r18novel Chapter 450 436: Pei Yuhang, You Can't Drive Me Away, You Have to Keep Protecting Me
Chapter 450 436: Pei Yuhang, You Can't Drive Me Away, You Have to Keep Protecting Me
After Daoist Pang Yu left, Pei Yuhang remained heavy-hearted. The ominous prophecy concerning a master and disciple left a persistent gloom settled between his brows.
TAP, TAP—
His slender fingers unconsciously traced the rim of the teacup. The tea in the celadon cup had long since grown cold, reflecting the complex thoughts in Pei Yuhang's eyes.
'The person Senior Pang Yu saw in his divination, the one who runs into trouble... could it be Yueqiu?'
Pei Yuhang mused for a moment, then shook his head.
'Unlikely...'
'Yueqiu's personality is steady and sensible.'
'Besides, after I accepted her, her inner turmoil should have been resolved. There shouldn't be any flaw in her Dao Heart for a Heart Demon to exploit.'
'The only troublesome thing is the Curse Seal on Yueqiu... placed on her by that so-called Empress of the Rakshasa Race.'
'However, after I successfully refined the Golden Sun Divine Seal, that Curse Seal has been completely suppressed.'
'Judging by how it has already vanished from Yueqiu's body, its power might have even been completely drained by the Golden Sun Divine Seal.'
'Compared to Yueqiu... my little disciple actually worries me more.'
'I know my little disciple. She is not as magnanimous as she appears.'
'Add to that some of the dark experiences from her childhood, and while Xiaoxiao might seem sunny, cheerful, and clever, deep down, there has always been a current of darkness and repression.'
'She just keeps it deeply hidden most of the time.'
'Right now, I haven't told Xiaoxiao anything about my situation with Qianqian, Yueqiu, and the others.'
'If Xiaoxiao were to suddenly find out, would she see Yueqiu and Qianqian as enemies who are trying to steal my affection from her?'
'Perhaps then, she would go to extremes...'
'So, after I return to the sect, should I come clean to Xiaoxiao and be mindful of her emotions, to prevent her from going to extremes?'
"Pei Yuhang, Pei Yuhang?"
A clear, cool voice startled him from his thoughts.
He jerked his head up and saw Jiu leaning over, looking at him.
She tilted her head, a lock of black hair sliding from her shoulder. The new white mask she wore had a porcelain sheen, accentuating the eyes visible through it, making them appear as clear and bright as autumn waters.
"You've been frowning ever since you came in."
Jiu waved a hand in front of his eyes, a faint fragrance wafting from her sleeve.
"Your tea is completely cold, and you haven't taken a single sip. What could possibly be troubling you so much?"
This was the first time Jiu had seen Pei Yuhang look so grave, as if he were in the middle of making a difficult decision.
The last time he looked like this... was probably when he made the do-or-die decision to flee from the Holy Daughter's side.
But back then, Pei Yuhang's Cultivation was weak, whereas now he was a great Sword Immortal. Even the most enigmatic Ancient Cultivators could not withstand the brilliance of his blade.
'So what on earth could possibly stump him now?'
"Oh, it's nothing…"
Jiu's voice pulled Pei Yuhang back from his thoughts. He was never one to discuss matters concerning his disciples with outsiders.
He subconsciously raised the teacup to his lips, but was stopped by a fair fingertip.
"Let me get you another cup. This one is already cold."
Jiu very naturally took the cold cup from Pei Yuhang's hand, poured out the tea, and leaned over to pour a steaming hot cup from the Jade Pot.
Pei Yuhang turned his face away, not looking at Jiu's full, rounded buttocks or her dazzlingly white, long, and straight legs as she leaned over.
'A gentleman does not look at what is improper.'
"Here."
Pei Yuhang took the fresh tea Jiu had poured. To alleviate the awkwardness of the moment, he said with a smile, "Why are you being so polite to me now?
When I first captured you, you certainly cursed me plenty."
Reminded of the past by Pei Yuhang, Jiu couldn't help but feel a mix of shame and annoyance.
"That's only because you were so awful to me back then! To... to place a Curse Technique on a girl that makes her whole body itch, is that something a human being would do?!"
Pei Yuhang let out a low chuckle. Sunlight filtered through the bamboo curtain, casting dappled light and shadow on his handsome profile and making his features seem as perfect as a painting. Jiu, trying to be demure, didn't want to stare at his face, yet her gaze was firmly captivated, unable to look away.
Pei Yuhang didn't notice the glistening in Jiu's eyes. He chuckled softly and said:
"And what about you repeatedly tailing me? Sneaking into my residence in the middle of the night—is that something a proper Cultivator would do?
According to the unwritten rules of the Cultivation Realm, if you're caught trespassing in someone's private domain, being killed or turned into a slave-concubine is considered perfectly reasonable.
The fact that I only punished you a little was already merciful."
"Not to mention, I even kindly took you in after you were severely injured by Shang Miaoyan."
Hearing this, Jiu knew she was in the wrong, and her voice became much quieter:
"Well, I've helped you a lot too…"
Pei Yuhang nodded and pointed to the Demon Sword Purple Prison at her waist.
"So now we're even... In a moment, I'll give you another thirty thousand taels of Spirit Stones."
As Pei Yuhang spoke, his gaze lowered to the hot tea in his hand, but he didn't take a sip.
He took a Jade Token from his sleeve and placed it on the table. It was engraved with an unfamiliar sect's insignia.
When Jiu saw the Jade Token, her pupils suddenly contracted. She opened her mouth, but her mind had gone so blank that she couldn't make a sound.
"Don't follow me back to the Dao Sect this time.
I've already arranged a new identity for you. You can take this opportunity of leaving the Dao Sect to completely escape the pursuit of the Yin Yang Sacred Land."
"Why so soon?"
Jiu spoke softly, her voice betraying no emotion.
"It's not that fast. It's been over a month since I took you in…"
Jiu clenched her fists, and beneath her mask, she bit her thin lips until they grew pale.
"Actually... there's no need to be in such a rush, is there? To the Holy Daughter, I'm just a nobody. She's probably already forgotten about me by now.
Besides, the Holy Daughter might already know my location. We Red Lotus Guards always have a Restriction on us; there's no escaping the Holy Daughter's grasp.
She might have known for a long time that I'm hiding in your residence, but she hasn't come to capture me. That must be because she's wary of you, Peng Sword Immortal.
If I leave you, the Holy Daughter will definitely capture me!"
Jiu's heart hammered in her chest, and her words came faster and faster.
"Pei Yuhang, I don't want the thirty thousand taels of Spirit Stones anymore! As payment for helping you fend off the attack from the Void Refining Great Cultivator, you have to keep protecting me! I want to follow you back to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion!"
Pei Yuhang looked up at her, an unreadable expression in his eyes.
"We agreed from the beginning that I would protect you from Shang Miaoyan's pursuit... and then send you on your way. Do you really not want to leave? The little wooden cabin on the back mountain of the Cold Palace Sword Mansion can't compare to the boundless freedom of the open world."
Jiu crossed her arms, turned her head away, and snorted coldly.
"Don't flatter yourself, Peng Sword Immortal! Do you think I care about living in that drafty little cabin on your back mountain that leaks wind and snow!
I already told you... I'm only doing this because the situation forces me to."
As she spoke, her voice took on a coy tone.
"Anyway—I risked my life to help you fight off a Void Refining Stage enemy! You have to keep protecting me!"