章 6: Chapter 6
"Senior Sister, you're back! It must have been tiring clearing out those monsters. Come, let's eat," Jiang Ning said with a smile as he saw Shenhe return, covered in dust from her journey.
Though there were traces of monster blood on Shenhe's clothes, she didn't appear disheveled. Instead, she carried an aura of stern authority.
Seeing Jiang Ning waiting for her return with prepared meals, the corner of her mouth lifted ever so slightly in an almost imperceptible smile. "I understand... I'll go wash up first."
Jiang Ning nodded: "Alright, perfect timing as I need to reduce this sauce over high heat..."
During this period, he had completed numerous system tasks, both big and small. The rewards were random, mostly consisting of rather useless items - like a bed that could wake you up on schedule, but if it failed to wake you, you'd never wake up again.
However, there were some useful rewards, like master-level culinary skills.
Although Cloud Retainer was still in seclusion, she was fortunate enough to enjoy good food, as Jiang Ning would always prepare a portion for her whenever he cooked. His master would always finish every last bit.
However, the ones who truly enjoyed the greatest fortune were probably Mr. Zhongli and Senior Sister Shenhe.
Mr. Zhongli had praised his cooking skills, saying they completely overshadowed the chef at Liuli Pavilion in Liyue Harbor, and even surpassed the cooking of the chef at Wanmin Restaurant.
Though Jiang Ning didn't know what Liuli Pavilion or Wanmin Restaurant were, he was just satisfied knowing his cooking skills were exceptional.
After washing up, Shenhe still wore her signature combination of leather clothing with white outer fabric. It made Jiang Ning wonder if she had multiple sets of the same outfit.
However, he didn't dwell on it and simply said, "Senior Sister, dinner's ready."
Shenhe nodded slightly and sat down close beside Jiang Ning with practiced familiarity, then began eating.
After enjoying the wonderful meal, Shenhe felt as if all the fatigue had been swept from her body.
"Senior Sister, please rest for a while. I'll go deliver food to Master."
Just as he finished speaking, a familiar voice rang out: "This immortal's disciple is indeed filial, never forgetting to prepare my portion all these years."
Shenhe started, turning to see a blue-white crane. "Master, you've emerged from seclusion?"
Both Jiang Ning and Shenhe looked at Cloud Retainer in surprise.
Cloud Retainer said, "Indeed, I have. I've thoroughly digested all that otherworldly knowledge Jiang Ning provided. I even invented a machine that can automatically cook food - quite convenient."
"A rice cooker?" Jiang Ning was startled.
"Yes, like the rice cooker from your other world. But such mundane objects cannot compare to my invention. My magical treasure can not only cook rice automatically but can also stir-fry dishes and make soup."
Cloud Retainer appeared quite proud.
Although these things already existed in the other world - automatic stir-frying machines and soup makers - seeing his master so enthusiastic, he decided not to dampen her spirits.
"However, as it happens, this immortal is somewhat hungry. I shall partake in a simple meal."
Cloud Retainer announced.
"Master, didn't you say that those pursuing immortality shouldn't let themselves be misled by desires of the palate, and should practice abstaining from food?" Shenhe finally asked the question that had long puzzled her.
"That was because this immortal had already achieved the necessary level of cultivation and didn't need to avoid it. As for you, Shenhe, when you were beginning your path to immortality, the primary goal was to separate you from the mortal realm. That's why I didn't let you eat mundane mortal food."
"Then now..." Shenhe began to speak.
Cloud Retainer continued: "Now that you've achieved some success, it's time for you to experience the mortal realm, so eating such food is permissible."
Shenhe fell silent, thinking to herself that her master always had a way to justify things...
Cloud Retainer spread her wings, and a gust of wind swept all the prepared food into her cave dwelling.
"If there's anything to discuss, let's wait until this immortal has finished eating," Cloud Retainer said before entering her dwelling.
Jiang Ning said, "Senior Sister, you should rest too."
Shenhe nodded silently, curling up beside Jiang Ning and resting her head on his lap, closing her beautiful eyes to sleep peacefully.
Jiang Ning gently stroked Shenhe's silky hair, which carried a hint of coolness, while humming a lullaby with practiced ease, clearly not for the first time.
Soon, Shenhe's breathing became steady and rhythmic.
When Cloud Retainer emerged, she saw the pair of disciples basking in the sunlight on the grass, looking peaceful and harmonious.
Cloud Retainer was stunned - she'd only been in seclusion for two years, yet these two children had grown so close?
Still, it was good. Given Shenhe's difficult fate, having someone to rely on was excellent.
Cloud Retainer stood at the cave entrance, gazing into the distance, quiet and serene, truly embodying the appearance of an immortal.
After about half an hour, Shenhe's long, thick eyelashes fluttered, and her delicate hand moved slightly.
Jiang Ning looked down: "Senior Sister, are you awake?"
Shenhe sat up, seeming slightly confused from just waking, and looking at Jiang Ning's perfect, flawless smile, she nodded slightly: "Mm..."
"How peculiar. Shenhe, child, you didn't have nightmares while sleeping near Jiang Ning? And your red rope..."
Cloud Retainer flew down as she spoke.
The red rope lay scattered to one side, yet Shenhe's demeanor remained peaceful, showing no signs of discomfort.
Shenhe explained, "When Master was in seclusion before, I had a nightmare one night... Junior Brother happened to be there and comforted me to sleep... I discovered that beside Junior Brother, I feel at ease and don't have nightmares."
"Even with the red rope undone."
The Adeptus was quite surprised: "Jiang Ning, child, you have such an effect?"
Jiang Ning said, "It seems so..."
Over these two years, Jiang Ning had learned of his senior sister's tragic past.
From childhood, after her mother's death, her father, influenced by remnants of an evil god, wanted to sacrifice her to resurrect her mother.
Later, she confronted the evil god's remnants with her mother's keepsake, and when she finally lost consciousness, Cloud Retainer saved her.
That was when she received her Vision.
Her fate of isolation wasn't groundless - the red rope that bound her soul was necessary to suppress that isolating energy.
But now, it seemed Shenhe had found her true binding rope in Jiang Ning.
"How strange indeed. Though, being a traveler from beyond Teyvat, perhaps it's not so unusual," Cloud Retainer remarked.
Jiang Ning said, "Actually, I want to try absorbing Senior Sister's isolating energy..."
Before Cloud Retainer could speak, Shenhe firmly refused: "No!"
Cloud Retainer was startled, then watched her two disciples with interest.
After some contemplation, she was amused.
It seemed Shenhe's romance star had begun to move.
And apparently, it was moving because of Jiang Ning.
Their school producing its own match was interesting, except...
Looking at Jiang Ning, still appearing as he did two years ago, Cloud Retainer fell silent:
"Jiang Ning, child, why don't you grow taller? Looking like this, in Liyue Harbor, people would suspect Shenhe of breaking the law."
Hearing this, Shenhe looked confused, but Jiang Ning was mortified. He was already self-conscious about his inability to grow, and now his master had to bring it up?
Cloud Retainer said, "Well, mortal laws don't apply to this immortal anyway. Shenhe, you should spend more time with Jiang Ning in the future."
"Don't let others get ahead of you."
Cloud Retainer warned.
After all, her young disciple's appearance was devastatingly beautiful, and with his white hair, red eyes, and pure, innocent temperament...
He was quite popular among young ladies and older sisters alike.
Even she, though not to the extent of mortals, found her disciple pleasing to look at.
During her seclusion, when feeling troubled or stuck, she would use her adeptal arts to watch her disciple, which helped relieve her boredom.
But Cloud Retainer would never admit this - it was somewhat perverted.
Shenhe nodded innocently, clearly still emotionally stunted from years of being bound by the red rope.
[Task Delivered, As...]
"System, be quiet."
[Yes, sir.] The system immediately fell silent.
These two years, thanks to this host's existence, its performance had exceeded expectations.
Moreover, this host cooperated well, helping to find loopholes.
And he always considered the system's needs - where else could you find such a host?
So, flattery was essential; the host must be kept happy.
The system seemed to have discovered the path to wealth.
Actually, after all this time, Jiang Ning had only absorbed his senior sister's Cryo element and Mr. Zhongli's Geo element.
He still wanted to try other things.
For example, if he could absorb and alleviate his senior sister's malevolent energy, wouldn't that make her feel much better?
But his senior sister absolutely refused.
The reason was that she feared he would be harmed.
Now that his master had emerged from seclusion, Jiang Ning brought up the old topic again.
"Absorbing Shenhe's malevolent energy... A bold idea, but worth trying..."
After all, being a traveler not from Teyvat, perhaps there could be some surprising results.
"Master!"
Shenhe seemed unwilling.
But Cloud Retainer said, "Child, you should trust your junior brother more. Besides, didn't the previous attempt with Cryo succeed?"
"But..."
Shenhe wanted to say more, but Jiang Ning interrupted:
"It's alright, Senior Sister. Master is here, and if anything goes wrong, Master can always seek help from Rex Lapis."
Seeing her junior brother's determined gaze, Shenhe gradually made up her mind.
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