Chapter 76
This warm sensation gave rise to endless reveries.
Cui Xiaoxiao hoped Wei Jie would intertwine his fingers with hers as usual, swinging their joined hands while flashing his white canine teeth and teasing, “I was just pretending to act aloof to irk you. Were you scared…?”
But this time, before she could even grasp his hand firmly, his powerful arm violently brushed her aside.
Wei Jie finally turned to look at her directly, his tone chillingly indifferent, “Tang Youshu has informed me of your origins. You have endured tribulations on my behalf until now, which was arduous. But there’s no need for you to continue acting as my substitute. Your master will arrange a suitable disposition for you going forward…”
Cui Xiaoxiao gripped her empty palm and laughed bitterly, “A disposition? So you master and disciple think you’ve used me enough and can simply discard me like worn shoes, leaving me by the wayside?”
Wei Jie paused, for after hearing Tang Youshu’s account, he realized the first thought that had flashed through his mind in his previous life’s arrangements was: How could he have taken advantage of and deceived Xiaoxiao like this?
Of course, such an unconscionable thought was fleeting. Wei Jie truly felt his former self, so swayed by a mere girl, was utterly useless.
Those undertaking great deeds should not be bound by trivial matters. Being consumed by romantic entanglements would only lead to shortsightedness and pettiness.
No wonder even Tang Youshu couldn’t stand it and devised a way to sever those emotional ties for him.
Yet Wei Jie was clearly indebted to this girl. Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao’s seemingly swollen, tearful eyes, he fell silent for a long while before saying, “You should be clear that I am your Patriarch’s master! How should I treat you? Must I coddle you like a child every day? Since you have walked the path of immortal cultivation, you should understand your ultimate goal! If you wish to engage in romance, you can leave and establish your own Sect to indulge your desires! Don’t waste time fishing for wood at Ghost Stone Cliff. But if you are determined to cultivate immortality, then diligently practice under me. Your Master Tang Youshu will help you ascend swiftly!”
The first half of his words were like how Cui Xiaoxiao used to scold Wei Jie angrily. But what was that nonsense in the second half? Was that supposed to be a reward for her?
Thinking about it, Wei Jie used to have such a good temperament, able to continue doting on her even after hearing such dismissive words.
Cui Xiaoxiao knew about karmic cycles, but she never expected this cycle to manifest between her and Wei Jie so swiftly.
Wei Jie hadn’t lost his memories – he clearly remembered everything about their past.
But now his heart seemed to only harbor resentment towards Cui Xiaoxiao, completely devoid of any romantic affections.
Tang Youshu also gently advised from the side, “Xiaoxiao, why insist on this… Master’s destiny was never meant to include romantic entanglements. You should listen to him and focus on cultivating your own immortal path…”
Cui Xiaoxiao laughed at herself bitterly. So he had no romantic destiny!
Did that mean she, born into the wrong era, was now an existence that shouldn’t be before Wei Jie’s eyes?
But she wouldn’t give these deceitful master and disciple the satisfaction!
Cui Xiaoxiao, being an ordinary mortal, only strove for immortal cultivation in order to not disappoint her teacher Tang Youshu’s guidance.
If following her true nature, she would rather live a carefree life in the mortal realm, akin to an immortal’s existence, than share eternity with heaven and earth.
This master and disciple pair had thoroughly used her, and the cheap compensation Wei Jie offered was cultivating under him.
If she really accepted, Cui Xiaoxiao would look down on herself. They could find some other fool to try and appease with such charity scraps.
Life was short and bitter, why should she torture herself daily seeing his icy countenance?
In that case, it was better for their green hills and rivers to never cross paths again.
But before parting, there were still some words she needed to say to a person she couldn’t let go.
Thinking of this, Cui Xiaoxiao reached out to touch Wei Jie’s face. Wei Jie squinted with distaste and immediately moved to brush her hand away.
However, Cui Xiaoxiao glared at him with an equally icy gaze and said coldly, “The tribulations I endured on your behalf are enough for you to be reborn several lifetimes. Until you ascend and glorify your ancestors, I am akin to the parents of your rebirth! If you have even a shred of conscience, you will endure this for now! I only wish to bid farewell to the past Wei Jie, it has nothing to do with you, Demon Lord. So keep your mouth shut and don’t interfere!”
Such an outrageous, domineering manner of embracing a man, yet speaking with such justifiable confidence, could indeed cow even deities and demons!
For a moment, Wei Jie was taken aback, only glaring frigidly as the petite girl gently caressed his face.
Seeing he didn’t avoid her, Cui Xiaoxiao finally leaned her face contentedly against his embrace.
This embrace still carried her familiar scent, but the steady heartbeat she felt through his clothes no longer danced in tune with hers…
If she had known this embrace would also become a luxury, Cui Xiaoxiao wouldn’t have repeatedly pushed away that mischievous man flashing his canine teeth with his unrestrained, bright laughter…
Thinking of this, she ignored Wei Jie’s resistance and tightly hugged his rigid waist.
Burying her face in his embrace and closing her eyes, Cui Xiaoxiao said softly, “Jie’er, I’m leaving. Although I knew there would be a day we would part, I never imagined it would come so swiftly… I wasn’t a good master, always scolding you and never teaching you any skills. I hope that when you occasionally think of me in the future, you’ll remember me fondly. After all, we still shared a master-disciple bond, didn’t we? Once you regain your divine status, your temperament will likely be far crustier than before. But whether human or deity, one still needs friends. If all affections are severed, what’s the point of becoming an immortal? From now on, leave a path for yourself and others, don’t narrow your road. Among your many former disciples, the only truly capable one was Lord Tang… Treat him well, don’t be so quick to physically discipline. Even the best disciples will become rebellious like Qin Lingxiao if beaten too much… Alright, I won’t say more. From here, you and I shall part ways. I hope… we never cross paths again in this lifetime!”
As she said these words, Cui Xiaoxiao smiled, but her voice choked with sobs as tears like broken pearl strands rolled down her cheeks, dampening the front of Wei Jie’s robe.
The dampened area felt like scalding hot water, suddenly causing an unbearable tightness in Wei Jie’s chest!
Just as Wei Jie could no longer endure and wanted to forcefully push away the clinging girl, Cui Xiaoxiao suddenly released her grip first. Swinging her long ponytail, she raised her arms in a grand gesture, turning to stride away down the mountain without looking back.
She left with such nonchalance, only carrying her usual bundle, not even taking the Heaven-Smiting(Defiance) Sword.
It seemed she had truly let go, completely severing all ties with Wei Jie.
Tang Youshu had listened to Cui Xiaoxiao’s words, especially her advice for Wei Jie not to casually beat his disciples, leaving an unpleasant feeling in his heart.
Cui Xiaoxiao must have seen his swollen cheek when emerging from the study and guessed the Demon Lord Wei Jie had lashed out at him, hence the reminder.
Although this girl had been a street hustler, always lying with an unwavering expression, she possessed a rare open-mindedness among ordinary mortals.
At this moment, Tang Youshu felt ashamed, feeling that Cui Xiaoxiao’s magnanimity was truly the bearing of a great master…
Yu Ling’er watched tearfully as Cui Xiaoxiao bid farewell to Wei Jie.
Although unclear on the details, she could roughly see that Tang Youshu and Wei Jie had ganged up to bully Cui Xiaoxiao, actually driving the mountain’s leader away from Lingshan!
Yu Ling’er was well aware it had always been that lecherous Wei Jie pursuing Cui Xiaoxiao.
Now that Wei Jie had seduced Cui Xiaoxiao, he was using some bullshit excuse about immortal cultivation forbidding desires to dump her?
Bullshit! When had their Sect ever been so restrained?
Seeing Cui Xiaoxiao leave without even her sword, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but worry. She tugged on Tang Youshu’s sleeve and said, “Why didn’t you stop Xiaoxiao and persuade Wei Jie further? Is a little argument really reason enough for them to separate?”
Tang Youshu looked at Ling’er with mixed feelings and said softly, “They were never fated to be together. Xiaoxiao’s departure is better for everyone.”
Hearing this, Yu Ling’er’s face flushed red with anger. She could only threaten Tang Youshu, “If you’re not going to stop Xiaoxiao, then I’m leaving too!”
Ling’er was used to Tang Youshu’s usual obedient compliance with her wishes.
Tang Youshu had always been gentle and obliging, not wanting to anger her!
She thought using this killer move would surely make Tang Youshu hurry to stop Cui Xiaoxiao.
But to her surprise, this lifeless scholar actually pondered for a moment before nodding and taking out a money pouch, handing it to Yu Ling’er.
Yu Ling’er was dumbfounded, unable to help asking what this was for.
Yet Tang Youshu calmly stated as if it were natural, “If you’re leaving the mountain, you’ll definitely need money to spend. This pouch has broken silver and banknotes. Use it frugally and pay attention to negotiate prices. It should be enough for a period of time.”
Yu Ling’er’s foxy, coquettish eyes were about to pop out. She had only meant to threaten Tang Youshu, not actually leave.
But the usually meek scholar was now so steadfast, unhesitatingly handing her a money pouch as sendoff!
For a moment, the fox’s shrill cries echoed through the valleys, “Tang Youshu! How dare you treat me like this! Is this because I took the initiative to kiss you in the woods the other day, so you’re looking down on me now?”
The fox tribesmen hidden in the forests heard this and all perked up their fox ears – Oh my, their fox princess had truly grown up and learned to use her charm! They had completely missed this precious moment of maturation!
Although Tang Youshu possessed the wisdom of two hundred years, facing this unconventional and unrestrained little vixen still gave him a headache.
In desperation, he hurriedly took off his jade pendants and handed them over too, massaging his temples as he gazed at the crying Yu Ling’er. Finally, he could only sigh softly, “Your taste in men is problematic. You should choose someone more steadfast next time…”
Only he knew that Yu Ling’er truly didn’t know how to choose men.
Whether it was her infatuation with the indifferent Wei Jie in her past life, or her current feelings for Qin Lingxiao and himself in this life, none of them were good matches.
His and Master’s fates were still undecided. If Yu Ling’er remained at Guistone(Ghost Stone) Cliff, he feared she might tragically repeat her past life’s demise. So it might not be bad for Yu Ling’er to leave now.
But to Yu Ling’er, it seemed Tang Youshu really was kicking her out!
She had thought Tang Youshu was different from other fickle men, yet he too was a wicked bully towards women!
At this point, Yu Ling’er didn’t need to feel sad for Cui Xiaoxiao anymore as her own heart shattered completely. Sobbing loudly, she could no longer maintain her human form and fled down the mountain, swishing her snowy white tail behind her.
