469. Mission Accomplished

As yet another chunk of flesh fell to the ground, Dai Mubai and the others were frozen in fear.

Tang San’s legs and the ground beneath him were soaked in blood.

Pop—

Tang San, trembling violently, nearly rolling his eyes back, pulled the cloth out of his mouth.

Like an elderly man at death's door, he bent forward with shaky hands, picking up the still-twitching flesh.

Holding it in both hands, he presented it to Zhu Zhuqing, bowing his head. His voice quivered.
“Disciple Tang San has received his punishment. Elder, please inspect it!”

“There’s no need for inspection.”

Zhu Zhuqing, her face slightly pale as she glanced at the still-moving flesh, pressed her lips together and steadied herself.
“Karma from the past life is resolved. From now on, we’re just classmates.”

Upon hearing this, Tang San’s pain-numbed face twitched as if he wanted to smile. His voice was hoarse and disjointed.
“Thank you… thank you, Elder, for sparing my life!”

“I hope you keep the Tang Sect’s secrets well. If you dare to act recklessly, your life will come to an end.”

Zhu Zhuqing suppressed her discomfort. Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked toward Ning Rongrong and the others.

“Disciple will obey!” Tang San held the flesh tightly in his hands. His face was pale, his body trembling as though with excitement.
It felt like he had narrowly escaped death.


---

“You’re still standing there?” Zhu Zhuqing said as she approached Xiao Wu, glancing at the pale-faced Dai Mubai and Ma Hongjun.

“You…” Dai Mubai hesitated to meet her gaze, but with frustration, he turned and quickly ran toward Tang San.

Ma Hongjun, clutching his groin and trembling, followed close behind with a look of pleading submission in his small eyes.

“Zhuqing, I’ll check on him too,” Xiao Wu called out, rushing toward Tang San with a worried cry.

“Tang Xiao San, are you okay? You’re not dying, are you?”

As Xiao Wu ran off, she left behind Ning Rongrong, who still had a hint of fear in her eyes.

Ning Rongrong looked at Zhu Zhuqing with an awkward smile.

“Hehe, Zhuqing, remember, I’m your future sister-in-law~”

Looking at Ning Rongrong’s expression, Zhu Zhuqing couldn’t help but crack a stiff smile.
“Let’s leave here first.”

“Sure, whatever you say.” Ning Rongrong eagerly agreed. She wasn’t squeamish, but such a bloody scene was beyond her experience.

“What about Xiao Wu?”

“We’ll bring her something to eat and hand it to her during class.”

“Alright!”

After discussing, Zhu Zhuqing led Ning Rongrong away.

Not long after, Zhu Zhuqing’s youthful face began to turn pale.

“Zhuqing, you’re…” Ning Rongrong was taken aback. So Zhu Zhuqing had been putting on an act earlier.

“I’m fine. I just need a moment.” Zhu Zhuqing shook her head gently, her pale face softening with a small smile.

Her jade-like hand rested lightly on her chest as her black six wings trembled slightly.

“Teacher, Zhuqing has completed the mission.”


---

Back at Tang San’s location, blood was still flowing.

Despite his efforts to stop the bleeding, the wounds were too severe. He couldn’t even stand up.

“Tang San, hang in there. I’ll take you to Teacher Shaoxin,” Dai Mubai said, grabbing Tang San by the arm.

Looking at the flesh still clutched in Tang San’s hand, Dai Mubai felt chills run down his spine. This was far too ruthless!

“Tang San!” Xiao Wu rushed to Tang San’s side, genuine panic on her face.

“Don’t worry, Xiao Wu. I… I’ll be fine,” Tang San rasped.

Allowing Dai Mubai to lift him in a horizontal carry, Tang San’s gaze toward Xiao Wu was full of warmth.

“Bro, seriously—”


"Can you... can you put those two pieces of flesh away first? I’m scared," Ma Hongjun stammered.

He couldn’t imagine enduring the same punishment. Would he bleed, or would oil spill out instead?

"Uh, sorry about that. I’ll put them away now."

Tang San’s face was as pale as a sheet as he placed the five pounds of flesh into his Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges.


---

In the shadows.

Tang Hao crouched in the bushes, his expression dark and brooding.

He didn’t know what Zhu Zhuqing had said to make his son mutilate himself.

But he could guess. Those mysterious hidden weapons and self-created soul skills must be involved.

After a moment of contemplation, Tang Hao suddenly shivered, stood up, and adjusted his pants.

If it weren’t for his need to relieve himself earlier, he could have eavesdropped on the entire conversation.

But alas, the timing had been unfortunate.

Just as he finished fastening his belt, Tang Hao froze. He quickly undid it again, grabbed some dry grass, and wiped a wound he had accidentally grazed.

Only after confirming he wouldn’t soil his clothes did he secure his belt once more, glancing around furtively.

As the mighty Clear Sky Douluo, he couldn’t let anyone catch him in such a sorry state.


---

In Spirit Hall.

While Zhu Zhuqing was contacting Qian Renxue, he was seated in the Pope’s Hall, diligently handling the affairs of the Pope.

Qian Renjue had taken on this role temporarily to allow Bibi Dong and her daughter more time together.

He wrote quickly and efficiently while the Ice Emperor, bored, hung from his collar, rubbing against his warm skin.

Beside him, Ling Yuan attended to him, while Chrysanthemum Douluo and Ghost Douluo stood at the entrance.

The two organized reports by urgency—urgent matters were addressed immediately, while less pressing ones were grouped together for efficiency.

Suddenly, a vibration came from the ring on Qian Renjue's thumb.

He paused, concentrating as a cheerful voice echoed in his mind.
"Teacher, Zhuqing has completed the mission!"

"As per your instructions, Tang San carved off five pounds of his own flesh."

After listening to Zhu Zhuqing’s detailed account, a faint smile appeared on Qian Renjue's face.

As expected, Tang San had taken the initiative to harm himself.

"Well done, Zhuqing. That will suffice for now. I’ll give you further instructions later."

"Understood. I am at your service anytime, Teacher."

Zhu Zhuqing clutched her chest, smiling. Her demeanor made Ning Rongrong shiver.

"Is the Holy Son’s disciple a complete lunatic?" she thought.

Qian Renjue voice softened as he responded,
"Be careful. When the time comes, I’ll send you a gift."

"Thank you, Teacher!" Zhu Zhuqing’s eyes sparkled with anticipation, curious about the gift.

As Ning Rongrong looked on in shock, Zhu Zhuqing, seemingly distracted, walked straight into a tree.

Bang!

Frowning slightly, Zhu Zhuqing stepped aside without missing a beat, her smile undiminished.

Ning Rongrong swallowed hard.

"Should I really be traveling with Zhuqing?"

Zhu Zhuqing, noticing that Ning Rongrong had fallen behind, turned and smiled.
"Rongrong, should I escort you?"

"Ah—!" Ning Rongrong let out a startled cry.


---

In the Pope’s Hall.

The Ice Emperor, perched on Qian Renjue's collar, noticed his cold smile and couldn’t help but ask,

"Qian Renjue, why are you smiling? Did someone offend you? Tell me, and I’ll help you kill them!"

Qian Renjue chuckled, watching as the Ice Emperor scurried onto the desk, raising her pincers threateningly.

He flicked her forehead gently with his finger, his smile tinged with malice.
"No need to kill anyone. Just take his kidneys for me."

"Kidneys? What are kidneys?" The Ice Emperor hugged his finger, confused.

"Ah—" Qian Renjue waved dismissively.

"Ask Ling Yuan about it."

Smiling, he tossed the Ice Emperor to Ling Yuan and returned to his work.

Ling Yuan caught the Ice Emperor and glanced at the regal yet focused Qian Renxue.

"Your Highness, remember to take me with you when the time comes."

Without looking up, Qian Renjue nodded slightly.

"Don’t worry. I won’t forget you."

As she observed Qian Renjue's composed demeanor, a mischievous thought crossed Ling Yuan’s mind.

"If I were to... crouch under the desk, would His Highness finish faster?"

The Ice Emperor, now sitting on Ling Yuan’s reddened face, urged her impatiently.

"Hey, human! Tell me what kidneys are. I need to stand up for Qian Renjue!"