Depend on my gentleness

“Shopping?”

“Groceries?”

Honestly, when Mù Qīngyǔ uttered those two words, Xǔ Tiānlí initially thought he had misheard her.

Shouldn’t they be heading to the mountains for cultivation, or something similar?

How could it be about shopping and buying groceries?

Yet, that was precisely the reality of the situation.

By the time Xǔ Tiānlí regained his senses, he found himself already walking alongside Mù Qīngyǔ, far from the orphanage and amidst the bustling streets.

The regional downpour from last night had already made headlines, becoming a popular topic of conversation for many.

However, the anomaly’s duration was too brief, and since it was merely rain without causing any actual damage, it only warranted a fleeting moment of wonder.

“I heard it was some Spirit Wielder causing trouble?”

“How come I heard people say it was an otherworldly demon?”

“What version are you two talking about?”

“Old Zhāng next door told me it was a Spirit Wielder battling an otherworldly demon.”

For the people of this world, supernatural powers were no secret; in fact, they were a common part of everyday life.

After all, even middle school history textbooks extensively covered the ‘three great calamities’ brought by otherworldly demons.

Listening to their idle chatter, Xǔ Tiānlí couldn’t help but think they surely wouldn’t imagine they had just brushed past the mysterious Spirit Wielder who had caused that very storm.

He subtly glanced at his master beside him.

She seemed completely oblivious to their conversations, simply continuing to walk forward.

‘My master truly lives up to her name,’ he mused.

‘She faces these trivial matters with such effortless grace.’

As Wufeng City’s largest wet market appeared in their view, Xǔ Tiānlí finally voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.

“Master, are we truly going to buy groceries?”

“Of course,” Mù Qīngyǔ replied.

“Have you forgotten the hopeful expressions on those little ones’ faces when we left?”

Xǔ Tiānlí was speechless, for he could never forget.

Upon hearing they were going grocery shopping, the children at the orphanage had swarmed Xǔ Tiānlí, begging him to buy more delicious food and even demanding that he personally cook them a feast.

Those innocent and sparkling eyes—just thinking about them made it impossible to refuse.

“But, didn’t Master say we were going to have our second lesson?” Xǔ Tiānlí’s confusion stemmed from this.

“Just do as I say, and you will soon understand.”

The two stopped at the entrance of the wet market.

Despite being past its peak hours, it was still teeming with people.

The distinct smells of raw meat and fish wafted from within.

“Did you bring your phone?” Mù Qīngyǔ asked.

“Ah, yes, I did,” Xǔ Tiānlí replied, pulling out his old phone, which he had used for many years.

His father had bought it for him when he got into high school, and he had cherished it like a treasure for years.

“Open your QR code for payment.”

Xǔ Tiānlí was bewildered, yet he complied.

Could it be that his master had lived in the mountains for so long that she no longer recognized payment functions?

‘It’s unexpected to see Master have such a clueless side,’ he thought.

‘It’s surprisingly cute, especially for someone rumored to be a reclusive expert of Wufeng City.’

Xǔ Tiānlí chuckled foolishly twice, only to snap back to reality when he heard the notification of a successful payment.

Mù Qīngyǔ had already returned his phone, which still displayed the transaction screen.

“Master, you know how to use mobile payment?”

“What, do you see me as some ancient relic who can’t even operate a smartphone?”

Mù Qīngyǔ’s smile was unexpectedly “amiable,” scaring Xǔ Tiānlí into quickly changing the subject.

“Master, why are you giving me money?”

“If you want to buy anything, just tell me directly…”

“This is a small token of my regard,” Mù Qīngyǔ interrupted him.

“Use this money to buy something nice for those children.”

“This is… the second lesson?”

“Yes,” Mù Qīngyǔ nodded, unfazed by his increasingly puzzled expression.

“But before you go in, I have one more reminder for you.”

“Please speak, Master.”

“I know you possess a burning passion, but remember your current identity and circumstances.”

“Think carefully about what you ought to do, and do not let your judgment be clouded, understand?”

Xǔ Tiānlí’s expression clearly conveyed three words: ‘I don’t understand.’

However, he understood, and was even grateful, that his master was paying to take care of the orphanage children.

In truth, Mù Qīngyǔ had never intended for him to fully grasp her words.

She merely wished to utter some profound and eloquent phrases.

Watching Xǔ Tiānlí run into the wet market, her usually placid face finally revealed an expression that matched her inner thoughts.

Whether it was buying groceries or looking after the orphanage children, these were all mere pretexts.

Mù Qīngyǔ’s true purpose for this trip was to ensure that the future would not deviate from the original plot, and to temper Xǔ Tiānlí’s rage.

She couldn’t allow him to continue harboring such a volatile desire for revenge.

According to the plot she remembered, Xǔ Tiānlí would soon encounter a minor danger and bravely step forward.

But, if all went as expected, he would lose, and lose badly.

He would be devastated and feel immense resentment.

That’s when Mù Qīngyǔ would make her appearance, offering him encouragement and comfort to move his heart.

‘Over time, he will grow dependent on my gentleness, unable to leave me, obediently following my every command, and even abandoning his quest for vengeance!’

If asked why Mù Qīngyǔ wouldn’t act herself, it was simply because she couldn’t risk being discovered that she was only a Second-tier Spirit Wielder, and that even defeating a First-tier would be a struggle.

That’s right, this was Mù Qīngyǔ’s refined comeback plan.

Not only would she teach him to become stronger, but she would also enter his heart and extinguish his flames of revenge.

This way, she could prevent events from spiraling beyond her control and alter her own fate of being half-crippled three years later.

When the three-year agreement arrived, Xǔ Tiānlí, devoid of any desire for revenge, would no longer pose a threat to Mù Qīngyǔ.

“Heh heh, I truly am brilliant.”

Mù Qīngyǔ’s next step was simply to wait for the outcome of Xǔ Tiānlí’s crushing defeat.

“The more humiliating your defeat, the more my tenderness and consideration will shine through.”

“So come quickly, my dear disciple.”

“Achoo!”

Xǔ Tiānlí quickly turned his head away, sneezing hard, ensuring he wasn’t facing the fresh meat stall.

“Are you alright, Little Xǔ?”

“You’re not catching a cold, are you?”

“I’m fine, Uncle.”

Unaware of the true reason, Xǔ Tiānlí rubbed his nose.

“Uncle, your beef looks exceptionally good today.”

“I’ll take some.”

“Alright!”

“Long time no see.”

“Finally remembered to treat yourself to a good meal?”

“Because I met a good person.”

Although he still couldn’t quite grasp the meaning of his master’s second lesson, her initiative to fund better meals for the orphanage had deeply touched Xǔ Tiānlí.

The stereotypical reclusive expert in the deep mountains was often portrayed as a rigid and stubborn old man.

Yet, Mù Qīngyǔ was not only sweet and beautiful, but beneath her seemingly aloof exterior lay an understanding heart.

She was simply a perfect person.

‘If she truly were just an older sister in her twenties, I think I wouldn’t be able to help but fall for her.’

Xǔ Tiānlí picked up the beef, intending to head to another regular stall to buy some green and red peppers to make a stir-fried beef dish.

It was then that Xǔ Tiānlí suddenly heard an arrogant curse from behind him, followed by the beef stall uncle’s pleading.

Turning around, he saw a tall, slender man with dark skin and tight clothing glaring ferociously at the uncle.

“Old man, the beef you sold us last time was spoiled!”

“It gave my brothers and me stomachaches.”

“How do you plan to compensate us?”

“How could that be?”

“I’ve been selling beef here for over thirty years, Old Niú.”

“When have I ever sold bad meat?”

“And you didn’t even pay last time…”

Bang!

The dark-skinned young man slammed his hand down, and the tabletop cracked with a sharp sound.

“Damn it! You think I’d lie to you?”

“Our boss was going to eat this meat.”

“When have we ever not paid you?”

“You never paid…”

“Oh ho, still daring to talk back?”

“If you don’t give me an explanation today, I’ll flip your stall over!”

The young man’s previous punch had already proven that he was no ordinary person; he was a Spirit Wielder.

Although only First-tier, even if everyone present ganged up on him, it was unlikely they could take him down.

Many merely watched, lamenting the unpredictability of life, then turned and left.

Xǔ Tiānlí’s gaze was sharp.

After a moment of internal struggle, he chose to step forward.

“Hey, I’ll pay the compensation for the uncle.”

“What are you, exactly?”

Enraged, the dark-skinned young man, whose shoulder had been seized, immediately swung his fist, landing a punch squarely on Xǔ Tiānlí’s face.

“Ahh!”

Accompanied by a passerby’s scream, Xǔ Tiānlí stumbled to the ground, dizzy and disoriented.

Piercing laughter and startled shouts echoed in his ears.

‘Maybe it’s fine to just lie here,’ he thought.

‘Anyway, I can’t win… Father isn’t here, Master isn’t here.’

‘Xǔ Tiānlí is just an ordinary person.’

But, was it truly alright to just let things be?

In his daze, Xǔ Tiānlí recalled his master’s words, and his previously muddled mind suddenly seemed to clear.

Beneath the clothes covering his body, golden patterns began to glow.

“Oh, still trying to play the hero, are we?”

Seeing Xǔ Tiānlí stand up, the dark-skinned young man stepped forward again, pushed aside the beef stall uncle who was trying to intervene, and once more raised his fist, bringing it down forcefully onto Xǔ Tiānlí’s body.

Bang!

But this time, no scream erupted.

They watched as that hammer-like fist was caught by Xǔ Tiānlí!