Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 8

Chapter 8: Again?

It was a dark and windy night, and the cauldron was in an emo state.

Shen Yirong, whose spirit stones were docked for half a month, lay in bed, crying like a weeping kitten.

Rebirth had some advantages, at least she could cry when she wanted to. In her past life, she would be electrocuted if she cried.

“Are you there?” Huang Li’s voice was filled with concern.

Shen Yirong wiped her tears and opened the door. The person standing at the door was lightly dressed, clearly having just gotten out of bed.

The candlelight illuminated Shen Yirong’s red-rimmed eyes. Huang Li reached out and wiped away the tear that was about to fall. After wiping it, she suddenly started crying too, looking even more heartbroken than Shen Yirong.

Shen Yirong was bewildered. She couldn’t stand seeing people cry, and immediately became flustered, “What’s wrong? I’ll return the spirit stones to you, please don’t cry.”

Huang Li only felt that Shen Yirong’s fate was too bitter.

Now, all the cauldrons in the Demon Palace were envious of Shen Yi, the lowest-ranked cauldron, for being favored by the Lord. Only Huang Li understood the distress in the person’s heart.

Originally having someone she loved, she was suddenly noticed by the Lord, and her smooth love life was plunged into painful struggle. Huang Li couldn’t help but project herself onto Shen Yirong, feeling suffocated.

Huang Li wiped away her tears, her eyes full of sympathy, “Poor child.”

As expected of the Great Immortal Huang, does she already know I was docked half a month’s spirit stones?

Being cared for made Shen Yirong feel much better, “I’m fine.”

“How can you be fine? What will you do in the future? Have you thought about it?”

Shen Yirong looked haggard, “Not yet. Currently, I plan to take missions to earn spirit stones.”

Huang Li understood. She lowered her voice, “Are you trying to run away?”

Shen Yirong was shocked again. How does this person know everything?

Huang Li ignored her astonished look. She had also fantasized about earning enough spirit stones to elope, but alas, her beloved was an idiot.

How romantic.

Huang Li felt a sense of longing. To make up for her own regret, she wanted to help this star-crossed couple.

Huang Li was very familiar with most of the affairs of the Demon Palace. She pointed out a viable path for Shen Yirong.

“If you want spirit stones, you can take on missions within the Demon Palace. Complete more low-level missions, and you can earn about three hundred low-grade spirit stones a month.”

Shen Yirong frowned after hearing this. Three hundred low-grade spirit stones were only enough for one night of cultivation. She didn’t want to be a night light!

Shen Yirong needed spirit stones to cultivate. This body’s aptitude was poor. Without spirit stones, she couldn’t wash her meridians and cleanse her marrow. If she had no strength, how could she save her life?

Spirit stones, oh spirit stones. What will I do without you?

Shen Yirong stared at Huang Li with bright eyes, “Good sister, is there a faster way?”

After a moment of silence, Huang Li suddenly stared at her face, her expression inexplicable, “There is one more way.”

“Tell me!” Shen Yirong looked eager to listen. If she had a tail, it would probably be wagging like a propeller.

Huang Li looked conflicted. Finally, she gritted her teeth and said, “If you want spirit stones, you still have to start with the Lord.”

Shen Yirong’s expression went blank for a moment. Although Huang Li didn’t say it clearly, Shen Yirong understood.

So, must I follow this demonic concubine plot?

Pure Master turns fiery, dominant disciple loves intensely. She flees, she chases, and they can’t escape.

Shen Yirong suddenly felt a chill. She nervously hugged her average-sized self.

How could Song Yin fall in love with this face? Even if something were to happen, it would probably be manipulation, not love. Shen Yirong had no confidence in winning her over.

Huang Li also felt that her suggestion was a bit disgusting. Now that Shen Yirong was stunned by her words, she felt embarrassed to stay longer.

“It’s late. I’m going to sleep now. You should also rest early and don’t overthink things.”

Accompanied by the creak of the door, Shen Yirong was alone in the room again.

“Grumble~”

Shen Yirong rubbed her stomach. Her stomach was suffering, but now wasn’t the time to eat. It was time to sleep.

Forget it. Whatever happens, I’ll deal with it tomorrow.

Shen Yirong stretched comfortably. She nestled into bed and stopped moving. Having overworked today, she quickly fell into a dream.

The evening breeze entered the room, bringing with it the elegant scent of orchids. Someone was standing by Shen Yirong’s bed.

Shen Yirong was sleeping peacefully. Song Yin watched her for a long time.

She was clearly a fake, yet she had unconsciously walked all the way here.

When the fake was asleep, she looked exactly like Master: her eyebrows slightly furrowed with anxiety, clutching the blanket, and biting her lip.

Master always slept restlessly, seeming to be troubled by many things, unable to relax even while sleeping.

It was only when Master was asleep that she could get close and clearly see the sleeping face. Master was defenseless against her, a realization that made her secretly happy for a long time.

At that time, she naively thought that her distance from Master was just like this, and with just a little effort, she could reach out and touch her.

It was a pity that Master remained cold, not even willing to look at her. She thought Master didn’t know how to smile.

Later, she found that Master did smile: she smiled with Mei Xin, with Liu Qianfeng, with everyone in the Taian Sect, and even with a dog.

Master just didn’t smile at her.

In Master’s heart, her disciple was not even as important as a dog by the roadside.

When she was young, she would throw a fit. Since you don’t like me, I won’t like you either. There are plenty of people who like me besides you.

So, when she was punished, she didn’t refuse the kindness of those senior and junior sisters, but she didn’t feel happy. She looked through the window and could only see Master’s tightly closed eyes.

Master didn’t care.

It seemed that no matter what she did, Master didn’t care. Song Yin felt an unprecedented sense of confusion.

The shadow on the bed overlapped with the old acquaintance, and that old confusion welled up in her heart again.

Shen Yirong was not peaceful in her sleep. She felt as if she were being watched by some large, dangerous animal, so she rolled over and faced inward.

But it was useless. That extremely strong presence was stuck to her back again.

That scrutinizing gaze was so cold, so cold that Shen Yirong thought she had been plunged into an ice spring, so cold that she felt a snake crawling into her inner clothes, tracing up her spine, causing a shiver.

Shen Yirong dreamt of the snow from her past life. The snow that year was particularly heavy, the temperature dropped sharply, and her physical condition rapidly deteriorated because of it.

Her ten fingers swelled up like radishes, and they were incredibly itchy. Shen Yirong couldn’t help but scratch them, only stopping when they were raw.

She had chilblains even in the present world, but not this severe.

Being a Sword Venerable was all a sham. After the Path of Heartlessness backlash, she was a cripple.

But the Taian Sect was still willing to keep such a cripple, and some people were even willing to become her disciple.

Looking at Song Yin brewing medicine outside the door, Shen Yirong asked the system, Isn’t this too forced? Why must she take me as her Master?

“Destiny.”

When the wind and snow were heavy, the system’s mechanical voice was blurrier than usual. Shen Yirong didn’t care about these things. If possible, she wanted the system to disappear completely.

She would set off firecrackers for three days and three nights to celebrate, then kowtow and kneel to Song Yin to show her repentance.

Song Yin entered the room, carrying the wind and snow. Steam rose from the herbal soup in her hand. Her gaze lingered on Shen Yirong’s hand.

“Master, drink the medicine in a moment.”

Song Yin was very meticulous. The medicine bowl was not hot, and she even prepared candied fruit, knowing she was afraid of bitterness.

Shen Yirong watched Song Yin take out a porcelain bottle from her storage pouch, uncork it, and carefully sprinkle the medicinal powder onto her ulcerated fingers.

Due to the system’s obstruction, Shen Yirong found excuses to withhold Song Yin’s monthly allowance. This bottle of medicine, specially for chilblains, was bought by Song Yin last month, costing most of her savings.

It hadn’t snowed last month, and Song Yin’s fingers were fine, only having a few scald marks.

Shen Yirong dared not look. Her ulcerated fingers had no sensation, but she could feel the gentleness of Song Yin’s movements.

She closed her eyes and leaned against the headboard, listening to Song Yin’s gentle voice, “Master, you must not touch water for the next few days. Washing your face and body will be handled by your disciple.”

Shen Yirong was nearly scared to death. She turned her head, caught off guard, and met Song Yin’s gaze.

She didn’t have time to hide her surprise, shock, and anxiety. She saw Song Yin smiling, a warm smile, as if she had no other intentions.

Shen Yirong’s heart trembled. Suddenly, she didn’t know what she had been about to say.

The sound of her heartbeat drowned out the wind and snow, becoming faster and faster.

“Please maintain the wicked persona, Host.”

The sound of the wind and snow grew louder. Shen Yirong withdrew her hand, her voice colder than the snow.

She picked up the medicine bowl, took a sip, and then violently smashed the bowl onto the floor.

“So bitter. Go kneel outside the door.”

“…Yes.”

Shen Yirong was trapped in the nightmare of the past. She bit the blanket, weeping, and repeatedly whispered, “I’m sorry.”

Song Yin was slightly startled. She withdrew her gaze and sat lightly on the edge of the bed.

After she stopped looking, the person calmed down. Completely relaxed, she rolled over again, her face resting on Song Yin’s thigh.

Song Yin could feel her warm breath, then reached out and smoothed the person’s eyebrows.

Her wrist was suddenly grasped. Displeasure appeared on Song Yin’s face. Just as she was about to pull away, she heard the person murmuring vaguely, “Good disciple, Master will stew pork knuckle for you, okay?”

A similar voice, a completely different tone, and a sentence Song Yin had never dared to dream of hearing.

Song Yin couldn’t pull her hand away for a moment.

The moonlight streamed through the window and fell on Shen Yirong’s face, making even her smile feel a little cold. In a daze, she was the person of the past.

Song Yin still pulled her hand away. She stood by the window and looked back one last time, then disappeared into the moonlight.

By the time Shen Yirong woke up the next morning, the orchid fragrance in the room had mostly dissipated.

Shen Yirong was woken by the blinding sunlight and realized she hadn’t closed the window. She casually closed the window, picked up her sword, and prepared to go accept missions as Huang Li had instructed.

Every little bit helps. Once she understood that, she no longer felt disdainful.

But why was it noisy outside?

Shen Yirong opened the door, only to see a crowd gathered and Protector Qi standing at her doorway, smiling brightly.

How was this scene any different from the day before yesterday?

Is the Demon Palace too idle with nothing to do? Always staring at me and not letting me rest!

Qi Wu didn’t care what Shen Yirong was thinking and smiled, “The Lord has commanded it. Please come with me.”

Shen Yirong: “…”

She dejectedly followed behind Qi Wu, unsure of what she was about to face.

Had Song Yin finally decided to whip her?

Shen Yirong walked along, enduring the envious glances. In her despair, she suddenly smelled the aroma of food.

Qi Wu looked at the bustling kitchen and instructed, “Go back. Today is a day off.”

The cutting boards and knives in the room stopped. Everyone looked at each other, responded happily, and then took off their aprons and left.

Shen Yirong was almost bumped into. She took a small step back. When she turned her head, she saw Protector Qi gesturing toward the kitchen.

“Please.”

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