Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 51

Shang Qianye’s eyes widened at the suggestion.

“Master, I haven’t even finished my own training yet! How can I take on a disciple?” Shang Qianye protested hastily. “Besides, Talisman Cultivators rely heavily on innate talent and spiritual root. A Yu is just an ordinary girl. Cultivating immortality… it would be too difficult for her.”

Luo Jiu rolled her eyes and rose from her chair. “When I brought you back to the mountain, I didn’t care about your talent.”

Shang Qianye hesitated, then helped Luo Jiu to her feet. “Master has always been good to me, and I’ll never forget it. I’m not rejecting A Yu—I genuinely like her and want her to stay on the mountain. But…”

For a mortal without spiritual root or talent to remain at Lingxiao Sect, the only option would be to become a servant or menial worker.

“If A Yu is willing, she could stay and keep you company,” Shang Qianye murmured. “That way, when I have to leave for missions, she can help ease your boredom.”

“If you’re going out, just go,” Luo Jiu said. “Why leave someone behind to keep me entertained? I’m not seventy or eighty yet, needing constant care. If you don’t want to take A Yu as your disciple, fine. I just thought the girl genuinely admires you, and I wanted to help you both.”

Shang Qianye watched Luo Jiu leave, pondered for a moment, then hurried after her.

“Master,” Shang Qianye said, “the Medicinal Cultivators are leaderless now. And because of Qin Wangyue’s actions, many disciples are planning to leave the Lingxiao Sect. They fear the dangers of the immortal sects and want to return home to become doctors. The hospitals are desperately short of staff. A Yu could go there to study and even become an Outer Sect disciple.”

For disciples lacking exceptional talent, the Medicinal Cultivator path was often recommended.

Medicinal Cultivators also learned basic medical principles used by ordinary doctors. Moreover, breakthroughs during their studies could lead to significant achievements.

Luo Jiu sighed helplessly. “The Medicinal Cultivator division must be in complete chaos right now. Qin Wangyue’s actions have had a devastating impact.”

Shang Qianye neither confirmed nor denied the statement. Just then, A Yu brought out the roasted duck and wine, walking over with a graceful sway.

“Sister Qianye, Aunt Luo Jiu,” A Yu said brightly as she arranged the dishes on the small table in the tea room. “Should I warm the wine? I remember my father and the others always heating it up before drinking. It’s better for the stomach in cold weather.”

Luo Jiu sat down, pulled the wooden stopper from the wine bottle, and held it to her nose. The refreshing aroma of green plum wine wafted out.

“That sounds lovely,” Luo Jiu replied. “Go fetch a basin of water. Qianye can warm the wine for us.”

A Yu immediately obeyed, running to fetch a small basin filled with water. Shang Qianye took it with a helpless sigh and began warming the water with her spiritual energy.

When A Yu saw the once-icy water steaming, her eyes widened in wonder, her expression utterly adorable.

“Amazing!” A Yu exclaimed enviously. “I wish I could be as powerful as Sister Qianye!”

Shang Qianye turned to her and asked, “A Yu, would you like to stay at the Lingxiao Sect?”

A Yu immediately sat up straight, her bright black eyes fixed on Shang Qianye, brimming with anticipation.

Shang Qianye said, “You don’t have a spiritual root, and your talent isn’t particularly high. Staying at the Lingxiao Sect will be quite challenging.”

Hearing this, A Yu quickly replied, “Sister Qianye, I can work as a servant or a maid. I’ll do anything, just let me stay at the Lingxiao Sect!”

Shang Qianye paused, then reached out to pat A Yu’s head. “While your talent isn’t exceptional, it’s not impossible for you to stay. We don’t need servants or maids; I can care for my Master myself. So, I plan to take you to the Medicinal Cultivators later to see if they’ll accept you as an Outer Sect disciple.”

Though A Yu didn’t understand what “Outer Sect disciple” meant, she knew she could stay.

Back in her village, she had always known the Lingxiao Sect was a major cultivation sect. Entering it was considered a blessing from one’s ancestors. Now, even without her family, A Yu had found fortune in misfortune and could stay. She believed her parents and family would be happy for her.

“Waaah… Thank you, Sister Qianye,” A Yu sobbed, her eyes reddening at the thought of her parents. Clear tears dripped down her cheeks as she wiped them away, her pitiful sight tugging at the heartstrings.

Luo Jiu shot Shang Qianye a look that said, See what you’ve done? You made her cry. Shang Qianye reluctantly set down the basin of water and wiped A Yu’s tears. Luo Jiu, meanwhile, poured herself a cup of wine and leisurely took a sip.

After devouring half the roasted duck, A Yu finally stopped crying.

Shang Qianye glanced at the relaxed Luo Jiu and stood up. “Master,” she said, “I’ll take A Yu to the Medicinal Cultivator’s sect to see if anyone is willing to take her as a disciple.”

Luo Jiu swirled the white porcelain wine cup in her hand. “Go early and return early.”

A Yu’s excitement had been palpable since they left the courtyard. She hadn’t stepped outside the Jade Court Forest since being rescued by the two women, and her eyes sparkled at the sight of the bustling road.

“Sister Qianye,” A Yu said, gazing enviously at the Lingxiao Sect disciples in their colorful robes. “Their clothes are so beautiful! They all look like fairies.”

Shang Qianye smiled but remained silent.

Many people greeted Shang Qianye, and A Yu, seeing the strangers, hid behind her, timid yet curiously peering at them.

When they reached the Medicinal Cultivator’s area, Shang Qianye noticed that most of the disciples had already left. The few remaining were cleaning up, and they stopped their work to bow respectfully. “Senior Sister Shang.”

Shang Qianye nodded. “Who’s in charge of the Medicinal Cultivator now?”

One of the disciples replied, “The Martial Uncles and Aunts are managing things together. Is there something you need, Senior Sister Shang?”

Shang Qianye patted A Yu’s back, gently pulling her forward. “I have a young friend here whom I’d like to recommend to the Medicinal Cultivator. Do you know who’s responsible for accepting new disciples?”

The disciples exchanged glances before answering truthfully, “With so many people leaving recently, no one has been assigned to handle new disciples yet. Perhaps Senior Sister Shang could ask the Martial Uncles and Aunts directly? They might consider taking her in.”

Shang Qianye clasped her hands in a respectful bow. “Thank you.”

After bidding farewell to the disciple, Shang Qianye decided to seek out an elder of the Medicinal Cultivator sect to inquire about A Yu’s situation. When Yu Shiyan was still alive, the Medicinal Cultivator sect had several Martial Uncles and Aunts. Shang Qianye reasoned that at least one of them must be responsible for such matters.

Fortunately, their luck held. The first Medicinal Cultivator Elder they approached agreed to take A Yu under her wing. Moved by the girl’s circumstances, she welcomed A Yu as her disciple. A Yu immediately bowed to her new Master and remained at the sect.

Seeing A Yu settled, Shang Qianye felt relieved. She bent down to give the little girl a few parting words, instructing her to help out at the Medicinal Cultivator sect during the day and return in the evening to pack her belongings.

As Shang Qianye left the Elder’s quarters, she made a point of taking a detour through the Medicinal Cultivator sect.

The disciples’ dormitory was nearly deserted, most of the rooms empty. Baskets of medicinal herbs, left unattended in the courtyard, would surely be ruined if it rained.

Shang Qianye sighed, stroking a nearby basket of herbs. She murmured softly, “Senior Sister Qin, how could you have been so foolish…”

Why would someone with such a bright future choose to become an informant for the Demonic Sect?

The thought of Qin Wangyue’s past actions filled Shang Qianye with sorrow. After all, Qin Wangyue had been one of the few people at Lingxiao Sect with whom she could truly connect.

“Who’s there?”

A woman’s voice called out from behind her. Shang Qianye turned to see a young woman wearing a Medicinal Cultivator Disciple badge standing at the courtyard gate, a small medicine chest slung over her shoulder.

Shang Qianye set down the medicinal herbs she was holding and rose to her feet. “My apologies,” she said. “I’m Shang Qianye, a Talisman Cultivator. I came to the Medicinal Cultivator’s quarters on some business and noticed these herbs drying unattended. I just wanted to check on them.”

The young woman scrutinized Shang Qianye, confirming she was indeed from Lingxiao Sect, before relaxing slightly.

“These herbs aren’t unattended,” the woman explained. “We just haven’t had time to collect them yet.” She stepped forward and bowed to Shang Qianye. “I’m sorry for not recognizing you, Eldest Senior Sister Shang of the Talisman Cultivators. My name is Wen Shuang, a junior disciple of the Medicinal Cultivators.”

Wen Shuang?

Shang Qianye’s brow furrowed at the name. She remembered Wen Shuang—the young Medicinal Cultivator who had treated the Snake Lady.

So, this was Wen Shuang.

Shang Qianye scrutinized the person before her. At first glance, Wen Shuang didn’t appear particularly beautiful, even somewhat ordinary. However, her features were striking, especially her large, innocent eyes that radiated a naive charm.

She seemed utterly devoid of cunning, more like an honest, straightforward person.

Wen Shuang grew uneasy under Shang Qianye’s intense gaze. She glanced down at her own attire, finding nothing amiss. She couldn’t understand why the Talisman Cultivator’s Eldest Senior Sister was staring at her so intently.

“Senior Sister Shang,” Wen Shuang asked cautiously, “why are you looking at me like that?”

Shang Qianye blinked, then replied, “No reason. I’ve just heard your name before.”

Wen Shuang: “?”

What Shang Qianye didn’t reveal was that she had once suspected Wen Shuang of being an informant for the Demonic Sect. But now, it seemed Qin Wangyue had deliberately used her as a smokescreen to divert attention.

Fortunately, Luo Jiu had seen through Qin Wangyue’s petty tricks. Otherwise, they would have wrongly accused this innocent junior sister.

“The sky’s darkening. You should hurry and gather your medicinal herbs,” Shang Qianye said, stepping aside. “I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be heading back now.”

Wen Shuang lowered her head, watching Shang Qianye leave with a puzzled expression. She blinked, still unsure what to make of the encounter.

Well, she’s the Eldest Senior Sister of the Talisman Cultivators. What does that have to do with a lowly Medicinal Cultivator Disciple like me? She’ll probably forget about me the next time we meet.

Wen Shuang didn’t dwell on it. Instead, she began gathering the medicinal herbs that had been drying in the sun.

As the number of Medicinal Cultivators dwindled, the workload assigned to each disciple grew heavier. Now, Wen Shuang was not only responsible for treating the Snake Lady but also for collecting the majority of the dried herbs. She spent a significant portion of each day tending to the drying herbs.

After spending the time it took to brew a cup of tea gathering all the herbs from the courtyard, Wen Shuang hurried to collect the herbs from other courtyards. By the time she finished, it was already dark.

After a quick meal, Wen Shuang returned to the Dormitory, clutching her medicine chest.

As she entered the Dormitory, Wen Shuang saw her only roommate packing her belongings, preparing to leave. She stood in the courtyard, watching the girl depart with a wistful gaze, not daring to entertain any other thoughts.

Returning to the now-empty room, Wen Shuang stared at the vacant beds beside hers and sighed deeply.

Well, they have places to return to. It’s good they’re leaving, Wen Shuang thought, patting her pillow. But if I were to leave, where would I go…?