Chapter 096: Senior and Junior Disciples
Yan Shu was shamefully moved. She gazed at the three jars of wine before her, silently calculating how many spirit stones she could trade them for if she took them out.
“Look at you, so petty!” the Medicine King shot her a glance. “Once you’ve cultivated all sixteen plots with spirit herbs, I’ll pass on the wine-brewing recipe to you. Then you can brew as much as you wish!”
Yan Shu’s eyes lit up instantly. Obediently, she opened a jar and handed it to the Medicine King. “Master, please enjoy!”
The Medicine King snorted, but said nothing more, accepting the jar.
Yan Shu opened a second jar and offered it to Xiao Jihan.
Xiao Jihan looked at the jar before him, then at the one in the Medicine King’s hand, pursing his lips. Why was he second? Shouldn’t he be the first in her heart?
Favorability: 14 (First acquaintance)
Yan Shu: ???
She quietly withdrew the jar, “If you don’t want to drink…”
Before she finished speaking, a slender hand plucked the jar from her grasp.
Yan Shu turned to see Xiao Jihan holding it with one hand, head tilted back, revealing a graceful, sharp jawline. As he swallowed, his beautiful Adam’s apple moved up and down, making him even more alluring in the moonlight.
She felt her mouth go dry.
Yan Shu quickly looked away, silently chanting, “Beware of beauty, beware of beauty,” before opening the last jar and taking a hearty swig herself.
Millennium-aged spirit wine was indeed extraordinary. One mouthful filled her energy sea to overflowing; spiritual energy spread from her core to every limb and bone, leaving her feeling utterly refreshed.
Yan Shu couldn’t help but sigh, “What fine wine!”
The Medicine King snorted, “You should know who brewed it!”
“Yes, yes!” Yan Shu quickly flattered him, “Master, your wine-brewing skills are unmatched in the world!”
The Medicine King was pleased by her praise, nodding. “The world thinks my medical and alchemy skills are the best, but they don’t realize my greatest talent is in brewing. In those days…”
Once he started reminiscing, he wouldn’t stop. He began with how rare his wine was, gradually recounting his exploits in the cultivation world—how he was honored wherever he went, how even a casual pill would draw crowds, and how sects nearly fought over a single pill.
Yan Shu listened with rapt attention, drinking as she listened. The wine was mellow, not harsh, spiritual energy enveloped her, making her feel relaxed and at ease.
Perhaps because she was so comfortable, her courage grew. She quietly sent a voice transmission to Xiao Jihan, “Once we’re out, I’ll grow spirit herbs and you’ll refine pills. With the two of us, won’t we rule the cultivation world? Spirit stones will rain down!”
Xiao Jihan turned to look at her. Her cheeks were rosy like she’d brushed on rouge, and her crimson lips were especially tempting.
His phoenix eyes darkened; he took another sip from the jar.
Yan Shu, perhaps drunk, grew bolder still. She dared to tug at Xiao Jihan’s arm, leaning close, her small face lifted in protest, “What, you’re not willing?!”
His hand holding the jar was pulled down by her, leaving nothing between them. She was so near, only an elbow’s distance; her long curled lashes were distinct.
For reasons unknown, he suddenly remembered her pleading in that illusion.
Xiao Jihan’s Adam’s apple bobbed; he looked away, sending a voice transmission, “Not master and disciple, but senior sister and junior brother.”
Favorability: 15 (First acquaintance)
Favorability: 16 (First acquaintance)
Favorability: 17 (First acquaintance)
Favorability: 18 (First acquaintance)
The four-point jump in favorability made Yan Shu beam. She nodded repeatedly, “Fine, fine, senior sister and junior brother!”
Never mind what it was—so long as she held onto the male lead’s thigh! The future eighth-rank alchemist, the wealthiest in the cultivation world! She wouldn’t mind even being the junior sister!
The Medicine King was still rambling about his glorious past, but upon turning, he found the two weren’t listening. He snapped, “You two rascals, are you even listening to your master?!”
“Yes, yes!” Yan Shu quickly replied, “How could we not listen to master?”
The Medicine King snorted, “Then tell me, what was my most unforgettable experience in the cultivation world?”
Yan Shu: …
She ventured, “The first time you refined a seventh-rank pill?”
“Heh!”
“Being crowned the Medicine King?”
“Heh!”
Yan Shu cast a pleading look at Xiao Jihan.
Xiao Jihan lifted his eyelids and spoke coolly, “Stopped by the number one immortal maiden for a confession, ended up losing not only your essence but also three seventh-rank pills.”
Yan Shu: …
That… certainly was unforgettable.
The Medicine King looked up at the moon and sighed, “I was too young back then. When you seek a Dao partner, be careful—never act on impulse. If someone hasn’t died for you two or three times, never agree! The world is treacherous; who knows if they want you for yourself or for your cultivation and skills?”
His words were earnest, but Yan Shu felt they were wasted on the two of them.
She was a cannon-fodder supporting character struggling to survive, watched by the heavenly law; she’d likely only ever circle around the male lead, with no chance at a Dao partner.
As for Xiao Jihan, even less so—a single-minded seeker, the original novel’s no-CP male lead, immune to romance.
She was about to tell her master he was overthinking, when she heard Xiao Jihan say, “What if someone, when you have nothing, is willing to give you the best they have, and repeatedly risks their life for you?”
“Isn’t it obvious?” The Medicine King withdrew his gaze and looked at Xiao Jihan, “Naturally, you should bind her tightly to your side! In this world, how many would do that for you? Not even blood relatives! My disciple, have you met such a person?”
Xiao Jihan took another sip from the jar, replying coolly, “Just asking.”
The Medicine King glanced at Yan Shu’s flushed cheeks, stroked his beard, and said meaningfully, “Oh, just asking.”
Yan Shu looked at Xiao Jihan, then at the Medicine King’s knowing expression, unable to decipher their riddles.
Having drunk too much, Yan Shu was now not only muddled but sleepy, and hadn’t thought deeply about Xiao Jihan’s words.
But even if she’d been clear-headed, she wouldn’t have thought much. In the original story, all the supporting women went wild for Xiao Jihan, some even banging their heads against walls for him, but he just soared away, leaving behind a legion of disappointed fans.
He was the ultimate no-CP character; anyone might have a Dao partner, except him.
The three chatted as they drank—mostly the Medicine King recounting his life, with Xiao Jihan and Yan Shu chiming in now and then.
Unknowingly, the three jars were emptied.
Night deepened. The Medicine King cast a disdainful glance at Yan Shu, who had fallen asleep clutching her jar, then stood and said to Xiao Jihan, “Watch over her. I’ll go prepare a place for you two to sleep.”
In the Medicine King’s valley, there were only two huts—one his own, the other for storing medicinal herbs and for Xiao Jihan and Yan Shu to meditate and restore their spiritual energy.