Qian Gu crawled backward on the ground out of desperation, leaving an alarming trail of blood.
But she could not escape, how could she be spared from this? She could only watch as Bai Zi Hua took each step forward closer to her.
“I was wrong, I know I was wrong, Teacher……” Hua Qian Gu panicked and cried like a child, but there were no tears, she had never been so terrified in her life.
Bai Zi Hua’s face was devoid of emotions, he leaned down, pulling the Emotionless sword from her.
Hua Qian Gu was completely bewildered, impossible…… it was not possible that Teacher would use Emotionless. He personally gave it to her! The sword carried so many happy memories, never leaving her for a second. However, he was so cruel to use the Emotionless sword to punish her?
“Teacher, I’m begging you…… at least don’t use Emotionless……” She used one hand to hold onto Bai Zi Hua’s leg in front of her, the other hand stretching out to grab at the handle of the Emotionless sword, she was terrified and pleaded hoarsely, her blood staining his white robe.
Bai Zi Hua frowned: “Why did I give you the sword? You really disappointed me……”
He wanted to raise the sword up, but the Emotionless sword surprisingly froze in the air, shaking uncontrollably, refusing to move. It followed Hua Qian Gu for a long time, although the sword and her had not reached the level of merging into one, it already acknowledged her as its owner, not to mention it was spiritual, it could not injure her.
Bai Zi Hua reluctantly shook his head, how nice of Emotionless, it was his personal sword, just in a few years and he could not control it anymore!
“Today, you will be used!” Bai Zi Hua was furious, his fingers flicked toward the sword, his internal energy immediately filled the blade.
“Don’t! Teacher! I’m begging you! I’m begging you!” Hua Qian Gu cried loudly, trying to reach upward, but she only caught the bells hanging from the handle of the sword.
Bai Zi Hua raised the sword, without any hesitation, destroying all the internal vessels and blood vessels in Hua Qian Gu’s body, her internal energy and power poured out, not a single vessel in her body was left untouched.
Hua Qian Gu fell onto the ground like a corpse, shaking slightly, her eyes empty, her face dull, unable to move anymore. Along with the holes caused by the Xiao Hun nails, it seemed as if her blood had bled dry.
Not just losing her immortality, losing her power also, she was paralyzed, not just moving, even standing or turning her neck was now impossible.
Bai Zi Hua looked down at her from above, tossing away the Emotionless sword without a second thought. Stained with her blood, the Emotionless sword might as well be like any other scrap of metal.
Without any feelings and without any thoughts, heartlessly crushing her emotions, he would never know her love for him, he would never understand how much the Emotionless sword meant to her.
“Pull her into the lowest cell in prison, without my permission, no one is allowed to see her or treat her injuries!”
Hua Qian Gu was near death, her eyes opened wide but were empty, not showing any reaction when other people carried her away. Her blood spilled along the way, but her hand still tightly gripped the two small bells.