Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 38

Chapter 38: Acting: I Play Myself

 

What’s with everyone gathering here at night to join the excitement?

 

Shen Yirong was praying for someone to save her, but she definitely didn’t want that person to be Senior Sister. Senior Sister’s participation would only make the fire burn brighter.

 

Calm down, calm down. Shen Yirong, you are the Demon Venerable’s cultivation vessel now. You must act according to your status.

 

Just as Shen Yirong was about to make a choice, she heard footsteps again.

 

Another figure appeared at the courtyard gate. You Runing stood beside Mei Xin, looking at Shen Yirong with a particularly complex expression.

 

Shen Yirong: “…”

 

While Shen Yirong was speechless, the smile on Song Yin’s face on the rooftop deepened.

 

Shen Yirong had never seen such a perfectly forced, insincere smile and couldn’t help but break out in cold sweat.

 

You Runing didn’t care about the tension in the courtyard. The day to leave the mirror was approaching. Although the trip was fruitless, she still remembered what she had promised Shen Yirong.

 

She took out a spatial pouch from her embrace and tossed it towards Shen Yirong, “This is what I promised. It’s for you.”

 

The spatial pouch accurately landed in Shen Yirong’s arms. She opened it curiously and found it filled with spirit stones.

 

The dazzling light of the spirit stones illuminated Shen Yirong’s face and dispelled her panic. She couldn’t think of anything else. Her eyes and heart were filled with the image of spirit stones.

 

Shen Yirong carefully put away the spirit stones as if they were treasures. When she looked up again, her eyes toward You Runing were extremely gentle, “What are your plans after leaving, Immortal Master You? Is there anything I can help you with?”

 

You Runing flinched. She really couldn’t stand this person making such an expression with a face similar to her benefactor’s. She frowned deeply, “Don’t speak to me in that tone.”

 

The gold provider’s request was everything. Shen Yirong immediately became a serious person. Her face was solemn, and her posture was straight, “Immortal Master, what are your future plans? Is there anything I, this person, can assist you with?”

 

Looking at Shen Yirong’s appearance, You Runing was briefly in a trance. When she recovered, she felt two angry gazes from the courtyard. She deliberately provoked Song Yin without hesitation, saying, “Yes.”

 

Shen Yirong was only being polite and hadn’t expected the other party to miss her hint and actually take her up on it.

 

The hypocrisy on Shen Yirong’s face stiffened for a moment, but because of her pride, she decided to bite the bullet, “What is it?”

 

You Runing smiled, “Come with me.”

 

“Boom!”

 

The night sky was lit up by a startling clap of thunder. Thunder light coiled around Song Yin’s body.

 

Mei Xin drew her sword to block the thunder light above You Runing’s head. For a time, thunder constantly roared, and frosty wind howled. Neither side would yield.

 

The young Song Yin suddenly struck out, blocking the lightning for Mei Xin.

 

Amidst the thunderous roar and fierce cold wind, the outer walls and tiles of the General’s Residence seemed to dream of flying.

 

Shen Yirong, who was in the center of the storm, was unaffected, but seeing the General’s Residence about to become the next Imperial Palace, she quickly jumped out to stop them, “Stop fighting! I’m not leaving!”

 

The thunder slowly subsided. Song Yin sat on the roof, which was missing quite a few tiles, but thunder light still flickered in her hand, and her eyes were fixed on everyone except Shen Yirong, looking ready to strike at any moment.

 

If Song Yin’s spiritual power hadn’t been damaged, Shen Yirong estimated that Senior Sister and the others wouldn’t have gotten off lightly.

 

Shen Yirong wiped the sweat from her forehead.

 

This was not the first time she had heard You Runing’s suggestion. The other party was quite persistent about taking her away. Shen Yirong’s repeated refusals hadn’t deterred her.

 

Shen Yirong looked at You Runing’s face. After the confrontation during the day, the other party seemed much more tired. Her forehead was inexplicably red in one spot.

 

Shen Yirong was certain that she didn’t know You Runing. This face had never appeared in her memory.

 

She said very solemnly, “Immortal Master You, I am not the Sword Venerable. Please don’t impose your obsession with the Sword Venerable onto me.”

 

You Runing chuckled, pointing at Song Yin on the rooftop, “Are you naively thinking that effort alone can move this devil’s heart?”

 

“You are wrong. This person is bloodthirsty and cold-hearted, long past her former self. She will not be moved by you. She only sees you as a plaything.”

 

Shen Yirong frowned, “That doesn’t matter.”

 

Looking at the stubbornly misguided Shen Yirong, You Runing’s eyes grew colder and colder. She let out a soft laugh, her gaze flickering between Shen Yirong and Song Yin.

 

Then You Runing’s smile slowly vanished. Her eyes held only indifference as she looked at Shen Yirong, “Since that’s the case, you will be my enemy from now on. The next time we meet, I will kill you.”

 

Mei Xin next to her tried to speak, “Actually, she—”

 

“Venerable Mei, there is no need to persuade me further. My mind is made up.”

 

Perhaps because her request for apprenticeship was rejected by Mei Xin, You Runing didn’t want to hear Mei Xin speak. She left Shen Yirong’s courtyard as quickly as possible.

 

Leaving Mei Xin in silence.

 

Shen Yirong was left with a headache by You Runing. This was truly an inexplicable enemy, but her cultivation was also rapidly approaching Golden Core, so she wasn’t afraid.

 

Looking up, she saw that Senior Sister was still acting as a gatekeeper, showing no sign of leaving.

 

Shen Yirong didn’t want to bear Song Yin’s wrath. She quickly said, “Two Immortal Masters, please go back.”

 

If they didn’t leave, she wouldn’t know how to coax Song Yin.

 

Mei Xin looked at Shen Yirong’s face, “No.”

 

Song Yin’s eyes became much more dangerous, and the thunder in her hand was eager to be unleashed.

 

Shen Yirong felt a headache just hearing the crackling thunder, “Venerable One, is there anything else?”

 

Mei Xin, “The Sect Master told me to watch you.”

 

The thunder instantly became louder.

 

Shen Yirong smiled bitterly, “Venerable One, it’s late. I’m going to sleep. You can’t possibly watch me from beside my bed, can you?”

 

“Oh, I’ll stand outside the room.”

 

Shen Yirong almost fainted. She gave up negotiating with Senior Sister and turned to the young Song Yin. The other party was as quiet as an angel in this strange love triangle.

 

Shen Yirong’s expression was always gentle when facing the young Song Yin, “Immortal Master, please return to your room.”

 

The young Song Yin originally wanted to stay with Shen Yirong, but she didn’t want to cause Shen Yirong extra trouble. She nodded, then suddenly hugged Shen Yirong.

 

The embrace was very brief. The two separated before Song Yin could explode in anger. The young Song Yin smiled and ran out of the courtyard, “Immortal Master Shen, I’ll make you pastry again tomorrow.”

 

Shen Yirong felt the surrounding air was tingling, and Song Yin’s face on the rooftop was as black as the bottom of a pot.

 

Song Yin suddenly turned and walked away.

 

Seeing her preparing to fly off, Shen Yirong quickly called out, “Venerable One, where are you going?”

 

Song Yin stopped. She glanced at Shen Yirong, then turned her head, “Don’t follow me.”

 

The thunder disappeared with Song Yin. Looking at the empty courtyard, Shen Yirong suddenly felt a bit uneasy.

 

“Junior Sister likes her. Go chase.”

 

Shen Yirong was speechless looking at Senior Sister’s expressionless face. She couldn’t help but ask, “Venerable One, why are you so sure?”

 

“Because I’ve seen it. A similar look.”

 

This instantly ignited Shen Yirong’s gossip heart. In novels, the graduation rate for the Emotionless Dao was almost zero. Maybe the look Senior Sister mentioned was her own love interest?

 

Since she couldn’t sleep anyway, Shen Yirong stood where she was and chatted.

 

She asked excitedly, “The similar look Senior Sister mentioned refers to?”

 

“Sect Master Liu and wine.”

 

Shen Yirong was eager to hear the gossip, but what Senior Sister served her was Sect Master Liu and wine.

 

What kind of unholy pairing was this.

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but laugh, “Then wouldn’t Venerable One have stolen Sect Master Liu’s lover?”

 

“Wine is not a person.”

 

Mei Xin always had the ability to kill a conversation. Shen Yirong smiled helplessly and unconsciously looked in the direction Song Yin had left.

 

Given Song Yin’s strength, Shen Yirong’s worry was a bit excessive, but the world was full of accidents, and Song Yin’s inner demons flared up without any pattern.

 

What if? What if Song Yin’s inner demons flared up?

 

Shen Yirong’s mind was full of “what ifs,” leaving her restless.

 

“She will be fine.”

 

Mei Xin wasn’t being caring, she was just stating a fact.

 

Shen Yirong just smiled bitterly. Sometimes she envied Mei Xin, who was not bothered by emotions.

 

She would be separated from Senior Sister once they left this Myriad Manifestations Mirror, right?

 

It would probably be difficult to meet again in the future. Shen Yirong wanted to catch up with her old acquaintance before parting, but the way of catching up had to be subtle.

 

Shen Yirong thought for a moment, “I still owe the Venerable One compensation for the spirit wine. How should I give it to you?”

 

Mei Xin looked at her, “I still live in the same place. Do as you did before, and you can find me.”

 

In the night, Mei Xin’s blue eyes were striking. These eyes reminded Shen Yirong of the pure white Maine Coon she had raised in her previous life. The cat’s eyes were also this color.

 

Shen Yirong understood Mei Xin’s meaning. The Emotionless Dao Venerable of the Great Peace Sect only obeyed the Sect Master’s orders. The rest of the time, they were free to do as they pleased. Mei Xin’s life was very simple, only cultivation and training.

 

Her whereabouts were uncertain, making her hard to find.

 

But Mei Xin had given her a spiritual kite before. If something happened, she could send a message via the spiritual kite, and Mei Xin would return to the sect to find her.

 

Is that spiritual kite still around?

 

But everything was different now. If she returned as the Sword Venerable, she didn’t know how much trouble it would cause.

 

Shen Yirong smiled, “I don’t understand what the Venerable One is saying.”

 

Mei Xin looked at her, then turned and left the courtyard. She leaned against the wall on the right side of the courtyard gate and closed her eyes.

 

She really was staying outside.

 

Shen Yirong couldn’t figure out whether the other party was obedient or disobedient. If obedient, why would she steal the Sect Master’s wine? If disobedient, why was she guarding the door so stubbornly?

 

With no one to talk to, Shen Yirong’s thoughts drifted back to Song Yin.

 

Shen Yirong returned to her room. She had just woken up and wasn’t sleepy. Lying on the bed, Song Yin’s scent was very distinct, stirring her heart.

 

She was still thinking about what the young Song Yin had said.

 

The word “like” made her toss and turn. Finally, she lay down in the spot where Song Yin had slept earlier.

 

The “like” said by Song Yin at this age should be the love for an elder, right?

 

Shen Yirong felt something was wrong with her for subconsciously misinterpreting it as that kind of liking. It was impossible, no matter how she thought about it.

 

Shen Yirong sighed. She lowered her eyes to look at her hand, suddenly recalling the feeling of Song Yin’s hair slipping through her fingers.

 

She quickly retracted her hand and sat up.

 

But sitting up was useless. Shen Yirong kept thinking about things related to Song Yin.

 

She turned and sat by the desk, letting the night wind blow away the heat from her face.

 

The wind rustled the pages on the desk. Shen Yirong held down the flipping pages.

 

The room quieted, but her heart was still in turmoil.

 

At first, she just wanted to survive, but now she was getting closer and closer to Song Yin, so close that she almost forgot her original intention to escape, so close that her heart had changed a little.

 

Shen Yirong felt this was very dangerous. What if her identity was exposed?

 

Life threat and moral ethics constantly spun in Shen Yirong’s head. Besides that, she also felt a little resentment.

 

If she didn’t love her, she wouldn’t care if Song Yin had many confidantes.

 

But if she developed genuine feelings, she would not be content to be just one of Song Yin’s concubines.

 

After all, Shen Yirong was a petty person.

 

Shen Yirong had never encountered such a tricky problem. She sighed while resting her head on the desk, “What should I do now?”

 

“What else can you do? Just beat them all down! How dare they scheme against our Venerable One!”

 

Yao Ling’s eyes did not hold the anger of her Venerable One being trapped, but were filled with the fanaticism of battle.

 

Qi Wu covered her forehead in frustration, “Can you defeat Liu Qianfeng?”

 

Yao Ling sneered, “Heh, she’s just an old woman. Nothing to fear!”

 

Qi Wu couldn’t help but look at her like she was an idiot, “Don’t be careless.”

 

The Great Peace Sect was only poor, but that didn’t mean they were weak. Qi Wu’s information had a slight deviation. She hadn’t expected the Sect Master of Great Peace to personally come to the Southern Border.

 

In that case, the two strongest forces of the Great Peace Sect would be present. Although Mei Xin was trapped in the mirror, that Sect Master was a bit bizarre, perhaps capable of releasing Mei Xin.

 

If the Venerable One couldn’t get out, they would have to face the two main battle forces of Great Peace.

 

Yao Ling was annoyed by Qi Wu’s constant frowning. She slapped Qi Wu’s back, almost making her spin like a windmill along with her sword.

 

Fortunately, Qi Wu was experienced and preemptively deployed spiritual power to block it. Even so, she felt her lungs trembling.

 

Yao Ling patted her twice more, “Why are you so timid? I told you long ago to let me be the Grand Protector, then you wouldn’t have to worry all the time.”

 

Qi Wu rubbed her sore shoulder, “The Grand Protector has a lot of paperwork. You can’t do it.”

 

“You can do it. Since I’m the Grand Protector, I can just assign it to you.”

 

“Who is as foolish as you, worrying about everything and insisting on doing everything yourself.”

 

Yao Ling spoke with a matter-of-fact expression. Qi Wu felt she would be infuriated to death by her own person before even reaching Central Yue Kingdom.

 

She endured it again and again, finally recovering her composure, “When we arrive, the priority is to rescue the Venerable One. You must not be provoked by Yao Jun. Ignore her.”

 

Yao Ling scoffed, “What is she? How could she affect my emotions? Fine, stop nagging. You talk too much.”

 

Despite saying that, Yao Ling’s face showed signs of annoyance. She stopped bothering Qi Wu, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, and instantly became much quieter.

 

Qi Wu secretly shook her head seeing her like this, feeling that she had miscalculated this time and should have refused to bring Yao Ling instead of Luo Ci.

 

Seeing Yao Ling immersed in her own thoughts, her two eyebrows were increasingly furrowed.

 

Qi Wu casually brought up a topic, “I keep feeling they are not here because the Venerable One is trapped this time.”

 

Yao Ling was indeed interested, “If not for the Venerable One, what is it for? The Corpse King?”

 

Qi Wu shook her head, “Doesn’t look like it either. I feel like they are here for the Sword Venerable.”

 

Yao Ling found it absurd, “For that cultivation vessel that looks like the Sword Venerable? Could those pigs think the Sword Venerable has returned?”

 

Qi Wu couldn’t help but be speechless, “The ‘pigs’ you mentioned include your sister. What does that make you?”

 

Yao Ling realized the implication. Her expression changed, and she sharply said, “How dare you curse me!”

 

Qi Wu couldn’t take it anymore. She directly cast a silencing spell and sealed Yao Ling’s mouth.

 

Yao Ling, whose mouth was sealed, widened her eyes and muttered continuously. Qi Wu knew without a doubt that she was cursing very foully.

 

Qi Wu felt truly helpless. When people mentioned the Great Peace Sect, the first impression was poverty. When talking about the Nine Heavens Gate, it was elegance.

 

This sect, primarily focused on music cultivation, would seal its most potential disciple as a Saintess. The Saintess’s words and actions must adhere to the sect rules, maintaining the demeanor of an Immortal Sect.

 

The previous Saintesses of Yao Ling’s generation were all like this. But with Yao Ling, the smooth talk turned into foul language.

 

She couldn’t help but ask, “Did you perhaps defect because you couldn’t stand the rigid rules of the Nine Heavens Gate?”

 

Yao Ling finally broke the silencing spell. She furiously grabbed Qi Wu’s collar, but seeing the exhaustion in the other party’s eyes, she “Tsk’d” and let go.

 

“Heh, the Nine Heavens Gate has all sorts of rules for eating and drinking. The demands on the Saintess are even stricter. What’s the difference between that and being imprisoned? I don’t want to be this Saintess.”

 

Yao Ling was full of disdain. After complaining, she said, “Just now you said they were going for the Sword Venerable? Does this Sword Venerable have that much charm?”

 

Yao Ling vaguely remembered meeting the Sword Venerable because her Master had some connection with the Great Peace Sect Master. The Sword Venerable would visit the Nine Heavens Gate with the Great Peace Sect Master.

 

During her stay at Nine Heavens, the Sword Venerable would talk to the disciples of Nine Heavens about cultivation.

 

Yao Ling was still too young then and couldn’t clearly see the other person’s face when looking up. She only remembered that the person was full of aloofness, making people hesitant to approach. But if someone asked about cultivation, the surrounding coldness would vanish instantly.

 

The Sword Venerable didn’t just like swords; she seemed to quite like children.

 

She would always quietly stand by and watch the disciples of Nine Heavens play, but her bamboo hat covered her expression, so Yao Ling couldn’t see it clearly.

 

Some brave children would give candy to the Sword Venerable. Once, the other person broke out in a rash after being fed peanut brittle but didn’t get angry.

 

The memory was hazy, but even this vague memory made Yao Ling gasp. She hesitated and said, “It seems, she really is quite charming.”

 

Yao Ling realized what she had said. She quickly said, “I have no intention of betraying the Venerable One.”

 

Qi Wu didn’t mind, “I just feel that the Venerable One’s feelings for the Sword Venerable are not just hatred. If it weren’t for Shen Yi this time, she wouldn’t have gone to Central Yue.”

 

Yao Ling had already imagined some dog-blood novel about a “white moonlight substitute.” She really couldn’t connect these ridiculous things with the Venerable One.

 

“Shut up! Focus on flying and stop thinking nonsense!”

 

Qi Wu also felt this matter was a bit ridiculous, but the Venerable One was clearly very concerned about Shen Yi. She considered whether to slightly raise Shen Yi’s status.

 

While distracted, Qi Wu was also worried about Song Yin.

 

She sighed and thought to herself: I wonder how the Venerable One is doing now. She should be trying to break the mirror.

 

But the reality was not what Qi Wu imagined. After Song Yin left in a fit of pique, she actually walked very slowly, so slow that someone with Shen Yirong’s cultivation could easily catch up.

 

Song Yin had accumulated a lot of dissatisfaction. She left because she was afraid of hurting Shen Yirong.

 

But as she left, she looked back three times with every step, only seeing the rooftop getting smaller and smaller in her view.

 

Shen Yirong truly listened to her and didn’t follow.

 

On the nineteenth time she looked back and still didn’t see anyone following, Song Yin’s face was sunken like the bottom of a pot.

 

She sneered coldly, clenched her fists and gritted her teeth, “She really didn’t chase me!”

 

Demonic energy began to surge again. Space fissures started appearing around her. The demons and ghosts in the fissures were scrambling to get out.

 

Song Yin stood in front of one of the fissures.

 

A demon in the fissure greedily reached out, trying to grab Song Yin’s ankle and drag her into the fissure for a feast.

 

It could sense that this human was delicious.

 

But the outstretched hand was struck by a bolt of thunder light and turned into charcoal. A foot slowly and ruthlessly twisted the broken wound.

 

The intense pain made the demon howl. It stretched out another claw to scratch Song Yin’s calf, but it was also destroyed by thunder light.

 

In the night, Song Yin’s pupils were blood-red. Her hair floated upwards without wind, more demon-like than a demon, more ghastly than a ghost.

 

She raised her hand. Thunder light illuminated her face.

 

“Heh, courting death.”

 

The thunder light mercilessly crushed everything in the vicinity into dust. These demons didn’t even have time to roar before they turned into wisps of flying ash.

 

After venting, Song Yin still felt terrible. She suppressed her anger and continued to walk forward, then suddenly looked back, still not seeing the person she wanted to see.

 

She angrily quickened her pace, thinking in her mind about how to punish the other party.

 

But no matter how she thought about it, the only method was deducting spirit stones. She couldn’t bring herself to inflict any other punishment.

 

But if she deducted spirit stones, the other party would dislike her, and those eyes would become listless.

 

Song Yin furiously smashed a nearby boulder. As the boulder turned into powder and fell at her feet, she calmed down a little.

 

The crimson in her pupils slowly receded. Song Yin continued walking. She wanted to calm herself completely before going back.

 

There were many abandoned houses in the Imperial City. Song Yin found a pond in front of a dilapidated house.

 

A thick layer of ice covered the pond. Song Yin waved her hand, melting the ice.

 

The pond water reflected the bright moon in the sky and also reflected Song Yin’s face, which was colder than winter.

 

Song Yin touched her face. She recalled what Shen Yi had said to her when she first disguised herself as Li Xiu.

 

She said that no one likes a cold face.

 

At the time, Song Yin felt offended and deliberately moved closer to frighten the other party. But now, she was only left with panic.

 

She smiled at the pond. Perhaps because she was too deliberate, the smile was stiff and eerie, as if a water ghost had appeared in the pond and was about to come out and claim a life.

 

Song Yin couldn’t even stand to look at herself. She dropped the smile and returned to the cold Demon Venerable.

 

After a while, she tried to smile again, but her lips only curved up slightly before she couldn’t continue.

 

Why does every smile look so ghostly?

 

Song Yin remembered the young Song Yin’s smile when she was up close in her room—so natural and gentle, instantly inspiring joy in people.

 

She closed her eyes and extended her divine sense. After finding no one nearby, she opened her eyes again.

 

She clenched her fist and coughed lightly at her lips, “Cough, cough!”

 

Feeling that her throat was clear, Song Yin took a deep breath and began to smile, “I like snowy days, I like the light tinkling of wind chimes…”

 

Song Yin couldn’t bear it anymore. She felt slightly disgusted with herself at this moment.

 

Is this me? Was I like this before?

 

No! Impossible! There must be something wrong with this Myriad Manifestations Mirror!

 

But that person actually seemed to fall for this act.

 

Song Yin became conflicted again, but she quickly made a decision.

 

So she closed her eyes again and cleared her throat, “I like…”

 

She couldn’t say it! She absolutely couldn’t say it!

 

Song Yin felt that she didn’t need to suffer this kind of spiritual torment. The affection gained by blindly imitating others was not true affection.

 

Song Yin got up to leave, but after two steps, she stopped. She turned around and crouched by the pond again.

 

Song Yin slowly adjusted her smile. Feeling that it was close enough, she began to imitate with feeling, “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 you.”

 

After saying it, Song Yin felt a wave of nausea in her stomach. She hadn’t felt like throwing up like this in a long time.

 

She still couldn’t help covering her mouth, frowned hard, and prepared to leave, but suddenly paused.

 

She felt someone nearby.

 

Song Yin turned around.

 

In the moonlight, by the dilapidated house behind her, her past self was staring at her with a look of utter horror.