Qian Gu tried to stop me. “Master, you’ve just woken up, it’s not wise to…”
“Even if my condition is poor, I still have age on my side to suppress her,” I retorted, turning back to Qian Gu with a cold expression. “I know the state of my own body. There’s no need for anyone else to judge or meddle.”
Qian Gu froze, his face turning pale.
“You are not to follow me.” With a flick of my long sleeve, I took to my sword and departed.
I know Qian Gu treats me extremely well; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to obtain that medicine. But this kindness of his is something I cannot bear. After this incident, I’ve come to realize that keeping Qian Gu by my side and expecting him to focus solely on his cultivation is nothing but a fantasy. Once I save Qian Zhi, it will be time to make a decision.
As for Qian Zhi… he’s truly a handful.
When I arrived at the valley where Yue Lao Hong resided, I found Qian Zhi standing behind her, holding her in an intimate embrace as they examined medicinal herbs together.
I was utterly dumbfounded, frozen in the doorway.
This scene was miles away from what I had imagined—Qian Zhi being thrown into a pot to be boiled into medicine. When Qian Zhi saw me, he was momentarily stunned before rushing to my feet, tears streaming down his face as he wailed, “Master! It was my unfilial conduct that caused your injury! Punish me however you like—I’ll accept it all!”
Before I could react, Yue Lao Hong wrapped her arms around Qian Zhi from behind and said softly, “Why are you crying? She’s awake now, isn’t she? Don’t be sad—you’re breaking my heart.”
I stood there like I’d been struck by lightning. “What… is going on here?”
Yue Lao Hong glanced at me and said calmly, “Your eldest disciple came seeking medicine. He truly loves you. As per my usual rules, I planned to take his life in exchange for the medicine. But then Qian Zhi came, and it was love at first sight for us. So, I decided not to take your eldest disciple’s life. You can just leave Qian Zhi with me.”
Her words nearly made me choke on my own breath.
I looked at her, then at Qian Zhi. “Is what she said true?” I feared Qian Zhi was sacrificing himself to save Qian Gu, but to my shock, Qian Zhi blushed deeply and nodded.
I… felt a surge of blood rising to my chest.
My extraordinarily talented eldest disciple has the audacity to harbor feelings for his master, and my brilliant second disciple has gone and fallen in love with a wicked demon. I genuinely don’t know whether to blame my poor judgment in selecting disciples or my ineffective methods in teaching them.
But regardless of my shortcomings, I could not allow Qian Zhi to stay here.
Demon hearts are unstable. One moment, they are madly in love, and the next, they could tear a person’s throat out with their teeth. Furthermore, Yue Lao Hong has taken countless lives refining medicine, accumulating overwhelming malice that could dangerously influence Qian Zhi, whose temperament is already unsteady. If he stayed with her for too long, he could easily fall into the demonic path.
For Qian Zhi’s sake, I had to take him back to the Kong Ling Sect.
“I cannot leave Qian Zhi here.”
Hearing this, Yue Lao Hong raised her head to look at me. Her previously calm demeanor twisted into a ferocious expression. “Then leave your corpse here instead!” She turned her fingers into claws and lunged at me. Qian Zhi hadn’t even reacted yet.
Such is the nature of demons, and I had prepared for this. I raised my sword to block her attack, sending a shockwave that pushed her back a few meters. Grabbing Qian Zhi by his collar, I turned and left without hesitation.
Yue Lao Hong couldn’t keep up with my sword’s speed and was soon left far behind.
When we returned to the Kong Ling Sect, Qian Zhi tugged at my robe, looking both aggrieved and indignant. “Master, why did you do this?”
Enraged, I snapped, “How dare you! Secretly pledging yourself to a demon and then questioning me? Go to the Lingxu Cave and reflect on your actions! You are not to leave for three months!”
Qian Zhi gritted his teeth but ultimately obeyed, heading to the Lingxu Cave as instructed.
Just as I finished dealing with this matter, a female disciple came stumbling up the mountain, crying out, “Immortal Master! Immortal Master!” She sobbed as she shouted, “Please, you must save Master Qian Gu! The senior masters are about to beat him to death!”
I tilted my head back to look at the sky. One after another, none of them can stay out of trouble.
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