Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 145 | A Fragile Sanctuary | Novela.app

That day, Chu Ruo sat by the stream with Nan Muxue. Her posture was as indolent as ever, for at this moment, her beloved was letting her rest her head upon her lap. Everything felt perfect. "Mm, it really is lovely here." Even though it was the cold season and the sunlight was far from dazzling—and even though Chu Ruo could no longer see the light at all—Nan Muxue still raised a hand to shield her forehead. "Are you cold?" Chu Ruo shook her head. "The sun is out." "And how would you know?" "Of course I know. Don't underestimate me. I might be blind, but I can still feel the light hitting my face. Besides, the sunlight is so gentle today. And most importantly," she added, "I have you here. I won't be cold as long as you're holding me." Nan Muxue immediately pulled her closer into her embrace. The scene was strikingly similar to that day by the Serene Lake when she had held her just like this. It had been a beautiful sight then, and now, her beloved was still by her side. The only difference was that Chu Ruo could no longer see the light of the world. Nan Muxue’s eyes filled with heartache; she swore she would never let this person face danger again. "Ruo’er." "Every time you call me that, my heart skips a beat." Nan Muxue teased, "Does it not beat at other times?" "Whenever I see you, my heart will always race, and I will always want to hold your hand." "That glib tongue of yours... I fear you'll never change as long as you live." "You’re just being duplicitous again. Don't tell me you don't like it when I say sweet things to you?" "It’s sappy." "You little scor— Ow! You poked my back again! What if you actually poke me to death one day?" "Then I shall find you a fine coffin." Chu Ruo puffed out her cheeks. "Truly the most poisonous scorpion's heart." "Do you have a death wish?" "You don't have your martial arts anymore, what can you do to me?" "One does not necessarily need martial arts to torture someone." Over the past few days, the two had made peace with the loss of their martial arts. Since they had agreed to ignore the outside world, they had let go of their past power. Sometimes they even joked about it. Most of the time, they worked together; though Chu Ruo could not see, she was deliberately training her other senses. She was naturally gifted, and her progress was proving quite good. "You... you're poisonous." "Your master still knows how to use toxins," Nan Muxue said, tugging on her ear. "Does Ruo’er wish to try them?" "The Hundred Flowers Gu was enough for one lifetime. Fortunately, you have plenty of antidote left—enough to last me the rest of my life, I hope?" Nan Muxue smiled. "As if you haven't stashed away plenty of your own." "Listen to you. Forget the medicine; you know exactly how much private pocket money I have. Speaking of which, since we can't contact Xueruo Pavilion, I can't get any silver from my shop..." "Since we said we wouldn't involve ourselves with the outside world, stop thinking about it. Besides, the silver we have on us is enough to live out our days in this village." "You used to be so high and mighty, someone who didn't even know the price of grain. Now that you have to deal with firewood, rice, oil, and salt, it’ll be a miracle if you don't bankrupt us. I wouldn't dare expect you to be a disciplined housekeeper..." "Chu Ruo," Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes at her. It was a pity Chu Ruo couldn't see her, for the expression on her face was quite a sight. "Do you have a grievance against me?" "I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare! I’m just worried you won't know how to manage a household." "Then perhaps you should do it?" Chu Ruo burst into laughter, prompting the woman holding her to ask, "Is it that funny?" "Not really. I just never imagined a day would come when my little scorpion would actually be like an ordinary woman, doing chores." *You were once so radiant, yet because of me, the pearl has lost its luster and its light has been obscured. This is the one thing I never wished to see.* Nan Muxue toyed with a stray lock of Chu Ruo's hair, her lips curving upward. "This is what we planned for, isn't it? We said long ago that we would go into seclusion and live as ordinary people. It’s simply happening a few years early." Chu Ruo sat up. "No, Xue’er. These hands of yours were meant to hold a sword or a brush, not to do endless farm work here—raising chickens, lighting fires, chopping wood, cooking..." "Are you not doing those things as well? And doing them better than me, at that." "How is that the same? I am—" "Enough. I understand what you mean. Ruo’er, it doesn't matter what we do. I only want to be with you. That is enough." Moved, Chu Ruo took Nan Muxue’s hands in hers, bringing them to her lips for several lingering kisses. "My little scorpion is peerless and elegant." "But I only wish to be an ordinary person, with my beloved by my side." Nan Muxue cupped Chu Ruo's face and, in a rare moment, issued a soft command. "Kiss me." Chu Ruo obediently leaned in, but they were interrupted. Her hearing was extraordinary now, and she caught the sound of approaching footsteps from a distance, causing her to pull back. It was Auntie Shen coming to find them. "So you two sisters are here!" "Ah, haha, yes, we're here." Chu Ruo had a smile on her face, but her body wanted to scream in pain. Ever since she told Auntie Gui they were sisters, the "little scorpion" showed no mercy, pinching her whenever she heard the word. Chu Ruo had to suffer in silence, swallowing the bitterness. "Hurry back! Your servants have returned." "Oh? They're back so soon?" The so-called "servants" were actually Auntie Hua and her family from the Fancai Inn, but it was difficult to explain the truth to the villagers, so calling them servants caused no harm. "Yes, and they've brought a few of your friends. They said they've been looking for you for a long time. Go and see!" *Friends?* Chu Ruo’s heart sank. She feared this wouldn't be good news. She asked tentatively, "How many people are there?" "A few, I didn't really count. They're all women. Go on and look; they're waiting in the house for you both. Hurry back now." Nan Muxue replied, "Thank you, Auntie. Ruo’er and I will head back now." "I have to go help out at Seventh Aunt's house, so I won't go with you. I'm off!" "Xue’er," Chu Ruo’s expression turned visibly worried once the woman was gone. "I'm afraid it's people from the Hundred Flowers Palace." "I didn't think they would find this place so quickly." "Neither of us has our martial arts now. If we just walk over there, we'll be walking straight into a trap. But if we don't go... I'm sure they must have threatened Auntie Hua and the others to bring them here. Not to mention the villagers, and Auntie Shen and Auntie Gui who took us in. They helped us out of the goodness of their hearts; I don't want to involve them..." "Don't worry. I know. I know my Ruo’er has always been soft-hearted." Nan Muxue took her hand. "I thought we could hide here for a lifetime, but it seems that was merely a delusion." However, the people waiting for them turned out to be a surprise. "Xue’er!" It was indeed someone from the Hundred Flowers Palace, but not the person they had expected.