Chapter 3: Futility

A Cultivator.

This world has spiritual energy, and there are immortals. How could this be? Why, of all people, does Song Wanqing have to be a Cultivator!

Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes widened in a mix of despair.

Since arriving in this world, he hadn't even had the chance to explore it properly before being captured by slave traders. He had assumed this place was just like the old imperial dynasties of his previous life.

He never expected the existence of a Cultivator.

Could his physical strength possibly compare to that of a Cultivator?

But earlier, she had clearly slowed down.

She did it on purpose.

Realizing everything, the last shred of luck in Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart vanished into thin air.

The air briefly solidified, seemingly heralding the arrival of the next storm.

Seeing this look of despair on Junior Brother Bai Ming's face, Song Wanqing raised the corners of her mouth slightly, a glimmer flashing in her eyes.

"Not bad, a little despair, but it's still not enough."

Another clean and swift strike followed.

Junior Brother Bai Ming was caught off guard. By the time he regained his senses and tried to grit his teeth, it was already too late.

Song Wanqing gently supported her chin. "That sounded truly lovely."

Junior Brother Bai Ming glared at her, eyes wide. "You really are a lunatic."

His suppressed emotions erupted, and he began to lash out.

Song Wanqing's tone was soft. "Junior Brother Bai Ming, have you ever heard a saying?"

What is this crazy woman trying to say?

Looking at Song Wanqing before him, Junior Brother Bai Ming had no idea what she was thinking.

Song Wanqing leaned in close. "Even when weak beings struggle in anger, in front of the strong, it only appears somewhat cute."

Her fair fingers gently pinched Junior Brother Bai Ming's chin. "Seeing you like this, I almost can't bear it."

In her eyes, I am nothing but a weakling.

That's right; in this situation, he has absolutely no ability to resist.

To be honest, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt a sense of relief. Although he had only gained a moment to breathe because of this joking excuse, he couldn't afford to care about such details.

Blood flowed from his body onto the floor, staining it a shade of red.

His body felt as if it were being bitten by ants.

Losing a large amount of blood, his brain grew dizzy, and his consciousness blurred, yet he could still clearly feel the sensations on his body.

Let's just survive this ordeal first.

Junior Brother Bai Ming consoled himself; a gentleman taking revenge is never too late even after ten years. Let her be arrogant for now.

Song Wanqing's fingers, which were pinching his chin, suddenly tightened. "You didn't actually believe that, did you?"

"Ah."

A sudden strike caught Junior Brother Bai Ming off guard.

The echo of the strike cutting through the air still lingered in the secret room.

Damn it, which word of this crazy woman is even true? Her words are one thing, but her actions are entirely another.

Seeing the corners of Song Wanqing's mouth curve upward, Junior Brother Bai Ming cursed loudly.

"You lunatic."

He knew she was crazy, but he didn't expect her to be crazy to this extent.

When all was said and done, only one thing was true.

She just wanted to hit him.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's consciousness blurred. "Song Wanqing, is this all you've got?"

Before Song Wanqing could respond, Junior Brother Bai Ming's consciousness faded completely, and the iron chains fell slack.

Watching this scene, Song Wanqing remarked, "Interesting. It seems I need to use some stronger methods. A servant who doesn't listen simply won't do."

…

Dim candlelight illuminated the cold prison cell, casting the shadows of iron bars onto the young man's face.

Junior Brother Bai Ming crawled up from the cold floor; he wasn't sure how long he had been unconscious.

His head was spinning, and his body ached terribly, yet there wasn't a single wound on him.

"Has that crazy woman left?" Junior Brother Bai Ming began to examine his body.

"Unscathed, and I'm even wearing extra clothes. What is going on? The chains on my body have also disappeared."

He didn't know what had happened after he lost consciousness. Without the constraint of the chains, his body felt somewhat free, so he began to explore his surroundings.

Dim light, cold walls—there was nothing else besides these.

He was locked in a solitary cell within a secret room. Gripping the iron bar lock with both hands and sticking his head out, he could see the exit of the secret room right before him.

A thick, heavy iron door.

As long as he could open it, he could get out.

But the problem was that he was just an ordinary mortal. Not to mention that heavy iron door, he couldn't even open the iron bars of his cell.

Junior Brother Bai Ming gripped the iron bars with both hands. "That woman can't be here with me every moment. In that case, there might be an opportunity to exploit."

Click.

The heavy iron door was pushed open. The afterglow of the sunset took the opportunity to rush in, shining behind the young girl and bringing a touch of shade under the sunlight.

Junior Brother Bai Ming couldn't see the woman's face clearly, but there was no need to. Who else could come at this time? His body began to ache faintly.

As the girl drew closer, Junior Brother Bai Ming saw her face clearly.

It wasn't Song Wanqing. She wasn't…

The girl in a light white dress carried an exquisite food basket and walked slowly to the front of the cell.

"Young Master, it is time to eat."

Xiaoxue, the maid by Song Wanqing's side.

Junior Brother Bai Ming had seen her a few times before being locked up here.

Xiaoxue opened the food basket, and the aroma of the food inside filled the air, whetting Junior Brother Bai Ming's appetite.

It had to be said, the food smelled truly delicious.

The escape plan would require a period of observation; it lacked feasibility in the short term.

The immediate priority was to fill his stomach; even if it were a bucket of swill, he would eat it all.

Junior Brother Bai Ming reached out to take the food, but Xiaoxue didn't seem to have that intention, holding the silver spoon straight to his lips.

"There's no need for that. I can do it myself."

Xiaoxue frowned slightly. "This is a task ordered by the Miss. You must eat all of this, Young Master, otherwise this servant will be punished."

So Song Wanqing wants me to finish eating so she can whip me, is that it?

Junior Brother Bai Ming still waved his hand. "I will eat it all."

Xiaoxue couldn't argue with Junior Brother Bai Ming, so she passed the bowl and chopsticks into the cell, her two watery eyes staring straight at him.

Just as Junior Brother Bai Ming took the bowl and chopsticks, he felt something was off.

It seemed… a bit heavy.

The wounds on his hands had disappeared, but his arms ached terribly, and he felt a bit weak while holding the rice bowl.

He couldn't ask Xiaoxue to feed him again.

Just a little soreness, not worth mentioning.

Junior Brother Bai Ming paused for a moment. His hand holding the white bowl trembled slightly, but he still began to gulp down the food.

He was truly too hungry; after chewing a little, he swallowed it all hastily.

At first, he was still somewhat conscious of Xiaoxue's gaze and felt a bit awkward, but gradually he stopped caring.

After wolfing down the food, Junior Brother Bai Ming's strength recovered quite a bit.

"Xiaoxue, how long have I been unconscious?"

Xiaoxue took the bowl and chopsticks, checked them, tidied up the food basket, and said softly, "Counting from the first time I came in here, Young Master has been unconscious for three days."

Could it be… Junior Brother Bai Ming thought of a possibility.

"Who changed my clothes?"

Xiaoxue stopped tidying up, looked up, and smiled. "This servant changed them."

Junior Brother Bai Ming's face turned awkward, his body stiffened, and he felt at a loss. Both of his embarrassing situations had been seen by the girl in front of him.

After calming down slightly, Junior Brother Bai Ming noticed that the girl in front of him didn't seem to have much resistance to talking to him.

Junior Brother Bai Ming asked cautiously, "By the way, do you know what happened here?"