Chapter 44: Be careful in your next life

Somehow, Gu Che discovered that his proud protective golden aura was like a deflating balloon, starting to dissipate through an opening.

But no matter what he did, he couldn’t gather it back together.

It was like blowing air into a balloon with a cut—the more he exerted himself, the more exhausted he became.

Moreover, whenever he began circulating spiritual energy around his body, he would feel a numbing and stinging sensation all over, like an electric shock, and sparks of electricity would crackle around him.

“It’s useless. The power of lightning has covered your body. You won’t be able to circulate your energy for three hours.”

Su Xiaotang explained, then clasped her hands in a fist.

“Senior Brother, I yield.”

Gu Che knelt weakly on the ground, muttering with vacant eyes: “How… is that possible…”

Across from him, Su Xiaotang curled her lips slightly.

She raised her hands, holding the wooden stick.

The next moment, as if it could no longer bear something, the stick reached its limit and began to turn into fine ashes, scattering into the air.

Looking at it, Su Xiaotang smiled with relief.

“You’ve worked hard.”

Only after watching that dark clump of ashes completely dissipate did Su Xiaotang turn around with a big leap and strike a pose at the crowd on the viewing platform.

She placed one hand on her hip, made a peace sign with the other in front of her eyes, blinked, stuck out her tongue, and said proudly and playfully: “Safe and sound!”

Su Xiaotang, who hadn’t won a battle in a long time, certainly wouldn’t miss this good opportunity.

So she was the first to run in front of Chu Fan to ask for praise, and of course, she also wanted a reward.

And Chu Fan’s tendency to spoil children was fully exposed.

Not only did he keep rubbing Su Xiaotang’s head, but he also agreed to whatever she asked.

After all, it was just some food, drinks, and toys—nothing difficult.

He could still afford these.

But while everyone was immersed in happiness, no one noticed….

Gu Che and Shen Yuying were missing.

After his defeat, Gu Che, whose ambition soared higher than the sky, slipped away when no one was paying attention.

His pride wouldn’t allow him to stay there any longer.

He just wanted to quickly return to the Heavenly Master Mansion and train hard.

Then one day, he would defeat Chu Fan and win their master’s favor.

Of course, he could also win the favor of those female disciples on the side.

Although he hadn’t clearly seen the faces of the disciples other than Su Xiaotang, from their unparalleled auras, they must be equally captivating beauties.

“Senior Brother, please wait.”

Just as Gu Che was busy planning his future, a gentle and melodious female voice sounded behind him.

But the voice was so beautiful that the moment he heard it, Gu Che felt as if he had been shocked, turning his head instinctively to look.

Until he saw the figure approaching gracefully, the appearance that even celestial maidens would envy, the soul-stirring curves of her body, and the ethereal aura that seemed untouched by worldly affairs.

Gu Che was completely dumbfounded.

If the cute little junior sister earlier only aroused a protective instinct in him, like a lovable little animal.

Then the woman now standing before him made his heart race.

‘His master, as a woman, was too tall—taller than him. He actually didn’t like that height.’

‘So Shen Yuying in front of him was, to him, a perfect partner he couldn’t even dream of.’

‘But what did she want from him? It couldn’t be love at first sight, since he was a loser.’

Thinking this, Gu Che restrained his lust and became cautious.

“I wonder what business this junior sister has with me.”

Gu Che completely suppressed his lust and temper, speaking as if nothing had happened.

“I saw senior brother leaving alone. I was worried that senior brother might be saddened by today’s sparring, thus harming the harmony between us and the Heavenly Master Mansion, so I came specially to advise senior brother.”

Hearing this reasonable excuse, Gu Che couldn’t help but gradually let down his guard.

He didn’t find anything strange.

After all, the entire cultivation world wanted to curry favor with the Heavenly Master Mansion, because the Heavenly Master was Dongfang Qingwei, and she was the strongest Heavenly Master in the entire history of the mansion, far surpassing others.

Gu Che now only felt that Shen Yuying was sensible, even taking action to mediate their relationship.

What a thoughtful person.

“It’s fine, junior sister. Senior brother’s skills are inferior. I’ll just go back and train hard.”

Gu Che laughed heartily.

Hearing this, Shen Yuying smiled gently.

“Senior brother is broad-minded. Junior sister admires you greatly.”

“Hehehe~”

Gu Che laughed foolishly, embarrassed by the praise.

Shen Yuying’s lips curled up imperceptibly.

She slightly pulled back her sleeve, revealing a knife scar on her wrist.

And this scar was just seen by Gu Che.

Gu Che was startled.

He suddenly grabbed Shen Yuying’s sleeve.

The latter frowned in disgust, but it disappeared in an instant.

Gu Che said worriedly: “Junior sister, what happened to this wound!?”

“Ah!”

Shen Yuying pretended to be surprised and pulled her sleeve down a bit, covering that shocking scar again.

“Junior sister, is someone bullying you? Tell senior brother, and I will seek justice for you!”

“No… it’s not that, senior brother… it’s… it’s Master…”

“Your master!?”

Gu Che suddenly recalled Chu Fan’s detestable pretty-boy face.

“Mm…”

Shen Yuying nodded with difficulty, then choked up saying:

“Actually, senior brother, you don’t need to be sad. The strength of us sisters was all forced out by Master…”

“Forced out?”

“Whenever we were a bit lazy in cultivation, or if he was unsatisfied with our progress, he would… would punish us physically…”

Shen Yuying said with tears streaming down her face, making Gu Che’s face flush with anger.

“What?!?!?! This beast!!!!!!!!!”

Shen Yuying’s brows furrowed again, but it disappeared instantly.

“I knew he was no good. Master even fawns over him. It’s fine, junior sister, I’ll take you to Master to argue the case!”

Gu Che thought that letting Dongfang Qingwei see this shocking scar would hopefully wake her up.

But Shen Yuying pulled Gu Che back and asked:

“So, senior brother… you already discovered Master’s problem… and have you… ever mentioned it to Uncle Dongfang…?”

Hearing this praise-then-question, Gu Che answered without thinking:

“Of course! I’ve long said that guy is a beast. I wouldn’t even want that kind of beast to shine my shoes!”

Actually, Gu Che had never said that Chu Fan was Dongfang Qingwei’s gigolo, nor had he ever called Chu Fan a beast.

In Gu Che’s perception, Chu Fan was at most a pretty boy, or a powerful cultivator who overtook others with his cultivation and snatched away love.

But now Gu Che was purely provoked, so he happened to say that.

But while the speaker meant no harm, the listener took it to heart.

Shen Yuying smiled slightly.

“Is that so? So senior brother really did say that. That’s… really great.”

“Great? What do you mean?”

Gu Che didn’t understand at all, but Shen Yuying seemed very happy.

Why?

‘After thinking, it must be because Shen Yuying, as Chu Fan’s disciple, actually lacked a sense of security. After all, she was used to being abused. That’s normal.’

‘Then from now on, he would protect her. No matter what, even if he had to die, he would die before her!’

And at this moment, Gu Che was too busy staring at Shen Yuying’s perfect face, imagining a plot that didn’t exist.

He completely failed to notice that a huge snow-white tail was leisurely suspended in the air behind him.

And the next moment, Gu Che’s wish came true.

squelch

His body inexplicably jerked forward.

Gu Che first felt a faint warmth, almost imperceptible.

Then gradually, liquid began to bubble out of his mouth for no reason—metallic-tasting, along with solids.

It was blood and chunks of internal organs surging up from his pierced body.

Gu Che slowly lowered his head, looking with terrified eyes at the tail that had pierced through his back to his chest, now completely stained red with blood.

He said in a faint voice: “Wh…why…”

Shen Yuying ignored him.

She simply, calmly, wiped her wrist in front of him.

The next moment, the festering-like scar gradually dissipated like smoke meeting wind.

Shen Yuying’s eyes became like looking at a pile of slop, her disgust completely undisguised.

With a flick of her tail, Shen Yuying flung Gu Che several meters away.

Thrown to the ground, Gu Che lost his life within a few breaths.

But Shen Yuying still raised her hand, aimed at the corpse, and softly chanted: “Perish.”

whoosh

The next moment, a great fire rose from the ground, burning Gu Che’s body to ashes.

Shen Yuying left him no chance of survival.

During the burning, Shen Yuying also took off her fleece coat, threw it into the fire with a disgusted look, then walked to the river to wash her hands.

After washing her hands, Shen Yuying flicked them twice, looked at her wrist that had been held through the clothes, and sighed: “Good thing I wasn’t touched directly, or else this hand would have to go too.”

“Can’t let those dirty hands touch Master.”

“Not even indirectly.”