Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion | Chapter 199 | Heart and Soul | Novela.app

Chu Ruo was unhappy—very unhappy. Their group was traveling deeper into the wilderness, reaching a place so desolate it could be described as uninhabited. When it came time to rest, they had no choice but to camp out in the open wilds. "Tell me," she said, pulling Nan Muxue far away from the others, "why have you been spending every single day with Lin Jianghong lately?" "What? I thought you didn't mind." "You... do you believe I’ll go find Zhier right now?" Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "You wouldn't dare." "Try me. After all, we’re even now." Nan Muxue looked at her. "You truly can't wait, can you?" "You’re the one who made the first move. I’m still not over what happened before." "I’ve simply spoiled you too much, which is why you..." "You call giving that Lin girl pointers 'spoiling me'?" "You..." Chu Ruo kicked at the grass on the ground. "Forget it, forget it. Let's go back." Nan Muxue immediately caught her arm. "Is something on your mind?" "No." "Are you anxious about the Hundred Flowers Palace?" "I'm anxious because you and that little brat are fluttering around in front of my eyes all day!" "Enough." Nan Muxue reached up, her fingers smoothing out the deep frown between Chu Ruo's brows. "You, of all people—since when could you ever hide what's in your heart?" Chu Ruo naturally wouldn't admit it. Two days ago, they had captured scouts sent ahead by the Hundred Flowers Palace. Although they had dealt with them immediately, it meant that Nan Menghua was drawing closer. There was also the treacherous Nan Yunshuang within their ranks, and Chu Ruo couldn't fully trust the others. They were still a distance away from the so-called treasure, and even then, it was just a legend based on Tu Ao'zhi’s investigations; whether it actually existed or could be unearthed remained to be seen. Against Nan Menghua, their chances of victory were slim. "I don't have anything on my mind. I'm just annoyed with you," Chu Ruo muttered. "Mhm." In the next second, Nan Muxue leaned into her embrace of her own accord. "Ruo'er..." "Don't think calling me that makes everything okay." Nan Muxue laughed against her chest. "Then what would you have me do?" "I..." "Ruo'er, I told you. I can stand before you and shield you from everything. There is no need to worry. This time, we are together in life and death." "Then," Chu Ruo looked at her, moved by her words, "you still haven't told me why you've been with Lin Jianghong these past few days." "She approached me first. She asked me to give her pointers on her martial arts." "Aha? What is she thinking? She spends all day shouting about wanting to duel and defeat you, yet she asks her opponent to coach her? She’s really something else." "It matters not. If her martial arts improve, it will be beneficial for us when the time comes." Chu Ruo clicked her tongue. "That kid’s way of thinking is truly inscrutable. What was she thinking, asking you for guidance? I recall she’s lost to you many times. She’s certainly persistent." "Perhaps. That is likely why she wants me to teach her. When I asked her to propose marriage on my behalf before, I promised to duel her three times. It is good that she has such perseverance." "That doesn't sound like you. You're usually ice-cold to everyone. How do you have the patience to fight her over and over? Could it be, Master, that you’re showing 'tender pity for the fairer sex'?" Nan Muxue ignored the teasing and simply said, "Compared to the others, her nature is decent. Her foundation is just a bit weak, and her mind is a little careless..." *Pfft!* "Just say her martial arts are poor and she’s a bit dim-witted." Nan Muxue looked up again, her eyes overflowing with indulgence. "She is naturally not a patch on my Ruo'er." *Mmm~ I like the sound of that.* "Hmph. That sentence was... passable." Before she could finish, a touch of cool warmth pressed against her lips and quickly retreated, leaving only a faint, lingering fragrance. Chu Ruo savored it, feeling a bit reluctant to let go, but then she glanced at the people not far away. "Aren't you afraid..." "Afraid of what? I have never cared for the eyes of the world." Chu Ruo pulled her close. "Little Scorpion, if you keep acting like this, I’m going to want to kiss you..." The woman she loved "obediently" stepped forward to cooperate. Chu Ruo’s lips curled into a smile, and she was just about to lean in when they were interrupted. *Cough... cough...* ...Lin Jianghong. If it were anyone else who liked the Little Scorpion interrupting them now, Chu Ruo would have gone ballistic. But facing this so-called "rival," Chu Ruo always felt a bit speechless. She wanted to laugh; she didn't know whether to cry or laugh. "Stop coughing. Just say it. What are you here for?" Nan Muxue, however, simply snuggled into Chu Ruo's arms without a word, ignoring everything else. It was as if she were telling the world—and perhaps herself—that she belonged to Chu Ruo and cared for no one else. "It's not that I have something to say. I was told to call you over. Dinner is almost ready, and we should discuss what to do next." "Understood. Xue'er and I will be there shortly." Lin Jianghong looked a bit flushed. she glanced at them, said nothing, and turned to leave. Chu Ruo chuckled. "Hey, she knows that you know she likes you. When you two are alone, isn't it awkward?" "I told you before: she is the one who likes me, but the one in my heart is you. Why would I be embarrassed?" "Wife, you really are too cute." The two of them laughed and chatted as they walked back. "Not 'Master' anymore?" "Well, I still prefer having you as my wife." Aside from those on guard duty, everyone sat around the campfire. There wasn't much of a formal discussion, just the usual talk about countermeasures and their next steps. Duan Ning and the others had clearly picked up on Lin Jianghong's feelings for Nan Muxue. It just so happened that Chu Ruo, Nan Muxue, Lin Jianghong, and Bai Zhier were all sitting near each other, leading to some very meaningful looks from the onlookers. After eating and drinking their fill, most of the group seemed a bit distracted. The only ones speaking seriously were Nan Muxue and Tu Ao'zhi. Chu Ruo found Duan Ning's suggestive gazes exasperating. Seeing that Lin Jianghong also looked bored, she started chatting with her. "So, what were you thinking, asking Xue'er for pointers? Everyone’s guessed that you... towards my Master..." "What?" Lin Jianghong was a stubborn girl. "I'm not afraid to admit I like her. Besides you and her, aren't those Protectors of your Hundred Flowers Palace the same?" "I didn't realize you noticed. You usually seem so dense, but your eyes aren't bad when it comes to matters of the heart." Lin Jianghong looked proud. "Of course." "Well, I'm curious. What do you like about Xue'er? I feel like, except for how she treats me, she’s cold to everyone else, always has a sour face, and has a terrible temper... *Hiss... ow!*" Lin Jianghong turned her head and saw Chu Ruo’s expression turn incredibly complicated. "What's wrong with you? Are you possessed?" "No..." *This wicked Little Scorpion.* She looked perfectly serious while talking to Tu Ao'zhi, but it turned out she hadn't missed a single word they were saying. That pinch was brutal. And look at her—expressionless, acting as if nothing happened. *I don't believe you for a second! This woman is pure evil—OW, she pinched me again!!!* No, no, she couldn't even think bad thoughts about her. Chu Ruo forced a smile that looked worse than crying. "It's nothing. Let's continue. Where were we? Oh, what do you like about the Little Sco—about Xue'er?" "What do I like?" "You don't even know?" "Her martial arts are amazing, she doesn't talk much, and she's so icy. I don't know how to describe it. Anyway, I lose to her every time. I like people who are stronger than me, who can beat me. And... and..." Lin Jianghong lowered her head for the last part, her voice barely a whisper. "She's beautiful." *Seriously? Are you some kind of masochist? You just like cool, dominant sisters who are stronger than you?* "But, Xue'er is already taken, you know." Chu Ruo pointed to herself. "You can't have designs on her." A reminder was necessary. "I know." Lin Jianghong rolled her eyes. "That's why I have to practice hard and defeat her." "So you're letting Xue'er coach you so you can beat her? And once you win, you won't like her anymore? That's just an obsession." "You don't understand!" Lin Jianghong snapped. "I've lost to her nine times. I just refuse to accept it. Besides, I have a new goal now." She glanced at Bai Zhier, who was sitting two people away, then lowered her head again. "I want to beat someone else, so I'm letting Nan Muxue teach me." Unfortunately, Chu Ruo didn't notice the glance. She just shook her head. "You spend all day causing trouble just so you can duel people." "Hmph, none of your business." "I couldn't care less." "You..." Nan Muxue suddenly spoke up, interrupting their bickering. "It is late. Let us rest. We must move out early tomorrow." "Understood." They retired to the tent they had pitched. Chu Ruo whispered, "Is it really okay for the two of us to sleep together like this?" "If you do not like it, you can sleep outside." ...*The Little Scorpion and her lethal tongue.* Chu Ruo changed the subject. "You heard our conversation, didn't you?" "Mhm." "You Little Scorpion. You have such a bad temper, yet so many people like you. I guess being beautiful really does let you do whatever you want." Nan Muxue smiled. "You are not exactly lagging behind in that regard." "How? I only have one Zhier." "'Only'?" Nan Muxue rolled over and poked Chu Ruo's back. "Are you saying you think that's too few?" ...*Wrong move. I said the wrong thing. How can I be so brainless?* "One is enough! One is more than enough!" Knowing that this "one" was already quite a handful, Nan Muxue bit Chu Ruo's lip in a fit of pique. "It is I, your Master, who should be saying those words. Is one Bai Zhier not enough? I truly do not know what is so good about you that makes everyone so utterly devoted to you." "I've never been good enough." Chu Ruo allowed the other woman to nibble at her. "It's only because Heaven favored me that I have you. You mentioned being 'utterly devoted' just now. If there is anyone I care for, it is only you. I only want you to be devoted to me, heart and soul." Nan Muxue always felt that she would, time and again, lose herself completely and helplessly within this embrace. She answered her, "I always have been. From the very beginning." *** Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation --- | --- | --- 死心塌地 | Heart and soul / Utterly devoted | An idiom meaning to be completely committed or loyal to someone. 南梦华 | Nan Menghua | The primary antagonist and Nan Muxue's sister/rival. 南云霜 | Nan Yunshuang | A character within the group suspected of treachery. 屠傲之 | Tu Ao'zhi | A character involved in the search for the treasure.