Chapter 8: Transformation

Song Wanqing's expression was indifferent as she struck with her whip again. "Wrong."

Junior Brother Bai Ming's limbs twitched. "I was wrong. I really know I was wrong."

Song Wanqing smiled sweetly. "Still wrong. Is that what I said?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming felt pained inside; of course, he knew what she was talking about.

But did he really have to beg her for mercy, kneeling on the ground, surrendering body and soul?

His last remaining reason was still struggling, but as the whip lashed down again and again, his final shred of sanity was drowned by the tidal wave of pain from his soul.

Another three days passed.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes were bloodshot, his expression ferocious.

At this moment, escaping the Song family or seeking revenge no longer mattered.

He only wanted the whip to stop!

Junior Brother Bai Ming knelt on the ground. "This servant knows his wrong. Please, Miss, spare this servant."

Song Wanqing stopped swinging the whip, a smile on her lips. "See? You can say it. Have you realized your status yet?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his head. "I am Miss's servant, an object for Miss's amusement and pleasure."

Song Wanqing emitted a satisfied, coquettish laugh. "You've thought it through. That's more like it."

Watching Song Wanqing's unbridled smile, complex emotions surged in Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart: shame, resentment, and the joy of escaping the sea of suffering.

His physical body was intact, but his soul was floating, his foundation already damaged.

The dim candlelight cast a shadow on the kneeling youth's face, revealing his weak silhouette and the stunning beauty's unbridled laughter.

A pill was tossed casually onto the ground.

Song Wanqing relaxed her slender figure. "Look forward to tomorrow, my Young Master Bai."

The slightly disheveled youth knelt on the cold floor, his mind blank. He remained silent for a long time, and even when the green-clad figure left the prison, he did not react.

After a long while, tears began to well up on the youth's face, crystal clear and continuous.

He hated.

He hated Song Wanqing's cruelty and tyranny, and he hated his own incompetence and weakness.

He hated this unjust world even more!

Why did he, Junior Brother Bai Ming, have to suffer all this? Why did he have to come to this unknown world?

He bent over weakly, his forehead pressing against the cold floor.

He wiped the tear stains on his face with force, but no matter how he wiped, they wouldn't go away; the teardrops traced their path down to the floor.

These tears came from the pain in his heart, a bitter hatred that wouldn't dissipate, flowing out endlessly with the tears.

Junior Brother Bai Ming lost his perception of the environment and time, his forehead pressed to the ground, motionless for a long time.

Clang—

The girl in white pushed open the iron door. Seeing the youth's disheveled state, she felt a trace of sorrow rise in her heart for some reason.

Xiaoxue picked up the pill from the ground. "Young Master, it's time to take your medicine."

Junior Brother Bai Ming was expressionless, not moving.

Xiaoxue's brow furrowed deeper. After thinking for a moment, she reached her small hand toward Junior Brother Bai Ming's mouth.

Her two fair fingers pried open Junior Brother Bai Ming's lips and teeth. Xiaoxue held the pill in her left hand and gently pushed it into Junior Brother Bai Ming's mouth.

To ensure the pill entered his stomach smoothly, Xiaoxue used her left hand to cover Junior Brother Bai Ming's mouth while her right hand supported his shoulder to straighten his body.

The whole process went smoothly; Xiaoxue did not encounter the slightest resistance, or rather, Junior Brother Bai Ming had neither the heart nor the strength to resist.

Looking at the youth's handsome face, now full of traces of sorrow, Xiaoxue was touched, but she didn't know how to improve the state of the youth before her, whose heart was as dead as ashes.

Xiaoxue put down the medicine bucket, twisting a towel in her hands. "Young Master, why suffer so much? Wouldn't it be better to just follow Miss's wishes?"

The youth before her had deep, unfathomable eyes, lost in thought.

Even though the youth did not respond, and even though he had no wounds, Xiaoxue still diligently wiped his entire body, just wanting to make him feel a little more comfortable.

While wiping him attentively, Xiaoxue talked to herself about the recent news and interesting events in Canglan City.

"Oh, by the way, Young Master, some disciples from the Yuqing Sect had a conflict with the Song family today." Xiaoxue wanted to see if she could stir up some interest in Junior Brother Bai Ming.

Junior Brother Bai Ming still sat on the ground blankly, eyes hollow, staring straight ahead as if no one was there, seemingly thinking or perhaps just dazed.

Xiaoxue sighed inwardly but continued to speak in a soft voice.

After a long time, Xiaoxue had finished wiping Junior Brother Bai Ming's entire body. She lowered her head to pack up the medicine bucket, preparing to leave.

The youth's fingers twitched, showing a faint sign of vitality.

His heart was in turmoil. That one kneel had already knelt away all his self-esteem. In the future, no matter how he struggled or remained unyielding, it would all seem so ridiculous after that kneel.

But so what if it was ridiculous? So what if it was self-esteem?

This damn dignity—he didn't want it anymore!

From now on, even if he had to live like a wild dog, or beg, he, Junior Brother Bai Ming, only sought to escape this place.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes gradually gathered a glimmer of light. He grabbed Xiaoxue's hand. "Can I trust you?"

Xiaoxue looked at the determination in Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes; his pupils seemed to hide unimaginable pain, and the corners of his eyes still carried a trace of pleading.

Xiaoxue smiled and nodded, her face carrying the subtlety of a spring breeze.

"I want to escape."

"Hmm."

…

"Miss, I know I was wrong. Previously, this servant was a bit unable to recognize his place." Junior Brother Bai Ming stood half-bowed, while Song Wanqing watched with interest.

Song Wanqing rested her chin on her jade hand. "Oh? Young Master Bai figured it out overnight? I whipped you for half a day earlier, but it had absolutely no effect."

Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression was ugly. "Previously, it was this servant's pride acting up, but it won't happen again."

"Kneel."

Thump.

Junior Brother Bai Ming knelt on the ground without hesitation. Having knelt before, he now felt no psychological burden.

Song Wanqing's autumn-like eyes narrowed slightly. "It seems you really have submitted."

Smack.

A spiritual whip struck Junior Brother Bai Ming's cheek. His soul felt as if it were being torn and chewed by a million ants. A look of astonishment appeared on his face. "Miss, why do this? What did this servant do wrong?"

Song Wanqing held the whip, a triumphant smile on her face.

She walked up to Junior Brother Bai Ming and met his gaze.

"Didn't I say it earlier? I simply want to torture you. Or did Young Master Bai think that by doing this, you wouldn't get whipped?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming stepped back involuntarily, his face showing horror and incomprehension.

A lunatic, she really was a lunatic.

Song Wanqing revealed a playful expression. "What? Do you hate me?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming lowered his head. "I don't hate you."

Song Wanqing's slender fingers lifted Junior Brother Bai Ming's chin, forcing him to meet her gaze.

Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes dodged, avoiding direct eye contact.

Song Wanqing let out a giggle. "Why do I feel your eyes are full of hatred?"

Did Junior Brother Bai Ming hate her?

Of course he hated her.

She had imprisoned him in this dim, cold cell and made him suffer endless torture.

How could he not hate her?

But he didn't dare to show it, and he dared not reveal it, so he could only bury the endless hatred deep in his eyes.

But even so, it was still detected by the woman before him!

"I don't hate you."

"You dare to talk back? You deserve a beating."

Junior Brother Bai Ming let out a miserable wail. Now, there was no need for him to hold back his voice anymore; he just thought that this might slightly alleviate the pain in his heart.

Why?

Submitting meant getting whipped, and not submitting meant getting whipped even more.

Why?

There was actually such an unreasonable person in this world.

It was as if no propriety, righteousness, integrity, or shame could bind her.

Junior Brother Bai Ming rolled on the ground and screamed loudly. "Please, Miss, spare this servant! Please, Miss, spare…"

Song Wanqing laughed wantonly. "Louder."