Chapter 57: Tonight, Your Master Will Stand Guard at the Door

"Guard the door?"
I tried to change his mind, searching for a reason. "Someone as powerful as you, Master, a true immortal—do you really need someone to guard your door while you sleep? Surely not. You're just teasing me, aren't you?"

"Hmm."
He didn't look up, merely gave a brief answer.

Seeing him nod, hope rekindled in my heart. So his order for me to guard the door was nothing more than a scare; he hadn't truly forgotten me.

"Then, Master, where should I sleep tonight?" I looked at him with anticipation.

"Where you sleep?"
He murmured softly, propping his head with his hand, seeming to ponder for a moment. At last, he turned his head to look at me and spoke slowly, "You should go guard the door outside!"

"Ah?"
I couldn't help but cry out. After all that, he still circled back to the door.

When I looked up, I saw his brows furrowed, a hint of displeasure in his gaze. I immediately fell silent, looking at him with a pitiful expression. In a plaintive voice, I said, "Master, I’m afraid of the cold. The wind outside at night is strong—I’ll freeze out there."

I looked at him with grievance, but he paid me no mind, continuing to drink his wine alone, as if he could never have enough.

Night fell, and the candle on the table was lit. I stared miserably at Zi Lian, hoping he would show a little mercy and grant me a quilt, perhaps even a small pillow. That way, even if I truly had to sleep outside by the door, the ground wouldn’t be too hard, nor would I be too cold. The night would pass, somehow.

"Why are you still here?"
He looked up at me, urging me to go.

"Master."
I offered a fawning smile, moving closer, gently reminding him, "Master, there are two quilts on your bed. Isn’t that one too many?"

"Two?" He seemed to realize it only then, glancing at the bed before turning back to me. "I don’t find it excessive. One to sleep on, one to cover myself. Not too many at all—two quilts are just right."

One to sleep on, one to cover himself? He certainly knew how to enjoy comfort.
But why did I not even have a single quilt? Though it was summer and the days were unbearably hot, the nights grew cold. Even I, a little fish used to living at the bottom of the water, felt the chill at night.

"Master, please let me have one quilt. It may not be cold now, but it will be at night. All I ask is that you lend me your least favorite quilt for just one night."

After a while, Zi Lian said, "You’ve only been my disciple for three days. I haven’t taught you any spells or immortal arts yet. Firstly, you are still too young and frail. Secondly, my old wounds have flared up these past days—I urgently need to go to Tear City to seek an old friend and find spirit medicine for healing. Delaying your lessons weighs on my heart."

As he spoke, he lowered his gaze, looking truly troubled.
Old wounds resurfacing? Could it be the injury he suffered three thousand years ago at the battle in Zhu Liu Desert?

It was said among the demon world that the previous Demon Lord, Mo Meili, both loved and hated him. In that battle, the two fought until the heavens and earth were thrown into chaos. Though Mo Meili died beneath Zi Lian's Celestial Halberd, Zi Lian himself was severely wounded by her Moon String Zither. For thousands of years, he had been recuperating on Lingyun Mountain.

"Master..."
My heart ached for him, and I softly called out.

"Now that I’m in the mortal world, I fear the demon and spirit realms have already sent people to hunt me down on the road," he said, raising his gaze to me, his eyes deep and haunting.

"Do not be afraid, Master. I will protect you with my life," I replied, clenching my fists, determination written all over my face.

"Good disciple."
He nodded with genuine satisfaction.

"Then tonight, don’t fight me for my quilt. Go to the door and guard it, like a good child."

"Yes, Master. I will obey."
I patted my chest, promising him earnestly.