Curse
Han Shengyao’s figure coalesced into a ball of demonic energy, and when she returned to human form, she was perched on the roof beside Du Shuang.
Du Shuang’s cheeks were flushed with a rosy hue, indicating that she had indulged heavily in wine. She attempted to pour more wine into her bowl, but Han Shengyao intervened.
“Drink no more, you have had too much.”
“I thought you’d beat me again when you saw me.”
Du Shuang set down her bowl, a smile playing on her lips but a hint of loneliness in her eyes.
“You corrupted my disciple. I originally planned to give you a good beating.”
Han Shengyao glanced at Du Shuang with disgust and said, “But now that you look so disheartened, I don’t want to take advantage of someone’s misfortune.”
Du Shuang gave a few dry laughs, knowing how terrible her current state was.
Han Shengyao took another cup and poured himself some wine, glancing at Du Shuang lazily, and said slowly, “It must be Fairy Jinghua from Penglai Immortal Sect who has sent someone to find you again.”
Du Shuang’s expression changed slightly, and she said bitterly, “Apart from looking for me, she will also be getting married next month to her chosen Taoist partner.”
Han Shengyao took a sip of wine and looked at Du Shuang, frustrated with her long indecisiveness on this topic, saying, “You did so much for her, and even fell into the demonic path to protect her honor. What has she brought you? Since it’s so painful, why don’t you just break off your love immediately and live your own life?”
“I also want to forget, but even with everything I’ve experienced and everyone I’ve met, I still can’t erase her from my memory.”
Du Shuang took advantage of Han Shengyao’s inattention to pour another large sip of wine, turned her head to face her, and said, “I used to mock you for being cheap and clinging to the Demon Emperor. Now look at me, I’m not much better.”
Han Shengyao kicked Du Shuang, glared at her, and said, “Don’t bring me into it. How could I be like you, ignorant and shameless!”
The two of them remained silent for a while, as if sorting out each other’s emotional trauma.
“By the way, that beautiful apprentice of yours, are you really not considering her?”
Du Shuang bumped Han Shengyao’s shoulder and said with a wicked smile, “I think she treats you differently, and she is much better than the Demon Emperor you have in mind. Besides, you are master and disciple, so you already in a good position.”
Han Shengyao’s expression hardened, and she said uncomfortably, “Don’t jest, Shuang’er is my daughter, the future Demon Empress destined for the Demon Emperor.”
Du Shuang shook the empty wine jar and sighed regretfully, “Such a beautiful flower, to be plucked by a brute. What a waste, such a waste.”
“Who are you calling a brute? How dare you insult the Demon Emperor? He’s not as vile as you think!”
Han Shengyao grew a little angry. She tossed her cup aside and stood up, demonic energy swirling in her palm.
Du Shuang ignored her and unsteadily got to her feet, humming a vulgar song as she disappeared into the darkness.
Han Shengyao watched Du Shuang leave, her anger gradually fading. She realized that the woman must have been deeply wounded and needed time alone. She decided not to pursue her and let her be.
I wonder if Shuang’er is still studying diligently in the study.
Han Shengyao had some matters on her mind, and with a thought, she appeared by the window of the study.
The candle in the lamp had dwindled to a mere stub, casting a faint glow.
The woman lay on the edge of the piano platform, fast asleep. The sheet music had comically covered her head, rising and falling with her breath.
Even in her sleep, she maintained her human form, indicating that her disciple had successfully established her foundation.
Han Shengyao’s footsteps were so soft that she approached Lin Qianshuang without disturbing her. With a helpless and amused expression, she removed the sheet music from her head, revealing the serene face that lay before her.
Upon closer inspection, a faint tear mole was visible in the lower corner of her left eye, lending a touch of vulnerability to her otherwise cold and aloof demeanor.
With a hint of tenderness, Han Shengyao lowered her head and gently kissed the sleeping woman’s forehead before swiftly retreating.
Removing her coat, she draped it over Lin Qianshuang’s body and sat down on a nearby cushion, clad only in a thin inner garment. She closed her eyes and regulated her breathing, preparing for a sleepless night.
“Host, congratulations! Your favorability with Han Shengyao has increased by thirty points, reaching the halfway mark towards a life-and-death threshold. Continue your efforts!”
Upon waking, Lin Qianshuang heard the system’s notification. Checking the favorability interface, she discovered that her favorability with Han Shengyao had reached forty percent, just a few steps away from the red arrow signifying a life-and-death boundary.
Sitting up, Lin Qianshuang realized she was wearing a warm coat.
She subconsciously glanced at Han Shengyao, who was meditating in a thin tunic.
The coat on her body belonged to her master.
Lin Qianshuang’s eyes softened as she pinched the coat in her hand, the corner of her mouth twitching slightly. It seemed that yesterday’s efforts had not been in vain; the system had not lied. Though the process had been somewhat pitiful, her goodwill had indeed increased.
After an afternoon of rigorous practice, Lin Qianshuang finally performed the entire Flowing Fragrance Melody flawlessly before Han Shengyao.
As Lin Qianshuang was about to leave with Han Shengyao, Du Shuang rushed over, seemingly to apologize. She handed Lin Qianshuang a bag of fragrant pastries, a specialty of the Tower.
“Remember, if you want Han Shengyao to fall in love with you, you must make her learn to be jealous,” Du Shuang whispered softly as she handed Lin Qianshuang the bag.
Lin Qianshuang’s eyes widened momentarily. She smiled at Du Shuang and nodded, carrying the bag as she boarded the carriage with Han Shengyao.
Du Shuang watched the carriage gradually recede and sighed.
The previous night, she had noticed a glimmer of affection in Han Shengyao’s eyes towards her disciple. However, given Han Shengyao’s temperament, she would likely attribute this to physical attraction rather than genuine emotion.
Du Shuang did not wish for her old friend to follow in her own footsteps.
Perhaps her disciple could truly pull Han Shengyao back from the mire of emotions.
Upon her return to the Jiuchong Demon Palace, her senior brothers eagerly gathered around her, eager to hear about her adventures.
Surrounded by four handsome younger brothers, Lin Qianshuang’s mood soared.
She distributed pastries to her senior brothers, recounted her experiences at the Yixiang Tower, and then settled down to play a piece she had practiced on the qin for her expectant audience.
As she played, Lin Qianshuang felt a sharp pain in her fingertips as they touched the strings. She looked down and discovered that her fingertips were now exposed white bones, while the flesh and blood on her arms gradually vanished.
“I was framed by someone. Avenge me by killing the Demon Emperor,” a voice echoed in her mind. “Until the Demon Emperor is vanquished, the curse upon me cannot be lifted. Like me, you will endure this erosion into bones every month.”
The words of the Canglan Beast as it was dying surfaced in her mind.
Lin Qianshuang understood that the curse had taken hold. She feared that she would soon become a skeleton, as the Canglan Beast had predicted, and she had no idea how long she had left.
Biting her lower lip, she couldn’t allow her senior brothers or Han Shengyao to see her like this. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be able to explain the abnormalities occurring in her body.
“Senior brothers, the weather is slightly warm. I’ll go take a shower.”
At that moment, Lin Qianshuang transformed into a silver-white little beast and rushed out of the cave on four legs.
The four brothers were perplexed and exchanged glances. The weather today was unusually cool and pleasant, not at all hot.
Their Little Junior Sister was in such a hurry. Could it be… that she was suppressing an urge and rushing to the bathroom?