Chapter 303: Her Cruel Prank

Jiang Lian’s face was a pale mess after the elders stormed off. “T-Tong Tong, what were they talking about?”

His voice was strained. For the past few days, he had been acting overly pompous and arrogant due to his daughter’s fame. Even the well-respected elders had to bow down to him, which further inflated his ego. His arrogance explained why he had the guts to lead a bunch of goons all the way to Peace Manor.

But, what happened to these elders today? Why were they so openly hostile toward Jiang Tong?

Jiang Lian felt that there was something off about this. What the elder said at the end sent chills up his spine. Turning around, he looked at his beloved daughter and asked with a trembling voice, “Did you do something bad this time?”

At this point, Jiang Tong couldn’t care less about Jiang Lian. Her face was completely drained of color and her expression was that of complete disbelief. Picking up her phone, she intended to dial a number with her shaking fingers but before she could do so, the middle of her palm suddenly started emitting dark smoke. In the next moment, everything turned into ash.

“No, no, that wouldn’t happen…” Jiang Tong watched her phone crumble apart as darkness filled her vision. She was on the brink of losing consciousness but in the nick of time, she bit down on the tip of her tongue. All of a sudden, her mouth was filled with the distinct metallic taste of blood. This way, she would not fall unconscious. If that were to happen though, she’d go past the point of return.

Although that person no longer cared about her, she was still known to many as god’s descendant. As long as she possessed this title, she would still be undefeated.

Her mind calmed down when she reminded herself of this. She slumped down onto her chair and tried to take a sip of tea that was on the table.

However, her hand was shaking so badly that despite multiple attempts, she was unable to complete the simple act of picking up a teacup. Finally, she gave up and loosened her grip.

She remained in a state of fear throughout the night, even though no one came knocking on her door. Jiang Tong could not calm down and in fact, the more she tried to do so, the more she panicked. The image of the fuming elder and his bloodshot eyes kept replaying in her mind.

It had been less than twenty-four hours and yet the effects of the elders’ threats had taken its toll on her body. She now seemed more like a dried-up twig than a human.

Just as she was about to break down, the great elder of the Jiang family finally made his appearance. Listlessly, Jiang Tong took a good look at the great elder before letting out a great sigh of relief.

“Jiang Tong, Master Dubhe would like to meet you.” The great elder felt no sympathy for Jiang Tong despite noticing her deteriorating condition up close.

Jiang Tong peered up at him as the corner of her mouth twitched. Silently, she trailed behind the great elder.

Deep down in her heart, she knew that she was about to face her final judgment.

The two of them entered the chamber one after the other. A figure stood in front of the long table, facing away from them. He had a lanky stature and the tan coat he was wearing further highlighted how thin he was. The man also had very long hair that was the color of concentrated black ink.

“Master Dubhe.” The great elder bowed slightly. “Jiang Tong has arrived.”

The man snapped out of his reverie. He turned around and watched these two from afar. In the end, his eyes zeroed in on Jiang Tong.

“As I have predicted.” A moment later, Dubhe looked down and chuckled to himself quietly. As he had predicted, the familiar aura that he had felt in Jiang Tong had already faded. He did not need any more explanation from Gu Xiqiao. He had a pretty good grasp of what was happening right now.

He narrowed his eyes and in the next second, he reappeared right in front of Jiang Tong’s face. His slender fingers were now tightly wrapped around her throat.

Jiang Tong’s eyes widened. All of a sudden, she could not draw out the chi in her body. Her face turned beet red as the circulation of aura within her was cut off abruptly. She could feel her body being physically lifted off the ground.

“Tell me, how did you manage to produce the aura of a master?” There was not a single ounce of emotion on Dubhe’s face. He did not seem to care about the fact that Jiang Tong’s life was hanging on a thread. In fact, there was a sadistic glow in his eyes, as if he enjoyed watching Jiang Tong struggle.

Her aura gradually weakened as she stared at Dubhe with a horrified expression. She could feel her life slowly seep away from her body. She had no idea why Dubhe was acting this way. Her mouth opened and closed, but not a single word was produced.

“Master Dubhe,” the elder raised his hand. Although he feared Dubhe, he felt compelled to intervene. “Young Master Jiang has specifically ordered for her to be kept alive. An explanation to the ancient martial arts world is needed from her for the sins she has committed.” This situation would be hard to deal with if she was to die here.

Dubhe contemplated for a moment before loosening his grip on Jiang Tong’s neck. In the next instant, she collapsed onto the ground limply. Reaching up, she rubbed her sore neck as she coughed and struggled for her breath. “I… I am the descendant of god.”

“Descendant?” Dubhe stared down at Jiang Tong with eyes filled with disgust. “Your body is pervading with an evil aura, and you still think you’re worthy of that title?”

Shocked, Jiang Tong looked up at Dubhe.

All the things she had done up until this point was because of the words Dubhe had uttered. Descendant of god! Because of this title, no one dared to mess with her, let alone threaten her life. She thought she stood on the same plane as Jiang Shuxuan, or even Dubhe himself!

Dubhe was not going to let that slide. Today, he stamped out whatever sparks were left of that hope. She would never be the descendant of god!

This realization hit Jiang Tong like a train. Dumbfoundedly, she sat there on the floor, unable to return to her senses.

“So, what are your plans for dealing with her?” asked Dubhe.

The great elder shook his head. “I will await Young Master Jiang’s orders.”

Jiang Shuxuan? Dubhe remained silent for a moment before he turned around and left. Knowing Jiang Shuxuan, Jiang Tong was already as good as dead; seeking forgiveness from him was like getting blood from a stone.

It was only after Dubhe had left that the great elder shifted his gaze over to Jiang Tong, who finally snapped out of her mental daze. She clung desperately onto the great elder’s legs. “Great Elder, please save me, I beg of you! I still have so much left to live! I don’t want to die yet, Great Elder!”

Tears were flowing uncontrollably down her face as she bawled her eyes out.

The great elder looked down at the girl whom he had been watching since she was a baby girl. Despite that, something about her made him feel as if they were nothing but strangers. “Master Dubhe had already given you the title of ‘Descendant of God’. You should’ve just stayed put. Maybe if you did that, you’d still possess that title today. What a shame, you were too foolish for your own good. All you had in your mind were plots to bring down Miss Gu. If you played your part well, be the good little descendant of god that you were, not only would Miss Gu not care to make this whole screw up public, but she may likely let you live a life of decadence! Your plotted to burn her at the stake has blown up right in your face. You should have known what she did prior to her appearance in our world. Ten of you could work together against her and she’d still be able to bring you down. You are an utter fool!”

Jiang Tong collapsed onto the ground when she heard the great elder’s unforgiving response. The feeling of regret swelled up in her heart and the great elder’s words shook her to her core. The thought of her mischievous plan being exposed to the world at large created an indescribable feeling in her heart.

Maybe, Gu Xiqiao had already known what she was plotting from the very beginning? If that’s the case then that girl must be an incredibly terrifying person!

The great elder’s words echoed in her mind. All the misdeeds she had committed replayed in her mind. Her hands and feet turned icy cold. If she did not suddenly become aware that she was playing under Gu Xiqiao’s watchful eyes all this while then the life she lived would’ve been for nothing.

Dazed, she sat on the ground, laughing and sobbing.

The great elder casually waved his hand when he saw the state Jiang Tong was in. Shortly after, she was brought away by two men.

Now that death was imminent, how could Jiang Tong possibly allow these people to manhandle her? She felt like a coiled-up spring, ready to explode at any moment’s notice when she felt these men clamp down on her wrist. She had already reached level 64 on the Trial Tower and was already a master at swordplay. She could take on these two insects and the great elder at the same time!

Unsheathing her soft sword that was hanging on her waist, she unhesitatingly swiped her blade at the men’s’ throats. The aura from this single slice was so aggressive that it almost tore open a hole in their space.

“How dare you, Jiang Tong!” The great elder’s eyes widened.

She had already been forced into a corner, so why not? Jiang Tong glared at the great elder as she tightened her grip on the hilt of her blade. No mercy this time.

Her blade, however, stopped mid-air before she could bring it across their throats.

“Bring her out, Great Elder.” An icy-cold voice sounded right next to her. “Gather the families of the victims and bring them here.”

Jiang Tong’s blade was lodged between his fingers. A loud clang could be heard as the blade was tossed aside like a matchstick. After that, he proceeded to pull out a snow-white napkin which he used to wipe clean his fingers which made contact with her blade. Like Dubhe from before, his face was completely devoid of any emotion.

The great elder nodded and using his eyes, he ordered two unharmed men to bring Jiang Tong away.

This time, Jiang Tong felt as if someone had struck at her meridian point. Unable to move, she was effortlessly brought away.

With her arms folded across her chest, Gu Xiqiao leaned lazily against the doorway, watching as Jiang Tong was led away. She paid no heed to the furious glare the fugitive was giving her. After all, it would not be long before she disappeared from her life forever.

“Great Elder, your men are rather weak,” commented Gu Xiqiao. They were unable to handle Jiang Tong. What if someone stronger than Jiang Tong were to appear in the future?

“…”

The great elder was embarrassed by her statement. ‘Although you’re speaking the truth, can you not phrase it that way? I’m too old and too exhausted to put up with this anymore.’

Gu Xiqiao silently smiled at the great elder.

She waited for Jiang Shuxuan to pick up something before leaving the Elders’ Association together.

The great elder froze up when he saw just what Jiang Shuxuan was here for. He remained in that state for a moment before returning to his senses.

***

“Brother Jiang, you have to thank Yi Tong for this whole thing.” Gu Xiqiao sang praise for Yi Tong as they strolled along. “He was the one who dug up evidence of Jiang Tong casting curses on the poor helpless heirs!”

“No.” Jiang Shuxuan’s response was calm. “It was me who gave him that information.”

“…”

***

The method which Jiang Tong had used to prey on the young talents of the ancient martial arts world was too cruel. The victims’ families all signed a petition to have Jiang Tong tried publicly. Her fanatical admirers from a couple of days ago now harbored nothing but hatred toward her. No matter where one went, killing one’s peers was something unanimously unacceptable. To atone for her wrongdoings, she was left in the harshest, cruelest detention facility of the ancient martial arts world. Jiang Shuxuan entered this place once, to allow Xixi to imbue her body with an inextinguishable flame. From time to time, medical personnel would be sent in to treat her wounds, which otherwise would have been fatal.

Hadn’t she planned to burn Gu Xiqiao at the stake? If that’s so, then she would continue to suffer continuously for day and night the pain of being burned alive! She must be taught what it feels like to suffer a fate worse than death!

The situation in the ancient martial arts world was equally grim. After this incident, the young talents who had been infected by Jiang Tong’s evil aura saw their condition worsen by the day.

Their families were going crazy. They searched high and low throughout the ancient martial arts world for a healer but to no avail. In the end, they had to rely on Divine Doctor Rong. Unfortunately, the man was constantly drunk and his speech was unintelligible. With no other options, they had to resort to his disciple, Zhu Yuan.

Zhu Yuan knew what these people were here for. He pulled out a napkin and wiped his hands clean while telling them, “There is only one person who can save your children.”

“Who?” A spark returned to the elders’ eyes when they heard that there was still someone out there they could rely on. “Please Mr. Zhu, do tell us who that person is.”

Zhu Yuan raised his head and uttered three words, “Gu Xiqiao.”

Gu Xiqiao? Miss Gu?

These elders were stunned by his answer. Zhu Yuan was a disciple of Divine Doctor Rong, so there was no reason for them to doubt his words. It was fine if the person was someone else, but Miss Gu… they recalled how harsh and unjust when they had spoken about her a few days ago. The people of the ancient martial arts world now all shared the same feeling of regret for their attitude toward her. No one dared to make direct eye contact with her on the street.

They had even made their intention to burn to death Gu Xiqiao public. Now that they had to beg for her help, their faces were all beet red. Would she even bother to listen to their pleas?

The elders left Zhu Yuan’s place anxiously.

After they left, Zhu Yuan pointed at their backs and said to his colleagues, “See that? See how evil your classmate, Gu Xiqiao is? She totally humiliated these old geezers and they still have no choice but to grovel at her feet, displaying their gratitude for her!”