After Rebirth, the Heroine is Consumed by Overwhelming Regret Chapter 17

They spoke so matter-of-factly that Qi Qing frowned as she listened.
Although she had heard these people were ruthless, this was the first time she’d seen it firsthand. Skinny Monkey, at least, had only bullied the weak. This Wang Ming, however, was practically a living King of Hell. The last competition had likely destroyed Skinny Monkey’s dominance, and now all the underlings he used to boss around wanted to turn the tables and reclaim everything they felt he owed them.
“Alright, stop fooling around,” she said. “Be careful not to kill anyone. I don’t have that big a grudge against him, so you don’t need to vent my anger for me. And those torture methods… don’t use them on fellow sect members.”
It wasn’t that she felt sorry for Skinny Monkey. It was just that if they kept committing evil in her name, it would eventually lead to trouble.
Wang Ming nodded repeatedly. “Sister Qing is magnanimous. Since you want to protect him, I’ll do you this favor.”
With that, he waved at Skinny Monkey. “Hey, aren’t you going to come over and thank Sister Qing?”
Skinny Monkey struggled to lift his head. He tried to crawl but couldn’t get up, so he could only look at Qi Qing from afar, a hint of confusion on his face.
“What are you dazed for? Are you not giving Sister Qing face?” Wang Ming’s temper flared again, and he reached for the thorny whip at his waist. This whip was likely his magic artifact, covered in blood-thorn vines. One lash would undoubtedly leave a person a bloody mess. Skinny Monkey was already severely injured; how could he possibly withstand it?
Qi Qing quickly stopped him. “I told you not to hit him. Why are you still trying to?”
“Oh, oh, I forgot. It’s become a habit,” Wang Ming said with a laugh. “Sister Qing, please calm down. You’re the role model for the entire outer sect now. How could I dare disobey you?”
As they spoke, an underling dragged Skinny Monkey over. Only when he was closer did Qi Qing see that he had been tortured to within an inch of his life.
Seeing Qi Qing, he actually became a bit more lucid and began to struggle desperately. He probably thought Qi Qing intended to finish him off while he was down, and that her kind demeanor was just a ruse to lull his senses. This wasn’t paranoia on his part; it was exactly what he used to do to others.
Whenever he wanted to torture someone, he would deliberately leave them an escape route. Then, just as his prey reached that path to safety, he would cruelly block it off.
But he had no strength; his struggles were more like writhing.
“What are you squirming for?” Wang Ming, finally remembering Qi Qing’s words, didn’t hit him again. He just held Skinny Monkey’s face still, forcing him to offer his thanks.
Skinny Monkey’s chin was gripped, his face pale, but his eyes still held the same venomous glare as before. He hated Qi Qing for reducing him to this state, and hated her for seemingly wanting to kick him while he was down. But with his mouth held shut, he couldn’t utter a word.
Qi Qing wasn’t in the mood to scrutinize his expression. She just said, “Alright, no need for thanks. Hurry and take him to the healers. Any longer and you’ll beat him to death. Also, don’t go around beating people up in my name anymore. I can’t bear that responsibility.”
How could Wang Ming dare to refuse? He quickly ordered his men to carry Skinny Monkey away.
With some peace and quiet finally restored, Qi Qing returned to her quarters, satisfied.
She didn’t know that after she turned away, Skinny Monkey’s gaze remained fixed on her back until she disappeared around the corner.
Meanwhile, Yu Yan and her party, led by Mo Tao, arrived at Ten Thousand Flowers Peak and proceeded to Ling Aorui’s residence. With so many distinguished guests visiting, Ling Aorui naturally couldn’t remain in bed. Having received word beforehand, she had dressed neatly and was sitting at a table, waiting respectfully.
These past few days, she had managed to move slowly around her room and even perform simple daily tasks independently. This was largely due to her own efforts; she feared her condition becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy, leading to her true abandonment by the sect.
After a short while, a young attendant announced their arrival. Ling Aorui listened intently but heard no footsteps. Just as she was about to stand and inquire, she suddenly heard voices right beside her. Startled, she sank back into her chair. Only then did she realize that these people possessed extremely high cultivation levels; relying on her ordinary senses, she couldn’t detect them at all.
Her heart sank. She had thought that being able to manage daily tasks meant she was close to recovery. But it was merely wishful thinking; things weren’t that simple. If these had been enemies instead of guests, she would already be dead by now.
The others didn’t notice her emotional shift. In the eyes of these powerful cultivators, she was merely a subject to be studied. Without even needing to speak to her, they began to examine her condition with their spiritual threads.
Unsurprisingly, everyone’s diagnosis was the same: she was completely blind, unable to even perceive light.
The group fell silent. Although they had somewhat expected it, an injury this severe was likely incurable.
But such words could not be spoken in front of the patient.
Mo Tao understood their unspoken consensus and quickly invited them outside to speak.
Only Ling Aorui remained in the room. Truthfully, she knew her condition was likely incurable. No matter how many powerful cultivators there were, none could surpass the authority of the sect’s Herbal Hall. Now, she had pinned all her hopes on Qi Qing. She wondered how Immortal Qing Shan’s talk with her had gone. Would Qi Qing be willing to treat her?
If she isn’t willing, will I have to lower myself and beg her?
She gripped the stool beneath her tightly, a wave of shame and indignation washing over her. Why? Why did I have to suffer this? I am the future of the Heavenly Sword Sect, a prodigy among the younger generation of the immortal world! If this had happened to anyone else, the consequences wouldn’t have been nearly so severe.
Yet those fools are so fortunate.
The first time she had cursed a fellow disciple, she had been panicked and full of self-blame. But later, she found that only by doing so could she feel a sliver of emotional balance. It’s this illness that has made me so terrible, she thought. As long as it’s cured, I’ll go back to being that noble Senior Sister, admired and loved by all.
“Qi Qing…” she murmured to herself, raising a hand to grasp at the air as if clutching at a lifeline. But her hand caught nothing, and it fell limply to her side.
Meanwhile, Qi Qing had returned to her guest room. After tidying up, she sat on her bed in a daze for a while before suddenly remembering she had important business. She summoned the System. Its attitude was somewhat cold, blaming her for not listening earlier and insisting on discussing leaving the sect with Su Miaoyin.
Her discussion might seem trivial, but if the ‘higher-ups’ found out, she could easily be judged as deviating from the plot. If that happened, both of them would face severe consequences.
“You know how I died in my previous life,” Qi Qing said, deciding to appeal to its emotions. “If it were you, could you be all attentive and sweet to someone who indirectly caused your death? The fact that I can suppress my urge to kill her is already the peak of my kindness. Asking me to pursue her now? I’d rather die.”
The System thought for a moment and felt it was indeed a frustrating situation. Just as it was about to voice its agreement, it realized Qi Qing had verbally maneuvered it. “I admit you have a point,” it said quickly. “But pursuing a target is inherently an act. Some people have to pursue Demon Lords, you know? Don’t they also manage to perform under immense pressure?”
“If others are so good, then go find another host,” Qi Qing said, in a rare good mood, even teasing it.
Seeing that she genuinely wasn’t speaking to it, the System said anxiously, “No, no, no! You’ve been with that Yu Yan constantly these past few days, we haven’t even had a moment to talk! Are you trying to bore me to death?”
Qi Qing still ignored it, simply closing her eyes and focusing her mind.
The System grew even more anxious. “Come on, talk to me~ I’m so bored all by myself. I’m not trying to force you to pursue Ling Aorui, but if you don’t, we’ll both die! Even if it’s just for my sake, at least put on an act. Every day we can deceive them is another day gained. Once the application I’ve submitted gets approved, it won’t be too late for you to switch targets then.”
Qi Qing’s eyes snapped open. “You’re saying it’s actually possible to switch targets?”