In the Daoist Temple, as soon as Limuqun saw Luo Dan’er in Luozhilan’s arms, the image from the end of his memory world—her crazed figure wielding an invisible blade, relentlessly hunting him—rose involuntarily in his mind.
“Cough, cough.” Limuqun said nothing, simply backing away again and again.
Not until he’d put a safe distance between himself and Luo Dan’er did he finally speak up with a warning:
“Master, be careful. Luo Dan’er, she… she seems a bit abnormal right now, like the Spirit Maiden is acting up.”
Though Limuqun thought Luo Dan’er couldn’t possibly threaten Luozhilan, for the sake of his own long-term meal ticket’s stability, he still decided to remind her.
“So, you noticed too.”
Luozhilan waved her hand, signaling for Limuqun to come closer and observe.
Oppressed by Luozhilan’s authority, Limuqun unwillingly shuffled a little closer, casting a distant glance.
At this moment, Luo Dan’er lay with eyes shut, tightly curled up in Luozhilan’s embrace, as if in deep sleep or perhaps merely dozing.
Her face was blissful, and she seemed to murmur in her dreams, “Mother, Mother.”
Classic mother complex x repressed little she-demon.
It seemed… no different from usual?
Seeing this, Limuqun approached with a still doubtful heart, taking two more steps forward.
But just then, the curled-up Luo Dan’er suddenly sprang awake like a tiger sensing prey, whipping her head toward Limuqun and roaring:
“Limuqun, it’s Limuqun’s scent!”
“I’ll kill you, I’ll cut you into a thousand pieces!” Before her words even finished, she channeled all her Spiritual Power, transforming it into countless sharp blades, all aimed straight at Limuqun.
Feeling that surging Spiritual Power rushing at him, Limuqun hastily activated his Immortal Foundation, radiating sunlight-like brilliance to defend himself.
Yet before the two forces even clashed, Luozhilan waved her jade-like hand, instantly dissolving all the invisible blades in flight and Limuqun’s glowing defense into nothingness.
Then, she lightly patted the little one in her arms, and Luo Dan’er’s head wobbled as she immediately fainted.
Upholding the principle that a gentleman should not stand beneath a crumbling wall, Limuqun quickly put distance between himself and the others again, watching Luo Dan’er—now as quiet as a doll in Luozhilan’s embrace—with lingering fear as he asked, “M-Master, what’s wrong with Luo Dan’er?”
“She was provoked, and seems to have some misunderstanding about you, forming something like an Obsession.”
Provoked? Misunderstanding? Prejudice?
I can’t understand a single word of that!
Could it be something Zuo Qiuli did during the ensemble?
Thinking about it, that seemed the only possible reason.
Still, he asked, “Master, if it’s just a misunderstanding, can’t we just talk things out?” He was used to this kind of process.
If people aren’t bad, bring them together, get on YY, and clear things up with words.
What misunderstanding or bias couldn’t be resolved by a brotherly heart-to-heart?
Yet Luozhilan shook her head and explained: “Dan’er is a spirit formed from a wisp of my innate Spiritual Power—her mind is pure, and she’s a little different from humans.”
“Her love and hate seem to come and go quickly, but once something becomes an Obsession, it’s like a Heart Demon.”
“As they say, stubborn diseases are easy to treat, Heart Demons are hard to cure. I’m afraid it won’t be easy to resolve her triggered reaction to you anytime soon!”
Zuo Qiuli, look at the mess you’ve made!
Hearing Luozhilan’s explanation, Limuqun silently made a note to settle scores with Zuo Qiuli later.
He raised his head, still a bit confused, and asked,
“Then, Master, since a Heart Demon is hard to resolve, is there anything you need me to do?”
“Should I face danger head-on and offer a sincere apology, showing my earnestness to help her realize it’s all a misunderstanding? Or should I prepare thoughtful gifts and gatherings, using surprise to change her preconceived notions? But for a young girl with such a mindset, my advice is to bring her a homemade loving breakfast every morning, moving her with warmth.”
“Hmph, you do know a thing or two. From now on, every morning I’ll have you—cough, cough.”
“? Master, what were you just saying?”
Limuqun tilted his head in confusion; he really hadn’t caught Luozhilan’s faint mosquito-like mumble.
“It’s nothing, nothing.” Almost losing her hard-maintained image as a proper Master, Luozhilan’s cheeks turned slightly red, and she quickly steered the conversation back: “Those suggestions aren’t bad, but that’s not what I want your cooperation with.”
“Then, don’t tell me you want me to…?” Limuqun was sweating nervously, but in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say “work like an ox or horse.”
Seriously, Luozhilan, just because you’re “keeping” me now doesn’t mean you can make me do things that sell out my dignity!
Unless you add more compensation.
“Don’t let your thoughts run wild.” Seeing his awkward look, Luozhilan gently shook her head and said, “What I want is for you to move back down the mountain for now, so you and Dan’er don’t run into each other and cause unnecessary conflict.”
“Time is the best remedy. After some time, I’m sure she’ll come around. Then, you can return to the mountain for your cultivation.”
That’s all?
Limuqun breathed a sigh of relief.
He’d thought it was something serious! With Danchamber and Cultivation Methods, he would love nothing more than to stay in his little hut and cultivate for a lifetime—who cared to be on this trouble-ridden Congealed Fat Peak?
He patted his chest, putting on a show of great generosity as he said,
“Moving down the mountain? No problem at all, just a small matter.”
“Just don’t feel guilty, Master, about your Founding Disciple not being able to cultivate on the mountain. And don’t try to make it up to me with precious Danchamber or powerful Cultivation Methods out of guilt.”
Heh, what thick skin.
But since you want Danchamber and Cultivation Methods so much, let your Master pick out something nice for you!
Luozhilan’s lips curled in a barely perceptible smile, but she still followed Limuqun’s lead, saying, “What are you saying? I haven’t rewarded you before, and now you’re being wronged. How could Master not make it up to you?”
With a wave of her jade-like hand, an ancient scroll and a bulging Storage Bag fell into Limuqun’s hands.
He didn’t even need to look at the Storage Bag—just smelling the overwhelming fragrance of Danchamber was enough for Limuqun to know it was stuffed to the brim with pills.
But what about the scroll?
He examined the ancient scroll in his hand.
Its dark cover revealed nothing special, but the title in crimson like vermilion lacquer radiated a mysterious, searing aura in his grip.
Luozhilan’s voice drifted over:
“My Disciple, I see you haven’t learned any decent Cultivation Method. This ‘Long Feng He Ming Jue’ is of the highest tier. Mastering it allows one to produce Dragon Breath and Phoenix Fire within the body. It’s not only powerful but strengthens your physique, speeds recovery, and can even save your life at critical moments.”
“However, this Cultivation Method is quite difficult. I’ve placed a wisp of my Divine Sense inside the scroll. If you have questions, you can ask me at any time.”
By heavens, what an amazing Cultivation Method!
Limuqun quickly and carefully stowed it away.
“With such compensation, are you satisfied, my Disciple?”
Luozhilan asked with a smile, only to find Limuqun already standing, loudly declaring:
“Dan’er is lost in obsession; it’s clear I must descend the mountain!”
He even knelt on one knee, right hand pressed to his chest in a show of utmost loyalty, and declared solemnly to Luozhilan,
“So Master will know—there are not two suns in the sky, and in this disciple’s heart, there is but one Master, one sun!” “Very good, very good.”
Luozhilan nodded with a smile, but inside, she was already brimming with delight.
Good disciple, you must stay down the mountain and cultivate this ‘Long Feng He Ming Jue’ well. If you have any questions, Master can “personally instruct” you.
On the mountain, it’s too easy for Luo Dan’er to run into you—not very convenient. But down the mountain, no one will disturb us.
Only after watching Limuqun’s figure disappear from sight did the smile on her face slowly morph into a look of triumphant satisfaction.
Ordinary person?
That’s right.
Just look at those storybooks—what Master doesn’t have some special feelings for their Disciple?
So, as an ordinary person, giving her Founding Disciple a little extra care is perfectly normal!