533 - The Eldest Martial Sister Gave Up Treatment

Tong Yao lifted her head. Her eyes were slightly red, shimmering with tears. Bai Lian noticed that, for some reason, no one around her ever seemed truly happy. [Could this possibly be my fault?] She shook her head with a smile. Impossible. She was the saint who naturally brought hope and courage, not some harbinger of calamity! Bai Lian gently patted Tong Yao's head, her voice tender like a mother's, "It's getting dark. Wait here for me to return." "I..." Tong Yao opened her mouth. Bai Lian continued to smile, "I am Bai Lian, trust me!" Indeed. Because she was Senior Sister Bai, I ought to trust her. But why do I feel so weak? Tong Yao clenched her fists. She always played the role of a bystander being rescued, never once relying on her own strength to solve problems. In the past, her master protected her; now, both her master and Senior Sister Bai protect her. If she had power, would everything be different? She took out the Nether Seal that emitted a gentle purple light. The purple light enveloped both her and Bai Lian. "Senior Sister Bai, this was sent to me by my father before the incident. I think it must be something very important." "Then you should keep it safe," Bai Lian replied. Tong Yao shook her head, "I think it's more useful in Senior Sister Bai's hands." She tucked the Nether Seal directly into Bai Lian's embrace. Well, then. Bai Lian stored the seal, which weighed heavily on her chest, in her cleavage. She laughed, "Get some sleep; you might see me again by morning." "Okay." Tong Yao wiped the tears from her eyes. She watched Bai Lian leave. Sleep? How could she possibly sleep? She sat on the wooden steps outside the door. Tonight. It was unusually cold. The moonlight was a stark white, like a layer of frost. Even Bai Lian, on her way, had to throw on a light blue robe. She used to favor moon-white clothes but gradually switched to blue as her master liked it. Her next destination was Zhu Yan Peak. To quickly reach Bei Luzhou, she needed a long-distance teleportation talisman. As a wealthy person, Yan Yue would have at least a hundred of those. She saw Yan Yue, strumming the zither in the pavilion, without any obstacles. Upon explaining her purpose, Yan Yue promptly handed her four 【Sky Patrolling Talismans】. "If you need more, just ask me." "These are enough, thank you Yan Sh..." "Call me Yan Yue!" "Yes, Yan Yue." Yan Yue's eyes narrowed slightly. The dark robe she wore matched the hues of the Blood Tree Ancestor perfectly. This seemed to be her happiest time. So relaxed, without worries. After Bai Lian left, the Blood Tree Ancestor suddenly remarked, "Have you noticed that today's Bai Lian is somehow different from usual?" "Eh?" Yan Yue's finger lifted off the zither string. Indeed, today's Bai Lian seemed more at ease before her than ever before. "It should be nothing, right?" She whispered. The Blood Tree Ancestor nodded, "Perhaps I'm too sensitive about matters between you all." "Of course." A dimpled smile graced Yan Yue's face. The dreamy moonlit night, the tender spring breeze... ... Bai Lian's third stop was her master's cave. She had secretly promised her master to inform her in advance of any urgent outings next time. She didn't want to break her promise the first time. That would certainly leave a very bad impression on her master. But before going, Bai Lian prepared some late-night snacks. Like smashed cucumbers, cumin potatoes, spicy crayfish... Using these to "bribe" her master might seem paltry, but she had nothing her master would value. "Come in." An Lan called out upon hearing movements outside the cave. Bai Lian immediately entered with a smile. "Master!" She magically laid out the dishes one by one on the table. An Lan was surprised, "What are you up to again?" Bai Lian sat primly by the table, "You missed the gathering for lunch, so I thought I'd come keep you company for a late-night snack." "..." An Lan's heart skipped a beat. She turned slightly, moving her gaze from Bai Lian to a stone shelf. "I've long reached the fasting level; I don't need to eat!" "These are made by me," Bai Lian gently asserted. An Lan said, "Then eat them yourself." No! Bai Lian wasn't about to give in; she pressed forward. Hmph. Today, whether she wants to or not! It’s better to cooperate. Otherwise, even if I get spanked, flattened, or hammered, I’ll still shove those cucumbers down your throat, stuffing your belly full! So, An Lan watched as Bai Lian approached with a plate of smashed cucumbers. Very close indeed. Bai Lian placed one knee on the bed, leaning her upper body in. Hey. What are you doing? An Lan shrank back instinctively as if something touched a nerve. Take it away quickly! It might get dirty! The pristine bed could be stained with grime! An Lan raised her hand, intending to knock Bai Lian and the plate away. But just as she was about to act, Bai Lian's words "These are made by me" echoed in her mind. So, she opted to immobilize her instead. With a flow of divine thought, Bai Lian was suddenly frozen. She couldn’t move; her master could do anything to her now. An Lan had no malicious intentions. She slipped out from under Bai Lian's arm. "Since you're so sincere, I'll mercifully accompany you for a midnight snack." Only upon her bottom touching the stone stool did An Lan release her hold over Bai Lian. This was a troubling sign! Once freed, Bai Lian mused to herself. If she ever did good deeds with her master, and her master suddenly immobilized her, wouldn't she become her master's "toy in hand"? Yet... It's nearly impossible for her to surpass her master. The dynamic between them was far too unfavorable! Bai Lian sank gloomily into her seat by the table. Having turned the tables, An Lan was in a pleasant mood. Though the cave's candlelight flickered tirelessly, the glow never dimmed for a second. "Master, try this." "This tastes nice too..." "And this." It was truly a night of filial piety.