Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 17

Jade Court Forest.

Luo Jiu finished drawing the last talisman, neatly placed them in a box, and only then realized it was completely dark outside. Shang Qianye still hadn’t arrived.

She had specifically asked Shang Qianye to come after nightfall yesterday.

Luo Jiu rose from her chair and walked into the courtyard. A full moon, like a luminous disc, had just risen overhead. The Lingxiao Sect’s barrier was now concealed in the darkness, leaving only the occasional glimmer of starlight.

The Lin Hai was pitch-black, not even the chirping of birds could be heard.

“Where is she?” Luo Jiu frowned slightly. Shang Qianye had always been punctual. With so much going on at the Lingxiao Sect these past few days, she hoped nothing had happened to her.

Just as Luo Jiu was about to send Shang Qianye a sound transmission talisman, a golden butterfly carrying spiritual energy fluttered over from the distant mountains, circling leisurely around her.

This is… Shang Qianye’s spiritual energy butterfly?

Luo Jiu found it strange. She sensed no danger from the butterfly, which meant Shang Qianye wasn’t in any immediate peril.

If she’s not in danger, why didn’t she come herself and send a butterfly instead?

Puzzled, Luo Jiu reached out to touch the butterfly. The moment her fingertip brushed its antennae, the golden butterfly seemed to receive a command and drifted leisurely in a specific direction.

Luo Jiu remained still, watching it.

After flying a short distance, the butterfly realized Luo Jiu wasn’t following. It fluttered back, landed on her shoulder, and flapped its wings, signaling her to follow.

“What is Shang Qianye up to?” Luo Jiu wondered.

Though curious, Luo Jiu didn’t refuse the clumsy butterfly. She decided to see where it would lead her.

They traversed the Jade Court Forest and followed a secluded path. Luo Jiu moved swiftly and lightly, keeping pace with the fluttering butterfly. After about the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, they passed through a stone forest, and the landscape suddenly opened up before her.

In the dark night, a bright moon hung high in the sky. In the distance lay a vast lake, at its center stood a colossal purple-crowned tree. The lake’s edge was carpeted with small, ethereal blue flowers that swayed gently in the night breeze like fireflies, their movements mirroring the ripples on the water’s surface.

The scene was breathtaking, even Luo Jiu couldn’t help but linger, admiring the view.

“Master.”

Shang Qianye’s voice came from beside her. Luo Jiu turned her head and saw Shang Qianye standing outside a pavilion, smiling brightly at her.

Luo Jiu paused before stepping toward the pavilion.

“You brought me here just to show me this?” Luo Jiu asked, standing beside Shang Qianye and noticing the wine and snacks arranged inside the pavilion.

Shang Qianye scratched her cheek sheepishly. “Actually, Gu Yunqing discovered this place,” she explained. “When she brought me here, I immediately thought Master would love it, so I prepared some wine and snacks to invite you to come see it.”

She blinked her eyes, looking at Luo Jiu with a pleading expression. “Does Master think it’s beautiful here?”

Luo Jiu glanced at her but didn’t want to dampen her enthusiasm.

“It’s very beautiful,” Luo Jiu said. “I really like this place.”

Shang Qianye visibly brightened and immediately said, “Master, come sit down. I’ll pour you some wine.”

Inside the pavilion, Luo Jiu gazed at the breathtaking scenery while savoring the wine Shang Qianye had poured for her.

The wine was crisp, fragrant, and smooth, perfectly suited to Luo Jiu’s taste.

It had to be said, Shang Qianye took exceptionally good care of Luo Jiu. Any other disciple might not have been as attentive. The thought of this perfect disciple being afflicted by the love gu, which would soon kill her if left untreated, filled Luo Jiu’s heart with conflicting emotions.

The love gu, no matter the method, had to be cured.

“Master?”

Shang Qianye watched Luo Jiu drink a cup of wine and then stare absently at the empty cup. Concerned, she asked, “Does the wine not suit your taste? Perhaps you’d prefer some of these pastries? They’re all your favorites.”

“Qianye.”

Luo Jiu didn’t glance at the pastries but instead turned to look at the person beside her.

Seeing Luo Jiu’s serious expression, Shang Qianye immediately straightened her posture, a flicker of anxiety in her heart. Had she misjudged the mood tonight and angered Luo Jiu again?

That couldn’t be right. Luo Jiu clearly enjoyed this kind of atmosphere.

“Yesterday, I consulted Elder Yu of the Medicinal Cultivator sect about the love gu,” Luo Jiu said, setting down her cup and looking at Shang Qianye. “Elder Yu said that only the person who cast the gu might be able to cure it. We must find the Snake Lady.”

Shang Qianye fell silent. “But Master, the Snake Lady… she…”

“We absolutely must continue searching for the Snake Lady,” Luo Jiu said. “You’re my most prized disciple, and I won’t abandon you.”

She added firmly, “I will save you.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes lit up at these words. She gazed at Luo Jiu, her ears flushing crimson, and quickly lowered her head, looking away. “Th-thank you, Master,” she stammered.

Seeing Shang Qianye’s bowed head, Luo Jiu assumed she was deeply moved by her words. She reached out and placed her hand over the back of Shang Qianye’s hand, feeling her entire body stiffen.

“There’s one more thing I need to tell you,” Luo Jiu said after a moment’s hesitation, resigning herself to the task. “The Heart Demon is no good. We can’t let it fester unchecked in your heart. It’s best to prevent it from manifesting at all.”

Shang Qianye looked up at her. “But Master, I can’t control the Heart Demon.”

Luo Jiu nodded. “I know. That’s why… we need to change the Gu removal date from the seventh day to the sixth.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes widened in shock.

Luo Jiu felt awkward after saying this. Sensing the heat radiating from Shang Qianye’s skin, she withdrew her hand, avoiding her gaze. “Your Heart Demon almost always appears on the seventh day,” she explained. “Elder Yu suggested moving the Gu removal to the sixth day. It might help suppress it.”

“But… on the sixth day, I… I…”

Shang Qianye’s voice trailed off, her mouth unable to form the words. In previous instances, her encounters with Luo Jiu had occurred while she was in a delirious state. At most, she would secretly savor the memory the next morning. But to face Luo Jiu consciously… to undergo the Gu removal… it was simply…

Simply…

Shang Qianye’s face flushed crimson, yet her gaze remained fixed on Luo Jiu, unwilling to break the connection even for a moment.

The intensity of her gaze made Luo Jiu’s hands and feet tingle with unease. She turned back abruptly, glaring at Shang Qianye with a hint of irritation. “Do you think I want to do this?” she snapped.

“But… Master,” Shang Qianye couldn’t help but point out, “your face is red too.”