My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion
Chapter 183 - 162: Why Did He Hug His Master?

Chapter 183: Chapter 162: Why Did He Hug His Master?

The ferry pushed through the waves, with two additional corpses lying by the boat’s edge.

Chen Yi calmly and steadily rowed, guiding the small vessel slowly toward the distant shore.

Moments ago, the so-called son of the ferryman tried to assassinate Yin Tingxue with a surprise sword attack. His distraction resulted in missing the opportunity, and ultimately, his own death on the spot.

It was certainly a clever plan, clearly the doing of an experienced Jianghu guest.

Yet that sword never landed—shattering within half a zhang.

Not only did the assassination fail, but it also frightened Yin Tingxue. She had done nothing when the ferryman’s son was killed on the spot by the backlash.

All because Zhou Yitang had left a trace of Sword Intent on her before departure.

Although she had fallen in rank, whether in Martial Arts or Taoist Skill, her abilities had declined sharply. Yet Intent was different—once a person comprehends it, it only grows stronger, never retreating.

Thus, Chen Yi speculated that although she was currently a Fourth Rank fighter, her capabilities might even surpass the Third Rank.

The ferry gradually reached the opposite shore. Chen Yi and Yin Tingxue disembarked the boat. The two Jianghu guests they encountered earlier, despite their skill, did not recognize them; they had merely attempted to exploit the chaos for money and murder. Their identities remained undisclosed.

Chen Yi pulled out a note from his pocket and glanced at it, seeing the words "Pingyuan Guesthouse" written upon it. It was located near the Joyful Sect’s mountain gate.

"Are we waiting for Master Zhou here?"

Yin Tingxue asked softly.

"Yes, she’s there. We arranged to meet last night."

Chen Yi replied, patting her on the back as a signal to quicken her pace.

Yin Tingxue naturally did not delay. Though she didn’t know why Chen Yi had brought her here and he refused to answer when asked, she still chose to follow him.

After walking for what seemed like ages, sweat appeared on Yin Tingxue’s brow. Midway, Chen Yi offered to carry her on his back, but she refused outright—how embarrassing it would be if someone saw! Chen Yi tried to compromise by suggesting they slow their pace. After hesitating, Yin Tingxue still declined, saying she could keep up.

When they reached the guesthouse’s entrance, Yin Tingxue’s hair was slightly disheveled, and her collar was loose. Chen Yi noticed and helped smooth her hair and adjust her collar. Yin Tingxue stood still and obediently waited. When he finished, he smiled at her and then pinched her cheek.

If he hadn’t smiled, it wouldn’t have crossed her mind—but his smile made her realize something. Was she starting to rely on him?

Yin Tingxue didn’t want to depend on him. She had always been wary of this, building mental barriers. And yet, ever since their visit to Yintai Temple, she had been unable to resist him, even... comfortably accepting it.

It felt as if... he were the one closest to her.

Chen Yi saw the complex turmoil on her face and let out a bitter smile. What was this supposed to mean?

She was still afraid of him, still resentful, just like before. And yet, inexplicably, she seemed to treat him as though he were her mother...

What a twisted relationship! More convoluted than the dynamic between mother and child after Ann’s betrayal.

They were clearly husband and concubine, but now... mother and daughter.

Chen Yi hoped she would recover quickly—both for her own sake and his. After all, he was not truly her mother.

As they entered the guesthouse, the interior was completely empty, with the tables and chairs coated in a thin layer of dust.

Chen Yi sat down, tapping the tabletop lightly with one hand as he patiently waited.

His meeting with Zhou Yitang might only be brief. His master seemed to have already caught wind of the mysterious clues, tracing them far and wide, seeking to unravel the deeper conspiracy.

This was not only for his sake, but also for Yin Tingxue’s.

The cold and distant one-armed woman had perhaps already accepted Yin Tingxue’s presence.

Soon, footsteps crossed the threshold. Raising his head, Chen Yi saw the one-armed woman standing before him. She had made a modest effort to disguise herself, removing the Lotus Veil, tying up her hair, and wearing a face covering.

"This trip will be hard."

She said indifferently.

"Are you referring to mine, or yours?"

"Equally difficult."

Chen Yi nodded slightly, analyzing:

"These days, there’s been a sudden surge of Jianghu guests searching for the Joyful Sect heir—likely orchestrated by someone behind the scenes.

The road ahead will be rife with bloodshed, and the Joyful Sect has always been an enigmatic organization. Its myriad arrays and traps could easily cost lives if one isn’t careful."

"True."

"But for you, does difficulty even apply?"

Chen Yi asked persistently.

Zhou Yitang remained silent.

She was often like this—some matters she simply wouldn’t discuss. Chen Yi understood that she had her reasons, yet her silence felt like a veil between them.

Chen Yi wondered when that veil could be pierced.

Still, she didn’t seem to belong to him yet.

"I must go."

After a brief exchange, the one-armed woman didn’t even sit down before turning to leave.

"Wait."

The one-armed woman slightly tilted her head, having already stated everything important. She wasn’t sure why the rebellious disciple wanted her to pause.

Chen Yi slowly stepped forward and embraced her.

She didn’t step back but also didn’t reciprocate.

"The reason I’m hugging you is because... I’m somewhat afraid you’ll... harm me."

Chen Yi murmured near her ear.

"Aren’t you the fearless type?" She asked mockingly.

"I’m indeed fearless—a man who fears neither heaven nor earth, not even his master. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have betrayed teacher and ancestor."

He teasingly mentioned past events, while the one-armed woman’s face turned grim, her gaze sharp like a blade.

"But there’s one thing I fear."

Zhou Yitang seemed interested. She sneered, asking:

"What could scare a rebel like you?"

"A wife. I’m still afraid of her."

Chen Yi said softly:

"Which is why I fear you."

Zhou Yitang was stunned for a moment, stepping back while deeply looking at him:

"I know you’re only full of sweet talk."

Chen Yi shrugged.

Yin Tingxue witnessed the scene, tilting her head, lost in thought.

The one-armed woman stepped across the threshold, walking away slowly, her presence fading into the mountain path.

Among the forest shadows, beneath the trees, several people stood silently, gazing toward the distant guesthouse. Perched atop a hill, they could see what unfolded within if they truly desired.

"One, two, three... Just how many confidantes does he have?"

Dong Gong Ruoshu counted on her fingers, grumbling inwardly.

She possessed an eidetic memory and recognized Chen Yi’s figure immediately.

Turning her head, however, she saw Lu Ying frozen in place, her face pale and her gaze startled beyond words.

Why was her master here?

Being here was one thing, but...

Who was that person—and why did they embrace her master?!

Lu Ying suddenly felt lightheaded. That was the Yin Sword Mountain Sword Armor, her master without question...

And yet she herself had never hugged her...

............

After seeing Zhou Yitang off, Chen Yi remained seated in the guesthouse, patiently waiting.

From the doorway, footsteps could be heard rising along the mountain path in the distance.

Yin Tingxue nervously tightened her grip around Chen Yi’s hand.

The approaching figure was dressed in tattered robes, with a medicinal gourd at his waist, leaning on a walking stick with one hand while the other hand formed a single-hand gesture. Underneath the ripped garments, he was wearing a Kasaya.

It was the monk that Chen Yi had caught sight of from the great river.

The monk, having slaughtered an entire boat with one hand earlier, now appeared slightly manic, asking with a crazed grin:

"I have Buddhist Law. Do you dare to listen?"

Chen Yi paused briefly, then said:

"Idiot."