Fairy, Don't Be Afraid, I Am Blind

Chapter 279 - 170: Master: Take Off Your Clothes, Part 2

You Su did as he was told, but felt strange inside.

He wasn’t worried about the Jade Ring Pool, since the water from the Lotus Pool where his Master was in seclusion came from the Jade Ring Pool.

But the process of handing over the Lotus Heart... wouldn’t that mean he had to bathe with his Master again in the same pool?

"Mr. Bihua?"

Chengtao Venerable’s exclamation interrupted You Su’s wild imagination.

In the distance, a stunning woman floated in the air, staring at Chengtao with icy disdain, surrounded by a nearly tangible wooden Cyan Qi.

Chengtao Venerable quickly guessed the source of Mr. Bihua’s hostility and could only continue to ask, "Are you here to take You Su?"

After all, You Su’s coming to the Jade Ring Pool to exchange the Lotus Heart was a task issued by the Third Elder, and she probably didn’t expect this place to be so perilous.

"Hand him over to me. You cannot approach the Divine Mountain now; others will arrive soon."

The Third Elder’s voice was cold, quite unlike her usual charming demeanor.

You Su suddenly heard a familiar voice and, thrilled, pressed against the transparent bubble to greet:

"Third Elder! Third Elder!"

The Third Elder furrowed her brows slightly, finding it odd. Was her relationship with him that close? He greeted with such enthusiasm, even with outsiders around.

However, she still nodded and responded lightly, "Hard work."

She felt a bit apologetic towards You Su. What she originally thought was just a demanding task had unexpectedly involved such a powerful malevolent force. This had led to the Lotus Sword Venerable being extremely indignant with her, which in turn became her resentment towards the Patriarch of the Jade Ring Pool.

Chengtao Venerable waved his blue sleeve, and You Su drifted over to the Third Elder’s side with the bubble. He knew that this trip to the Divine Mountain would not be easy. The ’they’ mentioned by Mr. Bihua must be the higher-ups of the Exorcism Bureau and the various forces of the Divine Mountain.

A significant incident happening in such a sacred pool meant he could not evade responsibility. As a dangerous individual, he couldn’t easily approach the Divine Mountain.

Yet compared to the interrogation and reproach he was about to face, he was more worried about whether You Su’s wish would be fulfilled.

"Mr. Bihua, the Lotus Heart you seek is now within You Su’s Soul Altar."

After speaking, Chengtao Venerable took out an exquisitely small fish from his waist, which puffed adorably.

He handed it to the Third Elder and said, "The fish’s belly holds fifty dou of Jade Ring Pool water. I’ve already explained the details to You Su. Time is pressing; you should hurry, Mr. Bihua. After the matter is resolved, I will personally apologize to you and the Lotus Sword Venerable, and formally thank You Su."

The Third Elder took the small fish, astonished that this palm-sized fish could hold so much water. She gave Chengtao Venerable one last glance, her tone slightly softened:

"Better not find yourself in the Divine Mountain Celestial Prison before you can even apologize."

Soon, the Cyan Vessel hidden in You Su’s embrace emerged, expanding into a large verdant banana leaf, then carried the Third Elder and You Su away as a streak of cyan light disappearing into the sky.

Chengtao Venerable withdrew his gaze, looking towards the cloudless high sky. Suddenly, over a dozen towering figures appeared, exuding an overwhelming divine light.

Though white light burst from Chengtao Venerable’s back, he neither humbled nor exceeded himself, standing steadily against these pinnacle individuals of the Five Continents.

In the depths of his mind, he perceived that this enormous Jade Ring Pool was merely the first flash of lightning before a storm.

At that moment, he could not envision what turmoil and catastrophe awaited the Five Continents in the future...

...

Even though he was not at the snow-covered Kongyuan Divine Mountain of Beiao Continent, You Su felt as though he was in freezing snow and ice.

Standing by the mist-covered Lotus Pool, he nervously held a swollen little fish, which seemed to know the situation was dire, as water dripped from its mouth.

Under the cold gaze of He Shutong beyond the mist, You Su felt himself as insignificant as a lackey.

Wangshu stood beside him, her blue eyes fixed intently on him. Although she didn’t know why her Master was angry, she understood that her junior must have made a mistake for her Master to be so stern, just like when she was punished for her mistakes as a child.

She wanted to protect her junior but dared not oppose the Master she respected most, so she stood there torn, gently comforting You Su:

"Don’t be afraid, junior. Just listen to the Master’s words next time..."

You Su kept his head down, not daring to speak, only slightly nodding in gratitude to his senior sister.

The Third Elder was quite speechless. She had already succinctly briefed about the Lotus Heart matters, yet here he was, not an ounce of urgency, imposing his Master’s authority, indeed?

"Thirteenth Elder, time is pressing; whether you are to reward or punish You Su, can you not swap this vital item first?"

"Why should I swap? What if he absorbs the Lotus Heart himself? Anyway, he acts without consulting me, and I cannot protect him. If he falls into danger again one day, the Lotus Heart might save his life. I’m just dropping a rank; it won’t be life-threatening at least. In such a light, he needs the Lotus Heart more than I do."

The Lotus Sword Venerable’s voice was like icy spring, restrained but still carrying palpable anger and reproach.

Yet it was unclear whether this anger and reproach were directed at him or herself, or both.

The Third Elder listened with exasperation, inwardly annoyed as to why she hadn’t realized earlier that this woman was so pretentious. Looking back, the Thirteenth Elder, who severed emotional ties earlier, seemed more decisive and would have accepted the Lotus Heart unhesitatingly.

"Why are you so confused? You Su risked his life to save you. Ignoring his efforts, do you deserve to be his Master?"

After speaking, the Third Elder anxiously pressed her lips, vexed by her own unguarded words.

It was odd; she always thought You Su didn’t deserve to be Thirteenth Elder’s disciple, yet now her words contradicted her thoughts.

The atmosphere became deathly silent due to the ’do you deserve to be his Master?’ phrase, heavy as if frozen.

Even You Su hadn’t expected the Third Elder, who usually looked down on him, to speak in his defense. He was moved but did not agree with the Third Elder; he always felt it was he who was aspiring beyond his reach.

"Third Elder, it’s not..."

Before he could say ’deserve’, He Shutong cut him off coldly:

"Third Elder, Wangshu, please leave. I wish to speak alone with You Su."

Her tone was indifferent, leaving no room for refusal.

The Third Elder took one last look at You Su, who felt pressure on his shoulders, and could only sigh inwardly. If the Thirteenth Elder truly didn’t want to swap the vital item, she couldn’t force her, leaving her to trust You Su for now.

Even though Wangshu didn’t fully understand the situation, she knew of the ordeal You Su was about to face and carefully encouraged him: "Good luck, junior."

Then, the two women retreated, leaving the Lotus Pool to the mentor and disciple.

You Su still hung his head low, standing opposite to He Shutong across the mist.

After a silent moment, unable to stand the ongoing absorption of the Lotus Heart, You Su tentatively spoke:

"Master, I know you’re angry at my self-decision, but punish me after stabilizing the realm, okay?"

Unbeknownst to him, He Shutong’s expression, concealed by the mist, was complex and unclear.

Whether it was anger or blame, these were all her disguises. Her deeper frustration stemmed from her own failures.

Her constant aim had been to repay You Su’s help, yet she had repeatedly placed him in more dangerous positions, deepening her debt to him.

The main reason He Shutong didn’t dare accept the Lotus Heart that You Su risked his life for was fear. Once accepted, how could she ever repay him?

She worried that she was indeed undeserving to be his Master or his teacher, as the Third Elder had implied.

But this timid, awkward self was even less deserving, wasn’t it?

"On this journey to the Jade Ring Pool, did you ever consider giving up?"

He Shutong suddenly asked.

You Su was momentarily stunned, then shook his head resolutely:

"Never."

These simple four words, like a warm sun, melted the icy heart of He Shutong.

This young man faced a millennium-old malevolent force without giving up, yet she was anxious and restless because she didn’t know how to repay him.

He Shutong sighed with self-mockery, and this sigh, like the breath of spring, cleared some mist. Her voice came through, gentle as a warm spring:

"Take off your clothes..."