Chapter 109: A Bond Forged in Fire

After mourning Li Suping at her grave for a while, Meng Yingxing saw Miaomiao still lying motionlessly on Li Suping’s grave. He decided to give Miaomiao, the large golden retriever, a chance to be alone with its owner.

“Hey, Disciple.”

Meng Yingxing watched Miaomiao’s tail, which only occasionally swayed, from afar. Xiu Qingcheng’s voice echoed in his mind.

“Master, tell me.”

“I see this golden retriever… this golden dog is quite well-behaved. Now that its owner has passed away, why don’t you consider taking it in as your pet?”

Xiu Qingcheng suggested.

“What? Its owner just passed away! And you’re thinking such things right in front of its owner, that’s a bit like trying to steal someone’s partner right in front of their deceased spouse’s portrait!”

Meng Yingxing’s mouth twitched. “Master… isn’t that a bit too unscrupulous?”

“You see, although Miaomiao seems naturally docile and gentle, it’s still a demonic beast. If it isn’t properly disciplined, it might become a menace to an area.”

“It’s so big, and it can also be used as a mount. While not as convenient as sword-riding, it’s still a good way to travel, isn’t it?”

Xiu Qingcheng spoke articulately.

And putting aside ethics, she was wholeheartedly thinking for her disciple’s good!

Meng Yingxing was silent for a while. He might have thought Xiu Qingcheng made some sense. It was hard to guarantee that a demonic beast like Miaomiao wouldn’t harm people in the future.

“I’ll ask it once it recovers. I can’t make this decision alone.”

Meng Yingxing said, then sat down where he was.

At least until Miaomiao recovered, he would stay not far from it.

Meng Yingxing didn’t want this golden dog, who had lost everything, to wake up and find itself alone.

But Meng Yingxing also didn’t want to waste time doing nothing. He simply sat in meditation, cultivating his spiritual energy.

However, after cultivating for a while, Meng Yingxing found that the spiritual energy within him felt a bit off.

“Master, I still have several chaotic spiritual energies within me.”

“Hmm, did you find out? I thought you wouldn’t notice.”

Xiu Qingcheng seemed to already know what Meng Yingxing was referring to. “That’s not spiritual energy, but demonic power. This demonic power was forced out and broken during your body’s battle. If you don’t quickly refine it, be careful, it might damage your spiritual meridians.”

Xiu Qingcheng was actually bluffing Meng Yingxing.

The demonic power still surging chaotically within him was actually what escaped from Meng Yingxing’s unleashed demonic power.

Because it was Meng Yingxing’s own demonic power, no matter how much it surged, it wouldn’t truly harm Meng Yingxing, at most just creating an annoying presence in his spiritual meridians.

But Xiu Qingcheng fabricated a reason, making Meng Yingxing believe this demonic power was external and dangerous, requiring refinement.

“Master. What should I do then?”

Meng Yingxing had no intention of questioning Xiu Qingcheng why she hadn’t told him earlier. He knew his Master wouldn’t harm him, so he meticulously inquired about a solution.

“I cannot unilaterally help you complete the refinement of this demonic power. And even if you had known two days ago, you were so weak then that you couldn’t have refined it anyway.”

“However, seeing you so vibrant now, there should be no problem. Later, when we get to a safe place, I will assist you in refining this demonic power.”

“Consider it a blessing in disguise. Once you refine this demonic power, your cultivation will improve again.”

Xiu Qingcheng said casually.

“Thank you, Master.”

Meng Yingxing sincerely thanked Xiu Qingcheng for her efforts on his behalf.

As evening approached, Miaomiao, who had been lying in front of Li Suping’s grave, reacted.

It moved its body, swaying unsteadily as it stood up.

Meng Yingxing also immediately stood up, watching Miaomiao slowly walk to his side.

“Feeling better?”

Meng Yingxing asked.

Miaomiao turned its dog head to meet Meng Yingxing’s gaze, not saying much, only whimpering softly.

Meng Yingxing stared at Miaomiao’s demon eyes, which were filled with sorrow. “Then… what are your plans now?”

Miaomiao shook its head.

“Then… would you consider… coming with me?”

Meng Yingxing tentatively asked.

Before Miaomiao could say anything, Xiu Qingcheng suddenly transformed into human form beside Meng Yingxing.

“Meng Yingxing is a Tianfeng Sect disciple, you know the Tianfeng Sect, right? If you follow him, you’ll sleep early and wake late every day, with unlimited dog food and toys, and endless elixirs, heavenly treasures, and a huge, comfortable dog bed!”

As soon as Xiu Qingcheng landed, she spoke to Miaomiao with an incredibly excited and exaggerated posture, seemingly truly wanting to bring Miaomiao under Meng Yingxing’s wing.

Unfortunately, Meng Yingxing had no idea he could deliver on any of these conditions Xiu Qingcheng offered.

The sudden appearance of Xiu Qingcheng, coupled with her loud shouting, startled Miaomiao greatly. Its fur stood on end, and it almost bit Xiu Qingcheng.

Because Xiu Qingcheng also pulled out a spirit fruit from who knows where, and tossed it into Miaomiao’s wide-open mouth while talking.

Having been fed, Miaomiao suddenly became less aggressive.

While Miaomiao was lying on the ground, gnawing and biting at the spirit fruit, Xiu Qingcheng smiled and ruffled the soft fur on Miaomiao’s head. “How about it? Just pretend to be a bit obedient, and you’ll live a life of glory and wealth!”

She confessed, Xiu Qingcheng actually wanted Meng Yingxing to take in Miaomiao because, besides a cat, she was still missing a dog.

Meng Yingxing stared unblinkingly at Xiu Qingcheng rubbing Miaomiao, then said angrily, “Master, I think… we should be more honest.”

Xiu Qingcheng completely ignored Meng Yingxing, continuing to rub Miaomiao’s soft fur with a look of enjoyment.

“Really?”

Miaomiao quickly finished the spirit fruit, seeming somewhat disbelieving of Xiu Qingcheng’s words.

“Demonic beasts don’t lie to demonic beasts.”

Xiu Qingcheng blinked, holding up four fingers as an oath.

“You’re not a demonic beast.”

Miaomiao instantly exposed Xiu Qingcheng’s oath.

Xiu Qingcheng was silent for a moment. She actually thought Miaomiao wouldn’t notice anything amiss with that statement.

‘Darn it, I underestimated it.’

Xiu Qingcheng sighed. “Actually… we just hope you won’t be lonely anymore, and we can offer you protection.”

Seduction failed, Xiu Qingcheng began to adopt a gentler approach.

However, her tone was deep, sounding sincere and heartfelt.

Meng Yingxing, listening to Xiu Qingcheng’s words to Miaomiao, felt a sense of déjà vu.

‘Had Master said these exact words to him before?’

Miaomiao listened to Xiu Qingcheng’s words, and the light in its demonic eyes flickered.

After a moment, it replied to Xiu Qingcheng.

“I will guard my owner’s grave for seven days. After seven days, I will give you my answer.”

Hearing this, Xiu Qingcheng didn’t force the issue and immediately agreed.

Night began to fall.

Meng Yingxing and Xiu Qingcheng walked side by side along the road, preparing to return to the inn.

Meng Yingxing walked with his head down, silent, seemingly preoccupied with something.

After a long while, Meng Yingxing finally gathered the courage to speak to Xiu Qingcheng beside him.

“Master.”

“Hmm?”

Xiu Qingcheng subconsciously looked at the young man beside her, seeing a hint of unease flickering in his eyes.

“What Master said to the golden dog just now…”

“What? Unlimited dog food, a luxurious dog bed? Don’t you know all that’s fake?”

Meng Yingxing shook his head.

“No, it was that last sentence. ‘Hope it won’t be lonely anymore, and we can offer it protection.’”

Xiu Qingcheng paused, then said very frankly, “Actually, I just said that casually to Miaomiao. I didn’t think too much; I just purely wanted to trick it into coming over.”

“Xiu Qingcheng admitted she was a bad person, but if Miaomiao really came over, she and Meng Yingxing wouldn’t treat it badly.”

“Then… when Master said those words to me before, was it also just a casual remark?”

When Meng Yingxing said this, his heart tightened slightly.

He waited for Xiu Qingcheng’s reply, finding his palms completely wet with sweat.

Xiu Qingcheng stopped, her pair of magnificent grey eyes meeting Meng Yingxing’s gaze.

That was also one of the rare times Meng Yingxing dared to meet Xiu Qingcheng’s gaze.

“What are you thinking?”

Xiu Qingcheng, with her familiar manner and action, smacked Meng Yingxing on the head.

She stood up, annoyed that her hard-won resolve was being doubted!

“Stupid disciple! What I said to you was, of course, after careful consideration!”

“When I say I’ve got your back, I’ve got your back! This is my Master’s promise, and the validity of that promise is for a lifetime!”

Xiu Qingcheng closed her eyes, clapped her hand to her chest, and swore solemnly.

Meng Yingxing covered his head, and hearing Xiu Qingcheng say this, a faint curve unconsciously formed on his lips.

He didn’t care if his Master was being sincere.

He only needed those words.

But he also selfishly hoped, in his heart, that if Master ever said such words to anyone else in the future, they would be as casual and false as they were today.

His Master’s true feelings, for him alone, would be enough.

Meng Yingxing’s tense shoulders relaxed, and he softly hummed in affirmation.

Xiu Qingcheng lifted one eyelid, observing Meng Yingxing’s subtle actions, and suddenly felt a stir in her heart.

“Disciple, could it be that you’re… jealous of that golden dog?”

Meng Yingxing was acting like a child who fears their parents having a new baby will diminish their love.

Realizing this, Xiu Qingcheng’s urge to tease Meng Yingxing rose again.

“How could I be jealous of a dog?!”

Meng Yingxing vehemently denied it, striding forward.

“Good, good, good!”

Xiu Qingcheng laughed, quickly catching up to the embarrassed Meng Yingxing.

“Then… Master, can you pat my head?”

Meng Yingxing said to Xiu Qingcheng, still a bit awkwardly.

“You still say you’re not jealous? Hmm?”

Xiu Qingcheng’s voice ended on a rising inflection, seemingly very pleased.

She immediately reached out and stroked Meng Yingxing’s hair.

‘Hmm, Disciple’s hair, it doesn’t feel worse than a dog’s.’