I Don’T Want To Be This Master For A Day Anymore. Chapter 9

It’s Raining, I’ll Stay With You

Not long after Lang Yue left, Yao Ye returned.

Yao Ye walked into the hall, twisting his back. “Ow, stop hitting me! You’re going to break my spine.”

Qiu Yin’an looked past Yao Ye and saw the person behind him. It wasn’t Hai Di, the medicine cultivator under Bai Chengying, but Yao Ye’s elder sister, the Venerable Lord of Jiuling Mountain—Yao Yu—the very person Yao Ye had been avoiding.

Yao Ye wore a miserable expression. “Yin’an, I’m going back with my sister in a bit.”

Qiu Yin’an gloated, “Don’t go. It would be great if Young Lord Yao could stay a few more days.”

Yao Ye knew Qiu Yin’an was mocking him. He clicked his tongue and handed him a small white jar. “Bai Chengying is sick. Hai Di is busy taking care of him and couldn’t leave, so he gave me this.”

“Sick?” A hint of worry flashed in Qiu Yin’an’s eyes. “Did you see him?”

“No. Humans eat grain; who doesn’t get sick?” Yao Ye answered carelessly. “He was sleeping when I went, so I didn’t disturb him. His cultivation is so high, what major issue could there be? Don’t worry needlessly. He’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”

Qiu Yin’an had intended to go check on him immediately, but after hearing Yao Ye’s analysis, he felt it made sense and temporarily abandoned the idea. “That’s fine. I’ll go see him in a couple of days.”

Yao Yu interjected, “Virtuous Venerable Muyang, Yao Ye must have bothered you these past few days. I’ll take him away today.”

Qiu Yin’an replied, “Venerable Lord Yao worries too much. I am inevitably bored being alone in West Mountain Hall. Having Yao Ye as company to pass the time is perfect.”

“Sis, why are you being so polite? Yin’an even gave me the barrier jade for West Mountain Hall.”

Yao Ye pulled out the round green jade clasp and waved it in front of his sister. “Yin’an said he’s bored here. Why don’t I stay and keep him company? We can cultivate together, and I can also take the opportunity to refine my techniques. You can go back by yourself.”

As he spoke, Yao Ye grabbed his sister’s shoulders and pushed her toward the exit.

Qiu Yin’an watched Yao Ye’s slippery behavior and secretly turned his face away to hide a smile.

Yao Yu turned around and grabbed Yao Ye’s ear. “You grew up with Virtuous Venerable Muyang, and you’re four years older than him. What have you learned all these years? He is already in the Virtuous Venerable Realm. What about you? You’ve been to the Immortal Sect Assembly three times and still haven’t advanced to the True Man Realm. Leaving you in West Mountain Hall for a lifetime won’t help.”

Yao Ye covered his ear and leaned into the direction his sister was pulling. “Can you not be so blunt? I get hurt too.”

“You have feelings?” Yao Yu’s mouth was like a wild horse unleashed. “Look at Virtuous Venerable Muyang. At twenty years old, he has advanced to the Virtuous Venerable Realm, a level many people might never reach in their entire lives. And Virtuous Venerable Lin Yu, Bai Chengying, is the same age as you and has also advanced to the Virtuous Venerable Realm. Now look at yourself. How dare you spend all day hanging around with them?”

Yao Yu was furious and raised her hand, giving him a hard slap. “You must go back with me today and cultivate properly.”

Yao Ye cried out repeatedly, “I’ll go back, I’ll go back! Stop making Yin’an laugh at us.”

Yao Yu caught her breath and lowered her hand. Qiu Yin’an advised, “Venerable Lord Yao, Yao Ye is actually not bad among his peers.”

Yao Ye urged, “Quick, say a few more words to help my sister cool down.”

Yao Yu slapped the back of Yao Ye’s head again and said to Qiu Yin’an, “Virtuous Venerable Muyang is too kind. Thanks to your protection, Yao Ye can stand in the Cultivation World. However, his cultivation methods are truly poor; he can’t even reach the True Man Realm. How can I rest assured letting him take charge of Jiuling Mountain?”

“He suffered a cultivation deviation once before. Cultivation should not be rushed. Venerable Lord Yao, rest assured, as long as I am in the Cultivation World, I will not let him be bullied.” Qiu Yin’an patted Yao Ye’s arm. “Go back with your sister. Be diligent.”

Yao Ye rubbed his ear. “Alright, alright, I know.”

After the Yao siblings left, Qiu Yin’an took the medicine to Wan Qiongju.

Wan Qiongju’s residence was to the right of Qiu Yin’an’s, connected by a winding corridor. Qiu Yin’an had specifically arranged for him to stay there so he could look after him.

Seeing that Wan Qiongju’s door was ajar, Qiu Yin’an walked straight in. Wan Qiongju was sitting upright on the wooden couch, his posture very reserved.

When he saw Qiu Yin’an, he immediately tried to stand up to greet him. Qiu Yin’an quickly waved his hand. “You have leg injuries. Move less.”

Wan Qiongju immediately sat down obediently, his eyes cautiously observing him.

Wan Qiongju’s carefulness made Qiu Yin’an feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Qiu Yin’an handed the white porcelain medicine jar to Wan Qiongju. “This is for you.”

Wan Qiongju nodded his thanks before even taking the medicine.

Qiu Yin’an simply placed the medicine on the small table. He didn’t want Wan Qiongju to be so constrained, so he leaned against the couch in a relatively relaxed posture. He pointed to the small medicine jar. “Shall I help you apply the medicine?”

Wan Qiongju quickly picked up the jar. “There is no need to trouble the Virtuous Venerable.”

“It’s no trouble.” Qiu Yin’an pushed the small table away and moved closer to Wan Qiongju. “Lift your legs.”

For some reason, Wan Qiongju didn’t move.

Qiu Yin’an grabbed behind Wan Qiongju’s knees and lifted both his legs, quickly removing his shoes and socks. “Don’t be so coy. Are you going to be this respectful toward me from now on?”

Hearing this, Wan Qiongju handed the medicine jar to Qiu Yin’an.

Qiu Yin’an supported Wan Qiongju’s calf with one hand and gently applied the ointment with the other. “In West Mountain Hall, it’s just me and the person who helped you wash and change earlier. He is a fox spirit. Don’t be scared if you see his true form. I don’t particularly like having outsiders around, so I won’t assign anyone specifically to serve you. During your recovery, that spirit fox will be at your disposal.”

After applying the medicine, Qiu Yin’an handed the silver bell used to summon the spirit fox to Wan Qiongju.

Wan Qiongju took the bell, gripping it in his palm. The look in his eyes was no longer one of trepidation, but aside from thanking him, he had nothing else to say.

It seemed it would take some time for this young man to become familiar with him. Qiu Yin’an felt strange staying there any longer, so he got off the couch. “Rest well. If you need anything, come find me.”

Late at night, Qiu Yin’an was too agitated by the barrier reinforcement issue to sleep. He was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard to get some air when it suddenly started raining.

The rain came quickly. In the time it took to stand up, the drizzle had turned into a downpour. Several blinding white flashes tore through the dark night, followed by a series of booming thunderclaps. Qiu Yin’an’s already troubled mood worsened.

He channeled his Spiritual Energy, enveloped himself in a barrier, and turned to walk back, only to notice that Wan Qiongju’s room was lit up.

It was very late. Why was the boy keeping the entire room brightly lit in the middle of the night? He remembered the room being dark when he came out.

Curious, Qiu Yin’an unconsciously moved to Wan Qiongju’s door. Thinking, since he was already here, he raised his hand and knocked twice. There was no answer.

Perhaps the sound of the thunderstorm was too loud for the person inside to hear. He knocked a few more times with greater force, but still received no response from Wan Qiongju.

Qiu Yin’an pressed his ear against the door to listen, but the deafening thunderclaps drowned out everything.

The rolling thunder made Qiu Yin’an uneasy. He called out from outside the door, “Wan Qiongju.”

There was still no movement inside.

Failing to get a response, Qiu Yin’an grew anxious. Driven by this unease, he kicked the door open forcefully, then quickly crossed the front room to the bed. He pulled back the bed curtains and peered inside. Wan Qiongju was sitting with his arms wrapped around his knees, covering his ears, his head buried in his lap.

“Hey—” Qiu Yin’an’s voice was not friendly, given that he had knocked for so long without a reply.

Wan Qiongju raised his head. His face was deathly pale, and fine cold sweat beaded on his forehead.

Qiu Yin’an asked, “Are you afraid of thunder?”

Wan Qiongju seemed embarrassed, squeezing out a low, muffled “Mm.”

Qiu Yin’an said, “Didn’t I tell you that you could come to me if you needed anything?”

Wan Qiongju’s beautiful eyes were furrowed pitifully. He looked at the displeased Qiu Yin’an but remained silent.

Qiu Yin’an disliked saying unnecessary things like, ‘What is there for a boy to be afraid of?’ He glanced outside, then waved his hand, closing the door.

“I’ll sleep with you.” Qiu Yin’an removed his outer robe, sat on the bed, and took off his boots. He turned his head and said, “Move over.”

Wan Qiongju clutched the blanket tightly, his large eyes wide, almost popping out of their sockets.

Qiu Yin’an asked, “You don’t want to?”

Wan Qiongju moved his lips but made no sound.

“Then I’ll leave.” Qiu Yin’an turned to put on his boots. The moment he raised his wrist, Wan Qiongju swiftly grabbed it.

Qiu Yin’an looked back, and Wan Qiongju immediately let go.

Wan Qiongju scooted inward. Qiu Yin’an then lay down. He cast a Technique to extinguish all the candles and closed his eyes, his mind clear, ignoring Wan Qiongju’s reaction.

Wan Qiongju remained lost and uncertain in the darkness for a long time. Only after hearing Qiu Yin’an’s steady, faint breathing did he cautiously lie down.