Future Beast World: Becoming A Pampered Beauty-Chapter 437 - 376: Bear Him a Child?
"Are you trying to send me away, High Priest?"
"I have given you the answer you sought. There is no need for you to stay and test me further."
His words hit their mark, leaving Sang Luo a bit awkward. She was, in fact, afraid the Divine Venerable would hold a grudge, and she wanted to gauge his true attitude.
However...
"You’ve misunderstood, High Priest. I genuinely wish to learn medicine. To be honest, I have a child with a congenital Crystal Core deficiency. The medical skills of the outside world cannot treat the condition. I was at my wit’s end, which is why I came to you for help." Sang Luo was being sincere this time. The Holy Grail Divine Water hadn’t been very effective for the little spider’s illness. This High Priest’s medical skills were considered the best in the Beast World; he was her last hope.
She pleaded earnestly,
"I’m a hard worker, a quick learner, and I follow instructions. If it wouldn’t be a bother, High Priest, would you take me as your apprentice? I’ve brought an apprenticeship gift!"
"I don’t need another apprentice, nor do I have any fondness for being a master," Yan said.
In all his long years, he had only ever taken two apprentices, which showed he was someone who disliked having his peace disturbed by outsiders.
Sang Luo stammered, "Then... what do you need?"
’The High Priest has lived for so many years. He must have seen everything and want for nothing.’
A wave of frustration washed over her.
A paper crane flew in through the window. Yan reached out, took it, unfolded it, and after a glance, stood up to leave. He left her with a few words:
"I want for nothing. If you truly wish to stay here, then stay for as long as you like. You are free to read any of the medical texts in the room. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you may come and ask me."
After watching the man’s figure disappear, a wave of ecstasy washed over Sang Luo. ’I get to stay?!’
’The High Priest seems cold, but he’s actually quite reasonable.’
Sang Luo got up and walked outside. The Spiritual Energy in the Qingqiu Land was abundant, and having spent the last few days here, she felt incredibly refreshed. An autumn rain had fallen last night. A cold wind blew through the fallen leaves, and the courtyard was scattered with withered foliage.
The High Priest was accustomed to quiet solitude. Despite the size of the estate, there was no one assigned to sweep it.
Sang Luo couldn’t just freeload off of him. Even though he didn’t want to take her as an apprentice, she could at least help with some chores. At least it would give her something to do, so he wouldn’t secretly resent her for being useless!
When Yan returned from his errands, he found Sang Luo had plunged headfirst into the kitchen.
He thought for a moment. He couldn’t remember how many years ago this residence had been built. The kitchen still had a primitive, wood-burning stove...
"COUGH, COUGH!"
Violent coughing, accompanied by plumes of black smoke billowing from the kitchen, sent Yan hurrying over.
Sang Luo had tossed a pile of firewood into the stove’s furnace. She conjured a flame in her palm and threw it in. The wood was still a bit damp, and it instantly produced thick smoke as the flames shot up!
She choked and coughed, tears streaming from her eyes. Seeing things were getting out of hand, she quickly tossed in a water ball to remedy the situation.
The fire was extinguished. The world was quiet again.
But the stove had been abused beyond recognition. Thick smoke filled the entire room, and the walls were stained black with soot.
Sang Luo had just stood up and turned around when she bumped into a solid chest. She rubbed her sore nose, her eyes watery and stinging from the smoke as she looked up.
"Oof... High Priest!"
Yan calmly swept his gaze over the smoke-filled surroundings before his eyes returned to Sang Luo’s sorry little face. It was smudged with patches of soot. Tears streamed from the corners of her eyes, and when she uncomfortably wiped her face with her hand, she only smeared it further, making her look like a pitiful, soot-faced kitten.
"I’m sorry. I wanted to have a hot meal ready for you when you returned, Divine Venerable. I didn’t expect to cause all this trouble."
"So clumsy."
Yan’s tone was reproachful, but the corner of his lips seemed to curve up slightly. The arc was so small it was almost imperceptible.
"If you’re hungry, just tell me. There’s no need for you to cook." With a wave of his hand, the kitchen was clean again.
"...I just had nothing to do and wanted to help," she said, her voice tinged with grievance.
"A visitor is a guest. Throughout history, there has never been a rule that says a guest should enter the kitchen."
Yan took the wooden spatula from her hand. He then took out a clean handkerchief and began to carefully wipe her face. They were so close that Sang Luo could smell the faint, slightly bitter scent of herbs on him. She held her breath, her heart starting to beat a little faster.
"What would you like to eat?" he asked.
"Mushroom chicken soup," Sang Luo replied subconsciously, her eyelashes fluttering.
"Alright," he nodded.
His figure vanished, only to reappear less than two minutes later. In one hand, he carried a cleaned chicken, and in the other, a basket of freshly picked mushrooms and greens. He skillfully started making the soup.
Sang Luo was stunned, unable to lend a hand at all.
’Might as well just be a useless freeloader. At least I won’t be making things worse.’
The tantalizing aroma of the food wafted over, teasing her taste buds.
Ingredients grown naturally on the Qingqiu Divine Mountain were rich in Spiritual Power and nutrients. Even with simple preparation, they were exquisitely delicious. Sang Luo couldn’t help but swallow, looking at the man who had rolled up his sleeves. "Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, High Priest."
"You don’t need to call me High Priest. Just call me Yan."
He ladled a bowl of broth for Sang Luo. "See if it’s too bland or too salty. I haven’t cooked in a long time, so my skills might be a bit rusty." 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺
Sang Luo took the bowl, blew on the soup, and took a sip. It was a little hot, but the flavor was rich and excellent.
"It’s delicious!"
"Good. If you like it, have a few more bowls." Yan also ladled a bowl for himself and sat quietly across from her.
Sang Luo secretly peeked at him over the rim of her bowl several times.
A long time had passed since that fleeting glimpse of him in the Ice Coffin. Looking at him again, the man before her was still so beautiful it was stunning and unforgettable.
His long brows framed enchanting eyes that shimmered with the gentle light of spring.
His features held the myriad gentle charms unique to the Fox Clan, yet he was also aloof and detached. Beneath his mild demeanor was a deep, hidden distance. He was far removed from the clamor of the mortal world, a solitary guardian of his own realm. This extreme contrast was utterly captivating.
But Yan also gave her the feeling of a self-disciplined, formal elder. She didn’t dare harbor any transgressive thoughts about him.
The more she thought about that time, the more guilty she felt, plagued by a deep sense of wrongdoing.
Yan then steamed a pot of rice and served her a small bowl.
Watching his skilled movements, Sang Luo realized he really didn’t need anyone to wait on him.
"I thought all Divine Venerables were grand and imposing. I didn’t expect you to be so down-to-earth," Sang Luo murmured, resting her cheek on her hand.
"It’s a habit from my youth. I prefer the free and quiet life of being alone," Yan explained with a faint smile. "A Divine Venerable is just one among the myriad of living beings. There’s nothing particularly special about it. No need to mythologize it."
He poured her another cup of tea. It was an herbal tea, slightly more bitter than a regular one, but it had a sweet aftertaste that made it more and more pleasant to drink.
Sang Luo only grew more confused. ’No wonder Fei Yuan said Yan chose to ascend because he was too bored. He really does seem to have no desires.’ She had been here for so long and still couldn’t figure out if there was anything he wanted.
If one had to say he was lacking something...
...it would probably be an heir.
Sang Luo knew that the apology gifts she brought meant nothing to Yan. She felt guilty for having taken such a huge advantage of him. But just because he didn’t seem to mind didn’t mean she could have a clear conscience.
Besides, the words Yan had said back then weren’t entirely true. She had used the Eye of Judgment to see that deep down, he did care to some extent; he just didn’t show it.
’As compensation... should I offer to have a child for him?’
’There isn’t a single Male Beast in the Beast World who doesn’t want an heir, right?’
