"Junior Sister Song, what are you doing? He's your disciple!"
One wave had yet to settle before another rose.
The Sect Master could only sigh. Song Wanníng, again.
She was nothing like what a senior should be.
"What? Even my disciple's discipline is something you want to interfere with now?" Song Wanníng let out a cold laugh, raising an eyebrow. "Perfect timing, actually. He's about to be free. Why don't I give him to you? Since you seem to enjoy standing up for him so much."
The Sect Master's expression darkened. "What is that supposed to mean?"
He opened his mouth to reprimand her, but from the side, Liu Lanyi glanced over.
Song Wanníng said nothing. Her smile remained, though her gaze lowered to the youth crushed under her foot—An Ze, completely unable to move. She ground her heel slowly.
"An Ze, as my disciple, not only failed to protect his fellow sect members, but even led the charge to frame his Junior Sister. That is cruelty.
For years, he enjoyed my protection and favor, yet repeatedly insulted and disrespected me as his master. That is betrayal.
A disciple like this, unkind and disloyal, from this day on is expelled from my tutelage!
I, Song Wanníng, no longer recognize him as my disciple!"
Her voice rang clear, firm, and final, piercing the silence like a thunderclap. Not a sound could be heard.
Song Wanníng was expelling An Ze?
Impossible.
An Ze had been a troublemaker since the day he joined the sect, always saying the wrong thing and stirring up drama.
But every single time, Song Wanníng would be the one to clean up after him. Fiercely protective, shielding him from all consequences.
Countless disciples had envied him for it.
Now this?
Everyone was stunned.
"Master?" Even An Ze himself looked as if he had just heard a joke from the heavens. He tried to lift his head despite the foot pressing down on it, his voice trembling. "Master, what did you just say? You want to expel me?"
His heart skipped a beat.
"Yes." Song Wanníng lifted her foot slowly, her voice icy and detached. "From this day forward, you are no longer connected to me, Song Wanníng, or to Yunxiao Peak. Not in the slightest. Go live your life."
"No..." An Ze reached instinctively toward the hem of her robe, but grasped only air. "Master, please. I'm your disciple. I've followed you for nearly twenty years...
You're joking, right? You must be joking."
She had always spoiled him, listened to him, tolerated him. How could she be serious?
Yes, this had to be a joke.
An Ze clung to that thought, but his chest felt tight, his breath choked and shallow.
Bai Yang panicked as well. His heart pounded.
"Master, An Ze was wrong, yes, but the punishment is too heavy. Please, reconsider."
"I promise I will discipline him properly in the future. Master—"
"Enough."
Song Wanníng cut him off, irritated.
"I'm not interested in hearing excuses. If I hadn't arrived when I did, Li Ruo would've been soul-searched. Her future ruined, her life destroyed!
And you, as her Senior Brother, still dare to say this punishment is too much?" Her eyes sharpened. "If you think I'm in the wrong, you can leave with him. I won't stop you."
"Master—"
Bai Yang was silenced instantly. His mouth opened, but no words came out.
He understood now. His master had made up her mind. She was furious over what had happened to Li Ruo. She didn't care who got caught in the storm—Master Gu, Junior Sister Ye, or An Ze.
She was still the same Master, still fiercely protective.
Only now, the ones she protected... were no longer them.
Bai Yang clenched his fists in silence, forcing down the jealousy and resentment rising in his chest.
"Junior Sister Song, this is a serious matter. Do not act rashly out of anger. You'll regret it."
The Sect Master forced his tone calm, choosing each word carefully.
"An Ze was wrong, but as his master, your duty is to teach him, not cast him aside."
That was always her flaw. Reckless, impulsive, never thinking ahead.
An Ze also seemed to latch onto those words like a lifeline. He scrambled to agree.
"Yes, Master, I was wrong. I will change..." He had complained about Song Wanníng plenty in private. But being expelled? Losing all connection to her?
He was a direct disciple of Yunxiao Peak. If he got thrown out like trash, where would his reputation go?
And despite everything, he didn't truly hate her. He just couldn't stand how she did things sometimes.
"It's too late for regrets." Song Wanníng narrowed her eyes, gaze filled with contempt as it swept over him. In her past life, he had once said, "I'm ashamed to have a master like you."
Back then, the world already treated her like filth. Yet her most cherished disciple had not only refused to help her, but pushed her deeper into the abyss.
The ones you care for the most always hurt you the deepest.
She remembered it all.
And this was only the beginning. She would watch, slowly, as they all received their due.
"You've disappointed me beyond words. I no longer recognize you as my disciple."
She flicked her sleeve, sending An Ze flying like a ragdoll.
Her face was cold and unmoved.
"Senior Aunt Song! I know you're angry with me, but you can't take it out on Senior Brother An!"
Ye Chuxue finally stepped forward, unable to hold it in any longer.
She clutched Gu Qingyuan tightly, staring at Song Wanníng with eyes full of blame and resentment.
"If you're angry, punish me. This has nothing to do with Senior Brother An. Don't drag the innocent into this!"
An Ze's panicked heart found a thread of warmth.
Of course. Senior Sister Ye still stood by him.
He was deeply touched.
One day, he swore, he would repay her with everything he had.
"Oh?"
Song Wanníng glanced sideways, eyes settling on An Ze again.
Seeing the pitiful glimmer of hope in his eyes, she felt even more disdain.
"You want me to change my mind? Fine.
If you kneel down right now and kowtow to me three times, maybe I'll be in a good enough mood to reconsider. You two are so close, after all. Surely you can't bear to see him expelled, right?"
Her smile held a dangerous edge. Her gaze, deep and merciless, made it hard to look her in the eye.
Ye Chuxue's expression crumpled. Her face flushed with anger.
Bai Yang's brows furrowed. Even he thought this was going too far.
"Master!!"
But before either of them could say anything, An Ze suddenly stood up and shouted, furious.
"You've gone too far!
So what if I'm expelled? You think I can't survive without Yunxiao Peak?
With my talent, I don't need you. There are plenty of sects that would fight to take me in!"
Say whatever you want about him, but he wouldn't let her humiliate Senior Sister Ye.
She was the kindest, most beautiful person in the world.
So what if he was expelled?
He wasn't afraid.
He would make Song Wanníng regret this.
One day, even if she begged him to come back, he would never return.
"Good."
Song Wanníng had been waiting for that.
She crossed her arms, scanning An Ze from head to toe.
"I won't bother counting the pills you took, but everything else on you? Take it off."