I Don’T Want To Be This Master For A Day Anymore. Chapter 14

Don’t be like this, you’re confusing me

Wan Qiongju was spinning around at the door like a rattle drum, twisting back and forth, wanting both to leave and to stay. Qiu Yin’an’s eyes were starting to see double.

Qiu Yin’an called out, “Are you coming in or not?”

Wan Qiongju pressed his lips together, a faint blush spreading across his handsome face. He stiffened and walked inside.

Qiu Yin’an observed the young man who was bowing his head to offer tea. The youth’s gaze occasionally flickered to the teacup, then to the teapot, but never once looked at him.

Wan Qiongju usually loved sticking close to Qiu Yin’an and was always very enthusiastic toward him. This sudden change made Qiu Yin’an uncomfortable. Just as the tea in the cup was about to overflow and spill onto the table, Qiu Yin’an raised his hand and stopped the hand that was still pouring.

Qiu Yin’an said, “It’s full.”

“Oh.” Wan Qiongju put down the teapot, looking around nervously, seemingly uncomfortable no matter where his eyes landed.

Qiu Yin’an hadn’t felt awkward initially, but seeing Wan Qiongju’s reaction, the hand holding his teacup trembled slightly. “That—this master is absolutely not a lecher. I only said those things just now because I didn’t want to get entangled with him and wanted him to give up.”

“Master, I understand.” Wan Qiongju stood up and performed a deep kowtow bow. “Master, you brought me away from Wanzong Mountain and took me as your disciple. I am eternally grateful.”

“It is fate that we became master and disciple,” Qiu Yin’an stood up and helped him rise. “I am not much older than you. Having you as company makes the days at West Mountain Hall easier to pass.”

Qiu Yin’an patted Wan Qiongju’s arms. “I don’t want you getting involved in the matter between Bai Chengying and me. Don’t overthink what I said. The two of us will be the same as before. Don’t be so awkward and reserved.”

Wan Qiongju nodded. “Master, I will pretend I didn’t hear anything.”

“That’s good.” Wan Qiongju finally looked up at him, and Qiu Yin’an breathed a sigh of relief.

That evening, Qiu Yin’an was bathing in Clear Spring Hall. In the past, the Spirit Fox always attended him, but since Wan Qiongju’s injuries healed, the attendant had been replaced by Wan Qiongju.

Qiu Yin’an soaked a dry cloth and placed it over his eyes. The warm, damp sensation made him hum contentedly. He rested his arms on the edge of the tub, leaning back, thoroughly enjoying the moment.

The door creaked open. Qiu Yin’an heard footsteps and said, “I didn’t call you. Go out. I’ll call you when I need you to come back and clean up.”

After giving the instruction, Qiu Yin’an sank back into comfort.

Splash! Something crashed into his tub, shattering his peace.

Qiu Yin’an removed the cloth from his eyes and saw Wan Qiongju, dressed in white gauze with his dark hair flowing long, appearing on the other side of the tub.

The tub was spacious enough for one person, but just barely fit two.

“What are you doing?” Qiu Yin’an frowned unhappily, glaring at Wan Qiongju. “You startled me.”

“Master, I—I came to help you scrub your back.” Wan Qiongju’s voice sounded nervous.

Through the rising steam, Qiu Yin’an couldn’t clearly make out the expression on Wan Qiongju’s face.

Qiu Yin’an: “I don’t need you. Get out.”

Wan Qiongju: “Master, didn’t you say you didn’t want us to be awkward with each other?”

Qiu Yin’an pondered for a moment. He felt that bathing with his own disciple was no big deal. Besides, Wan Qiongju usually loved being close to him, like a little shadow. There was nothing inappropriate about this. If he insisted on chasing him away, it would seem as if he harbored some impure thoughts.

Qiu Yin’an cleared his throat and softened his voice. He scolded, “If you’re bathing, why are you wearing clothes? Not only does it interfere with bathing, but your clothes won’t get clean either.”

Seeing that Qiu Yin’an was no longer as sharp-tongued as before, Wan Qiongju moved closer to him, took the wet cloth from his hand, and turned him around to scrub his back.

Qiu Yin’an rested his hands on the edge of the tub, then realized something was wrong. Why would he need someone to scrub his back while he was soaking? What kind of mischief was this little brat up to?

Qiu Yin’an turned his head to glance at Wan Qiongju. Wan Qiongju had even applied powder and drawn his eyebrows.

Wan Qiongju’s features were already extremely handsome, and these few touches felt like gilding the lily.

Fragrance had been added to the bathwater, but the scent now entering Qiu Yin’an’s nostrils was not the water’s aroma, but another kind—one that was somewhat intoxicating and confusing.

Qiu Yin’an lifted a strand of Wan Qiongju’s hair and sniffed it against his nose. Yes, that was the scent.

Qiu Yin’an looked up at Wan Qiongju, who was also gazing back with his pair of limpid, autumn-water eyes.

Qiu Yin’an had inhaled too much while smelling it closely just now. At this moment, his heart was pounding, and blood rushed uncontrollably to his head.

The fragrance on Wan Qiongju’s hair was indeed problematic.

Qiu Yin’an felt himself losing control. He quickly splashed a handful of water onto his face. “Where did this fragrance come from?”

“Master, I’m not—I’m not feeling very well.”

Wan Qiongju’s face was flushed, clearly also suffering from the fragrance on his own head.

Qiu Yin’an grabbed Wan Qiongju’s chin, his gaze unfriendly. He demanded, “Wan Qiongju, why are you wearing makeup and perfume? What are you trying to do?”

“Master, I feel so uncomfortable.” Wan Qiongju gripped the edge of the tub with both hands, his fingertips white. He bit his lower lip so hard it bled.

Qiu Yin’an climbed out of the tub and dressed himself. Then, he pushed Wan Qiongju underwater, rinsing the fragrance from his dark hair before pulling him out.

Qiu Yin’an dragged him back into the room, pressed him onto the bed, and gave his backside a sound beating. “You little brat! You learned this kind of trick, and you dared to use it on me!”

“Master, I won’t dare again.” Wan Qiongju had choked on a couple of mouthfuls of water. He coughed while begging for mercy. “I know I was wrong.”

Qiu Yin’an stopped. Once Wan Qiongju caught his breath, Qiu Yin’an grabbed his ear and asked, “What madness has gotten into you?”

“Master, I want to stay by your side forever.” The young man’s damp hair clung loosely to his cheeks, covering most of his face, leaving only a pair of shimmering eyes visible.

Tears welled up in Wan Qiongju’s beautiful eyes as he looked at Qiu Yin’an. “If this is the only way I can stay by your side, I am willing. Please don’t send me away, okay?”

“I made myself very clear to you this afternoon. What are you doing now? Are you trying to seduce me while simultaneously blaming me for forcing you?”

“Master, no, I never thought that. I just want to stay by your side forever. You can do whatever you want. I truly don’t want to leave you. You are the best person to me in this world. I only have you.”

“What nonsense are you spouting? Tell me, what do you think I want to do to you?” Qiu Yin’an suddenly noticed a chain fastened around Wan Qiongju’s waist. He reached out and tugged it. The way it was tied was overly complicated, and he couldn’t figure out how to undo it immediately. Clearly, Wan Qiongju hadn’t tied it himself.

“Who did this to you? This fragrance, the powder on your face, and this ridiculous chain on your waist?”

“No one,” Wan Qiongju replied, his voice light and lacking confidence.

“No one?” Qiu Yin’an gripped the young man’s face, forcing him to look at him. “Wan Qiongju, you are my disciple. Here in West Mountain Hall, you and I are the closest people. Tell me, was it the Spirit Fox?”

The young man’s eyes trembled slightly. He pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

Qiu Yin’an sighed and released him. “Your behavior truly hurts this master. Since you won’t tell me, then our relationship as master and disciple ends here.”

With that, Qiu Yin’an turned and took a step, making to leave.

“I’ll tell you.” Wan Qiongju knelt on the ground, blocking Qiu Yin’an’s path. “The Spirit Fox did it.”

“What did it tell you?”

“It said—it said—”

Qiu Yin’an made to walk away again, and Wan Qiongju immediately grabbed his sleeve. “It said that Master was interested in me and told me to be sensible, otherwise I would be driven out of West Mountain Hall sooner or later.”

Qiu Yin’an: “You believed its words so easily? You didn’t even come to ask me?”

Wan Qiongju: “I didn’t know how to ask.”

Qiu Yin’an pulled him up, grabbed a dry cloth from the rack, and began drying Wan Qiongju’s still-dripping hair. “I will definitely punish that Spirit Fox.”

“Master, I asked it to help me think of a way to stay in West Mountain Hall forever.”

Qiu Yin’an: “You are my disciple. Where would you go if you weren’t constantly by my side?”

“So Master wasn’t going to—”

Qiu Yin’an smoothed Wan Qiongju’s damp, messy hair. He explained, “That Spirit Fox likes Bai Chengying. It is desperate for me to be with anyone else, so it can completely sever Bai Chengying’s desire to cultivate alongside me. That’s why it incited you to seduce me.”

“It actually likes him?” Wan Qiongju asked.

“That’s right.” Qiu Yin’an gripped the dry cloth and told Wan Qiongju, “Since it dared to use you, I absolutely won’t let it off lightly this time.”

Qiu Yin’an poked Wan Qiongju’s head twice with his finger. “Little brat, remember, I am your master. If anything happens, you must tell me. There is no need for others to relay messages between us.”

“Master, I know I was wrong.” Wan Qiongju tearfully hugged Qiu Yin’an. “I will tell you everything from now on.”

“Alright, it’s late. Stop making a fuss.” Qiu Yin’an looked at the soaking wet bed. “Come on, let’s go sleep in my room.”

The next day, around mid-morning, Qiu Yin’an took Wan Qiongju to Miyun Pavilion to retrieve the hawk from Yu Jingyan.

When Qiu Yin’an and Wan Qiongju stepped into Miyun Pavilion, Yu Jingyan was in the pavilion in the back courtyard, playing with the hawk alongside a group of concubines.

Yu Jingyan held a long wooden stick with a piece of raw meat clipped to the end. He dangled the meat in front of the hawk. “Say ‘Young Lord is mighty,’ say it and I’ll give you the meat.”

The hawk lunged to snatch the meat, but its two talons were chained, and it couldn’t reach the meat by just two fingers.

Yu Jingyan: “Say—’Young Lord is mighty,’ say it and I’ll feed you.”

Qiu Yin’an inwardly cursed Yu Jingyan for being an idiot. This wasn’t a parrot; what nonsense was it supposed to say?

A concubine squeaked and threw herself onto Yu Jingyan. “Young Lord, stop teasing that thing. It looks so scary! I’m afraid.”

Yu Jingyan hugged her and kissed her. “You’re scared? Then I’ll have someone stew it and let you taste hawk meat. Once you eat it, you won’t be scared anymore.”

Hearing this, Wan Qiongju grew anxious and immediately rushed forward. “That’s my hawk! Give it back to me!”

The moment the hawk saw Wan Qiongju, it immediately flapped its wings toward him, frantically trying to break free of the claw chains.

The concubine was so frightened she stumbled backward, pulling Yu Jingyan, who nearly fell. Yu Jingyan pushed her away, then pointed at Wan Qiongju’s nose and cursed, “Whose disciple are you, daring to offend this Young Lord? Today, I’ll discipline you on behalf of your master.”

“He is my person.” Qiu Yin’an strolled over, leaning against a pillar of the pavilion, and squinted at Yu Jingyan. “Try touching him?”

“I will touch him!” Yu Jingyan was used to being arrogant and was particularly resistant to pain, so even if Qiu Yin’an beat him a hundred times, he never learned his lesson. He threw a punch at Wan Qiongju.

Qiu Yin’an: “Wan Qiongju, don’t be afraid of him. Try fighting him to practice your skills.”

Yu Jingyan had neither talent nor diligence. He had been idling away for over twenty years and hadn’t even formed a Spiritual Core. Among all the Young Lords in the Cultivation World, he was the most embarrassing.

Before taking Wan Qiongju as a disciple, Qiu Yin’an had occasionally taught him some fighting skills. Now, he wanted to see how the person he taught performed.

“Qiu Yin’an, you are insulting me!” After exchanging a few moves with Wan Qiongju, Yu Jingyan was furious, veins bulging. He abandoned all martial ethics, wanting only to quickly subdue the youth. He gathered a surge of Spiritual Energy, preparing to launch a surprise attack.

Qiu Yin’an would never let Wan Qiongju get hurt. The moment Yu Jingyan began condensing his energy, Qiu Yin’an also gathered a force in his hand, and before Yu Jingyan could succeed in his malice, he blasted him to the ground.

Yu Jingyan: “You told me to fight him! Why did you interfere?”

Qiu Yin’an: “I was letting you practice fighting skills. Why did you use Techniques?”

The concubines swarmed over, crying and surrounding Yu Jingyan. Yu Jingyan waved his hands wildly, pushing the circle of people down in a chaotic heap. He roared, “Why are you crying here? Go find my father immediately!”

Qiu Yin’an couldn’t stand his cowardly, tantrum-throwing behavior. He rolled his eyes, summoned his twin blades, and sliced through the hawk’s claw chains.

The fierce hawk shot into the sky, soaring freely for several circles before diving down. Wan Qiongju extended an arm and caught the hawk steadily.

In that moment, Qiu Yin’an’s eyes were fixed, all his attention captured by the young man taming the hawk before him.

Wan Qiongju: “Master, do you have a fever? Your face is very red.”

Qiu Yin’an raised a hand to touch his cheek and explained, “I’m fine. The weather is a bit hot.”

Wan Qiongju raised his other hand and pressed it against Qiu Yin’an’s cheek as well.

Qiu Yin’an felt a sudden rush of tingling numbness in his heart, and his face grew even redder, as if it could drip blood. He narrowed his eyes and moved Wan Qiongju’s hand away. “Let’s go. We should head back.”

“You are not allowed to leave!” Yu Jingyan blocked their path. “Do you take me for a decoration? You come to my Miyun Pavilion, take something, and just walk away? What about my dignity?”

Qiu Yin’an: “Dignity is earned. Look at yourself. How can you talk to me about dignity?”

It was rare for Qiu Yin’an to be so patient and not simply kick the person away.

Yu Jingyan would have preferred Qiu Yin’an to beat him up. Losing to Qiu Yin’an wasn’t embarrassing; he could even brag that the Virtuous Venerable of the Setting Sun hadn’t been able to kill him. But now, Qiu Yin’an had spoken a heartfelt truth to him, and it was too harsh, making him truly miserable.

Chen Liang, hearing that his precious son was in trouble, rushed over immediately. “Qiu Yin’an, Jingyan’s injuries just healed a few days ago. What are you doing here?”

Qiu Yin’an: “You came at the right time. I have something to tell you. Chen Liang, as long as I am here, don’t even think about conspiring with the Witch Cultivators to divide the world.”

Chen Liang: “Isn’t that because you forced me? You wanted to break through and ascend, so you reinforced the seal, making Bai Chengying work like a slave for you. That’s when the rift between us master and disciple began. I was angry and accidentally severely injured him. All of this is because of you.”

Qiu Yin’an: “If you had kept your promise, not occupied the position of Venerable Lord, and not let your useless son become the Young Lord, none of this would have happened.”

Chen Liang: “What’s the use of talking about this now that things have come to this? I sought cooperation with the Witch Cultivators to divide the world with the Demon Race for the peace of all living beings. Otherwise, waiting five years for the Demon Race to break the seal and fight until we are all dead—is that the better decision?”

“For the peace of all living beings?” Qiu Yin’an sneered dismissively. “I have a way to restore Bai Chengying’s heart meridian and have him seal the Demon Valley with me five years from now. The condition is that you step down from the Venerable Lord position, and I take it.”

Chen Liang’s face instantly darkened. He firmly rejected the proposal. “Absolutely not.”

“Weren’t you doing this for the peace of all living beings? Now that I have a better solution, why do you seem unhappy?” Qiu Yin’an let out a cold laugh and continued, “Chen Liang, others may not understand you, but I do. What ‘for the sake of the world’? I think you are trying to consolidate your own authority. Sharing the world with the Witch Cultivators and the Demon Race appears to be a necessary evil, but in reality, it’s to gain their support and secure your position as Venerable Lord.”

Chen Liang’s eyes suddenly widened. He pressed his lips together, looking at Qiu Yin’an without saying a word.

Qiu Yin’an: “To think you could be so deranged as to reach this point just to deal with me. I truly underestimated you.”

A sinister, chilling smile suddenly appeared on Chen Liang’s lips. He said, “That’s right, Qiu Yin’an. If you participate in the sealing, you will inevitably break through to the Saint Venerable realm using the merit gained from the seal. I cannot stand by and watch you reclaim the Venerable Lord position.”

Qiu Yin’an lifted his chin slightly, his voice devoid of warmth. He stated, “Then I will tell you this: I will inevitably reclaim the Venerable Lord position. You won’t succeed in your plan.”