Chapter 8: Straight to the True Heart

As soon as Li Shuang finished speaking, Ye Zhaozhao’s face instantly twisted into an expression of disbelief. "Eldest Martial Sister, what nonsense are you sprouting? I was the one who went through untold hardships to pick that Snow Lotus! I don’t blame you for leaving me in the lurch, but you can’t slander me like this."

Her eyes reddening, Ye Zhaozhao continued, "Besides! I have a Sword Spirit to testify for me!" She drew the Dragon Roar Sword, and Long Yan’s figure materialized in the hall.

"Eldest Martial Sister and Dragon Roar have been companions for ten years," Ye Zhaozhao said. "It was only because Long Yan wanted to save me that day, while Eldest Martial Sister refused, that the two of them came into conflict. And now, she has outright abandoned Dragon Roar!"

Long Yan cupped his hands in a salute. "Everything Zhaozhao said is the truth! Li Shuang is lying."

Master Lingxu flicked his sleeve, glaring furiously at Li Shuang. "You rebellious disciple! With a Sword Spirit as a witness, what else do you have to say for yourself?"

Li Shuang’s gaze remained utterly placid. "At Lingxu Peak, I bear the responsibility of teaching Swordsmanship to my junior martial brothers and sisters. As a Sword Spirit, Long Yan would sometimes teach in my stead when I was busy, which was how he came to interact with Ye Zhaozhao. I never knew when exactly he began to despise me, his master, and wished to serve Ye Zhaozhao instead. That day on the Snow Mountain, when my strength was exhausted, he controlled the Dragon Roar Sword and pierced my Dantian. In that desperate situation, had I not comprehended the Supreme Forget Emotion Technique, I would already be dead. I abandoned Dragon Roar because of its disloyalty. If Ye Zhaozhao wields such a treacherous sword today, she might very well meet the same fate I did."

Her voice carried a faint trace of mockery.

Long Yan grew anxious. "Zhaozhao, I could never be disloyal to you! You know I have absolute devotion to you."

Li Shuang glanced at him and calmly addressed the Sect Leader. "Did you hear that, Sect Leader? For Long Yan to speak in such a manner, it’s clear they have long been illicitly entangled. If he is loyal to Ye Zhaozhao and absolutely devoted to her, then he was disloyal to me. How can the so-called testimony of such a treacherous sword be convincing?"

She enunciated every word with crystal clarity. Ye Zhaozhao’s face darkened slightly. She wondered why Li Shuang was never this difficult to deal with before!

Li Shuang’s mind was completely clear. Over the years, she had been slandered by Ye Zhaozhao time and time again. She had desperately tried to explain herself every single time, but no one ever believed her. Their mistrust caused her immense agony, trapping her in an endless cycle of self-doubt and emotional exhaustion.

But now, she was different. She still didn’t expect the people of Lingxu Peak to believe her, but she wasn’t saying these things to explain herself to them anyway. As the Supreme Forget Emotion Technique circulated within her, Li Shuang focused directly on her true heart. From now on, she sought nothing but a clear and untroubled conscience.

"Long Yan obviously just couldn’t stand Eldest Martial Sister’s actions anymore... Must you slander me like this? I..." Ye Zhaozhao’s eyes grew bloodshot, and crystalline tears spilled down her cheeks.

Master Lingxu, who had seemed slightly shaken earlier, felt his heart ache the moment he saw Ye Zhaozhao’s tears. He glared harshly at Li Shuang. "If we go by what you say, then all the fault lies with us? That we are blindly biased, and that the Sword Spirit cruelly betrayed its master? Li Shuang! Not a single person is standing on your side. Don’t you think it’s time to reflect on yourself?"

A faint smile graced Li Shuang’s lips. Yes. That was exactly how her past self had been worn down. She hadn’t known what she did wrong or why no one ever believed her. She used to wonder if she hadn’t done well enough, allowing herself to fall into such a miserable state.

But now, she knew she had a clear conscience. If the world betrayed her, then it was the world that was wrong. The path of cultivation was meant to be a pursuit of absolute freedom; there was no need to trap herself in shackles.

"I was not wrong," Li Shuang declared, spacing out her words with firm conviction.

A surge of exasperation overwhelmed Master Lingxu. "Sect Leader, you can see it for yourself," he gritted out. "This rebellious disciple of mine is so incredibly stubborn! She is a disgrace to the sect. I request the Sect Leader to order her expulsion!"

"This..." Meng Yifei furrowed his brow.

The next moment, a crisp voice rang out. "Expel her from the sect? You old fool Lingxu, where do you plan to expel her to?! If you don’t want this disciple, I, Lin Qingling, will gladly take her! I’m not as muddle-headed and incompetent as you!"

Luo Mingyue let out a quiet sigh of relief. It was her master! Her master had finally arrived! Otherwise, given the current situation, she wasn’t entirely sure she could protect her junior martial sister.

Without waiting to be announced, Lin Qingling stormed in like a whirlwind and glared directly at Meng Yifei. "Sect Leader! You know very well that Heartless Peak has waited so many years for someone to finally initiate into the Supreme Forget Emotion Technique! Both sides are sticking to their own stories, so on what grounds are you declaring Li Shuang guilty? If Lingxu doesn’t want this disciple, I do!"

Lin Qingling turned her fierce gaze to Master Lingxu. "You can make the decisions for your Lingxu Peak! But the Sword Sect consists of much more than just Lingxu Peak!"

Master Lingxu’s expression turned icy. "Lin Qingling! Li Shuang is a venomous snake! If you take her in, aren’t you afraid of getting bitten?"

Lin Qingling let out a cold sneer. "I think you’re just utterly stupid and incapable of telling good from bad!"

Master Lingxu’s expression changed slightly, and he spoke in a frigid tone. "Since you insist on being so unreasonable, I have nothing more to say." He looked at Li Shuang expressionlessly. "Li Shuang, step forward."

Li Shuang calmly stepped forward.

Master Lingxu’s gaze was as chilling as ice. "Consumingly jealous, fleeing in the face of danger, and now twisting the truth with your silver tongue! Li Shuang, I am thoroughly disappointed in you! For the many years of our master-disciple bond, you shall take one palm strike from me. From then on, you will no longer be a disciple of Lingxu Peak. The ties between master and disciple will be severed entirely, and we shall have nothing to do with each other!"

Lin Qingling was furious. "Take one palm strike from you? Are you trying to kill her?!"

Master Lingxu scoffed coldly. "I will naturally spare her life! Could it be that my years of teaching and grace aren’t even worth a single palm strike?"

"You..." Lin Qingling was about to argue further when Li Shuang’s calm voice rang out.

"Alright."

Lin Qingling froze for a moment before abruptly turning to look at her.

Li Shuang stared fixedly at Master Lingxu. "I, disciple Li Shuang, will receive one palm strike from Master Lingxu today. From now on... our master-disciple ties are severed, and we have nothing to do with each other." She took a step closer, waiting quietly.

Master Lingxu’s face twisted slightly. What a rebellious disciple! Truly a rebellious disciple! He had only wanted an apology from the beginning. If Li Shuang had just sincerely apologized to Zhaozhao and accepted a bit of punishment, the matter would have passed. But not only did she refuse to apologize, she had even twisted the truth to slander Zhaozhao!

"Fine, fine, fine!" A trace of cold intent flashed in Master Lingxu’s eyes as he raised his hand and ruthlessly delivered a palm strike!

Lin Qingling instinctively moved to block it, but upon seeing Li Shuang’s serene face, she held herself back. Today, she would let Li Shuang completely sever all ties with this Lingxu Peak!

"Master!" Sheng Yuan’s eyes trembled, and he shouted subconsciously.

Master Lingxu’s palm wind was vicious. Li Shuang was sent flying through the air, crashing heavily onto the ground as fresh blood spewed uncontrollably from her mouth.

"Li Shuang!" Lin Qingling and Luo Mingyue rushed to her side immediately.

Lin Qingling quickly checked her condition, and her eyes were instantly dyed with fury. "Lingxu, you are so incredibly ruthless! Her meridians are entirely shattered! Her Dantian is damaged! You’re trying to destroy her!"

Master Lingxu pursed his lips and spoke slowly. "If she wants to leave my Lingxu Peak, she must naturally pay the price! Since you’ve received this palm strike, our master-disciple bond is severed here and now. There is nothing more to say."

He bowed to Meng Yifei. "I ask the Sect Leader to publicly announce to the entire sect that Li Shuang and I have severed our master-disciple relationship."

With that said, he turned around and left with Sheng Yuan and Ye Zhaozhao.

Sheng Yuan’s lips trembled. He glanced back toward Li Shuang, but ultimately gritted his teeth and hurried to catch up with them.