NOVEL NEXT Chapter 3
Chapter 3: Talking with Master’s Wife, The Murderer:
Gu Shuqin nodded and said, “Yes, the reason you gained so much from this is, first, because of my physique, second, because of the technique’s power, and third…”
She suddenly paused, her face turning slightly red.
“What’s the third reason, master’s wife?”
Hearing her stop mid-sentence, Lin Yuan couldn’t help but ask.
“Ahem… the third reason is because of my essence energy…”
Essence energy refers to the first source of qi formed after a person is born, containing immense power. During cultivation between a man and a woman, the essence energy can be transferred to enhance the other person’s cultivation.
“What?”
Lin Yuan was dumbfounded.
Essence energy?
Wasn’t master’s wife already Dao companions with master years ago?
How could she still possess such a thing?
Gu Shuqin’s face flushed even deeper as she softly explained, “Because the stronger the Mysterious Yin Physique, the purer the essence energy becomes. So, to achieve greater progress, your master and I never consummated our relationship.”
“We had planned to cultivate together after I reached Condensing Core Realm, but an accident happened… and now, everything has benefited you instead.”
As she spoke, she couldn’t help but feel regretful. “If I had already reached Condensing Core Realm, my rich essence energy would have been enough to help you break through to Vein Opening Realm. But unfortunately, the current situation is urgent, and we don’t have time to wait any longer.”
Lin Yuan finally understood—he had taken something that should have belonged to his master!
This was… a sin!
A grave sin!
He sighed internally, feeling even more guilty toward his master.
Seeing the emotions on her disciple’s face, Gu Shuqin comforted him, “It’s alright, Yuan’er. Your master was such a kind man. If he knew what happened from the afterlife, he would surely be relieved.”
Although master’s wife said this, it sounded extremely strange to Lin Yuan.
Would his master really be relieved after knowing this?
That didn’t seem right.
Forget it, master was already gone. There was no point dwelling on how he would feel. The only thing that mattered now was taking care of master’s wife.
Lin Yuan pushed aside the chaotic thoughts in his mind and nodded. “Thank you for passing down this technique, master’s wife. From now on, I will cultivate diligently and take care of you on behalf of master.”
Seeing her disciple making such a solemn vow, Gu Shuqin couldn’t help but smile. “You little brat, your cultivation isn’t even higher than mine yet, and you already dare to say you’ll take care of me?”
Lin Yuan responded seriously, “I may not be stronger than you now, but I will surpass you in the future.”
“The future is still far away. Take your time cultivating. Even if your strength never surpasses mine, I won’t blame you.”
“Master’s wife, do you have so little faith in me?”
“Fine, fine, I have faith. I’ll wait for the day when my Yuan’er surpasses me. Then I’ll finally be able to rest easy.”
“I will take care of you for master.”
“You little fool, can you stop mentioning your master all the time?”
“Sorry, master’s wife… I’ll try to mention him less from now on.”
As soon as Qin Ren was brought up, an awkward atmosphere filled the room.
After all, he had only passed away a day ago, and yet they had already reached this stage.
If word got out, they would surely be judged harshly by others.
Perhaps they had acted too hastily.
But there was no choice. The Lei and Xie families posed an imminent threat, and Gu Shuqin had to break through to Condensing Core Realm as soon as possible to resolve the crisis.
Since things had already reached this point, there was no use dwelling on it any longer.
“Ahem.”
Lin Yuan cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Master’s wife, do you know why master suddenly had an accident? Do you know the cause of his death?”
Gu Shuqin’s expression turned serious. “I believe this has something to do with Song Mian.”
“Elder Song? Wasn’t he on good terms with master? Why would he want to harm him?”
Lin Yuan recalled Song Mian’s honest and kind-looking face. He couldn’t connect him with the word “murderer” at all.
Gu Shuqin explained, “You don’t know this, but the Cloud Mist Sect’s five-yearly Reward Ceremony is approaching. Based on the contribution rankings among the outer sect elders, your master was ranked first and was supposed to receive the sect’s reward. However, he suddenly died right before the ceremony. Now, who benefits the most?”
Lin Yuan responded immediately, “The elder ranked second.”
With the first-place elder gone, the reward would naturally go to the second-place elder.
If that were the case, the person in second place had the greatest motive to commit murder.
“Could it be that the second-ranked elder is Elder Song?”
Lin Yuan speculated.
“Yes, it was that bastard Song Mian. He said he was going to the Cloud Mist Mountain Range for a mission and feared the dangers of going alone, so he asked your master to accompany him. On the way, he used despicable means to assassinate him.”
Gu Shuqin was certain.
Lin Yuan clenched his fists in grief. “How could master be so careless?”
Gu Shuqin sighed helplessly. “You should know your master’s personality by now. His name was Ren, and he truly lived up to it—kind-hearted and righteous. He was well-known for helping others. Song Mian had known him for years. When an old friend asked for help, how could he refuse?”
Lin Yuan also sighed. “Master spent his whole life being kind, yet in the end, he was harmed by a villain. The heavens are truly unfair.”
Gu Shuqin gritted her teeth in anger. “That beast Song Mian! My husband treated him well, yet he murdered an old friend just for a mere reward. Such betrayal deserves the harshest punishment!”
Lin Yuan’s fury burned. “To lay hands on his own sect member—he’s truly despicable! How can someone like this exist in the sect?”
Gu Shuqin’s eyes darkened. “This is human nature. For the sake of personal gain, people will stop at nothing. The world of cultivation is filled with people like him. That’s why relationships between people grow colder and more ruthless.”
She turned to look at Lin Yuan, her gaze solemn. “Remember this, Yuan’er. Your master’s death is the first lesson for you. The cultivation world is cold and cruel. Never trust anyone completely. They could betray you for their own benefit at any moment.”
Lin Yuan pressed his lips together. “I understand, master’s wife.”
Even without her warning, he already knew this truth.
After two years as a servant disciple, he had seen too much.
Some people would do anything to curry favor with their superiors just to get an easier job.
Some would sell their bodies just to become outer sect disciples.
Others would kill their own dorm mates over a few spirit stones.
Human nature was that raw and dark.
Seeing his serious expression, Gu Shuqin couldn’t help but chuckle. “Alright, Yuan’er, I was just giving you a reminder. There’s no need to be so tense. At the very least, you and I can trust each other.”
Lin Yuan smiled. “Master’s wife is already mine. Of course, I trust you completely.”
Gu Shuqin poked his forehead lightly and pouted. “You little rascal, when did I become yours?”