The Immortal Lord of the Path of Ruthlessness Bends for Me - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: “Master, You’re So Soft.” (3-in-1)

This sleep was heavy and devoid of consciousness, like falling into the underworld where no dawn could be found. She walked alone on long, black steps with no candlelight, save for a single bright pearl at the peak of a mountain. There, a figure stood in the radiance, waiting for her, watching her, and smiling.

“Master…” she murmured weakly.

“Wake up, Miss Ling.” It was Auntie Hai’s gentle voice.

Upon waking, Ling Shu saw a joyful face asking how she felt, but she didn’t want to see her. She turned her head away. Li Qiaoyan was also guarding the bedside, dark circles under her eyes.

Auntie Hai brought a bowl over with a light smile. “It’s good that you’re awake. Come, have some ginseng soup.” Ling Shu didn’t refuse Auntie Hai and allowed herself to be propped up against the headboard.

The soup was bitter with a lingering sweet fragrance. Ling Shu detested bitterness—she couldn’t even stand bitter melon. The soup was so foul she spat it out immediately, her face contorting. “I don’t want this. It’s too bitter.”

Auntie Hai held it out again. “Your qi and blood are depleted. You must supplement them!”

Li Qiaoyan urged her as well. “Yes, your body won’t hold up if you don’t drink. If it’s too bitter, I’ll add some honey water.”

Ling Shu pushed the bowl away. “I won’t drink it!”

“Drink.” A familiar coldness, a familiar clear voice. Just one word commanded all of Ling Shu’s attention.

That ice-pure, beautiful woman walked over, stopping at a distance with a frost-like attitude, looking directly at Ling Shu.

Intimidated, Ling Shu took the bowl from Auntie Hai and swallowed the bitter liquid in small, forced gulps, her brow furrowed the whole time.

Auntie Hai laughed. “As expected, the Immortal’s words carry weight. Good girl. You must drink more of this tonic. When I got the message, I rushed over and saw that Ziwu Killing Array—I was terrified! The Immortal was far too bold; that’s an ancient array specifically meant to suppress demons, long since forbidden. Yet she sent a little servant like me to save you instead of coming herself! Too much!”

“Miss Ling, you scared me to death when you fainted. I thought your soul had returned to the underworld. I hurried to Dongli to find the Immortal to save you. After she performed her magic, you slept for two whole days. I was worried sick, you were one foot in the grave, and yet your ‘cheap Master’ here still had the mind to go picking out gemstones! What kind of person is she?” Auntie Hai shot a glare at Zhuang Jinfu.

Zhuang Jinfu spoke calmly, “She wasn’t going to die. What’s the rush?”

Ling Shu’s heart sank. She had been between life and death in a killing array, yet Zhuang Jinfu was browsing for gems down the mountain. It seemed her life was worth less than… a dead object.

Thinking this, Ling Shu masochistically took a huge gulp of the bitter soup. It wasn’t enough; this physical bitterness couldn’t offset the gloom in her heart. She downed the rest of the bowl in one go, coughing as she finished too quickly. “I’m done. Is there more?”

Li Qiaoyan patted her back to soothe her. “Drink slowly.” Ling Shu swatted her hand away.

Zhuang Jinfu turned and walked out of sight. The room was warm, and one could only feel her icy spiritual root’s chill when she was close.

“Have you been guarding me this whole time?” Ling Shu asked Li Qiaoyan reluctantly, noting her fatigue.

“Yes. I don’t want anything to happen to you.” Li Qiaoyan, a noble woman of high status, had humbled herself to stay in this small house for her.

Ling Shu softened slightly but didn’t forget who she was. “You don’t need to do this. I have nothing to do with you.”

Li Qiaoyan tried to take her hand, but Ling Shu pulled back. Li Qiaoyan simply tucked the blanket tighter around her. “You are her daughter. That makes you my daughter. Even if you don’t acknowledge me, I acknowledge you.”

Ling Shu couldn’t understand. “The second Miss of your Li family is dead. You don’t care about her, yet you’re kind to the person who indirectly caused her death? Are you sick?”

Li Qiaoyan’s expression flickered. “She moved against you first with ill intent. You are not in the wrong.”

“Don’t think this will make me accept you,” Ling Shu said, pulling the blanket up.

“I… don’t expect you to,” Li Qiaoyan whispered. “I just want you to be well. If you suffer, your mother would worry.”

Ling Shu scoffed. “She’d worry? She wants me dead. If a killing array didn’t work, who knows what’s next. Stop wasting your time on a ‘vile little person’ like me. Get out.”

Li Qiaoyan was silent for a moment. “Fine. Rest well. I will investigate the killing array with your mother.”

“Don’t let the door hit you.”

After Li Qiaoyan left, Ling Shu immediately threw off the covers. She had to find where Zhuang Jinfu went.

She stepped out and heard: “Where are you going?”

She turned to see Zhuang Jinfu sitting behind a desk, arranging gemstones over several white papers with intricate, magnificent designs. Ling Shu’s heart skipped. “Looking for you.”

Zhuang Jinfu paused. “What for?”

“Nothing…”

Zhuang Jinfu didn’t respond, turning back to the gems. The dust motes in the air seemed to curve around her, fearing the cold.

“Are you… still angry?” Ling Shu tested the waters. “I was rebellious and insolent. Just kick me off the mountain. I want to leave.”

Zhuang Jinfu placed a ruby on a design and sketched a few lines with a pen. Without looking up, she repeated: “Leave?”

“Yes. I offended the Immortal. I should be expelled.”

Zhuang Jinfu finally met her eyes. “Do you think your life at the Upper Clarity Sect is miserable?”

“What? Yes, it is.”

“Oh? How so?”

Ling Shu said bitterly, “Everyone insults me. They see me as a world-destroying monster. They hit me and curse me for no reason just because I was born a demon. Even with half human blood, I get no mercy.”

“And how has it been these past few days while I was away?”

“Terrible,” Ling Shu pouted. “I almost died. Those cowards took the chance while you were gone to kill me. And Wang Lifu actually used a Ziwu Killing Array!”

Zhuang Jinfu nodded as if realizing something. “So you want to leave.”

“It’s not that…” Ling Shu stammered.

“Then why?”

There it was—that gaze that seemed to scrutinize every hidden thought in one’s soul.

“It’s not important.” Ling Shu stabilized herself. “I’ve offended you so much. Why haven’t you kicked me out?”

Zhuang Jinfu said plainly, “Young hearts are prone to infatuation. It is human nature.”

That wasn’t the answer Ling Shu wanted.

Zhuang Jinfu looked at her seriously. “Do you really want to go down the mountain?”

Ling Shu’s eyes sparkled. “Can you really forgive me?”

“Why not?” Zhuang Jinfu finally put down the gems. “The Upper Clarity Sect is a simple environment, yet you’ve faced so much danger. Down there, the world is a chaotic mix of demon hunters, soul-refiners, and evil cultivators who all hunger for your core. You have thousand-year power, but so what? There are ten thousand ways to harm someone.”

Ling Shu was stumped. She knew leaving wasn’t wise. Now, she had something she didn’t have when she first arrived: Desire. Desire for Zhuang Jinfu.

“Do you still want to leave?” Zhuang Jinfu pressed.

“I don’t know.”

“What if I require you to make a choice today?”

Ling Shu’s ears began to ring. She only processed the words “I want you.” The rest blurred. Zhuang Jinfu wanted her to stay.

“What choice do you want me to make?”

“I cannot decide for you. It is your right.”

“Fine.”

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“Do you want to go back to kneeling in the snow?”

“Am I allowed to want that?”

“No.”

Ling Shu suddenly let out a soft “Ah!” and her legs buckled. She began to fall like a wilting willow. Before she hit the floor, a hand caught her waist. Amidst a wave of cold fragrance, she saw a worried face.

“Careful.”

Pfft. Ling Shu couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhuang Jinfu immediately let go, her expression one of being deceived.

Ling Shu sidled up to the desk, peeking at the drawings. “What is the Immortal making? These designs are beautiful.”

Zhuang Jinfu snatched the papers away, covering them. “You haven’t answered me. Are you staying or going?”

“I…” Ling Shu smiled mischievously. “Don’t know.”

Zhuang Jinfu: “…” The fox is being wicked.

Ling Shu picked up a ruby from the mess of stones. It was the size of a pigeon’s egg, a deep red with perfect facets. “Is this for jewelry? It’s stunning.”

“You like it?”

“If I say yes, will you give it to me?”

“…” Zhuang Jinfu took the stone back and began putting everything into a lacquer box.

Ling Shu let out another “Ouch!” and “stumbled” right into Zhuang Jinfu’s lap. She felt the Immortal’s breath hitch. A cool hand caught her waist again.

“Careful.”

Ling Shu leaned her full weight against her. “Master… I have no strength.”

The grip on her waist tightened as Zhuang Jinfu tried to lift her up. The same trick twice, and she had still caught her.

Ling Shu braced her hands on the Immortal’s shoulders. Just as Zhuang Jinfu thought she was standing up and began to loosen her grip, Ling Shu pivoted and sat squarely on her lap! She curled into her chest.

“Master, my legs are tired. I want to sit a while.”

Zhuang Jinfu’s hands froze in mid-air. “Even if you are tired, you cannot sit like this.”

“We both have our clothes on. No kissing or touching. I’m just weak from the killing array. I’m just borrowing some of Master’s immortal aura to nourish my meridians.”

“It is inappropriate.”

The fluffy head nuzzled her ear. Ling Shu’s hands reached up to hook around Zhuang Jinfu’s neck. “I’m not getting down!”

Zhuang Jinfu, annoyed, raised a hand to cast a spell. Ling Shu quickly cried out, “My body is weak! I can’t take a hit!”

The ice crystals that were forming dissipated. Zhuang Jinfu’s hand dropped.

Ling Shu giggled internally and pressed closer, her soft body rubbing against the Immortal’s chest. She leaned into her ear and whispered silkily, “Master, you’re so soft.”

The next second, the fox was sent flying across the room. The second after that, she was caught mid-air by the same person.

Creak.

Auntie Hai pushed the door open. “Miss Ling, the soup got cold so I reheated it… oh…”

Bang.

The door slammed shut. The tray of soup was left hovering in the air by magic as Auntie Hai fled. “Sorry for the interruption! I’ll leave the soup here! Drink it while it’s hot!”

Zhuang Jinfu’s anger spiked. Her gaze toward Ling Shu was full of threat. The air around them turned freezing.

Uh oh. I went too far. Ling Shu realized she had to play her ace.

“I’m willing to stay at Upper Clarity Mountain!”

The air warmed instantly. Zhuang Jinfu’s gaze softened, and the ice vanished. A tiny smile touched the corners of her lips. “Mmh. I see.”

She set Ling Shu down. Ling Shu scurried away to the soup for safety. The honey had made it sweet—Auntie Hai was the best.

Zhuang Jinfu went back to her gems. Ling Shu, trying to win favor, rushed over. “Master! Let me help you clean up!” She gulped down the soup and started tidying the desk. Once finished, Zhuang Jinfu tucked the items into her sleeve and headed out.

She found Auntie Hai eavesdropping by the door.

“Hmm?” Zhuang Jinfu hummed with heavy pressure.

“I wasn’t… intentionally listening!” Auntie Hai stammered.

“We are not in that kind of relationship,” Zhuang Jinfu said flatly.

Auntie Hai waved it off. “Right, right! I understand! I get it!”

Zhuang Jinfu rubbed her temples. “Read fewer romance novels.”

Inside the kitchen, Wang Lifu was waiting.

“How is she?” Wang Lifu asked. “Not dead.” “It was my oversight. I didn’t know someone’s reach was so long.”

Zhuang Jinfu frowned. “Didn’t you want her dead? Wouldn’t her death suit your ‘great justice’ of preventing a demon king from rising?”

Wang Lifu froze. It was a rare condemnation. After a long silence, she said, “You asked me to give her a chance. I did. But if she ever truly tries to destroy the world, I will not show mercy.”

“Don’t worry about the future,” Zhuang Jinfu replied. “Just keep her safe now. Keep your affairs away from her. She has agreed to stay.”

Wang Lifu was shocked. “How did you manage that? Impressive!”

“Don’t worry about it. Just remember she is on the mountain and don’t cause her trouble.”

Wang Lifu smiled. “You really care for this girl.”

“I follow the Path of No Emotion.”

“Right. My apologies.” Wang Lifu left.

Zhuang Jinfu turned to the kitchen. “Auntie Hai, where’s the food?”

“Coming! Ginseng chicken, poached shrimp, steamed bass, and pear soup!”

Zhuang Jinfu looked at the live shrimp in the water. “Add a serving of crystal shrimp dumplings.”

“Isn’t that for breakfast?” Auntie Hai muttered.

“She likes them. Add them.”

Walking out, Zhuang Jinfu saw a fledgling bird that had fallen from its nest. It chirped helplessly. Higher up, two other chicks were calling out. Zhuang Jinfu’s white plum skirt brushed past them.

She saw Ling Shu in the corridor playing with a stray cat. A tabby cat had brought a tiny kitten to her.

“Do you want me to have your baby?” Ling Shu asked the cat. “I want to, but babies shouldn’t leave their families.”

The cat pushed the kitten closer. Ling Shu stroked its head. “A baby without a home is so sad. What if I’m not good at it and it dies? You’d be sad too, wouldn’t you?”

“Master!” Ling Shu waved. Zhuang Jinfu didn’t respond and turned away.

Is she avoiding me? Did I upset her again? Ling Shu felt guilty until she saw Zhuang Jinfu stop at the tree. The Immortal used her magic to lift the fallen bird, healed it, and placed it back in the nest.

Ling Shu ran over with the cat. “Master! I thought you were ignoring me. You were just sending the bird home.”

She looked at the cat in her arms. “You aren’t so emotionless after all.”

“I am.”

“Look at this kitten! Isn’t it cute?” The tabby rubbed against Ling Shu’s leg. “Master, can I bring these two strays back to Qingxi Mountain?”

Ling Shu’s eyes were bright and full of life—a vibrancy Zhuang Jinfu hadn’t seen in a long time. It reminded her of herself long ago, when she had protected a small cat-demon during her travels, only for the cat to sacrifice its demon core to heal her wounds.

What turned me from someone who loved all things into someone who could watch a bird fall with no feeling? And why… why did I want to save Ling Shu?

“Master, please? I want to take them back!”

Zhuang Jinfu had practiced the Path of No Emotion for too long. She usually thought saving the weak only delayed the inevitable. But today, she wanted to change that.

“Master, you agreed!” “I’m going to buy the best cat bed!”

Zhuang Jinfu handed her a heavy pouch of money. “Go spend it.”

Ling Shu bounded away joyfully.

In the market, Ling Shu was ambushed in an alley. A strong hand pulled her, but with her thousand-year power, she stood like a rock. The person pulling her was sent flying into a wall, their hat falling off to reveal a bloody face.

“Save… save me…” “Zhao Chi?”

Ling Shu turned to leave. “I won’t help you.”

Zhao Chi grabbed her arm, pleading. “I’m sorry. I was wrong to try to kill you. Please… you’re the only one who can help me!”

“Let go!” Ling Shu broke free. Zhao Chi collapsed, her knuckles white as she gripped the wall. “I’m sorry… please save my life.”

Ling Shu hugged her kitten. “Don’t think tears will work. When you tried to kill me, did you care about my despair?”

“I can tell you who ordered me to kill you,” Zhao Chi choked out.

Ling Shu paused. “How do I know this isn’t another trap?”

“It’s not. Since I realized we’re both just unfortunate souls, I lost the will to kill you. Please believe me.”

“I have a Master,” Ling Shu said. “You’re just trying to use her to protect you.”

Zhao Chi wiped her tears. “Yes. But if you save me, I’ll give you information you’ll be interested in.”

“Oh? Let’s hear it.”

Zhao Chi let Ling Shu put a sword to her throat. “I… I know who killed your mother.”

Ling Shu’s hand shook. She pressed the blade in, drawing blood. “Was it you?! I’ll kill you!”

“It wasn’t me! I didn’t know them then!” Zhao Chi cried. “Those three cultivators and your stepmother… they were sent by her. She didn’t want to kill your mother; she wanted you. But her subordinates got greedy when they saw your mother’s core and lured her into giving it up. There were two groups. The group sent for you was mysteriously killed, so you only saw the ones chasing your mother.”

“Who helped me?” Ling Shu demanded.

“I don’t know. They were powerful and good at hiding their tracks.”

“Who is the mastermind?!”

“Save me… then I’ll tell you.”

Ling Shu dropped the sword and dragged Zhao Chi toward Zhuang Jinfu’s home.

Zhuang Jinfu agreed to help. With a flick of her magic, she healed Zhao Chi’s life-threatening wounds.

“Am I okay?” Zhao Chi asked. “You won’t die,” Zhuang Jinfu said coldly.

Zhao Chi spat out a glob of bad blood. She bowed. “Thank you, Immortal. Miss Ling.”

“Tell me! Who was it!” Ling Shu barked. “It was someone from the Li family.” “Li Qiaoyan?” “I won’t say until I’m fully recovered,” Zhao Chi smirked.

Ling Shu was furious but agreed to the deal.

Dinner was served—Auntie Hai’s feast. Suddenly, a magical arrow shot through the air, piercing Auntie Hai’s chest. She dropped the pot of soup and fell.

Zhuang Jinfu used her magic to catch the soup and set it on the table.

Master… you saved the soup instead of the person?

Auntie Hai got up, pulled the arrow out (which vanished into air), and laughed. “I’m not that easy to kill!”

“It was just a warning,” Zhuang Jinfu said, sipping her tea.

Zhao Chi was terrified. Ling Shu, suspicious, decided to ensure Zhao Chi’s loyalty. She plucked a fox hair, blew on it, and it merged into Zhao Chi’s body.

Suddenly, Zhao Chi’s limbs twisted, and she fell to the floor, her body burning with intense, uncontrollable lust. Before she could tear her clothes off, Ling Shu blew another breath, clearing her head.

“What did you do to me?!”

“Just a fox hair,” Ling Shu grinned. “If you betray me, you’ll be trapped in never-ending lust. You’ll beg for death.”

“Demon girl,” Zhao Chi hissed.

“I am a fox demon, after all,” Ling Shu said proudly.

They sat down to eat. Zhuang Jinfu placed a chicken leg in Ling Shu’s bowl and a bowl of soup in front of Zhao Chi. Zhao Chi, who hadn’t felt the warmth of a family meal since her parents died, fought back tears.

But under the table, Ling Shu’s foot slipped beneath Zhuang Jinfu’s white plum skirt, hooking around her ankle and sliding slowly up her calf.

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