Chapter 12 – I Also Want To Spiritually Cultivate With Shizun Today

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The afternoon sun bathed the air in warmth, making it feel lazy and sluggish, but Qi Shu was wide awake. He would have even gone out to practice his sword techniques if it wasn’t for the fact that his master’s physical condition was not yet fully stable. All he could do now was sit obediently by the bedside, holding his master Gu Hanjiang’s hands in his own and doing his best to transfer his spiritual energy to his Shizun.

After about an hour, Gu Hanjiang came to.

As soon as he stirred, Qi Shu looked up, asking, “Shizun, how did you feel?”

Gu Hanjiang sat up and removed his hand from Qi Shu’s, pressing his brow as he replied, “I’m okay.”

Qi Shu stood and went to pour tea for his master. Gu Hanjiang was fond of tea, but he could be picky, claiming that the tea leaves common folk drank were beneath him. Fortunately, Qi Shu was used to carrying around a supply of the tea leaves his master preferred, and he retrieved some from his personal storage bag before brewing a cup.

Returning to the bedside with the tea, Qi Shu saw his master was trying to reach for the cup, but then stopped. Their eyes met and the atmosphere between them became slightly awkward. Qi Shu awkwardly held the teacup, while Gu Hanjiang simply looked at him with his usual expression. Qi Shu’s ears felt inexplicably hot. He lowered his eyes and held out the cup, offering it to his master’s lips. “Shizun, have some tea.”

Gu Hanjiang lowered his head slightly and took the cup from Qi Shu’s hand, drinking from it.

He is not indecisive or secretive. Furthermore, his master’s situation was getting worse and worse. He intends to find an opportunity to show his sincerity to the master. If the master was truly interested in him, that would be even better.

If it is just a misunderstanding, then they can discuss it later.

In short, he cares about what the master said and must ask clearly. Even if he cannot directly question, he should still try to beat around the bush. But who knows, he was just looked at by the master and then counseled. He had never seen the master chasing people like this.

Qi Shu poured another cup of tea and took a deep breath. He then turned and returned to the table. Gu Hanjiang was already sitting cross-legged on the bed. Qi Shu did not disturb him. He put his cup on the couch beside the bed and waited quietly.

In a moment, Gu Hanjiang opened his mouth first. “Do you feel unwell?”

“Me?” Qi Shu blinked. “This disciple… everything is fine.”

Gu Hanjiang nodded. “You need to get rid of the demon tonight. Focus on the right thing. You shouldn’t have spent your spiritual power on your teacher.”

Qi Shu frowned. “But in my heart, the master’s health is also important.”

It was hard for him to be tough. Gu Hanjiang looked up at him. Qi Shu coughed softly: “I mean, the master came down the mountain for his disciples. If there is something wrong with his health, how could I bear the responsibility?”

“And I’m also… I’m worried.”

Gu Hanjiang’s eyes moved slightly, and the corners of his lips curved slightly.

Qi Shu: “Shizun, did you laugh?”

Gu Hanjiang: “…”

The faint smile was fleeting, but Qi Shu was still very happy. “I am willing to do anything for the sake of the master, and the master will not say such words again.”

Gu Hanjiang shook his head. “I don’t need you to do anything.”

“Well…” Qi Shu took the opportunity to probe further, “What if I need your help?”

“From when you were a child until now, what request have you made that your teacher has not granted?” Gu Hanjiang asked, “Tell me.”

Qi Shu handed him the brewed tea. “It has to do with exorcising demons.”

“Lu Shidi tracked that demon and discovered it had escaped into Misty Shadow Mountain. We discussed it and decided to pose as bait tonight, to lure the demon out of the mountain.”

He looked at Gu Hanjiang’s expression and gently said: “Earlier, we were worried about your health and didn’t want to burden you. But when you asked me why I didn’t seek your help, do you remember?”

Gu Hanjiang furrowed his brows slightly. “I said this?”

“Yes, you not only said it, but you also seemed….” Qi Shu hesitated before continuing, “You seemed a little unhappy.”

His words were tactful, but based on the Heavenly Venerable Immortal’s expression, it seemed more like extreme jealousy¹.

Gu Hanjiang seemed to have no recollection of this.

He took a sip of tea and said quietly: “When one is possessed by demons, their consciousness becomes unclear and their actions may not be rational. Don’t take it to heart.”

“Oh.”

To be honest, Qi Shu wasn’t completely convinced.

As the saying goes, during the day one thinks, and during the night one dreams. Everything has its roots. Even if someone is drunk, they still have their own logic.

If the master had no such thoughts in his heart, he wouldn’t have said such words.

But he still refused to say anything.

“I understand,” Qi Shu said seriously. “In that case, Shizun should rest well and let us handle it.”

When he finished talking, he turned and walked out.

Gu Hanjiang stopped him. “Wait.”

Qi Shu paused in his footsteps, and a slight imperceptible smile appeared on his face, but by the time he turned around, the smile disappeared without a trace, leaving only an innocent on his face.

Gu Hanjiang got out of bed and stood up.

“Since I said that, I will keep my promise,” Gu Hanjiang said calmly. “I will go with you tonight.”

“Is it really true? Thank you, master!” Qi Shu pretended to be surprised and walked over, eagerly pouring tea for him. “I just thought that Lu Chengyuan couldn’t be trusted. With your help, it will be even better!”

Gu Hanjiang thoughtfully said: “You don’t think Lu Chengyuan can be trusted?”

“That’s right.” Qi Shu poured the tea as he spoke. “He spent so much effort setting up the sword array last night, but that beast still escaped. I doubt he’ll be able to handle it tonight. Also, even though he’s not exactly ugly when he puts on that act, it’s hard to say if he’ll really be able to lure the demon out…”

Before he finished speaking, a bright light suddenly flared up behind him.

Qi Shu turned back in confusion, and after the light dissipated, there was no longer any trace of the Heavenly Venerable Immortal in the room.

In his place stood a slender and graceful woman.

The woman was dressed in white and had a calm expression on her face. She looked clean and cool, with a similar, yet completely different aura to Gu Hanjiang.

When she spoke, her voice was also a clear and bright female voice: “Well, what do you think?”

Qi Shu’s hand shook, and the teacup rolled to the ground, shattering into pieces.

“Crap.”

********

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Reika’s Notes:

• This chapter is by Reika (me)
• My thanks to everyone who expressed their condolences and good wishes. You guys are the best!
• Please let me know if there are any errors. Thanks for reading.

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1. 简直是醋味冲翻了天 – literally “vinegar had overturned/overtaken the sky.” Vinegar here means jealousy.