Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 106 | A Request for Healing | Novela.app

The Hundred Flowers Palace in the aftermath of the chaotic battle was not as dilapidated as one might have imagined. Peace returned swiftly. Although the leaders and key figures of several major sects had vanished mysteriously—and most assumed they were dead despite the lack of bodies—everything felt eerie. Yet, as the saying goes, when even the Sect Leaders are gone, who else has the strength to contend with the Hundred Flowers Palace? Furthermore, the Heavenly Demon Palace was restless, their reach extending toward the various sects. This time, no one would be spared. "Zhi’er." Bai Zhi’er stood by the cliffside, much like Nan Muxue once had. The breeze brushed past everyone without favoritism, but her face was one clearly favored by the heavens. She turned her head slightly to look at the newcomer. "Where is your Little Scorpion? Is she not clinging to you?" Chu Ruo smiled. "I have something to ask of you." Bai Zhi’er looked her up and down playfully. "Coming to see me empty-handed?" The hands Chu Ruo had been hiding behind her back finally moved forward. "I brought you a drink." "What is this?" "This? It’s a drink from my hometown called milk tea." "Milk tea?" Bai Zhi’er took it and gave it a light sniff. "It smells of milk and tea, but isn't this flavor a bit complex? Why would anyone mix the two?" "Try it first. I used several types of tea leaves to get this flavor right. Give it a taste." "Mhm." She took a sip. "What a peculiar taste. How did you manage to balance them? There’s no bitterness from the tea, nor any gaminess from the milk. It’s lightly sweet and they complement each other perfectly. There’s even a hint of fruitiness." "Hehe, if you like it, I can teach you. I spent several nights researching this. You’re the first person to drink it." "The first?" Bai Zhi’er laughed. "Speak then. What great favor are you asking of me?" Chu Ruo’er’s eyes widened. "How... how did you know I was asking for a favor?" "If it weren't for something major, you would have flown to your Little Scorpion’s side to please her the moment you made this. Giving it to me first... I’m truly flattered." "Zhi’er..." "Alright, alright, I won't tease you." Bai Zhi’er looked at her with her usual gentle, doting gaze. "You’ve come to me because of your Little Scorpion’s health, haven't you?" Chu Ruo’s eyes widened again. She couldn't help but marvel, "How are you all so smart?" Bai Zhi’er rolled her eyes affectionately and began to walk. "Aside from medicine, what else is there that she cannot do, requiring you to seek me out?" "Hey, wait for me, wait for me!" Chu Ruo followed her, her smile bordering on sycophantic. "Zhi’er, you have such a good heart, and you’ve always granted my every request, right?" "So, knowing I won't refuse you, you came to find me?" Bai Zhi’er left the cliffside. Her little dog was playing nearby and came running the moment she appeared. She picked up the pup and stroked it. "But do you know that she is my enemy?" "I know. But why, exactly? Zhi’er, tell me, okay? Maybe I can..." "No." She shook her head, her eyes still crystal clear. "Ruo’er, some things cannot be changed. You needn't worry yourself over the grievances between her and me." Chu Ruo sighed. "So, you won't help me?" "You..." Bai Zhi’er reached out to straighten the other’s collar. "Your collar is crooked." "Ruo’er, I’m curious. Do you really trust me that much? You know I hate her, yet you still come to me. Aren't you afraid I’ll take this chance to kill her?" Chu Ruo shook her head. "I know you won't. If you give me your word, you won't go back on it. If you want to defeat Xue’er, you’ll do it fair and square, not through such despicable means." "But have you forgotten about those Medicine Men?" "I know that wasn't your intention, right?" "Ruo’er, you really are my weakness." The Little Scorpion had said the exact same thing to her. Chu Ruo lowered her head in shame. "What have I done to deserve such treatment from you both..." Bai Zhi’er patted her head. "Alright, no need to be so gloomy." "I... Zhi’er, you just touched the dog, and now you’re touching my head..." "You mind?" "You!" Bai Zhi’er winked mischievously. "I’ve already touched it. How about I touch you first next time, then touch the dog?" *Cough, cough.* "No, that’s quite alright." "Silly. Let’s go." "Where?" "Take me to your Hundred Flowers Palace pharmacy to have a look." "You’ve agreed? Zhi’er? Thank you, you’re the best! Can we... not let Xue’er know? I’m afraid she’ll be angry." "You certainly are protective of her. Regardless, I don't wish to waste words with her anyway. As for how to explain it, that’s up to you." "Zhi’er, you really are too good..." "Don't be happy just yet. Her constitution is too cold. I don't have absolute certainty. If we wait until the child is born, I fear her body won't be able to sustain it. But if we induce labor now, it might also be detrimental to her." "Nothing is more important than Xue’er. She doesn't want this child anyway. Zhi’er, please, you must find a way to save Xue’er." Bai Zhi’er turned her head away. *You cannot lose her, but what about me?* *** "Xue—" "Get out." Inside the study, Chu Ruo scurried over and crouched beside the woman. "What’s wrong?" "Don't you know what guilty things you've done?" "Guilty things? I haven't... Ow! I really didn't... Ow, it hurts~" Nan Muxue let go, and Chu Ruo lost her balance, plopping straight onto the floor. She didn't even bother getting up, simply lying there. Wotou, the dog, scurried over to huddle against her. "I must say, this floor is quite cool." "The floor is dirty. Get up." "I won't. It’s comfortable lying here." "Then stay there. This Master is leaving..." "Wait, wait!" Chu Ruo scrambled up. "Where are you going?" "Is that any of your business? Disappearing for the whole morning, and only now you remember your Master?" The jealousy in her voice was palpable. Chu Ruo realized she had been a bit slow. "Oh~ so someone is..." Nan Muxue shot her a warning look. Chu Ruo swallowed her words. "Xue’er, don't be mad. What do you want to eat? I’ll go make it." Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "You’ve already gone to coax someone else, and now you come here to play nice?" "I’m only 'nice' for you, hehe..." "Shameless." Nan Muxue finally smiled, giving her a firm poke. "What did you go to see her for?" "Just a small matter. How is Nan Yunshuang? Is she still unconscious?" Nan Muxue shook her head. "Her fever won't break. If this continues, I fear her brain will be damaged." "That serious? Then how about we ask Zhi’er to take a look?" "You dare mention her after seeing your Zhi’er behind my back?" "Uh, well," Chu Ruo quickly picked up Wotou and buried her face in the fur. "Wotou, were you naughty today and made Xue’er angry?" Nan Muxue huffed coldly. "Using a dog as a shield. Calling you thick-skinned would be an understatement." "You..." "Enough. It’s useless to seek her for this. Given my mother’s internal power, it’s a miracle Yunshuang survived even with a severed arm. Her life is no longer in danger; it just depends on when she wakes up. Yan’er is guarding her day and night. She’ll notify us when there’s news." "I feel conflicted about her. On one hand, I hate that she did so many bad things for your mother. On the other, I feel she was forced and is quite pitiful. Those things weren't her intention. Xue’er, will you forgive her?" "How I see her doesn't matter. She is still the Great Protector of the Hundred Flowers Palace. What matters is how Yan’er sees her." "That pair has a hard lot in life too. Duan Ning is the luckiest; the Second Protector looks after her, and your mother didn't really mess with them." "Are you envious?" Chu Ruo hugged her and nodded. "I just feel like we had to work so, so hard just to be together. Yet, to the outside world, you will always be my Master..." "Ruo’er," Nan Muxue leaned her head against the other’s shoulder. "You needn't care about anything. As long as you want it, we will do it. I don't care about anything in this world." "I know. You would do anything to satisfy my wishes. But how can I be so selfish and ignore your reputation? Xue’er, I want to marry you. I want it even in my dreams, but..." "It’s alright. I understand. I won't force you to do anything you don't want to do." "When all of this is settled, we’ll go into seclusion. We can get married then, okay? We’ll go to that valley, to that big mansion you bought. Just the two of us. We’ll perform the ceremony ourselves and ignore everyone else, okay?" "Okay." They shared a moment of tenderness before Chu Ruo thought of Tu Ao’zhi. "You’re just letting him stay here? He hasn't said anything? Besides, the other sects will say we’re colluding with the Heavenly Demon Palace." "Let them talk. The remaining ones are just a motley crew. In their eyes, the Hundred Flowers Palace was never 'orthodox' to begin with. Even if I do collude with them, what can they do?" *Tsk, so overbearing.* Chu Ruo took the chance to steal a kiss. "You’re so enticing when you’re like this." "Lecher." "But if he won't say anything, what do we do?" "I have a plan. I’ve just been busy with the aftermath and Yunshuang’s situation. I’ll go see him tomorrow." "I’ll go with you." "You?" Chu Ruo sensed a hint of disdain in her tone. "I’m just worried about you..." "I’ll go alone. He might not speak if there are too many people. Besides, you’ve let his foster daughter down; don't go adding fuel to the fire." "Little Scorpion, you’re being mean." Nan Muxue poked her back. "Hmm?" "I’m the mean one. I’m wrong, okay?" Chu Ruo grabbed her hand. "Are you sure you don't want me to go tomorrow?" "No need. You have other things to do tomorrow." "What?" "A new batch of young disciples has arrived at the mountain. Go see them and pick one or two to be your apprentices." "Oh," Chu Ruo suddenly jumped up in excitement. "WHAT?!!!" Nan Muxue rolled her eyes. "Didn't you say you wanted to take on disciples before?" "No, I’m just too happy! Didn't you disagree before?" "I didn't let you take disciples because I was afraid that if you grew attached, my mother would use them against you. Mother loves exploiting weaknesses. You... if something happened to this dog, you’d probably be devastated. If my mother used your disciple to threaten you..." "Mhm, my Xue’er is right. You’re always right. Taking disciples, hehehe... I can finally have apprentices. But..." "But?" "But, the main reason you didn't let me take disciples was because you were jealous, wasn't it?" Nan Muxue paused, then the corners of her lips curled up. "Yes. What of it?" ***