Reborn as a Human Cauldron, But I'm the Top - Chapter 82

Chapter 82: Confession, I Hate You

“Welcome, Venerable!”

Everyone around them knelt, only Shen Yirong remained standing, making her extremely conspicuous.

Looking at Song Yin’s ambiguous, half-smiling, half-not look, Shen Yirong was completely stunned, but she quickly calmed down, showing no flaws.

Qi Wu bowed her hands and said, “Venerable, this person has ulterior motives. Your subordinate was about to drive her away.”

“Is that so?” Song Yin turned to look at the green-clad woman.

Under Song Yin’s pressure, the woman, who had been confident and arrogant just moments ago, couldn’t utter a single word. Her body trembled, looking as if she was about to fall from mid-air at any second.

Song Yin remained silent. With a mere lift of her hand, the green lantern in the woman’s hand floated in front of her.

The Soul-Guiding Lamp spun once before Song Yin. Song Yin sneered. “It’s genuine. You’re quite bold, daring to steal from the Medical Immortal Valley.”

The green-clad woman shuddered twice. Mustering her courage, she pointed her finger back at Shen Yirong on the ground. “Venerable, you absolutely must not be fooled by her. She is not Shen Yi at all. She is Shen Yirong! The Venerable will know with one test of this lamp.”

But Song Yin paid no attention to the green-clad woman’s words, merely appreciating Shen Yirong’s feigned composure.

Her acting is not bad.

Song Yin chuckled softly. “Don’t you have anything to say?”

Shen Yirong’s expression was calm. Her dark hair was partially whitened by flour, and her face was not spared either. Furthermore, she was still wearing an apron.

Her eyes showed no fear as she looked at Song Yin. “Does the Venerable not believe me?”

For some reason, Shen Yirong did not sense any killing intent from Song Yin, which made her even calmer. The patterns flowing on the Soul-Guiding Lamp would sometimes stop, and the duration of each stop varied.

Shen Yirong suspected the artifact was broken. Even if it wasn’t broken, she would find a way to break it.

Having made up her mind, she sighed and opened her hands frankly. “If the Venerable doesn’t believe me, you may test me with the lamp. I will not resist.”

Shen Yirong’s acting skills soared in this moment of crisis. She seemed to be suppressing some kind of heartache, and her eyes were full of disappointment, yet she said, “Whatever the Venerable wishes to do, I will cooperate.”

There were no tears or hysteria, but everyone present still felt a profound sense of sadness.

Just looking at Shen Yirong’s figure gave them a feeling of guilt, like they owed her money they hadn’t repaid.

Yao Ling felt the same way, and being close to Shen Yirong, her feeling was even stronger.

She had met the Sword Venerable when she was young, so her memory wasn’t very deep, but one thing was certain: the Sword Venerable would not have Shen Yi’s gentle personality.

The Sword Venerable was cold and distant, the type that made people hesitant to approach. Although one would find a certain tenderness upon getting closer, that tenderness wasn’t passionate.

Yao Ling could feel that Shen Yi truly loved their Venerable. She couldn’t help but step forward. “Venerable, this person harbors resentment. Even if the Soul-Guiding Lamp is genuine, she might have tampered with it.”

Shen Yirong hadn’t expected someone to speak up for her. She was deeply touched and mentally made a note of Yao Ling’s kindness.

However, the curve of Song Yin’s mouth vanished. She looked at Yao Ling, her tone ambiguous. “You’ve only been together for a few days, and you’re already speaking up for her.”

Yao Ling felt like the Venerable’s gaze was piercing her body. She lowered her head and apologized. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare.”

“Step back. Next time, remember your place.”

“Yes.”

Yao Ling shot a helpless glance at Shen Yirong before retreating to the side.

Shen Yirong saw Song Yin’s brow furrow even more tightly.

Then, she watched Song Yin land with the Soul-Guiding Lamp, walking step by step towards her.

Song Yin didn’t rush to verify anything. Instead, she swept the white flour from Shen Yirong’s head in front of everyone, her tone gentle. “How did you manage to get yourself into such a state?”

Shen Yirong secretly breathed a sigh of relief. “I wanted to prepare a birthday gift for the Venerable.”

Song Yin’s hand stopped. She chuckled softly. “But my birthday has already passed.”

Song Yin leaned down and whispered in her ear. “Or do you know my true birthday?”

The Song Yin before her was still smiling, but Shen Yirong felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.

It seemed that the other party’s birthday had already passed when she transmigrated, but she was so preoccupied with escaping then that she hadn’t paid much attention.

Now, it was awkward. She had eagerly prepared a birthday gift, only to fall into this trap?

How should she explain this?

When explanation fails, act spoiled.

Shen Yirong directly feigned ignorance. She widened her eyes, looking utterly bewildered. “Huh? Has the Venerable’s birthday already passed?”

Song Yin was momentarily stunned.

Those bewildered eyes, and that smear of white flour across the bridge of her nose.

It was a look she had never seen before.

Song Yin knew the other party was pretending and couldn’t help but chuckle internally: Even her lies are kind of cute.

Heart Demon: “…Sis! I beg you, wake up!”

The Heart Demon had also seen that memory. To be honest, later-stage Shen Yirong was a killer god. The term “cute” didn’t suit her at all.

The Demon Palace crowd and the green-clad woman were even more dumbfounded.

The green-clad woman shouted with resentment, “Venerable! She really is Shen Yirong! Don’t let her fool you!”

Song Yin found the noise irritating. With a snap of her fingers, the green-clad woman clutched her neck, unable to utter another word.

“How dare an outsider raise a ruckus inside the Demon Palace?” Song Yin’s tone was icy.

This was clearly intended to protect Shen Yirong. Yao Ling secretly sighed in relief.

Shen Yirong also realized the situation. While relieved that she had escaped a disaster, Song Yin’s tolerant love made her feel even more guilty.

“What’s wrong?”

Song Yin tucked the stray strands of hair behind Shen Yirong’s ear, but Shen Yirong was afraid of her tenderness. She chuckled softly. “The Venerable is so good to me.”

Yet, she, Shen Yirong, was a liar, a thief.

Song Yin cupped her face. “All kindness requires a price.”

There were still many people present. Shen Yirong’s internal conflict was chased away by shame. She resisted the urge to flee and asked, “What price do I need to pay?”

Song Yin looked at Shen Yirong. The eyes before her were warm, gentle yet not scorching, making anyone who saw them feel favorably towards her.

There was something Song Yin desperately wanted to say. She wanted to pull the person into her embrace and repeat it over and over in her ear.

Don’t go. Don’t leave me.

But she changed her mind now, merely smiling faintly as she said, “The price is that you will always be happy, with a constant smile.”

Shen Yirong was bewildered. What kind of price was that? That sounded more like a reward.

Shen Yirong felt that if things continued this way, she would become useless. She couldn’t help but ask, “Is the Venerable spoiling me too much?”

“Don’t you like it?”

Shen Yirong struggled. “I do.”

But it shouldn’t be like this. Shen Yirong could sense that this person’s possessiveness was actually very strong, and she could easily get jealous. Yet, since some point, she had become incredibly lenient.

She looked at Song Yin’s face, trying to discern something, but there was nothing.

Shen Yirong was still uneasy. “If the Venerable has any worries, you can confide in me. Perhaps I can help you.”

“I don’t.”

Seeing Song Yin say this, Shen Yirong could only feel helpless. She started to feel tired again, perhaps due to the overload of emotional stress today.

Seeing her fatigue, Song Yin reluctantly turned and instructed Yao Ling, “Take her back to rest.”

Seeing that the matter was resolved, a hint of joy appeared on Yao Ling’s face. She clasped her hands and took the order. “Yes.”

She immediately stood in front of Shen Yirong. “Master, let’s go.”

Shen Yirong also wanted to leave this troubled area, but after a few steps, she noticed Song Yin hadn’t followed. She turned back and asked, “Isn’t the Venerable coming?”

Seeing her Master caring about her, Song Yin couldn’t help but smile. “I still have some things to deal with. You go first.”

Shen Yirong thought that Song Yin was the Demon Venerable, so being busy was normal.

“Master, let’s go,” Yao Ling urged. She always felt that delays could lead to complications.

She was usually lively and couldn’t wait, immediately sending a message to Shen Yirong.

“Master, don’t be afraid. The Venerable still believes in you. Heh, that person is truly absurd, claiming Master is the Sword Venerable. If Master were the Sword Venerable, then I’d be the Heavenly Dao!”

Shen Yirong nodded guiltily, but then asked curiously: Why are you so sure I’m not the Sword Venerable?

Yao Ling tilted her head back, looking profound: I’ve met the Sword Venerable. Master is much livelier than she was.

Yao Ling seemed to have a strong opinion of the Sword Venerable: She was a bit cold in the early days but not bad, but after the failure of the Ruthless Dao, she became a total mad dog!

The ‘mad dog’ herself could only force an awkward smile.

Yao Ling didn’t understand Shen Yirong’s expression. She continued to praise: Although you have the same face, Master, you are ten thousand times better than her.

Goosebumps rose all over Shen Yirong’s body. She looked at Yao Ling suspiciously, seriously doubting if she was possessed. How could someone usually so straightforward learn to flatter?

Seeing that Yao Ling was about to say more, Shen Yirong yawned: What if I really am the Sword Venerable?

Yao Ling smiled: If you were the Sword Venerable, I’d go to Pure Serenity Mountain again.

Shen Yirong remembered that swearing was forbidden there. That was indeed quite harsh.

Shen Yirong yawned again.

“Pretty sister, you’re a bit dead.”

The sound of a child’s voice near her ear startled Shen Yirong. She turned her head to look around.

Yao Ling wondered, “What’s wrong, Master?”

Shen Yirong rubbed her ear. She thought she was hallucinating, so she shook her head and continued walking forward.

“Sister.”

This time, the voice was clearer. Shen Yirong stopped again. She turned around and looked at the lamp. The lamp seemed a little brighter than before.

Shen Yirong found it sinister. The last one to do something like this was Su Yu.

Before she could finish her thought, the Soul-Guiding Lamp suddenly vibrated. Before Shen Yirong could react, the lamp’s green light suddenly spread over her.

Yao Ling was about to pull her away, but the moment she reached out, she opened her eyes in horror.

A terrifying pressure pressed her to the ground.

After a moment of dizziness, Shen Yirong found herself floating in mid-air. Qi Wu and the others, who were flying, were all sprawled on the ground, looking at her with terrified eyes.

“Crack!” The Demon Palace’s barrier was shredded by the raging wind.

The swords of the disciples present trembled and hummed. Some swords seemed to want to unsheathe and leave, but were held firmly by their owners.

Shen Yirong, who hadn’t figured out the situation, looked down and saw that her body was transparent. Through her body, she could see another her standing with her eyes closed.

Shen Yirong was still shocked by turning into a ghost when the child’s voice started again.

“Sister, your body is about to die. I helped draw your soul out.”

Shen Yirong stiffly raised her head. She looked at the green lantern constantly shaking in Song Yin’s hand, and then looked further up.

It was Song Yin’s gradually chilling gaze.

The other party seemed enraged. She let out a soft laugh and called out, “Master.”

Shen Yirong almost fainted right there.

Her secret identity, the one she had carefully guarded for so long, was gone just like that!

Song Yin’s hand, holding the lamp, was clenched so tightly that veins popped out. The Soul-Guiding Lamp went out under her violent action.

After a pulling sensation, Shen Yirong returned to her body.

Becoming the focus of everyone’s attention again, she smiled bitterly. Amidst the tension, there was also a sense of relief, like finally reaching the shore.

Yao Ling’s voice was filled with disbelief. “You actually… are the dog.”

This child is truly rude. How can she swear right to my face?

Shen Yirong smiled bitterly.

The others were not much better off than Yao Ling. After a brief silence, Shen Yirong felt the mounting anger of the Demon Palace crowd.

“It really is the Sword Venerable!”

“Shameless! How dare she deceive the Venerable’s feelings!”

“Kill her!”

Angry as they were, no one dared to step forward, for this was the living Sword Venerable.

An existence on the same level as Song Yin.

As the crowd surged with excitement, the Fourth Protector chuckled softly. “How unexpected.”

Qi Wu snapped, “Shut up.”

The Fourth Protector covered her mouth with her hand, but her eyes were clearly still smiling.

Looking at the displeased Song Yin, Qi Wu hurriedly asked for instructions. “Venerable, how should we deal with her now?”

Song Yin flicked her hand, tossing the Soul-Guiding Lamp into her spatial ring.

Song Yin looked at Shen Yirong, who was sitting on the ground. “Do you have anything you want to say?”

Shen Yirong looked deeply at Song Yin. “I have nothing to say.”

Song Yin clenched her fist. “Don’t you want to explain?”

Shen Yirong was somewhat surprised. According to the usual novel tropes, shouldn’t enemies meet with blazing fury?

Shouldn’t Song Yin be cackling and locking her in a prison for torture immediately?

Asking her to explain? Explain what? Explain her helplessness at the time?

Song Yin would never believe her nonsense about being controlled.

Shen Yirong considered it carefully. Being too desperate to live might get her instantly annihilated by Song Yin. If she acted as if she was indifferent to life and death, she might survive.

Because Song Yin wouldn’t let her have her way.

But why is there still no killing intent?

Shen Yirong scrutinized Song Yin, then straightened her back, looking resolute and morally upright. “There’s nothing to explain. Venerable, please do as you wish.”

This attitude seemed to infuriate Song Yin. She sneered. “Do as I wish? Fine.”

“Qi Wu.”

Qi Wu stepped forward. “Subordinate here.”

Song Yin looked at Shen Yirong again. Seeing her still with her eyes closed, she bit out, “Escort her away! Lock her in the worst cell!”

“Yes!”

With a wave of Qi Wu’s hand, two Outer Palace Protectors escorted Shen Yirong away, one in front and one behind.

Seeing Shen Yirong offer no resistance, Qi Wu’s heart was incredibly conflicted. The ship she had been rooting for had unexpectedly sunk.

But anger outweighed everything else. She contemplated with a cold face how to teach this love cheat a lesson.

But just as she took a step forward, Song Yin’s voice rang in her mind.

A spacious room, a two-meter bed, high-end aromatherapy, various foods, and a bookshelf filled with storybooks right in front of her.

This was the worst cell?

But Shen Yirong was in no mood to study this. She tried to contact Shen Shuci, but received no response.

There were restrictions, spell formations, and everything else surrounding the room, making it impossible to pass through.

The things Song Yin had given her were still there. She tried to use a formation to escape, and although it opened, a large group of people surrounded the outside.

Shen Yirong darkly spied on the situation outside, but saw a familiar figure slowly approaching.

She quickly sat back down at the table, looking as if she had accepted her fate.

After a ripple in the restrictions, Qi Wu opened the door and entered.

Shen Yirong smiled serenely. “Protector Qi.”

Qi Wu didn’t see through her forced composure. Although she hated this person who had hurt the Venerable’s feelings and body, she admired her ability to remain calm in a crisis.

Considering her identity as the Sword Venerable, it all became reasonable again.

Qi Wu’s attitude was no longer as warm as before, but not too distant either. She chose a seat and sat down.

Seeing Shen Yirong elegantly stand up, seemingly wanting to pour her tea, Qi Wu reached out and moved the teacup away, saying coolly, “No need. The Venerable instructed me to send you a few things.”

Shen Yirong felt that this conversation was somewhat familiar, as if she had experienced it before.

After the strange sense of déjà vu came nervousness. Shen Yirong’s smile faded slightly as countless images of torture flashed through her mind.

She picked up her teacup and took a sip.

Why did this tea taste like something she liked, too…

Shen Yirong put down the teacup. “What things?”

Qi Wu’s eye twitched. She took a set of clothes from her spatial ring: a high-collared, traditional Chinese button jacket, with a small sword design, a plain-colored robe with faint sword embroidery.

A light jade green silk sash and a single hairpin.

These were her old clothes, the original ones.

Qi Wu’s voice was cold. “The Venerable said, put on these clothes and go see her tonight.”

Looking at the clothes on the table, Shen Yirong finally understood why the scene was familiar.

It was a repeat performance, but this time, Qi Wu’s face was quite foul, nowhere near as happy as the first time.

Shen Yirong picked up the clothes. She sighed softly. “So, I’m back to where I started.”

The cuff of the robe had traces of Song Yin’s mending. Shen Yirong touched the mended area.

The candlelight flickered merrily in the room. Shen Yirong was lost in thought. The flame slowly transformed into the eyes of Song Yin in her youth. In a trance, she heard Song Yin’s soft voice from the past again.

Calling her ‘Master.’

Shen Yirong sighed and reached out to put on her old clothes.

Night silently descended. This time, the person holding the lantern was not Li Xiu, but Yao Ling.

The latter was unusually silent. After escorting her to the entrance of Song Yin’s secluded cave, she left.

Shen Yirong resignedly walked inside. Preoccupied with worry, she completely failed to notice that the cave dwelling’s interior was much more elaborately decorated.

Shen Yirong stopped outside the inner chamber.

“Come in.”

Shen Yirong smiled bitterly and stepped inside, only to realize that the situation was somewhat off as soon as she entered.

She saw no torture instruments. The room had its original layout, but there were more flowers, plants, and wind chimes.

In a place like this, the wind chimes would never make a sound.

“Heh. Where are you looking?”

Shen Yirong followed the voice and saw Song Yin lying on the bed. Then, she quickly looked away.

Wait? This script is wrong.

Shen Yirong fell into another state of unease.

She blushed, hesitating, and finally chose a tactful way of asking, “Are you hot?”

Song Yin: “…”

Song Yin had spent hours mentally preparing herself, only to receive this one sentence.

Shen Yirong felt awkward. She hadn’t been this awkward when her identity was still concealed.

But now, they had reverted to the Master-disciple and enemy relationship.

Shen Yirong simply closed her eyes. “What do you want to do?”

The Heart Demon chimed in appropriately: Remove the ‘what’ and the ‘do.’

Song Yin, already irritated, angrily snapped, “Shut up!”

Shen Yirong was startled. She stopped talking, but then felt Song Yin getting closer and closer until she was completely enveloped by the scent of orchids.

“Heh, you still don’t want to say anything?”

Because they were so close, Shen Yirong could smell the dampness in the ends of her hair. Song Yin must have washed her hair.

Shen Yirong opened her mouth and said calmly, “What do you want me to say?”

The Heart Demon interjected at the right time: Say, ‘I love you~ I love you so much~’

Song Yin was furious. She immediately suppressed the Heart Demon, forcing it to fall asleep.

Shen Yirong was still waiting for Song Yin’s answer, but what she got was an embrace.

“Liar.”

Shen Yirong opened her mouth, then finally sighed. “I owe you. Do as you wish.”

Song Yin’s voice became gradually dangerous. “Really?”

Of course, it’s false.

Shen Yirong pretended to be calm. “Mm.”

The hands around her waist tightened further. Song Yin held her as if she wanted to meld her into her own flesh and blood.

Song Yin rested her chin on Shen Yirong’s shoulder. Shen Yirong could smell the moisture from her hair and hear her softly calling out, the tone becoming increasingly intimate.

It was as if she was meticulously chewing and swallowing the two words ‘Master.’

Shen Yirong felt her cheeks burning and her ears tingling.

This… I don’t think this is a type of torture.

Shen Yirong couldn’t help but lean back. “What’s wrong?”

Song Yin whispered in her ear. “I missed you.”

This answer was completely unexpected for Shen Yirong, but Song Yin seemed to have found an outlet for her emotions.

“Master, I missed you.”

Shen Yirong completely failed to grasp the current situation. She froze in place, listening to Song Yin’s confession.

“Why, even without the system’s restraint, are you still unwilling to tell me the truth?”

Shen Yirong opened her eyes in shock. “You? You know?”

Shen Yirong felt that the other party’s body temperature was somewhat unusual, but she was too shocked now to notice.

“Of course I know. I know everything. The fact that you were controlled by the system, the fact that you came from another world, and the fact that you want to go back.”

As Song Yin spoke, she sounded slightly resentful. “Did you think that because of my fierce temperament, you wouldn’t be able to escape death even if you confessed?”

Shen Yirong remained silent. “What about you? Since you found out, why didn’t you expose me?”

Song Yin chuckled. “Because I didn’t want you to turn back into the Sword Venerable. But after today, you can’t hide anymore.”

Song Yin then murmured again, “Master, I missed you.”

“I missed you so much.”

Shen Yirong was temporarily unable to sort out her emotions. “Although what happened then was circumstantial, don’t you hate me?”

Song Yin chuckled softly. “I do hate you.”

“I hate that Master was good to everyone, but treated me so poorly.”

“I hate that you always smiled at others but were stern with me.”

“I hate that you saved me when I was about to give up on you, giving me hope.”

“I hate that this seems to be a solo show for me, and you’re never willing to step onto the stage.”

“And I also hate myself.”

Song Yin’s words were calm, yet they stirred up more ripples in Shen Yirong’s already unquiet heart.

Shen Yirong: “You…”

Song Yin suddenly let out a soft laugh. “But I don’t hate you anymore.”

“Master, let’s cultivate together.”