Chapter 21: I'm the One Who Let You Down

Nan Sheng's deer-like eyes flashed with a sharp edge as she hid in Yan Changsheng's embrace, her voice choked with sobbed weakness, "If, if I never find the right method of cultivation, then what? My whole body is in pain, whatever shall I do?"

Yan Changsheng gently patted her back and planted a kiss on the top of her head, "Don't indulge in wild imagination, I will figure something out."

"I know Brother Changsheng is just comforting me, even the cultivation method taught by Master didn't work, I, I..." She couldn't finish her sentence and started to cry again.

Yan Changsheng saw her crying into a tearful mess and felt an unspeakable sense of heartache, spoke gently, "Qinghe has a cultivation manual that might suit you, I will go ask her for help."

Nan Sheng's crying abruptly stopped, and her eyes lit up, "Really?!"

Yan Changsheng, relieved to see her finally stop crying, breathed out, "Of course it's true, how could I possibly lie to you?"

Nan Sheng revealed a radiant smile but then her face fell again, "Qinghe doesn't like me, we are like water and fire, how could she possibly help me?"

"She is always reasonable and sensible, she will surely help you. I will go talk to her, she will definitely agree, you just rest and heal, I will go to her now." Saying this, Yan Changsheng told Medicine Master Li to take good care of Nan Sheng.

Nan Sheng reminded him with concern, "Brother Changsheng, you must speak kindly, if Qinghe isn't willing to help, then nevermind, I don't want to see her upset."

Yan Changsheng's heart softened, "You, you always think of others first."

Nan Sheng met his gaze, their eyes entwined in sweet entanglement.

From the side, Medicine Master Li watched with intense jealousy, cursing himself for not being Yan Changsheng, who had the ability to make Nan Sheng so utterly devoted.

After leaving the Medicine Tower, Yan Changsheng headed for Simple Residence Courtyard.

Shen Qinghe was meditating in cultivation practice when Yan Changsheng's sudden arrival raised her suspicions.

She asked coldly and distantly, "What brings Second Senior Brother to this place?"

Given her relationship with Yan Changsheng, she would certainly not come to Sanbao Hall without good reason.

"Qinghe, there's no need for such strangeness between us. No matter what, you are still my Junior Sister, and though we couldn't become husband and wife, we can still be friends," Yan Changsheng said amiably.

Shen Qinghe thought to herself, who would be eager to be Yan Changsheng's friend?

"If Second Senior Brother has no other business, please feel free to leave," Shen Qinghe remained aloof.

Yan Changsheng, remembering the purpose of his visit, suddenly felt that this matter would be difficult to handle. Just as Shengsheng had said, Qinghe and Shengsheng had a longstanding grudge, and with Shengsheng now showing signs of obsession after improper cultivation, it was uncertain whether Qinghe would lend a hand.

"I've come to ask for your help," Yan Changsheng said, closely observing Shen Qinghe's expression.

Shen Qinghe remained silent. She was well aware that she should have been an early casualty in the story, and it was a stroke of luck that she had managed to cling to life. Yan Changsheng, as the male lead in the tale, had a powerful halo.

How could such a person possibly need her help?

She kept silent, quietly waiting for Yan Changsheng to continue.

Seeing that Shen Qinghe didn't respond, Yan Changsheng continued, "Shengsheng is of the Unusual Spiritual Root, specifically the Sword Spiritual Root, and there are signs that she may become obsessed due to improper cultivation methods. It's said that you have a Secret Manual suitable for the cultivation of Unusual Spiritual Roots. I've come to ask if you could help with this."

Shen Qinghe quietly watched Yan Changsheng, secretly thinking that this was the Yan Changsheng who was trapped by love. For the sake of the woman he deeply loved, he had come to her, his former fiancée whom he had abandoned, to ask for help.

If she did not help, would he intend to steal her secret manual?

Yan Changsheng's gaze met Shen Qinghe's calm, dark beautiful eyes. She said nothing, and yet, it felt like she had said everything.

He sheepishly averted his gaze and said hoarsely, "It's just borrowing your manual for a bit. Why must you be so stingy?"

"The manual was a gift from Uncle Dongfang, and I cannot lend it out lightly. If you are sincere in borrowing it, why not go and ask Uncle Dongfang's opinion first?" Shen Qinghe continued indifferently, "Since this is for Nan Sheng, surely taking an extra trip for her should be no difficult matter for you."

Yan Changsheng could not find fault in Shen Qinghe's words, but he felt that it was just a secret manual after all, and since the manual was already in Shen Qinghe's hands, she should be able to make such a decision herself.

Shen Qinghe's deliberate difficulties were clearly because she was unwilling to lend it out.

"Why must you make this difficult for me? The person who wronged you is me, now Nan Sheng is in trouble, even if as strangers..."

"I have no acquaintanceship with Nan Sheng, and no obligation to help her. Moreover, it is a cultivator's cultivation manual, when has Second Senior Brother ever seen a cultivator casually entrust their manual to another person?" Shen Qinghe impatiently finished arguing with Yan Changsheng, "I have nothing to say to Second Senior Brother, please leave!"

Yan Changsheng did not expect Shen Qinghe to be completely unrelenting, leaving him at an impasse.

Nan Sheng's current situation was critical, concerning both her life and future cultivation, and he had to try using Qinghe's manual no matter what.

But Qinghe's attitude was so firm, with no room for negotiation, leaving him feeling helpless.

"Qinghe, I am the one who wronged you, and now it concerns Shengsheng's life. You are usually kind-hearted, I hope you will reconsider..."

"I don't need to consider, the manual is mine, and I don't plan to lend it to anyone. Of course, if Uncle Dongfang asked me to lend it, that would be another matter," Shen Qinghe brought up Dongfang Wuya once again, clearly pressuring Yan Changsheng.

After all, in the book, Yan Changsheng was a man crazy in love, willing to do anything for Nan Sheng. Without using Dongfang Wuya to scare Yan Changsheng, she feared he might just forcibly take her manual.

Yan Changsheng's eyelids drooped, his eyes gloomy, and without further persuasion, he left the Simple Residence Courtyard.

Nan Sheng was waiting for Yan Changsheng, and upon his return, she asked eagerly, "How did it go?"

Seeing the girl's hopeful gaze, Yan Changsheng felt a twinge of guilt.

Nan Sheng, reading Yan Changsheng's evasive eyes, immediately understood things had not gone as hoped. She lowered her eyes, mustering a weak smile, "It's okay, I've just established my foundation, I can slowly think of other ways..."

No sooner had she finished speaking than her brows furrowed tightly as she suddenly clutched her chest and collapsed in pain onto the pillow.

Yan Changsheng's expression changed slightly as he hurriedly propped Nan Sheng up, "Shengsheng, what's wrong?"

Nan Sheng leaned weakly in Yan Changsheng's arms, her lips so pale they had lost all color, looking frail and pitiable.

Medicine Master Li entered upon hearing the commotion, and after taking Nan Sheng's pulse, he shook his head, "Shengsheng's situation is very critical; she needs to get a suitable cultivation manual as soon as possible."

Yan Changsheng touched Nan Sheng's pulse and found it indeed in disarray. Although he was not a Medicinal Master, he knew that her pulse was too chaotic, and given that she was a rare talent of a millennium, if her cultivation were to stop here, or even endanger her life, what then could be done?

"Changsheng, we cannot delay this. Since Qinghe has a manual suitable for Shengsheng's cultivation, why not borrow it for use? Surely Qinghe would not withhold her help out of jealousy toward Shengsheng?" Medicine Master Li said anxiously, "Qinghe always listened to you the most in the past, go talk to her again, she will agree."