Chapter 47: Saving One, Not Intending to Lose the Other
“Which old dog is so blind? Daring to touch a disciple of Mount Yu?”
As the fog dissipated, a small figure emerged, draped in a large robe that concealed her petite frame. Master Yu Ling, the Immortal, stood with her delicate bare feet on the ground, stretching lazily and speaking nonchalantly:
“Don’t hide your face behind that mask. Show me your ugly mug.”
“Come out and talk to me, you pathetic excuse for a cultivator.”
With Master’s appearance, the man in black’s expression darkened, while Chen Yin relaxed, even finding the leisure to tease:
“Don’t jump to conclusions, Master. What if he’s not even human?”
“Oh, wow, so he’s not even human.”
The playful banter between master and disciple made Shen Shuanglian feel a bit out of place.
The man in black stared at Master for a long time, his eyes narrowed with malice.
“Yu Ling… why are you here?”
“Why? What does it matter to you where I go?”
Master raised her chin disdainfully, her voice childish. “When a dog tries to shit on Mount Yu, I have to come out and teach it a lesson, right?”
“You don’t really think I’m a pushover, do you?”
Chen Yin was used to his Master’s foul language, while Shen Shuanglian was stunned, never imagining that the renowned Immortal Yu Ling would be so… unrestrained.
The man in black continued to stare at Master, his mind racing.
“Yu Ling, are you really going to protect these two?”
“What do you mean ‘protect them’? Why else would I be here?”
Master snorted haughtily. “I don’t know which kennel you crawled out of, and I don’t care.”
“If you don’t want to leave, you’re welcome to stay… permanently.”
The man in black narrowed his eyes.
…Honestly, Immortal Yu Ling’s appearance had completely disrupted his plans.
Not only could he not reveal his identity, but even if he fought with all his might, he wasn’t sure he could kill those two under Yu Ling’s protection, let alone escape unscathed.
If he got entangled with Yu Ling, it could jeopardize the entire mission.
So, he took one last glance at Chen Yin, who was standing behind Yu Ling, and without another word, vanished without a trace.
“He ran away? What a cowardly dog.”
Chen Yin scoffed, crossing his arms. Master snorted and said nonchalantly, “It’s a rule of the jianghu: show mercy to those who flee. Since he’s gone, let’s spare his life.”
“He killed so many cultivators from the Mist Spirit Sect, the Heavenly Net Sect, and the Ten Thousand Fragrance Pavilion. I’m sure those three won’t let him off easily. We can just sit back and watch the show.”
With that, Master suddenly turned her head and fixed her gaze on Shen Shuanglian, her eyes sharp and scrutinizing.
Shen Shuanglian felt a surge of unease and lowered her head nervously:
“G-greetings, Master Yu Ling…”
“Tch. I thought that brat Chen Yin was lying to me, but it seems he actually managed to snag himself a beauty.”
Master looked Shen Shuanglian up and down with a dissatisfied expression, then muttered, “Such a delicate flower, why would she choose to stick with that pile of dung?”
Chen Yin coughed awkwardly and tried to explain, “Master, you’ve misunderstood. Senior Sister, she’s just—”
“Don’t explain, I don’t want to hear it.”
Master waved her hand dismissively and said seriously, “But… upon closer inspection, she’s not bad.”
“Busty, long legs, nice curves. She should be able to bear healthy children. Disciple, you have my permission to take her back to the mountain.”
Chen Yin choked on his words, coughing violently, while Shen Shuanglian’s face flushed crimson.
“No… I mean, Master, we’re cultivators, not bandits. What do you mean ‘take her back to the mountain’… That’s not appropriate, is it?”
“What’s not appropriate?”
Master said nonchalantly, “She’s a pretty girl. It’s good for my eyes to have her around.”
“…I’m suddenly thinking it’s a good idea for Xiang’er and me to move out.”
The shameless banter between master and disciple made Shen Shuanglian’s ears burn. She stole a glance at them, then quickly looked away.
What a strange pair of master and disciple. Shen Shuanglian couldn’t understand them at all.
After exchanging a few more suggestive jokes with Chen Yin, Master finally got to the point. “Alright, let’s talk business.”
“Shen Shuanglian is the chief disciple of the main sect. It’s best to keep your distance from her until you’ve properly married her. We don’t want the main sect spreading rumors.”
“As for this incident, you probably have a lot to report to the main sect, right?”
Master was referring to the countless corpses scattered on the ground.
Shen Shuanglian lowered her eyes, biting her lip, her voice tinged with sadness:
“Yes. Then, Master Yu Ling, I… will take my leave.”
Before leaving, she cast one last longing glance at Chen Yin.
Chen Yin nodded silently, his lips forming the words: “Wait for me.”
…Okay.
I’ll wait for you.
With a few graceful leaps, Shen Shuanglian’s blue figure disappeared into the distance.
Chen Yin watched her leave with a wistful expression, sighing, “This Fairy Conference has been much more eventful than I expected.”
“You brat, I sent you out for training, not to cause this much trouble. If I hadn’t rushed here, you would be a pair of fugitive lovebirds by now.”
Master stood with her back to Chen Yin, her head turned away.
Chen Yin chuckled ingratiatingly. “I only dared to be so reckless because I knew you were here to back me up.”
“You have no idea how terrified those arrogant elders and cultivators were when they heard your name. They were practically running for their lives.”
Master seemed indifferent to Chen Yin’s flattery.
“By the way, why are you in such a good mood today? You just let that guy go?”
Chen Yin teased, “I thought you would at least rip off his mask, step on him a few times, and spit on him, knowing your temper.”
“I can’t believe you just let him go without—”
Before he could finish his sentence…
The small figure before him suddenly collapsed backwards, silently and gracefully.
Chen Yin’s eyes widened in horror.
***
When Master woke up, it was already dusk.
She rubbed her eyes with her chubby little hands, looked around the dilapidated wooden hut in confusion, and tried to get up.
“Stay down.” A man’s voice rang out beside her, gentle yet firm.
Master pouted with dissatisfaction. “Hey, brat, I’m your Master. Show some respect.”
“If you can give me a reasonable explanation for your injuries, I’ll listen to you.”
Chen Yin was calmly brewing herbs, glancing at her with a neutral expression.
Master remained silent for a moment, then pouted slightly.
“It’s not as serious as you’re making it out to be—”
“Whether it’s serious or not, you know better than anyone.”
Chen Yin wiped his hands clean and brought a bowl of medicinal soup to her. “Drink this. It won’t heal your injuries, but it will help regulate your energy.”
Master grumbled and complained, but she eventually finished the soup reluctantly.
“…Ugh. What kind of awful concoction is this, you brat? It’s so bitter!”
“It’s medicine, not food. Of course it’s bitter.”
Master handed him the bowl with a sullen expression. Chen Yin put it aside and looked at her seriously.
“Tell me. Who injured you like this?”
“You brat, are you actually concerned about your Master?” Master asked with a playful smile. “That’s good. I’ve finally managed to tame this ungrateful wolf cub.”
“But what’s the point of worrying? If someone was able to injure me like this, what can you do about it? Rush to your death?”
“We won’t know until we try, right?” Chen Yin’s tone remained calm.
Master’s playful smile faded, and she closed her eyes silently.
“…Don’t worry.”
“Just focus on your own tasks. You don’t need to worry about my affairs yet.”
“Don’t I have enough to worry about just looking at you?” Chen Yin retorted.
“This time, you at least collapsed into my arms. What about next time?”
He said each word slowly and deliberately, “I don’t want to be left wondering where to collect your corpse.”
Master giggled softly, covering her mouth, her eyes sparkling.
“You brat. Can’t you say something auspicious for once?”
Chen Yin just stared at her silently.
Unable to withstand his intense gaze, Master sighed and said softly, “Alright, alright. You have a filial heart, I’ll give you that.”
“But it’s not as bad as you think. I’m not that fragile. Don’t underestimate my ‘Forgotten Everlasting Heart Sutra’.”
She raised her arm lazily, her eyes calm. “I’ll be fully recovered within a month at most.”
She tried to get up, but Chen Yin blocked her way.
“Where are you going?”
“What? You’re going to control me now?”
Chen Yin said seriously, “If you’re going back to the place where you got injured, I won’t allow it.”
Master narrowed her eyes and chuckled. “What if… I have to go?”
“Then forgive me for my disobedience.”
With that, Chen Yin picked up his Eternal Light sword.
Master fell silent, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
The atmosphere became heavy with tension.
“Heh. I take back what I said earlier.”
She said with a cold smile, “An ungrateful wolf cub is still an ungrateful wolf cub. You’re even willing to point your sword at your Master now.”
“Don’t try to provoke me.” Chen Yin shook his head. “I won’t let you go.”
“You’re not going anywhere until you’re fully recovered.”
“Are you ordering me?” Master raised her chin slightly.
“No.”
Chen Yin said slowly, “…I’m begging you.”
Master froze.
“You and Xiang’er are the only family I have left.”
“I saved one. I don’t intend to lose the other.”
Chen Yin’s words were sincere, his gaze steady as he looked at her.
Master fell into a long silence.
After a while, she finally closed her eyes, her expression weary.
“Don’t worry. That matter is over.”
“I’m just returning to Mount Yu to recover. I won’t be running around for at least six months to a year.”
Chen Yin asked, “Are you sure?”
“Silly boy.”
Master grinned, revealing her adorable little fangs. “I’m a righteous and upstanding person. I don’t lie.”
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