Chapter 4: Master, What Did You Promise Me?!

Ye Shu fell to his knees, lowering his head in shame. "Master! I am an unfilial disciple!"

His eyes glistened with unshed tears. "I don't know why, but the moment I saw you, my heart was drawn to you. I don't want to feel this way either. Curse this demon in my heart!"

Luo Jiuyan hesitated, her sharp gaze studying him. A realization struck—Ye Shu was possessed by an inner demon!

But even with the misunderstanding clarified, an unease settled in her chest.

Her disciple… having such thoughts about her…

As a master, this situation was beyond awkward.

Ye Shu glanced at her discreetly, noticing the moment she believed his words. He inwardly exhaled in relief.

Just moments ago, he had been forced into a corner and had no choice but to act desperate. Thankfully, his words had worked.

She had almost seen through his act.

Luo Jiuyan's expression softened, though the way she now looked at Ye Shu was… strange.

Their gazes met briefly before she turned away, a faint blush coloring her face.

"Even if it is an inner demon… you cannot have such thoughts," she said through clenched teeth. "I am your master."

Ye Shu rubbed at his eyes. "Master, I am a disgraceful disciple. My mind is filled with impure thoughts. I am too ashamed to even look at you!"

He raised his voice dramatically. "If Master despises me, she should expel me from the sect, cast me into the secular world, and let me suffer the consequences of my shameful heart!"

He inwardly pleaded: Please, just throw me out already!

Luo Jiuyan sighed, her gaze full of helplessness.

She had never felt such turmoil before. Not even when she had been surrounded by eighteen righteous sects, nor when she faced life-threatening danger.

But now, before her disciple, she was at a loss.

"The inner demon has taken root too deeply… My poor disciple," she murmured.

If it had been any other type of inner demon, she might have been able to help. But one born from desire? She had no solution for that.

While she wrestled with uncertainty, Ye Shu saw an opportunity.

Since his plan was working, why not go all out?

If she fears my thoughts, then I will make them worse!

Ye Shu took a step forward, his voice trembling with false emotion. "Master! I… I truly want to be with you."

"What?!"

Luo Jiuyan stiffened, as if struck by lightning. Her breath caught, and for a moment, the entire world seemed to still.

Her mind blanked.

Did he—did he really just say that aloud?!

Ye Shu observed her stunned expression, suppressing the smirk that threatened to surface.

It was working.

Emboldened, he placed a hand over his chest, his voice filled with heartfelt devotion. "Master, you don't understand. Your every frown, every movement, every smile haunts my thoughts. I dream of you every night."

"You—! How can you say such things?!"

Luo Jiuyan's eyes widened in shock. She instinctively covered her mouth, her jade-like hand trembling. She wanted to strike him, to punish him for his audacity—

Yet she hesitated.

Because despite her outrage… something stirred within her.

Ye Shu took another step forward, his expression pained. "Master, do you think I want to feel this way? You are so beautiful, the most radiant in the world. How could anyone not notice you? How could anyone not be captivated?"

"Enough!" Luo Jiuyan's blush deepened, but her voice hardened. "Then how do you explain your confessions to your seven senior sisters?! If you were so devoted to me, why confess to them?!"

Ye Shu's expression darkened. He tilted his head back and let out a bitter laugh, tears glistening in his eyes.

"Because I knew I was unworthy of you, Master," he said with torment. "I thought that if I sought solace in my senior sisters, I could bury my feelings. I thought it would erase my longing for you… But I was wrong."

His foot slammed against the ground as he opened his arms, voice raw with emotion. "My inner demon was never them. It has always been you, Master!"

Luo Jiuyan felt her breath hitch. Her chest tightened, her throat dry.

Could this be real?

Her mind swirled with disbelief. Her disciple… had never truly loved those other women? It had always been her?

She staggered back, her footing unstable.

At that moment, the number one demon queen—the unrivaled master of Tiansha Palace—felt her body weaken.

Her vision swam.

She fell.

"Master!"

A strong hand reached out, catching her before she could hit the ground.

She looked up and found Ye Shu's face just inches from hers.

Her body trembled. She shut her eyes tightly, unable to bear it.

This was… this was exactly like those illustrated romance books she had secretly read!

Wasn't this the part where they—?

No!

She was Luo Jiuyan, the cold-hearted demon queen! She had long severed all ties with emotions!

Then why couldn't she move?!

"Master, forgive me," Ye Shu murmured. He quickly helped her stand, bowing his head in guilt. "I have done something so disgraceful. This only proves that my inner demons are beyond saving. Please punish me—send me down the mountain. I am too ashamed to face you again."

Luo Jiuyan turned away, her ears burning.

Her fingers curled into her sleeves as she remembered his words.

Her heart raced wildly.

If what he said was true… if his demon was truly her…

Then the best course of action was to expel him.

Right?

Right?

Yet—

For the first time in her life, she hesitated.

She had never hesitated before.

Why?

Why couldn't she bring herself to let him go?

Ye Shu clenched his fists.

Damn it, why is she taking so long? Just throw me out already!

He exhaled sharply and declared, "Master, you must make a decision! Either let me face my inner demon with you or banish me from the sect. My heart can't endure this torment any longer!"

Luo Jiuyan's pupils dilated.

Face the inner demon together?

Did he mean…?

Did he mean…?!

Impossible!

She was his master! The Nine Nether Demon herself!

How dare he say such things?!

She trembled with frustration, crushing the teacup beside her into dust.

"Are you forcing me into this, Ye Shu?!"

"I wouldn't dare." Ye Shu lowered his gaze, feigning guilt. "I simply cannot bear to see Master in turmoil over such a small matter."

She inhaled sharply. Looking up at the night sky, she sighed heavily.

She had to choose.

There were only two options:

Expel Ye Shu.

Or…

The third option? Of course, she could simply kill him. That would end all this nonsense.

But…

He was her most beloved disciple.

He had not committed any true crime.

She clenched her teeth, suppressing the flutter in her chest. "Ye Shu, do you truly wish to leave?"

Ye Shu's eyes brightened. "Master, my inner demon prevents me from staying. Leaving is best for me."

Luo Jiuyan nodded. "Then tell me—how do you plan to overcome this demon once you leave? If your demon stems from your longing for me, how will you ever sever it?"

Ye Shu froze.

That… was not what he had expected.

Still, he forced an answer. "I will dedicate years to erasing these thoughts. No matter how long it takes."

Luo Jiuyan's heart skipped a beat.

An eternity… just to forget her?

Her fingers tightened around her robes.

After a long silence, she finally spoke:

"Master has made her decision."

Ye Shu's heart soared.

Finally! He was free!

Then—

"I accept your request."

His world shattered.

"Master, what did you just promise me?!"