Chapter 265 - 132: Asking for a Beating

Chapter 265: Chapter 132: Asking for a Beating

If they didn’t die today, they would just perish some other way tomorrow.

Whatever the future held, at least for now...

This new master seemed... far stronger than Black Mountain, and much more humane.

Jiang Mu, however, ignored their gratitude. His gaze fell upon the few other surviving female ghosts, his expression turning cold.

"You all still carry the Incense and Candle Power left by Black Mountain. As a precaution, I’m putting you into the Buddha Lamp to be cleansed."

’He couldn’t afford to be backstabbed by his own people at a critical moment again.’

With that, heedless of whether the female ghosts were willing, he waved his hand. The Buddha Lamp flared with light and instantly sucked them inside.

Yu Xiaoqian, who had just been released and hadn’t even had a chance to speak, was also caught in the irresistible force and swept back inside, leaving behind a stifled cry.

Seeing this, Si Rumeng frowned slightly but ultimately said nothing.

’She knew Jiang Mu’s concerns were justified.’

’Black Mountain’s methods were insidious. Even she hadn’t anticipated that the very girls she had personally cared for would betray her.’

At this thought, a wave of sadness washed over her.

"What’s your condition?"

Jiang Mu turned to look at Si Rumeng.

The woman’s vitality was faint, her once-stunning face now deathly pale. She looked like a rose poised to fall from its stem, ready to shatter into dust at the slightest breeze.

Evidently, forcefully restoring her Tier Eight Cultivation Level had caused a massive backlash on her body.

Si Rumeng shook her head, her voice frail.

"I’ll manage. I won’t die.

I once practiced a forbidden Cultivation Technique, which severely damaged both my Demon Pill and my Divine Soul.

Although they’ve partially healed over the years, I usually have to keep my Cultivation Level suppressed to around Tier Four or Five. If I force myself back to my peak, my Demon Pill will shatter if I maintain it for too long.

I was lucky it didn’t shatter on the spot this time, but many new cracks have appeared on my Demon Pill. I’m afraid it will take a very long time to recover."

Jiang Mu understood.

’This Tree Demon is like a balloon covered in duct tape,’ he thought. ’It might look like it can hold a Tier Eight Cultivation Level, but any strenuous activity risks making it pop.’

After a moment of thought, he said,

"I can try using the Incense and Candle Power from the Buddha Lamp to help you heal. We’ll see if it works."

Upon hearing this, Si Rumeng’s expression turned odd. She watched Jiang Mu warily, a flicker of suspicion in her eyes.

’Would this man really be so kind?’

Jiang Mu saw right through her and scoffed mockingly,

"What? Afraid I’ll use this chance to place a restriction on you? If I really wanted to control you, would I need to go to all this trouble?

Don’t forget, I hold the Buddha Lamp. Your life is already mine, and there’s no escape for you."

Si Rumeng had a rebellious and defiant nature. Though grateful to Jiang Mu for saving Xiaoqian, his condescending tone made her innate pride flare up.

She gave a cold laugh, forcing herself to sit up and tilting her chin defiantly.

"Run? Why would I run?

You underestimate me, Si Rumeng. Even with my Cultivation Level crippled, killing a puny Fourth Realm Cultivator like you would still be effortless!

You can threaten me with that stupid lamp, but if it comes to it, we’ll just perish together!

Do you really think I’m afraid of you?"

Jiang Mu smiled.

’This woman... she’s like a coiled spring. If you don’t push back, she’ll never learn who’s boss.’

There was no reasoning with a defiant Demon like her. She just needed to be—

Whipped.

Broken.

Whipped until she submitted completely.

Jiang Mu wasted no more words. With a single thought, the Buddha Lamp in his hand flared violently.

Soul-Locking Roast!

Soul-Whipping Lash!

He unleashed both Divine Abilities at once.

CLANG—

Crimson chains materialized from thin air, wrapping around Si Rumeng’s limbs and suspending her in midair, spread-eagled.

Then, whips of spectral light shot forth, whistling through the air.

They struck her body without mercy.

CRACK! CRACK!

With each crack of the whip, Si Rumeng cried out in agony, her delicate body trembling uncontrollably.

"You bastard... kill me if you dare..."

"Agh...!"

"Master... I was wrong... please stop..."

It wasn’t long before the woman was begging for mercy.

All her previous pride had been shattered by the lashes.

Jiang Mu waved a hand, retracting the Divine Abilities.

Si Rumeng crumpled to the ground, gasping for air, her eyes filled with tears of terror and humiliation.

Jiang Mu walked over to her, looming above as he asked coolly,

"Still not convinced?"

Si Rumeng lay prone on the ground, her fists clenched tightly.

She desperately wanted to call him a monster, but the soul-deep agony made her dare not defy him again.

In the end, she just lowered her head weakly, biting her lip in silence.

It was a silent surrender.

Jiang Mu paid no mind to her sulking and crouched down.

He placed one hand on her shoulder to help her sit up, while his other hand came to rest brazenly on her flat stomach.

That was where her Demon Pill was located.

At the same time, he activated the Buddha Lamp, channeling a stream of energy—a mixture of Incense and Candle Power and Demonic Qi—into her body.

"You—"

Si Rumeng was about to curse the man for his brazen insolence, but in the next moment, she felt a gentle, warm current of power flowing into her Demon Pill.

The energy gently mended the cracks on her Demon Pill and nourished her damaged Divine Soul.

The woman froze.

’So, he really was just trying to heal my injuries?’

A complex mix of embarrassment and gratitude washed over her, bringing a faint blush to her pale cheeks.

But then, she became aware of something even more embarrassing.

In order to resist Black Mountain’s giant hand earlier, she had reverted to her true form and unleashed her Demonic Power, a process that had left her clothes in tatters.