The Day the Elixir Was Complete, My Master Went Mad - Chapter 15
Chapter 15
Spring comes slowly to Peach Stream.
My Spirit Bone is shattered, and my cultivation is barely a tenth of what it once was. Even walking to the stream requires two breaks.
Master’s Divine Bone is gone, and the Demon Mark remains on his wrist. He often coughs up blood at night.
He no longer wears the white robes of an Immortal Venerable. Instead, he wears coarse hemp clothes and is learning how to decoct medicine, chop wood, and buy rice.
He is a poor student.
When the old woman who sells rice first saw him, she asked me, “Young lady, who is this man to you?”
Before I could answer, Master spoke up.
“A debt collector.”
The old woman was so startled she dropped her bag of rice.
Ignoring the ache in my chest, I pulled him aside.
“If you don’t know how to speak, you don’t have to.”
He lowered his eyes. “Then what should I say?”
Looking at his earnest expression, my anger suddenly vanished.
“Say you’re a patient.”
He frowned. “You’re the patient.”
“Then say we live together.”
He fell silent.
I looked at him warily. “What are you dissatisfied with now?”
“It’s too light.”
I turned and walked away.
He followed behind, always maintaining a distance of exactly three paces.
This was the rule I set.
He followed it with great difficulty, but he followed it nonetheless.
Sometimes I would stop on purpose, and he would stop too.
Sometimes I would walk faster on purpose, and he would watch me with a frown, yet he didn’t dare step forward to support me.
Until I actually tripped.
He appeared in front of me in an instant, then forced himself to a halt.
His hand reached out mid-air, his knuckles turning white.
“May I help you?”
I was in enough pain to want to curse, but I nodded anyway.
He helped me up, his movements as light as if he were touching a piece of paper about to crumble.
I said, “I’m not that fragile.”
He said, “I know.”
But his hands were still shaking.
Later, Shen Zhaowei visited once.
She brought news of the remaining disciples of Kunwu.
The Grand Elder was dead, the Sect Leader was gone, and the rest had either scattered or stayed behind.
She had taken over as Acting Manager, and the first thing she did was burn down the Ash Chamber.
Wen Zhi stayed at the Medicine Hut, switching to growing herbs that even mortals could use.
“He asked me to give you a message.”
Shen Zhaowei took a sip of tea and frowned in distaste.
“He said that when he gets a bit more courage, he’ll come to Peach Stream to see you.”
I smiled. “He won’t have that kind of courage in this lifetime.”
Shen Zhaowei laughed too.
After laughing, she looked at Master.
“Xuanwei, if you hurt her again, I will come to kill you.”
Master was decocting medicine. Hearing this, he looked up.
“Fine.”
Shen Zhaowei was stunned. “You actually agree?”
Master said, “If I fail again, I deserve to be killed.”
She was left speechless for a long moment before muttering, “Madman.”
Master did not refute her.
He always had been.
It was just that before, he was mad like a god; now, he is mad like a human.
After Shen Zhaowei left, it rained in Peach Stream.
I sat under the eaves, watching Master bring the medicine over.
This time, the medicine wasn’t too bitter.
After I finished drinking, I suddenly asked him, “Have you ever thought about immortality?”
He shook his head. “No.”
“Then what have you thought about?”
He looked at the peach blossoms in the rain.
“I thought about burning Kunwu to the ground.”
I nearly choked.
He added another sentence.
“I also thought about hiding you away.”
I glared at him.
He said softly, “I only thought about it.”
“And now?”
“Now I want to ask if I can accompany you to town tomorrow.”
These words sounded very stiff coming from his mouth.
Like a killing sword finally learning how to stay in its scabbard.
I watched him for a while.
“Depends on your performance.”
He nodded. “Alright.”
The sound of rain fell on the corners of the eaves.
I suddenly remembered the night before the Ascension Ceremony.
He had tied my hair and asked if it hurt.
Back then, he was preparing to push me into the most painful trap, while also preparing to shoulder all the sins alone.
I still hate him.
I might hate him for a long time.
But hate is not a lock.
And love is not a medicine.
I handed him the empty bowl.
“Xuanwei.”
He looked up.
“For tomorrow’s medicine, put in one less portion of bitter ginseng.”
He froze for a moment. “You’re willing to drink it?”
“Depends on the taste.”
He lowered his head and took the bowl.
I saw the corner of his lips twitch ever so slightly.
It looked like a smile, and like he finally dared to breathe.
I turned to look at Peach Stream.
Fallen flowers drifted on the water’s surface, slowly heading out of the mountains.
I did not ascend.
I did not become an immortal.
I simply survived.
This time, not as anyone’s medicine, anyone’s lock, or anyone’s greater good.
But as Jiang Heng.
Only as myself.
(The End)
