Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Like

 

Seeing Senior Sister Mei sharpening her knife and heading towards Song Yin, Shen Yirong quickly stopped her, “Venerable One, really, there’s no need.”

 

Shen Yirong snatched the rope from her hand and stuffed it into her spatial pouch.

 

It was truly uncomfortable to stay in this remote wilderness in the heavy snow. Shen Yirong still wanted to return to the General’s Residence, but this was the border of Moon Creek Kingdom. Shen Yirong was still a bit shy of Golden Core, and she couldn’t fly.

 

Thinking of her helplessness, she couldn’t help but look at Song Yin with hope.

 

Under Shen Yirong’s fervent gaze, Song Yin vaguely opened her eyes. Feeling her hands and feet bound, she gently struggled and broke free from the restraint.

 

Although her face was still unnaturally red, Song Yin’s voice was clear and calm, “Let’s go.”

 

Shen Yirong let out a long sigh of relief and happily moved closer to Song Yin, “Okay.”

 

The two stood in silence for a long time until Song Yin’s beautiful face showed clear confusion, “Master, why don’t you fly?”

 

“Ah? Venerable One, I am not—”

 

Shen Yirong was anxious to explain, but she found that the Song Yin in front of her suddenly smiled, not the terrifying, sinister smile, but a bright and healthy one.

 

Before she could react, Song Yin had already climbed onto Shen Yirong’s back, “Master, fly with me~”

 

Shen Yirong was nearly pulled to the ground by her. She realized she was wildly mistaken: Song Yin was not sober at all!

 

She frantically pulled at the hands wrapped around her neck, “Venerable One, wake up! I can’t fly!”

 

Song Yin was confused, “Who is Venerable One? Why call me Venerable One? I’m Master’s good disciple~”

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t take it anymore. She summoned the wind to try and pull Song Yin off her back, but Song Yin held on too tightly. One pull nearly choked her.

 

“Cough, cough, cough! Ha!”

 

Shen Yirong gasped for breath, and she reluctantly compromised. The person on her back became much more docile, just constantly talking.

 

“Master, don’t you want me anymore?”

 

“Master, please don’t abandon me, okay?”

 

“The medicine won’t be bitter. I won’t cause any trouble.”

 

“Master, if you don’t speak, I’m scared.”

 

Song Yin’s voice carried a hint of a whimper. Shen Yirong stopped all movement.

 

She patted Song Yin’s hand, “Okay, I won’t leave. Can you let go first?”

 

Song Yin seemed a little hesitant.

 

Shen Yirong, “Be good.”

 

Only then did the hands tightly clasped around Shen Yirong’s neck loosen, but the owner of the hands still clung closely to Shen Yirong.

 

Shen Yirong turned her head to look at the head resting on her shoulder. She sighed softly, finally choosing indulgence.

 

She really couldn’t handle this situation. Just hearing the voice made her unable to harden her heart.

 

There was one more person in the cave who could fly on her sword. Shen Yirong felt quite embarrassed. After all, in this life, she was just an insignificant stranger, yet she always had to bother her.

 

“Want to go back?”

 

Shen Yirong’s thoughts were read. She suspected that what Senior Sister Mei practiced was not the Emotionless Dao at all, but mind-reading.

 

There was no need to be coy now. Shen Yirong quickly nodded, then pointed embarrassedly at Song Yin behind her, “Can you bring one more person?”

 

Mei Xin looked at Shen Yirong without speaking. The finger Shen Yirong was pointing slowly retreated. She stammered, “If not, then forget it. This cave is fine too.”

 

Before she could finish, Mei Xin suddenly approached, then reached out and hoisted Shen Yirong onto her right shoulder like a sack of rice.

 

Shen Yirong felt this posture was incredibly humiliating. She was about to cover her face when she saw Song Yin’s face appear in her line of sight.

 

Mei Xin carried one on each shoulder, then soared into the sky on her sword.

 

Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin’s still somewhat hazy eyes, and she suddenly felt that this sack-of-rice posture was not humiliating anymore.

 

The Demon Venerable’s face was gone; what face did she need?

 

…She hoped Song Yin wouldn’t want to kill people when she sobered up.

 

With Shen Yirong’s fervent prayers, they returned to the General’s Residence.

 

She saw You Runing waiting at the door from a distance, but the moment the other party saw them, her face suddenly twisted.

 

Mei Xin put the two down upon landing. Song Yin stumbled as soon as she landed, and Shen Yirong summoned the wind to pull her into her arms.

 

You Runing truly couldn’t understand. She asked Mei Xin, “Venerable One, why did you help her?”

 

“Because I wanted to.”

 

You Runing’s face was full of indignation. Seeing that Song Yin was unconscious, she drew her sword and stabbed towards Song Yin’s neck.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t expect her to strike so suddenly. She embraced Song Yin’s shoulder with one arm, drew her own sword, and blocked the attack with one hand.

 

You Runing’s sword stance deflected. Blocked once, she became even angrier, twisting her body to strike at Song Yin’s neck again, but was blocked once more.

 

Shen Yirong hadn’t reached Golden Core yet. Although her swordsmanship was more refined, she gradually ran out of steam and started to decline.

 

Her hand was sore, and her tiger’s mouth was numb. In the next second, her sword was knocked flying.

 

You Runing yelled, “Die!”

 

The sword was too fast. Shen Yirong was too late to protect Song Yin. She watched the sword in horror. The tip of the sword had already touched the skin on Song Yin’s neck.

 

“Clang!”

 

There was no scattering of snow. The sword body couldn’t pierce Song Yin’s skin at all. After the sword sharply bent, it snapped directly into two segments.

 

Song Yin still hadn’t woken up. Seeing Shen Yirong’s terrified expression, she gently rubbed Shen Yirong’s cheek.

 

Shen Yirong’s panicked heart returned to normal. She felt a bit ridiculous. This person was Song Yin, after all.

 

You Runing gripped the broken sword, her expression fluctuating between dark and uncertain. She poured spiritual power into the sword, but even so, she couldn’t break through Song Yin’s defense.

 

She angrily threw the broken sword away and returned to her room in silence.

 

Shen Yirong saw self-loathing on her face.

 

Mei Xin watched her leave, then turned to Shen Yirong, “Do you still not remember her?”

 

Shen Yirong had no impression of her in her mind. She shook her head, “Venerable Mei, it’s impossible for me to know her.”

 

Mei Xin, “Beneath Divine Ruo Peak, she was the chosen sacrifice. You rescued her from the stake. No impression?”

 

Shen Yirong’s emotions were complex. That wasn’t her; that was the Sword Venerable.

 

Song Yin in her arms winced. She suddenly covered her neck with a grievance, “It hurts so much.”

 

Shen Yirong immediately became anxious. She gently pried open Song Yin’s fingers. There was indeed a tiny scratch on the pale skin, so small it required close inspection to see.

 

Shen Yirong lowered her head and blew on it, “There, all better, no more pain.”

 

Song Yin’s tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, and then she slowly closed her eyes.

 

Shen Yirong helplessly picked her up.

 

She raised her sleeve to shield the person from the wind and snow and moved back to her small courtyard.

 

Song Yin kept holding her and refused to let go. Shen Yirong had no choice but to sit by her bed.

 

“Ha, I can’t let you drink anymore in the future. You don’t look like a Demon Venerable at all.”

 

Song Yin didn’t respond. She was clutching Shen Yirong’s wrist with both hands, seemingly asleep.

 

Drunk after a small cup, let alone a whole jar the other party chugged down. She must sleep for days and nights.

 

However, the drunk Song Yin was quite cute. The sober Song Yin’s face was either cold or sneering, with little tenderness.

 

Shen Yirong tucked her in with her free hand.

 

Shen Yirong had too many questions she wanted to ask Song Yin, but she didn’t dare. She was afraid Song Yin would retain memories when she woke up. How would she face her then?

 

Tell her that she was coerced by the system and had no choice?

 

Heh…

 

“Master.”

 

Song Yin was murmuring again. Shen Yirong didn’t know whether to answer or not.

 

But Song Yin was crying.

 

Shen Yirong reached out to wipe away her venomous tears, but the tears were like a broken dam. No matter how Shen Yirong wiped, she couldn’t stop them.

 

She heard Song Yin call out softly again, “Master.”

 

“Yes, I’m here. What is it?”

 

Song Yin chuckled softly, “Master, I won the Sect Trial against Senior Sister Lin this year. Am I very impressive?”

 

Shen Yirong had some impression of this Senior Sister Lin. She was the daughter of the sect’s Fifth Elder and, before Song Yin’s arrival, the most talented disciple of the Great Peace Sect’s younger generation.

 

The Great Peace Sect was not wealthy. The Fifth Elder’s lineage had some complaints about her, the ‘crippled’ person who needed care, sometimes uttering offensive remarks.

 

Shen Yirong heard little and didn’t care.

 

Shen Yirong guessed that Song Yin was looking for praise, “Yes, very impressive.”

 

Song Yin smiled wider upon receiving the praise. Her eyes were closed, and her face wasn’t just showing triumph. She said, “She always speaks ill of you. I made a bet with her that if I won, she couldn’t say anything bad about you again.”

 

Shen Yirong froze, then after a long pause, said, “Mm.”

 

“Master.”

 

“Mm.”

 

“Master.”

 

“Mm.”

 

Song Yin called her tirelessly, and Shen Yirong answered patiently.

 

Then Song Yin stopped, “Master, I want to become very, very strong. That way I can protect you.”

 

Song Yin’s voice became softer and softer, and the hand gripping hers slowly relaxed.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t withdraw her hand. She looked at Song Yin’s peaceful sleeping face, “You will. You will become stronger than anyone, and then, you will protect yourself.”

 

Shen Yirong felt a heaviness in her heart. She had to take a very deep breath to catch her breath, and tilt her head high enough so that her tears wouldn’t fall.

 

She let out a chuckle, finally tucking Song Yin’s hand, which was outside the blanket, back in.

 

She suddenly smelled the aroma of buttered pastry.

 

“Immortal Master Shen.”

 

Shen Yirong looked back. The golden mass of light was standing by the door, holding a basket.

 

Shen Yirong composed herself. She smiled, “You just gave me biscuits not long ago. Did you make pastry so quickly again?”

 

“Because my time is limited.”

 

Shen Yirong was puzzled, “Hmm?”

 

The young Song Yin smiled again, “With you all here, the disaster here will surely be resolved quickly. I need to go to the next place for training, so I don’t have much time left with you.”

 

Shen Yirong understood, “I see.”

 

The young Song Yin placed the basket on the table. She looked at Shen Yirong’s somewhat red eyes, her tone concerned, “Is Immortal Master Shen in a bad mood?”

 

Shen Yirong hadn’t expected to be noticed. She denied it, “The snow just got into my eyes.”

 

Picking out a shortbread from the basket, the young Song Yin sat beside Shen Yirong, “Here. This time it shouldn’t be so sweet.”

 

The shortbread was still warm. Shen Yirong took a bite. It really wasn’t as sweet, and it had a faint floral fragrance, though she couldn’t tell what kind of flower it was.

 

Shen Yirong looked down. Although she couldn’t see the face, Shen Yirong felt that the other party was looking forward to her critique.

 

“It’s delicious. Your skill is excellent.”

 

The young Song Yin smiled happily, “I’m glad you like it.”

 

She then cupped her face and looked at the drunk person on the bed.

 

This feeling of looking at one’s future self was very strange, although this future self, like Mei Xin, was not likable at all.

 

The young Song Yin suddenly became curious, “What would Immortal Master Shen want to say if you met your past self?”

 

This was quite an interesting question. Shen Yirong thought carefully.

 

If she could meet her past self, what would she say?

 

Shen Yirong had the answer, “I would probably say, ‘Long time no see.'”

 

The young Song Yin, “Hmm? Doesn’t Immortal Master want to change anything?”

 

Shen Yirong just shook her head, “The future is predetermined and cannot be changed. As we move forward, we become less and less like our former selves, until even we become nostalgic strangers.

 

“And all we can do is keep moving forward.”

 

The young Song Yin smiled, “Immortal Master Shen’s soul is very resilient, but I am different. I am very fragile.”

 

Listening to the young Song Yin’s affected maturity, Shen Yirong couldn’t help but want to tap the other person’s head, but that would be too abrupt.

 

Shen Yirong smiled lightly and shook her head, “But I don’t think you are fragile. However, people don’t need to be so strong. Cry when you need to cry, be sad when you need to be sad, rest when you are tired. Don’t push yourself for the sake of so-called resilience.”

 

The young Song Yin fell silent. She felt that these words were meant for her, but they were no longer needed.

 

However, the young Song Yin was still very happy. She gently leaned on Shen Yirong’s shoulder, “Immortal Master Shen is clearly a very gentle person. Will you treat her so gently in the future?”

 

Shen Yirong was startled, but finally, she stroked the young Song Yin’s head, “I will.”

 

“I heard that Immortal Master Shen’s cooking skills are very good.”

 

Shen Yirong’s eyebrows twitched. Who was spreading this rumor now?

 

She had never said her cooking skills were good. Could it be Song Yin who said it? Did she think that the “Look Up at the Starry Sky” fish soup from that day was delicious?

 

Shen Yirong originally wanted to be honest, but the golden mass of energy looked up at her like that. Shen Yirong felt an intense expectation from it.

 

So, she threw honesty into the trash can.

 

Shen Yirong said modestly, “They’re just average.”

 

The young Song Yin, “How about we make an exchange?”

 

Shen Yirong was puzzled, “Exchange what?”

 

“Immortal Master has eaten my pastry. How about exchanging it with food made by your own hands?”

 

Shen Yirong froze completely, “How about we exchange something else?”

 

“Then spirit—”

 

“Deal! I’ll go borrow the kitchen.”

 

Shen Yirong’s attitude changed very quickly, but as she stood up, she was still worried about Song Yin. So, she bent down and patted the young Song Yin’s shoulder, “Please help me watch her.”

 

The young Song Yin actually wanted to go along, but seeing her so concerned about her future self, she agreed, “Alright.”

 

A long time after Shen Yirong left, Song Yin on the bed opened her eyes. She held her head and looked at her past self, “Why is it you?”

 

The young Song Yin looked at her still somewhat hazy self, “She went to the back kitchen.”

 

Song Yin slowly sat up. She felt the world in front of her was still spinning, but she could at least think.

 

Master used to cook for Mei Xin before. The other party was probably trying to make up for some regrets in this last bit of time.

 

Song Yin braced herself and slowly sat up, “Is this all you want to do?”

 

The young Song Yin frowned in thought, “Of course not.”

 

Song Yin was speechless. She felt she had done many embarrassing things while drunk, but her memories were still vague.

 

She hissed lightly and asked, “What happened when I was drunk?”

 

The young Song Yin remembered the painful experience of being tossed around earlier. At this moment, she felt a strange sense of vindication.

 

Her lips curled, “Nothing much. Only that Mei Xin carried you back like a sack of pork.”

 

Song Yin’s face immediately darkened. Seeing the person by the bed gloating, she couldn’t help but mock, “What are you laughing at? She carried you back like that before too.”

 

The young Song Yin’s smile vanished. She couldn’t help but glare at Song Yin, “Was my past not the same as yours?”

 

Song Yin instantly recalled many painful past events.

 

Master’s health was poor, so sometimes she would let Mei Xin help with the teaching.

 

Mei Xin’s mind was not like that of ordinary people.

 

To let Song Yin experience lightning, she actually flew Song Yin like a kite during a thunderstorm. Song Yin was instantly terrified and fainted, and then carried back by Mei Xin.

 

The next day, the entire sect knew about her being flown like a kite.

 

Everyone called her “Little Kite Junior Sister” when they saw her.

 

The large and small Song Yins stared at each other in the room. They realized that no matter what, they were only hurting themselves, so they decided to call a truce.

 

Song Yin looked at the fully expectant young Song Yin and couldn’t help but say, “Do you really want to eat it?”

 

The young Song Yin, “Of course. Even Mei Xin has eaten it. How can I not?”

 

Song Yin wanted to warn her, but after thinking about it, she closed her eyes instead.

 

Meanwhile, Shen Yirong was standing at the entrance of the General’s Residence’s back kitchen.

 

She knew her cooking wasn’t good, and she didn’t understand why these people, who had cultivated to Golden Core, were so obsessed with mortal food.

 

Shouldn’t cultivation be more advanced?

 

But Shen Yirong had already eaten and promised. Backing out now would be too dishonorable.

 

She reluctantly arrived at the back kitchen entrance. Shen Yirong suddenly remembered her great feat of blowing up the only kitchen in the Demon Palace. She steeled herself and walked in, only to find a pile of radishes and cabbage in the kitchen.

 

Making vegetarian dishes shouldn’t be that complicated.

 

Shen Yirong started washing the radishes. After washing them, she picked up the kitchen knife, ready to shred them. But the radish rolled, and she nearly cut her own hand.

 

“What is Immortal Master Shen doing?”

 

Ling Minzhi’s voice came from behind, sounding a little tired.

 

Tiredness was normal, considering what had happened under the Imperial Palace.

 

After the radish escaped again, Shen Yirong put down the knife. She wiped the water off her hands and greeted the person, “General Ling, how is the Grand Ruler?”

 

“The Grand Ruler is fine. I sincerely apologize for the fright Immortal Master suffered.”

 

Shen Yirong still felt a chill when she recalled it, but this was not Ling Minzhi’s or the Grand Ruler’s fault. She said casually, “I am fine. Please do not worry about it, General and Grand Ruler.”

 

“Immortal Master is magnanimous.”

 

Ling Minzhi saw that she was not skilled in cooking. She reached out and skillfully shredded the radish with the knife on the cutting board.

 

Seeing that Ling Minzhi was about to stir-fry the vegetables for her, Shen Yirong quickly stopped her, “I’ll do it.”

 

Since she promised to make it with her own hands, she couldn’t be perfunctory.

 

Ling Minzhi watched from the side. These Immortals were different from what she knew. Especially this Immortal Master Shen, she was full of the scent of the mundane world.

 

Immortals weren’t always lofty and unreachable.

 

Seeing the fire weaken, Ling Minzhi quickly added firewood.

 

Shen Yirong smiled gratefully, “Thank you, General Ling.”

 

Ling Minzhi stood by and suddenly said, “The Grand Ruler has decided to sacrifice herself to resolve the disaster here. Immortal Master will be able to leave here soon.”

 

Shen Yirong paused, “What about you?”

 

Ling Minzhi remained calm, “I only beg Immortal Master to take my younger sister away. I will stay here.”

 

Shen Yirong remembered the deep affection between the sisters and couldn’t help but ask, “Why not go with your sister?”

 

“…The Grand Ruler is determined to die. This nation and I are her legacy. A long period of rest and reorganization will be needed after the disaster ends. With me watching over it, she can rest assured.”

 

“Yingzhi is cheerful. She will make many friends in the future. There is a difference between mortals and immortals. She will soon forget me.”

 

Shen Yirong saw the death aura constantly emanating from her body, “You are dying soon.”

 

Ling Minzhi was startled, then smiled, “Yes. That bronze mirror taught me a curse technique to ward off disaster, but using it too much will shorten one’s lifespan.”

 

No wonder there was a curse aura on her when she killed demons.

 

Ling Minzhi slightly furrowed her brows, “Please do not tell Yingzhi, Immortal Master.”

 

Shen Yirong sighed internally, “Alright.”

 

Feeling a little heavier in her heart, Shen Yirong sighed and picked up the salt jar on the counter, casually pouring a ton of salt into the pot.

 

The dish she made this time was simple and looked quite passable. Shen Yirong didn’t have the habit of tasting her food. After plating it, she walked back to her room.

 

But as soon as she entered, she saw two people looking at each other in silence.

 

Seeing Shen Yirong arrive, the young Song Yin immediately brightened up. She took the plate from Shen Yirong’s hand, “I’ll do it.”

 

Song Yin on the bed couldn’t help but purse her lips when she saw that the dish on the plate looked quite normal.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t forget a certain person. She smiled at Song Yin, “Venerable One, would you like to try some?”

 

Song Yin’s lips relaxed, “Mm.”

 

Shen Yirong handed her a bowl and chopsticks, then went to look at the young Song Yin.

 

Song Yin looked at the bowl and chopsticks in her hand, then at Shen Yirong, who was smiling at her past self. Her lips straightened again.

 

On the other side, the young Song Yin tasted the dish, and her face wrinkled up.

 

But Shen Yirong was standing beside her, looking very expectant, “How is it? Is it okay?”

 

“It’s… it’s okay.”

 

Shen Yirong, whose cooking skills were affirmed, beamed, “Then eat more.”

 

Song Yin looked at her past self’s pale face and silently used magic to destroy the evidence.

 

The young Song Yin endured most of Shen Yirong’s enthusiasm. She felt her throat was blocked by salt, and felt all the moisture in her body was about to be sucked dry, turning her into a salted fish.

 

This is the “good skill” Mei Xin mentioned?

 

Finally, Shen Yirong stopped tormenting her. She happily put away the dishes and chopsticks, then sat by the bed to check Song Yin’s pulse again.

 

It had to be said that the protagonist’s physique was truly abnormal. In the time it took to stir-fry a dish, her body had recovered, and her spiritual power was full again.

 

Seeing Song Yin’s clear expression, Shen Yirong couldn’t help but ask, “Does the Venerable One remember what happened before?”

 

Song Yin lowered her eyes, “I don’t remember.”

 

Shen Yirong felt relieved to hear the answer, but at the same time, she felt inexplicably sorry.

 

The drunk Song Yin was quite cute, just a little too clingy.

 

After sighing, Shen Yirong asked again, “How much of the Venerable One’s strength has recovered? Are you confident you can leave here?”

 

Song Yin clenched her fist and only said, “Soon.”

 

Shen Yirong was happy, but the young Song Yin, who was watching the snow by the window, suddenly stiffened.

 

The cold wind rushed in. Shen Yirong turned to look at the young Song Yin.

 

Shen Yirong smiled, “Do you like watching the snow?”

 

The young Song Yin reached out and caught a snowflake, “Mm. I like winter.”

 

“I like it too, but the window still needs to be closed. It’s too cold.”

 

Shen Yirong reached out and closed the window. The cold wind was immediately blocked outside.

 

The young Song Yin looked at her and suddenly called out, “Immortal Master Shen.”

 

Shen Yirong’s face was plastered with a smile, “What is it?”

 

At first, Shen Yirong was not used to people turning into energy masses, but now she found it quite cute.

 

The color of the energy mass was related to the person’s characteristics. The young Song Yin’s color was very warm.

 

Now the light mass turned its back, looking directly at her, giving Shen Yirong the strange feeling that the other party’s eyes were filled only with her.

 

Shen Yirong unconsciously became a little nervous. She repeated, “What is it?”

 

The young Song Yin smiled softly, then glanced at the bed. When Song Yin looked over, she slightly raised an eyebrow.

 

Then her gaze fell back onto Shen Yirong’s face.

 

The young Song Yin, “I like snowy days. I like the light tinkling of wind chimes. I like birds flying high. I like sweet things. I like fish.”

 

“And, I like Immortal Master Shen.”