Jiang Liuli walked out of her room into the small courtyard, both hands resting on her belly.
Some disciples serving nearby pointed at her and whispered.
Jiang Liuli could not be bothered with them.
"Have you heard? Her punishment from above is coming soon. Her days of glory will be over then."
"She used to be so high and mighty. Before long, even we'll be able to humiliate her. Heh heh..."
Everyone harbored jealousy. They were all disciples, yet the difference between Jiang Liuli's treatment and theirs was like heaven and earth.
Now that Jiang Liuli was in trouble, they gloated over her misfortune. Given the chance, they would gladly throw stones down the well.
"Don't get ahead of yourself. Are you a match for her?"
"Hmph, would she dare fight back then?"
"Keep your voice down. Someone's coming."
Two people approached from nearby. One was in charge of Jiang Liuli's residence, serving as a steward, and was their superior.
The other looked to be in his sixties and was an elder.
"Elder Tang, this way, please," the steward said respectfully.
The whispering disciples instantly behaved themselves and bowed, trembling with fear.
Although they, too, were disciples of the Sword Pavilion, they belonged to its lowest ranks.
Otherwise, they would not have been assigned to serve other, more gifted disciples.
With their status, they normally had no chance of meeting the sect's elders.
Elder Tang stopped beside them.
"Elder Tang, what is it?" the steward asked cautiously.
Elder Tang swept his gaze over the disciples. "What were you saying just now?"
None of the disciples dared make a sound, and their bodies began to tremble.
"The elder asked you a question. Answer him!" the steward barked.
Terror filled the disciples' faces.
They might say such things among themselves in