Mo Bai lost consciousness from the shock, and in his daze, he felt like a feather drifting lightly from the sky.
The autumn morning dew was icy cold, yet the clear sunshine was exceptionally warm. Mo Bai turned over in bed and suddenly opened his eyes. He sat up and looked around; the room was calm and peaceful, leisurely and carefree.
Images of yesterday's bloody chaos flashed through his mind, and remembering the smell of blood filling his nostrils, he couldn't help but cover his mouth and run to the corner outside, vomiting in a dizzy stupor.
Shen Yanli arrived at some point, and standing behind Mo Bai, she spoke up: "How's your body?"
Mo Bai, startled like a cat having its fur blown, jumped up: "M-Mentor, when did you come?"
Shen Yanli, with clear cold eyes, coldly spat out two words: "Just now."
"..." Mo Bai gave an awkward smile, trying to lighten the mood.
He thought his mentor was really like a dragon that shows only its head but not its tail.
"What are you thinking?" Shen Yanli gave him a cold glance.
"Nothing, nothing!" Mo Bai snapped back from his daze, chuckled awkwardly twice, and then replied: "My body is not in major trouble, please rest assured, Mentor."
"Hmm." Shen Yanli responded softly.
She began to walk slowly into Mo Bai's room, and Mo Bai obediently followed her. Then she sat down on a solid wood-carved armchair. No matter the time or place, Shen Yanli always gave an impression of noble aloofness, like an Immortal untouched by mortal ways.
"Tell me…" Shen Yanli looked up at Mo Bai.
"?" Mo Bai looked puzzled, "What?"
Shen Yanli's face darkened, and she coldly demanded: "Tell me why you ran outside last night?"
Mo Bai remembered Shen Yanli's warning from yesterday, and hesitantly said: "Ah, last night, last night I was bewitched by a demon and ran outside involuntarily."
Shen Yanli slapped the arm of the chair, angrily rebuking: "Nonsense! I drew a talisman in the room before leaving; no matter what happens, it won't be disturbed by demons. As long as you stay inside, you'll be safe, let alone be bewitched by demons! Unless you went outside of your own accord!"
"I..." Mo Bai lowered his head with a defeated look. He knew he couldn't hide from Shen Yanli, so he spoke the truth, "Actually, I was worried about your safety, Mentor, so I ran outside…"
Shen Yanli's eyes flashed with a fierce cold light, and she scolded angrily: "Didn't I tell you yesterday that no matter what happens, you shouldn't leave that room? Why didn't you listen?"
"I…" Mo Bai shivered with fear and fell to his knees on the cold floor, feeling both sad and guilty, but more fearful that Shen Yanli would ignore him. He hung his head low, not daring to look at her, "Mentor, I was wrong."
"You should know your own skill level, and you should understand that what you did couldn't possibly help at all. I only want you to protect yourself." Shen Yanli looked down at him kneeling and said with patient effort.
"I'm sorry, Mentor. I will definitely listen to you obediently in the future, and never make the same mistake again." Mo Bai's voice shrank into his neck, sounding hoarse.
"I've heard you say this countless times. I hope this time you truly take it to heart." Shen Yanli rose from the chair in an instant, not sparing him another glance, and left the room without hesitation.
Mo Bai knelt on the ground for a long time before he came to his senses and stood up sadly.
Mentor is really angry this time...
He thought to himself that it was all his fault—his skills weren't high, his magic wasn't strong, and his aptitude was poor, which made Shen Yanli angry! If only his aptitude were a bit better!
Now he was nothing but a burden to her!
Shen Yanli stood in front of the garden pond, which was filled with beautiful large koi fish. Her beautiful reflection mirrored on the water surface as ripples spread out in circles.
Recalling last night, Mo Bai was severely injured and plummeted straight down from high in the sky. She could have chosen not to care, yet for some reason, she caught him before he hit the ground.
Maybe it was her benevolent heart acting.
But he was an evil Demon Lord; why couldn't she just harden her heart?
Seeing Mo Bai lying unconscious on the bed, she really wanted to let go and leave him to his own fate, but this person kept murmuring in his coma: "Mentor, I'm here to help you... Mentor, I'm here to protect you..."
Really a fool! Can't even protect himself and wants to protect others! What a ridiculous joke!
Her heart softened inadvertently, letting him off.
Anyway, you're so weak now; killing you is something that can be done anytime. For now, let's just keep you around!
Actually, Shen Yanli never understood why her little disciple became the Demon Lord in his past life. If she could stop him before he turns into the Demon Lord, it would be a greater merit than killing him.
Before long, Wang Xicai came to Shen Yanli's side and cupped his hands in salute: "Immortal Venerable."
Shen Yanli turned to look at him: "Feeling any better?"
"Thanks to the Immortal Venerable's salvation, feeling better." Wang Xicai expressed his gratitude.
"That's good." Shen Yanli nodded slightly.
"Then, Immortal Venerable, when can you subdue that evil demon? As long as that demon exists, our Wang Family is in constant unrest." Wang Xicai said worriedly.
"It's the calamity destined in your family's fate; blessings and misfortunes are intertwined. Blessings are not disturbances, and disturbances cannot be avoided. Let me kindly advise you: if you wish to live peacefully after the demon is eliminated, your family must donate all its wealth and spend the rest of your lives offering incense and practicing Buddhism. Only then can you ensure a peaceful life." Shen Yanli warned.
"This…" Wang Xicai was troubled.
Shen Yanli, seeing through his thoughts, kindly advised: "Disaster is averted through loss; you should understand that the wealth your Wang Family has is not meant to be yours."
"..." Wang Xicai turned his head and eyed around, saying nothing.
"If you don't comply, fine, then wait for endless trouble to come your way!" Shen Yanli threw this cold sentence at Wang Xicai and turned to leave, leaving Wang Xicai alone in painful dilemma.