Chapter 11: Even Master Doesn’t Understand It
Judging by how readily Mo Yichu left, he likely hadn’t developed any romantic feelings for Mu Tao.
While the male lead wasn’t a problem for now, the female lead was a different story!
Mu Tao had rarely been treated with kindness. It was understandable that she might develop feelings for someone who encouraged her during her lowest moments and put aside his cultivation to decoct medicine and cook for her for two months.
If this turned into a one-sided love affair, wouldn’t that be worse than the original story?
Panicking, Li Yu quickly retrieved the cultivation manual from her spatial pouch. [T/N: 灵囊 (língnáng-spatial pouch) is a common item in Xianxia, a small pouch or bag that can hold a large number of items.]
Mu Tao, lost in thought, suddenly saw a spiritual light emanating from Li Yu’s hand. Moments later, the light faded, revealing a yellow-covered book.
Her eyes widened with curiosity as Li Yu approached and solemnly placed the book in her hands.
Mu Tao: “Master, this is…”
“Your constitution is different from others. The cultivation techniques they practice may not be suitable for you.” Li Yu gently patted Mu Tao’s hand and said earnestly, “Since I understand this, I cannot let you take detours. Therefore, I worked day and night to write this cultivation manual, waiting for your recovery to personally hand it to you.”
“Master!” Mu Tao clutched the book tightly.
“This manual may be worthless to others, but it’s perfectly suited for you.” Li Yu withdrew her hands, turned around, and said, “A cultivation manual is the foundation of cultivation. You must build a solid foundation before I can teach you anything else—do you understand?”
This was the epitome of feigning confidence. The words were false, but the logic was sound.
I’ve said all I needed to say. Take the manual and practice diligently!
Don’t ask me when I’ll teach you spells, and don’t think about your senior brother anymore.
I’ve checked him out. He’s unreliable!
As Li Yu was muttering to herself, a sudden “bang” from behind startled her. She quickly turned around.
Her little disciple was kneeling, kowtowing three times forcefully—she hadn’t even kowtowed this devoutly when offering food to her ancestors during the Lunar New Year.
Was this necessary?
“Master!” Mu Tao looked up, her eyes filled with tears. “This disciple understands! I will diligently build my foundation and will not disappoint Master!”
Li Yu had never been worshipped like this in her life. She was both shocked and bewildered.
She quickly stepped forward and helped Mu Tao up.
The little girl’s forehead was red, and her eyes were wet.
Li Yu instinctively reached out to wipe her tears, but reason prevailed.
After a moment of consideration, she released Mu Tao’s hand.
“Practice diligently,” Li Yu said calmly, turning to leave.
The moment she left the courtyard, she let out a long sigh.
What was this? A lowly worker like her couldn’t handle such reverence.
Her heart couldn’t take it; she had to escape!
Li Yu walked quickly, but before she got far, she heard the system’s notification.
【Protagonist Blackening Value -10%!】
【Current Protagonist Blackening Value: 10%!】
This manual is amazing, such a significant decrease!
Li Yu instinctively glanced back.
The snow hadn’t melted. Mu Tao stood at the entrance of the courtyard, clutching the manual tightly, her thin clothes offering little protection against the cold, gazing in the direction her master had left.
The cold wind whipped around her small frame, also carrying away the figure she had admired for over two hundred years.
She hadn’t expected, nor dared to hope, that the figure would even glance back.
The figure was too far away; she couldn’t see Li Yu’s expression, but she felt that those deep, ocean-like eyes held a hidden gentleness.
But was all of this…just a dream…?
【Character Compatibility: 86%】
【Character Compatibility: 85%】
【Character Compatibility: 84%】
“…!”
Li Yu gasped and quickly turned away, avoiding Mu Tao’s gaze.
She mentally rolled her eyes at herself.
Why did you look back?
Now she had wasted three days of lying down!
…
Another morning arrived.
After a rare dreamless night, Li Yu woke up with a sense of dread.
It wasn’t anything major, just a slight tinge of regret.
She had dismissed the chef and would have to cook for herself now.
The thought of facing that difficult kitchen every day filled every cell in her body with resistance.
Because of this resistance, she decided to stay in bed a little longer.
As she lazed around, a knock came from the door.
Li Yu instantly sat up.
No one dared to come to her place usually, so if someone was knocking, it must be Si Qinglan checking up on her again!
Fortunately, this wasn’t the first time. She was now more composed.
With a flash of spiritual light, Li Yu summoned the water mirror and checked her appearance—clothes and hair were perfect, ready to face the enemy!
She dispelled the mirror, walked to the door, took a deep breath, and opened it.
Li Yu’s eyes widened at the sight of the person outside.
“Master!”
Seeing the door finally open, Mu Tao’s anxious eyes lit up with joy.
She held up a food box, her words tumbling out in a rush: “Senior Brother isn’t coming anymore, and no one cooked today. This disciple was afraid Master would be hungry, no…this disciple was afraid Master would forget, no…that’s not it either…This disciple was afraid Master would miss mealtime and feel unwell…”
Li Yu: “You…”
“This disciple knows that Master has long since ceased needing earthly food and only partook these past few days to accompany this disciple. Now that this disciple’s injuries have healed, Master might not eat with this disciple anymore…” Mu Tao lowered her gaze and her voice. “But this disciple still wanted to ask Master if…if you still require someone to attend to your meals…”
Meals? Attend to?
A new chef?!
Yes, please! She desperately needed one!
How could she forget? Mu Tao had lived at Chaoxi Pond for over two hundred years, taking care of herself. She was definitely a better cook than Li Yu!
Looking at the little disciple standing outside with the food box, her face full of anticipation, Li Yu suddenly felt that the world was a beautiful place.
She could barely contain her smile.
No, no, control yourself, or your compatibility will drop.
Li Yu suppressed her excitement, took the food box, and stepped back into the room.
Mu Tao stood nervously at the doorway, her hands clasped in front of her.
Li Yu: “Come in.”
Mu Tao’s ears twitched, and a bright smile bloomed on her face.
She entered, closed the door, and walked quietly to Li Yu’s side, her tail swaying with uncontainable joy.
Li Yu took out the dishes and set them on the table. As she sat down, she gestured to an empty stool: “Sit. No need to be so formal.”
Mu Tao hopped over to the designated seat and sat down obediently.
She picked up her bowl and chopsticks, looking at Li Yu expectantly, yet cautiously.
Li Yu obligingly tasted each of the four dishes.
Were all protagonists in these novels skilled cooks?
She was so lucky!
But even with this good fortune, she needed to maintain her image of detachment, so she casually looked up at Mu Tao.
Li Yu: “Did you make all of this?”
Mu Tao nodded nervously. “Is it to Master’s liking?”
Li Yu: “It’s not bad.”
Mu Tao visibly relaxed, a smile spreading across her face.
She leaned forward slightly, clutching her chopsticks. “Then, can this disciple…can this disciple come here every day to attend to Master’s breakfast and dinner?”
Mu Tao stammered, but Li Yu nodded without hesitation.
She hadn’t complained about running to the “cafeteria” every day for the past two months, so how could she refuse meals delivered to her door?
But as soon as she agreed, she had second thoughts—Was such a quick agreement out of character?
Maybe she should beat around the bush a little?
Yes, be a little more polite!
Li Yu: “But will this interfere with your cultivation?”
“No, no!” Mu Tao quickly replied. “This disciple cannot abstain from food. Cooking is something I do every day anyway. It makes no difference whether I cook a little or a lot, it won’t interfere at all!”
Mu Tao put down her chopsticks and looked at Li Yu seriously. “Master!”
Li Yu: “Hmm?”
Mu Tao: “The cultivation manual Master gave me is profound. This disciple is foolish. I only managed to read two pages last night and already have many questions!”
She pulled a folded piece of paper from her robe.
Li Yu frowned, a sense of foreboding washing over her.
She swallowed nervously. “What is this?”
Mu Tao carefully unfolded the paper and presented it to her with both hands.
Mu Tao: “These are the parts I don’t understand! I’ve carefully copied them down. Please instruct me, Master!”
Li Yu: “…”
T/N:
I added some translator’s notes in the previous chapters about some concepts, as well as in this one, and will continue to do so in the upcoming ones for certain terms or concepts that may not be common knowledge in this genre of novel.
If there’s any concept you don’t understand, just ask in the comments so I can add notes in future chapters. Sometimes I get confused—I’ll have déjà vu from other novels I’ve translated and assume I already added a note for it, so I end up skipping it.
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