Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 42

When Shang Qianye opened the rice jar in the cave, she immediately noticed it was nearly empty. Only a handful of white rice remained in the recessed bottom.

Shang Qianye: “……”

Where did all the rice go?

She remembered there being plenty just two days ago.

Since both of them were currently in a state where their spiritual energy intake couldn’t keep up with their expenditure, they had temporarily abandoned Bigu (spiritual fasting) and instead focused on conserving energy through eating regular meals and staying warm.

With nothing else to do, Shang Qianye spent her days in the cave like a dutiful wife, waiting for Luo Jiu to return. She prepared three meals a day and laid out warm clothes to ward off the cold, managing to sustain them for several days.

But she never expected their rice supply to run out first.

Fortunately, there was still a bowl of congee left from yesterday. The freezing weather had kept it from spoiling, so reheating it would at least provide one more meager meal.

But the next meal was uncertain.

Luo Jiu returned just before nightfall, wearing a fur coat she had unearthed from somewhere. Though the style was outdated, its warmth was invaluable, conserving a significant amount of spiritual energy. At night, it could even be used as an extra layer of warmth over their blankets.

When Luo Jiu entered the room, she saw that Shang Qianye had already prepared the meal: two simple stir-fries and a pot of congee.

Luo Jiu removed her fur cloak and draped it over a nearby rack. She walked over and glanced at the food on the table. “Why does this dish look so familiar? I think I saw it yesterday.”

Of course you did.

It’s leftovers from yesterday.

Shang Qianye blinked and walked over, taking Luo Jiu’s icy hands in her own and warming them. “We’re out of food, Master. How’s the Barrier repair going? Can I go out and get some supplies?”

Luo Jiu pressed both her hands into Shang Qianye’s, letting her warm them. She sighed helplessly. “The Barrier repair isn’t going well. The Malevolent Qi is surging inexplicably, and I have a bad feeling about this.”

Shang Qianye looked at her earnestly. “Then I’ll go out first? It only takes half a day to go shopping. I can get back in on my own.”

Having made two trips back and forth, Shang Qianye felt confident she could now travel alone.

Luo Jiu considered briefly before agreeing. She proactively rolled up Shang Qianye’s sleeve, gazing at the Thorn Markings that refused to fade. In a low voice, she said, “I’ll make you a wristband tonight. If it’s covered, no one will see them.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes lit up at the suggestion, and she smiled, replying, “Okay!”

After dinner, Luo Jiu sat by the oil lamp and began casting a spell. Though she called it a wristband, she was essentially weaving a strip of cloth using her magical power. With few resources in the cave, Luo Jiu tore a strip from her own sleeve and imprinted it with runes using her spiritual energy. The process proved surprisingly straightforward.

The blue-and-white wristband quickly materialized, settling lightly into Luo Jiu’s palm.

Approximately two fingers wide, the wristband shimmered with delicate runes that shifted with the light. These runes weren’t for protection; they were merely a simple incantation to calm the mind and focus the spirit.

Luo Jiu examined the wristband carefully before turning to call Shang Qianye, who was still washing dishes.

Shang Qianye carefully carried the freshly washed dishes and chopsticks into the house. After putting them away, she wiped her damp hands and sat down across from Luo Jiu.

A blue-and-white wristband was tied around her wrist, the knot hidden neatly inside. The flowing runes shifted continuously, giving the seemingly ordinary wristband an inexplicable air of nobility.

Shang Qianye had been captivated by the wristband the moment she first saw it. She adjusted its position to completely cover the Thorn Markings on her wrist before saying to Luo Jiu, “This wristband is beautiful. Thank you, Master.”

Luo Jiu was equally pleased with her creation. She believed she excelled not only at barrier construction but also at crafting such delicate accessories.

“Wear this tomorrow, and the Barrier will allow you to pass,” Luo Jiu explained. “The same applies when you return. If you lose it, send me a telepathic message, and I’ll send you another one.”

“I won’t lose it,” Shang Qianye said, her dark, shining eyes fixed on Luo Jiu as she clutched the wristband. “I’ll take good care of it.”

Luo Jiu glanced at her, disdainfully saying, “It’s just an ordinary wristband. What’s with all this ‘preserving’ talk? Just remember to come back early.”

Shang Qianye nodded. “Yes, Master.”

The next day, after helping Luo Jiu put on her thick fur coat, Shang Qianye lowered her head to look at her. “Master…”

Luo Jiu couldn’t stand Shang Qianye’s clingy behavior. She had been insufferably clingy since the previous night, even insisting on cuddling her while they slept. Now that dawn had finally broken, she was still being all touchy-feely, helping her dress.

“It’s just a quick trip to the market. What’s with all this fuss?” Luo Jiu pushed Shang Qianye’s face away, her tone dismissive.

“I just want to spend more time with you, Master,” Shang Qianye said with a smile, leaning in to press a soft kiss against the corner of Luo Jiu’s lips. She wrapped her arms affectionately around Luo Jiu’s waist. “I’m heading out now, Master.”

Luo Jiu was eager for her to leave, but she knew exactly what Shang Qianye’s clingy embrace meant.

With a sigh of resignation, she closed her eyes and leaned forward.

Before she could pull back, Shang Qianye swiftly pressed her lips against Luo Jiu’s, their mouths meeting in a lingering, intimate kiss.

Luo Jiu couldn’t resist the urge to push her away, but Shang Qianye gripped her fist, gently prying open her fingers one by one until their hands were intertwined. Her lips remained busy, pressing tenderly against Luo Jiu’s, her tongue teasing until Luo Jiu’s breath hitched.

“E-enough…” Luo Jiu turned her head away, flushed. “Why are you still kissing me?”

Shang Qianye chuckled, nuzzling Luo Jiu’s nose. “Goodbye for now,” she murmured reluctantly.

Passing through the Barrier Entrance, Shang Qianye emerged into the outer world.

The disciples guarding the Barrier instinctively bowed as someone emerged from within. A cheerful voice called out, “No need for formalities, fellow disciples! I’m not my master.”

The disciples looked up in surprise to see Shang Qianye stepping out.

“Qianye? What brings you out here now? Has something happened inside?” The lead disciple on duty asked anxiously. “Should we report this to the Headmaster?”

“No, no need,” Shang Qianye replied good-naturedly. “I’m just out for some shopping today. I’ll be back as soon as I’m done. Everything’s fine inside the Barrier—no need to trouble Headmaster Gu.”

The disciples exchanged puzzled glances. “Shopping? Elder Luo Jiu has never done that before. Why now…?”

Shang Qianye touched her cheek. “It’s because I’m injured. I’ve almost finished all my Medicinal Pills. Master said I need to stay in seclusion for a few more days, so she asked me to go out and buy supplies myself.”

The disciples nodded in understanding.

When it was just Luo Jiu, she could manage for seven or eight days on her own. But with an injured person to care for, their needs were different. Going out for supplies mid-seclusion was perfectly reasonable.

Shang Qianye politely declined their offers of help, determined to handle the errand herself. She cupped her hands in a respectful bow. “I’ll be back by evening. Please don’t tell the Headmaster—I wouldn’t want to interrupt her work.”

The disciples returned her bow.

Leaving the Barrier Entrance, Shang Qianye immediately headed for the Main Peak. She hadn’t informed anyone about her trip, not even Gu Yunqing, who was unaware of her plans for the day.

Shang Qianye had no intention of telling them. She had other matters to attend to.

Near the medicinal furnace of the Lingxiao Sect, men and women in pale green robes were drying medicinal herbs on the open ground. Several consecutive days of clear weather had allowed the spiritual herbs to dry exceptionally well, and Qin Wangyue was currently leading the group in turning them over.

“Senior Sister Qin.”

“Senior Sister Qin, is this level of dryness sufficient?”

“Senior Sister Qin, will the material you taught us the other day be on the next quiz? Could you highlight the key points? There’s so much to memorize, it’s impossible to remember it all…”

A crowd of junior brothers and sisters surrounded Qin Wangyue, some even tugging at her sleeves and pleading for hints about the next quiz. Qin Wangyue playfully tapped their noses and smiled. “Everything I told you is important—you need to memorize it all. If you can’t… go recite it to Master. She’ll definitely be stricter than me.”

Hearing that Qin Wangyue might send them to Yu Shiyan, the juniors scattered in fright. Only a few of the bolder ones persisted, clinging to her and trying to wheedle out a few key points.

Meanwhile, Shang Qianye stood atop the tallest tree beside the medicinal furnace, gazing down at the surrounded figure with a dark, brooding expression.

When Luo Jiu told her that the Lingxiao Sect had an internal traitor, Qin Wangyue was the first person who came to mind.

This wasn’t mere suspicion; too many incidents seemed inextricably linked to Qin Wangyue. The day she spontaneously lost her spiritual energy after smelling the medicinal powder on the Snake Lady’s zither strings, she had initially attributed it to the powder’s effects. But upon reflection, she realized it might not have been solely the powder. Perhaps she had consumed something she shouldn’t have from the very beginning—like the Medicinal Pill Qin Wangyue had given her, which claimed to comprehensively enhance one’s cultivation.

In the open space below, Qin Wangyue had already been surrounded by a new group of disciples. They clustered around her, eagerly seeking her guidance, and she patiently answered their questions one by one, maintaining her usual gentle demeanor.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, Qin Wangyue turned her head toward the towering tree in the distance.

But she saw nothing.

Qin Wangyue frowned slightly. Ever since she had arrived, she had felt a gaze upon her—unfriendly yet strangely familiar. She had scanned the area repeatedly but found no one present besides the Medicinal Cultivator disciples.

Was it just her imagination?

“Senior Sister Qin.”

A familiar voice called out to her. Qin Wangyue turned to see Wen Shuang approaching.

Wen Shuang, a small medicine chest slung across her shoulder, walked over, her expression troubled.

Qin Wangyue smiled warmly at her. “Back already? How’s the Snake Lady doing?”

“She’s recovering very slowly. She had a slight fever again today, but it’s nothing serious. It’s just…” Wen Shuang clutched the strap of her medicine chest, lowered her head, and thought carefully. Deciding against telling Qin Wangyue about the woman’s unwanted kiss, she said earnestly, “Senior Sister Qin, could you send someone else to treat the Snake Lady? I… I don’t want to go anymore.”

Qin Wangyue watched her with amusement, as if a thought had struck her. “Come with me,” she said. “Let’s talk somewhere else.”

Leading Wen Shuang away from the drying yard, Qin Wangyue found a secluded spot and stopped. Turning to look at Wen Shuang, who had followed obediently, she wore a knowing expression. “What’s wrong? Everything seemed fine before. Why the sudden change of heart?”

Tilting her head, Qin Wangyue asked, “Did the Snake Lady say something to you? Or… did she bully you?”