At this moment, Ning Ying’s mind was filled with “???”, frozen in place, almost unable to think.
Was this something her aloof master could say? QAQ
However, she quickly found an excuse for him. He always kept his promises. Since she had won first place in the Sword Trial Conference, he must be thinking of his earlier promise when he told her to come to his cave tonight.
Ning Ying wanted to refuse, but with so many people watching, and her senior siblings vigorously waving the “Marry Master” banner, she probably couldn’t clear her name even if she jumped into the Yellow River.
Besides, her master was the paragon of the righteous path, a sect leader, and had always been good to her. She didn’t want to embarrass him in public.
She would just explain things to him privately tonight…
Thinking this, Ning Ying raised her hand to cover her slightly burning cheeks and fled the platform in panic.
As soon as she stepped off, Gu Qi and Sang Jinse surrounded her. They grabbed her arms from left and right and said enthusiastically, “Congratulations, Junior Sister! You can finally get what you want and be with Master~”
Ning Ying: “???”
Since when did she have such a desire?
“Senior Sister, I…” Ning Ying tugged at Sang Jinse’s robe and whispered, “I only defeated Jing Nian to vent your anger. I really don’t have feelings for Master.”
“Yes, yes, Senior Sister believes you.” Sang Jinse said seriously. “You’re so good to me, Junior Sister. To celebrate your victory, let’s have a big dinner tonight. I’ll cook personally!”
Ning Ying: _(:з」∠)_
Why did she feel like her senior sister didn’t believe her at all?
She could swear to heaven—things between her and her master were perfectly innocent, with not a hint of ambiguity.
When she went to her master’s cave tonight… she would make things clear. No matter how beautiful he was, how good his figure, how cold and restrained, how much he matched her aesthetic—she absolutely would not waver!
Even if she died today, she would never sleep with her master.
She was always the one eating others’ gossip—how could she become the subject of it?
Soon it was evening, and tonight Duiying Peak was especially lively.
Because Ning Ying had won first place in the Sword Trial Conference, Yun Qingyuan made an exception and allowed everyone to celebrate on Duiying Peak. Besides the four master and disciples, Mu Bie also came to mooch a meal, and Ye Juan brought his disciple Chu Shuo to join the fun.
Sang Jinse had originally said she would cook, but her culinary skills were on par with Ning Ying’s. Barbecue was already her limit—preparing a full table of good dishes was really asking too much.
So cooking duties fell to Chu Shuo again.
Gu Qi: “No wonder Uncle-Master Ye brought Junior Brother Chu along—so that’s why!”
Ning Ying added: “I’ve had the pleasure before. Junior Brother Chu’s cooking really is excellent.”
Sang Jinse: “Have you noticed that Uncle-Master Ye seems to have gained weight lately?”
Ning Ying: “???”
“What happened to my handsome, dashing uncle-master? Is middle-age spread really inevitable?”
Gu Qi: “Probably eating too well. If I had a disciple with good cooking skills, I’d have him cook for me every day too.”
Ye Juan: “???”
He pinched his handsome cheeks. “Senior Brother Yun, be the judge. Have I gained weight? No way!”
Yun Qingyuan pondered for a moment and nodded slightly.
Ye Juan: “???”
“Senior Brother, what do you mean by nodding?”
Mu Bie, who had been sneaking food in the kitchen, lifted the curtain with one hand while holding a fried chicken leg in the other and said, “Junior Brother Ye, Senior Brother nodded—just accept reality.”
Ye Juan grew anxious and started to undo his clothes to prove his innocence: “Let me show you my eight-pack abs, the lines are so clear! How can you say I’ve gained weight!”
“Wait, Junior Brother,” Mu Bie tried to stop him. “There are girls here—probably not appropriate.”
But Ning Ying and Sang Jinse both craned their necks, wanting to see their uncle-master’s abs, showing no intention of averting their eyes.
Mu Bie: “???”
Had he become an old fossil in just the few years since his death? Did cultivators no longer observe proper distance between men and women?
Still, he didn’t try to stop them again.
Just as Ye Juan’s hand reached his collar, a sword energy suddenly slashed across the back of his hand, knocking it away.
Ye Juan looked up in shock: “Senior Brother Yun, what are you doing?”
Yun Qingyuan’s expression was indifferent. “Don’t do such indecent things… in front of my disciple.”
“Just looking at abs—what’s indecent about that?” Ye Juan said aggrievedly. “You all said I gained weight—I’m just proving my innocence!”
“Oh~ I get it,” Sang Jinse thought for a moment, then revealed a gossipy look. “Master doesn’t want Junior Sister to see Uncle-Master Ye’s abs—it’s because he likes her!”
Ning Ying: “???”
“Senior Sister, you’re overthinking it,” she tried to cover Sang Jinse’s mouth. “It’s just, just that Master finds it indecent…”
“Believe me, if I went to look at someone else’s abs, Master wouldn’t bother.” Sang Jinse laughed. “You can see Master’s abs tonight, Junior Sister—why pine over Uncle-Master Ye’s?”
Ning Ying’s pupils trembled. “Don’t talk nonsense!”
Ye Juan, overhearing this, stopped insisting on proving he hadn’t gained weight and instead sidled up to Ning Ying, gossiping, “Little Ning, is it true… about you and Senior Brother Yun?”
Before Ning Ying could answer, Gu Qi and Sang Jinse said in unison, “It’s true!”
Ning Ying: _(:з」∠)_
She looked up at her master, hoping he would rein in these gossiping people.
Yun Qingyuan stood alone to one side, his features cool, his white robes gently stirring in the moonlight, as if he hadn’t heard their conversation, or as if… he tacitly allowed it.
Ning Ying tilted her head slightly. What was her master really thinking?
Before long, Chu Shuo had prepared a lavish meal. Ning Ying brought out the ten-thousand-year vintage wine the system had given her as today’s check-in reward, and it received unanimous praise. Ye Juan, who loved wine as much as life itself, was especially effusive. The group dined in a bamboo grove under the moonlight, occasionally taking small sips—quite elegant and enjoyable.
When the wine had flowed freely, Gu Qi frantically signaled Sang Jinse with his eyes—their prearranged cue.
“Junior Sister, a toast to you.” Sang Jinse came beside Ning Ying and gently poured her a glass of wine, her eyes red-rimmed. “Thank you for venting my anger today…”
Ning Ying wasn’t much of a drinker and was already a bit tipsy. She took the glass and drained it. “Senior Sister, don’t mention it—it’s wh-what I should do…”
Then she collapsed.
Sang Jinse tried to catch her quickly but was a moment too slow.
Yun Qingyuan had already caught the flushed-faced girl in his arms.
“She’s drunk,” the silver-haired beauty said coolly. “I’ll take her back first.”
Ning Ying’s gaze was hazy; she could only smell her master’s cold, icy presence. She instinctively nuzzled into his embrace, inadvertently meeting those calm, restrained eyes.
His long lashes trembled slightly, like falling snowflakes.
“Was putting the pill in the wine really okay?” After the guests dispersed, Sang Jinse stopped Gu Qi. “I’m still worried about Junior Sister.”
“The pill won’t harm her body—it’ll just make Master pregnant with her child,” Gu Qi said confidently. “This venerable one personally refined the pill—harmless to humans and beasts alike. Rest assured.”
Sang Jinse asked doubtfully, “Junior Brother, I don’t remember you learning alchemy…”
…Was she dreaming?
Ning Ying felt a bit hot. Even in Yun Qingyuan’s arms, she couldn’t stay still, trying to undo her collar.
Just then, her wrist was caught by long, jade-like fingers.
“Aying, calm down.”
Her master’s clear, pleasant voice brought back some of her senses. Ning Ying suddenly realized that his skin felt cool—pressing against it seemed very comfortable.
So she wrapped herself around him like an octopus, having long forgotten her earlier words about “even if I die, I’ll never sleep with Master.”
Seeming unaccustomed to such skin contact, the tips of Yun Qingyuan’s cold, pale ears tinged with a faint red.
He supported her by the waist, trying to put her down and maintain distance.
Ning Ying stumbled forward a few steps, nearly tripping from losing her balance.
Yun Qingyuan reached out to steady her, but she wrapped her whole weight around him, and they both fell onto the clean, spotless jade couch together.
Frost-white hair and dark locks intertwined. Ning Ying felt dazed, as if snow had fallen on her.
She must be dreaming… no, she definitely was dreaming!
Actually, she did desire this beauty’s body. In reality, because of their different statuses and the high-risk nature of master-disciple romance, she wouldn’t pursue him. But in a dream, she could indulge a little QAQ.
The corners of her eyes reddened slightly as she looked up at him. “Master, I feel terrible.”
“…” Yun Qingyuan braced himself on one hand beside her, using the other to gently brush back the disheveled hair at her temples.
His voice was somewhat hoarse. “It’s your master’s fault for indulging you in drinking.”
“I wanted to drink,” Ning Ying pouted. “Master, can you come closer? Your skin is cool—being close to you feels better…”
Just as Yun Qingyuan was about to restrain himself and pull away, his neck was suddenly hooked by her soft fingers. She didn’t use force, but he couldn’t break free.
“Master, will you hold me while I sleep tonight?” Ning Ying made an irresponsible request. “Just holding while sleeping—that should be okay, right…”
“No.” Yun Qingyuan’s voice was cool. “You can sleep in your master’s bed, but you’ll sleep alone.”
Even in her dream, her master remained cold and devoid of desire.
Ning Ying suddenly felt a bit like teasing him. After all, it was just a dream—so there was no need to take responsibility.
Besides, she was really so hot…
Her fingertips gently traced from his neck to his handsome, beautiful cheeks, brushing over his soft, thin lips.
Suddenly feeling thirsty.
Ning Ying blinked, looking at the silver-haired beauty’s cool lips. For some reason, she leaned in and kissed him.
The kiss was light, fleeting.
He let out a low, muffled groan. His indifferent yet gentle gaze darkened with an almost obsessive gloom. Grabbing her wrist, he pinned it above her head, while his other hand tilted her chin upward. He pressed his lips to hers, kissing her with an insatiable craving.