Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 44

Luo Jiu glanced at the dishes on the stone table and asked, “Did you just buy these when you went out?”

“Not just these,” Shang Qianye replied, walking over to take Luo Jiu’s cold hand and warm it. She lowered her voice, “I also got your favorite fruits and snacks, and bought extra wine. It’s so cold out, a little wine will warm us up.”

After untying Luo Jiu’s fox fur cloak, Shang Qianye led her to the stone table and gently pressed her down into a seat.

“This wine always sells out quickly. When I went to the tavern today, I was surprised to find they still had some, so I bought it all,” Shang Qianye said as she poured wine for Luo Jiu and sat beside her. “And this braised duck is another one of your favorites.”

Luo Jiu scanned the table, noticing that every dish was something she loved.

“When you went out today, did you just do shopping?” Luo Jiu picked up her chopsticks and took a bite of the braised duck. “Or did you do anything else?”

“Of course not,” Shang Qianye replied. “I didn’t tell anyone I was going out. How could I have done anything else?”

Luo Jiu saw through Shang Qianye’s act but chose not to call her out. Her nose was sharp; she had detected the faint medicinal scent clinging to Shang Qianye the moment she entered the room—a distinctive aroma unique to the Apothecary. This woman had clearly been secretly working there behind her back.

Yet Luo Jiu trusted Shang Qianye. If she wasn’t telling her, there must be a good reason. Luo Jiu decided not to pry.

After a few sips of wine, Luo Jiu began to feel warm all over, her tongue loosening slightly. Shang Qianye stayed by her side, chatting companionably. Eventually, she led Luo Jiu outside the cave to sit at the entrance and gaze at the stars.

“Master,” Shang Qianye murmured, wrapping her arm around Luo Jiu’s waist and transferring her body heat. “The stars are especially beautiful tonight.”

Luo Jiu leaned against Shang Qianye’s warm embrace, humming softly in acknowledgment. She let Shang Qianye warm her body without protest.

Perhaps it was the wine, or perhaps Luo Jiu missed her too, but when Shang Qianye leaned in to kiss the corner of her lips, Luo Jiu didn’t pull away. She merely lowered her eyes, refusing to meet Shang Qianye’s gaze.

Having received tacit approval, Shang Qianye mustered her courage and cupped Luo Jiu’s face, kissing her under the starlight.

The taste of wine lingered between their lips. Luo Jiu’s head swam as she was pulled into Shang Qianye’s lap, her own arms instinctively wrapping around her shoulders. She parted her lips willingly, her tongue meeting Shang Qianye’s in a passionate embrace.

Within the silent Barrier, undisturbed by any intrusion, only the sounds of their fervent kisses echoed. The wet, intimate noises seemed to raise the surrounding temperature.

The fox fur draped over their shoulders slipped to the ground. Shang Qianye’s hands kneaded Luo Jiu’s softened waist as her lips trailed downward, her tongue tracing the curve of her jawline and the arch of her upturned neck.

Luo Jiu tilted her head back, gazing up at the starry expanse. For a moment, she felt as if they were making love in the wilderness.

When Shang Qianye’s hand slipped beneath her robes, Luo Jiu groaned softly, clutching her clothes, her face flushed crimson. “Not out here, you idiot…”

Shang Qianye nuzzled her nose against Luo Jiu’s cheek. “But there’s no one around, Master…”

Luo Jiu tried to push her away, but her body remained limp. Shang Qianye pulled her up by the waist, so that Luo Jiu was completely draped over her. Then, the woman stood up, pinning Luo Jiu against the stone wall and gripping her ankle.

“Mmm…”

The oppressive position made it hard for Luo Jiu to breathe. Her weak waist rubbed against Shang Qianye’s belt, soaking the hem of her robe.

Shang Qianye kissed Luo Jiu’s exposed shoulder, leaving a trail of vivid marks.

“Master, I’ve been thinking of you all day. Do you… miss me too?”

“……”

Luo Jiu bit her lip, silently enduring the other woman’s ravishing. Her vision blurred, flashes of red and white light momentarily blinding her. Only later did she realize it was a sound transmission talisman soaring through the night sky.

She groaned restlessly, tugging at Shang Qianye’s hair. “Gu Yunqing… she sent you a message. Go listen…”

Shang Qianye didn’t even bother glancing back, her dark, gleaming eyes fixed solely on Luo Jiu. “I won’t.”

As she spoke, Shang Qianye pinched the soft flesh on Luo Jiu’s inner thigh, causing her to cry out in pain. Realizing her voice sounded too intimate, Luo Jiu flushed crimson.

“Master’s voice is so lovely,” Shang Qianye murmured, kissing her deeply. “Call out a few more times, won’t you?”

“…Get lost, ah!”

“Master…”

Shang Qianye’s grip was strong. She lifted Luo Jiu and pressed her against the stone wall. Enraged, Luo Jiu tried to bite her, but couldn’t stop Shang Qianye’s reckless actions.

Gu Yunqing’s sound transmission talismans hovered behind Shang Qianye’s head. Luo Jiu watched as one talisman multiplied into two, then four or five. Finally, when the flashing talismans began to hurt her eyes, Shang Qianye waved her hand impatiently, sending all the talismans flying out of the Barrier.

Though Shang Qianye hadn’t spoken, Luo Jiu could sense her irritation. Her actions seemed to convey her deep annoyance at being disturbed.

Luo Jiu closed her eyes, feeling that Shang Qianye now resembled…

Last night, after Luo Jiu and Shang Qianye shared an intimate moment outside the cave, Shang carried her to bed. Shang Qianye kept calling out “Master” and “Cure the Gu,” but even after the ritual was complete, she refused to let go, clinging to Luo Jiu for several more rounds.

By the end, Luo Jiu was nearly unconscious from exhaustion, and only then did Shang Qianye finally relent.

The next morning, Luo Jiu woke up with a sore back. When she checked in the mirror, she discovered her back was covered in bruises.

That brat! she thought. She pinned me against the cave wall and wouldn’t stop!

Luo Jiu was annoyed, but she also admitted to herself that she had enjoyed it. She couldn’t bring herself to scold Shang Qianye outright. At most, she’d warn her to be more careful next time and avoid those bizarre positions.

After mentally scolding Shang Qianye, Luo Jiu paused.

She…

Damn it!

Trembling, she dressed, her face darkening. The moment she saw Shang Qianye, she couldn’t help but speak sarcastically, even recalling Gu Yunqing’s sound transmission talismans from the night before.

Gu Jin’s words echoed in her mind:

It’s time to consider Qianye’s future.

Luo Jiu frowned at the thought, unable to resist glancing at Shang Qianye as she entered the room.

Her gaze swept upward, taking in her disciple’s perfectly proportioned figure. Shang Qianye’s features were sharp and spirited, and even with her long black hair casually tied behind her head, she exuded an air of effortless grace.

While the other disciples looked unremarkable in their plain blue-and-white sect robes, Shang Qianye’s slender waist and long legs made the uniform seem tailored for her. And that was before considering her martial prowess and spiritual energy, which Luo Jiu had personally cultivated.

Though not invincible, Shang Qianye was undoubtedly among the top talents in the Lingxiao Sect.

It was only natural that someone would secretly admire such a woman.

“Master?”

Shang Qianye felt a prickling unease under Luo Jiu’s intense gaze. “Is there something wrong with me today?” she asked.

Luo Jiu turned her head. “Did you blast away the sound transmission talisman Gu Yunqing sent you yesterday?”

“Yes.”

“And she didn’t blame you?”

Shang Qianye blinked slightly, then began to laugh.

Hearing her laughter, Luo Jiu snapped her head around, demanding, “What are you laughing at?”

Shang Qianye coughed lightly, but couldn’t quite hide the smile on her face. She walked over to the stone bed and sat down, looking earnestly at Luo Jiu. “Is Master jealous?” she asked.

Luo Jiu’s face flushed crimson. “W-who’s jealous?”

“I admit, I’ve been a little too close to Gu Yunqing,” Shang Qianye explained gently. “But I’ve always seen her as my Junior Sister. I have no other intentions.”

She took Luo Jiu’s hand and gently placed it over her own chest. Her dark eyes, like pools reflecting the stars, met Luo Jiu’s gaze as she said, each word deliberate, “In my heart, there’s only Master.”

Even after hearing such unrestrained declarations countless times, Luo Jiu still startled at Shang Qianye’s bluntness.

She immediately withdrew her hand, glaring reproachfully at Shang Qianye. “You may see her as your Junior Sister, but she might not see you as her Senior Sister.”

Shang Qianye: “?”

Before Shang Qianye could press further, Luo Jiu slid off the bed and grabbed her clothes from the rack. “It seems you’re almost fully recovered,” she said. “My work here is nearly finished too—just a few more days, and I’ll be leaving.”

Counting the days, this time had only been two or three days longer than usual.

Shang Qianye nodded. “Understood, Master.”

“Once you’re out, pay close attention to those around you,” Luo Jiu cautioned her. “The identity of the mole remains unknown. They might only make their next move once you and I emerge. If anyone tries to get close to you or pry for information, be wary.”

“I’ll be extra vigilant, Master.”

Three days later, Luo Jiu led Shang Qianye out of seclusion.

On the day of their release, a considerable crowd had gathered to welcome them. Everyone familiar was present except for Gu Jin, who was unable to leave due to pressing matters.

Gu Yunqing, of course, had been eagerly awaiting Shang Qianye’s return since morning. Surprisingly, Yu Shiyan had also come, accompanied by Qin Wangyue and several other disciples waiting for Luo Jiu’s spellcasting.

Luo Jiu first greeted Yu Shiyan with a nod. Yu Shiyan returned the gesture, his gaze shifting to Shang Qianye behind her.

“How’s your health?” Yu Shiyan asked. “Did you experience any discomfort during your time in seclusion?”

Shang Qianye nodded slightly. “Thank you for your concern, Elder Yu,” she replied. “I feel much better now. At least I can walk, sit, and lie down comfortably. My spiritual energy has recovered to about seventy or eighty percent of its usual level.”

Yu Shiyan could see that Shang Qianye had indeed improved significantly. She nodded in satisfaction. “Your recovery is remarkably swift, but we can’t be complacent. Come back with me later for a thorough examination, just to rule out any hidden ailments.”

Shang Qianye glanced at Luo Jiu, seeking her opinion.

Luo Jiu didn’t even look at her. “Then we’ll trouble Elder Yu,” she said.

Yu Shiyan nodded. “We’re all fellow sect elders. No need for formalities.”

As she finished speaking, Gu Yunqing and Qin Wangyue surrounded Shang Qianye. Gu Yunqing seemed to be in a slightly foul mood today, but her face lit up at the sight of Shang Qianye. Still, she couldn’t help but complain, “Senior Sister, I heard you snuck out a few days ago! I sent you so many sound transmission talismans, but you kept rejecting them all! Why?”

Gu Yunqing pouted, her eyes filled with reproach as she asked, “Senior Sister, what were you doing back then?”

Shang Qianye: “……”

How am I supposed to answer that?