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Back to Master, Spare My Life: A Disciple's Sweet Rebellion

Three Days of Intimacy

Chapter 58

Nan Muxue watched the figure drifting further and further away from her. She rushed forward desperately, pulling and dragging at her. "Why won't you recognize me? Ruo'er! Ruo'er!" She opened her eyes, her lashes slightly damp. Turning her head, she met a face brimming with a mischievous smile, and her heart instantly eased. Recalling the dream, she reached out and pinched the other woman's cheek. "What are you smiling at?" "I'm happy just seeing you," Chu Ruo replied, seizing the opportunity to lean in and wrap her arms around the other's waist. Taking liberties like this was an absolute necessity. "It seems your injuries have healed," Nan Muxue said, closing her eyes to rest again. "Go practice your martial arts." "How can you be so heartless?" "What did you say?" Chu Ruo grabbed her hand, interlacing their fingers tightly. "Since when did you learn how to laze around in bed?" There was no answer. Ever since Chu Ruo had woken up two days ago, the two of them had stayed holed up in this room for nearly three days without stepping foot outside. Nan Muxue had indulged her every whim. Sometimes, Chu Ruo truly wished time would just stop here. She leaned in to plant a light kiss on the corner of Nan Muxue's lips. This time, Nan Muxue finally reacted. "Lecher." "That’s what you get for not answering me." Seeing the faint blush creeping onto Nan Muxue’s face, Chu Ruo felt even more emboldened. She was about to go in for another taste of those fragrant lips when she was thwarted. "Just how long do you intend to lounge in this room?" "Today is the last day. It’s only been three days, after all." Chu Ruo stubbornly tried to lean in for a kiss, but Nan Muxue cupped her face. Her tone was petulant, yet her eyes were filled with doting indulgence. "Shameless. You don't practice your martial arts properly; even falling off a cliff didn't teach you a lesson." "Who says I didn't learn? I did. Aren't these scars on my back long enough lessons for you?" "And what exactly did you learn?" Nan Muxue rolled her eyes. "That one should enjoy life while they can? Or perhaps..." "This: I’ve realized that from now on, I have to stick to you. Ideally, I’d be glued to your body, never leaving your side by even a step for the rest of my life." As she spoke, she actually squeezed into the other's embrace, hugging her with all her might. "To the one with skin like ice and bones like jade, my heart belongs." Nan Muxue was amused by the gesture, though she only offered a shallow smile. Her smiles had only ever been for one person. "You..." "By the way," Chu Ruo interrupted, tracing a finger down the bridge of Nan Muxue's nose. "What were you dreaming about just now?" "I don't remember." The dream had been so vivid that there was no way she could have forgotten it; she simply wasn't telling the truth. Chu Ruo wagged a finger, her gaze fixed on her as if she could see through everything. "Forgotten so soon?" Nan Muxue grew uncomfortable under her gaze and turned her head away, falling silent. Chu Ruo took the opening and kissed her. "I wonder who was calling out 'Ruo'er' over and over, begging me not to leave... Ow! Let go!" "Spent a few days in a gentle dream with your Miss Zhier, and now you've forgotten how formidable your Master can be?" "I was just joking! It hurts, it hurts... I'm a patient..." "Your voice is quite resonant and powerful for a patient." The jade-like hand pinching Chu Ruo's cheek didn't loosen its grip. Nan Muxue propped her head up with her other hand, watching the comical scene with great interest. "I—I was wrong, okay?" Chu Ruo gnashed her teeth inwardly. *You little scorpion, why are you so unlovable? No, no, I can't curse her. She'll hear me if I do.* She began to play the pity card. "Master, I was wrong. Master..." Finally, Nan Muxue let go. The two of them looked at each other and burst into laughter before pulling one another into a hug. Nan Muxue reached out and gave Chu Ruo's ear a slightly resentful tug. "Always putting on an act." "I am not!" "You clearly heard me talking in my sleep, yet you insisted on feigning ignorance to ask. Childish." "It's rare to see you so worried about me." Chu Ruo felt her wording wasn't quite right, so she added, "I don't mean you don't care, it's just that you never show it. You're always so cold. Hearing how anxious you were in your dream, I..." "You what?" Actually, Chu Ruo wanted to say she was happy, delighted, and even a little giddy. She was a person easily satisfied, but she feared saying it would make Nan Muxue mock her. It wasn't that she didn't know the depth of Nan Muxue's concern; it was just that there were always too many invisible worries between them. She knew the other woman had already shown her feelings clearly enough, but sometimes Nan Muxue acted cold just to protect her—like when she distanced herself to prevent Nan Yunshuang from targeting Chu Ruo. This woman had truly endured too much. Chu Ruo didn't want to be a stumbling block; she wanted to work hard to protect her, to protect the person she loved. "Master, from now on, I will practice my martial arts seriously. I will protect you." Nan Muxue didn't know what had come over this girl. One moment she was all smiles and playfulness, and the next she was making such a serious promise. Truthfully, Chu Ruo's martial arts were far inferior to her own; normally, she would have teased her. But this time, Nan Muxue didn't. She held her tight and gave a serious, single-word reply: "Good." "When are we going back?" "We aren't going back yet." Chu Ruo was puzzled. "Why?" "Didn't you always want to be out and about?" Nan Muxue leaned close to her ear. Her breath sent a tingling, electric itch through Chu Ruo. "Have you forgotten the Martial Arts Assembly?" "Oh, right!" The answer finally diverted her attention. "I almost forgot. Are you confident? I've seen those Medicine Men; they're very powerful. Never mind a crowd of them, even one is hard to deal with." "The Heavenly Demon Palace has delayed sending those people back. I fear they plan to unleash them against their own sects when the time comes. Tu Aozhi's actions won't just destroy those sects; he's killing their spirits. He is a truly troublesome opponent." "Indeed. With the Heavenly Demon Palace's strength, they could easily defeat most sects, but this way, they take them down without losing a single soldier. And those sects will fall at the hands of their own kin—mostly their leaders and core members. It's a truly vicious tactic." Chu Ruo sighed. "It's a pity I was there so long and discovered nothing. I'm quite useless. Why don't you scold me a bit? I might feel better." "It wasn't your responsibility to begin with; there's no need for self-reproach. I've actually been wondering why he hasn't moved against Baihua Palace." "Um... have you ever heard your mother mention Tu Aozhi?" Chu Ruo recalled Tu Aozhi's reaction when she asked if he had been to the Central Plains, and the fact that he forbade anyone from attacking Baihua Palace. She suspected a melodramatic twist—that the "Little Scorpion" might be his daughter. But she couldn't say such things without proof. She cared for Nan Muxue and didn't want her overthinking things, so she decided to investigate secretly first. "I'm just guessing, but look, he hasn't touched Baihua Palace. He's about the same age as your mother. Could they... know each other?" Nan Muxue shook her head. "Mother rarely mentions others. Everything she does revolves around the interests of Baihua Palace. Although our palace isn't well-liked in the martial world, we are still considered an orthodox sect compared to the Heavenly Demon Palace. With Mother's temperament, it's impossible for her to have deep ties with someone from the demonic path." "Ruo'er." The call snapped her back to reality. Chu Ruo reflexively covered her head in a panic. "I was wrong! I shouldn't have been gossiping about your mother in my head! Don't hit my face, don't pull my ears, don't... anyway, just don't punish me anywhere! I was wrong, I really shouldn't have..." "Be quiet." Nan Muxue's voice was gentle as she pulled her up, looking at her with a mix of exasperation and a doting affection that could drown a person. "Are you hungry? Get up and eat." "Ah... huh?" *So she didn't hear my thoughts? Phew.* Chu Ruo patted her chest. *I'm alive again. How wonderful.* "Stop dazing and come here." "Oh." ... Xiao Guo'er glared at Chu Ruo as she ate. She simply couldn't understand why the Young Palace Master doted so much on this heartless freak who had no manners, whether sitting or eating. She had once been on good terms with Chu Ruo, but she had grown annoyed after seeing those Bai sisters. She had seen how the Young Palace Master suffered over the past six months. Everyone, including herself, thought Chu Ruo was dead, but the Young Palace Master alone kept believing. Her resolve had been stronger than anything. Yet this little brat had been having the time of her life with other women, sleeping soundly and growing plump. *Heartless,* Xiao Guo'er cursed in her mind, wanting to stomp her foot but forced to endure. Chu Ruo felt a hostile gaze and looked up to see Xiao Guo'er looking like she wanted to carve the meat right off her bones. *What's her problem? Did I offend her? Hmph.* "How are those two sisters?" Nan Muxue asked expressionlessly. Her hands, however, were busy peeling a shrimp, which she then fed to Chu Ruo. Chu Ruo opened her mouth and accepted it with a look of utter contentment and happiness. This sight nearly made Xiao Guo'er explode with rage and shock. The Young Palace Master was personally feeding someone. Of course, once Chu Ruo was involved, no matter how jaw-dropping the event, it became par for the course. Xiao Guo'er was convinced that if Chu Ruo asked for the moon right now, the Young Palace Master would find a way to get it for her even under the scorching sun. The Young Palace Master was completely smitten. "They're fine, just under house arrest. Without their herbs or our antidote, they're helpless. Rest assured, Young Palace Master." "Keep a close eye on them." This time, Nan Muxue switched to peeling crab. "That's all. You may leave." "Yes." As soon as Xiao Guo'er left, rolling her eyes, Chu Ruo pulled Nan Muxue up and then collapsed onto her lap. Nan Muxue chuckled. "What, starting to take liberties the moment people leave?" "Are you comfortable holding me?" Chu Ruo wanted to ask about Bai Zhier, but on second thought, the conversation suggested she was fine. Besides, asking now might make the "Little Scorpion" think she was being too gentle. Better not to court death. "Rogue." "Did you see Xiao Guo'er's eyes? If looks could kill, she would have hacked me into eight hundred pieces by now." "Is there something wrong with that?" Chu Ruo looked at her. "There isn't?" "There is nothing improper about her glaring at a certain heartless person." "Wait, that sounds like you're talking about me. You—" A piece of crab roe, carrying a unique fragrance, was fed to her lips. Under a warning gaze, she swallowed it. It tasted like wax; the crab roe was suddenly no longer delicious. "I... I don't think I've done anything wrong." "Shouldn't you give your Master a proper explanation regarding you and your Miss Zhier?" "Tomorrow." Chu Ruo decided to stall for as long as possible. She wrapped her arms around the other's waist. "Didn't we agree not to mention others for these few days? Master, let's not talk about others, okay?" She pleaded with that pitiful look again, and as always, Nan Muxue's heart softened. She granted her request. "Tomorrow morning, you will explain everything to me in full detail." "Yes, definitely, definitely." *I'll deal with that when tomorrow comes.* She leaned up and kissed Nan Muxue's cheek. "I want some perilla soup." A jade spoon filled with perilla soup was brought to her mouth. The soup was chilled with ice, sweetened with honey, and contained a few appetizing plums. It was refreshing and heart-warming. Chu Ruo tightened her grip on Nan Muxue's waist, and seeing this, Nan Muxue’s eyes filled with a smile. "Aren't you eating?" Chu Ruo asked, looking at the woman who was only feeding her. Nan Muxue simply shook her head. During the days she had lost this person, she would sit at the dining table every day, reminiscing about every scene from their past. Now that her desire was right before her eyes, Nan Muxue felt that nothing else in the world mattered. "Ah, I'm so full. I'm going to burst," Chu Ruo said, patting her stomach. "Life is all about eating and drinking." "Lying down right after eating," Nan Muxue pinched her waist. "You've gained quite a bit these past few days. You have no self-awareness." "Well, you're the one lying down with me," Chu Ruo said, lying flat with her eyes closed and her legs crossed, looking very cozy. "I was dragged here by someone who wouldn't take no for an answer." Nan Muxue turned on her side just to look at the person on the pillow beside her. "How can there be someone so utterly lazy in this world?" "Anyway, I have no self-awareness in front of you. Who told you to spoil me?" "Oh, so it's my fault then?" Nan Muxue arched an eyebrow. "Then I should..." Chu Ruo hurriedly turned over as well. "Don't! It's perfect just the way it is. Don't change a thing!" "Shameless..." "It's not like you just met me today." Chu Ruo propped up her head. "Hey, you didn't answer the question I asked the other day." Nan Muxue looked blank. "What?" "Why did a certain someone pretend to be Yan'er to trick... Ow! Why are you pinching my face again? It hurts..." Nan Muxue raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean 'trick'? Who was the stupid one who mistook me for someone else? And now you're blaming me?" Perhaps from that very night, everything had already been predestined. "That... well..." Chu Ruo was speechless. It seemed that was indeed the case; she had been the one to mistake her first. "Even if I mistook you at first, you didn't deny it. You intentionally didn't tell me." "Why should I have told you?" "You, you, you..." "What about me? Your own mistake is for others to correct? How many times have I told you that the martial world is a place where the strong prey on the weak? No one will pity or sympathize with you; everyone is waiting for you to make a mistake so they can push you into the abyss." Nan Muxue never tired of reminding her, then she chuckled softly. "Besides, you were the silly one. I left so many openings, yet you were as blind as a bat. I truly have never seen anyone stupider than you." ...Mockery, and deep disdain. Chu Ruo took a deep breath. "You really... I'm starting to miss Yan'er. She was gentle and kind-hearted, she didn't hit or scold me. You disguised yourself too well. It was very dishonest." "Does that mean Ruo'er regrets it?" "Not at all." Chu Ruo pulled her into her arms. "In fact, I'm quite happy." She couldn't help but bury her face in Nan Muxue's neck, giving her small, frequent kisses. "Even now, it feels like a dream. To think you two are the same person. You are Yan'er, and Yan'er is you. Heaven has been truly good to me." "You have the nerve to admit to being half-hearted," Nan Muxue teased, but then she noticed Chu Ruo's expression had changed. She leaned in with concern. "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?" "Actually, I'm quite a bad person, aren't I? Back then, I didn't know you and Yan'er were the same person. People say men are fickle, and I used to mock them for it, but it turns out I'm just as much of a scumbag. If you weren't the same person, I really..." Nan Muxue cut her off. "As you said, I am Yan'er, and Yan'er is me. That means no matter what, the one in your heart is me, not anyone else." "But if you weren't the same person..." "There is no 'if'." Nan Muxue's tone was domineering, even hard. "You must remember: without you, Yan'er would never have appeared, nor would she exist." She kissed her lips. Over these past few days, she had used all her tenderness and restrained all her sharp edges. "Yan'er came into being from the start just for you. Only when she and I are together am I complete. If you only liked one of us, that would not be true love." Chu Ruo nodded, only half-understanding. She felt something was off about that logic, yet she couldn't refute it. With the "Little Scorpion's" eloquence, she could have been a professional debater. She made being a "scumbag" sound like a requirement for true love. *Forget it, no use overthinking.* Nan Muxue only said it to comfort her. She had to marvel once again—she must have had incredible luck to encounter such an extraordinary woman. "Ever since I found out you're the same person, I've been so happy. I often giggle to myself. I feel like I've received a double portion of love." She hugged the woman in her arms tighter. "It feels wonderful." "Ruo'er," Nan Muxue said, her voice filled with emotion. "In the future, you can still call me Yan'er." "Better not. What if others overhear and misunderstand? Especially the real Nangong Yan." She realized something and smiled mischievously. "No wonder I never saw her during the day while I was at Baihua Palace. You were behind that, weren't you?" Nan Muxue narrowed her eyes. "Behind that?" *Oops, better change the subject.* "I think I'll just call you 'Little Scorpion'..." The vein on Nan Muxue's forehead, which hadn't twitched in a long time, finally couldn't hold back. "Chu Ruo!" "By the way, I've recorded all the times you bullied me in my little notebook. You have to make it up to me in the future." ...Chu Ruo truly had no self-awareness, as she had said before. She was actually playing with Nan Muxue's hair. Nan Muxue tried to tell herself that she had just recovered from a serious illness, that they had just reunited. *Endure, just keep enduring.* "Then what about all the times you've angered your Master? How should you compensate for that?" "Did I anger you? I told you, that's just you being petty. It definitely doesn't compare to the number of times you've bullied me." *Thud!* History repeated itself. Chu Ruo felt like a student returning home for the holidays—the first three days, the parents love you, but after that, they're chasing you out with a broom. "Nan Muxue, don't go too far!" "You dare call your Master by her full name? Who is the one going too far?" Chu Ruo crawled back from the floor and stubbornly climbed back onto the bed, clinging to her. "Since we're like this now, can you stop using the 'Master' title? We're the same age, okay? And..." As the saying goes, loving someone starts with changing how you address them. So, while watching Nan Muxue's expression and keeping an eye on her hands to prepare an escape route, she cautiously called out, "Xue'er..." She thought that with the "Little Scorpion's" prideful nature, even if she agreed, she would lecture her first or ask, "What did you call me?" Then Chu Ruo would have to spend ages coaxing her. But there was no reaction. To be precise, Nan Muxue simply closed her beautiful eyes, her face flushed, looking as if she were fast asleep. Having tasted success, Chu Ruo naturally didn't stop. "Xue'er? Xue'er?" The other woman finally reacted, but only by turning her back to prepare for sleep. This prompted Chu Ruo to press tightly against her from behind. "Xue'er? Talk to me. Xue'er, Little Xue-Xue, Xue-Xue..." Finally, she added a real cringeworthy one: "Xue-Xue-kins..." For the four thousand and first time: "What exactly do you want?" "Hehe, turn around. Let's talk." "If you have something to say, say it." She remained unmoved. Chu Ruo sighed. *Fine, I'll talk like this.* "So, Xue'er, do you think I'm just a big idiot?" "No." *As expected, my Little Scorpion dotes on me.* Before she could even gloat for a second, Nan Muxue spoke leisurely. "You are an idiot from head to toe. Dense and clumsy." "Hey, watch it!" "You were the one who asked me. I told the truth, and now you're unhappy." Even with her back to her, a smile played on Nan Muxue's face. "So dramatic." And yet, it was this very dense, clumsy person who had walked into her heart and brought her warmth. It was her, and only her. *Wait, did those words really come out of the Little Scorpion's mouth? Seriously, what did everyone learn while I was gone for six months? No, I have to grab Xiao Guo'er tomorrow and get to the bottom of this.* "What, stunned into silence?" "I was thinking... my qualities are so poor. Like you said, I'm stupid, clumsy, childish, and a glutton. If you had met me a few years later, maybe you wouldn't have liked me." "Are you implying your Master has no taste?" ...*Sister, can you please not shut me down every time I speak?* "I just..." "Feel inferior?" Nan Muxue finally turned around, cupping the face that had appeared in her dreams every night. "But you are the one who can give me warmth. You are the only person in this world who can make my heart warm. You were willing to throw yourself off a cliff for me. Ruo'er, besides you, I will never look at another person." "You don't know where I come from." Chu Ruo suddenly gave a self-deprecating laugh. "I'm only reckless because I'm a transmigrator. Otherwise, I'd just be an ordinary person worrying about making ends meet." "You..." Chu Ruo rarely had moments like this, and it made Nan Muxue's heart ache. She reached out to stroke her brow. "It doesn't matter..." Chu Ruo suddenly grabbed her hand. "I've never told you about my background. Shall I tell you today?" No matter who she was or where she came from, it didn't matter to Nan Muxue. She only wanted one thing: Chu Ruo. She wanted this person by her side forever. She offered a gentle smile again and rested her head on Chu Ruo's chest. "Alright." "Do you remember a book in your study called *Dream Pool Essays*?" "I have some impression of it." Chu Ruo stroked her beloved's dark hair and asked, "Do you remember its contents?" "I vaguely recall it spoke of stories from a non-existent dynasty. It was set hundreds of years ago, but the world within was constructed by the author himself. It wasn't real, so he called it 'Dream Pool'—like a dream, like a stream." "Exactly. What I want to tell you is that you, and the world you live in, are like the *Dream Pool Essays* to me." Nan Muxue was brilliant; she understood the implication instantly. If Chu Ruo said it, she believed it without hesitation. Yet, she couldn't help but be shocked. "You mean... you come from hundreds of years in the future..." "Yes. Maybe even more than a few hundred years, but I'm not sure exactly how long. The place you live in has no record in my world's history; it doesn't exist. But this place is definitely ancient. In my hometown, people who cross through time and space like me are called 'transmigrators.' That's why I was so reckless here from the start. I..." Despite the information being hard to believe and requiring time to digest, Nan Muxue only cared about one question: "Then... how do you go back? And how do you come here?" In that moment, Chu Ruo saw her look like a small child, her eyes full of innocence and a fear that her favorite doll might disappear. Seeing this, she couldn't help but tilt the other's chin up and kiss her. "How can you be so silly? I've told you so many times, I can't go back. You think this is like going back to Baihua Palace, where you can just leave whenever you want? Sigh." She intentionally acted pitiful. "So, I'm a homeless person now. You'll have to support me for the rest of my life." Nan Muxue knew. From the time Chu Ruo was under the influence of the "Dream as You Will" poison and everything else, she knew Chu Ruo missed home. At this moment, the terror in her heart was no less than the day Chu Ruo fell off the cliff for her. She was afraid—afraid that this person who didn't belong here would return to where she belonged. Why? Heaven had sent her to her side; how could it take her away again? It must not... "What are you thinking about?" Chu Ruo asked, seeing her dazed. "Does it take that long to think about? I might eat a lot, but I'm not that expensive to keep. I'm quite easy to raise..." "Ruo'er," Nan Muxue called her name, but didn't know how to continue. What should she say? Ask her to stay? Ask her never to go back? She didn't know what to say; a thousand words eventually condensed back into those two original syllables. "Ruo'er..." " I'm here." Chu Ruo was no longer joking. She held her tight, giving her beloved strength. For the first time, she spoke the thoughts Nan Muxue couldn't finish. "Xue'er, I won't go. I won't leave you. In that dream, it was you who woke me up. I will never leave you again." "Ruo'er..." Nan Muxue repeated the name over and over, as if it could grant her immense power. Chu Ruo didn't answer anymore; they just held each other tightly, their fingers interlaced. After a long while, Chu Ruo spoke again. "After all that, are you going to support me or not?" "Since you arrived, when has your Master *not* supported you?" "Can you stop saying 'Master' all the time? You're putting on airs again. It's not cute at all." Hearing her tone, Chu Ruo knew the "Little Scorpion" was okay now. *How can this kid be so prideful? It's off the charts. The moment she recovers, her tongue gets sharp again. Sigh, my gentle Yan'er is gone forever.* "If you keep pining for Yan'er, believe it or not, I'll... I'll feed you two more Hundred Flowers Gu." ..."Didn't you say Yan'er is also you?" "Hmm?" It had been a long time since she heard that particularly threatening hum. Chu Ruo burst into laughter, which made Nan Muxue laugh as well. "What are you happy about now?" "I just feel so happy." "Chu Ruo." "Yeah?" Hearing her name called so seriously, Chu Ruo wondered if she'd said something wrong. *I didn't even curse you in my head!* "Wh-what is it?" "I love you." Chu Ruo was stunned. *Good heavens! Oh my god! Everyone, come look at this! The Little Scorpion actually... really... confessed to me!!!* The shock was no less than... well, forget it. Chu Ruo excitedly hugged her and kissed her repeatedly. "What did you say? Say it again, Xue'er. Say it again..." Nan Muxue just smiled. "For Ruo'er to be a Holy Envoy is a bit of a waste. Perhaps you should be a pretty boy instead; you have quite the potential for it." ..."If you don't say something biting, you'll die, won't you?" Chu Ruo leaned in and clung to her. "I want to be the Holy Envoy. I want to be higher-ranked than Duan Ning and the others. I want to bully people." Nan Muxue pinched her cheek. "How about making you the Fifth Protector instead? Let Ning'er keep you in line." "You're going too far! Pushing me into a pit of fire! You—mmph—" A kiss was enough to make Chu Ruo quiet down. Nan Muxue's face was also flushed, her chest heaving slightly. "You asked me if I would still like you in a few years. Then, if I weren't the Young Palace Master of Baihua Palace and could give you nothing, would you still have me in your heart?" Chu Ruo looked directly at her, their eyes reflecting each other's images. "Nan Muxue, listen well. I love you. I love the person you are, not your status. I don't give a damn about you being some 'Young Palace Master.' In this life and the next, I, Chu Ruo, only love Nan Muxue." "Ruo'er," Nan Muxue's eyes were full of laughter. She stroked Chu Ruo's cheek. It felt so comfortable, so wonderful. And then: "What did you just say? 'Damn'?" "Help! Someone help! Murder!" Xiao Guo'er, hearing the distant shouting, shook her head helplessly and put her hands on her hips. The Young Palace Master and Chu Ruo were back to their old ways.

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