I Don’T Want To Be This Master For A Day Anymore. Chapter 15

You Are the One I Hold Dearest

Qiu Yin’an had originally planned to set off for Cold Ridge White Cliff as soon as possible, but Yao Ye sent a message through an intermediary. The content was: Urgent, urgent, urgent, come quickly.

Based on those five characters alone, Qiu Yin’an couldn’t possibly guess what Yao Ye wanted, but knowing Yao Ye’s usual behavior, it certainly wouldn’t be anything important. So, he resolutely told the messenger to go back and, while he was at it, relay four characters for him: Go bother your grandpa.

After the messenger left, Qiu Yin’an continued his arduous search through a pile of cultivation manuals and ancient texts for records related to rune techniques.

Wan Qiongju was learning too fast; the previous volume was almost completely read. He needed to find a few more books to prepare for this “great scholar.” Qiu Yin’an even felt that Wan Qiongju no longer needed him as a guide and might progress faster through self-study.

While Qiu Yin’an was physically busy flipping through the texts, his mind was elsewhere. Yao Ye’s five annoying characters kept lingering in his thoughts, preventing him from settling down.

Although it was highly probable that Yao Ye was just being dramatic, there was always the fear that every rule had an exception.

After several internal struggles, Qiu Yin’an slammed the book in his hand, gritting his back teeth as he muttered to himself, “Yao Ye, you better actually have an emergency.”

Ultimately, Qiu Yin’an decided to make a trip to Jiuling Mountain. He figured he could treat it as a farewell to his friend before heading to Cold Ridge White Cliff. After all, he wasn’t sure when he would return from this trip. If it took several months and Yao Ye didn’t see him for that long and didn’t know his whereabouts, he would definitely blame Qiu Yin’an upon his return.

Qiu Yin’an had initially wanted to bring Wan Qiongju along. Wan Qiongju had been very excited the last time he went out with him, constantly looking here and there, full of curiosity about everything.

Jiuling Mountain was vast, filled with all sorts of strange and wonderful things. He thought Wan Qiongju would be very happy if he went.

However, he hadn’t been careful when he struck Wan Qiongju that day, hitting him too hard. Then, yesterday, he had made Wan Qiongju spar with Yu Jingyan. The boy hadn’t complained about the pain, just endured it. It was only when Qiu Yin’an saw him limping that he realized the injuries were somewhat serious.

Qiu Yin’an had no choice but to leave the youth at West Mountain Hall. He would take him to Jiuling Mountain another time.

As Qiu Yin’an descended halfway down the mountain, he suddenly stopped. He looked back at West Mountain Hall on the peak, only able to see the painted lotus patterns on the eaves. He had already walked a long distance, yet throughout this long journey, Wan Qiongju kept faintly appearing in his mind, the thought never ceasing.

Bai Chengying had been emotionally volatile lately. If he came to West Mountain Hall again, how would Wan Qiongju handle it alone?

The spirit fox also favored Bai Chengying and couldn’t be relied upon. Furthermore, having just been whipped by Qiu Yin’an, it was resentful of Wan Qiongju. Would it perhaps also act against Wan Qiongju?

Qiu Yin’an couldn’t help but worry. Once this worry started, he became increasingly unable to control himself, worrying about his little disciple in a hopeless manner.

Qiu Yin’an’s body felt as if it were being pulled by an invisible rope, unable to take another step down.

Having spent so much time together, he had already discerned the character of this little brat, Wan Qiongju.

Although he spent most of his time acting spoiled around Qiu Yin’an, Qiu Yin’an could sense that the boy’s core was a hard bone; he was extremely stubborn.

If Bai Chengying truly came to cause trouble, someone like Wan Qiongju would never yield. If the spirit fox then fanned the flames and sowed discord, Bai Chengying, provoked by it, would surely resort to violence.

What if when he returned, Wan Qiongju was already—

“No, no.” Qiu Yin’an muttered to himself, as if Wan Qiongju’s beaten corpse was right before his eyes. He immediately decided he absolutely had to go back.

Wan Qiongju was currently lying on the bed, intently studying the cultivation manual on talismans that Qiu Yin’an had just given him. He was so engrossed that he didn’t notice Qiu Yin’an standing by his bed for a long time.

Qiu Yin’an took down the ghost-face mask hanging by the bedpost, placed it over his face, and then leaned down to gently blow a puff of air behind Wan Qiongju’s ear, waiting to startle him.

Wan Qiongju felt a tickle behind his ear. He turned his head and saw that it was his Master playing a trick. He immediately rested his head on his arm, tilting his head to look at Qiu Yin’an with a smile in his eyes.

Qiu Yin’an didn’t hear the loud shout he had anticipated. He moved the mask away, feeling a little disappointed. “Are you scared?” he asked unwillingly.

Normally, Qiu Yin’an wore a blue Daoist robe with his hair simply pinned up with a wooden hairpin. Although handsome, he wasn’t as dazzling as he was in his current attire for going out.

Qiu Yin’an was now wearing a high-collared, flat-fronted brocade robe with knotted buttons, covered by a snow-white outer robe trimmed with silver piping. Silver floral patterns were embroidered on his shoulders and arms. He wore a vine-patterned hair circlet, and his dark hair was tied up high, making him appear exceptionally cool and refined.

Wan Qiongju raised the corner of his mouth and replied, “Master is so handsome, how could I be scared?”

Qiu Yin’an gave a slightly proud huff, tapped the ghost-face mask lightly on Wan Qiongju’s head, and smiled.

“Master, why are you back again?” Wan Qiongju looked at Qiu Yin’an with a grin. He shifted inward a few times, making space for Qiu Yin’an to sit down. He continued, “Go on, don’t worry. I won’t go anywhere in West Mountain Hall, and I’ll practice diligently.”

“I’m not worried about that.” Qiu Yin’an hung the ghost-face mask back up and sat on the edge of the bed. “What if something happens to you while you’re home alone?”

Wan Qiongju burst out laughing. “Master, you worry too much. I’m just staying here to cultivate. What misfortune could befall me? Are you worried that with my current cultivation, I might suffer a deviation?”

Qiu Yin’an frowned in displeasure. He retorted, “What do you mean I worry too much? You’re young and don’t think things through.”

“If Master is worried about me, I’ll go with you.” Saying this, Wan Qiongju propped himself up on his arms, preparing to rise.

Qiu Yin’an quickly pressed him down. “Don’t move around. If you keep treating your body like it’s nothing, your backside will never heal.”

He then blamed himself, “It’s my fault. I forgot that I was the one who hit you, and then I made you spar with Yu Jingyan. Does it hurt a lot now?”

Wan Qiongju smiled at him nonchalantly. “It doesn’t hurt. I’m perfectly fine.”

As he spoke, Wan Qiongju patted his own backside, trying to prove it to Qiu Yin’an. But he didn’t control his strength, and the pain made him turn his head away, wincing and enduring the ache.

“You don’t need to come with me. Take this.” Qiu Yin’an reached out and summoned a five-colored glazed lamp. He handed the object to Wan Qiongju. “Take this for self-defense.”

Wan Qiongju took it with one hand and asked, “What is this?”

Qiu Yin’an: “Soul Protection Lamp.”

“This is the legendary Soul Protection Lamp?” Wan Qiongju’s eyes suddenly widened. He held the lamp with both hands, examining it closely.

“I thought the artifact capable of sealing the entire Demon Race would look incredibly mighty and imposing. I didn’t expect it to be so delicate.”

Qiu Yin’an: “I will teach you the core incantation for this item. Using it will greatly enhance your techniques. As long as you don’t go out and cause trouble, it will guarantee your safety. Having this is enough.”

Wan Qiongju was overjoyed, his eyes sparkling. He confirmed incredulously, “Master, are you really giving this to me?”

Qiu Yin’an: “What pipe dream are you having? I’m only temporarily entrusting it to you. Unless absolutely necessary, don’t take it out and use it, and you must not let anyone know the Soul Protection Lamp is with you. If anything happens to the Soul Protection Lamp, I will beat your backside until it blooms.”

Qiu Yin’an raised his hand and flicked Wan Qiongju’s forehead a few times. “Remember this, remember this. Did you hear me?”

“I heard you.” Wan Qiongju slightly narrowed his eyes, looking at Qiu Yin’an with a wronged expression. “I thought Master was being infinitely good to me.”

Qiu Yin’an: “You ungrateful brat, am I not good to you?”

Wan Qiongju giggled and leaned closer to Qiu Yin’an, flattering him by massaging his legs a couple of times. “I know Master is good to me. I will remember it for life. Master, go on, don’t worry about me.”

“Who has time to worry about you? Once I walk out that door, I’ll probably forget I even took on a disciple.” Qiu Yin’an tossed aside the hands Wan Qiongju was using to massage his legs, then swiftly stood up and walked out.

“Master, be careful on your journey! Don’t fly your sword too fast; you hit quite a few sparrows last time.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll cultivate properly at West Mountain Hall.”

“I’ll even help you watch the spirit fox and make it clean the entire West Mountain Hall, including the empty rooms in the back, until they’re spotless.”

Wan Qiongju wailed dramatically from the bed, watching Qiu Yin’an’s retreating figure.

Qiu Yin’an didn’t look back. He walked quickly, shouting back one word, “Chatterbox.”

The moment he stepped outside the door, ensuring Wan Qiongju absolutely couldn’t see him, Qiu Yin’an secretly smiled. He didn’t know why he was so happy, but he felt a sweet warmth in his heart.

Yao Ye had been bored stiff these past few days. The moment Qiu Yin’an arrived, he was dragged off to play gateball.

“You sent someone to tell me it was urgent just so I could play gateball with you?” Qiu Yin’an’s first swing missed the ball and hit Yao Ye’s back.

“Ouch, easy there, that hurts.” Yao Ye was in a playful mood. He flinched from the blow but enthusiastically hit the ball a few more times before explaining to Qiu Yin’an, “If I hadn’t said that, you definitely wouldn’t have come.”

“I wouldn’t have come even if you said that,” Qiu Yin’an said, knocking away a wooden ball that Yao Ye was about to score. He continued, “I came to tell you that I’m going on a long trip. I might be away from Qingxuan Peak for half a year.”

“Ah? That won’t do. This time, I didn’t call you for absolutely nothing. My sister is getting married.”

Yao Ye tossed his mallet, dismissed the attendants around them, and sat down on the ground next to Qiu Yin’an. “The wedding is set for next month.”

Qiu Yin’an looked puzzled. “So soon?”

Yao Ye: “My sister and Liu Senyuan from Fengyun Manor have been together for years. The wedding shouldn’t be delayed any longer. We’ve been gradually releasing the news these past couple of days.”

Qiu Yin’an: “Getting married next month? Can you finish the preparations in time?”

Yao Ye wrapped an arm around Qiu Yin’an’s shoulder and said, “That’s why I need your help! You know it’s just been my sister and me relying on each other since we were kids. I’m the only one who can make a statement for her. I, her younger brother, absolutely must treat her wedding with importance. Otherwise, Fengyun Manor might think my sister has no backing and bully her after she marries in.”

Qiu Yin’an nudged Yao Ye with his shoulder, advising, “Your sister marrying into Fengyun Manor is already considered marrying down. Her techniques are not bad; who could bully her? Stop worrying unnecessarily.”

Yao Ye clapped his hands and looked determinedly ahead. He said, “In any case, I need my sister to marry off with great prestige, and you need to stay and help me prepare.”

Qiu Yin’an: “But I don’t know much about wedding customs, do I?”

Yao Ye: “It doesn’t matter if you don’t understand. As long as my sister’s dowry is substantial enough, and the person escorting her is the highly esteemed Virtuous Venerable of Muyang, those two things alone will suffice.”

Qiu Yin’an looked troubled. “I have to escort the bride? Is that appropriate?”

Yao Ye: “Don’t worry about propriety. In the Cultivation World, Qingxuan Peak’s rules are the rules. Besides, I’m not really asking you to escort my sister all the way to Fengyun Manor. I just need you to participate in the ceremony at the pre-wedding banquet. My goal is to let Fengyun Manor know that Jiuling Mountain’s backer is Qingxuan Peak, the number one sect in the Cultivation World.”

Qiu Yin’an said with difficulty, “But I’m about to leave for Cold Ridge White Cliff.”

Yao Ye: “What are you going there for? That place is so dangerous.”

Qiu Yin’an told Yao Ye about Bai Chengying. Yao Ye listened and said with an expression of “I told you so,” “Bai Chengying is always so indecisive. He can’t bear to leave you, yet he can’t let go of his Master. It’s no wonder he ended up like this.”

“I shouldn’t have asked him for help in the first place. I knew his difficulty, yet I still made him help me reinforce the seal.”

Qiu Yin’an plucked a foxtail grass and fiddled with it in his hand. He said with a hint of relief, “Actually, I was too impatient back then. Waiting five years to seal the Demon Race would have been the same. I would still gain the same merit, still be able to break through and ascend, and still force Chen Liang to step down. Why make Bai Chengying suffer this hardship?”

“You think he’s a good person? He’s just lusting after you.”

Yao Ye couldn’t help but click his tongue. “He’s supposed to be a handsome, refined man. Why does he constantly try to throw himself at you? Doesn’t he feel ashamed? I think his damaged heart meridian is karma for always coveting you.”

Qiu Yin’an quickly glanced around. The matter of Qingxuan Peak’s capable general having a damaged heart meridian could not be easily spread. If malicious people found out and tried to take advantage to challenge Qingxuan Peak’s authority, it would be a huge problem.

The glory of Qingxuan Peak was what Qiu Yin’an cared about most. He quickly pinched Yao Ye’s arm and said in a warning tone, “Keep your voice down. Very few people know about Bai Chengying’s damaged heart meridian. Most people in Qingxuan Peak believe it’s just a damaged spiritual core. You cannot tell anyone about this.”

Yao Ye patted his chest and guaranteed, “I know. I won’t even tell my sister.”

“But Yin’an, if you go to Cold Ridge White Cliff, you won’t be back for a long time. You’ll definitely miss the wedding feast. How about you wait a month before leaving? Bai Chengying isn’t in that much of a hurry; recovering a month earlier or later won’t make much difference. I’ll even give you an artifact for alchemy that will guarantee you twice the results with half the effort.”

Yao Ye shook Qiu Yin’an’s arm, pleading in a spoiled tone, “Don’t go yet, please. You’re the best to me.”

For a moment, Qiu Yin’an’s throat hitched. He felt as if Wan Qiongju’s face appeared before him, pouting deliberately and asking him sweetly.

That youth was like a potent medicine, always able to soften Qiu Yin’an’s heart until it was softer than clouds.

“Fine, fine, fine.” Qiu Yin’an pushed Yao Ye away. “Stop clinging to me. I promise I’ll stay.”