Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 22

Gu Jin’s question was direct, and Gu Yunqing froze for a moment. Recovering quickly, she glanced at her mother, her cheeks flushing crimson, and stammered, “Mother, h-how did you know?”

“So it’s true after all.”

Gu Jin released her, tilted her chin slightly, and gestured for her to sit beside her. “Sit there. I need to talk to you about something.”

Gu Yunqing tensed immediately. No one knew about her feelings for Shang Qianye except herself, and being suddenly exposed by her mother left her feeling deeply embarrassed.

She fidgeted as she sat down, avoiding Gu Jin’s gaze, but stubbornly insisted, “Mother, I’m nineteen now. Many girls down the mountain are already married and have children. Is it really wrong for me to like Senior Sister Shang?”

Gu Jin studied her, then countered, “Why do you like Shang Qianye?”

“Because Senior Sister Shang is such a good person!” Gu Yunqing replied, lifting her head. “I’ve been following her since I was little. She taught me swordsmanship, accompanied me to school, and was always there for me when you were away, Mother.”

Gu Yunqing’s face softened with a smile as she recalled their childhood days. “Senior Sister Shang is kind and treats me well. Why shouldn’t I like her? Or is it that…” She eyed Gu Jin warily. “Mother wants me to marry a man and objects to Senior Sister Shang being a woman?”

“That’s not it,” Gu Jin said, lifting her teacup. “I don’t care whether you like men or women, and I’ve never considered arranging a marriage alliance with another immortal sect.” Her tone shifted as she looked at Gu Yunqing. “But matters of the heart require mutual affection. Do you understand?”

Gu Yunqing tilted her head. “What do you mean by that, Mother? Are you saying… Senior Sister Shang doesn’t like me?”

Gu Jin took a sip of tea without answering.

Gu Jin’s silence immediately made Gu Yunqing anxious. She pressed urgently, “Mother, speak! Does Senior Sister Shang really not like me? But she always agrees to everything I ask!”

“Yunqing,” Gu Jin said, gazing at her, “not every affection is love. Qianye may be kind to you, but she’s equally gentle with all the disciples in the sect. She indulges you because you’re my daughter, her Junior Sister, but that doesn’t necessarily mean she loves you.”

“Mother…”

“I can see it in her eyes. Shang Qianye already has someone in her heart. You shouldn’t waste your time on her.”

Yunqing shook her head, biting her lip. “That’s impossible. Senior Sister spends every day either with me or Junior Aunt. I’ve never seen her with anyone else. I refuse to believe she could love someone else.”

“Yunqing…”

“Mother, please stop. I won’t believe it until Senior Sister tells me herself.”

Yunqing rose from her chair, her eyes downcast. “I have other matters to attend to. I’ll take my leave now.”

Watching Yunqing depart, Gu Jin remained seated in silence for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh.

Meanwhile, Luo Jiu stood in Shang Qianye’s courtyard, gazing up at the golden ginkgo tree overhead. She thought it was truly beautiful.

“Master.”

Shang Qianye stood at the doorway, watching Luo Jiu, who stood with her hands clasped behind her back. A gust of wind sent golden ginkgo leaves fluttering down. Luo Jiu glanced sideways at her, the black tips of her hair swaying slightly.

The sight made Shang Qianye’s heart leap. She clenched her fists at her sides, and after a long moment, she asked, “I’ve prepared these things. Master, could you check if there’s anything I should add?”

Luo Jiu stepped into the room and surveyed the items Shang Qianye had arranged on the round table, raising an eyebrow slightly.

“Why are you bringing so much?” Luo Jiu asked. “It’s unnecessary. We’ll only be inside for seven days.”

“Ah? Is this too much?” Shang Qianye stood beside Luo Jiu, looking at the table. “Just the usual toiletries—towels, soap, two sets of clothes, and an extra pair of shoes.”

Shang Qianye added, “Didn’t Master say there’s nothing inside? I brought a blanket in case it gets cold at night, and a few other things like a comb and a water cup.”

Luo Jiu replied, “That’s too much.”

Shang Qianye looked puzzled. “Too much where?”

“Everywhere,” Luo Jiu said, pointing to the items on the table. “Since you’ve already achieved Bigu and don’t need to eat, all this is unnecessary. With your magical power protecting you, you don’t need any of it.”

“But didn’t Master say there’s nothing inside?” Shang Qianye asked, still puzzled. “Did I bring duplicates?”

Luo Jiu explained, “There’s nothing inside—no bed, no bedding, no water, and no food. If you insist on bringing these things, go ahead, but you’ll have to find a place to store them yourself.”

Shang Qianye seemed to understand. She blinked and asked, “Then how does Master wash up each day?”

“I don’t,” Luo Jiu replied.

Shang Qianye: “……And what about sleeping?”

Luo Jiu: “I just find a place to meditate.”

“You don’t eat anything?”

“I’m in Bigu.”

“What if you get thirsty?”

“I drink rainwater when it rains. If not, I just endure it.”

Luo Jiu added, “With magical power protecting you, you won’t die anyway.”

Shang Qianye: “……”

Shang Qianye was stunned.

She had never really considered how Luo Jiu lived during her seven-day seclusion at the Heavenly Dao Brake. After all, Luo Jiu was her Master and older, so she assumed she could take care of herself perfectly well.

Luo Jiu’s words today left Shang Qianye wide-eyed in astonishment.

Drinking rainwater when thirsty, meditating when tired.

Seven days without changing clothes or washing.

No wonder Luo Jiu always took a bath immediately after emerging from the Heavenly Dao Brake. That’s why.

Shang Qianye had been mentally repeating, Luo Jiu already possesses a Half-Immortal Body, and knew she didn’t need to adhere to worldly customs. Yet she still couldn’t accept such behavior.

“Master,” Shang Qianye said earnestly, “I think we should still bring some supplies.”

Luo Jiu turned to her, her brow furrowing slightly.

“Bring whatever you want,” Luo Jiu replied. “Just pack it yourself.” Before leaving, she added, “Meet me at the Heavenly Dao Brake’s barrier entrance tomorrow at Chen hour.”

Shang Qianye nodded. “Understood, Master.”

After Luo Jiu left, Shang Qianye glanced at the few items on the table and unconsciously rolled up her sleeves.

This isn’t nearly enough. I need to prepare more.

The next day, at Chen hour, Luo Jiu arrived early at the Heavenly Dao Brake’s entrance. Shang Qianye soon followed, accompanied by Gu Yunqing and Qin Wangyue.

Luo Jiu looked at the group in confusion. “Why are you all here?”

“Junior Aunt,” Gu Yunqing said with a bright smile, holding a food container. “I brought breakfast and came to see Senior Sister Shang off.”

Qin Wangyue bowed respectfully. “Elder Luo Jiu, I received word from Qianye yesterday and brought her a Medicinal Pill.”

Luo Jiu frowned. “Medicinal Pill? Breakfast?”

She said displeased, “We’re going into seclusion, not on a picnic.”

Shang Qianye stepped closer to Luo Jiu and lowered her head slightly to explain, “Master, I didn’t know how you fared inside before, but this time I’m going with you. I won’t let you suffer.”

Luo Jiu didn’t understand. When have I ever suffered?

But Shang Qianye meant well. There was no need to quarrel over such a trivial matter. With a sigh, she turned away and said, “Carry your own things. I won’t help you.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes curved into a smile. “Yes, Master.”

Seeing Luo Jiu’s approval, Gu Yunqing eagerly approached and handed the food container to Shang Qianye. She gestured for her to lean down, wanting to whisper something.

“Senior Sister,” Gu Yunqing whispered into Shang Qianye’s ear, “Next month is your birthday. I’ve reserved a table at the restaurant at the foot of the mountain. Let’s go down together to celebrate.”

Shang Qianye smiled at Gu Yunqing’s words, accepting the food box with a nod.

Luo Jiu inexplicably found the sight of the two whispering together irritating. She turned away impatiently, wanting nothing to do with the juniors’ affairs.

Only after Luo Jiu had walked away did Qin Wangyue approach and hand Shang Qianye the Medicinal Pills she had requested.

“Thank you, Senior Sister Qin,” Shang Qianye said with a smile. “I didn’t think I’d be able to gather so many. I really appreciate your help.”

“It was no trouble at all,” Qin Wangyue replied. “These are just basic Medicinal Pills, and we Medicinal Cultivators keep plenty in our pharmacies. It didn’t take any effort. But why do you need so many all of a sudden?”

“I heard the Heavenly Dao Brake is extremely cold and filled with malevolent energy,” Shang Qianye explained, tucking the pills away. “These mind-clearing and qi-calming pills will definitely come in handy.” She picked up the food box, which was too bulky to store, and turned to the others. “Then I’ll head in with Master now. See you all in seven days.”

Gu Yunqing nodded and waved goodbye.

Qin Wangyue suddenly said, “The Eldest Princess will be taking Pei Hui back to the Capital in the next couple of days. Let’s find some time to get together after they leave.”

Shang Qianye agreed without giving it much thought.

Having gathered everything she needed, Shang Qianye approached Luo Jiu and said, “Master, I’m ready. When shall we enter?”

“Already?” Luo Jiu glanced at the two figures behind Shang Qianye, then noticed the food box she hadn’t even bothered to store in her Cosmic Pouch. Her tone was indifferent as she said, “Since you’re ready, let’s go.”

Shang Qianye nodded and followed Luo Jiu into the Barrier.

As a howling mountain wind swept past, Shang Qianye followed Luo Jiu into a wind tunnel. The gale roared between them, threatening to blow them away.

The wind stung Shang Qianye’s eyes, making it impossible to open them. For a moment, she couldn’t tell which direction to go. Just as she squinted, trying to locate Luo Jiu, she suddenly felt a warm hand grasp hers tightly.

“Close your eyes and follow me,” Luo Jiu’s voice carried through the wind, her tone as calm as ever, yet strangely reassuring to Shang Qianye. Clinging tightly to Luo Jiu’s hand, Shang Qianye felt the warmth of her palm. “…Yes, Master.”

Luo Jiu led Shang Qianye forward for about a dozen steps. Suddenly, the howling mountain wind ceased abruptly, and Shang Qianye could cautiously open her eyes to see the scene before her.

In the depths of the fractured gorge, a winding fissure pulsed with dark purple demonic energy surging from the earth’s crust. Yet at the fissure’s upper edge, golden light repeatedly blocked the energy, forcing it back underground.

Within the narrow gorge, spiritual energy and demonic energy clashed violently, producing thunderous roars and flashes of golden light that never ceased.

Shang Qianye stared in awe, her eyes wide. This was the Heavenly Dao Brake that Luo Jiu had guarded for over a decade…