There was complete silence, everyone was shocked, the atmosphere was bleak and filled with the heavy stench of blood.
Luo Shi Yi and the others were sad, although Hua Qian Gu was saved, she was now paralyzed. Not living but also not dying, death was simpler and easier.
Mo Yan was angry: “Sect junior, what are you doing? In front of the immortals here, are you not protecting her? Outsiders would think Chang Liu is giving her preferential treatment.”
Bai Zi Hua replied coldly: “She is my disciple, I will punish her however I want, who disagrees with my decision?”
All the immortals were quiet, this was the first time they saw Bai Zi Hua full of arrogance, chilling them to the bones, no one dared to say anything.
Mo Yan knew Bai Zi Hua was always calm with an even temper, in hundreds of years, this was the first time he acted differently, Mo Yan’s heart was filled with discontentment, his brows furrowed, but he did not say anything else.
Bai Zi Hua stood in a pool of blood, realizing that he acted rudely, slowly closing his eyes, but the red blood still made him dizzy. Trying to ignore the strong surges and strange emotions in his heart, he sighed deeply.
“The traitorous disciple Hua Qian Gu, even though she committed grave sins, fortunately she stopped in time, not allowing the Demon God to be released to endanger the world. Seventeen Xiao Hun nails, that is Chang Liu’s punishing her for the world. As for the 101 sword wounds, that is my disciplining her as her teacher. Even though this is not sufficient to make up for her mistakes, it will make her think about what she has done. Immortals are merciful, even to demons, they are given a chance to repent if they put down their weapons. She is still very young, still does not know what is right and what is wrong, it is my fault for not teaching her properly so she accidentally chose the wrong path. Previously at the disciple selection ceremony, I made a promise to the immortals of Chang Liu, I would teach her as best as I could, not knowing something like this would happen. Raising but not teaching the child is the fault of the father, teaching but not doing it properly is the fault of the teacher. I have sinned against the immortals of Chang Liu, have sinned worse against the immortals of the six realms, I should be punished with her.”
“Sect junior!” Mo Yan’s face changed, immediately realizing what he was about to say, he wanted to put a stop to this, but Bai Zi Hua already began speaking.
“This is an order for the disciples of Chang Liu, High Immortal Bai Zi Hua is dismissed from the position of Chang Liu’s Sect Leader, Shi Zun Mo Yan will temporarily replace me. The remaining 64 Xiao Hun nails, I will be punished in place of my traitorous disciple, begin the punishment immediately!”
“Zun Shang!” Everyone was terrified, kneeling down immediately.
“Zun Shang, there’s no need, Hua Qian Gu’s punishment is enough, if even you……” Luo Shi Yi and the others were anxious, looking at him in helplessness.
“Wrong is wrong, the world needs an explanation. The rules at Chang Liu cannot be taken lightly, the punishment calls for 81 Xiao Hun nails, not even a single nail can be unaccounted for.” Bai Zi Hua seemed strangely calm, as if speaking about a simple matter, then passed the Sect Leader’s feather to Mo Yan.
Mo Yan fiercely pounded the table, so angry that his lips trembled. How could he not know Bai Zi Hua’s personality, the Sect Leader position was not important, it could be returned after some time, but 64 Xiao Hun nails, even immortals with immense internal energy could not be safe. Does he think he is a god? Or he would not die no matter what?
But Bai Zi Hua already decided, tying himself to the Zhu Xian Pillar. The Head of the Court of Law looked at Mo Yan, Mo Yan reluctantly closed his eyes, signaling weakly with his hand.
The Xiao Hun nails continuously pierced into Bai Zi Hua’s body. He silently closed his eyes, staying quiet as though he did not feel any pain. The first few nails piercing into him, he used his immense internal energy to stop the blood flow, but the number of Xiao Hun nails increased rapidly, red blood slowly seeped into the white robe, this was more horrifying than what happened to Hua Qian Gu.
After the 51st Xiao Hun nail pierced into him, he lost consciousness for a moment, it seemed as if he could hear the sounds of silver bells clanging and someone calling. Bai Zi Hua opened his eyes in confusion, seeing everyone crying. To ease his pain, the Xiao Hun nails came faster, so fast he had trouble seeing them piercing his body. Blood flowed into the crevices of the Zhu Xian Pillar, mixing together with Hua Qian Gu’s blood, covering the pillar with a thick layer.
The punishment finally ended, he was still conscious, slowly falling to the ground, pulling out the few remaining Xiao Hun nails that did not pass though his body but embedded deep into his bones.
“Zun Shang!” Everyone wanted to help him, he waved them away.
“The punishment has been completed, this matter stops here. Immortals with other ideas can speak later. The demons have not given up, attacking Chang Liu for a long time and refuse to retreat, everyone can rest at Chang Liu, then we will discuss how to push back the enemy.”
Bai Zi Hua coldly spoke those few words, then put his hands behind his back and walked inside.
Everyone was stunned and speechless, no one had ever been tied up on the Zhu Xian Pillar and not needed help to get down. They finally realized that Bai Zi Hua’s cultivation already reached an unfathomable high level.
Mo Yan issued a few simple orders then flew into the courtyard to chase after Bai Zi Hua. Just as he thought, Bai Zi Hua staggered a few steps then leaned against a pillar and slowly slid down. He quickly flew behind Bai Zi Hua to hold him up, sealed his acupoints to stop the blood flow, then steadily transferred his internal energy into him.
Looking at his weak state, Mo Yan could not help but feel angry: “I knew she would destroy you one day!”
Bai Zi Hua lost all colors in his face and shook his head, wanting to say something but could not hold on, his body grew limp, he slid into unconsciousness.
“Zi Hua!” Mo Yan gritted his teeth, in all these years, this sect junior always caused him to worry!
Mo Yan held him and flew to Tan Lan Hall. While treating him, he discovered that Bai Zi Hua was already injured from fighting with Sha Qian Mo. He was always like this, handling all the responsibilities himself. Today, he lost hundreds of years of cultivation because of that brat. Even if he did not think of Chang Liu, he should think of the world, immortals looked to him for guidance, now he already lost half of his power, it would be surprising if demons did not take advantage of this opportunity to cause more chaos. What if something were to happen while fighting for the Demon God? When had he become so careless?!
Mo Yan was furious, looked at Bai Zi Hua covered in blood and felt extremely irritated, calling for disciples to help Bai Zi Hua change clothes and bring more medicine. Even though the external injuries had healed, no matter how powerful Bai Zi Hua was, if he did not rest for months, he could not recover even his basic strength.
The sky was still dark outside, the wind screamed, immortals and demons still fighting. Even though he was confident about Sheng Xiao Mo’s ability, who knew if Sha Qian Mo would not resort to dirty tricks. The more he thought about it the more he worried, he decided to fly out to see what was happening.
Sha Qian Mo and Xuan Yuan Lang used telepathy and saw how serious Hua Qian Gu was injured at this point, their hearts raw with pain, not caring anything, they killed like they had gone insane. However, there was a limit to Xuan Yuan Lang’s strength, Sha Qian Mo was already heavily injured from fighting with Bai Zi Hua, and Sheng Xiao Mo was too powerful, the two of them worked together but were still at a disadvantage.
Seeing Hua Qian Gu suffering from the nails, Bai Zi Hua volunteering to accept the punishment, Sheng Xiao Mo was a little confused. The two sides were equal to each other, it was difficult to tell who was winning. Mo Yan suddenly appeared, sneakily attacked Sha Qian Mo and Xuan Yuan Lang. He quietly encased the two of them in a barrier of light, forcing the demon realm and the human realm to retreat. The groups headed by Chun Qiu Bu Bai and Lie Xing Yun could only fall back temporarily.
“Mo Yan! You’re a cheater!” Sha Qian Mo was filled with hatred, screaming continuously, acting the opposite of his usual elegant demeanor.
Mo Yan snorted coldly: “Dealing with demons, there is no need to play by the rules.”
“Release her!” Xuan Yuan Lang was authoritative, his full blown arrogance startled Mo Yan.
“Your Majesty, why associate with demons because of a girl, becoming an enemy of the immortal realm, your teacher would be very disappointed if he knew.”
“Don’t use my teacher to pressure me! You’ve punished her! I don’t care if she’s right or wrong! Release her now!”
Mo Yan shook his head, turning away: “If even Your Majesty is so stubborn, do not blame me for being disrespectful. Disciples, take them in!”
No matter how loudly the two of them screamed and yelled, Mo Yan ignored them. To not destabilize the realms, thinking of the big picture so he could not harm them, but he would keep them as hostages to prevent the demons from stirring up more trouble.
“Great sect senior! How is Bai Zi Hua?!” Sheng Xiao Mo anxiously looked at him, 64 Xiao Hun nails in total! Even with their power, it was still difficult to endure the nails. Yet Bai Zi Hua actually……
Mo Yan was somber, shaking his head.
The two of them flew back to Tan Lan Hall, but Bai Zi Hua was no longer on the chaise.
The door of the prison opened, the lock fell on the ground, Bai Zi Hua staggered inside.
Hua Qian Gu was laying unconsciously on the straws in a corner. The disciples who brought her here could not bear to see this, disobeying the order, they helped to stop her blood loss.
He could not explain the emotions in his heart, he was a High Immortal in the immortal realm, but he could not protect his disciple, how ironic.
He walked up to her, carefully checked her injury, all her tendons that were cut were beginning to heal like he expected. She no longer had any internal energy, her strength was not as strong as humans, others would be surprised if they knew.
Although he destroyed the energy he transferred to her over the years, the power of the Demon God was still sealed within her body, and her body was of a god so she could not die easily. Even knowing this, when he raised the sword, Bai Zi Hua could not help but trembled, this was the disciple he lovingly raised and taught over the years, she was not a stranger.
Bai Zi Hua touched her head, seeing she was in a coma but still gripping the two bells.
Wrong is wrong, no matter the reasons. Xiao Gu, I know your heart is grieved, if you want to blame someone, then blame me……
Hua Qian Gu felt as if someone was doing something to her body, an icy layer was gently and slowly sweeping over her wounds, the pain and burning immediately decreased by half. Then an endless flow of internal energy poured into her, warming her heart and organs.
She tiredly opened her eyes, looking at the white shadow in front of her, but she could not see who it was.
Teacher? Could it be Teacher?
Her body trembled slightly under his hands, shrinking smaller.
Bai Zi Hua thought she was cold, quickly dressed her, carefully and gently held her in his arms like holding a porcelain doll.
The one hundred and one sword wounds all over her body stung his eyes. How did he do it?
“I want Hua Hua……” Nan Wu Yue would not stop crying, Tang Bao could not calm him down no matter what.
“How’s Gu Tou mama?” Tang Bao was distressed, it felt worried and uncomfortable.
Dong Fang Yu Qing smiled reassuringly, patting Nan Wu Yue’s head, the child soon closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“Don’t worry, Gu Tou is fine now.” He sighed, Bai Zi Hua did not disappoint him.
Not even considering whether he wanted to or not, given his personality he would not allow his disciple’s soul to be destroyed. He chose to err gravely, acting against his principles, secretly sealed the power of the Demon God inside her body, which was why he could not watch her die. On the other hand, knowing Nan Wu Yue was not the Demon God, he still allowed the boy to take the blame for Gu Tou. This was probably a temporary plan, he would try to postpone Nan Wu Yue’s execution, that way the boy would not be killed. This showed how important Gu Tou was in his heart, so important that Bai Zi Hua whose heart was made of ice chose to forget everything just so he could protect her.
Dong Fang Yu Qing sighed lightly, as if seeing Hua Qian Gu moving further and further away from him.
Gu Tou, perhaps the things he forsaken, the people he betrayed, the price he would have to pay would be many times worse compared to you……
Sheng Xiao Mo put the Emotionless sword on the table in front of him.
Bai Zi Hua closed his eyes and did not glance at it, he was already extremely weak, and he lost a lot of internal energy treating Hua Qian Gu, his face was scarily pale.
“Your sword.” Sheng Xiao Mo was distressed that he endured the remaining 64 Xiao Hun nails for Hua Qian Gu, but was a little happy he did it. Knowing each other for many years, Sheng Xiao Mo knew this sect senior’s personality well, he was not indifferent like he pretended to be in front of everyone. He always protected the people he cared for as best as he could, like when he protected Sheng Xiao Mo when they were little. He never said anything no matter how much he suffered.
“Throw it away.” Bai Zi Hua was still in meditation, not bothering to open his eyes.
“Our Teacher gave it to you, you always had it with you when you became Sect Leader, have you not always loved it?”
“I do not love anything in this world, just let everything be. Not to mention it is now an ordinary sword, what can it do?”
“If you gave it to Hua Qian Gu then it is hers, we cannot throw it away because you said so.”
Bai Zi Hua did not reply.
Sheng Xiao Mo sighed quietly: “I know you deliberately hurt her, you must know that perhaps she would not hate you or understand your pain.”
“I do not know what you mean, please leave, I want to rest.”
Sheng Xiao Mo reluctantly shook his head: “You are wrong because you are so smart, why must you know everything?”
He walked out and closed the door, the Emotionless sword already lost its aura, its spirituality gone, it was now just a piece of scrap metal on the table. Bai Zi Hua opened his eyes and looked at it for a few seconds, a few images flashed in his mind. He sighed deeply, then closed his eyes.