Jiang Bai and Hu Tao pinched their noses and simultaneously stepped back, leaving Qiqi standing blankly in place.
Qiqi, lacking a sense of smell, naturally couldn't detect the suffocating odor emanating from their captives' feet.
"Qiqi, we'll leave this challenging task to you!" Jiang Bai called out from behind his covered nose, tossing the feathers toward her.
Indeed, such a tough mission could only be entrusted to her!
The feathers drifted lightly to the ground, no matter how forcefully Jiang Bai threw them.
Qiqi picked up the feathers from the ground, still unsure of what exactly she was supposed to do. "What… should I do?"
"Use the feathers to tickle the soles of their feet!" Jiang Bai finally revealed his true intentions.
"Eh?" Qiqi's eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting such an unusual request.
"That… doesn't seem right."
Her gentle heart gave a faint prick of conscience.
"It's just a small punishment. Of course, you could use this instead if you prefer," Jiang Bai said casually, lifting the [Debate Club] onto his shoulder.
Upon seeing the club gleaming menacingly, Qiqi's reservations about feather-tickling immediately vanished.
Compared to the spiked club, feather-tickling really did seem like a mild punishment.
The three men tied to the tree desperately pulled their feet back, kicking wildly in the air, trying to shoo away the small girl approaching their vulnerable soles.
They couldn't understand how this girl, unlike the other two, seemed totally unaffected by the foul odor at such close proximity.
Naturally, Jiang Bai had considered their likely foot odor when assigning Qiqi to this task. Being a zombie with no sense of smell, she was immune to their stench.
Though visually unpleasant, he trusted Qiqi would manage just fine!
Jiang Bai gave Qiqi an encouraging thumbs-up.
After spending two days together, he now knew a bit more about Qiqi and had stopped treating her as politely as he would a stranger. Realizing she wasn't an ordinary child, he no longer felt guilty about assigning her tasks.
Qiqi saw Jiang Bai's gesture. Though she didn't fully understand what it meant, she sensed his encouragement clearly.
A faint helplessness filled her, but at the same time, a quiet happiness stirred within.
When she'd first joined, she felt like an outsider—someone who'd joined the group halfway, with little sense of belonging. It always felt as if there was an invisible barrier between them.
Whether Hu Tao or Jiang Bai, they'd always been somewhat cautious around her, as if protecting a delicate glass doll.
But thankfully, that sense of distance had begun to fade with time.
Holding the feather in one hand, she effortlessly restrained a kicking leg with the other and started tickling the exposed sole.
An uncontrollable itch immediately surged from his sole upward. The victim erupted into hysterical laughter, frantically kicking in a futile attempt to escape Qiqi's iron grip.
Though Qiqi looked small and fragile, her zombie constitution granted her immense strength, rendering all struggles useless against her grip.
As the tickling continued, tears began streaming down his laughing face, the unbearable itch worse than any torture he'd ever known.
"Hahaha… Help! I'm sorry—I can't take it anymore! Spare me… hahaha… I'll never do it again!"
Desperate pleas echoed through the mountain. Seeing their companion's plight, the two awaiting their turn shuddered and began begging frantically.
"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry! Spare me, please! I promise I'll avoid you from now on—no, no! I'll never commit another crime again!"
Unmoved, Jiang Bai and Hu Tao showed no signs of mercy, so Qiqi dutifully continued her task, moving from one victim to the next, ensuring everyone received equal treatment.
Li Si felt deep regret—he'd never regretted anything this much before!
He had just discovered a new form of torture, one that inflicted no physical harm yet was worse than death itself.
He was wrong! He'd never again target those who looked easy to bully!
No, he'd never rob anyone again!
He would quit the Treasure Hoarders tomorrow!
Their cries for mercy echoed incessantly through the mountains, disturbing Mountain Shaper, who emerged angrily from his secluded abode. With a majestic cry toward the heavens, he swooped down gracefully before the gathered group.
The gust from Mountain Shaper's wings rustled Hu Tao's robes, sent Qiqi rolling aside, and gave the three captives a glimmer of hope.
Landing gracefully, the dignified and noble adeptus spoke in a commanding tone:
"This is sacred ground. Who dares cause such commotion here?"
At the sight of the adeptal crane, the small crystal butterfly made of elemental energy in Hu Tao's sleeve shimmered gently, fluttering restlessly toward the adeptus.
This reaction made her realize immediately that the majestic crane before her was precisely the adeptus they had been seeking.
She released her grip, allowing the butterfly to flutter forward.
"Esteemed Adeptus, we were merely disciplining these villains here. We were unaware we had disturbed your rest and humbly accept any punishment," Hu Tao spoke respectfully, swiftly admitting fault.
In such situations, honesty was always the best choice—any attempts at evasion would only aggravate the adeptus further.
Besides, admitting their mistake upfront often earned some favor. They could explain more clearly once his temper had settled.
The crystal butterfly drifted near Mountain Shaper, delivering a brief message sealed within it directly into his ears.
"I have two juniors seeking an audience with you; please show your face as a favor to me."
The simple request carried Xiao's familiar presence.
After completing its mission, the crystal butterfly slowly dispersed. Mountain Shaper turned his gaze back to Hu Tao and Jiang Bai, his expression softening somewhat.
Given their sincere apology and Xiao's referral, he decided he would honor the request.
His mood noticeably improved, causing the oppressive aura around him to fade slightly.
"Adeptus, save us! We promise never to do wrong again..."
Seeing Mountain Shaper, the three men found an outlet for their pent-up emotions, bursting into tears and sobbing dramatically.
Yet Mountain Shaper remained entirely unmoved. He had his own code of conduct and wouldn't offer sympathy simply because someone shed a few tears.
"What wrong have these three committed?" Mountain Shaper asked calmly.
"Esteemed Adeptus, these three saw us as unarmed and defenseless, so they attempted to rob us and acted cruelly. Hence, we tied them here to administer a minor punishment," Hu Tao explained truthfully without embellishing.
The power of an adeptus was beyond comprehension; fabricating tales would only incur their displeasure, bringing more trouble than benefit.
Jiang Bai noticed that Hu Tao's demeanor before this adeptus was unexpectedly respectful—nothing like the relentless, shameless pestering she'd shown Xiao earlier.
It was likely because they weren't familiar with Mountain Shaper yet and currently needed his assistance.
"Is this true?" Mountain Shaper turned to question the bound trio directly.
They nodded vigorously, not daring to lie.
They knew better than to treat an adeptus like a fool—any attempt at deception could cost them their lives.
---
T/N: diabolical...
THANK KKUNII FOR THE UPDATE
...
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