After Forgetting Two Exes - Chapter 5

When Shi Yuan saw Ji Xun Yue catch up, he said cheerfully, “You’re quite a thoughtful girl. Thinking of joining your Martial Uncle’s sect instead?”

Ji Xun Yue shook her head repeatedly, walking side by side with him. “I just wanted to understand Master a bit more.”

Shi Yuan raised an eyebrow. “You don’t happen to,”

“I don’t!” Ji Xun Yue said categorically. “I don’t have those kinds of feelings for Xuan, for Master!”

Even though Xuan Huai’s appearance was exactly her type, she hadn’t forgotten what he had done to her.

Shi Yuan continued regardless, “Don’t worry, your Master has always kept himself pure. I heard that when he first ascended, many celestial maidens sent him amorous glances, but they quickly realized he was a block of wood that couldn’t be flirted with.”

What is this guy misunderstanding?

Ji Xun Yue made an excuse: “Master is going to teach us cultivation tomorrow. I’m afraid I’ll be too clumsy and make him unhappy.”

Shi Yuan nodded in understanding. “No need to worry. Xuan Huai looks cold and distant, but he is actually very kind-hearted.”

Kind-hearted? Then why did he target me for a whole millennium?

Ji Xun Yue remained noncommittal and tested the waters: “Since he’s so kind, does Master have any enemies?”

Shi Yuan rubbed his chin, pondering. “Him? He loves hiding in his room researching alchemy all day; I’ve hardly seen him interact with anyone. He shouldn’t have any enemies.”

Ji Xun Yue asked again, “Then how did Martial Uncle and Master meet?”

“We met over a thousand years ago, I think. Back then, I loved wine. I heard Xuan Huai brewed a good Breeze Drunk, so I sought him out for a jar. I’ll never forget the taste of that first sip,” Shi Yuan recalled with emotion. “Unfortunately, he’s quite stingy. I had to be persistent and wait for him to be in a good mood to get a drink. Over time, we became close.”

It seemed Shi Yuan had benefited from her and her junior sister’s presence today.

“Speaking of cultivation, you probably didn’t know your Master figured out how to cultivate into an immortal on his own, did you?” Shi Yuan looked quite proud, as if he were talking about himself.

Ji Xun Yue was surprised. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”

Shi Yuan patted her shoulder encouragingly. “There are very few in the Immortal Realm like him. So, even though Xuan Huai only ascended two thousand years ago, his strength is quite high. You two might cultivate much faster than your peers by following him.”

By now, the two had reached the gate. Ji Xun Yue stopped asking and politely bid Shi Yuan farewell.

After watching him leave, Ji Xun Yue returned to Xuan Huai’s residence. On the bamboo path, she encountered Zhong Ling carrying the food basket.

Marveling once again at how reliable her junior sister was, Ji Xun Yue took the basket and walked back to the dormitory with her.

Zhong Ling said, “Senior Sister, I want to brew some hangover tea for Master. Could you help me deliver it in a moment?”

“Me? Aren’t you going?”

“I haven’t finished my schoolwork yet. Please, Senior Sister,” Zhong Ling looked at Ji Xun Yue expectantly.

The night was deep, making the girl’s eyes appear exceptionally bright.

Since Ji Xun Yue didn’t do schoolwork, she was free. She readily agreed, “Alright, though I didn’t think Master looked drunk?”

Zhong Ling shook her head. “Master actually drank quite a bit tonight.”

Ji Xun Yue grew thoughtful; it seemed her attention had been entirely on Shi Yuan tonight.

“But do immortals need hangover tea? Will it even work?” Zhong Ling hesitated. “I just remember my father; even if he wasn’t drunk, if he didn’t have hangover tea, he’d definitely have a headache the next morning.”

Hearing Zhong Ling mention her past, Ji Xun Yue felt a pang of surprise but acted casual. “Looking at Martial Uncle, he’ll probably be drunk, but surely immortals have pills for that.”

Zhong Ling felt discouraged. “True. Master is an expert in herbs; he doesn’t need me to worry.”

Ji Xun Yue knew Zhong Ling wanted to repay Xuan Huai for taking her in. She encouraged her, “But no precious herb can compare to your sincerity. Don’t worry, Senior Sister promises to make him drink every last drop!”

Zhong Ling was amused. “Senior Sister, are you going to force Master to drink it all?”

Ji Xun Yue smiled but said nothing.

Half an hour later, Ji Xun Yue carried the hangover tea. Seeing only one room lit in the courtyard, she walked over and knocked. “Master, it’s me, Ye Jinyue.”

“What is it?” Xuan Huai’s cold voice came from inside.

“Junior Sister brewed some hangover tea and asked me to bring it over.”

“Come in.”

The door opened without the help of the wind. Ji Xun Yue walked in and glanced around the room.

It was a study. The furnishings were simple, and a faint, elegant incense burned, bringing a sense of peace to the mind.

Xuan Huai stood by the north window, looking at the night sky. The moonlight falling on him created a hazy sense of distance.

Seeing her enter, Xuan Huai turned his face toward her. “Put it on the desk.”

Ji Xun Yue complied. As she placed the tray down, she noticed a medical book open on the desk. It recorded rare treasures and herbs of the Immortal Realm, filled with Xuan Huai’s circles and annotations in elegant handwriting.

It was just as Shi Yuan said: he loved studying herbs.

Xuan Huai walked over. He didn’t sit but stood on the same side of the desk as her.

Seeing him approach, Ji Xun Yue instinctively took a step back to create distance, but her eyes remained fixed on him.

Xuan Huai’s hair was not tied; his ink-black hair fell loosely like silk, accentuating his elegant immortal poise.

Ji Xun Yue sighed inwardly. How could such looks belong to such a detestable person?

Xuan Huai said calmly, “Zhong Ling is very thoughtful.”

“Junior Sister was worried Master might feel unwell after drinking too much tonight, so she specifically brewed this.”

Xuan Huai nodded slightly, picked up the tea bowl, and brought it to his lips. Then, his brow furrowed. “What’s in this,”

Ji Xun Yue was confused. “Is something wrong?”

She had been greedy and drank a bowl herself; it tasted light with a hint of sweetness. If her junior sister hadn’t stopped her, Xuan Huai wouldn’t even have a drop now.

Xuan Huai didn’t answer. He seemed to have misgivings, but after a moment of hesitation, he tilted his head back and drank the tea. His Adam’s apple moved rhythmically; the movement was quite pleasing to the eye.

Ji Xun Yue watched in a daze. She had thought she was the type who had severed all worldly desires; after all, in the Demon Realm, she had thrown out everyone who tried to throw themselves at her.

She suddenly cursed herself silently; she shouldn’t be fooled by this innocent appearance.

When Xuan Huai put down the bowl, she quickly picked up the tray to say goodbye. “Then I won’t disturb Master’s rest.”

Xuan Huai remained silent, only nodding in acknowledgment.

Ji Xun Yue had only walked a few steps outside when she heard a loud thud. She stopped and looked back, hesitating whether to check.

Thinking of Xuan Huai’s previous abnormality, she went back.

“Master, I heard a sound,” As soon as she entered the study, she saw Xuan Huai leaning over the desk with his head down, his hands propping himself up as if he might fall at any moment.

Ji Xun Yue froze for a second, then rushed to his side. She put the tray down and tried to reach out to support him, but he raised his hand to stop her.

She asked worriedly, “Master, what’s wrong?”

Xuan Huai closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and said heavily, “I’m fine.”

But his face was flushed, and his breathing was rapid; it was highly unusual.

Was it the hangover tea? But he’s an expert in pharmacology; would he drink it knowing there was an issue?

Seeing a small daybed in the corner of the study for resting, Ji Xun Yue asked, “Master, shall I help you sit down?”

Xuan Huai refused her help and walked to the daybed to sit down on his own.

Leaning against the backrest seemed to provide some relief, but his brow remained tightly furrowed, and cold sweat broke out on his forehead.

Ji Xun Yue stood there watching him, unsure of what to do.

Xuan Huai spoke, his tone irritable yet restrained: “I’m fine. Go back and rest.”

Ji Xun Yue didn’t move.

Despite their grudge, Xuan Huai had saved Qing Li’s life. If it were her, she would have done the same.

Xuan Huai didn’t press her to leave again; he just frowned and watched her quietly.

One moment she looked like she was facing an enemy, the next she wanted to save him. He couldn’t grasp her thoughts at all.

Ji Xun Yue felt uneasy under his gaze. Seeing tea sets on the desk, she offered, “Master, let me pour you a cup of tea.”

Xuan Huai closed his eyes, neither agreeing nor disagreeing, but his expression softened slightly.

Ji Xun Yue walked to the desk. Just as she poured a cup, she felt a sudden surge of demonic energy behind her.

Shocked, she turned around alertly and was instantly stunned by the scene before her.

Xuan Huai had his eyes closed and seemed completely unaware, but on his head, a pair of snow-white fox ears had sprouted!

Ji Xun Yue was dumbfounded. Forgetting to hide her identity, she cried out, “Xuan Huai, you’re actually a fox demon?”

The Demon Realm had suffered heavy casualties after the War of Gods and Demons, and the fox clan was almost entirely wiped out. Yet here in the Immortal Realm, she was seeing a dignified Immortal Lord who was a fox demon?

Xuan Huai’s eyelashes fluttered, and his closed eyes slowly opened.

The outlines of his pupils showed a faint golden hue, and the corners of his eyes were tinged with red; these were all signs of demonization.

What could possibly cause his internal energy to lose balance so much that he couldn’t maintain his human form?

Ji Xun Yue was speechless for a long time before she finally reacted: “I, can I help with anything?”

Xuan Huai dropped his usual coldness. His crisp features softened as he looked at her quietly.

It was still that light, faint gaze, like the fleeting glance when they first met, yet it stirred waves in her heart and made her chest tighten.

Xuan Huai stared at her for a long time before whispering, “Just, drunk.”

“Drunk? Didn’t you drink hangover tea?” Ji Xun Yue was puzzled at first, then quickly realized. “Wait, did you get drunk because you drank the hangover tea?”

She had unintentionally served him a decoction containing Bitter-Thorn Grass again. The reaction was exactly the same as it had been years ago, making him feel a sense of nostalgia.

Recalling the past, Xuan Huai’s expression softened. He seemed lost in thought before lazily responding, “Mm.”

Realizing it was a false alarm, Ji Xun Yue was both annoyed and amused. “You knew, yet you still drank it?”

Just because you didn’t want to disappoint your junior sister?

Then she saw Xuan Huai close his eyes. He didn’t respond for a long time; he seemed to have fallen asleep.

How could there be a fox demon who didn’t get drunk on wine, got drunk on hangover tea, and was so drunk he couldn’t even keep his form steady, revealing his fox ears?

Ji Xun Yue stepped forward lightly, unsure if she wanted to laugh at him or just look at his face.

The snow-white, soft fox ears had a faint pink tint on the inner curves, twitching slightly with the rhythm of Xuan Huai’s breathing. He looked completely defenseless in his sleep.

Thinking that it was a little fox who had been targeting her every day, she didn’t seem so angry anymore.

No matter how fierce a demonic beast was, she could always train them to be obedient. What’s more, this fox demon looked like he would be easy to handle.

The beasts in the Frost-Frost Forest didn’t have such beautiful coats, and their fur was quite coarse. Xuan Huai’s true form must feel very nice to the touch, right?

Ji Xun Yue leaned down and cautiously reached out her hand.

You’ve targeted me for so long; I finally have something on you.

But before she could touch them, Xuan Huai sensed something and opened his eyes, staring at her fixedly. “What are you doing?”

He woke up that fast?

Ji Xun Yue withdrew her hand sheepishly. “Nothing.”

Xuan Huai stared at her, his gaze growing colder and colder. “Get out.”

Ji Xun Yue found it baffling, but she still answered obediently, “Yes.”

After all, she was his disciple in name.

She had only walked a few steps toward the door when she heard Xuan Huai say, “Come back.”

Ji Xun Yue paused. She felt like she was being toyed with.

She walked back to the daybed. Xuan Huai leaned against the backrest with his eyes downcast, ignoring her.

He was very gentle when he was drunk just now, but now he had returned to his distant self.

While she was grumbling internally, Xuan Huai suddenly asked, “Did you know Shi Yuan before?”

Ji Xun Yue felt it was a strange question and shook her head. “No.”

Regardless of which identity she used, she truly didn’t know him.

Xuan Huai looked up at her. “What do you think of him?”

Ji Xun Yue couldn’t guess his intention, but based on their relationship, she hesitated. “He’s pretty good?”

Xuan Huai seemed displeased, staring at her intensely. “Compared to me?”

“Huh?” Ji Xun Yue froze, a flash of panic crossing her heart.

This sounded strange, almost like jealousy, but Xuan Huai’s expression was normal, as if he had asked a trivial question.

Thinking of Shi Yuan calling himself their half-master and regretting missing the Immortal Selection Ceremony, could it be that Xuan Huai wanted to give him a disciple?

Ji Xun Yue asked tentatively, “Does Master want to give me to Immortal Shi Yuan as a disciple?”

Xuan Huai laughed softly as if he had heard a huge joke. The previous coldness melted like snow.

He leaned against the backrest, his posture relaxed and lazy as he watched her and laughed. His laughter made her feel unexplainably flustered.

Finally, Xuan Huai shook his head slightly, his tone soft: “How could that be? I snatched you away from Fang Qingchen.”

Ji Xun Yue was even more shocked. “Then is it Junior Sister?”

Xuan Huai’s smile widened. “You two have such a good relationship; how could I separate you?”

He looked at her quietly with burning eyes, as if he could see right through her disguise into her heart.

His expression suddenly turned a bit melancholy. “Things are very good as they are now.”

Ji Xun Yue finally realized; he was still drunk.

Since he was so unguarded, maybe she could get some information out of him and see what grudge he actually held against her.

After thinking of how to phrase the question, Ji Xun Yue spoke: “Master, you and,”

But Xuan Huai closed his eyes and fell fast asleep.

Ji Xun Yue waved her hand in front of him, but he remained unresponsive. It seemed he really was asleep.

The pair of snow-white fox ears was right in front of her. She couldn’t help but reach out again, but before she could touch them, a gust of wind outside made the branches in the courtyard rustle, startling her into stepping back several paces.

She had to give up.

Ji Xun Yue left the study, closed the door, and walked to an open area in the small courtyard, letting out a long breath.

The night breeze was cool, blowing away the inexplicable restlessness in her heart.

She touched her face and realized it was burning hot.