Golden War Chariot, side hall, steam curling in the air.
Lu Ning curled up in the corner of the enormous bath tub, the warm water wrapping around her body, yet unable to dispel the shame in her heart.
An incense stick’s time slowly passed in torment.
“Time’s up.”
Ji Linglong’s voice came from atop the warm jade couch, sounding like a death knell.
Lu Ning’s body stiffened as she slowly raised her head.
She saw Ji Linglong half-reclining on the couch, her hand propping up her chin, gazing at her like a predator sizing up its prey, golden phoenix eyes filled with amusement and mockery.
Under Ji Linglong’s gaze, Lu Ning struggled to stand up from the bath tub.
Her fair skin shimmered with a lustrous glow in the hazy steam, like the finest mutton-fat jade.
Her long hair, damp, clung to her back and shoulders, accentuating her fragile, broken beauty.
For a moment, Ji Linglong’s breath caught.
She had to admit, this woman possessed allure enough to drive any man—or even woman—mad.
Just thinking that such a beauty had once flaunted her strength before her, stamping her ruthlessly underfoot, made Ji Linglong’s urge for conquest and revenge burn ever fiercer.
Lu Ning avoided Ji Linglong’s scorching gaze, walked to the side, and picked up the sheer, black palace attire.
The fabric was icy cool and silky to the touch, so light it was almost weightless.
She drew a deep breath, as if steeling herself, and donned the garment—this “servant dress” that symbolized her humiliation.
The black palace dress did nothing to conceal her, instead outlining her alluring figure even more seductively, adding to her inexhaustible charm.
Lu Ning clutched the hem of the dress tightly with trembling hands, her body shuddering slightly from shame.
She felt like merchandise displayed on a shelf.
“Come here.”
Ji Linglong’s voice rang out again.
Lu Ning, moving stiffly, walked to the warm jade couch.
“Kneel.”
Hearing this, Lu Ning hesitated for a moment, but finally knelt slowly on the soft golden carpet.
Ji Linglong gazed with satisfaction at Lu Ning kneeling by her feet—she had waited so many years for this sight.
She extended her dainty, delicate foot and placed it gently in front of Lu Ning.
“Ah Ning, warm this princess’s feet.”
At this moment, Lu Ning was at a loss, not quite sure what to do.
But Ji Linglong thought Lu Ning was being disobedient; her voice took on a hint of danger.
“What’s wrong?”
“Ah Ning, you’re unwilling?”
“It seems you still haven’t recognized your place.”
Ji Linglong’s tone turned cold.
“If so, this princess won’t help you hide the secret that the Sect Master of the Heavenly Demon Sect is a woman.”
Lu Ning: “…….”
“Ah Ning… as you command.”
Lu Ning stretched out trembling hands and cradled Ji Linglong’s feet, then began to warm them.
The icy sensation jolted through her, making Lu Ning’s body shudder.
Ji Linglong’s body stiffened as well.
Looking at Lu Ning below, head lowered and trembling uncontrollably, Ji Linglong felt a surge of deep satisfaction.
“Lu Ning, oh Lu Ning….” Ji Linglong sneered inwardly.
“So you have such a day too.”
Lu Ning’s mind was blank, mechanically carrying out the order.
She could even feel, as time passed, Ji Linglong’s icy feet gradually warming under her touch.
No one knew how much time went by before Ji Linglong finally withdrew her feet.
“Not bad.”
Ji Linglong spoke with a tone of condescension.
“It seems you’ve started to learn how to be a proper maid.”
“From today on, you will stay in this side hall. Without my order, you are not to take a single step beyond the door.”
“Your daily task is to serve this princess and…”
She paused, a meaningful smile curling at her lips.
“Warm this princess’s feet.”
“Yes.”
Lu Ning’s voice trembled slightly.
Ji Linglong nodded in satisfaction and turned to leave the hall.
Just as she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and glanced back at Lu Ning.
“Oh, I almost forgot to tell you.”
“The Golden War Chariot will soon arrive at the border of the Great Wilderness Dynasty.”
“Very soon, you’ll be able to admire the magnificent scenery of my Great Wilderness Dynasty.”
With that, she lingered no longer; her figure disappeared beyond the door.
The heavy doors closed once more, runes swirling to seal the entire side hall tight.
Not until Ji Linglong’s presence vanished completely did Lu Ning collapse onto the carpet.
She curled into herself, burying her face deep in the rug, her shoulders shaking uncontrollably.
At this moment, Lu Ning silently complained to herself: [So this is the princess’s way of taking revenge. It honestly feels just like playing house with her.]
[Compared to that traitorous disciple’s methods, this is much milder. Sure enough, she’s all bark and no bite.]
[Warming her feet counts as revenge against me? It’s a little embarrassing, sure, but hardly even a punishment. Looks like our grudge will be easy to settle.]
[Maybe if I coax her into a good mood, she’ll let me go early.]
After thinking for a moment, Lu Ning climbed back up and sat cross-legged on the jade bed.
Now that she had free time, she had to restore her strength as quickly as possible.
She took a Marrow Cleansing Pill from her system space.
The pill was emerald green throughout, exuding a refreshing, fragrant scent.
Without any hesitation, she swallowed it.
The pill melted instantly, transforming into a cool, warm current that surged through her meridians.
A rush of indescribable comfort swept her whole body, as if every cell was being washed and purified.
Lu Ning sensed her damaged meridians being slowly repaired and expanded by the medicinal power.
Some of the accumulated impurities in her body dissolved into thick, black liquid, forced out through her pores.
After an hour, the medicinal power was spent.
Lu Ning slowly opened her eyes.
She looked down at her body—her skin was coated in a thin layer of black grime.
She paid it no mind, instead immediately inspecting her dantian.
The gray-white true essence, originally as thin as a hair, had now grown several times over, forming a tiny stream that slowly flowed in her qi sea.
At this moment, her aura had returned to the Qi Refining Realm.
Though she was still far from true recovery, it was already a huge improvement!
“It works!”
A glimmer of joy flashed in Lu Ning’s eyes.
As long as there are results, there’s hope.
No matter what, only by restoring her strength as soon as possible could she find her footing in the Immortal Demon Continent.