Punishment and Decision, Another Journey to Heaven"Tell me, why did you betray me?"
Dai Yao stared at Partridge with emotionless eyes and said coldly.
In his heart, Partridge had always been a reserved girl, not talkative, and carrying an air of melancholy. Therefore, he had always taken good care of her. So, her betrayal was even more difficult for Dai Yao to accept.
In an instant, everyone turned to look at Partridge, their eyes filled with undisguised contempt and disdain. Dai Yao had treated them well enough; what reason did Partridge have to betray them! Feng Wutong's cold phoenix eyes also made no attempt to conceal her murderous intent.
Dujuan stole a few glances at the partridge, sighed softly, and felt a sense of melancholy, like the rabbit mourning the fox's death.
The disdainful gazes of the crowd were like sharp blades piercing Partridge's heart. She dared not raise her head in fear, her voice trembling as she said:
"Young Master..."
"You are not worthy to be called 'Young Master'!"
Feng Wutong stepped forward, making no attempt to conceal her anger, and shouted sharply.
Partridge was taken aback, then an overwhelming sorrow welled up from the depths of her heart. She lowered her head heavily, her red lips trembling as she said, "Yes, my... lord."
"Tell me, why did you betray me?"
Dai Yao asked calmly.
Partridge's gaze swept across the crowd with a hint of despair. After a long pause, he slowly spoke:
"My lord, I didn't really want to come when you were selecting maids. My childhood sweetheart and I grew up together and had long been engaged. However, our family suddenly suffered a tragedy. In order to save the family, the elders of the family grabbed me like a lifeline and forcibly sent me to the selection of maids."
"You know what happened next. I successfully became your maid and began to frequently travel between the valley and Wuhun City."
"When I went to Wuhun City once, my childhood sweetheart found me and said he missed me very much."
At this point, her face was full of regret, and she said painfully:
"He said he would definitely make me happy and asked me to give him some time. I was completely intoxicated by his sweet words, so I answered whatever he asked without hesitation. Before I knew it, I had accidentally revealed something that Your Excellency had strictly forbidden me to do."
At this point, everyone present looked at Partridge with varying expressions; some were angry at his lack of ambition, while others felt a lingering fear. Feng Wutong's gaze was as cold as ice, and no one knew what she was thinking.
For them, becoming maids meant that their bodies and souls belonged to Dai Yao. Partridge's behavior had crossed a line.
"And then what happened?"
Dai Yao said expressionlessly.
"Later I realized something was wrong and warned him not to tell anyone. But I didn't expect that the people behind him would find me and use this to threaten me. At the time, I was already dissatisfied with my family forcibly separating him and me, so I went along with their demands."
"However, the longer I followed you, my dissatisfaction with the family gradually decreased. We have all seen your kindness towards us. I began to resist those people's arrangements, but what's done is done. They have too many things to hold against me, and I am deeply trapped in them, unable to extricate myself."
The partridge covered its face and wept.
"My lord, I know I was wrong. Please forgive me, let me stay by your side, I'll do anything you ask!"
The partridge knelt on the ground and slammed its head against the ground with a loud thud. Blood was already seeping from its snow-white forehead.
Seeing Partridge's tearful appearance, the other three maids couldn't help but sigh. After becoming Dai Yao's maids, they naturally faced many temptations. Various forces wanted to use them to get in touch with Dai Yao and cultivate a closer relationship with him.
Some people resisted the temptation, while others couldn't resist it.
Seeing the partridge's tragic end, they felt a deep sense of sorrow.
"You know you did something wrong, so why didn't you tell me?"
Dai Yao looked down at the partridge and said calmly.
Partridge's betrayal caused a drastic change in his situation within the Spirit Hall. His relationship with Bibi Dong became very delicate, Lion Douluo was secretly watching, and Grand Elder Qian Daoliu extended an olive branch. These choices troubled him greatly.
Partridge was taken aback, her face full of regret, and she said tremblingly, "I was hoping for the best, thinking that if I could keep it a secret, nothing would happen."
Dai Yao sighed. Indeed, most people, after making a mistake, tend to bury their heads in the sand, escaping reality and avoiding facing the problem. However, Partridge would never have imagined the immense trouble her betrayal would bring her.
"Go away. From now on, you are no longer my maid."
Dai Yao said without a trace of emotion.
"No, young master, please give me another chance! I beg you, let me stay by your side!"
Partridge broke down in tears, her face streaked with sobs. She knelt on the ground, staggering forward on her knees, and clung to Dai Yao's legs, pleading.
Being by Dai Yao's side not only meant a prestigious status and abundant cultivation resources, but also meant that her family benefited greatly from her presence. If she lost her status as Dai Yao's maid, she didn't know how to face her family.
Moreover, after so many years of master-servant relationship, she had long since accepted Dai Yao, so how could she be willing to be driven out by Dai Yao now?
Seeing that the partridge remained obstinate, Dai Yao's expression instantly turned cold, and he said in a cold voice:
"I spared your life because you were willing to admit it. Do you really want to die?!"
Upon hearing this, Partridge's pretty face turned deathly pale. She felt as if she had been struck by lightning, frozen in place, her heart filled with despair.
"Aren't you leaving yet? Do you still want to get in the way of the young master?"
Seeing that Partridge was reluctant to leave, Feng Wutong stepped forward and shouted sharply. She hated Partridge for acting so pitiful despite having clearly done something wrong, showing no sense of responsibility whatsoever.
Dai Yao's punishment was extremely merciful. In the Douluo Continent, which traitor was not killed after being discovered? Not to mention that Partridge was Dai Yao's servant.
Back then, she felt she could not repay Dai Yao's kindness, so she voluntarily became Dai Yao's maid. Even with Ling Yuan Douluo and Qing Luan Douluo, two Soul Masters standing at the top of the continent's pyramid, as her masters, she never thought of severing her master-servant relationship with Dai Yao.
Therefore, she hated unfaithful people even more.
She had made up her mind that once Partridge returned, she would eliminate him and use the power of Spirit Kite Douluo to put pressure on Partridge's family. Those who betray the young master must not live in this world.
His majestic phoenix eyes made no attempt to conceal their coldness.
When Feng Wutong's gaze fell upon her, Partridge felt a chill run down her spine and instantly stopped crying. She slowly stood up, glanced at the expressionless Dai Yao with some lingering affection, gritted her teeth, summoned her martial spirit, and flew out of the valley.
Watching the partridge's figure gradually disappear on the horizon, Dai Yao sighed, turned to look at Feng Wutong, and said:
"Wutong, I said I'd spare her life, so please don't interfere."
Feng Wutong was taken aback, not expecting Dai Yao to have noticed her thoughts so early. However, she still felt a pang of resentment. Noticing the determination in Dai Yao's eyes, she sighed softly and said:
"yes."
Of the remaining three maids, only Peacock remained calm; Heron and Cuckoo were somewhat nervous. It was the first time they had ever seen Dai Yao so angry. Their former companions, with whom they had spent every day, were now gone and would never return, leaving them deeply saddened.
Du Juan didn't dare to raise her head. After all, she was also someone who had betrayed Dai Yao. Although she didn't know why Dai Yao hadn't driven her away, it only made her more uneasy.
"Partridge's fate was her own fault. However, her story has given me a wake-up call. If any of you three have any intention of leaving, you may leave today. Otherwise, if a similar situation to Partridge happens again, I will not be as lenient as I am today."
Dai Yao glanced at the three women's faces and said indifferently.
The three women were taken aback. Du Juan quickly pledged her loyalty, saying, "Young master, I will never have any thought of leaving you."
Seeing this, the heron quickly chimed in, "Me too."
The peacock glanced sideways at the cuckoo, and finally said, "Young master, me too."
"Remember what you said today."
Dai Yao glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late, you should all get some rest. Things might not be as good as they are now in the future."
The three women were stunned, not understanding the meaning of Dai Yao's words. They quickly returned to their rooms, recalling the events of the night, and broke out in a cold sweat. It seemed they wouldn't be able to sleep tonight.
After the three maids returned, Dai Yao led Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong to the wooden house and closed the door.
"Brother Yao, what happened? Why are you so angry?"
Zhu Zhuqing walked behind Dai Yao, gently massaged his shoulders, and asked softly.
Dai Yao sighed. After all, this matter concerned Bibi Dong, and he couldn't explain it clearly to Zhu Zhuqing and the others. He could only give a vague answer:
"Alas, because of the partridge, a very serious consequence has occurred. From today onwards, Zhuqing and Wutong, neither of you shall return to the valley. No matter what happens, you shall stay with your teacher."
The two girls were simultaneously taken aback; Dai Yao's words had sent shockwaves through their hearts. Keeping them by their teacher's side clearly indicated an extremely serious crisis, one that even Dai Yao himself admitted he couldn't handle, hence the need for them to remain with their teacher to ensure their safety.
"Okay, Yao-ge, Wutong and I will definitely protect ourselves and won't cause you any trouble, but you must stay safe."
Zhu Zhuqing said with some concern.
Feng Wutong nodded as well.
Neither of the women were unreasonable; they insisted on getting to the bottom of it. Dai Yao's refusal to answer naturally had its reasons.
Seeing that both women had agreed to his request, Dai Yao finally breathed a sigh of relief. To fight the Lion Douluo, he first had to ensure the safety of Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong.
However, Dai Yao still had an unshakeable worry in his heart. The Lion Douluo knew the identities of the two women, yet he still dared to make such a threat. If the Lion Douluo was not just trying to scare Dai Yao, then it meant that the Lion Douluo did not take Ghost Douluo, Spirit Kite Douluo, or even Azure Phoenix Douluo seriously.
Assassinating Zhu Zhuqing and Feng Wutong under the protection of several Title Douluos is no easy feat. Dai Yao couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine; what other trump cards were spirit beasts hiding in the human world?!
Before figuring this out, Dai Yao dared not make a move against Lion Douluo.
Amid the two women's gasps, Dai Yao pulled them tightly into his arms, breathing in their familiar scents. This time, it might be a long time before they could see each other again.
The two women were held tightly in Dai Yao's arms. Every now and then, they would open their eyes and see the face so close to theirs, and blushes would rise on their delicate faces. Having lived with Dai Yao for so long, they had never been together because of his respect for them.
They could clearly feel each other's warm, moist breath on their faces, which stirred a strange feeling in both women.
······
As the night passed and dawn broke, the two women left the valley and stayed in Wuhun City, never to return.
Dai Yao sat alone beneath the waterfall, enduring its immense pressure. The waterfall no longer held any effect on him, but years of cultivating beneath it had become a habit. Each time he felt the impact of the waterfall, his heart found extraordinary peace.
"Without Bibi Dong's protection, Zhu Qing and Wu Tong are not safe in the Spirit Hall. The best solution is to send them to the Qinglian Sect. The Qinglian Sect is full of our own people, and they are mutually supportive with the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile School. I don't believe the spirit beast race would dare to act recklessly."
"Should I grant or deny the request from the Grand Elder Sendoryu?"
"If I agree to go to the Heaven Dou Empire to help Qian Renxue, given the irreconcilable relationship between Bibi Dong and Qian Renxue, it will only shatter the fragile balance between Bibi Dong and me. The so-called 'friendship' will cease to exist completely."
"Bibi Dong is going to become that cold and evil Rakshasa God again, following the same old path as in the original story."
"It's undeniable that I did have some unhealthy thoughts about Bibi Dong, but to this day, I have never wronged her. On the contrary, she misunderstood me, and now she doesn't even want to see me."
"well······"
Dai Yao sighed heavily. He should have been carefree, but his sympathy for Bibi Dong's plight made him hesitate. He knew his significance to Bibi Dong was that he was her only friend in the world. If he left, the faint hope that had ignited in Bibi Dong's heart would be extinguished once again.
He became the most evil Rakshasa god in the world.
However, the clandestine actions of the spirit beasts caused Dai Yao some unease. The feeling that the plot was spiraling out of control had woken him from his dreams several times in the past few days, his back soaked with cold sweat.
He and Tang San are sworn enemies. Although Tang San is currently powerless against him, now that Tang San has joined the Heaven Dou Empire, if he obtains the key item for inheriting the Sea God's position—the Vast Ocean Universe Cover—and goes to Sea God Island, then the future will become unpredictable.
Moreover, he currently cannot find a suitable divine position to inherit. If Tang San becomes a god, but he does not have a divine position, how can he protect the people he cares about?
Dai Yao let out a heavy sigh of relief, and made up his mind:
"I must go on the journey to Heaven Dou. I must obtain the Vast Ocean Universe Cover to prevent Tang San from inheriting the Sea God's position. I may not need the Vast Ocean Universe Cover, but I absolutely cannot be without it!"
He looked in the direction of Martial Soul City, his gaze suddenly becoming complicated:
"As for Bibi Dong, let's just leave it to fate..." (End of Chapter)