Chapter 134 – Tensions (I)

Chapter 134

Tensions (I)

Long Tao didn’t take nearly as long as I’d expected him to–rather, he was back within less than an hour and in a decidedly foul mood. I didn’t even have to ask him or interact in any way to recognize the stench of ‘don’t talk to me’ practically bursting from every inch of his skin.

It was quite a familiar one, too, as I’d donned it often back in the day.

And so, I didn’t bother him and just let him be. Whatever happened inside that ruin… yes, I was desperately curious, of course, but at the same time… not. Sort of like with the young woman, what’s her name? Yahui, I think? Like, yes, I do want to know why it’d cost 100 to see her window–it’s just part of the natural human curiosity–but those anxiety-suffused parts of me are very much in the camp of ‘ignorance is bliss.’

“What’s wrong with Senior Brother?” Xi Zhao asked as he suddenly appeared.

“Don’t bother him,” I said.

“Oh. Master, can I ask you a question?”

“Since when do you ask for permission? I thought your senior sister had corrupted you already.”

“He he, no. I, I’m just that way in front of her,” he replied somewhat shyly.

“So, what’s the question?”

“When… when do you know if you are in love with someone?”

“…”

Hmm.

Yo, what the hell?!

I nearly spat out a drink that I wasn’t even drinking!

I was expecting some cultivation question that I’d provide a vague, half-baked answer to, but no, this guy’s just spilling out about love! Okay, yes, he’s right dab-smack in the middle of puberty, and he was likely completely smitten by that Yahui girl, but still…

Well, at least he came to me. It means he trusts me.

“Do you think you are in love with someone?” I asked back.

“I, I’m not sure,” he stuttered out. “I remember my mother telling me about it for a bit. She said that I’d lose my thoughts, and my fingers would tingle. Is that true?” Well, as true as any other answer to ‘what’s it like being in love?’. I gathered my thoughts for a moment before replying.

“For some kinds of loves, it can be true,” I said. “For others, not so much. Do you intend to pursue it?”

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“No, no! Of course not!” he quickly said. “My path is cultivating by your side, Master. I was just… curious.”

“Hm. Well, there’s nothing wrong with curiosity,” I said. “You’re young, you’re strong, you’re handsome. There’ll be no shortage of love for you, I imagine. Whether you’ll listen to your Master or not, I will offer you at least one small piece of advice.”

“I will listen, of course!”

“Hm. It’s easy to say that when you don’t have two brains waging a war.”

“Two brains…?”