Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 58

Chapter 58: Access Denied

 

Shen Shuci knelt expressionlessly in the ice prison. She looked up and met Song Yin’s gaze, but the veil covered her eyes, concealing the emotions in her depths.

 

“No.”

 

There was no anger or fear, just a simple response to Song Yin.

 

In this regard, she resembled Mei Xin, but with a subtle difference.

 

This person in front of her was even more indifferent than Mei Xin, who lacked a sentiment organ.

 

Song Yin was not in a hurry. She stood in front of the prison door, looking at Shen Shuci’s lips, which were turning blue from the cold. “Her memory is in your mirror, right?”

 

Shen Shuci did not answer. She seemed to have fallen asleep, letting the cold invade her body.

 

Song Yin didn’t have that much patience. She immediately used the Soul Searching technique but found nothing. This fellow had no soul at all.

 

Shen Shuci finally moved. She changed her posture to be farther away from Song Yin and said in that emotionless voice, “It’s useless. I cannot die, and I have no soul.”

 

Facing such provocation, Song Yin sneered, “You cannot die, but the Pavilion Master of the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion might not be so lucky. Why don’t I capture her and keep you company?”

 

Song Yin chuckled. “Pavilion Master Su’s body cannot withstand the temperature here.”

 

Shen Shuci remained unmoved. “If the Revered One wishes, you can capture her.”

 

“I advise you, the Pavilion Master’s body is frail. She won’t last a day here. If you want to torment her for a long time, you need to switch to a warmer prison cell.”

 

There was no expected urgency or worry. Shen Shuci even offered advice.

 

Song Yin couldn’t articulate the exasperation in her heart. Why were all the righteous people she met so unique?

 

She thought the future of the Demon Palace was already dark enough, but she didn’t expect these various sects in the cultivation world to have their own quirks. The Demon Palace was still too normal.

 

Song Yin was not discouraged. The one thing she didn’t lack was patience. “Heh, then let’s change the bargaining chip. The lives of everyone in the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion in exchange for the memory in your hands.”

 

Shen Shuci’s body trembled.

 

Seeing Shen Shuci’s reaction, Song Yin felt she had found the other person’s weakness. She sat down confidently. “You know, with one move, none of the people in the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion will survive.”

 

Shen Shuci’s body trembled even more violently. She suddenly reached out her right hand, pressing her palm tightly against the ice surface.

 

The ice prison was bitterly cold; once touched, one would be severely stuck.

 

Song Yin raised an eyebrow, looking at her self-abusive action. “Vice Pavilion Master, how about this deal?”

 

The excessively low temperature weakened Shen Shuci’s control over her body. She clearly wanted to retract her hand, but her body pressed it against the ice surface.

 

She took a breath. Only after her mind cleared slightly did she say, “Acceptable.”

 

Song Yin had thought it would take more effort, but she didn’t expect the other person to be so pragmatic. She couldn’t help but find this person quite agreeable.

 

Song Yin, in a good mood, considered what reward to give this spineless individual.

 

Shen Shuci, whose thoughts were slowed by the cold, sensed that Song Yin’s mood had improved significantly.

 

Shen Shuci let out a breath and finally spoke the second half of her sentence, “Acceptable. Kill them all, but I will not hand over the memory.”

 

Song Yin’s face immediately darkened. “You have been with them for nearly four hundred years. Do you not care at all?”

 

Shen Shuci’s voice became more intermittent. “Revered One, please proceed.”

 

Song Yin never personally interrogated anyone. She never thought her first attempt would encounter such a troublesome person.

 

Death held no meaning for this entity. This person seemed to have no one they cared about, either.

 

Song Yin suddenly thought of something. She chuckled lightly. “You seem to care a lot about that female official surnamed Shen next to me, venturing here to try and take her away despite knowing you are no match.”

 

The system, frozen and sputtering, sensitively caught the key information.

 

Shen Shuci suddenly lunged forward, so her other hand was also trapped on the ice wall. The usually steady mechanical voice became urgent. “No.”

 

Logically, finding Shen Shuci’s weakness should be a cause for joy, but watching the other person panic over Shen Yirong’s safety through an ice wall, Song Yin couldn’t feel happy.

 

Shen Shuci channeled all the spiritual energy in her body. She struggled to push down the ice wall, but it was futile.

 

The talent of this body was good, but far from Song Yin’s level. Shen Shuci, who had cultivated for four hundred years, was at the Soul Transformation stage, just like Qing Li, and the difference between her and Song Yin was immense.

 

Shen Shuci was scared. “You cannot hurt her!”

 

Seeing no reaction from Song Yin, Shen Shuci began to frantically bang her head against the ice surface. Blood froze on the wall, looking particularly harsh.

 

Looking at the frantic Shen Shuci, Song Yin gripped the armrest of her chair tighter and tighter. “Why can’t I do that? Vice Pavilion Master, you should know my ferocity. If you don’t hand over the memory, I have ways to make her wish she were dead.”

 

“You! You hateful demon!”

 

Seeing Shen Shuci self-destructing without regard for her life, Song Yin simply waved her hand, immobilizing the person in the prison.

 

Song Yin’s face was grim. She suddenly laughed lightly. “What is your relationship with Shen Yi, Vice Pavilion Master? The lives of a hundred or so people in the Celestial Mechanism Pavilion are like dust to you, but one Shen Yi makes you so desperate.”

 

The words sounded like teasing, but upon careful thought, one could hear a hint of jealousy.

 

Song Yin was clearly the interrogator, yet she felt no joy in getting the truth, only fear.

 

The Sword Venerable’s story was so long. She knew so many people. Perhaps one of these acquaintances played the role of a Dao Companion.

 

As soon as Song Yin thought of this possibility, a raging fire ignited in her heart. She craved the answer but also feared it. Under this complex psychological conflict, the crimson in her eyes surged up along with her heart demon.

 

She suppressed the killing intent in her heart, her eyes fixed intently on Shen Shuci.

 

Shen Shuci remained silent.

 

Song Yin sneered. She said viciously, “Hehe, still not talking? If you don’t say anything, Shen Yi can speak. I only need to use the Soul Searching technique on her to get everything I want. But Vice Pavilion Master, do you know what price she has to pay?”

 

Song Yin’s voice was faint. “It is the destruction of her soul, body and spirit.”

 

Shen Shuci calmed down. She realized she had been impulsive. “Revered One, you are mistaken. I do not have much friendship with her.”

 

“Oh, then she is useless. I might as well kill her.”

 

Shen Shuci was a little unsettled. “Don’t you like her very much?”

 

Song Yin was noncommittal. “Yes, but so what? As you said, my liking won’t last long. If her death has value, I will let her die without hesitation. But I still like her.”

 

Shen Shuci’s voice trembled. “Song Yin, are you still human?”

 

Song Yin’s laughter was contemptuous. “Human? What makes one human? Vice Pavilion Master, my time is limited. I don’t have the leisure to debate philosophy with you here.”

 

Song Yin flicked her sleeve. A water mirror formed beside her, slowly revealing the figure of a person.

 

That person wore a white Daoist robe, sitting on a swing reading a book. A little white dog, fat as a ball, bit her robe corner and shook its head, causing mischief. The elegant-looking woman placed the book on her lap, bent down, and hugged the dog into her arms.

 

The puppy licked the woman’s cheek, eliciting a joyful laugh. “Hahaha, that tickles. Don’t lick, Bu Hei.”

 

Shen Shuci was stunned. Song Yin was equally stunned.

 

Song Yin had intended to scare Shen Shuci, but she hadn’t expected to see such a scene.

 

She glared viciously at the audacious dog, her eyes shooting out cold air.

 

Shen Shuci looked at Song Yin’s murderous expression, and this time, she was truly terrified.

 

Judging by that look, this pervert would actually kill the Host. And judging by her demeanor, killing her wouldn’t be enough. She might want to dismember the person and stew her.

 

Song Yin controlled the impulse to instantly teleport over and tear that damn dog away from Shen Yirong’s arms. She sneered coldly and looked back at Shen Shuci.

 

“Vice Pavilion Master, have you thought it through?”

 

Shen Shuci was completely out of options. She had clearly performed a divination, and the result was that doing this would not harm the Host and would lead the Host’s fate to the best possible outcome.

 

Divination required a price. Shen Shuci always swore on her soul, and although she had no soul, the Heavenly Dao of this world was incomplete. She was able to obtain the results of her divinations every time, and they were always accurate.

 

Could it be that the Heavenly Dao discovered she had been benefiting for so long and deliberately gave her the wrong result to punish her?

 

Golden tears of regret streamed from the corners of Shen Shuci’s eyes. She said listlessly, “What does the Revered One want to know?”

 

Seeing Shen Shuci’s resigned appearance, Song Yin was pleased. But remembering that the other person only resigned because of Shen Yirong, that bit of pleasure turned into annoyance.

 

Song Yin simply closed her eyes. “What is your relationship with Shen Yi?”

 

The term “Host” sounded like parasitism. Combined with Shen Shuci’s current state, Song Yin had a subtle guess in her heart, but she couldn’t rule out the possibility of a Dao Companion relationship.

 

Shen Shuci was also thinking. She didn’t want to expose the Host’s past, so she had to consider what to say.

 

With a flash of inspiration, Shen Shuci said, “In our previous life, she was my mother.”

 

Crack! The armrest of the chair died.

 

Song Yin casually tossed the broken armrest aside. She was so angry she laughed. “Vice Pavilion Master, are you trying to trick me?”

 

“Absolutely true. Shen Shuci is the name she gave me. I wanted to call her ‘Mother,’ but she wouldn’t allow it.”

 

As she spoke, Shen Shuci’s voice became aggrieved again. She seemed to forget her predicament and became immersed in her own sorrow. “She said that calling her that would scare away all her romantic prospects, and that it made her sound old.”

 

Shen Shuci was so wronged that she sniffled. “She’s several hundred years old. What’s wrong with having a daughter? How does that make her old?”

 

Song Yin was silent. The person was crying so sincerely that it didn’t seem like a lie.

 

She thought it was a love rival, but it turns out to be a daughter?

 

Having a daughter means having a Dao Companion. Song Yin felt an unbearable sourness in her heart. Was the child born with a monster?

 

Song Yin connected the context and mentally constructed a story. It must have been that monster Dao Companion who seduced Master and then left irresponsibly. It was even possible that Master wanted to cultivate the Path of No Emotion and her personality changed because of this scumbag.

 

“Beast!”

 

Luo Ci, who was trying to minimize her presence, and Shen Shuci, who was crying sadly, were both startled. The ice prison also cracked under the strain.

 

Shen Shuci thought the insult “beast” was directed at her and couldn’t help but turn pale.

 

Wanting to call the Host ‘Mother’ means I’m a beast?

 

Song Yin managed to calm down, but her stomach felt impossibly sour. She couldn’t get her breath. She didn’t want to ask any more questions.

 

She directly shattered the ice prison and stood in front of Shen Shuci. “The game ends here. Hand over the memory.”

 

Crimson stained Song Yin’s eyes.

 

The danger level of the person in front of her was constantly rising. The system couldn’t rate her.

 

Shen Shuci felt like she was about to be forced into hibernation. She struggled to keep her back straight, and her speech started to stutter again. “Revered One, first swear an oath on your life that you will not harm her after obtaining the memory.”

 

That memory held too many secrets. If it fell into the hands of those with ulterior motives, this world might return to that chaotic and disorderly era.

 

But Shen Shuci didn’t care about that. What she cared about was that handing the memory to Song Yin meant that the Host’s identity would be exposed.

 

Given Song Yin’s current situation, if the identity were exposed, the Host would surely die.

 

Song Yin scoffed. “What are you? How dare you make demands of me?”

 

Many fine threads surged from Shen Shuci’s sleeves. In fact, it wasn’t just her sleeves. She suddenly lowered her head, raised into the air by the gold threads like a lifeless puppet.

 

The golden threads surged like snakes in the room. Many black-robed puppets appeared again, protecting Song Yin.

 

“Then you will not get the memory. I cannot die. I will try everything to cling to you. I will become your curse for all eternity until your soul withers away.”

 

The room was quickly covered with a layer of gold. It looked spectacular.

 

Song Yin remained calm. Fine cracks began to appear on the monster-possessed body. The other party’s determination was evident.

 

Song Yin was not afraid. This thing seemed to have many limitations, such as being afraid of the cold.

 

But some things were different from what Song Yin thought. This monster was willing to abandon everything for Shen Yirong.

 

Seeing Song Yin unmoved, Shen Shuci was very regretful. She had been too eager and relied too much on the predictions given by the Heavenly Dao over the years, which led her to this point.

 

She watched Song Yin raise her hand with a cold smile, seemingly about to cast some spell. Shen Shuci’s despair intensified. She immediately wanted to destroy the memory.

 

“I swear upon my life, no matter what happens afterward, I will never harm the person named Shen. If I violate this oath, my Dao will be extinguished, my body will perish, and I will never enter reincarnation.”

 

A red light flashed briefly on Song Yin and the Shen Yirong in the water mirror. The Heavenly Dao oath was established.

 

Shen Shuci hadn’t expected her to make such a heavy oath. She was speechless for a moment.

 

Song Yin lowered the hand that had sworn the oath, her expression as normal as if she had done something insignificant.

 

She looked at Shen Shuci with those blood-colored eyes. “The memory.”

 

Shen Shuci hesitated and took the mirror out of her spatial ring. The bronze mirror was the same as the one they had seen in the Central Yue Kingdom, with a pattern similar to 011 on the edge.

 

Song Yin probed it with spiritual energy and saw many memory fragments. This was indeed Master’s memory.

 

She carefully put the bronze mirror away in her space, glanced at Shen Shuci’s current miserable state, and then disappeared from the dungeon.

 

The gold threads slowly gathered back into her body. Shen Shuci slumped to the ground, motionless.

 

A medicine bottle rolled to her hand. Luo Ci’s voice sounded outside the dungeon. “The Revered One said this is for your injuries.”

 

The system’s built-in identification showed it was a celestial-grade healing medicine. Shen Shuci felt confused again.

 

She picked up the medicine bottle and looked at Luo Ci inside the dungeon. “It’s not the true body, after all.”

 

Song Yin immediately flashed to Shen Yirong’s small courtyard.

 

There was no snow today. Shen Yirong was lying on the table with a book covering her head to block the sun. A cat and a dog lay peacefully by her feet, sound asleep.

 

The crimson in Song Yin’s eyes slowly faded. She picked up the dog and the cat by the scruff of their necks and placed them back in their respective beds.

 

These two creatures were spoiled. They rubbed against Song Yin’s hand as she was about to leave.

 

Song Yin suddenly remembered that the little fox also liked to do this. That little fox was named Eleven.

 

Shen Yirong lay there for a while, then took the book off her face. From this angle, she just happened to see the fat dog rubbing against Song Yin’s hand, and Song Yin actually allowed it.

 

Does she like dogs?

 

Shen Yirong seemed to have found a good way to provide emotional value. As an excellent employee, Shen Yirong squatted in front of the dog bed with Song Yin.

 

She picked up Bu Hei and immediately stuffed it into Song Yin’s arms. “Revered One, try holding it. This fellow is very soft, like a cloud.”

 

Song Yin was dazzled by Shen Yirong’s smile. She completely forgot what she had been about to say earlier.

 

Bu Hei was thoroughly woken up by this commotion. It sniffed Song Yin’s shoulder. Smelling its Master’s scent on the person, it became even more excited.

 

So, it braced itself with its front paws, stood up, and quickly licked Song Yin’s cheek.

 

The wet sensation gave Song Yin goosebumps. She must stew this pig-dog!

 

Shen Yirong laughed. “Bu Hei is very cute. Stroking it makes me feel very relaxed when I’m in a bad mood.”

 

The hand that was about to throw the pig moved from the back of the dog’s neck to its head. Song Yin mechanically stroked it. “There is a little something to it.”

 

Seeing Song Yin agree, Shen Yirong, the fluff-lover, became excited. “Does Revered One think so too?”

 

No. What’s there to like about something that sheds fur all over you when you hug it?

 

Song Yin: “Mm, I quite like small animals.”

 

Hearing Song Yin say this, Shen Yirong stuffed the black pig from the other bed into Song Yin’s arms.

 

The cat was aloof. It opened its eyes to look at Song Yin, then lazily closed them again.

 

Song Yin was so annoyed she laughed.

 

Shen Yirong looked at Song Yin holding the cat and dog and smiling, feeling her heart melt. She wanted to take out a memorial stone to record the moment, but opening her spiritual ring revealed an ocean of spiritual stones, and she couldn’t find the memorial stone at all.

 

After holding them for a while, Song Yin still put the cat and dog down. “What are you looking for?”

 

Shen Yirong answered while searching, “A memorial stone. I want to save your image.”

 

A new memorial stone lay in front of Shen Yirong.

 

Shen Yirong looked at the memorial stone in Song Yin’s palm. The material of this stone was incomparably better than the previous one. Converting it to spiritual stones, it would cost at least a hundred thousand, but this was based on four-hundred-year-old prices.

 

Shen Yirong, who rarely left the house, knew this much thanks to Sect Master Liu often talking to her about useless things.

 

Shen Yirong wasn’t interested in photography or anything, but she liked expensive things. She said excitedly, “Is this for me?”

 

Song Yin snorted lightly. “Since it is for recording my image, it naturally must be the best memorial stone.”

 

Hearing that it wasn’t a gift for herself, Shen Yirong instantly darkened.

 

Song Yin immediately grew anxious. She turned her head and added, “I don’t lack this one either. Don’t use that piece of junk for recording my image in the future.”

 

Shen Yirong brightened up again. She happily went to accept the memorial stone.

 

Overcome with excitement, Shen Yirong completely forgot her original purpose.

 

Song Yin stood there, restraining herself again and again. She said angrily, “Did you forget something?”

 

Shen Yirong looked at the gloomy-faced Song Yin. She slapped her forehead. “Revered One, I apologize.”

 

Shen Yirong hastily raised the memorial stone, but Song Yin’s expression at the moment was too unpleasant. Just one look was cold enough to make one’s teeth chatter.

 

Is she recording an image or exorcising a ghost?

 

No matter how Shen Yirong adjusted the angle, it was all wrong. Others look beautiful from every angle. Song Yin looked terrifying from every angle.

 

Mm, the sense of oppression is quite strong.

 

Having no other recourse, Shen Yirong put down the memorial stone and requested, “Revered One, could you smile?”

 

Song Yin obediently cracked a smile. The upper half of her face was cold and severe, and the lower half was stiffly smiling.

 

Even more terrifying!

 

This was even worse than her cold sneer.

 

Shen Yirong was conflicted. She wanted to take a random picture to deal with it, but she felt that wouldn’t be right.

 

Just as she was thinking about how to resolve the situation, a savior appeared.

 

Li Xiu, wearing a cat mask, appeared at the doorway.

 

Li Xiu looked at the two of them and suddenly spoke, “Revered One, Mistress, would you like a joint photo?”

 

Shen Yirong immediately relaxed. She quickly opened the door for Li Xiu to enter and stuffed the expensive memorial stone into Li Xiu’s hand. “Protector, you’ve arrived at the perfect time.”

 

Li Xiu’s smile was hidden by the mask. She quietly glanced at the Revered One and noticed that the Revered One’s gaze was fixed on Mistress Shen.

 

Just as she was about to observe a bit more, she saw the Revered One’s eyes slowly turn towards her, as if warning her.

 

Li Xiu dared not look anymore. She lowered her head to adjust her mood. When she looked up, she was much more well-behaved. “Then please stand next to the Revered One, Mistress, and I will record your image.”

 

Shen Yirong nodded but hesitated. Song Yin hadn’t said anything about this. She didn’t know if she was willing.

 

She tried to find something in Song Yin’s eyes. Failing that, she slowly moved to Song Yin’s side.

 

In her previous life, she was frail and ill. She was too embarrassed. When the Sect Master suggested taking a picture with her, she always refused, and she left nothing behind when she passed away.

 

This life, she had taken a picture with little Song Yin, but it was much more comfortable with little Song.

 

Stopping at a distance of one person’s width from Song Yin, Shen Yirong looked up at Li Xiu. She smiled and said, “Protector Li, I’m ready.”

 

Li Xiu raised the memorial stone and then lowered it. “Mistress, could you move a bit more to the left?”

 

Shen Yirong looked to her left at Song Yin’s profile. She moved a little to the left.

 

“Mistress, go a bit further.”

 

“Yes, can you go a bit further?”

 

“A little closer.”

 

Finally, only a fist’s distance remained between them.

 

Xiao Bai and Bu Hei were playing around Shen Yirong. Xiao Bai ran, carefully avoiding Shen Yirong’s legs, but Bu Hei, following Xiao Bai, was not so nimble. Its charge, like a cannonball, knocked the unsuspecting Shen Yirong forward.

 

Song Yin wrapped her arm around Shen Yirong’s waist and pulled her into her arms.

 

Shen Yirong stared blankly at Song Yin’s face. Song Yin smiled.

 

Song Yin let her go. Shen Yirong moved back a little. She felt her heart beating quite fast.

 

That’s strange. The air is supposed to be coldest when the accumulated snow first melts. Why does my breath feel hot?

 

I’ll wear one less layer tomorrow.

 

“Mistress, the photo is taken.”

 

Li Xiu stepped forward to return the memorial stone.

 

Shen Yirong suddenly wasn’t interested in looking at it. She asked Song Yin, “Does Revered One want to come inside and sit for a while?”

 

“No,” Song Yin said, then looked at Shen Yirong’s red fingers. “It’s too cold outside. Don’t stay long.”

 

Shen Yirong watched Song Yin leave.

 

Li Xiu placed the pastries she had brought onto the table. She smiled at Shen Yirong. “I bought these in the mortal world on my way. Mistress can try them.”

 

Shen Yirong regained her senses. She looked at the various pastries on the table and found that she loved a large portion of them.

 

“Thank you, Protector.”

 

Li Xiu placed the last pastry down. “You’re welcome, Mistress. I will leave now.”

 

Seeing her look a bit anxious, Shen Yirong didn’t try to keep her. “Mm, travel safely, Protector.”

 

Only Shen Yirong and the greedy cat and dog were left in the courtyard.

 

Smelling the food, the two little ones squatted by Shen Yirong’s legs, waiting to be fed.

 

Shen Yirong, whose heart was still in turmoil, was amused. She sternly scolded, “You can’t eat.”

 

“Woof…”

 

Looking at the dog’s wronged expression, Shen Yirong’s heart wavered. She hesitated for a moment, then finally compromised.

 

“Only a tiny bit.”

 

Meanwhile, Li Xiu ran out with all her strength, but after running for a long time, she still couldn’t catch up to Song Yin. She slowed down and sighed.

 

“What is it?”

 

Song Yin’s voice suddenly appeared in the air behind her. Li Xiu held up a memorial stone from her sleeve. “I offer this to the Revered One.”

 

The memorial stone in Li Xiu’s hand flew into Song Yin’s hand.

 

Seeing her objective achieved, Li Xiu bowed and took her leave.

 

Song Yin returned to the secluded cultivation cave with the memorial stone.

 

The memorial stone projected the moment she and Shen Yirong embraced.

 

Song Yin scoffed lightly. “Thinking you’re so smart.”

 

The furniture in the cave was simple. She swept away the books on the heart demon from the writing desk, then placed the memorial stone in the best position.

 

She sat at the desk, staring at the projected image for a long time.

 

After an unknown amount of time, she realized her neglect of duty.

 

Annoyed, she took out the bronze mirror. Song Yin injected spiritual energy to read the memory within.

 

The Sword Venerable’s life was too long. The amount of memory was vast and disorganized.

 

The few segments Song Yin saw were memories of Shen Yirong in seclusion, motionless like a stone statue, completely meaningless.

 

She focused her mind and searched. She finally found a segment of memory with extremely intense emotional changes.

 

Song Yin manipulated spiritual energy, intending to view it, but this time, an accident occurred. Her spiritual energy was blocked.

 

Then, her vision was expelled from the mirror.

 

A line of red text slowly appeared on the mirror’s surface: Unauthorized user, access denied.