It brought her nothing but fear and terror.
She recalled her junior disciple who had gone mad hundreds of years ago. The thought of that demon made her body tremble uncontrollably. That fear was etched into her mind, something she could never forget. Even the slightest recollection now caused her body to shudder.
The woman was answered by the sound of a soft sigh.
—
Rong Hua sat on the cold stairs, hugging his knees.
He whipped his head around only when the chamber door was opened, his gaze meeting that of the woman in the red robe.
Xin Xi had returned to her usual languid and seductive demeanor. As she passed the boy, her alluring eyes glanced at him indifferently, filled with mockery and disdain. Rong Hua stared blankly at the woman's retreating back, the scene in the room still playing in his mind. His plump, white fingers slowly clenched, a stinging pain in his palm as drops of blood fell onto the jade-paved floor, starkly visible.
"Rong Hua, come in." The luxurious, clear voice brought the boy back to his senses.
He stared at his toes, his face slightly pale, and slowly walked over.
The immortal, whose eyes were covered by white cloth accented with gold patterns, sat on a soft couch. She gently took the boy's plump, soft wrist: "You're injured here."
In the past, the boy would have already rushed into Shen Yue's arms for comfort, using all sorts of clingy tactics.
But Rong Hua merely looked up at Shen Yue with teary eyes, biting his lips tightly, silent.
Not hearing a reply, Shen Yue sighed and used her spiritual power to examine his body. The previously bloody wounds slowly healed.
Shen Yue gently stroked the boy's soft hair and asked softly, "Why aren't you speaking?"
Rong Hua threw himself into Shen Yue's warm embrace, calling out in his childish voice, "Shifu..."
Sniffing the scent of Shifu's body, which was tinged with a strange fragrance, Rong Hua frowned fiercely, his voice still childish, "Shifu smells!"
Shen Yue amusingly sniffed her sleeve. There was no bad smell, only a somewhat alluring fragrance.
The boy puffed up and clung to Shen Yue's white outer robe. Shen Yue let him have his way.
Only when his outer robe was pulled off did the boy happily throw himself into Shen Yue's arms. His fair, lotus-like little hands wrapped around the immortal's slender, snow-white neck. The smile on his lips instantly faded when he saw a distinct red mark on Shen Yue's snow-white neck.
"What's wrong?" Shen Yue found Rong Hua's strange silence peculiar.
Rong Hua tilted his head back, looking up at Shen Yue with his dark, beautiful eyes, and softly asked, "Shifu, what is this?"
His small, fair, and plump hand gently rubbed the spot, as if trying to wipe away something dirty.
Shen Yue couldn't see the red mark, but the spot she had touched had been itchy earlier, so she had scratched it a few times. It must have turned red, and the boy had used quite a bit of force, causing a bit of pain.
But in the next second, the previously rough rubbing turned into gentle licking.
A damp sensation spread across her neck, ticklish. Shen Yue pulled him away slightly, but Rong Hua stubbornly wrapped his hands around her neck, refusing to let go.
"Rong Hua..." His luxurious voice carried a hint of helplessness and indulgence.
Only when the red mark on his pale skin had deepened significantly did Rong Hua say triumphantly, "I cleaned up all of Shifu's dirty places."
Shen Yue didn't think much of it and said indifferently, "Don't do that next time, it's dirty."
Rong Hua buried his head in Shen Yue's neck and rubbed: "Shifu, it's not dirty."
Gently patting his head, Shen Yue's normally cold brows softened slightly. Her crimson lips curved into a subtle arc, so faint it was difficult to detect. "Be good."
Shen Yue's days of cultivation were particularly monotonous. Besides training, she just brought up her disciples, which was quite boring.
Sitting on a stone stool, feeling the gentle breeze, Shen Yue, despite her blindness, could play chess against herself. She could sense the position of the pieces with her spiritual power. Her slender fingertips held the white jade-like pieces, and after a moment of thought, she gently placed one down.
Jiang Ling stood at a distance, his heart filled with trepidation, not daring to disturb the immortal-like figure.
The breeze stirred Shen Yue's hair, and the white ribbon tying her hair fluttered in an elegant arc. Her clean, snow-white robes made her appear even more unapproachable and inviolable.
But no one gave him a second glance. Shen Yue had already "looked" over.
Shen Yue had noticed him standing aside from the beginning, waiting for someone to speak. After a long while, she still hadn't heard anyone utter a word.
"Disciple Jiang Ling, greets Shizun." A slightly deep voice sounded in her ears.
Shen Yue nodded, put down the white piece she was holding, picked up the spiritual tea beside her, and took a small sip.
"May I play a game with Shizun?" Jiang Ling asked, tightening his fingers, testing the waters.
Putting down the teacup, Shen Yue tidied the scattered chess pieces and slowly said a word for him to sit.
Jiang Ling sat stiffly, his back rigidly straight, his gaze fixed on the pale-faced Shen Yue. He was too nervous to calm down.
Filled with joy and excitement, his palms began to sweat.
He sat upright, playing chess, his eyes fixed on the board, not daring to wander, even though he knew the person opposite him couldn't see.
"You win." The clear, luxurious voice made Jiang Ling's heart leap.
Jiang Ling's eyes widened in disbelief, his usual calm and reserved expression completely gone.
The white pieces, surrounded by black, with no escape route, told him that he had actually defeated his Shizun!
However, he felt no smugness. Instead, he suspected that his Shizun had deliberately let him win. It was impossible for someone of his skill to defeat Shizun.
Shen Yue had not, in fact, gone easy on him. She just liked him to make a fuss. After making a fuss for a while, he thought he was very skilled, but when compared to others... he was nothing.
Shen Yue listlessly put down the white piece in her hand.
Seeing this, Jiang Ling quickly stood up: "Shizun..."
"What is it?" Shen Yue asked indifferently.
This cold and indifferent Shizun made Jiang Ling even more flustered. His gaze was fixed on Shen Yue's every move, becoming tense at the slightest disturbance.
"Disciple wishes to seek guidance from Shizun. Does Shizun... have the time?" Jiang Ling's gaze couldn't help but become more intense.
Shen Yue readily agreed. As soon as she agreed, Jiang Ling's face broke into a brilliant smile, his expression serene. The sunlight seemed to be gathered by his smile and then released, dazzling and beautiful.
"Disciple thanks Shizun!" His slightly deep, husky voice was filled with joy and laughter.
Shen Yue's clear eyes softened imperceptibly, her tone gentle and warm: "You're welcome."
Jiang Ling first practiced with his sword. His eyes suddenly sharpened, and his sword moved like a white snake flicking its tongue, each move sharp and fierce. Spiritual energy surrounded the silver sword, weaving like a coiling dragon.
"Stop!" The luxurious voice was not loud, but it forced Jiang Ling to freeze in his original pose, his thin lips pressed together.