Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 28

On her birthday, Shang Qianye woke to find countless sound transmission talismans floating in her room.

Almost all of them wished her a happy birthday. Some even sent gifts carried by their spirit beasts to her doorstep. Yet as Shang Qianye gazed at the sea of talismans, she couldn’t find the one she truly longed for.

Her dark, thick lashes lowered slightly, revealing a hint of disappointment in her eyes.

Luo Jiu must have forgotten, she thought. I should remind her.

After washing and dressing, Shang Qianye took a detour to the Small Dining Hall. She bought Luo Jiu’s favorite Peach Blossom Fermented Rice Wine and a small plate of freshly made, plump Daifuku mochi, planning to bring them to the Jade Court Forest.

But when she arrived at the Jade Court Forest, Luo Jiu was nowhere to be seen. Shang Qianye searched every corner of the house, inside and out, before realizing she wasn’t there.

Where could she be so early in the morning?

Shang Qianye set the items on the table and was about to send Luo Jiu a sound transmission talisman when Gu Yunqing arrived, descending on her sword and landing directly in front of her.

“Oh, Senior Sister, you’re here too?”

Gu Yunqing looked like she had come to deliver items, clutching several scrolls in her arms. Spotting Shang Qianye, she eagerly rushed over. “Perfect! This saves me a trip to Ginkgo Courtyard. Let’s go down the mountain to shop right away! I even got permission from my mother for the day.”

Shang Qianye blinked slowly. “Are you here to see Master?”

Gu Yunqing shook her head. “Junior Aunt and my mother are discussing something. Didn’t you know, Senior Sister?”

This time, Shang Qianye shook her head.

“No matter,” Gu Yunqing said, setting down the items inside the room. She turned and tugged at Shang Qianye’s sleeve, smiling. “Mother’s meetings always drag on forever. Junior Aunt will probably be free today, which means she’ll have plenty of time to dote on you. Let’s make the most of it!”

Shang Qianye forced a dry smile as Gu Yunqing dragged her away from Jade Court Forest, insisting they go down the mountain to play.

Unable to resist her persistent friend, Shang Qianye relented. As they left, she glanced back at the cottage, her spirits sinking.

Throughout the day, Shang Qianye received a steady stream of sound transmission talismans bearing well wishes from all directions. As the Eldest Senior Sister of the Talisman Cultivators and a beloved figure within the Lingxiao Sect, she naturally had many people sending their blessings.

The weather was perfect today, so Gu Yunqing dragged Shang Qianye around town, buying all sorts of items. After their shopping spree, they headed to a secluded mountain villa.

“This is a newly opened hot spring resort,” Gu Yunqing explained as she led Shang Qianye through the grounds. “Each villa is spaced far apart and has its own private hot spring. They also serve fine wines and delicious food—perfect for celebrating Senior Sister’s birthday! After dinner, we can soak in the hot spring. You’ll love it, Senior Sister!”

Shang Qianye responded with a listless “Mm,” her attitude somewhat perfunctory.

They arrived at a bamboo grove-shrouded villa. As soon as they pushed open the door, they saw that many guests had already gathered inside—mostly close disciples from the Lingxiao Sect. The moment they spotted the birthday celebrant, they rose to their feet and swarmed around her.

“Happy birthday, Senior Sister Shang! This is a gift I prepared for you!”

“Qianye, you’re finally here! We were wondering where Yunqing had dragged you off to. It’s so late—the food’s getting cold!”

“Look at our birthday girl, radiant as ever! I wish you great advancement in your cultivation and a smooth path to ascension!”

“Ha ha ha! Enough standing around—let’s get Qianye seated!”

Shang Qianye was ushered to her seat amidst a flurry of well-wishers. People came and went throughout the day, offering birthday greetings and gifts, which were piled in a corner of the room.

The banquet stretched into the evening. Shang Qianye remained listless, swirling the jade wine cup in her hand and draining it in one bored gulp.

Not a single sound transmission talisman had arrived from Luo Jiu all day.

Gu Yunqing had received a talisman from Gu Jin, asking where she was and reminding her not to stay out too late after celebrating Shang Qianye’s birthday. Gu Jin had even sent a separate talisman to Shang Qianye, wishing her a happy 20th birthday.

Only Luo Jiu.

Only her.

Not even a simple sound transmission talisman all day.

Shang Qianye felt a pang of sadness. This feeling was unbearable. Their relationship had clearly improved at the Heavenly Dao Brake, so why had they reverted to this cold distance the moment they left?

Luo Jiu’s indifference made even the wine taste bitter.

As the sun began to dip westward, Qin Wangyue arrived.

She looked travel-worn, still carrying her medicine chest, clearly having rushed over after finishing her rounds. Gu Yunqing beamed at her arrival and gestured for her to sit between herself and Shang Qianye.

“I’m sorry I’m late. I went on a free clinic visit with my Master today and just got back,” Qin Wangyue said as she sat down, turning to Shang Qianye with a slight tilt of her head. “Qianye, you don’t seem very happy. Are you tired?”

Shang Qianye looked at her in surprise and shook her head slightly. “No, I’m actually quite happy today.”

Qin Wangyue pondered for a moment and realized why Shang Qianye seemed down. With a gentle smile, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the gift she had brought.

“This is the Peach Blossom Bracelet I found.”

Despite its simple appearance, Qin Wangyue whispered conspiratorially into Shang Qianye’s ear, “My Master and I made this together. Now, I’m giving it to you.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes lit up at the mention of it being a handmade bracelet. Though the material didn’t look particularly valuable, the fact that it was made together stirred something inexplicable within her.

“I’ve never believed in such things,” Shang Qianye said as she accepted the bracelet from Qin Wangyue, “but I really like this gift.”

Shang Qianye’s mood inexplicably improved after receiving the Peach Blossom Bracelet, and she drank a couple more cups of wine. Noticing she was getting tipsy, Qin Wangyue rose to brew her a cup of tea.

Though it was meant to sober her up, Shang Qianye felt even more intoxicated after drinking it. She even lacked the strength to join Gu Yunqing for a hot spring soak and collapsed onto the table, falling asleep instantly.

“How did she get drunk so quickly?” Gu Yunqing asked, puzzled, as she looked at Shang Qianye. “This wine isn’t supposed to be intoxicating.”

Qin Wangyue, sitting beside them, smiled at Gu Yunqing. “She probably had a few too many cups. Go enjoy the hot springs; I’ll take care of her here.”

Gu Yunqing turned to her. “Senior Sister Qin, won’t you join us? The hot springs here are large enough for all of us.”

Qin Wangyue shook her head, her gaze fixed on Shang Qianye. “You go ahead. I can’t leave Qianye alone in this state. I’ll stay and watch over her.”

“Senior Sister Qin, you’re so virtuous,” Gu Yunqing said, unable to resist hugging Qin Wangyue’s arm affectionately. “Elder Yu is so lucky to have a Dao Companion like you.”

“Stop talking nonsense,” Qin Wangyue replied, her eyes crinkling slightly as she patted Gu Yunqing’s hand. “Go have fun. Soak longer; don’t worry about us.”

“Alright then, we’re off to the hot springs! Senior Sister, we’re counting on you!”

“Mm-hmm.”

As the remaining disciples filed out, Qin Wangyue and the unconscious Shang Qianye were left alone in the room.

The moment they were alone, Qin Wangyue’s smile vanished. She glanced sideways at the drunken Shang Qianye, her eyes turning icy cold.

Previously, the Snake Lady had arranged for Demonic Sect disciples to create distractions around the Lingxiao Sect, successfully diverting suspicion from Qin Wangyue. Later, she deliberately reminded Yu Shiyan to visit Pei Hui in the capital, hoping that if Pei Hui showed any sign of remembering her past, Qin Wangyue would immediately kill her.

But Pei Hui was fortunate. After her resurrection, her intellect remained childlike, unable to distinguish between people, let alone recall the events of that day.

Thus, Qin Wangyue temporarily spared her.

This time, however, she had no choice but to eliminate Shang Qianye.

The Snake Lady’s plan was simple: infect Shang Qianye with a love gu, luring the Life-Bound Gu into Luo Jiu’s body. Once Shang Qianye died, Luo Jiu would be gravely wounded. At that moment, the Demonic Sect disciples would strike, breaching the Heavenly Dao Brake, shattering the Barrier, and opening the passage between the Human and Demonic Realms.

With the passage open, the Demonic Race would flood into the human world, and the Demonic Sect disciples would be hailed as heroes.

Now, all that remained was to eliminate Shang Qianye.

“Ah, I didn’t want to do this either,” Qin Wangyue murmured, stroking the head of the person slumped on the table. “But Luo Jiu always stays cooped up on the mountain. We have no way to get to her directly. Besides, it’s always easier to pick on the weak, isn’t it?”

Qin Wangyue spoke with feigned regret, but her hands moved without hesitation.

She retrieved the Soul-Devouring Pearl from her sleeve. The pearl glowed even brighter than before, clearly having absorbed several more souls during Shang Qianye and Luo Jiu’s seclusion.

Qin Wangyue gazed at Shang Qianye with feigned pity, whispering, “Don’t worry, I’ll leave you a wisp of your soul. You’ll drift in a drunken slumber for four or five days, then be released.”

“Having known you, I won’t let you suffer too much.”

Guided by Qin Wangyue, the Soul-Devouring Pearl slowly rose, its pearly radiance enveloping Shang Qianye’s head.

Shang Qianye merely furrowed her brow slightly, showing no signs of awakening. The pearl hovered about three feet above her head, steadily releasing spiritual energy…

“Hmm?”

Qin Wangyue thought she must be mistaken. Instead of drawing out the white soul from Shang Qianye’s body as usual, the pearl was continuously channeling its own spiritual energy into her.

Her eyes widened in astonishment. Before she could decipher the pearl’s purpose, Shang Qianye let out a soft groan and her eyes fluttered open.

Startled, Qin Wangyue immediately retracted the Soul-Devouring Pearl and tucked it into her sleeve.

Shang Qianye blinked groggily, slowly regaining consciousness. She finally focused on the strange expression on Qin Wangyue’s face beside her.

“Senior Sister Qin?” Shang Qianye rubbed her temples, frowning. “How did I fall asleep? What time is it?”

“It’s already night,” Qin Wangyue replied, studying Shang Qianye’s complexion. Seeing no sign that she remembered the Soul-Devouring Pearl incident, she quickly poured a cup of water and handed it to her. “You got drunk and passed out on the table. Yun Qing and the others went to the hot springs. Do you want to join them?”

Shang Qianye accepted the water, drank it down, and set the cup aside, shaking her head. “No, I won’t go to the hot springs. I need to go back.”

She swayed as she stood up, her head still spinning. She shook her head vigorously to clear her thoughts.

“Senior Sister Qin,” Shang Qianye said, “I need to find my Master. I’ll be leaving now.”

With a final word, Shang Qianye formed a hand seal. The glow of a Teleportation Array materialized beneath her feet, and in an instant, she vanished, leaving Qin Wangyue sitting alone, her face darkening with frustration.