Editor: Misty Cloud Translations
"Master?" Yue’er heard the voice and thought it was her imagination. Turning her head, she saw her master standing not far away, hands clasped behind his back.
She quickly pulled on her outer robe, her hair still disheveled as she got out of bed. Approaching him, she said pitifully, "Master, I had a nightmare. I dread I died."
The person in the dream seed like her, yet not quite her. She had perished beneath lightning tribulation. She thought she saw her master sitting there, holding her charred corpse. In the entire Yunxiao Mountain, there was only her master and that scorched body...
Hearing her words, the Azure Emperor’s gaze flickered slightly. Watching her approach him, he reached out and patted her head, his voice carrying a touch more gentleness than usual: "Don’t worry. It was only a dream."
"Master, what if I really die?" She bit her lip but persisted.
"With your master here, I will protect you." With that, he withdrew his hand and looked at her, her face pale and clearly not well-rested. "The sky hasn’t brightened yet. Go back to sleep for a while! Your master will stay here and watch over you."
As he spoke, he walked to the table in the outer room and sat down. He took out his qin and placed it on the table. His fingers gently plucked the strings, and a soothing, tranquil lody flowed softly from his hands.
Yue’er hadn’t slept deeply all night. Seeing he hadn’t left, she returned to bed. Watching her master seated there playing the zither, her worries gradually eased. Listening to the gentle, soothing lody, she slowly closed her eyes...
Azure Emperor sat plucking the strings until he sensed she had fallen asleep. Only then did he stop. He then took out a book and sat reading, quietly keeping watch.
It was nearly noon when Yue’er finally awoke. Opening her eyes to find her master still seated there, she paused in surprise: "Master?"
Azure Emperor closed the book, stood up, and said, "Now that you’re awake, let’s go for a walk and soak up so sun." With that, he walked away, hands behind his back.
Yue’er smiled brightly in response. "Alright." Watching her master depart, she quickly got out of bed to wash and dress.
"Master, we haven’t been down the mountain in ages. Shall we go explore the city?" Yue’er asked as she approached him.
"Your ridians remain unrepaired, and you’ve lost all your spirit energy. It’s not advisable for you to venture out," the Azure Emperor replied calmly.
"Master, don’t you ever get bored staying up here all the ti?" she asked curiously.
"I’m used to it," the Azure Emperor replied, pulling out a chessboard. "Since you’re bored, sit down and play a few gas with ."
"Master, I’ll lose terribly at chess." she protested, yet sat down anyway. "If it were Senior Brother, he might stand a chance against you. But ? I know I’ll lose before the ga even starts—and lose badly."
Of the three siblings, her chess skills were the weakest. Her Big Brother was the strongest player. He occasionally played against the Master and even managed draws sotis, proving his considerable skill.
When she ntioned Yun Chen, the Azure Emperor placed a stone and remarked, "His chess skills were taught by your father. You can see a hint of your father’s style in his play. I believe that in a few more years, when he plays against again, he will surely surpass ."
"Hehe, Senior Brother Yun has always been formidable. His reputation has grown quite renowned during his years away," Yue’er said with a smile, tinged with a hint of regret. "I had hoped to make a na for myself on this journey down the mountain, but I never imagined I’d end up in such a sorry state."
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