Lin Mo gently grasped the slender, jade-like hand that was massaging his temples and spoke with earnest gravity.
"Shenhe…"
"Yes, I'm here," Shenhe replied softly.
Lin Mo asked with concern, "Recently, have you felt the Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate within you becoming harder to suppress?"
"With you here, and with the red rope you gave me to bind my soul, it's been a long time since I've needed to touch the exorcism sword," Shenhe responded gently.
She closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the back of Lin Mo's head.
That expression, full of affection and dependence, was precisely the culprit that made it so difficult for Lin Mo to remain resolute.
Four years of companionship.
Perhaps because Lin Mo had never denied the notion of her being his child bride from the very beginning...
It led to Shenhe seemingly accepting this as a given.
The relationship between the two had gradually warmed as they journeyed together through mountains and rivers.
"She's still young..."
"I must restrain myself..."
Lin Mo constantly admonished himself in his heart, secretly clenching his fists.
The next moment, Lin Mo gazed towards the direction of Mt. Aocang and said, "Shenhe, do you wish to completely resolve the Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate within you?"
"If there truly was a way, why would you wait until now to tell me~"
Shenhe's soft murmur clearly held disbelief that Lin Mo could fundamentally alter her destiny.
Lin Mo simply stated calmly, "Yesterday, I went to Liyue Harbor."
"Yes, to buy daily necessities. I know," Shenhe nodded gently.
Lin Mo continued, still looking towards Mt. Aocang, "When I went, it happened to coincide with the annual ceremony to honor the departed souls during the Liyue calendar's Ghost Month."
"The Lord of Geo and the various adepti of Liyue all descended upon the Yujing Terrace."
"Although I wasn't able to successfully seek an audience with the Lord of Geo or the adepti, I did consult with Ganyu, who is a half-adeptus."
"She told me that as long as you can cultivate adeptal arts and suppress your human emotions, the Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate within you will weaken as your power grows."
"You mean..." Shenhe's voice gradually turned colder.
"Yes, I want you to follow an adeptus and learn adeptal arts," Lin Mo nodded. "After all, the red rope can only suppress your Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate temporarily. It cannot solve the root of the problem."
"I refuse! I don't want to be separated from you." Shenhe's answer was within Lin Mo's expectations.
Years of nearly inseparable companionship had made Lin Mo aware that Shenhe already regarded him as her closest, and only, family.
She had even come to see him as the one who would one day fulfill the role of a husband in truth.
Learning from an adeptus was a journey with no end in sight.
It also meant a separation between the mortal and immortal realms.
It was only natural that Shenhe was unwilling.
"Shenhe, we must take a longer view," Lin Mo said earnestly. "Yes, I too enjoy this feeling of roaming the landscapes with you, being carefree wanderers in this world."
"But... we cannot abandon our future for the sake of momentary happiness~"
"I don't understand." Shenhe's voice was cold, clearly tinged with a trace of anger.
Even the Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate within her showed signs of becoming difficult to suppress.
"Calm down first and listen to my explanation," Lin Mo pressed her hand, which rested on his shoulder, and spoke patiently.
"There are still five years until you come of age."
"We could continue living this carefree life."
Lin Mo paused at this point. "But... I want a child."
"I... I haven't thought that far ahead..." A blush instantly spread across Shenhe's cheeks.
The evening glow reflecting on her delicate face was even more beautiful and moving than the sunset on the horizon.
"You're still young. It's normal not to have thought that far ahead," Lin Mo said matter-of-factly. "But things you haven't considered, I, as your future husband, must consider."
"Have you thought about it? Our child might very well inherit your Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate."
"Do you... wish for our child to experience the hardships you have endured?"
Shenhe fell silent.
But in her heart, she understood very well. The Solitary Star and Calamitous Fate brought disaster to those around her.
Although the child might not necessarily inherit this fate, on the path of the child's growth, they would surely face many trials and tribulations in their youth because of her own cursed destiny.
"I... don't want to be separated from you..." Shenhe repeated this sentence.
Different from before, her voice trembled slightly, full of attachment and reluctance.
"I will purchase a residence and farmland in Liyue Harbor."
"When you complete your studies and return, we will hold our wedding in Liyue Harbor."
"At that time, I will invite my family and friends to witness our union."
"In the future, we won't need to endure wind and dew, living rough in the wilderness as we do now."
"Our child will also study at the best private school in Liyue Harbor."
"They will grow up healthy, accompany us until we grow old." Lin Mo's skill at painting a beautiful future was truly masterful.
Shenhe's mind was already filled with longing for the beautiful future Lin Mo described.
"I... am willing to take an adeptus as my master..." Shenhe made her decision, for the sake of that future.
"Yes, I know you won't disappoint me." Lin Mo slowly raised her hand to his lips and gently kissed the back of it. "Then... let's set off."
"To Mt. Aocang."
"On the way, I will capture a few evil spirits and release them near Mt. Aocang for you to fight."
"On the Mountain Shaper's return journey... she will see you battling tenaciously against the evil spirits."
"If my prediction is correct, she will save you and take you as her disciple."
Although Shenhe nodded gently, her eyes still held deep reluctance towards Lin Mo.
The plan proceeded smoothly, just as Lin Mo had envisioned.
On the way to Mt. Aocang, Lin Mo captured five powerful evil spirits in total and brought them near Mt. Aocang.
Shenhe removed the red rope and engaged in a desperate battle with the evil spirits.
Lin Mo hid in the dense forest, nervously observing the battle, ready to intervene and rescue her at any moment.
After half a day of fighting, Shenhe was utterly exhausted.
But the evil spirits were also weakened.
Seeing the battle had reached a stalemate, a white crane flying from Liyue Harbor slowly landed before Shenhe.
With a sweep of its white feathers and a mist of adeptal energy, the five severely wounded evil spirits were vanquished under the Mountain Shaper's attack.
And the exhausted Shenhe, just as Lin Mo had predicted, was taken back to the adeptus's abode by the Mountain Shaper.
[Ding! Ninety-third lifetime mission: 'Save the girl Shenhe, cursed with a lonely and baleful fate, and guide her into the adeptal order' completed.]
[Now activating the ninety-fourth cycle of reincarnation...]
Lin Mo left.
Leaving behind only Shenhe, who had entered the adeptal order alone.
And...
that unfinished promise...
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T/N:
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