Many thoughts flashed through Yan Xuehen’s mind. Awkwardness and embarrassment gushed into her mind, overwhelming her.
But Chu Chuyan suddenly grabbed her. “Master, I know you’re worried about me, but you can put your mind at ease. I’m already used to it. It’s not that different from when I was cultivating in seclusion in the White Jade Sect; it’s just a change of environment. You know I prefer quiet. Staying here might be an ordeal to others, but it’s not difficult for me.”
“Ah?” Yan Xuehen blinked. Is that what she wants to say? She finally understood what it meant to have a guilty conscience. After breathing a sigh of relief, her conscience got to her, and she said, “Chuyan, I...”
But Chu Chuyan didn’t give her the chance to speak. “Master, I wasn’t joking about that. I won’t be able to accompany Ah Zu for a thousand years, so can you take care of him on my behalf?”
Yan Xuehen panicked. “How can I take care of him...”
“Ah Zu is strong, but he’s still young. As the saying goes, ‘deity at a whim, demon at another’. Master, you should stay with him and guide him. If he strays down the wrong path, I fear that no one will be able to stop him,” Chu Chuyan said.
The serious talk cleared Yan Xuehen’s mind a little. She solemnly nodded. “Alright.”
As the leader of the orthodox path, the duty to uphold justice was ingrained in her. What Chu Chuyan mentioned could potentially happen, and that would spell a calamity for the world.
Seeing her master’s grim expression made Chu Chuyan snicker on the inside. I know Ah Zu’s personality well. He might stray when it comes to women, but he won’t make a mistake in other matters.
She had only said that to give Yan Xuehen a valid pretext to stay by Ah Zu’s side. When she first learned about her lover getting together with her master, she was angry, but many things had happened since. She'd gone on a long journey and even traveled along the river of time under different identities. This was minor compared to everything she'd been through.
Furthermore, she knew her lover well. He was a philanderer at heart, and it didn’t help that he was handsome and powerful. It would be hard for other women not to be charmed by him. I’d rather my master benefit than other strangers out there. At least we’re keeping it within our lineage. My master is the most outstanding woman in the world. Countless heroes were awed by her back then and courted her. She only remained single for so long due to our cultivation methods and her personality.
Chu Chuyan had previously wondered what man could win over her master, and had even tried finding a dao companion for her. Who could have known that her master, who had shown no interest in other men, would fall for her lover? Should I be proud or angry?
To top it off, those two had only gotten together due to her ‘Snow Lady’ condition back then. It was a trick of fate for her to have playedd matchmaker between her master and her lover.
Many years of interacting with her master gave her a good grasp of her master’s temperament. She knew her master couldn’t overcome her guilt, and it was evident from the other party’s conscience-stricken expression and distracted attitude. This matter had to have been weighing down on her mind.
Intense emotional fluctuation was a taboo for her master’s cultivation method. At this rate, it could become an inner demon.
But Chuyan knew her master cared about her reputation and was easily embarrassed. If she was too direct, it wouldn't be beyond her master to draw her sword and end her life on the spot. So, she had to advance slowly and let her master slowly grow accustomed to this relationship.
Haaa, my lover and my master are hooking up behind my back, and I still have to give them a push. This sure is hard on me. She felt exhausted.
But when she thought about how she was playing her lofty master like a fiddle, she soon smiled with glee. I bet she’ll show the most interesting expression when the truth comes out...
The corners of her lips curled upward. She didn’t feel as indignant anymore.
Yan Xuehen grabbed her disciple’s hand as she vowed, “Chuyan, I’ll find a way to free you."
Chu Chuyan wanted to tell her master not to concern herself with something that even Zu An was helpless about, but she was worried that such words would wound her master’s pride. So, she replied with a smile, “Thank you, master.”
The two of them chatted for a long time. By the time she came out to beckon Zu An over, Yan Xuehen’s eyes were red. She said, “She wants to meet you.”
“You cried?”
Zu An instinctively tried to wipe her tears, but Yan Xuehen stepped back while nervously looking at the Bridge of Helplessness. Despite knowing that Chu Chuyan couldn’t see them here, she felt awkward.
Before flying under the Bridge of Helplessness, Zu An cast a spell on Yan Xuehen to protect her soul.
“I told my master to take care of you. She agreed,” Chu Chuyan said with a smile.
“How’s that possible?” Zu An narrowed his eyes skeptically. “Did you tell her the truth?”
“Of course not,” Chu Chuyan scoffed. “She still doesn’t know I know, so don’t you dare tell her. Otherwise, I’ll never forgive you.”
“Fine...” Zu An couldn’t understand what was going through her mind, but he could only go along with her. I’ll leave it up to time to resolve this issue.
Chu Chuyan rested her head on Zu An’s chest. “Ah Zu, I’m worried about your trip to Dreamland...”
“It could be a fortuitous encounter too. Either way, it’s something I’ll have to overcome. We can’t remain stuck here, or else we’ll be helpless if trouble comes knocking.” Zu An thought about the monsters and the Annihilation Beast that had destroyed the Monster World.
This was a Wonderpoint World, but that could still be insufficient against the universal deities. Given that Zhao Yuan and the others had obtained a universal deity’s annihilation energy, his gut feeling told him it was a matter of time before more trouble arrived.
Besides, there was something he wanted in Dreamland.
The two of them cuddled and chatted for a long time. However, it was soon about to be daybreak in the mortal world. Chu Chuyan was worried that Yan Xuehen’s soul would sustain damage if she stayed in the Netherworld for too long, so she reluctantly bade farewell.
While Zu An was taking Yan Xuehen out of the Netherworld, the latter suddenly said, “Ah Zu, about the universal deities you mentioned earlier, I think I came into contact with a similar power before.”
“What?” Zu An was startled. “Which deity did you come into contact with?”
Yan Xuehen was uncertain. “I don’t know. I didn’t see its physical form. It was a pitch-black world with a tinge of white around it. I sensed a peculiar power. It was even stronger than the Absolute Dispassion that I pursue.”