Chapter 184: The Furnace Vessel That Vents Malice: Keep Your Loyalty to Your Husband

"Master, I have brought Wan Wu'er!"

Ning Xiaoxiu stepped forward and said to Ning Mu with great enthusiasm.

Then.

She turned her head, looked at the cautious, hesitant, terrified, and extremely uneasy Wan Wu'er, and her expression suddenly changed. She frowned and snorted coldly: "Slut, why haven't you knelt down to greet the Master yet?"

Her attitude shifted from respectful to arrogant so quickly it was astonishing.

It left Liu Xiaoya and the others stunned.

Especially.

When they saw the prison-style Wan Wu'er, who was once the high and mighty Mother of a Sect, now reduced to this state of a prisoner.

And looking at her haggard expression, it was clear she had been tortured quite a bit by Ning Xiaoxiu.

However, looking closely, there were not many scars visible on the skin Wan Wu'er had exposed.

It seemed no severe torture had taken place.

But that made sense.

If this delicate, exquisite body were covered in scars, wouldn't it lose its beauty, and how would Xiaoxiu be able to present her to the Young Master? Bound by iron chains, shackles, and a wooden neck-board, Wan Wu'er heard Ning Xiaoxiu's reprimand, and a hint of longing appeared in her miserable and resentful eyes, as if she were begging Ning Xiaoxiu not to let her lose face in front of so many people.

It also seemed as if she wanted to awaken the mother-daughter bond she once had with Ning Xiaoxiu.

But what her miserable eyes received in return was not the gentle Xiaoman she had imagined, but Ning Xiaoxiu, whose face had turned cold and whose eyes held a hint of annoyance.

"What are you looking at me for! Why haven't you knelt down yet?"

Ning Xiaoxiu tugged on the chains and scolded unhappily.

Wan Wu'er's expression changed slightly, and she trembled subconsciously, then pursed her lips; though unwilling, her knees went weak and she knelt down.

The iron chains, wooden neck-board, and shackles clattered as they collided.

However, she did not speak, but as if out of spite, she knelt and bowed her head without saying a word.

"Are you mute?"

Ning Xiaoxiu was even more annoyed.

This woman was making her lose face in front of the Master; it was too much.

She immediately kicked out at her.

"Slut, did you forget how I taught you? I think you need some conditioning; if you don't behave, I'll punish you with three days without food and no permission to urinate!"

Ning Xiaoxiu snorted coldly and scolded.

She wasn't wearing shoes, so the kick didn't hurt, but the humiliation was greater.

Wan Wu'er was kicked over, and upon hearing the punishment, she was so frightened that she immediately got back up and knelt on the ground, the wooden neck-board around her neck pressing directly into the floor. Feeling quite aggrieved, she said in a muffled voice: "The, the lowly maid Wan Wu'er greets the Master, greets all the Mistresses..."

"This lowly maid swears here that from now on, I view myself as the Master's Furnace Vessel, to serve the Master."

Wan Wu'er's expression was filled with deep shame and anger.

But these days of torture by Ning Xiaoxiu had driven her to the brink of madness.

At the thought of being starved for another three days and having to hold her urine while being watched at all times, she felt unbearable shame and anger, and had no choice but to submit.

"Remember, the Ning family has a strict hierarchy. Among everyone present, your status is the lowest. You are a lowly vessel. Being able to have the fortune to bear the Master's grace is your honor as a Furnace Vessel, do you understand?"

Ning Xiaoxiu stared down at Wan Wu'er from above, her expression filled with arrogance, glaring at Wan Wu'er as she bossed her around.

Then.

She looked at Ning Mu again and said with a fawning smile: "Master, please enjoy her to your heart's content. You can do whatever you want to her, however you want~"

The speed at which the expression on her face changed was amazing.

And Wan Wu'er, who was lying on the ground supporting her body weight with the wooden neck-board, stared at the floor with a desolate expression and said with shame and anger: "This lowly maid remembers..."

"Repeat it!"

Ning Xiaoxiu said immediately.

Wan Wu'er was startled.

It wasn't just her.

Even Ning Mu was a bit stunned.

This Xiaoxiu, she's getting better and better at playing these games!

This whole routine, it's just something else; it truly captures my heart! Ning Mu couldn't help but give Ning Xiaoxiu a thumbs up to praise her.

"This lowly maid Wan Wu'er is fortunate to have entered the Ning family's gate, it is a great honor. In the Ning family, this lowly maid's status is the lowest, I am but a lowly vessel. Being able to have the fortune to bear the Master's grace is this lowly maid Wan Wu'er's honor as a Furnace Vessel..."

Wan Wu'er's eyes were filled with shame and despair, and her slightly withered face was as red as the morning clouds, filled with shame.

But, whether out of a "broken pot" mentality or something else, she didn't hesitate and said it out loud.

Ning Xiaoxiu nodded with satisfaction, "Good, be a good girl~"

Saying this.

She looked at Ning Mu and said happily, inviting credit: "Master, you can enjoy her now~"

"Young Master, then we will go prepare lunch~"

Liu Xiaoya and the other women followed suit and bowed to take their leave.

Liuli raised her eyebrows slightly, then looked at Ning Mu thoughtfully, and after lifting her brows, said: "Husband, enjoy yourself, I'm going to check on the Martial Hall training."

Having said that, Liuli also excused herself and left.

She knew that her husband wanted to vent all the evil and hostility suppressed in his heart onto Wan Wu'er! At such a moment, he naturally needed to be left with enough space and time.

She currently served as the Head of the Ritual Hall and concurrently held the position of Drillmaster.

She had specifically integrated the Arhat Staff Technique from the Buddha Gate into the military formation methods, allowing her subordinates in the Martial Hall to practice it, which could double the power of the staff technique.

Once everyone had left.

On this second-floor terrace, only Ning Mu, Ning Xiaoxiu, and Wan Wu'er, who was wearing the wooden neck-board and shackles, remained.

There is more.

That little fox, Su Youyou, hiding in the corner of the third floor, secretly peeking at the floor below.

Watching Wan Wu'er, who was kneeling on the ground in a state of pure prison-like submission.

Ning Mu immediately stopped being coy and directly lifted the cool robe he was wearing.

Then, he thrust upward.

"If you dare to bite, I will knock out all your teeth!"

Ning Xiaoxiu, who was to the side, hurriedly spoke up to remind him, glaring vigilantly at Wan Wu'er, fearing she might do something foolish.

Fortunately, Wan Wu'er valued her own life extremely highly.

Coupled with the conditioning she had received over these days, she dared not resist at all, and like a wooden puppet, she let Ning Mu do as he pleased.

……

After Yang Yanqiu left the second floor.

She went straight to the backyard to pack her belongings. After packing her luggage, she put on her clothes and wrapped herself up tightly; except for her delicate, pretty face and slender, fair hands, every other part of her was covered.

Once dressed neatly and certain that nothing was left behind.

She walked out of the room to look for the Great Matriarch, Liu Qingmei.

Not seeing anyone on the drill ground, she headed toward the Public Treasury.

She met the Second Matriarch, Tong Yuyue, who was organizing account books in the Public Treasury. After paying her respects, Tong Yuyue told her to go look at the Gu Family Ironware Workshop.

In recent days, the Gu Family Ironware Workshop had been crafting a batch of Wuji.

To supply the men of their own Mountain Stronghold.

Of course, it was not free. The old master of the Gu Family and Gu Qizhang both said they would not charge, but after all, there was an agreement from the beginning: upon coming up the mountain, their livelihood was their own.

Although the threat to Yunxiao Stronghold had now been lifted, the Gu Family could have completely moved down the mountain.

But they did not go down.

What should be given still had to be given.

After hearing the location from the Second Matriarch, Yang Yanqiu immediately hurried toward the Gu Family's location.

Sure enough.

In the small courtyard of the Gu Family, she saw the Great Matriarch, Liu Qingmei.

In the courtyard.

There were six or seven full rows of weapon display racks, each capable of holding dozens of weapons.

Blades, spears, swords, halberds, axes, battle-axes, hooks, and forks—basically, they had them all.

However, they were merely rough products that had not yet been completely finished or shaped, awaiting further tempering.

But the vast majority were blades and spears.

At this moment.

Liu Qingmei was in front of a display rack, gripping a Stranger Blade that had not yet been sharpened or fitted with a handle. She slashed down, and a sound like the air being torn apart exploded in her ears, causing everyone who heard it to look horrified. Just as Yang Yanqiu, led by the Gu Family boy, entered the courtyard.

She happened to witness the scene of her slashing a blade toward the entrance.

Even.

She faintly felt a wisp of blade Qi rushing straight toward her forehead.

If this strike had carried hostility, she would likely have been split in two already.

Clearly, Liu Qingmei's cultivation had reached the peak of perfection; even though the blade Qi rushed toward her face, it vanished into nothingness the instant it made contact.

But even though it vanished, Yang Yanqiu's body still shuddered violently, and a booming sound still echoed in her ears.

"Great Matriarch... your servant Yang Yanqiu pays her respects, I have a matter to report."

Yang Yanqiu hurriedly cupped her hands and bowed.

With Gu family members and workshop craftsmen around, she followed the terms of the contract and did not perform the full master-servant kowtow.

"Hmm? Why have you come over?"

Liu Qingmei raised an eyebrow, turned around to toss the Stranger Blade in her hand to a craftsman waiting nearby, and nodded, instructing: "Not bad. Make fifty of these Stranger Blades; the specifications, dimensions, and hardness should all match this one."

The craftsman nodded, accepted the order, and left.

According to her husband's wishes, she had already begun to organize a Stranger Blade squad.

A fifty-man Stranger Blade squad, after undergoing rigorous training and mastering the methods of formation combat, would possess significant pressure and deterrence, whether in charging through battle lines or in small-scale brawls!

Once the craftsman left to communicate with the owner, Gu Qizhang, to arrange materials and forging matters.

Liu Qingmei picked up a twelve-foot-long spear and thrust it forward violently.

A whistling sound of air being pierced rose up suddenly.

At the same time, she looked at Yang Yanqiu and said, "What is the matter? Speak."

Yang Yanqiu felt apprehensive and very uneasy.

But she still nervously told Liu Qingmei everything about the matters Ning Mu had instructed, as well as the hatred regarding Liuli Shitai.

Hearing Yang Yanqiu say that it was her husband who arranged for her to return to the Sun Moon Divine Sect to secretly investigate the Blood Blade Hall's affairs for Liuli, Liu Qingmei could not help but slightly furrow her brows.

It was not that she was unwilling to help Liuli take revenge.

On the contrary.

As sisters, both being women by her husband's side.

She fully agreed with this arrangement.

If the investigation were completed, she would also personally step in to help Liuli wash away her hatred! But what she worried about was.

Whether this Yang Yanqiu before her had truly surrendered her heart to her husband.

If this were merely a perfunctory excuse to escape Ningyang Stronghold, once she left the stronghold, she would be like a clay ox entering the sea, perhaps even leading the Sun Moon Divine Sect to become an enemy of Ningyang Stronghold—what would happen then? Would that not be losing both the lady and the soldiers?

She could not help but knit her brows slightly, placing the long spear back onto the display rack.

After pondering for a long while, she soon reached a decision.

Since this was an order already issued by her husband, she could not disregard his face.

Thinking back, over these past days, Yang Yanqiu had often been taken to sleep with her husband.

Sometimes even throughout the entire night.

She had long since been molded into her husband's shape.

It was estimated that she had already truly submitted.

But one always fears the unexpected in all things; there must be some measures to guard against her having a divided heart.

Coupled with the Life-Crossing Sentiment-Asking Pill as an aid, only then could it be secure.

"Follow me!"

Liu Qingmei left the Gu Family courtyard with an expressionless face.

Yang Yanqiu hurriedly followed with quick steps, her heart filled with trepidation and unease, not knowing if the Great Matriarch would agree.

Very soon.

Liu Qingmei and Yang Yanqiu returned to the backyard of the main hall.

They entered Yang Yanqiu's room.

"Close the door."

Liu Qingmei signaled for Yang Yanqiu to close the door.

Yang Yanqiu did not understand why, but she still obeyed and locked the door tight.

Then, she turned back to look at Liu Qingmei with anxiety and unease.

"Great Matriarch..."

Liu Qingmei signaled for her to sit down and said indifferently: "With the Poison Pill inside your body, plus this contract, this Mistress is not worried that you will go back on your word after leaving the stronghold."

"But after all, besides being the husband's private slave, your other identity is the wife of the Sun Moon Divine Sect leader."

"You have been away from home for many days; upon your return this time, there is no guarantee that Yin Qingcang will not engage in carnal acts with you. If he forces you, hindered by sentiment, this Mistress fears you might half-heartedly comply."

"Therefore, this Mistress must take a measure to preserve your chastity, and also to preserve your loyalty to the husband!"

Hearing the Great Matriarch speak of her husband Yin Qingcang, Yang Yanqiu's heart suddenly tightened.

With a thud, she knelt directly on the ground.

She was about to swear an oath to mark her heart and promise that she would never let Yin Qingcang overstep his bounds by even a fraction, so as not to insult her master's reputation.

But hearing the second half of the Great Matriarch's words, she could not help but feel moved.

It was indeed so.

She dared not guarantee that if Yin Qingcang forced her, she would not, hindered by their past marital ties, half-heartedly submit.

And the Great Matriarch's final sentence made her understand that this measure must be taken.

Not only to put the Great Matriarch and her master at ease.

But even more so to make herself feel more secure, to avoid a moment of soft-heartedness that would lead to a grave mistake.

Immediately.

She nodded firmly, her attitude sincere and solemn, and looking up at Liu Qingmei, she said: "The Great Matriarch speaks with reason; this slave will obey. May I ask what kind of measure it is?"

"This slave does know of a secret method in the martial arts world that can cause a woman's monthly cycle to cease. But I do not know the specific technique..."

Yang Yanqiu pondered, frowning slightly, as if recalling that secret martial arts method.

Seeing Yang Yanqiu's attitude was so devout.

Liu Qingmei could not help but smile, feeling a bit more at ease in her heart.

But she still kept a straight face, stretched out her hand, and flipped her palm; one could see in her palm an object that looked like silver and iron, presenting an inverted triangular hollow shape.

In the middle was a hard, long, oval-shaped iron ring, and this iron ring presented a half-moon arc.

At the center of the arc, there was a circular ring linked to it.

In the middle of the circular ring, an iron rod lay horizontally.

This iron ring was about half the thickness of a little finger and looked extremely hard.

And at the two ends of the long oval iron ring were silver chains with a soft texture, engraved with patterns.

The ends of the silver chains were linked ring by ring.

And on those silver chains, there were two locks the size of fingernails, with keys on them.

Yang Yanqiu could not help but be stunned, looking at Liu Qingmei in bewilderment.

What is this object?

Liu Qingmei held the silver-like, iron-like silver chains, unfolded them, and then gestured in front of Yang Yanqiu.

Yang Yanqiu was stunned for a moment.

But immediately, she understood what this object was!

"Wearing this, it is very convenient for you to use the latrine or wash yourself in your daily life."

"But if someone desires to force themselves upon you, with this object blocking, they will be unable to enter. You will also be able to resist, and only in this way can you preserve your loyalty to the husband."

Liu Qingmei stared at Yang Yanqiu, her expression calm as she spoke.

Yang Yanqiu's face could not help but flush red, looking incomparably beautiful, and her eyes flickered with unspeakable shame.

However, a trace of doubt still flashed in her eyes.

If one ignored the curved long ring at the bottom, these silver chain links were actually quite good-looking; they must be highly decorative, and after wearing them, she would surely be even more beautiful and moving.

It was just that this looked like it would break with a single pull.

Could it really serve as a defense?

(End of chapter)