Young but Sly

It was late when I came out of Lin Qingyao's courtyard. It was already August, and the night was a bit chilly. The moonlight spread across the courtyard, making the bluestone ground look like it was covered with a thin layer of frost.

Shen Jingchuan was about to go find Bai Ruoli when he saw a figure sitting by the stone table in the courtyard. He scanned the area with his Divine Sense and saw that it was Yue'er, who was gazing at the moon in a daze.

He took out his pocket watch and glanced at it. It was already past ten o'clock. What was this girl doing sitting here? He then walked over.

Hearing footsteps, Yue'er turned around. Tears still clung to her face, and she looked sorrowful. But when she saw that it was Shen Jingchuan, her eyes lit up, and she forced a smile.

"Young Master!"

What are you doing here? Why aren't you asleep so late?

The Yue'er lowered its head, its fingers twisting the hem of its clothes.

"I'm sorry, young master, I... I miss my parents."

Normally, when a maidservant is working for someone else, it is taboo to mention missing home in front of her master, as it would sound as if the master has mistreated her.

Yue'er, was straightforward and never treated Shen Jingchuan as an outsider; once the words were on the tip of her tongue, she would just say them.

"Where are your parents? Perhaps I can take you down the mountain to see them when I have some free time in the next couple of days."

The Yue'er drooped even lower, its voice muffled.

"They... are all gone."

Shen Jingchuan then realized that this was an orphan, and his heart softened immediately.

Yue'er could no longer hold back; she leaned forward and threw herself into his arms, her shoulders trembling slightly. He raised his hand and gently stroked her hair.

"I'm sorry, Yue'er, I didn't know."

"It's alright, young master," Yue'er said in a muffled voice. "It's been so many years. I was just... happy for a moment, and it brought these things back to mind."

"Why are you happy again?" Shen Jingchuan chuckled. "You're like a child, crying one minute and laughing the next."

The Yue'er lifted her head from his embrace, her tears turning into a smile.

"Today, the young master tested my Spirit Root and said I can cultivate too. I was so happy, so... Young master, you'll teach me, right?"

"Nonsense." Shen Jingchuan gently tapped her forehead. "If I didn't want to guide you in cultivation, why would I go through the trouble of testing your Spirit Roots?"

The Yue'er suddenly broke into a smile.

"I knew the young master was the best! I'm so happy."

Shen Jingchuan thought it was still early enough, and guiding her qi into her body wouldn't take long.

"Let's go, I'll take you there now, come back to my room with me."

"Okay, sure."

Yue'er quickly got up and followed him back to the room. Her usual job was to serve Shen Jingchuan, and she always lived in the outer room of this house.

"Young master, although you don't come back to stay often, I clean this house every day, so it's spotless."

Shen Jingchuan looked around; the tables, chairs, and bed were neatly arranged and spotless. He nodded in satisfaction and reached out to gently flick her nose.

"Xiaoyue, you've put in a lot of effort, and you've worked hard too. Young Master hasn't spoiled you for nothing."

The Yue'er wrinkled its nose as he stroked it, its eyes crinkling into crescents, and it nodded sweetly.

Shen Jingchuan sat cross-legged on the bed and waved to her.

"Come on, get into bed."

Yue'er froze for a moment, her face flushed red, she bit her lip, but still climbed onto the bed without hesitation, sat down opposite him, clutching the hem of her clothes with both hands, her head bowed low, her heart pounding like a rabbit.

Could it be that, young master... this day is finally coming?

Turn around.

"Okay, sure."

Feeling dizzy, Yue'er turned around and lay face down on the bed with her back to him, still wondering to herself, "Why did I turn around like that?"

The next moment, her plump, round buttocks were gently patted.

"What are you thinking about at such a young age? Sit up straight."

Shen Jingchuan's voice came from behind, tinged with amusement, "Concentrate, don't get distracted."

Yue'er's face burned even hotter, and she muttered to herself, "Young Master, you're the one who's thinking nonsense. You're going to spank me, you lecherous devil."

Suppress those chaotic thoughts and sit up straight.

Shen Jingchuan then painstakingly taught her the "Five Elements Qi Refining Instruction," instructing her on how to relax and follow his guidance. After speaking, he placed a Vein Opening Pill into her mouth from behind.

The pill melted instantly upon entering her mouth, a warm sensation flowing down her throat and quickly coursing through her limbs and bones. He placed one palm on Yue'er's back, gently channeling his Spiritual Power into her, guiding her forward and protecting her newly opened meridians.

Just like with Lin Qingyao, before long, Shen Jingchuan noticed that the blocked Spirit Vein in her body were being slowly opened and widened, and a stream of energy was flowing smoothly, transforming and entering her Dantian.

Success! He secretly praised himself, thinking how amazing this top-grade Vein Opening Pill was, as both of them had progressed so smoothly.

The Yue'er was still lost in the wonderful sensation, feeling wisps of air circulating through her body, warm and comforting.

Shen Jingchuan took out two more Spirit Stones and placed them into her hands.

"Hold on tight, focus your mind, and draw the Spiritual Qi from the Spirit Stone in. Follow the route I taught you to complete a Greater Celestial Circuit to solidify it."

Following her instructions, Yue'er focused her mind and guided the energy. After completing a Greater Celestial Circuit, the newly generated Spiritual Qi within her body was finally stored steadily in her Dantian.

Shen Jingchuan withdrew his hand and said, "Alright, Yue'er, you are now a cultivator."

Yue'er jumped up excitedly, turned around, and her eyes shone with an astonishing brightness.

"Really? Young Master, I've really become a cultivator? I feel different from before, my whole body feels light and airy, and I feel especially comfortable."

Before she could finish speaking, she lunged forward and crashed into Shen Jingchuan's arms, burying her head and not daring to lift it for a long time, her voice as soft as a mosquito's hum.

"Young master, how about... you take me too?"

When this pretty little girl suddenly threw herself into his arms, Shen Jingchuan stiffened involuntarily; any man would feel a little uncomfortable.

But this girl was too young, so he forced himself to... and patted her head.

"What are you thinking about? You're too little, get up now."

Yue'er propped herself up, straddled his lap, tilted her head back, and thrust out her well-developed chest, looking Qi Ingestion.

"Where am I small? You won't believe me, just look."

As she spoke, she began to untie the belt around her waist. The collar loosened, revealing a large expanse of snow-white skin, and she was about to pull it down further when Shen Jingchuan quickly grabbed both of her wrists.

"Alright, alright." He glared at her. "I was just saying you're young."

"I'm not young anymore, I'm already --"

You'll only be seventeen next year.

"Well, she's not little anymore," Yue'er said, her face flushed red. "Other girls are fifteen or sixteen and already have babies."

"That won't do either, get up right now."

Shen Jingchuan was both amused and exasperated by her antics, and he coaxed and persuaded her to get off him. Yue'er immediately wilted, hanging her head, twisting her clothes with her fingers, her voice filled with grievance.

"I'm sorry, young master, Yue'er was overthinking it. A man like you would never look at a little maid like me... Please don't scold me, and please don't send me away, okay? Yue'er I'll serve you well from now on."

Shen Jingchuan was momentarily speechless at her convoluted thoughts, and reached out to ruffle her hair.

"What nonsense are you thinking? When did the young master say he didn't want you anymore? He just feels sorry for you because you're so young."

Yue'er suddenly looked up, her eyes regaining their light. Seeing her like this, Shen Jingchuan decided not to completely rule out the possibility.

Yue'er immediately stopped crying and started laughing. Only then did she realize that her clothes were still loose. She hurriedly tied her belt and straightened her clothes, then sat up straight by the bed.

Shen Jingchuan took out ten more Spirit Stones and placed them on the bed. "Alright, hurry up and start cultivating. Follow my method, and don't slack off, understand?"

Yue'er nodded vigorously, her disappointment long forgotten, her eyes brimming with undisguised joy.

The man before her was, in a sense, her only hope in this life.