Chapter 66: What Did “Boundaries” Even Mean?
Mu Tao’s words echoed in her ears, her voice as sweet as always,
Yet her tone carried a hint of petulance, laced with a subtle threat.
Her warm breath brushed against Li Yu’s face, stirring a strange unease within her.
Li Yu had never imagined being threatened so gently by her once-obedient disciple.
She didn’t know how to respond.
Mu Tao: “Master, do you want this disciple to remain obedient?”
Li Yu: “…Mm.”
Mu Tao: “Then Master should also be…obedient, alright?”
Li Yu: “…”
Mu Tao gently nuzzled Li Yu’s cheek and whispered, “As long as Master is obedient, this disciple will also heed your words and refrain from…those…absurd actions.”
She emphasized “absurd actions,” a hint of displeasure in her voice.
Her gaze fell on Li Yu’s furrowed brow.
Her master wouldn’t even open her eyes, as if she didn’t want to look at her.
But it didn’t matter; her master couldn’t escape. She had plenty of time to make her master see her, acknowledge her.
Mu Tao released Li Yu, walked around to face her, gently cupped her face, and kissed her forehead.
Li Yu’s eyes snapped open, and she instinctively tried to turn away, but Mu Tao held her in place.
Mu Tao was much stronger; if she wanted to restrain her, she couldn’t escape.
Realizing this, Li Yu sighed and gave up resisting the touch.
After a brief kiss, Mu Tao released Li Yu’s face, took her hand, and knelt down.
“Don’t be unhappy, Master, this disciple knows she was wrong.”
She gently swayed Li Yu’s arm, the silver bells chiming softly.
Hearing the bells, Li Yu looked down at the kneeling Mu Tao.
The girl who had been threatening her just moments ago was now incredibly submissive.
Her seemingly innocent eyes, filled with tears and regret, pleaded for forgiveness—it almost seemed genuine.
In the past, Li Yu would have immediately helped her up.
But now, she just stared.
For a moment, she felt disoriented, her thoughts scattered by the chiming bells, a ringing in her ears, making her lose her composure.
“I’m sorry, Master.” Mu Tao leaned against Li Yu’s leg, her voice filled with longing. “I just…really, really like Master…”
She said that her master was the best master in the world, and her affection was beyond her control.
She said that she wasn’t a good disciple, that she had caused her master so much trouble, but she wouldn’t do it again.
She looked up at Li Yu and asked cautiously, “Can Master forgive me?”
Li Yu hesitated for a moment, then asked, her voice trembling slightly, “How…how can I forgive you…”
Mu Tao didn’t hesitate. “Make Master happy.”
Li Yu: “…”
Was that…Mu Tao’s definition of forgiveness?
Mu Tao: “Be happy with me, Master… Even if it’s just pretending…please?”
Li Yu: “…”
She seemed to have misunderstood again.
Mu Tao: “Don’t let me see that being with me is…difficult for you, it would truly hurt me.”
Li Yu: “…”
So, forgiveness itself wasn’t important, obedience was.
Li Yu didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
Mu Tao looked like a puppy afraid of being abandoned, willing to endure anything.
But beneath her seemingly submissive demeanor, every seemingly obedient, even subservient word, carried a strong sense of control.
This wasn’t a request, nor a negotiation.
—It was a notification, a threat.
Li Yu knew she couldn’t refuse.
After a moment of thought, she closed her eyes and sighed silently.
Li Yu: “I will try, but you must…know your boundaries.”
“I’ll try to understand,” Mu Tao replied, a sweet smile appearing on her face.
Her light brown eyes, like twinkling stars, blinked at Li Yu.
She then asked, “Master, if this were before…what should happen now?”
Li Yu was stunned, then, after a long moment, she looked at Mu Tao’s expectant eyes, her hand instinctively reaching out to gently pat Mu Tao’s head.
Mu Tao smiled, wrapped her arms around Li Yu’s waist, and snuggled closer.
“I knew Master cared about me the most,” she said happily, closing her eyes against Li Yu’s leg.
Either truly sleepy or simply relishing this moment of intimacy.
The girl nestled against Li Yu, her breathing slowing, and soon she was asleep.
Li Yu looked down at her, feeling the weight and warmth against her leg, her own chaotic thoughts calming along with Mu Tao’s steady breathing.
Time passed quickly.
Mu Tao slept soundly, her arms still wrapped around Li Yu’s waist.
The room darkened, the green spiritual fire still flickering.
Li Yu’s leg started to feel numb.
But Mu Tao, a faint smile on her lips, seemed to be having a pleasant dream.
She was worried about Mu Tao being uncomfortable but didn’t want to wake her.
The sleeping Mu Tao resembled her younger self even more, quiet and well-behaved, seemingly harmless.
Li Yu knew that her little disciple had grown up, just like the little protagonist in the original story, becoming a dangerous wolf.
But even this grown-up wolf would still, at times, curl up beside her like before, showing her most vulnerable side.
She remained still, afraid of disturbing Mu Tao’s sleep, just gazing at her peaceful face, still carrying a hint of childish innocence.
She didn’t know how much time had passed.
The room was quiet, so quiet she could hear every breath Mu Tao took.
Until Mu Tao slowly opened her eyes, a sleepy look in them.
A brief exchange of glances, and a sense of contentment filled Mu Tao’s eyes.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes, relieved to see the same gentleness in her master’s gaze.
It was late, and the leftover food on the table had long since gone cold.
As Li Yu looked away, Mu Tao stood up unsteadily.
Her legs were numb from kneeling for so long; she swayed slightly.
Instinctively, Li Yu reached out to steady her, as if everything had returned to normal, a smile appearing on her face.
Mu Tao leaned against Li Yu for a moment, waiting for the numbness to subside, then smiled and started clearing the table.
The atmosphere in the room was less tense now. As Mu Tao cleared the table, she mentioned having a short, pleasant dream—a kind of dream she hadn’t had in a long time.
Li Yu felt a pang of sympathy.
For Mu Tao now, even a pleasant dream was a rare and precious thing.
She asked softly, “What did you dream about?”
“I dreamt it was snowing, and I couldn’t transform yet, so I was rolling around in the snow.” Mu Tao smiled at Li Yu. “Master picked me up, rubbed my ears, and said I was like a little stove, very warm.”
Such a simple dream, such simple words, yet they made the little girl so happy.
Li Yu watched as Mu Tao packed the dishes, seemingly about to leave, a reluctance she didn’t dare express.
She was afraid that if she did, Mu Tao would stay and…
She watched as Mu Tao reached the door, then couldn’t help but speak.
As if she had eyes on the back of her head, Mu Tao turned around expectantly. “Is there anything else, Master?”
Li Yu blurted out nervously, “How long…how long was I unconscious?”
Mu Tao: “About half a month.”
Li Yu frowned.
Half a month again?
She hadn’t realized until now, but knowing she had been unconscious for so long made her worry.
This curse was potent; if it was transferred to Mu Tao, even the Demon Realm wouldn’t be safe.
And what about Mount Chao Yao? Half a month had passed; what was happening there?
Was Si Qinglan alright…?
Li Yu hesitated, then asked, “Mu Tao, have you heard anything from Mount Chao Yao these past two weeks?”
As she asked, she noticed a flicker of displeasure in Mu Tao’s eyes, and her heart sank.
“Are you…still thinking about that place, Master?”
“…”
“Whether the human realm, Mount Chao Yao, or even Lingyao Revered One, whom you’ve known for millennia, none of them showed you any respect.” Mu Tao frowned. “You finally left that place, why are you still so attached to it?”
“Mu Tao, Weisheng Xuanzhu is the black-robed figure! He has the Upper Spirit Lamp!” Li Yu said seriously. “He wants to revive the Heavenly Demon and has been plotting for a long time. I’m afraid something might happen…”
“Can you protect the entire human realm alone, Master?” Mu Tao retorted, her voice laced with displeasure. “You were severely injured because of the Upper Spirit Lamp, what have those people, who only know how to blame you, been doing?”
Her voice was filled with anger. “They don’t even dare take charge of the Upper Spirit Lamp, just demanding that you open the Heavenly Gate!”
“So what if the Heavenly Demon is revived? It’s just those incompetent fools reaping what they sowed!” Mu Tao sneered. “The chaos in the human realm can’t reach the Demon Realm. Those self-righteous immortal sects…it’s time they shed some blood for the human realm.”
Her eyes turned cold. “They should experience the burdens you carried, the pain you endured, then perhaps they’ll understand who has been protecting them all these years!”
Li Yu looked at Mu Tao, surprised by her intense reaction, her words filled with resentment, as if she could revive the Heavenly Demon herself.
Seemingly aware of Li Yu’s surprise, Mu Tao took a deep breath, calmed herself down, lowered her gaze, and apologized reluctantly. “This disciple spoke out of turn, please forgive me, Master…”
Out of turn? Not at all!
If these words were meant for the original owner, perhaps it would be considered disrespectful.
But for her, Li Yu, they were perfectly reasonable, no need for apologies.
She had also been annoyed by those opportunistic immortals when reading the novel, silently agreeing with the readers who criticized them.
Li Yu: “You didn’t say anything wrong, there’s no need to apologize.”
Mu Tao looked up, her eyes shining.
“I’m in a difficult position now. Even if you let me return, I can’t do much alone.” Li Yu sighed softly. “But Qingxuan Revered One doesn’t know the black-robed figure’s true identity. She helped me escape, she’s facing Weisheng Xuanzhu alone… I owe her too much, I can ignore others, but not her.”
Mu Tao: “…”
The atmosphere in the room shifted again, a strange tension.
Li Yu thought that in the past, she would have heard the system’s notification about Mu Tao’s increasing blackening value.
The only reason she didn’t hear it now was because it had reached its limit.
Silence fell.
Li Yu didn’t dare speak.
The silence stretched on, until Mu Tao finally said softly, “I don’t care about Mount Chao Yao, and I can’t answer your questions…but since you’re worried, I’ll send someone to inquire.”
“…Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me, Master, it’s my duty to obey you.” Mu Tao turned and left.
Her steps were heavier than usual, her mood clearly sour.
Li Yu instinctively wanted to follow her to the door, but the sound of the closing door stopped her.
She looked at the faint barrier and sighed deeply.
Mu Tao didn’t return that night.
Li Yu sat by the window for a while, then, seeing nothing but darkness outside, returned to bed.
Although having just woken up, she was still weak. The moment she lay down, she drifted off to sleep, lulled by the flickering green flames.
On her first night reunited with Mu Tao, she had a dream.
In her dream, it was snowing, and a “little snowman” with pointy ears was kneeling in the snow.
She called out, ordering the snowman to come inside, but received no response.
Worried, she walked over and tried to pick up the snowman.
The snowman suddenly jumped up, tackling her to the ground, its snow-covered head shaking like a rattle.
Snow fell on her.
“I scared Master!” the young girl said with a grin, her hair dusted with snow.
A large, red tail swayed behind her, a bright splash of color against the white landscape.
The tail brushed against her hand, and she couldn’t resist touching it.
The young girl smiled, leaned closer, and whispered, “Does Master like it?”
Then, before she could answer, the girl straddled her, playfully brushing her tail against her face.
Something felt…off, but before she could process it, the girl leaned down, as if tasting a sweet treat.
Her clothes were removed, and she was pressed into the snow.
Neither resisting nor responding, just…letting it happen.
The girl’s hair fell on her face, tickling her.
Tickling her…?
Li Yu’s eyes fluttered open, and she saw a flash of red in the darkness.
She focused and saw Mu Tao holding a strand of her hair, tied with a red string, her big eyes staring at her intently, playfully brushing the strand against her face.
The girl smiled, revealing her small canine teeth, and greeted her sweetly.
Mu Tao: “Good morning, Master!”
The room was dim, the green spiritual fire flickering, the world outside still dark.
But the young girl before her was a beacon of light in the darkness.
Realizing she was awake, Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief.
What a strange dream…
As Li Yu was still dazed, the soft strand of hair brushed against her face again.
It tickled.
Li Yu frowned slightly and gently grasped Mu Tao’s wrist.
Mu Tao suddenly leaned down and kissed her forehead.
Before Li Yu could react, Mu Tao smiled and said, “I’ve prepared breakfast for Master!”
Li Yu was speechless for a moment, then looked at the stone table across the room.
A wooden food box sat on the table.
Mu Tao put down the strand of hair, helped Li Yu sit up, and gently combed her messy hair.
Having just woken up, Li Yu was only wearing her thin undergarments. She instinctively tried to use a spell to change her clothes, but realized she couldn’t summon any spiritual energy.
Her hand froze awkwardly in midair.
Mu Tao smiled, picked up Li Yu’s robes from the floor with a flick of her wrist, and winked at her.
Li Yu reached for them, but Mu Tao pulled them back, smiling, and then, like a maid, started dressing her.
Li Yu felt this was strange, but Mu Tao seemed determined to dress her personally.
She blushed, letting Mu Tao’s hands wander over her body.
And after the robes, came the socks and shoes.
As Mu Tao held her ankle, Li Yu’s mind went blank.
Then, Mu Tao brought a basin of water, seemingly conjured from thin air, and placed it on the stand beside the bed.
She warmed the water slightly with a spell and then took Li Yu’s hands, placing them in the basin.
“I can do it myself…”
“Is this disciple not serving you well, Master?” Mu Tao pouted, a hurt look on her face.
Li Yu fell silent, giving up on resisting, letting Mu Tao continue “serving” her.
“These small tasks, Master used to do them effortlessly with a flick of your fingers.” Mu Tao’s smile returned. “Now, without your spiritual energy, even daily tasks are difficult. Master isn’t used to this; it’s only natural for this disciple to attend to you.”
“…”
“I’ve locked Master’s meridians, and also…Master’s spatial pouch.” Mu Tao played with Li Yu’s fingers in the water, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “You can’t access your clothes. Even if you could clean them with a spell, you can’t just wear the same plain robes every day.”
She took Li Yu’s hands out of the water. “I’ve already had many clothes made for Master, according to your measurements. I brought them today. If Master isn’t busy, you can try them on later.”
“You even know my…measurements?”
“Mm!” Mu Tao replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
She held Li Yu’s hands, her fingers playfully toying with the Harmony Bells on her wrist.
Every time she touched the bells, Li Yu’s heart would skip a beat.
She had never found the chiming so unnerving before.
“Let’s eat first…”
Li Yu nervously pulled her hands back and walked towards the table.
But before she could even sit down, Mu Tao appeared beside her, opening the food box with a smile.
Steaming sweet porridge and crispy-looking pastries.
Li Yu remembered these pastries; Mu Tao had learned how to make them from an innkeeper on their way back from the City of the Undying, and she had complimented them then.
Mu Tao: “Master, try it, does it still taste the same?”
Li Yu took a bite; the familiar, subtly sweet taste hadn’t changed.
She nodded, and saw Mu Tao looking at her expectantly, her head tilted slightly.
Mu Tao: “Isn’t Master going to reward this disciple?”
Li Yu was confused.
Mu Tao cupped her face in her hands, her elbows on the table, leaning forward, her eyes sparkling with amusement, and opened her mouth slightly, making a soft “ah” sound.
Li Yu instinctively reached for another pastry, but Mu Tao shook her head and made the “ah” sound again, like a petulant child.
Li Yu, exasperated, brought the half-eaten pastry to Mu Tao’s lips.
Mu Tao’s eyes crinkled into crescent moons, her smile bright.
She leaned forward, bypassing the pastry, and gently nibbled on Li Yu’s finger.
Li Yu’s heart pounded.
Mu Tao released her finger and smiled. “Sweet.”
“…If you don’t want to eat it, then don’t.”
“I do!”
Mu Tao grabbed Li Yu’s hand as she tried to pull away.
She took the pastry, along with Li Yu’s finger, and savored the sweetness.
The warm, lingering touch made Li Yu’s cheeks burn.
Li Yu was certain that the word “boundaries” didn’t exist in Mu Tao’s vocabulary.
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