199 - We Agreed On Experiencing Life, So Why Did You Immortals Become Real?

Chapter 199: You Still Call Me Master, Don't You? (2800 words) Xiao Mo carried Yu Yunwei back to the Myriad Dao Sect. After some simple treatment in the medical hall, they went to the Hall of Affairs to report back. Regarding everything that happened at Black Cloud Mountain, Yu Yunwei answered truthfully with no need for any concealment. After her report, the Hall of Affairs would also send stewards to investigate the scene at Black Cloud Mountain, to determine whether Yu Yunwei was forced by circumstances or if she secretly killed her peers for treasure. But even if it turned out that Yu Yunwei harmed her fellow disciples for the treasure, the investigation would typically conclude with "the four fought each other, and Yu Yunwei had no choice but to defend herself." After all, Yu Yunwei came back alive, and they were dead. The dead cannot speak, and the living can say whatever they want. However, after this mission, Xiao Mo noticed that Yu Yunwei seemed a bit different compared to before. How should he describe it? Her temperament seemed to have undergone some change. Most noticeably, during lessons, although she still grumbled a few words, she was more proactive with her studies compared to before. She even listened more attentively when Xiao Mo was teaching her etiquette. At first, Xiao Mo thought Yu Yunwei was up to something and remained vigilant every day. But gradually, Xiao Mo realized that she had indeed changed quite a bit compared to before. Especially after every test Xiao Mo administered, Yu Yunwei would genuinely smile when she saw her "good passing" marks. Then she would ask Xiao Mo, "Hey Master Brother, how am I doing? Impressive, right?" Initially, Xiao Mo didn't want to respond. But if he didn't answer, she'd keep asking. Finally, with no other choice, Xiao Mo would just say, "Not bad." Hearing Xiao Mo's praise made Yu Yunwei even happier, and she would skip around with joy. On the other side, Xue Kui watched with disbelief. Although Xue Kui, apart from sleeping and drinking, occasionally guided the two disciples, she was very clear about her "second disciple's" personality. Yunwei was quite proud in her heart and would hardly submit to anyone except herself, her master. In Xue Kui's view, Yunwei used to target Xiao Mo largely because she wanted to become Xue Kui's sole disciple to get all resources, and a part of it was also because Yunwei didn't want to accept anyone as her senior brother; she'd rather be the senior sister. But now... Why does Yunwei seem like a tamed little kitten? Although sometimes Yunwei would still show her fangs at Xiao Mo and occasionally flash her claws, it wasn't like before where she would actually bite. "So, tell me, what exactly happened between you and Yunwei on Black Cloud Mountain?" Unable to contain her curiosity, Xue Kui asked Xiao Mo when Yunwei was not around. "Didn't I tell you already? I just saved her life, that's all," Xiao Mo replied calmly. "That's it?" Xue Kui still found it hard to believe. With Yunwei's character, how could her whole demeanor change just because someone saved her life? "Maybe she's starting to see some sense from all the reading," Xiao Mo explained, glancing at Xue Kui. "What about you? Interested in doing some reading yourself?" Xue Kui batted her eyes like a young girl despite being thousands of years old: "I do read, you know." Xiao Mo twitched his brow and threw a copy of the "Book of Songs" into her lap. "Read more of these, less of the 'Little Duke' stories!" Watching Xiao Mo walk away, Xue Kui pouted: "Who said 'Little Duke' isn't also a book?" In a flash, another year passed. In this year, Xiao Mo successfully advanced to the Dragon Gate Stage. The Dragon Gate Stage is the second critical threshold for cultivators and is known as "the carp leaping over the dragon gate." Most cultivators prepare various heavenly treasures to increase their chances of passing this "dragon gate." Yet Xiao Mo didn't take any elixirs or use any artifacts. He crossed the "dragon gate" as effortlessly as his previous breakthroughs, and as soon as he entered, he was already in the mid-stage of the Dragon Gate. Although Xiao Mo's talent had surprised Xue Kui numerous times, this time he exceeded her expectations entirely. "With talent like this, had he been born in the ancient era when spiritual energy was most abundant, reaching the legendary lost two realms would be a breeze for him," Xue Kui mused. "Master, has anyone ever immediately reached mid-Dragon Gate Stage as soon as they enter?" Yunwei asked. "Of course," Xue Kui said, lifting her delicate chin and patting her head. "When I entered the Dragon Gate Stage, I almost reached perfection. This kid falls short." "Master is amazing," Yunwei's eyes sparkled. "Naturally," Xue Kui's smile was charming, though it seemed a bit forced. On the day Xiao Mo entered the Dragon Gate Stage, Xue Kui ordered a table full of dishes and several jars of fine wine from the Myriad Dao Town tavern to celebrate his achievement. Night fell at the peak of Bloodbane Peak. Beneath the starry sky, Xue Kui lifted a wine jar to her rosy lips. Xiao Mo thought her celebration was just an excuse to drink. "Why are you just watching? Drink too," Xue Kui wiped her lips, her thin red gown soaked with wine and clinging to her curvy form. "I'm underage, no drinking for me," Xiao Mo said, sipping tea and eating a dish. "Will you drink, Yunwei?" Xue Kui offered the wine jar to Yunwei with a smile. "I..." Yunwei was curious to taste wine, having never tried it. But sneaking a glance at her senior brother, who never let her drink, Yunwei shook her head with a sweet smile, "Master, I won’t drink." "It's fine," Xue Kui said, patting her chest, "With your master’s permission, you can drink today. If Xiao Mo says anything, Master will back you up." "I..." She glanced once again at Xiao Mo. He maintained a calm expression, merely eating. "No, Master," Yunwei clutched the hem of her skirt and firmly shook her head, "I'll drink with Master when I'm grown." "Hmph, this kid's words carry more weight than mine," Xue Kui pouted, gave up persuading, and continued drinking. Xue Kui didn't use spiritual power to sober up, and the wine she drank was the "Drunken Immortal" brew from the Wine Peak. A few jars later, she had barely touched the food and was already slumped over the table. "This woman..." Seeing her fall asleep hugging the wine jar, Xiao Mo shook his head. "Yunwei, clean up the dishes. I'll take her back," Xiao Mo said. "Yes, Senior Brother," Yunwei nodded and began tidying up. Xiao Mo lifted Xue Kui onto his back and headed back to her courtyard. On his back, Xue Kui groggily woke, hiccupping and reeking of alcohol. "Huh? Where's my wine?" "Stop drinking," Xiao Mo said helplessly. "The wine's gone. I'm taking you back to the courtyard." "Oh..." Xue Kui wrapped her arms around his neck with a silly grin, "Hehe, having a pupil isn't bad at all. Even while drunk, there's someone to carry me." Xiao Mo sighed, "Next time, I'll just toss you off the mountain." "You brat..." Xue Kui poked Xiao Mo's cheek with her soft fingertip, "Always disrespecting your master." "You should at least act like a master first," Xiao Mo said as he adjusted Xue Kui on his back to prevent her from slipping. "What do you mean I don't act like a master?" she retorted, sitting up straight on his back, "I am every bit the master!" "Sure, sure." What else could he say to a drunkard? In all honesty, this was the first time he'd seen Xue Kui drunk like this, behaving almost childishly. "Xiao Mo," she said, ruffling his hair. "What?" "Call me 'Master.'" "No." "Just once." "I won't." "Come on, just once. Just one call," she whined like a little girl. Xiao Mo sighed, "Master..." "I can't hear it, say it louder." "Master." "Again, I still can't hear." "MASTER!!!" Xiao Mo shouted, his voice echoing through the mountains. "Ah!" she responded, contentedly resting her head on his back, her eyes curving with joy, "You still call me Master." Xiao Mo: "." "Disciple," Xue Kui murmured as she leaned against Xiao Mo's neck, "there's something I want you to promise me, okay?" "What is it?" Xiao Mo felt a bit numb, realizing for the first time how far away Xue Kui's courtyard seemed. "You and Yunwei, in the future, stay well and don't get yourselves killed, alright?" "You're actually worried about us dying?" Xiao Mo said with a chuckle. "Of course," Xue Kui's voice became increasingly faint, as if her consciousness was like a kite flying high in the sky, at risk of having its string snapped at any moment. "If you were to die... I would... I would be very sad." Xiao Mo: "..." "Just promise me, will you? Promise me, please..." As Xue Kui's final words fell silent, she rested against Xiao Mo's neck, saying no more. Only the steady rhythm of her breathing brushed gently against Xiao Mo's cheek. With each step forward, under the moonlight that cast its glow upon both master and disciple, the gentle breeze carried away his voice: "Okay."