Chapter 372: Beyond Redemption

Su Yan immediately sensed his scrutiny, a cold sneer curling at the corners of her mouth.

Although she didn't know exactly what the Kong family was plotting, if they could ruin her once when she was a child, they could certainly scheme against her a second time now.

However, this time, she would absolutely not give anyone another chance!

"Junior Sister is injured? Is it serious?" Gan Hua and Kong Yueling's anxiety seemed to stem from a degree of genuine concern.

Kong Xiang, who was currently inhabiting Ruan Tao's body, finally withdrew his gaze from Su Yan and replied indifferently, "It's not a major problem, but her face is injured, so she is reluctant to see anyone."

He made up a casual excuse, then asked if anyone was carrying a bamboo hat or a veil.

Zhou Li immediately signaled Zhou Chong to take out a bamboo hat with a veil and handed it over.

"Senior Brother Ruan, are you sure we don't need to go over and visit Senior Sister Kong Nian?" Zhou Li confirmed once more. Although he could only see Kong Nian's back, he couldn't shake a sense of unease in his heart.

Kong Xiang refused directly. "No need. The second trial has been passed, right? Let's hurry on to the next matter."

Hearing him say this, although Zhou Li was curious about what Kong Nian's injuries actually looked like, he restrained himself and did not persist.

"Ruan Tao, then shall we go over to take care of Junior Sister?" Kong Yueling felt that she should step forward at a time like this; after all, since she and Kong Nian were both girls, it would be more convenient.

Kong Xiang glanced at her and Gan Hua. "You may, but do not mention anything regarding the Ma family or Su Yan in front of the Young Mistress."

Kong Nian's current condition required constant care, and with the entry into the third trial, he had more important matters to attend to and naturally could not look after her.

Gan Hua and Kong Yueling both froze for a moment, but they quickly nodded in unison.

After all, they were aware of Kong Nian's attitude toward Su Yan and the Ma family, so even with Kong Xiang saying this, they didn't feel anything was amiss.

The second trial had been cleared without any sacrifices or deaths, which was a good thing for both Zhou Li and Ma Chulong.

Ma Chulong even thought somewhat naively that if they could pass the third trial without incident, it would be the best possible outcome.

Zhou Li still had everyone rest in place for a few hours; after all, the previous two trials had already consumed a significant amount of their time, and everyone was currently in a state of near exhaustion.

"Su Yan, little sister, you two go sleep for a while. When you wake up, we'll take over," Ma Chulong immediately signaled to the two of them.

They had to make the most of every minute of rest; no one knew what they would encounter in the third trial.

"Okay." Su Yan did not dally. She found a relatively quiet spot, sat cross-legged, and closed her eyes.

Kong Yueling, on the other hand, was not as composed. This was a graveyard after all, surrounded by tombstones, some of which were so ancient that the inscriptions were no longer legible. Even though she was an exorcist, sleeping peacefully in such a place was quite a challenge.

Moreover, rather than sleeping, she was more curious about what had happened to Kong Nian.

They had clearly emerged from the illusion, yet she refused to even show her face; she must have something unsightly to hide.

That Ruan Tao said Kong Nian's face was injured—it would be best if she were actually disfigured, so she wouldn't go around pestering people she shouldn't after they got out.

Kong Nian and Gan Hua approached Kong Nian cautiously. When they saw the cloth wrapped around her eyes and the bloodstains on her face, both were stunned.

"Junior Sister Kong, you... you..."

Kong Yueling let out an incredulous cry, but in the next second, she was startled into covering her mouth by a killing glare from Kong Xiang.

Hearing that it was her, Kong Nian's pale face turned so grim it could have dripped water.

"Shut up!"

She barked a harsh reprimand; it wasn't their place to come and mock her.

Kong Yueling also realized her loss of composure, only daring to let her terror show through her eyes.

Gan Hua's expression was also extremely grim; he never imagined Kong Nian would look like this.

Just what had Kong Nian encountered in the illusion that caused her to injure her eyes?

Her current appearance actually felt somewhat familiar to him.

However, he was tactful enough not to say anything, appearing much more composed than Kong Yueling.

Kong Xiang glared fiercely at the two of them, then placed the bamboo hat on Kong Nian's head.

"What are you making such a fuss about? The Young Mistress is merely injured. Conditions here are limited, so this is the only way to handle it. She will recover quickly once we are out."

The latter half of the sentence sounded more like he was comforting Kong Nian.

"Why did you let them come over?" Kong Nian's raspy voice was filled with reproach; clearly, she was unwilling to see anyone.

Kong Xiang said unhurriedly, "The third trial has too many variables. It is always better to have them by the Young Mistress's side for protection."

Kong Nian really wanted to tell them to get lost, but considering her current situation, she could only suppress her emotions.

"I'm asking you, how is the mood over at the Ma family's side?"

She asked this intentionally to distract herself.

That pair of siblings was so close to Su Yan; now that Su Yan was dead, they must be heartbroken, right?

It was a pity she couldn't see it with her own eyes; otherwise, it would surely be even more satisfying than she imagined.

Gan Hua and Kong Yueling both froze. After recovering, they looked at Kong Xiang with unease and confusion.

After all, he had just instructed them not to mention Su Yan or the Ma Chulong siblings in front of Kong Nian, yet unexpectedly, Kong Nian had brought it up herself so quickly.

Furthermore, Kong Nian's gloating tone was something the two found utterly incomprehensible.

Kong Xiang was not surprised by Kong Nian's question, nor did he care about Gan Hua and Kong Yueling's feelings, as he proactively answered for them: "They are resting over there; they have had no contact with the others."

Gan Hua frowned deeply, not understanding why Kong Xiang would say such a thing.

However, he naturally did not dare to question it. Even knowing that Kong Xiang was lying to Kong Nian, he could only pretend that nothing had happened.

The naive Kong Yueling, however, was somewhat restless. She seemed to want to say something, but Gan Hua grabbed her wrist and stopped her with a look.

Kong Nian followed with a cold snort. "Without Su Yan to back them up, I expect they will learn to restrain themselves in the future."

Once she obtained all of Su Yan's power, she would definitely make these people bow before her.

The Ma family, the Kong family—all of them would be crushed ruthlessly under her feet!

In the future, only the Kong family, with her as the Clan Leader, would be the head of the four great families!

Just thinking about it made the blood in her entire body boil; she could hardly wait for that day to arrive!

Kong Xiang remained noncommittal. He was, of course, well aware of the obsession in Kong Nian's heart, and it was precisely this obsession that had pushed her into the abyss of no return.

(End of Chapter)