Chapter 47: The Mentor’s Teachings
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 47: The Mentor’s Teachings
“If you are willing to cast aside ethics, the law, and even your own life for him—if your love for him is already that deep—is there really any need to ask me?”
An spoke softly:
“You only need to follow your heart, don't you?”
“Follow... my heart?”
Eluka murmured in a daze.
“Does Miss An mean... I should give up? Just like I said before?”
“Oh? Is that what your heart truly wants?”
“Yes, of... of course.”
“Is it really?”
An suddenly leaned down, bringing her face very close.
Her gaze was like a searchlight, piercing through Eluka’s clear eyes to illuminate the deepest corners of her soul.
It was as if she intended to take every one of Eluka's secrets into her own sight.
Eluka suddenly felt a surge of panic, like a crawling insect in the dark suddenly struck by sunlight. The defensive lines of her heart were being hammered open, inch by inch.
Without the protection of the darkness, what kind of filthy, stench-ridden things would be exposed to the light?
“Wait, Miss An, I...”
“Answer my question.”
An leaned in even closer.
Eluka could feel An’s breath; she could feel their eyelashes brushing against each other. She could feel those eyes, which seemed capable of seeing through everything, violently dragging out the most unsightly thoughts from the depths of her heart.
“Do you really... want to give up? Eluka.”
“I...”
Do I really want to give up?
Am I really willing to step aside for them?
I really...
...
Like hell I am.
I don't want to at all.
If Rhode ends up with anyone other than me, I’ll go mad with jealousy.
Especially that bitch. It would be better if she just died.
...
“It seems you understand now.”
An let go of Eluka.
Seeing the sudden, total transformation in Eluka’s eyes, An smiled with satisfaction.
“So-called love is something you must pursue for yourself. How could you ever give up?”
“But... I still don't quite know what to do.”
Eluka gripped An’s hands tightly, like a drowning person clutching at a literal straw. She asked earnestly, “Miss An—no, Shifu. From now on, you are my Shifu. Can you teach me what to do? How can I win Rhode’s heart!”
“Isn't that simple? A person’s heart is actually inseparable from their body.”
An extended a finger and tapped Eluka’s chest.
“So, if you want to obtain the heart of the one you love, you naturally have to obtain his body first. Though this might not happen overnight; it requires a long time.”
“Obtain... his body...”
Eluka’s heart skipped a beat.
She might have had such thoughts a long, long time ago, but unfortunately...
“But... but Rhode is so powerful, I...”
“That magic you used earlier was quite good.”
“What?”
“Charm Magic.”
An rested her cheek on her hand, speaking with a hint of regret:
“It’s a pity I’m not talented in magic, otherwise I would definitely have learned it.”
If she had that magic, she wouldn't have to go through the trouble of using drugs.
“Charm Magic...”
Eluka’s breathing grew heavy.
That’s right. Since that Charm Magic worked even on the Lake Lord...
Then on a human...
Or rather, on Rhode...
“But...”
Eluka swallowed hard.
“Isn't that... a bit wrong?”
“It is indeed a bit 'wrong.' But have you forgotten what you just said?”
An gave a soft laugh.
“For the sake of love, didn't you say you didn't even care about life, ethics, or the law? Would you really care about something like this?”
“Ah.”
That’s right.
If she could disregard life, ethics, and the law for love, why would she care about this?
It was just... using it on Rhode a little bit, right?
Perhaps she had learned this magic inadvertently just so this day would come.
Perhaps her heart had already rotted and broken long ago.
“I get it. I understand now!”
Despite knowing that her essence was already broken, a bright light shone in Eluka’s eyes.
“Thank you, Shifu. I know what I have to do.”
“Mm, that’s good.” An nodded approvingly.
“There’s just one last problem I’m not clear on.”
Eluka asked seriously:
“What if Rhode remains stubborn and refuses to acknowledge my love? After all, Charm Magic has a duration, and I only specialize in auxiliary magic. If he really tries to run, I might not be able to keep him.”
“Hehe, since you’ve called me Shifu, I’ll tell you a secret.”
An leaned into Eluka’s ear and said in a gentle tone:
“No matter how powerful a man is, as long as you break his arms and legs and put a sturdy collar on him, he’ll turn into a house dog that only knows how to bark.”
...
...
An left.
The rain had stopped as well.
Eluka stood alone by the lakeside, looking down and staring at the water.
The lake reflected her image clearly.
She had a sweet smile and a cute face. The previous frustration had long vanished from her features. Her eyes were as clear as the lake water before her.
“As expected of Shifu. She really opened my eyes.”
“Why didn't I realize it until now? This true version of myself.”
Eluka touched her cheek. It felt as if something had changed, yet also as if nothing had changed at all.
But regardless, her thoughts were clear and unburdened; she felt much lighter.
She knew what she had to do.
“I’m really curious what kind of person could capture Shifu’s heart.”
“But now isn't the time to talk about that.”
Eluka withdrew her gaze.
“Time to go back. Ade is still waiting for me.”
...
Tonight, in a romantic place where they would be alone, she would confess to the man she loved.
And if she failed...
Hehe, she wouldn't fail.
...
...
Creak.
The heavy metal bars opened with a tooth-aching screech.
An walked into the cage, carrying the scent of damp air.
“Young Master, I’m back.”
“Finally.”
Muen opened his eyes, hiding the exhaustion deep within them as he feigned a complaint:
“If I didn't see you soon, I was going to die.”
“Oh my, has the Young Master finally been moved by me? Are you willing to give your entire heart and soul to me?”
An looked moved, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Then please, Young Master, give me a kiss of love first.”
“I meant I was going to starve to death! Starve!”
“Tsk.”
An’s expression returned to total calm in an instant, making Muen marvel at how this woman could change her face faster than a stage actor.
“Here, Young Master. The fish you wanted.”
An opened the food box in her hand, and a mouth-watering aroma immediately filled the small cage.
Perhaps because he had been hungry for too long, even Muen, who was used to every delicacy imaginable, couldn't stop his saliva from secreting wildly.
“We have steamed and charcoal-grilled. Which would the Young Master like to eat first?”
“Steamed.”
“Then, say 'ah'—”
“Ah—”
The fish was placed into his mouth, its tender texture immediately stimulating his palate.
Even though he had other motives, Muen had to admit—this fish was damn delicious.
“Young Master, be careful of the bones.”
“I know. I’m not a child, how could I possibly... ack.”
“What’s wrong?”
“...I think I actually have a bone stuck.”
“Is that so? Well, there’s no other way then.”
An suddenly crawled toward Muen like a cat.
“Eh? An, what are you doing?”
“I want to kiss the Young Master.”
“Now?!” Muen’s eyes widened.
“Didn't the Young Master say he had a bone stuck? I want to pinch your nose and suck hard while we kiss. With my lung capacity, I might be able to suck the bone out.”
“Eh? Wait, that’s not how it works, right?!”
“...”
“Um... actually, I was joking.”
“...”
“Are you serious? An, don't—stop, you’ll kill me! Mmph! Mmmph!...”