Chapter 164: The Transformation of the Female Cultivator

As he approached the entrance of the cave, Zhou Qing heard movement behind him. Turning to look, he saw the woman inside, her face contorted with anger, gripping a short blade and stabbing it toward him.

Zhou Qing, seeing this, neither dodged nor flinched. He slapped the pouch at his waist, summoning his sword, Ruthless. As Kong Xue's short blade thrust toward him, he swung his own weapon at hers.

A clear metallic clang rang out, and Kong Xue’s blade snapped in two, leaving only the handle to strike Zhou Qing’s body.

Zhou Qing had not intended to trouble this woman, but her attack had thoroughly provoked him. As she drew near, Zhou Qing tapped her left wrist at the joint, and a faint crack accompanied her cry of pain.

Without pause, he twisted his finger and disabled her right hand as well, then grabbed her by the collar and hauled her back onto the flat stone inside the cave.

"Let me go! Let me go, you shameless creature! You filthy sword monger!"

Though her hands were ruined, as Zhou Qing dragged Kong Xue deeper into the cave, she cursed him fiercely and kicked at him with her feet.

Protected by his calamity-warding robe, her kicks caused Zhou Qing neither pain nor discomfort. He pressed her down on the stone, his face twisted into a fierce expression.

Such ferocity was rare for him; when he did display it, it was usually feigned, just as now.

With Kong Xue pinned, Zhou Qing slapped her across the face, then gripped her chin, scrutinizing this wild and unreasonable woman.

She continued to curse him, but Zhou Qing paid her no heed.

He studied her delicate features for a moment, then gently brushed her cheek and said, "I only now realize you’re rather pretty."

"What... what are you trying to do?"

Her curses faltered. Hearing Zhou Qing’s words, Kong Xue froze, and a fear and panic appeared on her face—emotions she had not shown since awakening.

It was clear she was truly afraid now. The savage look on Zhou Qing’s face, coupled with his words, was enough to terrify Kong Xue, who was powerless to resist.

"It’s not what I want to do—it’s what you think I’m about to do."

With this, Zhou Qing affected a lecherous manner, lifting her in his arms and reaching for the sash at her waist.

"What do you mean, what I think? Please, have mercy, let me go, please..."

Held fast by Zhou Qing, the woman broke into tears. Her wild demeanor vanished, replaced by the pitiful vulnerability of a frightened bird.

Seeing this change, Zhou Qing sighed inwardly, then released Kong Xue, letting her collapse onto the stone.

"You refused to believe I was the one who saved you. You thought I coveted your beauty and would violate you, so I’ll fulfill your expectation and take you for myself."

He paused deliberately, then mused, "Who would have thought there’d be someone as shameless as you in this world? I had no intention of violating you, yet you keep insisting I do. Could it be you’ve fallen for me at first sight?"

With that, Zhou Qing sat at the edge of the stone, pressing his face close to Kong Xue’s.

Their eyes met. She glanced at Zhou Qing, her cheeks already reddened from his slaps, now flushing deeper, for she realized that this young man, whose age matched her own, possessed an unexpectedly captivating charm.

In her eighteen years, she had never been embraced or handled intimately by a stranger. Yet now, Zhou Qing had held her, hugged her, even helped her with her clothing when she awoke.

He must have seen things he shouldn’t have. The thought brought an even deeper blush to her cheeks.

Zhou Qing observed her at close range. Seeing her drop her head in embarrassment, he couldn’t help but smile.

The woman who moments ago was a tigress now seemed as gentle as a kitten. The transformation amused him greatly.

He had only meant to frighten this wild woman, so after witnessing her change, Zhou Qing rose from the stone.

"I’m sorry, sir. I, Kong Xue, was wrong to blame you. Please don’t hold it against me. It was because you said you were a refugee, but now..."

One sitting on the stone, one standing at its edge, they lingered in silence for a few moments. The woman finally apologized softly, her tone devoid of the earlier wildness.

Kong Xue’s apology pleased Zhou Qing. Since she had admitted her fault, he saw no need to quarrel with a young woman.

"So your name is Kong Xue. I am Zhou Qing."

Zhou Qing sat again by the stone, smiling. "Now that you know you were wrong, I won’t hold it against you."

Seeing Zhou Qing’s smile, Kong Xue’s blush returned. She lowered her head for a moment, then raised it and said, "Yes, my name is Mu Kong Xue. I’m a cultivator of the Laoshan Sect. I suppose you must be a cultivator as well?"

Zhou Qing nodded silently, then, without further greeting, lifted her left arm and twisted it at the joint, setting her broken bone.

"Ah!" Kong Xue cried out in pain, ready to curse him again—only to realize her left hand could move once more.

Without waiting, Zhou Qing took her right arm and set the broken bone there as well.

"There. Your bones are fixed. Go find your senior brothers. I’m leaving."

With those words, Zhou Qing turned and walked toward the cave entrance, hands behind his back. Mu Kong Xue hastily rose and chased after him.

At the dark mouth of the cave, Mu Kong Xue called to his retreating figure, "Thank you, Zhou Qing!"

Hearing her gratitude, Zhou Qing glanced back at her, nodded silently, and continued on. Within a few moments, his figure vanished into the darkness.

Mu Kong Xue lingered at the cave entrance, gazing after Zhou Qing’s disappearing form. Only after a long while did she leave the cave.

"Senior Brother! Second Brother!"

Leaving the cave, Mu Kong Xue walked through the dark forest, calling out as she went. Her voice was not loud, but with the unique technique of her sect, it carried far.

Her calls soon reached Kong Ning and Kong Hai by the military encampment, and they heard their junior sister’s voice.