Chapter 126 : Past Life (2)

Jiang Niannian wasn’t ready to return to the heavens just yet, so she decided to take her newly acquired disciple to Kunlun Mountain first.

After all, that was where she used to live.

But then she remembered that her little disciple had no cultivation base yet, and Kunlun Mountain was too cold for him. So, she rented a small house at the foot of the mountain.

She filled her new disciple’s schedule to the brim—cultivating and practicing techniques during the day, studying ancient texts, and soaking in medicinal baths at night to improve his physique.

She also disliked the name “Yin Li” for its inauspicious meaning and gave him a courtesy name: Buqi, meaning “never abandon”).

…

Jiang Niannian was busy preparing a medicinal bath. She measured out various herbs according to the medical texts and tossed them into the tub, then poured in water.

Using a small flame conjured in her hand, she controlled the water temperature.

Turning to Yin Buqi, who was sitting nearby with his chin propped on his hand, watching her, she said, “Take off your clothes and get in.”

Yin Buqi walked over to the tub, dipped a hand in, and swirled the water idly.

“Master, what kind of medicine is this?”

“It’s the Immortal Spirit Cleansing Soup. It helps unblock meridians and strengthens the body. You’re too weak.”

Yin Buqi hesitated for a moment, then smirked playfully.

“Why don’t you join me, Master?”

“No,” Jiang Niannian closed the medical book and looked at him seriously.

“Men and women should maintain propriety.”

“Tch.”

Yin Buqi’s lips curled into a disdainful smile, but he said nothing more.

He reached for his belt and slowly undid it.

Jiang Niannian turned around and walked out the door, not wanting to watch him get into the bath.

However, as soon as she stepped outside, there was a loud crash from inside the room.

Afraid something had happened to him, Jiang Niannian rushed back in.

The wooden tub had toppled over, and the medicinal soup she had painstakingly prepared was spilled all over the floor.

Yin Buqi stood there unharmed, wearing only a thin underrobe that was now soaked through.

His long hair clung to his shoulders, like a mermaid just emerged from the water. His figure was perfectly proportioned, with not an ounce of excess fat, his lean waist hinting at hidden strength.

All of this was faintly visible through the wet underrobe.

He shook the water droplets from his hair and, as if afraid of being scolded, said cautiously, “Master, I accidentally knocked over the tub. You’re not mad, are you?”

His red eyes were glistening, softening Jiang Niannian’s heart.

She felt a pang of regret for the wasted herbs but quickly conjured a towel and handed it to him.

“Here, dry yourself.”

But Yin Buqi’s red eyes stared at her as he said, “I want Master to help me.”

Jiang Niannian wasn’t annoyed.

She beckoned him over.

She could control her spiritual energy well, quickly evaporating the moisture from the towel.

The candlelight flickered in the night, casting a warm glow on Yin Buqi’s enchanting face.

Yin Buqi sat on a stool. It had been three years since she found him, and he was at the age where boys shoot up in height. He was already slightly taller than Jiang Niannian, so she stood beside him to dry his hair.

As she worked, she reflected on the past three years.

Yin Buqi was a natural at cultivation.

In just three years, he had already reached the Nascent Soul stage.

His progress was rapid, and he had subdued countless demons and monsters.

In tens of thousands of years, she had never seen a mortal with such talent.

Nor had she ever met a mortal with such a guarded heart.

For three whole years, he had been constantly testing her, trying to figure out what she could possibly gain from him.

Like just now—she knew he had knocked over the tub on purpose, but the moment she saw his wet, pleading eyes and heard his spoiled-like, fearful tone, she couldn’t bring herself to be angry.

Yin Buqi, his hair being toweled dry, closed his eyes contentedly, like a satisfied and docile cat. Then he asked, “Master, why did you save me back then?”

Here we go again.

Jiang Niannian sighed inwardly.

This question came up once a month without fail.

She half-joked, half-serious, “Didn’t you always say I’m a goddess? Goddesses are compassionate. Do they need a reason to save someone?”

Yin Buqi scoffed.

“Goddesses are just humans who’ve ascended.”

The atmosphere grew stiff.

He didn’t speak, and Jiang Niannian didn’t know how to continue.

In truth, over the past three years, she had considered taking on more disciples.

But every time, Yin Buqi had somehow managed to ruin it.

He once told her, “Master, good people don’t last long in this world. Don’t save people so casually, and don’t take on disciples so easily.”

Whenever she went out, he would follow her everywhere, saying, “Master, you’re too naive. You’re easily deceived.”

“What if you take in another disciple with ulterior motives who harbors ill intentions toward you?”

Jiang Niannian had repeatedly explained that even if such a disciple existed, she wouldn’t develop feelings for them.

After all, she was the Heavenly Dao.

She couldn’t possibly develop mortal attachments.

What had Yin Buqi said back then?

Ah, yes.

He had smiled and said, “I hope Master keeps her word and doesn’t fall for anyone. Otherwise…”

Otherwise what?

He had left it hanging, without any explanation…

As Jiang Niannian thought about this, her hands continued to dry his hair.

Seeing that this troublemaker had finally quieted down, she decided to take the opportunity to impart some moral teachings. “If someone insults you to your face, just cover your ears and calm your mind. Don’t argue with them, and don’t hold grudges…”

Yin Buqi interrupted her, “If someone insults me, why cover my ears? Wouldn’t it be better to tear their mouths apart?”

Jiang Niannian’s hands paused.

Young man, that’s a dangerous mindset.

How was he supposed to inherit her legacy with that attitude?

She sighed softly. Seeing that his hair was mostly dry, she turned to leave.

The road ahead was long, and she still had a lot of educating to do.

Hearing her sigh, Yin Buqi wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed his face against her back, smiling innocently.

“Don’t worry, Master. As long as you let me stay by your side, I’ll try not to do anything that would upset you.”

“Good,” Jiang Niannian turned around and smoothed his hair one last time.

“It’s late. Go to sleep.”

“Alright, Master.”

Yin Buqi watched Jiang Niannian’s retreating figure.

His eyelashes lowered, his expression cold and distant, his eyes sharp as daggers.

He remembered what he hadn’t finished saying that day.

“I hope Master keeps her word and doesn’t fall for anyone. Otherwise…”

If Master ever falls for someone other than me, I won’t be able to stop myself from killing them.

Not just killing them—I’ll skin them, crush their flesh, rip out their organs, and grind them into mincemeat.

A cruel sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart. He picked up the towel Jiang Niannian had casually left on the rack and brought it to his nose.

Master’s hands had just held this towel to dry his hair.

It still carried her faint, soothing scent, like fresh grass and trees, which always calmed his mind.

—

It was precisely because Yin Buqi was too unhinged in his past life, loving in an irrational way, that he lost Niannian. That’s why, in this life, he’s learned to love more restrained.