Madam Dongmen’s Thunderous Fury

The disciples of the Hall of Ten Thousand Demons had been driven mad by Xie Wuji's torment, and the news spread rapidly, igniting discussion throughout the Danxia Sect.

“I heard that this time an assassin tried to kill Xie Wuji, but ended up losing his mind after being tortured by him. Xie Wuji is truly ruthless! What did he do to make that happen?”

“Hah, you don’t say! Boss Xie is really something—he even dares to mess with the Grand Elder. Who in Danxia Sect would he hesitate to provoke? Even assassins are no match for him! His methods are unparalleled, unmatched in history!”

“Do you still remember the brothers Shi Zhentian and Shi Zhenxiang? Shi Zhenxiang got doused with foul water—worse than any medicine, the stench was unbearable. Shi Zhentian had it even worse; the Grand Elder poured it right over his head. They begged for mercy, saying they couldn’t take it anymore!”

By now, Xie Wuji’s reputation for cruelty was notorious in Danxia Sect. After the ordeal at the Pill Refining Hall, people pointed and whispered when he walked by, too afraid to speak out, lest they provoke Xie Wuji and suffer torment worse than death.

Yet Xie Wuji was oblivious to all this. He muttered to himself, “Could it be that I’ve become more handsome? Am I irresistible to both men and women?”

But he had business to attend to. He needed to see the Sect Master, who apparently had some instructions for him. So Xie Wuji hurried along. No matter how crowded the road was, people kept a ten-step distance from him, as if he carried a repelling aura that made others instinctively clear the way.

Without pondering the reason, Xie Wuji arrived at the residence of the Sect Master, where he happened to see Dongmen Qianyun.

He intended to greet her, but was halted by the sound of sobbing. Driven by curiosity, Xie Wuji stayed at a distance to observe what was happening.

The sobbing came from Dongmen Qianyun, clad in a pink dress with floral trim, looking rather disheveled. Surrounding her were four young women, their faces twisted with cold smiles, brimming with schadenfreude. They were likely maids. Beside them stood a middle-aged woman—judging by her hairstyle, she was just past thirty, well-maintained, with a striking figure.

“You little wretch, you’re just like your mother. I said I wouldn’t eat it, yet you insisted. Don’t you know your osmanthus cake tastes like mud? Is that supposed to be fit for people?” the woman berated Dongmen Qianyun.

Dongmen Qianyun bit her lip. “Mother, you haven’t been well lately. I added a little spiritual medicine to the osmanthus cake, I…”

“Added medicine? Oh, so you want to poison me now, is that it? Don’t think I’m unaware that you hate me because of your mother. I won’t be so foolish as to eat anything you make. Just like your mother—cheap and shameless, not knowing how to respect themselves. Dragon begets dragon, phoenix begets phoenix, pig begets pig!” the woman sneered.

Xie Wuji immediately recognized her as his teacher’s wife. He had never met her before, but from her words and demeanor, it was clear she was not a kind person. Rumor had it she was Ding Desheng’s sister.

Xie Wuji glanced at the pitiful Dongmen Qianyun, then at the aggressive woman, and felt a surge of rage. He understood this situation all too well—the woman’s every insult made his skin crawl, sending a chill through his body. Dongmen Qianyun, so obedient and considerate, accused of poisoning?

Laughter, mockery, and ridicule crashed over Xie Wuji like waves. Seeing Dongmen Qianyun’s sorrowful eyes, he could no longer contain his fury. Striding forward, under the stunned gazes of the crowd, Xie Wuji helped Dongmen Qianyun to her feet and asked, “Are you alright?”

Dongmen Qianyun saw Xie Wuji and bit her lip. “Brother Xie, why are you here? Please leave—this has nothing to do with you…”

“How can it have nothing to do with me? Of course it does!” Xie Wuji took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.

Dongmen Qianyun looked at Xie Wuji with complex emotion, but suddenly pain shot through Xie Wuji’s calf. He turned to see an angry maid had kicked him, her eyes wide with malice. “Who are you, meddling in other people’s business?!”

Another maid eyed Xie Wuji and scoffed, “Oh, so you’re the Sect Master’s new disciple. Word is you’re full of tricks, but now you’re interfering in the Sect Master’s family affairs? You really think being the Sect Master’s disciple gives you free rein?”

“You’re bullying her here, and I won’t stand for it!” Xie Wuji declared, his voice resolute.

“I suppose you don’t want to cultivate in Danxia Sect anymore, daring to meddle in the Lady’s affairs. Just look at you—are you interested in Dongmen Qianyun? She’s nothing but a bastard, and you still want her? Honestly, your taste is beyond words!”

The maid’s venomous insults shocked and enraged Xie Wuji, while Dongmen Qianyun pushed him aside, biting her lip. “My problems don’t need your help. Go!”

“Did you hear that? Hahaha, before we lose our patience, get lost!” The maids laughed loudly.

Xie Wuji looked at Dongmen Qianyun. Her clear, dark eyes shone beneath thick, clean lashes, like two beautiful gems shimmering with tears.

At that moment, the lady spoke. “Qianyun, you’re my stepdaughter—still my child, I suppose… I don’t want to make things difficult for you. If you kneel and admit your mistake, I’ll let this go and won’t pursue your ‘drugging’ the osmanthus cake.”

“Mother, I made it out of kindness for you. How could you accuse me so? Even if I had a hundred times the courage, I’d never dare put anything in your food…” Dongmen Qianyun bit her lip, tears streaming down.

Before Xie Wuji could respond, the lead maid shoved Dongmen Qianyun, cursing, “Lady told you to kneel, are you deaf?!”

The push sent Dongmen Qianyun sprawling to the ground, igniting Xie Wuji’s fury.

“Abusing your power!”

With that, Xie Wuji slapped the maid hard across the face. She spun twice on the spot and toppled over like a spinning top, her eyes wide with terror as she clutched her face, glaring at Xie Wuji. “You, you…”

For a moment, silence reigned. Not only the three remaining maids, but even Dongmen Qianyun stared at Xie Wuji in shock, eyes wide and mouths agape.

Lady Dongmen was livid. “Xie Wuji, are you defying authority?”

“She’s your daughter, and you let maids bully her like this? Even if you dislike her, must you treat her so?” Xie Wuji retorted.

Lady Dongmen sneered. “Xie Wuji, I know you’re an inner disciple and have made a name for yourself lately. I gave you some respect, but you have no idea how that vixen’s mother seduced my husband! My husband is your master—by seniority you should call me teacher’s wife. Do you know your master nearly divorced me for her?”

“Enough!” Dongmen Qianyun suddenly knelt. “Mother, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have brought you the osmanthus cake. I’m sorry… But Brother Xie didn’t know your identity—he offended you unintentionally…”

“No need for you, little wretch, to speak for me. We’re leaving!” Lady Dongmen barked, turning away with her entourage.

The maid who had been slapped glared at Xie Wuji. “I won’t let you off!”

Xie Wuji helped Dongmen Qianyun up. “Ah, why must you endure this?”

Dongmen Qianyun’s pent-up grief burst forth, and she wept, burying her face in Xie Wuji’s chest, soaking his clothes with her tears.

“Don’t cry, don’t cry, it’s over. Next time, don’t provoke that madwoman—it’s only trouble for yourself,” Xie Wuji comforted her gently. “Come, let’s go see your father. He still has something for me.”

“Wuji…” A voice came from behind Xie Wuji. Turning, he saw that Dongmen Yong had somehow appeared right behind him.