Master, Please Help Me Break the Love Curse! - Chapter 8

Immortal Ancestor Shrine.

Pei Hui rubbed her knees, which ached from kneeling, her face contorted in a grimace.

“Damn it! I’m not kneeling anymore!”

Pei Hui couldn’t take it anymore. Since no one else was in the shrine, she plopped down on the floor and brazenly massaged her reddened knees. The memory of today’s events made her seethe with anger.

This morning, after pushing Qin Wangyue into the academy’s pond, Pei Hui was dragged away by Yu Shiyan before noon.

The stern Medicine Cultivation Elder’s expression was thunderous. After hearing the full account, he was furious. Fortunately, Headmaster Gu intervened with a few kind words, preventing Pei Hui from being expelled from the mountain.

And then there was Qin Wangyue.

She had stood silently beside Yu Shiyan, her eyes darting coldly from behind his back. Yet, she had the audacity to feign concern, saying things like, “I’m not seriously hurt,” “Master, please don’t be angry,” and “It’s only natural for the Little Princess to be a bit mischievous.” She even pleaded on Pei Hui’s behalf.

This infuriated Pei Hui beyond measure.

At the thought of Qin Wangyue’s frail, innocent facade, Pei Hui huffed, “Are the people of Lingxiao Sect blind? I’ve seen plenty of these two-faced white lotuses in the palace. They pretend to speak up for me, but who knows what schemes they’re plotting behind my back?”

Pei Hui glared at the ancestral tablets in the shrine, then leaped up and pointed at them. “Immortals, my ass! If it weren’t for my Imperial Grandfather needing the Method of Immortality, I wouldn’t have bothered coming to this godforsaken Lingxiao Sect to suffer!”

The Little Princess grew even more resentful as she recalled her mother’s parting words.

She had been living comfortably in the capital, enjoying noble status, her parents’ doting affection, and the Emperor’s favor as his most beloved granddaughter. If not for her Imperial Grandfather’s quest for immortality, she would have left this place long ago.

After ranting for ages in the shrine, Pei Hui’s throat grew parched. Frustrated and helpless, she slumped back down, muttering, “I knew Qin Wangyue was trouble the moment I saw her. I bet she used some dirty tricks to become the Eldest Senior Sister.”

“And Yu Shiyan’s excessive concern for her… they’ve probably already shared a bed.”

“Hmph! These so-called immortal sects are nothing but dens of lewd secrets!”

“Once I find the Method of Immortality for my Imperial Grandfather, I’ll make my father raze your Lingxiao Palace to the ground!”

Pei Hui mumbled to herself until drowsiness overtook her. After all, she was just a sixteen-year-old girl. Rubbing her eyes, she ignored whether the place was suitable for sleeping, yawned, and lay down on the floor, drifting off to sleep.

In her hazy slumber, Pei Hui felt herself stirring awake again.

She noticed two figures had suddenly appeared at the entrance of the Immortal Ancestor Shrine. Dressed in what looked like Lingxiao Sect robes, they were conversing in hushed tones. Unable to make out their words, Pei Hui rose and crept closer to the door, straining to hear their conversation through the crack.

“Have you heard? Buddha’s Finger Cave has been buzzing with activity lately. I’ve seen so many people heading there to investigate!”

“Exactly! I heard the same thing—apparently, there’s a secret manual in Buddha’s Finger Cave that grants immortality. If you cultivate it, you can live forever!”

“That sounds amazing! Too bad my cultivation is so weak; I’m practically no different from a mortal. If I were stronger, I’d definitely try it. Who wouldn’t want to live forever?”

“Hey, you don’t need high cultivation! I heard even mortals can easily cultivate that technique. You can definitely do it!”

“Really? If that’s true, I’m going to Buddha’s Finger Cave right away! Once I obtain the Method of Immortality, I won’t have to be a gatekeeper disciple here anymore!”

“If you’re willing, come with me. Buddha’s Finger Cave isn’t difficult at all—even a ten-year-old could wander in and out as they please.”

“Wonderful! Senior Martial Brother, wait for me! I’ll pack my things and join you at Buddha’s Finger Cave!”

Buddha’s Finger Cave?

The Method of Immortality?!

Pei Hui suddenly perked up. She was about to push open the door and ask the two figures outside if what she’d heard was true when she abruptly woke up.

Still groggy from sleep, Pei Hui was momentarily disoriented, but the details of her dream remained vivid in her mind.

In an instant, it struck her like a divine revelation: an immortal ancestor was guiding her!

If she could reach Buddha’s Finger Cave and obtain the Method of Immortality, she could finally leave the Lingxiao Sect and return to her life as the Little Princess!

Moreover, according to the conversation she’d overheard, the cave wasn’t particularly dangerous. With her decent cultivation level and a few skilled escorts, the Method of Immortality would be within her grasp!

This is perfect! This is perfect! With the guidance of an immortal ancestor, she was certain to obtain the Method of Immortality that her Imperial Grandfather had yearned for his entire life!

Pei Hui let out a joyful cheer, completely oblivious to the faint green hem of a robe that flashed past the crack in the door…

The next day, Shang Qianye woke up early and carefully groomed herself before the mirror.

With no classes scheduled, she planned to visit Luo Jiu and see what her master had been up to these past few days.

Before heading to the Jade Court Forest, Shang Qianye stopped by the sect’s small market to buy some of Luo Jiu’s favorite fruits. Though Luo Jiu had long since entered a state of spiritual fasting, she still enjoyed the occasional indulgence, especially sweets. Knowing this, Shang Qianye chose some particularly sweet grapes to bring as a gift.

“Master?”

As soon as Shang Qianye arrived at the Jade Court Forest, she noticed sound transmission talismans of all sizes flitting in and out of the residence.

She went to Luo Jiu’s study and found the once-orderly room now cluttered with scrolls piled high on the floor and desk. Luo Jiu sat at her desk, engrossed in some task, with sound transmission talismans lined up neatly, awaiting her attention.

Luo Jiu, already in a foul mood, grew even more displeased at Shang Qianye’s arrival.

She glanced up at Shang Qianye, her brow furrowing slightly. “What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to wait seven days before visiting?”

Shang Qianye knew Luo Jiu didn’t want to see her, especially after their two previous intimate encounters had been forced. But she refused to let Luo Jiu distance herself. She would rather Luo Jiu beat her senseless, as she had done the first time they met.

“Master,” Shang Qianye said, stepping forward and placing the fruit box before her. “The grapes looked so fresh, I bought some for you to try.”

The grapes were vibrant green, glistening with dewdrops—clearly freshly picked and of excellent quality.

Luo Jiu’s expression softened slightly, but she still said, “Just leave it there and go.”

Shang Qianye looked at her with hurt in her eyes. “Master…”

Luo Jiu ignored her, picking up a sound transmission talisman and resuming her work, occasionally issuing instructions. She completely disregarded Shang Qianye’s presence.

Feeling like she had become invisible, Shang Qianye had no choice but to survey the messy study. “Master,” she asked, “shall I help you tidy up the study?”

When Luo Jiu didn’t respond, Shang Qianye took it as tacit approval.

She began picking up the scattered bamboo scrolls from the floor. As she read the titles, Shang Qianye paused, then abruptly turned to look at Luo Jiu sitting at her desk.

Sensing her gaze, Luo Jiu said slowly, “Now that you’ve seen them, you know what to do.”

The scrolls in the room were all records of Gu insects. Though few in the world used Gu, the varieties were numerous. Shang Qianye guessed that Luo Jiu was searching for clues about the love gu, hoping to find a way to help her remove it.

“Master…”

Shang Qianye approached, her gaze burning as she asked, “Master, have you been busy reading these all day?”

Luo Jiu ignored her.

Shang Qianye’s eyes curved into a smile as she sat opposite her. “There are so many books, Master. You can’t possibly read them all alone. Why don’t I stay and help? Would that be alright?”

Though framed as a question, Shang Qianye’s seat was firmly planted, as if she had no intention of moving.

Luo Jiu glanced at her with her dark eyes, well aware of her disciple’s stubborn nature. Too lazy to argue, she merely tilted her chin and said, “You’re in my way. Go read over there.”

Shang Qianye’s face lit up with joy. She immediately grabbed a stack of scrolls and hurried to a small table nearby, where she began flipping through them earnestly.

Throughout the day, Shang Qianye occasionally asked Luo Jiu questions. Sometimes Luo Jiu answered, and sometimes she ignored her out of annoyance. Colorful sound transmission talismans flew back and forth, but Shang Qianye, knowing Luo Jiu was busy, quietly focused on her reading.

The books indeed contained detailed descriptions of various Gu insects, accompanied by nauseating illustrations.

However, information about love gu was scarce. After a full day of searching, Shang Qianye found only three books that mentioned love gu incidents. She marked these passages and placed the scrolls on Luo Jiu’s desk.

“This is the information about the love gu I researched today,” Shang Qianye said, sitting across from Luo Jiu. “I’ll check the remaining books tomorrow. There might be more records hidden within.”

“Mm,” Luo Jiu replied with a neutral expression, picking up the scrolls Shang Qianye had filtered and began to read through them.

Shang Qianye’s gaze shifted, and she noticed that the grapes she had brought that morning had been completely devoured, leaving only the brown stems in the fruit box.

Suppressing a smile, Shang Qianye glanced up at Luo Jiu, who was intently flipping through the scrolls. “Did the grapes taste good today, Master? Should I bring you some more tomorrow?”

Luo Jiu’s fingers paused mid-scroll. Shang Qianye even caught a hint of embarrassment on her face.

But Luo Jiu quickly regained her composure, replying coolly, “Bring something different tomorrow.”

Shang Qianye’s eyes curved into a smile. “As you wish, Master.”

Leaving the Jade Court Forest, Shang Qianye’s mood lifted considerably. Though Luo Jiu still seemed troubled by their earlier intimacy, she was, after all, Shang Qianye’s own master—the woman who had raised her since childhood. Even if truly angered, a little coaxing would quickly soothe her.

As Shang Qianye walked back to her courtyard, she was still pondering what to bring tomorrow.

The peaches she’d seen this morning in the neighboring courtyard looked so fresh and tender, they must be delicious. She’d buy a few tomorrow.

Osmanthus cakes seemed like a good choice too. She’d get a box of those as well.

Dried fruits and candied treats would likely appeal to Luo Jiu, but she couldn’t buy too much at once. If Luo Jiu got tired of them, she might refuse Shang Qianye’s gifts altogether, which would be a problem.

She needed to control the quantity carefully—enough to please Luo Jiu without satisfying her completely. She wanted Luo Jiu to crave more each day, giving Shang Qianye a reason to visit daily.

The thought of seeing Luo Jiu every day filled Shang Qianye with radiant joy.

Before she could savor her happiness, she spotted Gu Yunqing sitting on a stone bench in her courtyard, propping her head up with a bored expression. Seeing Shang Qianye enter, Yunqing immediately perked up and ran to greet her.

“Senior Sister, you’re back!” Yunqing exclaimed, happily taking Shang Qianye’s hand. “Do you want to go down the mountain with me tonight for the lantern festival?”