The streets at night were nearly empty. Ling Wu trailed behind Qingchen, ambling along at half speed.
She had so many questions. Why had Master come back early? Why had he happened to turn up in this exact spot? And most of all—what was the history between him and Yizhen?
Where there was gossip, there she was.
But she didn't dare ask. She was currently a criminal awaiting sentence: she'd sneaked down to the mortal realm, and she'd been getting cozy with Yizhen. Either charge alone was grounds for expulsion from the sect.
She prayed silently that, like every time before, Master would wave it all away.
Unfortunately, what you fear is exactly what you get. Qingchen up ahead suddenly stopped, turned, and looked at her. "Why is Ah-Wu walking so far from me?"
"Huh?" Ling Wu's mouth fell open as her eyes measured the distance between them.
Yes. They could fit six more senior brothers in that gap.
She scratched her head sheepishly and closed the distance in a few quick strides.
"This disciple has been walking around the city all day. A bit tired. Can't really move."
That much was true. She hadn't rested once since entering the city—chasing every spectacle she could find, legs aching. She'd planned to ride a cloud home and rest on the way. Who knew she'd blunder straight into Master.
Ah, what a hard life she led!
"Oh? So Ah-Wu arrived in the morning." Qingchen's smile didn't quite reach his eyes.
Ling Wu's gaze darted about. She didn't dare make a sound.
Stupid mouth! Why did it just blurt everything out!
"And how did Ah-Wu promise me last time?" Qingchen had no intention of letting her off.
Ling Wu's face went ashen. What must come, must come.
She mumbled into her collar: "This disciple will cultivate hard and only descend after ascension."
"Then why did Ah-Wu break her word?"
"This disciple, this disciple—" She spun in circles, frantic. Excuses, come quickly! I've been searching for you so hard!
"Does Ah-Wu think that no matter what mistakes she makes, I'll never hold them against her?"
"That's not what this disciple meant!" Ling Wu panicked. She truly hadn't expected Master to be this angry! She hadn't even done anything—how had it come to this!
"Master, this disciple truly repents!" Her knees buckled, and she started to drop to the ground—but Qingchen caught her, quick as a flash.
"You would kneel even here in the mortal realm?" His tone was part weary, part helpless.
Why did the enlightenment never arrive when it was supposed to?
Too terrified of punishment, Ling Wu blinked hard and squeezed out a few tears, voice hitching: "Master, this disciple was possessed by a wandering spirit this time! Three strikes and you're out—this disciple swears she will never sneak down behind Master's back again. If I break this oath, may I never ascend for all eternity!"
She meant every word. To swear an oath that vicious, Ling Wu had truly gone all in.
The corner of Qingchen's eye twitched, and his gaze on her turned complicated.
She could never ascend in the first place. As guarantees went, this one was worthless—and that was exactly what left him unsettled.
Unless—
"Let Ah-Wu promise something else instead. If she ever leaves Kunlun alone behind my back again, she will sever her own legs. How about that?"
In his judgment, this version was far safer.
Ling Wu went pale with shock. First he'd talk about locking her on the mountain, now cutting off her own legs. Master, are you a living King of Hell?!
Pain aside—if she couldn't even walk, what would be the point of living!
Seeing her hesitate, Qingchen lowered his lids halfway, lips curling. "Ah-Wu is unwilling? So the repentance wasn't sincere. All those words were to fool me."
Nothing in the world worked on Ling Wu like a dare. She shoved every thought aside and swore on the spot: "This disciple is willing! Willing! If this disciple ever sneaks off Kunlun behind Master's back again, I will sever my own legs and live as a cripple!"
"Good girl, Ah-Wu." A smile finally crossed Qingchen's face.
Maybe it was her imagination, but Ling Wu thought she saw something lingering and tender in that smile.
Before she could look closer, Master had already started walking.
"It's late. The demon hunt can wait until tomorrow. Ah-Wu, come find a place to rest for the night."
"Yes, Master."
They soon found an inn that hadn't closed for the night. The owner came out to greet them, all smiles.
"This way, honored guests."
His eyes kept drifting to Qingchen, full of awe. Ling Wu felt a knot in her chest. One Yizhen leaves, and along comes Master. Thank goodness it was nighttime—had it been daytime, that face of Master's would have caused a riot of unknown proportions.
Honestly, Master too. When you descend to the mortal realm, at least disguise yourself. Letting strangers gawk for nothing—she was not pleased about it.
She parked Master off to the side to wait, blocked the innkeeper's line of sight, and set a gold ingot on the counter.
At that display of generosity, the man snapped back to his senses, his grin stretching nearly to his ears.
"Your wish is my command."
Ling Wu said: "Prepare two premium rooms for us. Everything in the rooms is to be new and the finest quality. Understood?"
For herself, any old room would do. But for someone as exalted as Master? No cutting corners. Not on food, not on lodging, not on anything. If it was worth having, it was worth having the best.
The innkeeper agreed eagerly, asked them to sit a moment, then hurried to the back and went up with the waiter to prepare the rooms.
The two of them shuttled back and forth with armloads of things, and before long, they were shown upstairs.
The waiter didn't spare Master a glance—his eyes stayed glued to Ling Wu. The moment she drew near, she heard: "Miss, whatever you need, just call for me. My name is Chang'an."
Ling Wu smiled warmly. "Much obliged, much obliged."
The waiter dropped his head, face scarlet.
Ling Wu was baffled. What was with this fellow? She was making conversation and he couldn't even manage a follow-up line? Standing there head-down like some bashful quail.
Qingchen cast the waiter a weightless glance, then sent a voice transmission: "Ah-Wu, in future, don't smile so freely at strange men."
She'd been puzzling over the waiter's behavior; at this, she hurried to answer: "Understood, Master."
His Excellency probably just figured her smile was too friendly, and she'd get fleeced at every stall.
Upstairs, Ling Wu and Qingchen bowed their goodnights. Their rooms were side by side, barely a few steps apart.
Qingchen said, "Sleep early," and stepped into the room before him.
Ling Wu smiled and pushed through her own door.
The power of gold truly knew no bounds. The owner had prepared the room immaculately—even a calming incense sat burning on the table. This little corner of the world was a genuine pleasure to be in.
She produced a cleansing talisman and tidied herself up, kicked off her shoes, and flopped onto the bed.
Oh mama. This beat her quarters on Kunlun by a country mile.
If only someone waited on her like this every day.
Ling Wu closed her eyes and started dreaming.
No wonder mortals craved supreme power. This many people fawning at your side, the finest of everything for eating, wearing, living, riding—plus the occasional adoring glance from the outside world. Who wouldn't get drunk on that?
When her tribulation came, she'd have Master secure her some wealthy, prestigious station.
And with that thought, Ling Wu drifted off.
She slept soundly through the night and rose early the next morning.
With Master around, the duty of attending to him naturally fell on her shoulders.
She sent a voice transmission: "Master, are you awake?"
"Mm."
That reply came fast. Ling Wu clicked her tongue. Surely Master hadn't been up all night?
She tried again: "Would Master like something to eat?" After a pause, she made her pitch. "The food in the mortal realm is simply wonderful. To come all this way and not taste any would be a real shame."
Immortals didn't need food to fill their stomachs, but there was no harm in eating a little.
"Then I'll leave it to Ah-Wu. Whatever you like, bring me the same."
Hearing Qingchen agree, Ling Wu was delighted.
"This disciple will be right back!"