“Don’t try to fool me. I saw you exchanging money with Qingshamu. Did you sell her information? Is she the one who gave you the box? Is she your mastermind behind all this?”
Ten-Step Hall sat on the stool, crossing her legs, her gaze cold and merciless as she interrogated the writhing Feini without a shred of pity.
“N-no…” Feini stammered.
Luckily, this flame only inflicted endless pain; it wasn’t meant to burn her alive. It was a magic designed specifically for interrogation.
But Feini’s tolerance for pain was maxed out by now.
After being pierced through the heart by a thousand swords last time, and now burned by fire, she had long since gotten used to it.
Besides, as a Weapon Demon, she had max fire resistance.
This was much easier to endure compared to the last time with the thousand swords piercing her heart. Her mind was still sharp enough to think.
“I’ll ask you again: did Qingshamu order you to do this?” Ten-Step Hall asked viciously once more.
“She just pitied me… wanted to give me some money to help out… this has nothing to do with Qingshamu…” Feini gritted her teeth through the scorching pain, speaking each word with difficulty.
“There aren’t many people around now. If you were coerced, you can tell me. I will support you and see that justice is done.” Ten-Step Hall’s tone softened a little.
“I really don’t know… it wasn’t Qingshamu… the name was on the original adventurer from the start…” Feini knew she was being lied to.
If she really had other intentions, Ten-Step Hall would have killed her by now.
“Where did you find that adventurer?” Ten-Step Hall asked coldly.
Unknown to them, Qingshamu herself was hiding behind the corner, eavesdropping just like Ten-Step Hall had earlier.
Her emotions were wildly turbulent, unable to believe that under such circumstances, Feini was still gritting her teeth and keeping the secret instead of betraying her.
This time was different from the classroom incident. Feini didn’t even know she was being watched.
Logically, revealing the truth would have spared her torment, so why endure it stubbornly?
Her conscience had been tortured the whole time, but now it was completely frayed.
All thoughts of the Great Mission had to be abandoned.
“Stop!”
Qingshamu suddenly burst out, drawing her sword and striking fiercely through the air.
But Ten-Step Hall quickly summoned a Flame Shield around her body, effortlessly blocking Qingshamu’s sword strike.
Thankfully, the Ignite effect on Feini had faded, but she lay on the ground like a dead dog, her clothes tattered and burnt, unable to move.
“…” Qingshamu stared coldly at Ten-Step Hall.
“…” Ten-Step Hall looked at the sword tip that had barely pierced her Flame Shield, a faint expression of admiration flashing across her face.
She hadn’t expected a student’s attack to breach her Magical Barrier.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Qingshamu demanded.
“None of your business.” Ten-Step Hall’s tone was nonchalant.
“She’s my friend.” Qingshamu shouted angrily.
“I remember when she was bullied before, you were just standing by watching.” Ten-Step Hall laughed. “And now, what heroics are you trying to pull?”
“I…” Qingshamu was momentarily speechless.
“If you want to challenge me, I welcome it. But our duel will have to wait for a grander stage.” Ten-Step Hall slowly stood up, crossing her arms behind her back as she walked forward.
She stepped over Feini’s prone body and passed by Qingshamu with a graceful yet domineering air.
Unbeknownst to them…
There were still others watching silently.
“Calm down, Xiao Hei. We’re no match for them yet.”
From behind the upstairs window, four pairs of furious little eyes watched Ten-Step Hall’s retreating figure, all remembering this moment.
They remembered her arrogant demeanor now, but that might not be the case in the future.
Qingshamu dared not act rashly and could only watch her leave helplessly.
“Are you okay?” She knelt beside Feini, filled with concern.
“Help me… cool down… I feel awful…” Feini’s whole body flushed red, suddenly feeling miserable.
Though her body had high fire resistance, her heat dissipation was terrible. She felt like her internal organs were being steamed alive.
Qingshamu carefully picked up Feini and carried her to the dormitory’s bathroom, filling the bathtub with cold water.
Flustered, she helped remove Feini’s tattered School Uniform and placed her inside to cool down.
Feini’s whole body emitted wisps of steam, and she immediately felt much better.
But she soon climbed out, rummaging through her ruined clothes, her expression sinking into despair as she collapsed beside them.
“What’s wrong?” Hearing the sound, Qingshamu pushed open the door and found Feini’s face pale as death.
She also noticed the many sword wounds covering Feini’s emaciated body.
Looking at her ghastly pale skin, for some reason, a strange wicked impulse stirred inside Qingshamu. She licked her lips.
“My lunch… my wages… my clothes… all burned… what am I supposed to do now?” Feini murmured, clutching her forehead.
“Why do you have so many scars?” Qingshamu asked.
“Have you lost your memory? Didn’t you do all this to me?” Feini snorted coldly, lowering her head as water dripped from her hair onto the floor.
“I…” Qingshamu was at a loss for words, standing there dumbfounded.
“But let’s keep things separate. Thanks for stepping in this time. If you hadn’t helped, I might have been burned alive. I’m penniless and can’t repay you. Let it be.” Feini wrapped herself in a bath towel, getting up and staggering out of the bathroom.
Qingshamu stepped forward to support her, but Feini tried to push her away. She was too weak to resist and ended up soft and limp in Qingshamu’s arms.
“I don’t need your help.”
Feini gritted her teeth but was too exhausted to fight. She melted into Qingshamu’s embrace.
Together, they went to the storeroom.
“That’s enough, you don’t have to see me off. Here is fine.” Feini struggled in Qingshamu’s arms again.
“Come on, everyone knows you’re raising the kid in your room.” Qingshamu said. “They just choose to ignore it.”
The storeroom door opened, revealing a small crack.
From inside, half a cute little head peeked out…
“Leave it to me.” A white-haired little girl quickly stepped out and scooped up her mother. Despite her young age, she was incredibly strong.
At first, Qingshamu was stunned, but when she saw the spot of Jade Paste on the white-haired girl’s forehead, she was completely dumbfounded.
A strange sensation seemed to pierce her soul, a peculiar bloodline connection she could not deny.
But before she could confirm the feeling, the white-haired girl had already carried Feini back into the room, closing and locking the door behind them with force.
Qingshamu stood at the doorway, somewhat dazed. After a long time, she returned to her own room and sat by her bed, head spinning, covering her face in deep thought.
“That child… why… looks so much like me…”
She whispered to herself, gradually calming down as a terrifying suspicion took shape in her mind.
After all the pondering, there was only one possibility.
But how could it be? How did it come to be?
Could it be…
That sword strike?
Qingshamu touched her chest, overwhelmed with too much information, her mind nearly smoking.
No, she must uncover the truth.