Chapter 541: Qinghan Offers a Pear
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"Making such decisions is no easy task. I must approach them with utmost caution. What I strive for with every ounce of my being is not merely victory."
"I merely hope fewer lives are lost. This war must be fought, and I have no path to retreat."
"I am not as noble or powerful as you imagine. In this chess game, I am both the player and a pawn."
"When Xiao Ai found me the second time, I was sitting amidst the rubble. Surrounding me were only enemy corpses and my personal guard—seven men in total, including myself."
"She still called me the finest king, said I was the man she chose, the future of countless worlds."
"I may not be, but since she chose me, I must become."
"To achieve the goal, any means are acceptable. Dignity, status, or even beloved family and friends—all can be sacrificed."
"Even oneself becomes part of the scheme."
Su Cheng's expression remained impassive, as if recounting someone else's story.
Ye Qinghan wasn't stupid; his master's words were quite explicit.
But Ye Qinghan was even more direct: "Master, how do you think I escaped from the Fuyue Hall?"
"You misunderstand me. I only wish for you to cultivate reverence. The world is vast. Even what I have seen may not be the true world."
"What lies beyond the rules? Who stands behind those bastards?"
"We know almost nothing. Endless battles wage on without knowing who the enemy truly is. It's laughable, but that's the reality."
"So-called immortal arts are merely exploiting loopholes in the rules. Compared to true power, they are utterly insignificant."
"What I wish to say is this: Qinghan, cherish yourself."
"Compared to those meaningless pursuits, your very survival is what matters most to me."
As if suddenly enlightened, she realized her master had gone through all that just to tell her to rein in her temper and be kinder to others?
"I am not as omnipotent as Qinghan imagines—stronger than the weak, yet weaker than the strong. I trust Xiao Ai never uttered such words."
"There are times when I rack my brains and struggle to find solutions, and times when I am utterly helpless."
There are times when I weep silently beneath crumbling walls.
"I am a solitary figure—without friends, without kin, and certainly without a lover."
"Before Qinghan, I trusted only Xiao Ai. She was my entire world."
"But now things are different. I have disciples like Qinghan and Shiyao."
"I wish Qinghan could forever remain that bouncing little fox cub, yet I also hope she'll grow into a full-fledged fox soon, so I can finally rest easy…"
Ye Qinghan always excelled at catching her master's contradictions—after all, he'd already voiced these thoughts countless times in his heart.
"At ease about what?"
Su Cheng visibly faltered before laughing it off. "Nothing at all. Seeing Qinghan grow up brings me peace of mind."
Ye Qinghan was sharp as ever. After all that talk, wasn't it just about wanting to leave her?
But Ye Qinghan wasn't in a hurry to expose it. According to what Heiyao had said, as long as he lived, her master wouldn't leave her, right?
That time Bai Ren nearly killed her—though she never dwelled on it—had likely planted a seed in her master’s heart.
"Master, Qinghan has taken note."
Su Cheng gazed at Ye Qinghan before him, his face radiating genuine satisfaction.
Ye Qinghan had truly matured. Even without her saying it, he could sense that her First Disciple was no longer the reckless youth he once was.
Su Cheng didn't know if this was a good thing. He didn't know if his own thoughts were the optimal solution, but making enemies everywhere was certainly not the path to becoming a king.
"Qinghan, truthfully, your master doesn't know if growing up—or perhaps maturing—is truly a blessing for you."
"But I hope you can live in peace. Do you understand?"
"I once knew someone with a temperament much like yours. He was quite formidable, but the slightest disagreement would send blood flying three feet."
"Truthfully, I admired that kind of character—swift justice, decisive action. Naturally, I favored such a temperament."
"But when he died, he didn't even leave behind a whole body."
"I'm not asking Qinghan to yield in every matter, but I want you to think carefully before acting."
"You can learn this lesson from Xiao Ai. As you've seen, she never acts ostentatiously, yet no one dares to underestimate her, right?"
Ye Qinghan nodded lightly, saying nothing more.
Su Cheng nodded as well, choosing silence. This wasn't criticism, but more like a negotiation.
Seeing Ye Qinghan lost in thought, Su Cheng felt this was sufficient. He didn't want the atmosphere to become too oppressive, especially since Ye Qinghan might crawl into his bed tonight.
Su Cheng turned and left. He still had matters to discuss with Xiao Ai.
For this world, the fall of its first deity signaled a brief respite. But for Su Cheng, there was no such thing as rest.
"Qinghan, I'll leave the door open for you tonight."
Ye Qinghan bowed slowly, respectfully seeing his master off while glancing at the Ling Shuang Sword nearby.
The Frostsword leaned against his master's desk. Even though it was within arm's reach, Ye Qinghan had no intention of touching it, merely gazing at it from afar.
His master kept his word, leaving the door open for Ye Qinghan tonight. Yet Ye Qinghan did not go.
Normally, Ye Qinghan would never pass up such an opportunity, especially when her master had explicitly offered it.
Yet perhaps this was Ye Qinghan's answer. She still needed to cultivate; she had to seize every single moment.
Ye Qinghan casually tossed the pink bracelet to Yu Lan, saying nothing as she headed toward the Spirit Pool Hall.
Many things came flooding back to her. For instance, she was the First Disciple.
"What does it mean to become immortal?"
"Severing all seven emotions? Qinghan truly couldn't do that…"
"Master, if faced with that situation again, Qinghan would likely charge in without a second thought."
"Didn't you always say Qinghan's body is honest?"
"Master, Qinghan is no longer a child. Just as Qinghan knows, no one can replace Lord Gu Ai."
"Master, Qinghan has no regrets. To die for you is my greatest honor."
"Qinghan never dared to dream of sharing glory with you. I only pray that with this body, I may pave the path to glory for you."
Ye Qinghan stared blankly at her pale hands. She scooped up the spirit essence and poured it over her chest. The scalding liquid felt as though it could pierce through her heart.
"I regret it. I really do want to cuddle with Master after all…"
Ye Qinghan smiled helplessly. She too would now begin her period of abstinence.
According to the thoughts she had overheard, this time would last two hundred years.
This period of cultivation and self-reflection belonged solely to her; no one could take her place.
What Ye Qinghan hadn't anticipated was that at that very moment, Xiao Ai pushed open the doors of the Spirit Pool Hall.
Xiao Ai now wore splendid robes, a gleaming sword at her waist that seemed to radiate an aura of mystical energy. She entered slowly.
Ye Qinghan, heedless of her naked state, immediately rose and bowed deeply.
"Qinghan, I greet you, Lord Gu Ai."
Xiao Ai grinned mischievously. "Well done. Making Xiao Ai lose money for the first time? You've truly grown up."
"Xiao Ai has come to tell you that the Master is very pleased with Miss Qinghan's growth~"
"Even though I lost money, seeing Miss Qinghan change makes it worth it, right?"
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