Chapter 59: Don't... Don't Do This in Front of Master (1)
Su Qing did not speak, merely scrutinizing the goddess with an assessing gaze.
Some things could not be resolved with mere words alone.
Having spent enough time with him, Ye Xueyi instantly understood the young man's thoughts.
She knew Su Qing wouldn't act without incentive—now was the time to show sincerity.
Already prepared for this, she placed her hands on her scarlet long dress.
The intricate fabric was effortlessly undone, slowly slipping down to the ground.
However, she only undid the upper half.
Her smooth, delicate back, the exquisite crimson undergarment covering her chest, and the soft blush of her fair skin—her flawless figure was as breathtaking as ever.
Paired with the tender expression in her eyes, the effect was astonishing.
Yet, she did not proceed further. Instead, she lifted her gaze, pleading silently with him.
Like a helpless little creature with nowhere to go, waiting for a kind soul to take her in.
That pitiful look was enough to stir compassion in anyone who saw her.
"Madam, you are truly unfair, using my kindness and compassion to make such a request."
"Compared to me, you are the real wicked goddess!"
Su Qing's tone was filled with resignation.
Sigh, wasn't this just bullying an honest man?
She knew he softened under gentleness rather than force, so she chose to play weak—making it hard for him to punish her as he intended.
Couldn't she just use her usual tricks, some scheming and manipulation, to give him a valid reason to strike back?
"I didn't!" Ye Xueyi hurriedly defended herself.
At the corners of her eyes, faint traces of tears remained.
Clearly, before Su Qing arrived, she had already endured a battle within herself, shedding tears of frustration.
But she could think of no other way!
She didn't want her sect members to suffer, and she also wished to complete her mission and obtain valuable information.
The only way to accomplish both was by sacrificing herself!
That way, perhaps no blood would need to be spilled.
During her days in the capital, Ye Xueyi had gone out multiple times to observe the city.
And what she saw made it clear—the Empress's influence and future were undeniable.
The only thing she could do now was ensure a path of survival for the Heavenly Dao Sect.
With that in mind, she once again sought to prove her resolve, placing her hand on the knot of her undergarment.
The only reason he hadn't agreed must be that the price wasn't high enough, right?
Then she would continue—until he accepted. If he did, then so be it!
"...Truly pitiful."
Su Qing's gaze lacked any hint of desire. Instead, it carried only sympathy.
Thinking carefully, the goddess hadn't truly done anything wrong.
Her nature was undoubtedly kind, yet that kindness had been exploited again and again.
That was why he had to use his own methods to guide these lost lambs onto the right path!
And in the process, some punishment was only fair for their mistakes.
His calm voice and composed gaze made Ye Xueyi freeze mid-motion.
She stared blankly at the young man, as if trying to decipher his emotions through his eyes.
"Why must you sacrifice yourself? Why are you doing this?"
"Have you never considered that you are merely a pawn being manipulated by others?"
"Perhaps the truth you see is only a fraction of the whole, and the justice you believe in is nothing more than self-righteousness."
"You're an adult now—you should have the ability to judge for yourself."
Su Qing sighed as he spoke.
Ye Xueyi's entire body stiffened, her eyes revealing unconcealed astonishment.
There was no trace of mockery in Su Qing's gaze. That meant...
He genuinely felt sorry for her—he saw her as a pitiful fool.
But what was there to pity about her?
Just as her thoughts were thrown into turmoil, the jade pendant at her waist suddenly grew hot.
This was the Heavenly Dao Sect's secret transmission method—Listening Shadow.
And the only one who could contact her through this method was the Heavenly Dao Master.
The sudden communication left Ye Xueyi momentarily flustered, and she instinctively chose to accept it.
It was purely a reflex in her moment of panic—there was no chance to regret it now.
A soft glow emanated from the jade pendant, and a graceful figure materialized in the air.
However, even though it was merely a projection, the figure remained concealed behind a screen, revealing only a silhouette.
Yet, just the mere sight of this silhouette exuded an aura of overwhelming majesty, making one instinctively feel the urge to bow.
For those with weaker minds, the pressure might be so intense that they would kneel in worship outright.
Even without seeing her face, just the shadow of her form was enough to dazzle the world.
"Disciple, your heart is in turmoil."
A voice, soft and ethereal as a melody drifting through a valley, echoed from behind the screen.
It was a voice capable of cleansing the soul.
Sensing her disciple's inner turmoil, the master naturally wished to offer guidance.
"Master... I-I don't know if what I'm doing is truly right."
Ye Xueyi no longer cared about Su Qing's presence beside her, speaking in a dazed voice.
Like Yun Rong, she had her own eyes and her own judgment.
The things she had seen and heard in the capital did not align with what she had always believed.
Which one was the truth, and which one was a lie?
Why was that young man looking at her with such an expression?
She felt as if she were sinking into a mire, completely lost on what to grasp for salvation.
For a goddess unaccustomed to the world's complexities, this was undoubtedly a trial.
"Disciple, you should know my grand aspiration. My wish is to bring salvation to all beings."
"That Empress is clearly not the ruler destined by fate to bring prosperity."
"If everything is left in her hands, terrible disasters will inevitably arise in the future."
"Everything we do is for the sake of the people, for the greater good."
The Heavenly Dao Master's voice was devoid of emotion, yet it carried undeniable persuasion.
Under normal circumstances, this kind of manipulation would have been enough to sway Ye Xueyi.
But this time, she did not blindly believe and follow.
It wasn't that she thought her master was wrong, but rather... some people simply had no sense of honor!