Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 190 | The Road Ahead | Novela.app

Dust billowed in the air. In such wretched weather, even the number of travelers on the road had dwindled. Inside a premium guest room at the Cloud Guest Abundance Inn, two figures were deep in conversation. "You just took me away like this—does this count as eloping?" Nan Muxue sat upon the other’s lap, her arms draped around her neck. "Are you perhaps missing your—" "Stop right there." Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "You are quite the—" *Mwah.* "Vinegar jar," Chu Ruo finished for her with a kiss. Nan Muxue scoffed softly. "Then should I send you back?" "Xue’er~" Chu Ruo wheedled, leaning into her. "Traveling with so many people makes for too large a target. To prevent the Hundred Flowers Palace from tracking us, you and I will lead the way. The others will follow in succession." "Eh? Does that mean we get to have some time for just the two of us?" Nan Muxue laughed. "Is it not usually so? You spend all day dragging me into the bedroom and clinging to me; I don’t see you looking for anyone else then." Chu Ruo, feeling mischievous, teased, "But you just said I couldn't bear to leave Zhier..." In an instant, a finger pressed against a pressure point on her back. "Chu Ruo." Chu Ruo shook her head. "You’ve got the name wrong. Didn't you hear what the waiter called you when he led us up here?" Nan Muxue paused, truly having paid no attention. "What?" Chu Ruo leaned in and whispered against her ear, "Madam." "You..." "Mrs. Chu, you’re my wife for the rest of your life. Don't even think about running away." Nan Muxue raised her hand as if to strike, but in that fleeting moment, her touch turned infinitely tender as she rested her palm against that handsome face. "Who said I was running?" "Finally, you’ve stopped referring to yourself as 'Master.' Not bad, not bad at all—a student truly worth teaching. As a reward, I’ll give you a ki—" Her mouth was pinched shut. Chu Ruo struggled as she always did, voicing her protest muffledly, "Xue’er..." "You are not honest in the slightest." "Why should I be 'honest' when I'm with you?" "Shameless. I truly don't know what will become of you in the future." "The future will be just like now. You’ll spoil me, and I’ll cling to you. Isn't that perfect?" "Wishful thinking." Suddenly, Chu Ruo swept Nan Muxue up in a bridal carry and walked toward the bed. As she set her down, Nan Muxue reached up to tug on her meddlesome disciple’s ears. "It is broad daylight. What does my disciple intend to do now?" Chu Ruo leaned down and captured her lips. "Naturally, I intend to let you get some proper rest." She then actually rolled over to sleep on the inner side of the bed, which left Nan Muxue quite surprised. "So well-behaved today?" "Hehe, wifey, unless you were hoping for..." Her lips were sealed by a hand. "Would you prefer we book two separate rooms?" "Cough... No, no." "Speak then. Why the sudden change in character? Did you take the wrong medicine?" "Look at how you talk." Chu Ruo lay down properly and interlaced their fingers. "I just wanted you to rest for a while." The corners of Nan Muxue’s lips curled upward as she leaned over to kiss her. "Has your conscience finally returned?" Chu Ruo peppered the back of her hand with tiny kisses. "I’ve just noticed you haven't seemed very energetic lately. You seem exhausted. Are you very tired?" "It is nothing." "Is it because you have to look after me, so you're worrying—" "No," the other replied, her voice remaining gentle. "Do not overthink it." "I know. You're running for your life from your mother, taking care of me, and worrying that I'll get bored all at the same time." "Enough. It has nothing to do with you. You're being long-winded." Chu Ruo opened her arms wide. "Xue’er, come here." Though curious, Nan Muxue cooperated, nestling into her embrace. A look of contentment finally crossed her face. "What is it?" "It’s been a long time since I held you like this. It’s always you holding me, shielding me in your arms." "Mm." Nan Muxue actually nuzzled against her. "This warmth is the same as always. It was this very thing that caused me to fall for your tricks back then, letting you lure me away night after night." Normally, Chu Ruo would have accused her of shifting the blame, but this time she simply kissed her forehead. "Yes, it was all my fault." "So you’ve finally gained some self-awareness." "Xue’er, I just want to hold you like this. I’ve always, always wanted to be able to protect you, rather than having you shield me behind your back." "Between us, is there a need to distinguish such things?" "I just feel for you. You’ve had it so hard and been so tired for all those years. I only hope that now that you have me, I can share your burdens and stand before you against everything the world throws at us." Nan Muxue looked up. "As you said, those past years are over. Now that I have you, what does anything else matter?" "I..." "Enough. You say the same things every time. Don't you get tired of it?" "You—" "What 'you' or 'me'?" Nan Muxue softly pinched her chin. "Since you feel for me so much, promise me one thing." Chu Ruo nodded without hesitation. "Mm!" Seeing this, the other woman laughed. "I haven't even said what it is yet." "No matter what it is—a hundred things, a thousand things—I promise you." Nan Muxue finally leaned down and kissed her beloved with all the strength she possessed. When they parted, she whispered, "Never let anything happen to yourself." "I promise." Night fell quickly. After ensuring the person beside her was fast asleep, Nan Muxue sat up in a cross-legged position. She sank her qi into her dantian, focusing her entire mind on her cultivation. Before long, beads of sweat as large as soy beans broke out on her forehead, and her inner robes began to grow damp. From her expression, it was clear she was in significant distress. Only after two full hours did she finally suppress her internal breath back into her dantian. She slowly opened her eyes, and her first instinct was to look for her Ruo’er. Nan Muxue carefully leaned over, sliding back into the other’s embrace. She propped herself up, gazing at that face as she had done countless times before, stroking it gently. She hadn't even realized how beautiful her smile became whenever she looked at this person. "Ruo’er~" There was no response, for her voice and movements were incredibly light. "Silly girl, why do you worry about me all day? Your eyes..." She seemed to be speaking to her, yet it was more like a monologue to herself. "There is no need to worry. No matter how great the trouble, I am here. You are my disciple," and even more so, my lover. As if sensing something, Chu Ruo stretched her limbs and called out lazily, "Xue’er..." Without opening her eyes, Chu Ruo pulled her into a breathless kiss, throwing herself into it heart and soul. Only when they were both gasping for air did she pull the other woman tight. "Why are you covered in sweat? Are you hot? Your body is usually so cold." "It is nothing." Nan Muxue was unusually docile in her arms. "Ruo’er, I am sleepy." "Then go to sleep." Chu Ruo was still a bit puzzled. "Why do you look even more tired than before you went to sleep? Did you go off to see someone else in your dreams?" "Hold me tight." "Alright." Chu Ruo stopped joking and simply held her firmly. "Sleep peacefully. I’m here." Nan Muxue merely gripped her hand. "I want to hear you talk." "Okay." Chu Ruo smiled, kissing her forehead. "When this is all over, we’ll find a place to stay for the rest of our lives. Actually, the Miao Frontier or the Demon Realm would be quite nice. We could..." During this period, Nan Muxue took Chu Ruo sightseeing by day and practiced her martial arts in secret by night. Fortunately, the people from the Hundred Flowers Palace did not catch up. After some time had passed, Tu Ao’zhi, the Bai sisters, Shen Ruoxuan, Phoenix, Lin Jianghong, and the four protectors—the entire party finally reunited and set off together toward their final destination.