Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 19

Shang Qianye had just drifted off to sleep in her beloved Master’s arms when she was jolted awake by a flurry of sound transmission talismans.

She blinked groggily, her eyes widening as she saw seven or eight talismans hovering above her head, each flickering with light.

Luo Jiu, also awakened by the commotion, glared at the floating talismans and snapped impatiently, “Get out and listen to them.”

Shang Qianye: “……”

Another scolding from Master today.

She grabbed a few pieces of clothing and threw them on. The talismans lined up behind her head like a procession as she left the bedroom. Luo Jiu, eyes still closed and brow furrowed in annoyance, pulled the blanket over her head, refusing to acknowledge the disturbance.

In the courtyard, Shang Qianye found a quiet spot and began listening.

Senior Sister Shang, I went to your room to find you, but you weren’t there. Where are you?

Senior Sister Shang, hurry to the front gate! It’s been bustling since dawn. The Royal Family has arrived—a whole swarm of them!

Senior Sister, where are you? Did you receive my sound transmission talisman? Come to the Council Hall immediately!

Never mind, you don’t need to come. My mother and that Eldest Princess talked for a while, and they didn’t even fight! I was so scared!

Senior Sister, Senior Sister, did you receive my sound transmission talisman?

Senior Sister, if you got it, please reply! I really need you right now!

Shang Qianye listened to the sound transmission talismans Gu Yunqing had sent her, one after another. Only then did she realize something major must have happened today. She glanced at the quiet room and decided not to disturb Luo Jiu for now. Instead, she would go to Front Mountain to investigate the situation herself.

Arriving quickly at Front Mountain, Shang Qianye saw a large crowd gathered in the plaza.

Gu Yunqing stood nearby, dressed in a striking bright yellow robe. She spotted Shang Qianye emerging from the crowd and her eyes lit up. She rushed over to her side.

“Senior Sister, I sent you so many sound transmission talismans! Why didn’t you reply to even one?” Gu Yunqing asked, her voice tinged with frustration. “I went to your courtyard but couldn’t find you. Where did you sleep last night?”

Shang Qianye avoided answering the last question and instead asked, “What’s happening here?”

Gu Yunqing quickly explained, “Early this morning, Pei Hui’s mother—the Eldest Princess—arrived with a large entourage. Mother received them in the Council Hall, and I don’t know what they discussed, but now they seem to be negotiating compensation.”

After all, Pei Hui had been sent on a mission by the Lingxiao Sect. Even if she was killed by members of the Demonic Sect, the Lingxiao Sect would still have to offer some compensation.

Shang Qianye could already imagine what the Royal Family would demand: nothing more than spiritual elixirs, medicinal herbs, and precious magical artifacts. After haggling over the quantities, they would finally agree on a number and take Pei Hui’s body back.

Gu Yunqing, of course, knew this as well. She crossed her arms and said helplessly, “Senior Sister, you should have seen the Eldest Princess. She rushed in, sobbing and wailing, without saying a word. All the talking was done by the court ladies beside her—probably all part of their scheme. They’re inside right now, demanding compensation.”

The ice-cold Little Princess, now exchanged for a mountain of spiritual elixirs and medicinal herbs.

Truly the way of the Royal Family.

Shang Qianye frowned. “There’s no choice. The Sect Leader wants to settle this peacefully, so we’ll have to offer compensation.”

Gu Yunqing nodded, but when her gaze fell on Shang Qianye, she exclaimed, “Huh? Senior Sister, this belt looks so familiar… Isn’t it Junior Aunt’s?”

Shang Qianye’s heart skipped a beat. She met Gu Yunqing’s eyes, unsure how to explain.

It seemed she had indeed grabbed the wrong belt when she picked up her clothes from the ground.

But she couldn’t admit it.

“I…”

Just as Shang Qianye’s mind raced to find a plausible excuse, a commotion erupted among the surrounding disciples.

“They’re coming out!”

“Who is it? The Eldest Princess?”

“No, wait… why is he bald?”

Drawn by the commotion, Shang Qianye and Gu Yunqing turned to look. They saw a monk in a red-and-gold kasaya, accompanied by a young novice, emerge from the Council Hall. The elder monk had white eyebrows, cloudy eyes, and a stooped posture, leaning on a golden staff.

The young novice, dressed in a plain gray robe, followed closely behind the elder, his bald head gleaming brightly.

Why did they bring two monks?

Shang Qianye glanced over, wondering if the Royal Family intended to perform a ritual of deliverance right here at the Lingxiao Sect. But then, as if sensing her gaze, the elder monk suddenly lifted his head and looked directly at her.

The whites of the elder monk’s eyes were already a dull gray, but they widened slightly as he locked eyes with Shang Qianye, freezing in place.

Shang Qianye: …?!

Is this old monk looking at me?

Surrounded by many people, Shang Qianye couldn’t be sure if the old monk was looking at her. Before she could ponder further, several figures emerged from the Council Hall, led by Gu Jin. Accompanying her were Yu Shiyan, the Medicinal Cultivator, and a few unfamiliar faces.

Based on their attire, Shang Qianye surmised they were the Eldest Princess and her court ladies.

“Your Highness,” Gu Jin said, standing beside a strikingly beautiful and regal woman. “Now that things have come to this, please don’t grieve any longer. I will personally arrange for compensation regarding the Little Princess. For now, let me take you to see her. She’s residing in a residence behind the mountain.”

The Eldest Princess dabbed at the corners of her reddened eyes and nodded to Gu Jin. “Thank you, Headmaster Gu.”

Gu Yunqing, with her sharp ears, overheard their conversation from afar. She scoffed and remarked to Shang Qianye, “Looks like Mother coughed up quite a bit. Even the Eldest Princess’s complexion has improved.”

Shang Qianye glared at Gu Yunqing, signaling her to keep quiet.

The Eldest Princess, being a mortal, couldn’t hear Gu Yunqing’s words. She dabbed at the tears at the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief before turning to the dazed old monk standing nearby.

“Master Kongming,” the Eldest Princess said respectfully as she approached the monk. “I entrust the matter to you. Please, bring Hui’er back.”

Master Kongming regained his composure, pressed his palms together, and chanted, “Amitabha.” He assured the Eldest Princess, “Your Highness, rest assured. I will bring Little Benefactor Pei Hui back from the Netherworld.”

Gu Jin’s gaze flickered slightly as she scrutinized the seemingly ordinary old monk before her. She turned to the Eldest Princess, her voice tinged with curiosity, “Your Highness, who is this master?”

“He is Master Kongming of Putuo Temple,” the Eldest Princess replied. “His magical power is profound, and he has agreed to help me retrieve half of Hui’er’s soul from the Netherworld.”

“Open the Gate of the Underworld?” Gu Jin frowned. “I’ve heard that the supreme patriarch of Buddhism can open the Gate of the Underworld only three times in his lifetime to retrieve the souls of the deceased. Could this master be…?”

Master Kongming bowed to Gu Jin. “Amitabha, it is indeed I.”

Gu Jin quickly returned the bow. “I have long heard of your esteemed name.”

The Eldest Princess, impatient with formalities and seemingly reluctant to introduce Master Kongming to Gu Jin, swiftly interrupted their exchange. “Master, let us proceed.”

Master Kongming nodded and followed the Eldest Princess out of the Council Hall.

Gu Jin remained standing, her brow furrowed slightly.

As they left, Master Kongming’s expression remained grave. The young novice beside him noticed his master’s solemn demeanor and asked with concern, “Master, what’s wrong? You’ve looked unwell since we arrived. Are you feeling unwell?”

As the founder of Putuo Temple, Master Kongming was over two hundred years old. He would never have left the temple had the Royal Family not urgently requested his presence. After all, at such an advanced age, he might pass away at any moment.

Master Kongming shook his head and glanced back at Shang Qianye, who was still speaking with Gu Jin, his gaze heavy.

“I have seen my karma,” Master Kongming said to the young novice. “Remember the woman in white beside Headmaster Gu. If she ever comes to Putuo Temple seeking me, you must never stop her.”

Master Kongming repeated firmly, “Never stop her.”