Chapter Six: Come Kill Me Whenever and Wherever You Wish

Liu Shuangling dragged her weary steps, slowly making her way back to her rented room.

She had never imagined that this place she usually paid little attention to would feel so warm and inviting today. The familiar furnishings in the living room gave her, for the first time in her life, a sense of “Ah, finally home.” Closing the front door seemed to shut out all the turmoil of the Azure Cloud Sect, leaving only her own tranquil haven.

She headed straight for the bathroom. The intense duel with Bai Yujing that afternoon had left her drenched, sweat soaking through her clothes, even her underwear clinging uncomfortably. The sticky sensation made her restless.

Hot water, set at forty-five degrees, slowly filled the bathtub, steam curling in the air. Liu Shuangling peeled off her black T-shirt and trousers, then unfastened her black, epic-grade bra, letting her soft, snowy skin breathe freely. She bent down, lifted her leg, and slipped off the last piece of clothing. In the floor-length mirror, her waist and hips were perfectly contoured, her lush figure fully revealed.

Yet Liu Shuangling had no desire to admire herself. With a splash, she jumped into the tub, the warm water instantly enveloping her curves.

She lifted her long legs, glistening droplets sliding down her pale feet as she rested them on the edge of the tub.

“So comfortable…” she murmured, closing her eyes and exhaling deeply.

She knew she needed to change her strategy, to understand Bai Yujing’s temperament, and avoid another punishment—copying lines ten thousand times. The memory of those two sentences made her shudder; she could almost see the densely packed characters floating before her eyes.

…

Three days slipped by in the blink of an eye.

Dawn broke, pale light streaking across the sky. Liu Shuangling, carrying a bag of fresh vegetables, appeared before the archway of the Azure Cloud Sect.

She didn’t head straight to the courtyard. After all, the sect had a rule: disciples must climb the steps from the foot of the mountain, unless there was an emergency. This was not unique to the Azure Cloud Sect; most sects had similar rules to facilitate discipline.

Liu Shuangling stepped onto the stone stairs, entered the courtyard, and turned left toward the kitchen.

She placed the vegetables on the stove and, with practiced hands, opened her phone and tapped into a short video by a culinary influencer. With her innate talent for cooking, she only needed to watch such tutorials once to master their essence; her dishes matched the originals in color, aroma, and flavor.

Today’s breakfast was sweet-and-sour ribs and steamed yellow croaker—both dishes Bai Yujing had requested the night before.

Liu Shuangling donned an apron and went to work in the kitchen. Soon, the aroma of sweet-and-sour ribs filled the air, and the fresh scent of the steamed fish rose with the steam. When the porridge was ready, the rice cooker clicked with a gentle “ding.”

She balanced two plates in one hand, carried the rice cooker in the other, and left the kitchen for the hall.

She nudged open the door on the left side of the hall with her foot. Inside, furnishings were simple: a rectangular table with eight high-backed chairs.

After setting the food, she hurried back for bowls and chopsticks. When she returned, Bai Yujing was already seated at the head of the table, his expression calm.

“Good morning, Master,” Liu Shuangling greeted him without emotion.

Bai Yujing nodded slightly. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Liu Shuangling rolled her eyes and didn’t reply. After days together, she had figured out Bai Yujing’s temperament, knowing just how much honesty would spare her from punishment.

She sat down and ate in silence, focused on her meal.

After finishing a bowl of porridge, Liu Shuangling set down her chopsticks. “Master, please enjoy your meal. I’ll go clean up.”

“Very well,” Bai Yujing replied, picking up a piece of sweet-and-sour rib.

The meat was tender, a perfect balance of sweet and sour blossoming on his tongue, whetting his appetite. He couldn’t help but marvel at Liu Shuangling’s talent; she hardly seemed like a novice.

Her knife skills, timing, and seasoning were all impeccable. Not only that, her progress in cultivation was remarkable. Now, when sparring with him, she was no longer just taking blows—she was gaining practical experience and fighting ever more fiercely.

With his strength restricted to match hers, she lasted longer and longer each time. Such talent, if set on the right path, would surely become a pillar of the Azure Cloud Sect. Whether battling the Demon Realm or eradicating the Yao Clan, she would be more than equal to the task.

The only challenge was teaching her morals and ethics.

Bai Yujing thought of Liu Shuangling’s spiritual pressure—cold and sinister, with no sign of change. Beneath her gentle exterior, rebellion simmered.

Perhaps he should adjust his teaching methods?

Bai Yujing fell into contemplation. After all, blocking was less effective than guiding.

…

Mindful that certain elder might be secretly watching her, Liu Shuangling cleaned thoroughly—sweeping away all dust, wiping the archway until not a speck remained.

She poured the dirty water into the gutter, tossed the rag into the empty bucket, grabbed it, and carried the broom up the steps.

She placed the broom and bucket by the door, went to the kitchen to wash her hands, then returned to the dining room to collect the empty plates, utensils, and rice cooker, cleaning them all in the kitchen.

Finally, she returned to the hall, her eyes showing a hint of anticipation.

If there was anything she enjoyed about the Azure Cloud Sect, it was the all-out, sweat-drenched battles with Bai Yujing. They gave her a tangible sense of growing stronger—another step closer to her dream of turning the tables.

She brimmed with expectation.

Bai Yujing stood ahead, jade crown on his head, clad in a sky-blue crane robe, a simple famed sword at his waist.

He channeled spiritual pressure into the floor, activating the scripture inscriptions embedded in the hall. Silently, the space stretched rapidly, becoming vast and empty.

“Before we begin practice, I need to tell you something,” Bai Yujing said gravely. “From now on, you may, at any time, attack me with the intent to kill—ambushes, poison, traps, whatever you wish. But there is one rule: you must never harm ordinary people, or tarnish the reputation of the Azure Cloud Sect. Do you understand?”

Liu Shuangling understood Bai Yujing well enough. If he said this, he meant it.

“Alright,” she agreed readily, feeling underestimated.

Bai Yujing’s promise made it clear: he didn’t consider her a threat. He believed that no matter how fiercely she fought, no matter how cunning her plans, she could never truly endanger him.

How arrogant!

Liu Shuangling sneered inwardly. Sooner or later, she would make him pay dearly.

Why not now? Because she knew perfectly well that, for now, she was no match for Bai Yujing. Even matching his spiritual pressure was a struggle, let alone facing his unrestricted, full-power form.

But she did not lose heart.

Youth was both her weakness and greatest strength—it meant boundless possibility.