“If you’re only worried about Bai Yaoyao, then you can leave now.”
With that, Ye Mu turned to leave. He had no energy left today and had no interest in doing anything with Su Qianqian.
Seeing this, Su Qianqian quickly called out, “W-Wait!!”
Ye Mu paused and looked back at her, frowning slightly. “Speak if you have something to say.”
Su Qianqian lowered her head, trembling.
The reason she came to the Holy Son Hall wasn’t just because she was worried about Bai Yaoyao—it was also because of the Archaic Bell.
After all, she had promised Lin Yan that she would ask Ye Mu for the Archaic Bell.
But even she knew how outrageous such a request was, and the words stuck in her throat.
After a long time, Su Qianqian took a deep breath, looked up at Ye Mu, and said with a trembling voice, “Ye… Ye Mu, c-could you give me the Archaic Bell…?”
The moment the words left her mouth, even Ye Mu, who had seen all kinds of things, was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
“!? Su Qianqian, you’ve got guts! The Archaic Bell is a supreme sacred artifact. I just got my hands on it and haven’t even warmed it up, and you already want to take it?”
“Do you have any idea how precious a supreme sacred artifact is!?”
Su Qianqian’s face turned deathly pale as she stammered, “I… I know, but… but Brother Lin said the Archaic Bell is really important to him… very important.”
Ye Mu sneered. “Brother Lin, huh? Heh… your Brother Lin—what does that have to do with me? I already gave him so many sacred medicines. He didn’t even thank me, and now he sends you to ask for the Archaic Bell!?”
Su Qianqian had no words… she lowered her head, not knowing how to respond.
“Is it really… impossible to give it to me?” she finally asked in a trembling voice.
Ye Mu was about to say no… when suddenly, the system’s voice echoed.
[Ding! Host may use 1,000 luck points to create a replica of the Archaic Bell. The replica is identical to a fake sacred medicine! It has no difference in aura or function but comes with a major side effect—if mishandled during use, it may lose control and self-destruct indiscriminately.]
Ye Mu’s eyes lit up instantly, and he responded in his mind, “Replicate it!”
As soon as he spoke, a small and delicate ancient bell radiating an eternal aura appeared in his palm.
“T-The Archaic Bell!!” Su Qianqian exclaimed instinctively.
“It’s not that I can’t give it to you,” Ye Mu said calmly.
Hearing this, Su Qianqian froze at first, then her face lit up with joy. Her mind was dizzy—she almost couldn’t believe it.
“R-Really?”
Ye Mu smiled faintly and said, “But I have one condition.”
Su Qianqian quickly nodded. “W-What condition? I-I can agree to it!”
In her mind, Ye Mu’s condition could only be dual cultivation or something similar. At this point, what did it matter if they cultivated together again?
The moment those words dropped, Su Qianqian froze, then instinctively shouted, “No! Impossible! I can’t become your maid!!”
It wasn’t that she hated the identity of a maid itself.
The problem was that being Ye Mu’s maid meant she’d have to stay by his side every day and serve him.
If that happened, their relationship would definitely be discovered by Lin Yan sooner or later!
That was something she couldn’t accept!
“Heh! Su Qianqian, don’t act like you’re above this. You’re just an inner sect disciple. Becoming this Holy Son’s maid is the greatest fortune of your life!”
Ye Mu said coldly.
“I… I… I…” Su Qianqian stammered, unable to speak.
Ye Mu continued, “I won’t force you. If you don’t want to be one, then leave. But not only will I not give you the Archaic Bell, I’ll stop giving you any more sacred medicines too!”
With that, he turned and headed toward the bedroom.
“W-Wait!!”
Su Qianqian quickly called out to him again.
Ye Mu paused and turned back, face cold.
“Su Qianqian, my patience is gone. I’ll give you five seconds! Tell me—yes or no!”
As his voice fell, he began counting down.
“Five…”
“Four…”
“Three…”
The ticking countdown echoed in Su Qianqian’s ears, making her face grow paler and paler.
“One…”
At the final second, Su Qianqian finally made up her mind. She looked up at Ye Mu with trembling eyes.
“I… I agree!!”
Ye Mu’s lips curled. “Wise choice.”
He then extended his hand and passed the Archaic Bell to Su Qianqian.
“Take it. This bell… is yours.”
Looking at the small, exquisite Archaic Bell in her palm, Su Qianqian’s eyes instantly turned red.
For the sake of this tiny bell, she gave up her dignity and agreed to become Ye Mu’s maid… but it was worth it.
After putting the Archaic Bell away, she turned to leave the Holy Son Hall and go find Lin Yan.
But then Ye Mu’s voice suddenly rang out.
Su Qianqian froze in place. After a moment, she turned back to look at Ye Mu, trembling.
Ye Mu had already laid lazily on a reclining chair.
“You’re now this Holy Son’s maid. You leave only when I say so. Come here. Massage my shoulders.”
Su Qianqian clenched her fists tightly… then slowly loosened them again.
“…Yes,” she said softly.
She stepped forward and stretched out her jade-like hands to massage Ye Mu’s shoulders.
Her technique was clumsy, even awkward. Not only was it uncomfortable—it was downright painful.
Ye Mu frowned. “Why are you so bad at this!?”
Su Qianqian bit her lips. “I… I’ve never massaged anyone’s shoulders before…”
Ye Mu raised his brows, intrigued. “You lived in the same cave as Lin Yan and never massaged his shoulders?”
Su Qianqian shook her head.
“N-No… never…”
“Then what kind of intimate things have you done with him? Ever gone on a date?” Ye Mu asked blandly.
Su Qianqian stayed silent for a while. Thinking about it carefully, she realized she hadn’t done anything intimate with Lin Yan.
Since they were young, they had always been respectful toward each other. Even now, living in the same cave dwelling, they stayed in separate rooms to cultivate and sleep.
They hadn’t even held hands, let alone gone on a date.
Seeing her remain silent, Ye Mu already had his answer and sneered, “Looks like your relationship with your Brother Lin isn’t that close after all.”
Su Qianqian bit her lip hard, her hands squeezing tightly—faintly turning pale.
Time passed quickly…
Eventually, it was already early dawn.
Ye Mu waved his hand, signaling Su Qianqian to stop. “This Holy Son is tired. You may leave for now.”
Su Qianqian nodded quickly. “Yes!!”
Then, without hesitation, she hurried out of the Holy Son Hall and rushed toward the cave dwelling.
It was already so late!!
Brother Lin… must be so worried about me!!
Her heart was filled with anxiety.