The Immortal's Caress (Nine)

After Jiang Xue He once again suppressed the Jing Ren Curse within him, he no longer appeared as dispirited as before, but rather composed and detached.

After hearing Di Ying’s lie, Jiang Xue He still didn't approve. He wanted her to return the money she had earned from "selling herself to bury her brother" and also wanted to help her reclaim the wages that the troupe had withheld.

For the former, Di Ying was too embarrassed to go; for the latter, she considered the money too little to bother with. Di Ying wailed: "I'm not going… If I admit I lied, they'll scold me, I absolutely won't go!"

The fifteen-year-old girl, though capable of lying easily, possessed an extremely strong sense of self-esteem. Jiang Xue He pulled her arm, his attitude a little firm, and she immediately looked as if she had suffered the greatest injustice, her eyes brimming with tears, sobbing incessantly. In truth, she wasn't truly crying; it was just her watery eyes and reddened nose, this pitiful appearance that softened Jiang Xue He’s heart.

Di Ying was utterly bewildered: She usually didn't see him as kind or principled, so why was he bullying her like this now?

Jiang Xue He looked at her: "You absolutely won't go?"

Di Ying was both angry and aggrieved, her eyes staring intently at him, cold and unyielding. Her nature was inherently stubborn; the more he forced her, the more she would resent him, fundamentally refusing his discipline.

Jiang Xue He looked at her for a moment: "Alright then."

Di Ying was wary, thinking he was about to use his cultivation to suppress her, forcing her to go with him. Jiang Xue He took out a handkerchief, intending to wipe her tears, but as his hand rose, Di Ying took a step back, summoning a small sword, its tip pointing directly at him. Jiang Xue He paused, then offered her the handkerchief, letting her wipe her own tears.

Di Ying felt ashamed and uneasy. She saw that Jiang Xue He no longer forced her, but instead cast a tracking spell to find the passersby who had witnessed the "selling herself to bury her brother" act earlier. On the bustling street, after the spell was cast, faint blue lights appeared.

Jiang Xue He turned his head and glanced at her. She pouted, then took another step back. Jiang Xue He gently instructed: "Don't run around, wait for me."

Di Ying sulked: "No one has the right to order me around."

Jiang Xue He was helpless and said nothing more. He followed the traces of the tracking spell. Di Ying hesitated for a moment, then secretly followed behind to see what he intended to do. She was half-willing, half-unwilling to follow. Whenever Jiang Xue He turned his head, she would pretend to be playing by herself, ignoring him; but when he continued walking, she would hurriedly follow.

Jiang Xue He was indeed formidable; he found each passerby. Di Ying refused to show herself, hiding behind a small alley, peeking. From her Senior Brother's calm demeanor and the surprised then angry reactions of the others, she guessed that Jiang Xue He was explaining and returning the money to them.

He gently said: "I was seriously ill, and my little sister wanted to help me lessen the burden, which is why she did that…"

Some people were furious at being deceived, pointing fingers at the young man and cursing him severely. Jiang Xue He’s expression remained unchanged, enduring the humiliation. After the other party finished scolding, he would find the next person. Some became greedy, wanting more money, and when Jiang Xue He saw through them, they became enraged and cursed endlessly. Some tried to use force; Jiang Xue He retreated a few steps to dodge, but also allowed them to hit him a few times to vent their anger.

Jiang Xue He even went to the troupe on Di Ying’s behalf to demand her wages. He was neither arrogant nor servile, his attitude balanced, sometimes infuriating people, sometimes earning their respect. Di Ying watched from afar, feeling extremely uncomfortable. From Jiang Xue He’s calmness, she recognized his indifference when he lived alone before. All the slanders, bullying, revenge, or disgust in this world no longer surprised him. He truly didn't care. And not caring, in itself, was a kind of "emotionlessness." Di Ying was therefore afraid and unhappy. She couldn't bear to watch anymore and quietly ran away.

Jiang Xue He turned his head and saw that the little girl who had been following him had disappeared. He stood there blankly, then told himself not to overthink. Recently, his emotions had been too much affected by her. Today, he had finally managed to suppress the Jing Ren Curse with great difficulty; he couldn't fall into the same trap again.

Jiang Xue He finished everything by the afternoon. Dark clouds gathered, and a light rain began to fall. Jiang Xue He sensed Di Ying’s aura. He was not in a hurry. He opened his umbrella and stopped before a steaming stall, buying her a bowl of wontons. He didn't have enough money, so he casually pawned a valuable item he carried.

While waiting for the wontons, the old vendor chatted: "If you're buying for your little sister, why doesn't Young Master just have her come here to eat? If you take it back like this, the noodles will get soggy, and the flavor won't be as good."

Jiang Xue He put the bowl of wontons into his Storage Bag. The spell inside could freeze time, not affecting the flavor. But he suddenly had an idea and asked the old man: "I also know how to make wontons, but my little sister says mine aren't good and refuses to eat much. I don't know what I'm doing wrong."

The old man chuckled. Perhaps because it was raining and there were few customers, or because the young man before him had an extraordinary demeanor, the old man was interested in chatting. As they spoke, Jiang Xue He suddenly turned his head to the side. A small, delicate young girl, holding a paper umbrella, was humming a tune as she walked past. When he looked at her, the young girl also curiously turned back. She was about fourteen or fifteen, her hair tied in two buns, the ribbons hanging down her shoulders. Meeting his gaze, she was startled, then smiled. Her face was small, her skin white as porcelain, her smile radiant with cunning and intelligence.

The old man curiously asked: "What are you looking at, Young Master?"

Jiang Xue He composed himself, lowered his eyes, and indifferently said: "Nothing. The little girl who just walked by has an age and demeanor very similar to my own little sister."

The old man followed his gaze and chuckled: "Girls this age are the most prone to acting spoiled, but also the most adorable." The old man said, scooping two more wontons for him. Jiang Xue He thanked the old man and left.

Di Ying was currently at a bookstore. She had just bought an immortal item from a mortal—the Liu Qing artifact. The person didn't know how to use it, only regarded it as a toy, so they sold it cheaply. Her mood improved after buying a good item, so she stopped by the bookstore. She lingered in the bookstore with a secret thought: She wanted to get closer to her Senior Brother.

Her desires remained unfulfilled, and she began to search for faint clues in her Senior Brother's reserved demeanor. The storybooks she bought were often checked by him, and if he found them unsuitable, he would confiscate them. Di Ying was still vague about matters of love and intimacy, largely due to Jiang Xue He’s upbringing. What was "soul-consuming and bone-stripping"? What happened after "blowing out the candle"? Did "red curtains drawn" necessarily mean red curtains? The events that followed in the storybooks always left her bewildered. The more she didn't understand, the more bored she became, only looking for short, easy-to-understand stories. This suited Jiang Xue He perfectly.

But today was different. Di Ying was determined to buy a few storybooks that her Senior Brother wouldn't allow her to read, just to provoke him. She hesitantly described her request to the bookstore owner, her innocent yet serious demeanor making him laugh and cry. The owner understood, giving her a few books: "Are these enough?"

Di Ying was about to flip through them when Jiang Xue He’s voice sounded from behind the rain: "Little Ying."

She was startled, quickly stuffing the books into her Storage Bag, then turned to greet him. Jiang Xue He stepped onto the threshold, seeing Di Ying rush towards him. He reached out to steady her, a little surprised: She was still angry this morning, so why was she now actively seeking a hug?

Di Ying stood firm, guiltily tugging his sleeve: "Let's go."

Jiang Xue He hummed in agreement, but the bookstore owner behind them called out: "Miss, you haven't paid for your books!"

Jiang Xue He’s gaze shifted to Di Ying. She turned back, a little displeased at the talkative owner. She wanted to end this quickly, but her purse was empty after buying the Liu Qing artifact. Jiang Xue He stood by, observing. Di Ying didn't dare to return the books, fearing her Senior Brother’s suspicion. She was still angry with him, but stubbornly looked up. Jiang Xue He, without changing his expression, paid for her and led her by the hand into the rain, under his umbrella.

The two Senior Brother and Sister did not stay in the town but took a mountain path, finding a cave to shelter from the rain. As dusk fell, a fire was lit in the cave. Di Ying, wrapped in her cloak, sat by the fire, lazily hugging her knees, watching Jiang Xue He add wood. The pattering rain outside made it seem as if only the two of them existed in the world, relying on each other.

Di Ying watched Jiang Xue He busy himself. His movements were always elegant and refined, whether he was killing people or being reviled by the world, it was no different from now. Jiang Xue He looked up. Di Ying immediately turned her face away, letting out a loud hmph for him to hear. Jiang Xue He loved her agile, quirky demeanor. When everything was settled, he began to chat with his little Junior Sister.

"Thank you for guarding me these past few days. Without you by my side, I wouldn't have dared to focus on dealing with the Jing Ren Curse. I am inherently suspicious; apart from you, I trust no one."

Di Ying originally didn't want to pay attention to him, but his words surprised her: "You don't even trust your Second Senior Brother? You didn't trust Master before?"

He shook his head: "I trust them all, but I trust you the most."

Di Ying was smug: "Trust me? Why trust me? Am I that trustworthy?"

Jiang Xue He’s gaze was as gentle as snow. His captivating eyes reminded Di Ying of her irritation. She put on a cold face; she couldn't let him deceive her. This wicked Senior Brother always used coaxing words on her.

Jiang Xue He softly asked: "Are you still angry about me making you apologize and return the money? Do you know that what I did was right, to guide you? A mind free of burdens, undisturbed by inner demons, allows the Great Dao to flow smoothly. That is very beneficial for your cultivation."

Di Ying retorted: "You mean to cultivate immortality, one must be a good person, otherwise, if one's intentions aren't clear, one can't cultivate the Great Dao? Then those great villains in the world shouldn't cultivate at all. And those powerful cultivators like Master Shen, Martial Uncle Shen, aren't their hands stained with blood, don't they have vengeful souls? I just played a little trick, and you're making a fuss."

Jiang Xue He gently explained: "I'm not saying only good people can become true immortals. I'm saying one's intentions must be clear—what you do must align with your own principles, allowing you to convince yourself."

Di Ying argued: "I have a thick skin; I can convince myself. I think what I did was perfectly right; only you are being nosy. You yourself kill people like flies, seeing coffins without shedding tears, yet you come to lecture me. Do you think you're right?"

She provocatively looked at him. Jiang Xue He was silent for a moment, then used himself as an example: "Of course I'm not right. My entire life, after the age of fifteen, has been spent paying for what I did before. Do you think the price I've paid is enough?"

Di Ying was stunned, the arrogance in her eyes fading. Jiang Xue He continued: "I may never reach the Great Dao in this life. I only hope to resolve the Jing Ren Curse to end this punishment. You have a future, but I do not. Do you want to be like me?"

Di Ying felt annoyed; his words seemed to touch a wound in her heart. She snapped: "Stop talking!"

Jiang Xue He calmly said: "You understand everything. I only hope you can cultivate the Great Dao. In the future, if you become an immortal, don't forget this Senior Brother; just take care of me in my old age."

Di Ying was unhappy: "I can't become an immortal at all! The Heavenly Dao is locked. You yourself said 'no immortals, no demons.' If that decree isn't broken, how can anyone become an immortal? I'd rather enjoy a few years of pleasure."

Jiang Xue He asked: "Do you truly think so? After you began to accept the Great Dream Art, using the Dream Pearl to see scenes from past lives… do you still think so? If I truly am the immortal who issued the decree a thousand years ago… I only issued the decree for a thousand years. Others don't know, but don't you? After a thousand years, if you don't become an immortal, the world will return to the chaos of immortals and demons, with people suffering as before. Didn't the Great Dream Art show you the truth?"

Di Ying was silent. She had seen how the immortal issued the decree through the Great Dream Art. But she remained stubborn: "Why should I care about the life and death of others and strive to become an immortal? I only care about my own happiness."

She deliberately defied him: "I like to play around, I won't repent even if I die, and I won't listen to you. Whatever you say, I'll do the opposite. Even if you're right, I won't listen."

Jiang Xue He lowered his eyes, his long eyelashes casting shadows on his face. He said: "Alright then. You are my Junior Sister; whatever you do, I will bear it for you. The things you do are just minor mischief, not harming the greater picture. At most, it's lying and boasting. I can bear this karma; it's alright."

Di Ying was happy to be favored by him, but also worried: "How will you bear it? Will you use magic again? I don't want you to get hurt for me again."

Jiang Xue He was startled. He knew she was inherently lacking in affection, but these words touched him. He realized he couldn't let go of her, but also dared not test her further.

Di Ying urged: "Senior Brother! Tell me, how will you bear it? If you don't tell me, I won't play with you anymore."

Jiang Xue He looked at her sharply, making her a little scared, but she remained stubborn and didn't lower her head. He sighed: "Don't easily speak of parting. I always have to suppress my emotions; if they erupt, it will be terrifying. You are still young; you shouldn't have to endure my eruption."

Di Ying stared blankly at him. The young Senior Brother was tired yet composed. His pure aura further stimulated the malice within her. She crawled closer, gripping his wrist tightly, using water-elemental magic to create a layer of cold ice, then touched his hand.

She smiled slyly: "You say you'll bear the karma for me, but there's actually a simplest way that doesn't require any formations—that's dual cultivation, forming a contract. Your cultivation base is higher than mine. After dual cultivation, you can protect me and bear my karma. You intended to use this method, which is why you wouldn't say it, right? Do you want to dual cultivate with me? If I refuse, how long will you wait? Will you keep enduring?"

She nestled into his arms, cooing "Senior Brother, Senior Brother…". Jiang Xue He grasped her wrist, looked into her sly eyes, and smiled meaningfully: "Do I need to endure? In the bookstore during the day, what books did you buy? Don't you think I know?"

Di Ying blushed angrily: "You were spying on me?"

Jiang Xue He chuckled: "Your thoughts are clear in your eyes; why would I need to spy?"

Di Ying was stunned for a moment, then looked directly into his eyes: "But I haven't had a chance to read them yet. Or… since you're my Senior Brother, why don't you teach me dual cultivation, alright?"

The fire crackled. The young girl wrapped her arms around her Senior Brother’s neck, pushing him down.