Chapter 5: Parental Love (Part 5): From Today On, I Take You as My Master Part 3

Not long after, the younger son Liu Ying was born. By then, the family was sufficiently wealthy, so though he and Liu He grew up in the same household, their fates were utterly opposite.

As Liu Ying gradually grew up, the brothers could still play together at first. But one day in the outhouse, the innocent Liu Ying asked why he was different from himself. From then on, Liu He realized his own deficiency and shut himself in his room, unwilling to see anyone.

Mother always felt guilty toward him. Seeing he would not come out, she stayed with him too, comforting him that everything was fine and his deficiency did not matter.

Over time, he grew increasingly dependent on Mother and came to hate his indifferent father. Liu Ying was the opposite. He saw Father as tall and strong, kind-hearted, while the always shut-in Mother and brother in the shadows seemed strange and incomprehensible.

The two sons—one favored Father, one favored Mother; one born into poverty, one into wealth. They were clearly one family, yet their temperaments differed vastly, unable to live complete lives.

As he grew older, Liu He gradually realized his deficiency could never be mended and that he had lost his human dignity. His heart ailment worsened, and Mother’s guilt deepened.

In the end, whatever he wanted, Mother would immediately find for him, regardless of whether it was harmful. It was from here that he came into contact with evil techniques.

Father discovered this and was alarmed. He wanted to discipline him and stop him from straying. But Mother shielded him, saying the child had suffered enough and that no matter what he became, she would accept and care for him.

Mother and son moved to a remote part of the Liu Residence. Father had no choice but to stop intervening.

At first, Liu He merely dabbled casually with no real intent. But years later, Mother fell gravely ill from excessive worry. With the physician unable to save her, he tried to use those evil techniques to prolong her life.

Practicing such arts, the slightest error meant eternal damnation. His skills were unrefined, yet he forced it, resulting in the opposite of his intent. He failed to save Mother and even caused his younger brother Liu Ying a severe illness, nearly costing his life.

In a rage, Father burned all his talismans and treasures. Liu He said nothing and thrust his hands into the fire, burning them until the flesh charred. At that moment, news of Mother’s death arrived.

After burying Mother, Liu He fled home overnight and attempted suicide by drowning. Father, sensing something wrong, rescued him. But from then on, he almost never left the house again.

He still played with those evil technique artifacts, and Father dared not intervene anymore. No one knew to what terrifying extent the resentment had accumulated in that remote dwelling.

It continued until Miao Lan’s arrival, which triggered Liu He’s outburst once more.

Mu Qian Tan thought to herself, ‘So it was because of his own deficiency that he could not face his younger brother marrying. Coupled with his hatred for Father, he placed his departed soul on his granddaughter.’

Li Biyuan sighed, ‘Who would have thought that matter glossed over in one line in the book had such a backstory. However, if things developed as in the original book, Liu Ying would unknowingly watch his father scatter before him.’

Mu Qian Tan said, ‘That might have been better. This outcome may not bring him relief.’

She looked toward the coffin again. The man still had his eyes open.

Liu Cai Liang had probably been starved to death by him. He had gradually gone mad, refusing food, tormenting himself into this state.

Did he know he was wrong? He seemed to have known long ago. He moved Mother’s corpse here, constantly repenting and confessing his misdeeds. He wanted Mother’s comfort again, to hear those words that it did not matter.

But he knew better than anyone that the dead could not return, and what was lost was gone forever.

In his final moments, did he recall his childhood, when Father returned home, tossed a bag of candies high and caught it, then evenly divided them between his two sons?

The crooked paths of evil damaged one’s temperament. He was not resolute to begin with. An average person trying risky shortcuts was even more likely to accidentally kill himself.

As for Liu Cai Liang, busy all his life, only his departed soul remained lost. He longed to hold his little granddaughter for so long, and in death fulfilled that wish—yet unaware he had nearly harmed his kin.

Even the world’s most selfless parental affection could bring harm and irreparable consequences.

The ways of the world were unpredictable.

After resolving the matter, the couple planned to rebury their parents and brother. Upon tallying the family assets, they found Liu He had barely touched them.

Liu Ying took out more than half the money and insisted on sharing it with the two women, but Mu Qian Tan refused. He then suggested they stay a few days, but she shook her head, saying she had other matters to attend to. After a few more words of farewell, they parted.

Before leaving the Liu Residence, Shang Shan helped them catch another mouse one last time. “The house is clean now. You can move back in.”

After this busy night, the sky had already begun to lighten. Pedestrians gradually appeared on the streets. Seeing an immortal fairy walking together with the Cat Official, they could not help stealing extra glances.

The two walked in silence to the street’s end, where the road forked ahead. Shang Shan stopped. Mu Qian Tan did not know her intent but stopped as well.

Before transmigrating, she had not rested properly for some time. Now, after a whole night of busyness, plus this original body’s frailty and the massive expenditure of spiritual power, she was so exhausted she wanted to sleep immediately.

But obviously not. The most important matter was still undone.

Shang Shan had taken back the bag of gold particles and weighed it in her hand. After hesitating a moment, she handed it over. “This is for you.”

Mu Qian Tan had not expected her to speak first. She thought this girl was still angry. Her gaze fell on the bag. “Why?”

Shang Shan said, “Didn’t you see this bag of gold particles earlier and agree to help?”

Mu Qian Tan scoffed. “Do you think I’m short on money?”

She had been once, but this master’s bag was full of artifacts. She probably was not lacking money.

She would have to thoroughly search that grand hall later and see what treasures were there.

Observing her appearance, Shang Shan realized such an otherworldly person would not act for money. She tilted her head, pondered a moment, and asked, “So… you helped because you pitied his family?”

She had put her mask back on, so only her eyes revealed emotion. Mu Qian Tan raised her gaze and met those eyes, clearer than water.

For her to ask this, her heart must have been touched. This was a good opportunity.

Mu Qian Tan said, “Yes.”

Yao’e Immortal was just that kind and powerful. Come worship me as master.

Shang Shan fell silent again. The morning sun pierced through the gaps in the branches, falling on her. For some reason, Mu Qian Tan recalled the moment last night in the courtyard when her mask fell.

It was like opening a book, expecting text, only to be hit with a full-color illustration. The impact was unforgettable.

“Then, how about this,” Shang Shan said after thinking it through. She spoke earnestly. “I won’t give you the gold particles, but if you ever need help catching mice, just come find me.”

Mu Qian Tan: “…?”

Satisfied with her handling, Shang Shan turned to leave. Mu Qian Tan called after her. “Wait!”

Shang Shan turned back, as if asking what else.

Mu Qian Tan said, “Have you forgotten why I sought you out in the first place?”

Shang Shan answered smoothly, “To have me take you as my master.”

“So…” Mu Qian Tan raised one brow. “Don’t you want to cultivate immortality?”

Shang Shan said, “I want to cultivate immortality, but not with you, and certainly not to become your disciple.”

She nearly asked “why” on reflex but recalled the reason upon a moment’s thought. Mu Qian Tan fell silent.

Li Biyuan said, ‘Wuwuwu, what now? How about you apologize to her? Can you?’

Mu Qian Tan said, ‘What did I do wrong? Why should I apologize? Don’t even think about it.’

Her body’s fatigue intensified. If she did not settle this and rest soon, she felt she might faint. She said, “Cultivating immortality requires piled resources. Going alone, you’ll never get anywhere. I’m one of the Hall Masters of Tianyu Sect. Wouldn’t following me be better?”

Even as she said it, she felt a bit depressed.

In the original story, the Female Protagonist doggedly pursued Yao’e Immortal, finally earning the chance to apprentice only after following her back to the sect.

Why with her did it become triple rejection?

Shang Shan stared fixedly at her for a long moment before countering with a question of her own. “Actually, I’m very curious. Why are you so insistent on taking me as your disciple?”

Mu Qian Tan sneered inwardly. If she had a choice, would she stoop to this? Wasn’t it all because fate forced her hand? With that thought, she replied offhandedly, “Fate.”

To her surprise, those two words made Shang Shan’s eyes gradually light up. The glow grew so intense that no one dared look straight at it, even brighter and more piercing than the morning sun.

For reasons unknown, she immersed herself in the special allure of those words. Moments later, she asked, “If I go with you, will you teach me properly?”

Mu Qian Tan had no idea why she had changed so suddenly, but it was good news regardless. “Yes,” she said.

“Will you hit me at random anymore?” Shang Shan asked.

Mu Qian Tan looked weary. This was hard to promise, but she denied it aloud. “No.”

Shang Shan pondered for a bit, then continued, “Are you someone who keeps her promises?”

Not in the slightest—absolutely impossible. “I am,” Mu Qian Tan said.

“Good!”

She seemed to take her words at face value without question. Beaming with energy, Shang Shan declared, “From today on, I take you as my master.”