CHAPTER 464
The Sickening Truth
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"Stop acting like you're dying. You saw it—it's all over."
Seeing Ye Qinghan nod, Xiao Ai finally removed the collar from his neck that suppressed his magical power and cultivation.
"It still feels unreal…"
Before Ye Qinghan could finish speaking, Amber approached carrying a rosewood tray.
On the tray lay the items Xiao Ai had taken earlier: the Frostsword, the jade pendant, the Desire-Suppressing Bracelet, the sword case, and the life-saving immortal pill.
Ye Qinghan stamped her foot, and instantly, her Glass Silk Water-Sleeve Dress enveloped her. The black fox transformed into a white fox.
She slung the Frostsword at her waist, slipped the Lust-Cutting Bracelet onto her wrist, then yanked at her collar to tuck the jade pendant inside her robe. Next, she stuffed the sword case into her bosom, followed by the life-saving elixir…
"Nothing's unreal. Come on, Xiao Ai has something to tell you."
"Xiao Ai, I'm feeling a bit…"
"Must I call you slut every other word for you to get off?"
"Um… not exactly…"
Within the Martial Saint Hall, the reception chamber.
This tea-room-like compartment featured a red wooden table holding only the fresh tea Amber had just served.
"Xiao Ai, what do you mean this is a test?"
Xiao Ai waved her hand, signaling Amber to withdraw. Only after Amber closed the door did she speak.
"Have you heard of the authority of fate?"
Ye Qinghan furrowed his brow slightly, his mind still unable to form a clear judgment about the current situation.
Compared to his time in the dungeon, Ye Qinghan now seemed like a completely different layer. Back then, he had been like a rough sketch—a pristine white fox dirtied into a black one.
Though Ye Qinghan now appeared unchanged from before, her body hadn't fully recovered.
Even if he were fully recovered, he wouldn't be a match for Xiao Ai.
"Xiao Ai, I want you to clarify this trial first. Otherwise, Qinghan isn't particularly interested in hearing the rest. After all, who knows what's real and what's fake?"
Xiao Ai was laughing so hard she was doubled over. She was always smiling, but Ye Qinghan had never seen her laugh so heartily before.
"Seems convincing you to trust Xiao Ai won't be easy."
"Yes."
"Don't worry. Just listen to Xiao Ai explain slowly, okay?"
Ye Qinghan sighed helplessly. But sitting down obediently to listen to Xiao Ai was the only option left.
After all, she couldn't beat Xiao Ai in a fight.
"Just like what you told Chu Youwei that day in the Spirit Pool Hall—you said Xiao Ai and you both belong to the Master."
"Perhaps in your eyes, becoming the Master's person means sleeping with the Master."
"But if you want Xiao Ai to acknowledge you, you must undergo the same tempering as Xiao Ai."
"You must prove your love—that it won't waver even in despair, that it won't be extinguished by suffering."
"The Master isn't an ordinary person. He can't pledge his life to you like a common mortal. The Master bears the future of countless worlds upon his shoulders. Just as the title 'Master' itself—only Xiao Ai has ever been permitted to use it."
"Those two words signify unconditional trust. Even if the entire world stood against him, Xiao Ai would steadfastly choose him."
"Even if he becomes the target of all arrows, branded a traitor in everyone's eyes, even if he never offers Xiao Ai any explanation—Xiao Ai will still believe in him."
Ye Qinghan had actually grasped the gist when he heard the words "tempering."
"So all of this was arranged by you and my master. My master didn't trust Qinghan either, right?"
"Everything—from the moment I saw that document that night onward—has been a lie."
Xiao Ai nodded calmly.
"Exactly. The document was fake, the transfer order was fake, and there was never any child. Everything was designed to push you into utter despair. Achieving that wasn't easy—you have no idea how much effort Xiao Ai put into it."
Ye Qinghan was at a loss for words, unsure what to say now.
"Xiao Ai, to be honest, I now wish all of this were real."
The tea offered to her lips suddenly tasted unbearable.
Honestly, it was utterly sickening!
"Xiao Ai, can I punch you?"
Xiao Ai remained utterly calm. She understood Ye Qinghan's feelings at that moment.
"If you're willing to forgive the Master, Xiao Ai can promise you this: before you step out of this room, Xiao Ai won't fight back, and no one will ever know."
Smack!
The crisp sound echoed throughout the entire Holy Martial Hall. Ye Qinghan didn't hesitate for even a moment.
A slap was the least of it—she wanted to devour Xiao Ai alive!
A full month of interrogation, dual torment of flesh and soul, coupled with relentless psychological pressure—exactly as Ye Qinghan had feared.
She doubted anyone else could endure such torment!
Though Xiao Ai bore the blows, it was Ye Qinghan who wept. Xiao Ai remained seated, utterly unruffled.
"Xiao Ai, cut the crap! Master will absolutely believe Qinghan!"
"You're right. It was Xiao Ai who persuaded the Master to do this. Without undergoing this tempering, Xiao Ai couldn't accept fighting alongside you."
"When has Qinghan ever needed your approval? Xiao Ai, has no one ever told you you're too arrogant?"
"Xiao Ai has always been this way. Xiao Ai said that if Little Sister Qinghan feels unbalanced, she can vent it on Xiao Ai."
Ye Qinghan exhaled deeply. Xiao Ai's calmness only made her feel…
That single slap was enough. This was the Godslayer King, after all.
Rubbing her still-throbbing hand, Ye Qinghan regained her composure. "Xiao Ai, what did the Master say?"
"Just as you imagined. The Master trusts you deeply. But I believe you understand—before you, I never thought anyone could endure such interrogation like Xiao Ai did."
"You're right about that. Qinghan doesn't believe anyone else could endure a month in that place like Qinghan did either."
After speaking, Ye Qinghan suddenly realized something.
"Xiao Ai, if I hadn't endured it, would Master… would he have abandoned me?"
"Lord Qinghan, the Master never doubted you could endure it. It's just that Xiao Ai didn't believe anyone could endure it."
Ye Qinghan's eyes flashed with cold intensity. "That's not what I asked."
"Xiao Ai doesn't know. The Master never mentioned it."
Ye Qinghan pondered for a long time, concluding that Xiao Ai couldn't possibly be unaware of the answer to this question.
"Lord Gu Ai, I respect your loyalty, but Qinghan only desires one truthful answer."
Faced with Ye Qinghan's unwavering resolve, Xiao Ai delivered a formal reply.
"Based on my understanding of the Master, I can assure you that Miss Qinghan remains the eldest daughter of Lingxian Hall."
"However, Miss Qinghan may only be able to remain the young lady."
Ye Qinghan took two steps back and bowed deeply to Xiao Ai.
"Lord Gu Ai, I am grateful for your answer. Qinghan has learned much."
"So, are you still angry with the Master?"
"Qinghan has never been angry with my Master. If my Master were to command it, even if I knew it meant death, Qinghan would not hesitate for a moment."
Xiao Ai said nothing, only gently brushing aside the long hair at her left ear to remove the earring hanging there.
"This is for Qinghan. It's nothing valuable, but consider it a token of my sisterly affection. What do you say?"
"I've heard that Lady Gu Ai always takes things from others, yet no one has ever been able to take anything from you. Such generosity is hard to refuse. Qinghan will accept it then."
Xiao Ai couldn't stop smiling. She motioned for Ye Qinghan to sit down and proceeded to fasten the earring herself.
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