A Sacred Promise and a Sister’s Embrace

Though her heart churned with questions, Luochen knew she couldn’t voice them to Zhu Qing.

“So, Master, was it my resemblance to the person in the painting that prompted you to accept me as your disciple?”

“Yes.” Zhu Qing nodded decisively.

“Regarding my Master’s departure, my heart was burdened with doubt, and it was at that very moment that you appeared before me.”

“At the time, I wondered if I might uncover some trace of my Master through you. Moreover, my solitary life had grown rather dull, and I saw no harm in attempting a change.”

“Such were my true intentions then.”

“Is that how it was?” Luochen pouted, a hint of disappointment in her voice. “I had foolishly believed my own charm had swayed Master.”

“Chen’er.” Zhu Qing suddenly cupped Luochen’s chin, her gaze locking with hers.

Her voice, clear and resonant as crystal, yet tinged with a cool detachment, then drifted into the air.

“While it is true that my initial reason for accepting you as my disciple stemmed from that painting, your companionship over this long period has rendered you an indispensable part of my life, truly the most important person to me.”

“Therefore, can you forgive the less-than-pure intentions I held at the outset?”

‘How could I ever fault my Master? From a different perspective, my own choice to follow her was solely because she was the Daughter of Destiny.’

‘Such profound sincerity from my Master only highlighted my own… hypocrisy.’

‘And Master, must you utter words akin to a confession with such an utterly placid expression!’

Luochen’s cheeks flushed crimson, her voice softening into a gentle murmur. “I would never fault Master. I haven’t before, I don’t now, and I never will.”

Luochen knew she was deeply indebted to Zhu Qing, more than words could express.

An immeasurable debt.

She had already resolved to spend a lifetime slowly repaying it.

The atmosphere within the room had grown subtly ambiguous, and as if sensing the shift, Zhu Qing took two steps back.

“I am telling you this in the hope that once you descend the mountain, you will also endeavor to ascertain my Master’s whereabouts.”

“Though I have sought her countless times before without success, I believe that you, perhaps, might just succeed.”

“Once you descend, head north. If my judgment proves correct, she will be found within the northernmost Cold Moon Kingdom.”

“I understand.” Luochen nodded, her expression resolute.

Even without Zhu Qing’s instruction, she would have proactively sought out her Grandmaster.

As a diviner of nine-turn cultivation, her Grandmaster undoubtedly possessed knowledge of many hidden secrets of this world. Luochen harbored numerous lingering questions about the realm, questions she desperately hoped to have answered.

Moreover, knowing her Grandmaster was aware of her as a variable, Luochen was eager to discover the extent of her calculations. Did she comprehend the World’s Will? Was she aware that Luochen was an outsider?

Beyond these compelling reasons, a most tangible motivation also spurred her on.

This individual, capable of divining heavenly secrets, was also highly likely to be a Daughter of Destiny.

Thus, upon her descent from the mountain, Luochen resolved to journey northward, intending to thoroughly explore this realm along her path.

“Before you depart the mountain, remember to take these items with you.”

Zhu Qing’s voice cut through her reverie.

With a graceful wave of her hand, her Master conjured several porcelain vials into the air before them.

“The innate spiritual energy within your body is not inherently yours, and thus it will not replenish itself. Once depleted, your ailment will inevitably resurface.”

“This vial of Zhu Qing Pills is an improved version of the previous formula; consume it whenever you feel unwell.”

“This other vial contains a potent antidote for the cold poison, formulated by Yun Qing herself. Remember to take it in conjunction with the Zhu Qing Pills whenever the cold poison acts up.”

Gripping the final porcelain vial, a faint solemnity settled upon Zhu Qing’s features.

“Should you find yourself compelled to break through to the seventh turn, consume the contents of this vial. It may yet save your life.”

“Above all, remember not to attempt this rashly until the most perilous moment arrives, for I have not thoroughly tested its efficacy.”

As she uttered these words, a delicate blush crept onto Zhu Qing’s face, her gaze flitting away, unable to meet Luochen’s eyes.

“I understand, Master.” Luochen affirmed, her expression earnest.

“Very well, that is all I had to impart. Go and summon your junior sister; I, too, have matters to discuss with her.”

Even after her words had faded, the figure before her remained utterly motionless.

“What troubles you?”

Just as Zhu Qing pondered, a sweet, fragrant breeze suddenly enveloped her, followed by a soft impact.

Luochen had surged into her embrace, wrapping her arms tightly around her.

“Master,” the ethereal voice of the fairy nestled in her arms murmured softly, yet it carried a distinct undertone of sorrow.

“This journey down the mountain, I know not when I shall return. Please, take utmost care of yourself.”

“There’s no need for such sorrow. For me, it is merely a matter of slumber.” Zhu Qing gently raised a finger, softly wiping away the nascent tears that shimmered in her disciple’s eyes.

“When I awaken, you shall continue to prepare grand feasts for me, to weave enchanting tales, and to watch the fireworks alongside me.”

“We still have countless New Years to celebrate together.”

“Mm.” Suppressing her tears, Luochen managed a watery smile.

“We shall spend many, many more years together.”

****

Gently pushing open the chamber door, she discovered her junior sister nestled on the bed, clutching the stuffed bear, her fingers busily weaving a scarf. Yet, a certain pallor graced Su Yue’s features, and her gaze appeared distant, as if her spirit had wandered afar.

“Junior sister.” Luochen whispered, her voice soft.

Su Yue froze, the steel knitting needle in her hand trembling, pricking her fingertip.

“Senior sister.”

Instantly, streaks of tears marred her otherwise serene face.

“There, there, no need for tears.”

Luochen hurried to the bedside, her heart aching as she enveloped the sobbing, trembling fairy in her embrace.

“I’m sorry… Senior sister, this is all my fault.”

“How could I possibly blame you? You did nothing wrong. Even I hadn’t anticipated such a sudden breakthrough in the heat of the moment.”

Luochen gently patted Su Yue’s back, murmuring constant words of comfort.

“Promise me you won’t shoulder all the blame, alright?”

She gently wiped away the teardrops from Su Yue’s face, then playfully tapped her junior sister’s nose.

“You don’t look nearly as lovely when you cry.”

“Mm.” Su Yue managed, her voice thick with suppressed emotion.

‘Thankfully, thankfully, Senior sister was alright.’

‘Fortuitously, Senior sister had awakened not too late, meaning all her prolonged efforts had not been in vain.’

“Senior sister, I am doing splendidly now; I’ve even broken through to the sixth turn.”

Luochen’s cheerful voice broke through Su Yue’s reverie.

As if to prove her robust physique (a playful exaggeration), Luochen flexed her arm, attempting to showcase her rather modest bicep.

Seeing Su Yue chuckle at her antics, Luochen’s worries momentarily eased.

“Oh, that reminds me, Master requested your presence.”

Recalling her original purpose for coming, Luochen spoke.

“Mm.”

Luochen released her embrace, and Su Yue rose from the bed.

After taking but two steps, she suddenly spun around and swiftly pressed a light kiss to Luochen’s cheek.

Luochen felt a faint dampness linger on her cheek.

“Senior sister, it is truly wonderful that you are unharmed.”

With these words swiftly uttered, and a trace of crimson blush painting her ear tips, Su Yue departed with a light, almost buoyant step.

Luochen dazedly touched the spot on her cheek where the kiss had landed.

“That girl,” she muttered.

Her self-reproach held a playful undertone, yet a smile involuntarily bloomed at the corner of her lips.

‘Now that I think of it, Junior sister’s scarf appears to be nearing completion.’

Upon closer inspection, the scarf was far more intricately woven than when she had first seen it, clearly having been unraveled and re-knitted with meticulous care.

‘Not bad at all!’

****

As the sun dipped below the horizon, Luochen and Su Yue watched Zhu Qing depart for the sect’s secluded cultivation grounds, the renowned Enlightenment Peak. Only then did they mount their swords and return to Zhu Qing Peak.

The twilight’s last golden rays quietly bathed the landscape, elongating the shadows of every blade of grass and every tree on Zhu Qing Peak until they stretched thin in the fading light.

A profound stillness pervaded the air, broken only by the gentle sigh of the evening breeze.

“It feels rather desolate,” Luochen mused, a touch of melancholy in her voice.

Zhu Qing Peak, once bustling with life, now housed only her and her junior sister.

“Senior sister, when shall we descend the mountain?”

“After we bid farewell to everyone, we shall depart.”

“Then, Senior sister, would you perhaps spend these last few nights before our descent sleeping with me?”

Su Yue’s eyes gleamed with anticipation.

“Very well.”