Mistress: He's So Fierce (5k)

Senior sister wasn't lying. As long as you step into Lotus Peak and keep walking upwards, this magical sacred mountain will guide you home, even if you are a blind man who can't see the way.

"Senior sister."

You Su raised his head and smiled at Wangshu Fairy, who was standing on the boulder and had been waiting for him for a long time.

"Junior brother is very capable."

Wangshu Fairy gracefully jumped down and stood next to You Su.

You Su felt that his senior sister's praise was no different from an older sister praising her younger brother, saying, "Your eighteen-year-old brother is so amazing, he can already walk!"

Although it was sincere, it felt strangely awkward to him.

"It's not that I'm powerful, it's that Lotus Peak is powerful."

You Su sighed with genuine emotion. He turned back to look at the primitive mountain path he had trekked up. His eyes were closed, so he couldn't see the vast sea of clouds or the ancient pines. In his blurred vision, he saw a sense of belonging, that besides the Mandarin Sword Sect, there was another place in this world where he could find refuge.

He turned his head again, and not far in front of him was that quaint little courtyard. He didn't need to actually see it to know he could find his way home. This feeling was truly wonderful for a blind man.

"It's not Lotus Peak that's powerful, it's you."

Suddenly, a familiar and beautiful voice rang out in the air, but its tone was rather sarcastic.

"Greetings, Third Elder." Wangshu Fairy greeted the mature woman in the green dress who had suddenly appeared.

You Su could even process the tone of those words, he quickly bowed and said, "You Su greets the Third Elder."

"Is the reporting over?"

The Third Elder's beautiful eyes scrutinized You Su, as if trying to discern what was so special about this blind man.

"Reporting to the Third Elder, it has been successfully completed." You Su took out the True Disciple wooden tablet from his bosom to indicate.

"You were able to push open the gate of the sacred mountain? It wasn't Xiao Wangshu who helped you, was it?" The Third Elder looked at You Su with great interest.

"Third Elder, Junior Brother is very capable, please don't say that," Wangshu Fairy said very seriously.

"It's so great to have such a powerful senior sister..." You Su thought to herself.

"I also don't want to underestimate your junior brother." The Third Elder took the wine gourd from his waist and turned to You Su, asking, "How long did it take to break down the gate? Judging by the time... it must have taken about three incense sticks to burn, right? Not bad, but not exactly impressive."

You Su had no concept of the time spent; as he immersed himself in it, it felt both endless and fleeting. Neither of the two elders emphasized the time required; it was his senior sister who answered for him:

"Junior brother used one incense stick and then added half an incense stick."

The Third Elder was slightly taken aback. She knew that Xiao Wangshu wouldn't lie. She murmured, "One and a half incense sticks is barely considered impressive. But it's still not enough. If Xiao Wangshu were to break down the door, it might take even a whole incense stick."

The Third Elder remained pessimistic about the troubles You Su might encounter. The short time it took to reach the Divine Mountain Gate only showed You Su's determination, but to solve problems, strength was more important. Only Goddess like Wangshu Fairy was qualified to be a disciple of a peak for decades without anyone daring to criticize her.

"I know I am foolish, and I will certainly work harder in the future," You Su promised.

"I hope you're not just saying that. What book did you get?"

The Third Elder asked bluntly, and as the dignified Bihua Venerable, she naturally had no desire to beat around the bush with a junior she already resented.

You Su's expression stiffened. He dared not refuse to answer the Third Elder's question, but this book... sigh, never mind. You Su believed that he had a clear conscience, so he generously took out the Sword Nurturing Art to demonstrate.

Upon seeing the book's title, the Third Elder's beautiful face immediately fell in astonishment:

"The Sun Yang Sword Nurturing Art?!"

Judging from the Third Elder's tone, You Su knew that she must have misunderstood, just like the other two elders, so she simply pretended to be completely unaware.

"As expected, this Sword Nurturing Art is quite ordinary."

You Su's tone was regretful, as if she were blaming herself for not getting a good book because of her mediocre talent.

The Third Elder had a strange look in his eyes, and his arms were crossed, making his already magnificent breasts appear even more imposing.

Ultimately, it's because another application of this Sword Nurturing Art is so deeply ingrained in people's minds that those in the know seem to forget, upon seeing this book, that even without its 'yang-enhancing' abilities, the <Sun Yang Sword Nurturing Art> is still a rare and superior Cultivation Method.

"Not really... This Cultivation Method does have its merits. Opportunities to receive a book from the Book Mountain Pavilion are rare, so cherish this book and cultivate diligently. Cultivation Method aren't necessarily better the higher the level; they must suit you. The Book Mountain Pavilion gave you this book because they believe it's suitable for you."

The Third Elder gently encouraged her, looking at You Su's innocent and naive appearance, as if she had no understanding of the origin of this Sword Nurturing Art. She thought that You Su was overthinking it, and that this was just a proper Sword Nurturing Art.

"I will cultivate diligently," You Su said confidently, putting away the book.

The Third Elder glanced at You Su, secretly sighing that he indeed possessed a handsome appearance that everyone envied. He then looked at Wangshu Fairy standing very close to him. It seemed that even when Little Wangshu stood next to her, they had never stood this close...

For some reason, the Third Elder's mind inexplicably conjured up the image of the Thirteenth Elder's stunningly beautiful figure, like a lotus emerging from the water. She also recalled the Thirteenth Elder's icy devotion to this young man, and a remarkably bold guess began to form in her mind...

She probably thought the idea was too outrageous, so she took a swig of her drink and gently swirled her head, but the idea seemed to have already taken root in her mind. Although the idea was indeed unbelievable, it was better to be safe than sorry.

Or should we eliminate this extremely slim possibility altogether?

The Third Elder suddenly stood up straight, toned down his fawning manner, and, like a proper teacher, said:

"However, I think this Cultivation Method is still a bit mediocre and doesn't quite live up to your status as a disciple of the Lotus Sword Venerable. How about this, you give me this book, and I'll go find you a better Sword Nurturing Art."

You Su knew that the Third Elder's misunderstanding hadn't been cleared up and that he was being deceived. Besides, the Sword Nurturing Art still contained that piece of Golden Paper full of spiritual energy; how could he possibly hand it over to someone else so easily? Moreover, as fellow Void Glimpse Venerable, You Su didn't believe that the Third Elder could find someone better.

He replied, "Third Elder, how could I accept this? Besides, didn't you just say that what's suitable is the best, and rank isn't important?"

The Third Elder raised an eyebrow, surprised that the boomerang had arrived so quickly. Thinking that the idea couldn't possibly be true anyway, she simply pursed her red lips and said:

"It's up to you. Focus on your training, but don't neglect the essentials. Sword training is just an aid; swordsmanship is the key."

"Thank you for your guidance, Third Elder," You Su replied respectfully.

The Third Elder nodded, making a move to leave. As she walked past You Su, a fragrant breeze wafted over her. She suddenly turned back and said to You Su again:

"By the way, your master is looking for you. She seems quite worried about whether you'll pass the public announcement smoothly. I hope you can show some of the spirit of a young man and not let your master worry about you while she's in seclusion. Go into the mountains and you'll naturally find her."

My master's Mistress, who's in seclusion, actually came to me for such a trivial matter?

You Su Sujian frowned, cupped his hands, and said solemnly, "I'll go right away."

"No need right away, go now."

Upon hearing this, You Su replied with a "Yes" and began to walk.

The Third Elder sighed inwardly. She couldn't persuade the Thirteenth Elder, and only hoped that the child could.

However, she had no intention of directly exposing He Shutong's injuries. You Su was blind and had low cultivation, so he definitely wouldn't be able to see through his master's concealment of his injuries. As for Wangshu, she couldn't be sure, since that child was too extraordinary.

She glanced at the longing Wangshu Fairy, and fearing she might follow, said:

"Little Wangshu, you've listened to so many of the Third Elder's lectures, now I need to check your homework."

He turned around and walked towards the peach tree in the yard.

Wangshu Fairy was anxious, as if protecting her own junior brother. She quickly moved gracefully to stand in front of the peach tree to protect it.

"Third Elder, you can't bully Little Peach Blossom anymore!"

"Why is it still called that? I taught you that this peach tree is for eating, not for looking at. Its flowers are small and ugly, how can it be called 'little peach blossom'? 'Little peach' would be more appropriate."

He Shutong leaned gently against the shimmering jade, with only her graceful neck and head visible above the water.

The Lotus Birth Pool was already filled with spiritual water, and He Shutong now essentially used it as an external spiritual platform. The pure and Mystic Qi that leaked out of her body was contained in the water, making the clouds and mist on this Heavenly Pond seem to have transformed into tangible Mystic Qi.

He Shutong sighed softly. Although she did not regret her choice, she was somewhat worried about her current situation. It wasn't that she was reluctant to give up her cultivation level, but she felt that if she still had her cultivation, she could definitely better protect her two disciples.

The thought of You Su having to prove to others that he was qualified to be her True Disciple troubled her. Did that mean she wouldn't accept You Su if others disagreed? Whether he was qualified to be her disciple was something only He Shutong could decide.

Suddenly, as if she heard something, her body submerged in the water stirred slightly, the clear pool water filling her clearly visible collarbone—a truly captivating sight.

Why is You Su here? Didn't I tell them not to bother me?

You Su is a polite and well-mannered child; he certainly wouldn't come without permission. It must be the Third Elder's doing...

Hearing "Mistress, Mistress" from beside her ear, He Shutong felt happy. She wanted to see You Su but was also conflicted.

She pursed her cherry lips and focused her gaze in one direction. In her eyes was a pitiful blind boy, anxiously searching for his master's Mistress in the mountains.

He Shutong's heart softened. It's alright, he's blind, he can't see her, let alone understand her...

With a gentle wave of her hand, she transformed the maze outside the pool into a guiding array.

At the same time, the environment within You Su's Sea of Consciousness changed.

The surrounding trees were no longer chaotic and repetitive; the spacing between them suddenly became subtle. A path seemed to appear faintly in the dense grove.

You Su knew that his Mistress had given him permission to visit.

He followed the path that had been shown to him, walking several hundred steps. Along the way, the grass was lush and the fallen petals were beautiful. He finally emerged from the flower forest. Ahead in his Sea of Consciousness's eye was a small open space, which, judging from its structure, appeared to be a secluded pond.

The dense Mystic Qi in the air amazed You Su. If he were to cultivate in such an environment, his speed would probably be more than a hundred times faster than when he was in Chuyun City.

"Why are you here?" The Mistress's voice appeared softly.

"It was the Third Elder who said that Mistress wanted to see me." You Su bowed towards the source of the voice.

This time, he couldn't even sense the ball of light with black spots on his Mistress; it was as if there was a thick fog between them.

What did she tell you?

"She said my Mistress was worried that my reporting wouldn't go smoothly and wanted to give me some advice," You Su answered truthfully. Then, realizing something was amiss, she asked, "Is the Third Elder joking with me?"

His heart also tightened. He could vaguely sense the Third Elder's dissatisfaction with him. What if the Third Elder deliberately sent him to disturb his master's Mistress was in seclusion?

"I do have a few words to say to you."

You Su felt relieved, thankful that she hadn't been impolite or offended her Mistress.

"Please speak, Mistress."

From the depths of the fog, after a moment of silence, a sound finally came:

"To be honest, I didn't know that taking on apprentices would be so complicated. If you have any complaints, please feel free to speak up."

"Why do you say that, Mistress? Mistress is of noble status, and there are countless people who want to become disciples of Lotus Sword Venerable, yet I have become the only lucky one. When I think back to the day I became Master's Mistress's disciple, I still feel that it was so easy and unreal. These procedures have made me feel the weight of the identity of Mistress's disciple. You Su only feels that these ceremonies are not grand enough, so how could she feel that they are tedious and have any complaints?"

You Su hurriedly explained, He Shutong, looking at the boy's earnest expression outside the mist, could tell that these were his heartfelt words. Her breathing quickened slightly, and she was once again touched by the boy's unreserved attitude.

He felt it was a blessing for her to take him as her apprentice, unaware that this was merely a small, insignificant compensation she was giving him.

"You don't need to think that way. With your talent, you're more than qualified to be my disciple."

You Su smiled calmly, "Talented horses are common, but not every one has the opportunity to show their abilities. Even if You Su is truly a prodigy, it is still fortunate that he can become a disciple of my Mistress."

As soon as she finished speaking, the clear water rippled, He Shutong felt that her heart would never grow cold again.

"It is my good fortune to be able to take you as my disciple," He Shutong replied calmly, controlling his emotions.

You Su was also stirred. His Mistress, a Void Realm cultivator, felt fortunate to have accepted a blind man at the Spirit Platform Realm as her disciple, indicating that she placed great expectations on him. He then remembered the Third Elder's instructions and asked:

"Mistress, will there be any unexpected twists and turns during this seven-day public notice period?"

He Shutong thought about the two peaks' previous attitude towards Lotus Peak and understood that these conflicts were unavoidable.

"Other True Disciple can easily get through these seven days, but you, as my disciple, will find it difficult to do so. There will definitely be people challenging you, and that's all my fault. But don't worry, I will emerge from seclusion and stand behind you, facing this together."

You Su remained silent upon hearing this, seemingly lost in thought.

He Shutong's heartfelt words went unanswered, and she felt a little flustered. She tentatively asked:

"You're unwilling?"

"Of course not."

You Su's reply was decisive, and her voice was no longer as respectful as before; instead, it was somewhat cold.

He Shutong grew increasingly flustered, unsure of what she had said wrong that made You Su seem angry with her. A pang of pain shot through her heart, and she felt deeply guilty. If she had also disappointed You Su, what would have been the point of her seemingly icy heart softening? In the end, wouldn't she just be a laughingstock?

Why?

Even a venerable master can stutter a little.

"Does your Mistress think that You Su is unable to face the setbacks you have witnessed? Or does she think that You Su is simply a blind man who can only become your disciple if you step in?"

"That's not how it is..."

"Isn't that how it is? But based on what you just said, I thought I was chosen by my Mistress because of my talent. But your behavior is telling me that I'm just a nepotism student who got into Lotus Peak because of my Mistress's connections, which is why you don't trust me to pass smoothly?"

He Shutong remained silent for a long time after being spoken to by You Su. With emotions just beginning to emerge, she couldn't tell whether she was happy or sad. She was saddened by the complaints and misunderstandings in You Su's words, but she was also happy about these complaints and misunderstandings. Human emotions are truly complex and full of ups and downs.

You Su vented his frustration, realizing he had been too focused on his Mistress. Mistress had clearly not finished her seclusion, yet she insisted on ending it to help him face what he should have been the one to confront, which made him feel slighted.

He felt good to have his senior sister protecting him, which showed that he wasn't someone who couldn't accept being fed by a woman. However, he would never swallow the kind of "soft rice" that came at the cost of his own life.

Seeing his Mistress remain silent, he immediately regretted his actions. In the eight years Mistress had been together, this seemed to be the first time he had spoken to Mistress with any emotion. He sighed softly, realizing that the problem ultimately lay with him.

"Mistress, what I said just You Su was not meant to blame Mistress. It was all my ridiculous pride that got the better of me. It's all my own fault. My cultivation level is too low and my strength is too weak, so I can't make Mistress completely trust me. I was disrespectful, and I will accept whatever punishment Mistress want me to receive!"

Each word was like adding fuel to the fire in the Lotus Birth Pool, transforming it into a warm hot spring. He Shutong felt the originally cool water become scorching hot, unaware that it was You Su's words that were gradually raising her body temperature, and even the spiritual mist on the water's surface was warming up.

How could she bear to punish You Su? Instead, she wished she could hold him in her arms and comfort him, just like when he first woke up that day.

"You did nothing wrong, so why should I punish you? It's because your Mistress didn't consider these issues properly, causing you to suffer more."

"Mistress!"

You Su could no longer hold back and shouted sternly. This shout startled He Shutong, who stared blankly at You Su, never expecting that the usually gentle and refined boy would have such a fierce side.

A raging fire seemed to rise in You Su's heart, and he straightened his chest and said:

"Mistress! This is not your fault at all! Master left me with so many messes, and I have never complained. As a disciple, shouldn't I bear these trials? If Mistress still think it's all Mistress fault, then I will not be your disciple! In Mistress opinion, I am incapable of becoming True Disciple on my own, so I might as well Auditory Disciple!"

"Don't want!"

Don't leave me, and don't say it again...

Bing Xin had already melted away because of You Su, her warmth flowing through her body; if I continued... I really would cry...