Chapter 270: The Most Cruel Punishment

In just a moment, a large group of Dao Yi Sect disciples swarmed into the cookhouse, surrounding Xiu Ling.

Seeing the many Dao Yi Sect disciples all around, Xiu Ling swallowed nervously and said.

"Um... senior brothers, I... I just couldn't resist, it smelled too good."

By this point, Xiu Ling didn't dare to make excuses anymore, but frankly admitted it.

Hearing that, the disciples stared at her fixedly, without answering.

Just as Xiu Ling panicked, Lu Youyou walked out from the rear courtyard.

"Xiu Ling."

"Sister Youyou."

The two obviously knew each other, and appeared to be on good terms.

Seeing Lu Youyou, Xiu Ling breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to her side.

"Come on, the master wants to see you."

Smiling, she said to Xiu Ling; hearing that, although she felt a bit timid, it was clear she had no right to refuse.

"All right, disperse. It's late, no cultivation tonight."

After saying that to the disciples, Lu Youyou took Xiu Ling to the rear courtyard, and the disciples, seeing this, quickly dispersed.

All the way to Hong Zun and Shi Song's room, at this moment Zhao Zhengping, Zhao Rou, Xu Jie, Zhong Ling, and others were present.

Brought into the room, Xiu Ling looked like a well-behaved child, head lowered, not daring to look around.

Shi Song, however, smiled kindly.

"No need to be so nervous; we won't do anything."

"Senior, I... I really couldn't help myself, so..."

"I understand, but sneaking in at midnight like this is basically no different from being a thief, right?"

Shi Song said slowly; being regarded as a petty thief, Xiu Ling became anxious.

"I didn't... no, I didn't mean to steal anything; I just wanted to smell the aroma."

"I know, so you don't need to be so nervous; we won't do anything to you, it's just that we have a small favor we'd like you to help with."

"Help?"

Hearing this, Xiu Ling finally lifted her head and cautiously looked at Shi Song; as a lowly disciple, what could she possibly help with?

Seeing Xiu Ling's puzzled expression, Shi Song didn't beat around the bush and spoke directly.

"Actually, I have always liked your master; it's a pity that your master is a Buddhist cultivator, so I hope you can help me persuade your master to return to secular life."

"What?"

Hearing that, Xiu Ling was dumbfounded; having her help her master return to secular life? That would be tantamount to betraying her master, wouldn't it?

She immediately shook her head, without the slightest hesitation.

"No, no, I cannot betray my master."

Seeing this, Shi Song patiently persuaded.

"How could this be betrayal? On the contrary, you're actually helping your master."

"Helped the master?"

The little girl grew even more confused; this time Hong Zun opened his mouth to respond.

"Not bad; think for yourself—is our Dao Yi Sect stronger, or the Withered Wood Hermitage stronger?"

"Definitely the Dao Yi Sect."

The two are utterly incomparable; seeing this, Hong Zun nodded and continued.

"Then do you think it's better to cultivate in the Dao Yi Sect or in the Withered Wood Hermitage?"

"Dao Yi Sect."

"Then would you rather see your master spend her final years alone and lonely, or have someone accompany her?"

"Um... having someone accompany her would be better."

"Then that's settled—by helping us, you're essentially helping your master."

Hong Zun began to coax again, and Xiu Ling soon found herself bewildered by his words.

It actually sounded somewhat reasonable.

Seeing Xiu Ling fall into thought, Hong Zun smiled faintly; this yellow-haired girl, could she still escape his palm?

He had thought it was settled, but the next second, Xiu Ling gradually came to her senses.

"No, my master is a Buddhist cultivator who deeply reveres the Dharma; if I helped you, she would surely be displeased, so I cannot agree."

"No matter how you put it, this is still betraying my master—no, absolutely not."

Xiu Ling was very filial to Master Juéqíng; seeing this, Hong Zun frowned slightly, while also feeling a twinge of envy.

"Look, this is what a disciple should be like; look at the ones I've taken in—what are they even?"

He glanced disapprovingly at Zhao Zhengping and the others; "People compared to people make you angry—why is there such a huge gap among disciples?"

"Others are loyal to their master, but these damned wretches would love to drag him into a pit of death—a bunch of rebellious disciples."

"Bewildered by the glare, Xu Jie and the others stared, wondering what happened—we didn't say anything."

"You can't convince Xiu Ling yourself, so you're taking it out on us?"

"I won't look anymore; the more I see these rebellious disciples, the angrier I get. Turning to Xiu Ling, Hong Zun continued his coaxing."

"If you help us, you'll definitely get your benefits."

"No, I will absolutely not betray my master."

"Then all that's left is to talk about your nighttime intrusion into the Dao Yi Sect's encampment—you know, in the Dao Yi Sect this would land you in jail."

"Even if thrown into jail, I would not betray my master."

After a series of threats and enticements, Xiu Ling this little girl simply refused to agree, shaking her head like a rattle drum.

She would not yield to either soft or hard tactics; no matter what Hong Zun said, she simply would not betray her master, nor would she help Hong Zun and the others deal with her own master.

In the end, Hong Zun himself became exasperated.

"Hey, you little girl, why are you so impervious to persuasion? Can't you understand what I'm saying?"

"Senior, please calm down; I really cannot betray my master."

"Do you believe it or not, I'll deal with you, damn it."

"Even if you deal with me, I will not betray my master."

Xiu Ling refused to agree to anything, and with a look of contempt for death, this made Hong Zun so angry he blew his beard and glared.

This seemingly smart little girl is just obstinate; she doesn't understand anything you say.

Seeing Hong Zun becoming increasingly agitated, Xu Jie hurried forward.

"Master, please calm down; with your stature, how can you be angry with a junior? If word gets out, it won't do your reputation any good."

"Get lost, look at others, then look at you lot—a bunch of troublemakers constantly scheming against the master."

Although it was meant as consolation, he was instead scolded from head to toe; Xu Jie, however, was not angry and still spoke with a smile.

"Master, why not hand her over to me? I will surely be able to persuade her."

"You?"

He gave Xu Jie a doubtful look, full of disbelief.

"Master, just trust me this once; tomorrow morning I will definitely be able to persuade her."

Xu Jie thumped his chest in assurance; seeing this, Hong Zun had no better option for the time being, so he nodded and agreed, letting this brat give it a try.

Afterwards, Xiu Ling was taken to Xu Jie's room and tied to a chair; upon this, Xiu Ling felt a little panicked and spoke timidly.

"Third Senior Brother, what are you going to do?"

"What do you mean? Junior Sister, since you refuse to cooperate, I, as the senior brother, naturally have only recourse to punishment."

"Punishment?"

"Yes, the Dao Yi Sect's most severe punishment—how about it, Junior Sister, is it not too late to regret now?"

"Senior Brother, I really cannot betray my master; why not release me and pretend I never came today?"

"That won't do; either you help us, or don't blame me for being ruthless."