Hearing her master’s words, Ning Ying felt the urge to flee on her sword.
But Master was still walking the mountain path—would it be bad if she flew back alone?
Yun Qingyuan stopped, his long lashes drooping slightly as he gazed at her with considerable patience. His frost-like silver hair gently swayed in the bright moonlight, draping over his spotless Daoist robe.
Ning Ying felt a bit guilty under his gaze. “Master… did I say something wrong?”
The silver-haired beauty raised a hand to gently stroke her head, slowly shaking his head.
“Cultivators should renounce emotions and desires. Why would your master seek a Dao companion?”
“But dual cultivation is also beneficial for cultivation…” Ning Ying lowered her head and muttered softly.
Yun Qingyuan’s eyes narrowed slightly. “How does Aying know this?”
Ning Ying: QAQ
Isn’t it obvious?!
“…S-Senior Sister told me!” She blinked innocently.
Yun Qingyuan pondered for a moment, then said calmly: “It’s best not to casually seek dual cultivation with anyone.”
“Why?” Ning Ying looked up, casting curious little glances at her master.
Yun Qingyuan gently rubbed his brow with slender fingers and sighed silently. “Sword cultivators must have firm Dao hearts, be without emotion or desire, and maintain inner clarity to achieve the supreme sword way.”
Ning Ying thought for a moment and said seriously: “Master knows alchemy and talismans—actually, Master knows everything. As your disciple, do I necessarily have to be a sword cultivator? Talisman cultivators and alchemy cultivators make a lot of money…”
Before she finished speaking, the Chongming sword at her waist emitted a protesting clear hum.
Ning Ying quickly reached out to stroke the blade, soothing it softly: “Don’t worry, wife, I was just speaking casually.”
Unexpectedly, this deliberately lowered whisper was heard by Yun Qingyuan.
“Who are you calling wife?” He calmly looked up at her, his exquisite features cold as snow, his indifferent, distant eyes shimmering with rippling moonlight.
Fearing Master might misunderstand she had a Dao companion, Ning Ying quickly said: “I, I mean… the sword is my wife.”
Yun Qingyuan said nothing, calmly looking at her.
Ning Ying’s gaze flickered as she laughed somewhat awkwardly: “Haha, swords are sword cultivators’ wives—very reasonable, right?”
“Where did you learn this…” Yun Qingyuan sighed softly.
“All us sword cultivators are like this!” Ning Ying clenched her fist. “Isn’t Master’s wife his own life-bound sword?”
Yun Qingyuan: “…”
He gently shook his head.
“Oh, right,” Ning Ying realized something. “Master doesn’t have a wife.”
Yun Qingyuan: “…………”
He slightly flicked his sleeve and walked up the mountain, leaving her with an immortal-like silhouette.
Ning Ying quickly chased after him.
If Master really wanted to leave, he could ride clouds or fly on his sword. Walking now clearly meant he wanted her to catch up.
She at least had that much emotional intelligence _( :з」∠)_
“Master, Master, did I say something wrong?” The girl’s head popped out from behind the Immortal Lord’s left side, her features lively, wearing an obedient expression.
Yun Qingyuan glanced at her, slowed his pace, and calmly looked away.
“Master, master, your little cutie suddenly appears!” She popped out again from behind his right side.
Yun Qingyuan: “…”
He took the opportunity to raise his hand and pat her head.
Ning Ying: “Huh?”
Did she just get head-patted like a pet?
Since she’d already caught up, she wouldn’t retreat, and asked: “Master, what brings you to stroll on the mountain path tonight?”
“Moon gazing.” Yun Qingyuan’s long lashes moved slightly, his features exquisite.
Ning Ying looked up at the crescent moon in the night sky and nodded in agreement. “The moon really is beautiful tonight.”
“Aying thinks so too?” The silver-haired beauty’s voice was gentle, as if casually asking.
Ning Ying nodded. “Yes. Got stuffed from barbecue—nice to walk it off, and with Master accompanying me… Such a good thing exists in this world!”
A faint curve appeared at the corner of Yun Qingyuan’s lips. “Your master is also willing to accompany you on walks.”
“Master is the best!” Ning Ying gently tugged at Yun Qingyuan’s sleeve. “Oh right, Master, if we don’t go back soon, the barbecue will get cold. How about we moon gaze a little longer, then fly back on our swords?”
“Alright.” Yun Qingyuan had no particular attachment to moon gazing. What mattered to him was the person beside him.
As they were speaking, a shooting star streaked across the night sky above them. The star, trailing flames behind it, released the most brilliant radiance of its life. At this moment, the gorgeous Milky Way and bright moonlight all became mere backdrop.
“Master, look, it’s a shooting star!! Make a wish quickly!” The girl jumped up excitedly, vigorously shaking his sleeve without realizing she was still holding onto the Immortal Lord’s robe. “I want to make a wish too. What wish should I make… No, it won’t come true if I say it out loud. Master, don’t say yours out loud either.”
Yun Qingyuan nodded slightly, looking down at her profile illuminated by starlight, a slight curve to his thin lips. It seemed… he might have made a wish too.
After the shooting star disappeared, Ning Ying turned back to look at Yun Qingyuan.
“Master, what wish did you make?”
“If I say it, it won’t come true.” The silver-haired beauty repeated her words in a good mood.
Ning Ying puffed out her cheeks, looking like she’d suffered a quiet loss.
“It doesn’t matter if I say my wish,” Ning Ying stole a glance at her master’s expression. “I hope this year I can have a master’s wife…”
“Then your wish won’t count anymore.” The corner of Yun Qingyuan’s lips curved slightly, a fleeting smile passing through his moonlit eyes.
Ning Ying: “…”
Seems like it, she’d said it out loud.
Oh well, no master’s wife… didn’t seem so bad either.
After all, Master was like a “male mother,” caring for his disciples attentively. Last time he said… he could even sew clothes for disciples.
“Master, can you really sew clothes for us?” Ning Ying’s brain short-circuited, and she blurted out the thought.
As soon as she said it, she regretted it. Had spending too much time with Senior Brother Gu lowered her IQ and EQ too?
All Senior Brother Gu’s fault.jpg
Yun Qingyuan looked down at her and nodded slightly.
“If it’s for you, yes.”
Ning Ying: “!!!”
Master nodded!
“Is Aying’s dress… torn?” Yun Qingyuan asked softly.
Ning Ying’s dress really had been torn. The fabric of this newly bought dress was delicate—when she’d gone into the forest tonight, she’d accidentally scraped against some bushes, leaving a rip near her calf. She’d originally planned to sew it herself tonight, but since Master could… hehehe, Master did everything best—his sewing skills were surely excellent too (affirmative).
To prove it to Master, Ning Ying immediately placed one foot on a roadside rock and slightly lifted her skirt, revealing half of her smooth, fair calf.
Her intention was to show Master the tear on her dress, but unexpectedly, he remained silent.
Ning Ying looked up puzzled, trying to gauge her master’s expression, and by the moonlight, caught a glimpse of the faint blush at the tips of the silver-haired beauty’s ears.
Ning Ying: “!”
Master was so innocent!