Chapter 772: Obedient Disciple Enters the Embrace 06

So, you don't need to listen to others; just practice earnestly.

Jin Chen pinched his fair, tender cheeks, a smile appearing in his eyes.

Understood?

Mm-hmm!

Fei Mian finally gained confidence.

With such an amazing Master, he will surely become amazing too!

He will absolutely not embarrass his Master!

Go practice the basics.

Okay!

Fei Mian was especially obedient, performing a set of moves in the room without using any mystic power.

The basics were indeed solid.

Jin Chen leaned on the desk, half-propping his chin, lazily asking, "Did you learn body refinement as a child?"

Replying to Master, I haven't learned it.

When mentioning the past, Fei Mian's face showed a hint of nostalgia, but such emotion on a child's face felt out of place, inexplicably evoking pity.

When I was young, I often helped my mother with work; she said my strength was greater than that of other kids my age.

Later... later my mother fell ill; she said I was smart and could come to Xuanzong Sect to cultivate immortality, and she asked a Taoist from the town to send me here.

I originally didn't want to, but my mother's condition suddenly worsened, and she passed away in less than half a month.

His tender voice mixed with a hint of crying, Fei Mian sniffled and thought of his mother again.

How could an ordinary woman in a town possibly think her child had cultivation talent, and even have the connections to bring Fei Mian to Xuanzong Sect?

Xuanzong Sect is separated from the mundane world by a barrier; an ordinary Taoist could never cross it.

Jin Chen pondered for a moment, kept a thought in mind, but didn't say much; he simply gestured for Fei Mian to come over, then brushed away the tear at the corner of his eye.

Your mother was right.

Don't cry anymore.

He was aloof, his palm icy cold, but fortunately it was midsummer, so touching his cheek felt pleasant.

Fei Mian rubbed against Master's palm, his voice still tinged with crying, soft and damp: "Master, I can do many things."

"Duskcloud Peak doesn't need you to do these; just focus on cultivation. If you're bored, there are still some strange beasts on the back mountain to play with."

Jin Chen picked him up and placed him on his lap, casually taking a handkerchief to wipe his face, not daring to use force.

Really nice...

Fei Mian leaned into Master's embrace, murmuring, "Everything that happened today feels like a dream."

Outside the window, crabapple blossoms were in full bloom, bamboo leaves casting sparse shadows that swayed, yet it was even more beautiful than in a dream.

Master, you're truly kind.

He said softly.

Nonsense, get up and practice; tomorrow I'll take you to Heavenly Ridge Main Peak to fetch something.

Disciple obeys.

From now on, you don't need to be so formal; Yunquan Institute doesn't have that many rules.

Okay, Master, I'll remember.

Fei Mian was very well-behaved.

——

The sky quickly darkened, but fortunately the moonlight was bright, shining upon Yunquan Institute as if draped in an emerald gauze, making it even more tranquil and beautiful.

In Jin Chen's room, however, a candle burned brightly as he hunched over, writing cultivation methods.

Although the cultivation techniques from the system mall were useful, they couldn't harmonize with a Wood Spirit Root, so he still needed to make further adjustments.

0731 yawned.

【If you don't sleep now, the sky will soon brighten!】

It projected a form, circling the room once; this world was filled with mystic power, and 0731 expressed great satisfaction.

Then it lay beside Jin Chen's feet, watching him write, its multicolored fur flying about.

... Flying about?

Jin Chen set down his brush, picked up a few hairs from the desk, and looked over in surprise.

Do you still have a shedding season?

0731:!!!

It stared wide-eyed in fear, patting its body with its paws.

What's going on?! I just found out!

It's over, Host! I'm going bald!

What to do, what to do, what to do!

Very noisy.

Jin Chen casually grabbed a brush and tossed it at its head.

Be quiet.

Go ask White Marsh.

Oh! Good! Yeah! The boss definitely knows what's going on!

0731 suddenly perked up, jumping back to the space transmission to head to the headquarters.

Not long after emerging, it left a mess.

Jin Chen helplessly flicked his sleeve and performed a cleansing spell.

Suddenly hearing movement outside the door, it sounded like clothes rustling.

He alertly raised his gaze, his divine sense sweeping over, only to discover it was a child who hadn't slept all night, hugging a pillow and huddled outside the door.

His eyes were red, as if he had cried.

Why is he crying again?

Jin Chen hurriedly got up, threw on his clothes, and went to open the door.

"Not sleeping, what are you doing?"

Seeing the door open and hearing Master's voice again, the lingering fear in his heart, like a drumbeat, diminished considerably.

Fei Mian timidly raised his head, clutching the corner of Master's robe, his voice aggrieved.

"Master…… I had a nightmare."

Perhaps it was because he mentioned his mother again in the evening, or perhaps life had changed too suddenly.

Fei Mian dreamed of his mother again tonight; she lay on the bed, in such agony that her whole body turned ashen, almost losing all color.

He had never seen such a severe strange illness; in just half a month, it took his mother's life.

He also dreamed of being chased by wild beasts in the forest and by vicious bandits in those days.

He was very frightened; upon waking, he felt the empty room had not a trace of warmth.

Therefore he clung to the pillow still retaining warmth, just wanting to be nearer to a sense of safety.

Although he had only become a disciple a day ago, Master had already become the source of his sense of safety.

Jin Chen let out a soft sigh, bent down and picked him up, only then realizing he was ice-cold all over, with some cold sweat, as if he had sat alone for a long time before mustering the courage to come over.

"Why didn't you knock?"

While scolding him verbally, after closing the door he secretly circulated his spiritual power, gently stroking his back to calm him, and also wiped away the cold sweat on his forehead.

Curled up in Master's embrace, clutching his neck, Fei Mian's swollen eyes touched the cool skin of his neck, feeling very comfortable, and he couldn't help but rub against it again.

His voice soft and sweet, "I'm afraid of disturbing Master..."

He had originally intended just to sit a while, then slip away quietly.

"Stupid."

Jin Chen carried him straight to the inner chamber, put him down on the bed, pulled open the blanket and covered him.

"Sleep well."

He hadn't expected Master to let him sleep together; Fei Mian stared blankly for a long while before curling into the blanket, exposing half his chin, his eyes full of reliance.

"Master, I want a hug."

The bed is very comfortable, but being held by Master just now felt even more reassuring.

It was as if all negative emotions and fear had been shut out.

It seemed he feared Master would refuse; Fei Mian looked pitiful, pouting and tugging at the corner of his robe.

Jin Chen was melted by this sight; though his expression remained unchanged, he also took off his outer robe, lay down beside him, and snapped his fingers to extinguish all the lamps, leaving only one by the bed.

"Alright, go to sleep."

He held the person close in his arms, gently patting the blanket.

Fei Mian snuggled contentedly in Master's embrace; drowsiness quickly welled up, he blinked his heavy eyelids and murmured softly, "Master..."

As if he wanted to say something.

"Huh?"

Jin Chen's patting of the blanket grew even lighter, and he let out a doubtful nasal sound.

But after waiting several seconds, there was no further reply.

He lowered his gaze and saw that the little brat in his arms had already fallen asleep.

Helplessly, he tugged at his lips, poked the soft warm cheek, then lay down completely, holding the person as he slept.

The last lamp went out.