After Rebirth, the Heroine is Consumed by Overwhelming Regret Chapter 20

She was already stunningly beautiful. The slap turned her head completely, leaving bright red finger marks on her cheek. Tears welled up, making her look utterly pitiful.
But at this moment, no one sympathized with her.
Ling Aorui couldn’t see and didn’t know what had happened.
She touched her face in disbelief. The burning sensation reminded her that her Master had hit her. Being hit wasn’t the issue, but why in such a humiliating way?
She looked up in a daze. Whispers filled her ears, seemingly accusing her of taking liberties with someone. But how could she possibly do such a thing? If she really had, she wouldn’t have needed anyone to say anything; she would have killed herself first.
“I… I didn’t…” she tried to explain. “I really don’t know what they’re talking about. I can’t see…”
“The witness and evidence are all here, how can you still deny it!” Mo Tao shouted sternly. “How could I have a disciple like you? You’re a disgrace to our name!”
Mo Tao spoke harshly. Firstly, it was for her own good. If he, her Master, didn’t make a show of punishing her, others would think he was shielding her. Then, not only would she be at fault, but it would also tarnish the reputation of the entire Heavenly Sword Sect.
Secondly, if he didn’t discipline her, others would do it for him. He would act with some restraint, but if others took matters into their own hands, they wouldn’t hold back. It certainly wouldn’t end with just one slap.
Thirdly, he was truly disappointed that she hadn’t lived up to his expectations.
As her Master, he knew Ling Aorui’s usual temperament best. Forget taking liberties with others; even if someone accidentally brushed against the corner of her robe, she would silently move away. A person so fastidious would not normally do such a thing.
But nothing was absolute.
A few days ago, Ling Aorui had already shown a strong interest in Qi Qing. It was said she had even gone to Qi Qing’s dormitory late at night. Later, despite elders being present, she had insisted on speaking with her alone.
If, as she claimed, she only wanted to ask about the prophetic dream, then why, after it had already been explained, did she keep pestering her?
Other than having ulterior motives, he really couldn’t think of any other reason.
Others, including Qi Qing, didn’t understand why she would act this way, so naturally, they couldn’t speak up for her. Ling Aorui wanted to clarify things, but the words “disgrace to our name” choked off anything else she might have said. She never imagined her Master would say such a thing to her, especially after she had gone blind.
What would happen next? Would she be expelled from the sect?
The finger marks remained on Ling Aorui’s face, but her expression was now blank. Listening to the whispers and accusations around her, her heart suddenly grew cold.
Only then did she understand that the prophecy from the person in her dream was true—Guess how quickly they’ll forget you once they realize you can’t be cured?
They didn’t even need to discover it; she had already been abandoned.
Why was no one willing to listen to her? Why were they so quick to judge without distinguishing right from wrong? And Qi Qing? Did she also think I was that kind of reckless person?
What had I done? I just didn’t want Qi Qing to leave. Was that so wrong? Qi Qing was here to help me recover. But before anything happened, she suddenly got up to leave. My hopes were dashed, and my only thought was to keep her there and understand why.
Was this wrong?
If it were them, wouldn’t they do the same?
“Imprison her and give her no food!”
Mo Tao’s words delivered a preliminary verdict. Of course, this token punishment wouldn’t satisfy anyone. To silence the public outcry, he could only claim that to avoid wasting everyone’s time, they would temporarily lock her up for further questioning.
The crowd gradually dispersed. With a clang, the main door was locked.
Ling Aorui slumped to the ground. She wasn’t eloquent to begin with and, in the end, said nothing to defend herself. She couldn’t even shed a single tear. Overwhelming shame and resentment enveloped her, instantly sparking thoughts of suicide.
She casually summoned the Demon-Slaying Sword, her bonded sword.
The all-too-familiar hilt was engraved with demon-exorcising runes. Below the runes hung a tassel she had attached herself. She gently brushed her fingers over it, as if caressing a beloved.
But soon, her expression froze.
Her Demon-Slaying Sword was already unsheathed. This was her bonded sword; no one else could draw it—unless it was her destined person.
She could hardly believe it and hurriedly checked again. Yes, the sword was indeed unsheathed. And only one person had touched it moments ago.
Qi Qing…?
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On the way back, Yu Yan said nothing.
She didn’t have a gentle or submissive appearance to begin with. When her expression suddenly turned cold, it radiated an inviolable iciness, an oppressive feeling almost strong enough to freeze the air solid for miles around.
Qi Qing saw that she didn’t want to talk, so she also remained silent.
The two flew on in silence. As they reached the airspace above Welcoming Guest Peak, Yu Yan’s sword suddenly stopped. Qi Qing, carried forward by inertia, almost bumped into her back.
She rubbed her nose and straightened up.
“Why?” Yu Yan suddenly asked.
Qi Qing didn’t understand what she meant. “What?”
“Why didn’t you call me when you were in danger? I told you when I gave you the voice transmission stone,” Yu Yan said. “Is it because you don’t trust me, or are you trying to avoid me?”
“At that moment, there was no time to call for help,” Qi Qing said. “It was nothing serious, really. She just grabbed my skirt hem when she fell, and I cut the fabric to get away. That’s all.”
“That’s not ‘nothing serious.’ That’s harassment.” Yu Yan didn’t turn around, but her tone was already laced with anger. “From the sound of it, are you planning to just let it go?”
Qi Qing didn’t answer. She indeed had no intention of pursuing the matter further. How the Heavenly Sword Sect dealt with it was their business; personally, she didn’t plan to do anything more.
It wasn’t that she was kind-hearted or magnanimous. It was simply that one such incident was enough to make her feel disgusted for years. If she were to get further entangled with Ling Aorui, even if it hadn’t already, it would surely cast a shadow over her.
“…I understand.”
Yu Yan didn’t insist. Ever since Qi Qing had secretly gone to see Ling Aorui, Yu Yan knew that Ling Aorui was special to her. Whether it was love or hate Qi Qing felt, it wasn’t appropriate for Yu Yan to probe too deeply.
She didn’t feel sad, exactly. But the thought of a past Qi Qing might have shared with Ling Aorui made her heart ache with a sense of emptiness. It was as if Qi Qing had erected an invisible barrier between herself and the outside world.
This was a barrier forged from pain.
No matter who it was or what they did, they couldn’t easily break through this barrier, because the root of the pain remained. As long as that root existed, Qi Qing would never be able to truly open her heart to others.
Qi Qing appeared modest, polite, gentle, and refined as jade. But in reality, an unfathomable fire burned within her. This fire constantly seared her, leaving her listless and unwilling to concern herself with much of anything.
So…
So, should I give up the urge to stand up for her, just because of that slight distance between us?
Yu Yan gritted her teeth. If I don’t do it, who else will?
“You don’t want to pursue it, but I will. Don’t worry, I won’t make you face her again. Everything she owes you, I will get it all back for you.”