Chapter 106 Everyday Jockey

...

Night fell.

Cold Jade Palace, Sleeping Chamber.

Yun Yuzhen was meditating on the couch when Su Ye pushed open the door and entered.

"Revered Master."

Yun Yuzhen opened her eyes and looked at him.

"Why aren't you asleep yet at this late hour?"

"I missed you."

Su Ye walked over, sat down beside her, and put his arm around her waist.

Yun Yuzhen's face turned red, but she didn't pull away.

"We're together all day every day, and you still miss me?"

"I do."

Su Ye said seriously, "I can never get enough of you."

Yun Yuzhen looked at him, a trace of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

She reached out and gently stroked his face.

"Yeer."

"Mhm?"

"Do you know what the luckiest thing in my life has been?"

Su Ye thought for a moment and shook his head.

Yun Yuzhen whispered:

"The luckiest thing was taking you in as my disciple."

Su Ye smiled.

"The same goes for me."

He lowered his head and gently kissed her lips.

Moonlight spilled down, merging their shadows into one.

...

(Two thousand words omitted below; those who know, know.)

...

Early the next morning.

Su Ye opened his eyes and found Yun Yuzhen lying on her side, watching him with eyes full of tenderness.

"Revered Master, morning."

Yun Yuzhen blushed and turned her head away.

Su Ye laughed and reached out to pull her into his arms.

"Sleep a bit longer."

Yun Yuzhen struggled for a moment, but when she couldn't break free, she obediently leaned against his chest.

"Yeer."

"Mhm?"

"Be very careful inside the Secret Realm."

"I know."

"That Supreme Elder Yun Zhonghe might make a move in the Secret Realm."

"I know."

"And..."

Yun Yuzhen paused and whispered:

"You must come back alive."

Su Ye looked down at her.

"Revered Master, don't worry. For your sake, I will definitely come back alive."

Yun Yuzhen looked at him, her eyes turning slightly red.

She reached out and held him tightly.

"I'll wait for you."

...

Morning.

Su Ye arrived at the Valley of Ten Thousand Beasts.

Lin Waner was playing with the Golden-Haired Lion; seeing him arrive, she ran over excitedly.

"Senior Brother!"

Su Ye rubbed her head and then walked toward the Spirit Beasts.

The Golden-Haired Lion, lying on the ground, stood up immediately upon seeing him and walked over, wagging its tail.

Su Ye reached out and patted its head.

"Cultivate well. By the time I return, I hope you've already achieved a Breakthrough."

The Golden-Haired Lion nodded vigorously, its tail spinning like a windmill.

The Demon Flame Wolf also approached, nuzzling his leg with its head.

The Thunder Eagle flew down from the cliff and landed on his shoulder, gently pecking at his ear with its beak.

The Red Flame Fox rolled around at his feet, exposing its soft belly.

The Vajra Ape stood in the distance, cupping its fists in a salute to him.

The Mystic Water Turtle poked its head out of the pond and nodded to him.

Looking at these Spirit Beasts, a wave of warmth welled up in Su Ye's heart.

"Be good. When I get back, I'll bring you some treats."

The Spirit Beasts cheered in unison; though they couldn't understand human speech, they could sense his kindness.

Lin Waner watched from the side, her eyes sparkling.

"Senior Brother, you're so good to them."

Su Ye smiled.

"Because they are also members of Purple Bamboo Peak."

He paused and looked at Lin Waner.

"Waner, while I'm away, you have to take good care of them, okay?"

"I will!"

Lin Waner nodded vigorously. "Don't worry, Senior Brother! I'll definitely raise them to be plump and healthy!"

Su Ye couldn't help but laugh.

"Not plump and healthy—I want them to Cultivate well."

"Oh, right! Cultivate well!"

Lin Waner stuck out her tongue.

...

Afternoon.

Su Ye went up to the cliff.

Lin Qianxue was practicing her swordplay; the sword light flashed like a rainbow, slicing the surrounding rocks until they were as smooth as mirrors.

Seeing Su Ye approach, she sheathed her sword and stood still.

"Senior Brother."

Su Ye walked to her side and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with her, looking out at the distant mountain scenery.

"Light Snow, while I'm gone, you must Cultivate diligently."

"Mhm."

"But don't push yourself too hard. Rest when you're tired, sleep when you're drowsy. Your health is the most important thing."

"Mhm."

"Keep an eye on that girl Waner. She gets too rowdy sometimes and is prone to causing trouble."

"Mhm."

"And Revered Master..."

Su Ye paused. "Although her cultivation is high, she can sometimes get stuck in a rut. Help me look after her and don't let her overwork herself."

Lin Qianxue turned her head and looked at him.

"Senior Brother, you'll come back, right?"

Su Ye looked at her and nodded seriously.

"I will."

Lin Qianxue was silent for a moment, then whispered:

"Then I'll wait for you."

Su Ye smiled and reached out to rub her head.

"Good girl."

Lin Qianxue squinted her eyes slightly, like a cat being petted.

...

Evening.

Su Ye returned to the Cold Jade Palace.

Yun Yuzhen was meditating on the couch; she opened her eyes when she saw him enter.

"You're back?"

"Mhm."

Su Ye walked over, sat beside her, and put his arm around her waist.

"Revered Master, I want to discuss something with you."

"What is it?"

"I want..." Su Ye paused and said seriously, "I want to officially become Dao Companions with you before I leave for the Secret Realm."

Yun Yuzhen was stunned.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Su Ye, her face full of disbelief.

"You... what did you say?"

"I said, I want to officially become Dao Companions with Revered Master."

Su Ye looked at her, his eyes filled with sincerity.

"Not as Revered Master and disciple, not as something ambiguous, but as true Dao Companions."

"One life, one world, one couple."

Yun Yuzhen opened her mouth, but no sound came out.

Her eyes gradually reddened, tears welling up.

"You... you Rebellious Disciple..."

Her voice trembled. "Do you know what you're saying?"

"I do."

Su Ye took her hand and said word by word:

"Revered Master, I love you. Not the love a disciple has for a Revered Master, but the love a man has for a woman."

"I want to be with you for the rest of my life."

"I want you to be the first thing I see when I wake up every day, and I want to give you my last kiss before I sleep every night."

"I want to watch the sun rise and set with you, and walk through the seasons by your side."

"I want to..."

He paused and gently kissed her lips.

"I want us to become the most important people in each other's lives."

Yun Yuzhen's tears finally fell.

She threw herself into Su Ye's arms and held him tightly.

"You Rebellious Disciple... you Rebellious Disciple..."