Lu Wuming had never imagined that one day he would voluntarily ask to enter darkness.
But looking into Liu Buli's eyes, he felt that even if this darkness was boundless and there was no possibility of escape, as long as the other party was willing to say "it's fake," he would be willing to be locked back in.
For any amount of time.
He was surprised by the determination in his own eyes. Lu Wuming took a deep breath and suddenly realized that darkness wasn't as terrifying as he had previously thought.
But in the next second, Liu Buli's hand firmly knocked his head.
He looked at Liu Buli, wronged and bewildered.
Had he said something wrong again?
He opened his mouth, but before he could voice his question, Liu Buli spoke with displeasure, "What are you thinking about? Locking you up and refining you into a vessel? I won't allow anyone to do that to you, not even myself. Not even as an act! You can never be confined by anyone, and you can never return to that darkness. I told you, you are the freest person, the one who can live most in the sunlight. If you dare say such a thing again, I will punish you next time!"
Lu Wuming blinked.
He could tell that Liu Buli's words and tone were scolding him. Yet, this scolding made his heart feel warm and sweet, and he couldn't help but want to laugh.
He pursed his lips and Lu Wuming still mumbled softly, "Master can do that..."
Liu Buli raised an eyebrow and hummed in response.
Lu Wuming quickly changed the subject and asked, "Then Master, if I don't pretend to deceive them, will they believe your arrangements?"
"Whether they believe it or not is their business, you don't need to consider it," Liu Buli said indifferently. "I just need an opportunity to meet Duan Liuyun alone. Other than that, nothing else is important."
As for the purpose of the meeting, he didn't say, but Lu Wuming knew it very well.
Just like that old bald donkey, just like the Su family.
Master would once again dance in flames and blood, and everyone who witnessed this dance would perish.
Lu Wuming felt his heart beating faster and faster. He tugged at Liu Buli's sleeve and asked softly again, "Also... Master, you said if Wuming is disobedient, you will punish him. How will you punish me?"
Liu Buli was stunned by his question.
He had just said that casually, and it was mostly just a verbal threat. Lu Wuming was the person he doted on the most; he couldn't bear to see the other party suffer even the slightest grievance, so how could he possibly punish him?
But the words had come out of his mouth, and if he now said there were no punitive measures, his lecture just now would become meaningless.
After a moment's hesitation, Liu Buli put on a serious and earnest expression. He cleared his throat and said, "If you say such things again, if you belittle yourself again, I will punish you by giving me a massage. I won't let you stop until your fingers ache."
Lu Wuming understood the word "massage."
During this time, Liu Buli had taught him to exercise, and when his arms and legs were sore from exhaustion every day, Liu Buli would massage him and tell him that this action was called "massage."
Liu Buli felt that his punishment was very appropriate. It would make Lu Wuming very tired, but it wouldn't be too severe. The other party would surely be afraid and thus obey his teachings.
But he never expected that as soon as the words were finished, Lu Wuming's eyes lit up. With a hint of anticipation and excitement, he said, "Master, Wuming just said many things he shouldn't have said, so... why don't you punish me now!"
Liu Buli looked utterly confused.
Lu Wuming, however, rolled up his sleeves, looking ready to give him a massage at any moment.
Seeing his disciple so proactively admit his mistake, Liu Buli hesitated for a moment before nodding. "Since you've voluntarily admitted your mistake and are willing to accept punishment, I won't be lenient with your first offense. However, I won't punish you now. You will give me a massage after bathing tonight, and you won't stop until I fall asleep. Is that acceptable?"
Lu Wuming smiled brightly. "Since it's a punishment, whatever Master says goes. Wuming has no regrets."
Liu Buli frowned.
He thought there must be something wrong with his disciple's head.
Otherwise, why was he so happy about a punishment?
But it didn't matter. Since the punishment wasn't too harsh, after dinner, Liu Buli sat under the peach tree in the courtyard, propping his head and watching Lu Wuming do his daily physical training.
This child was very diligent when practicing every day. Although he was still a bit thin, he had gained quite a bit of strength compared to when they first met.
He ate a lot every day and was very serious about his physical training. Liu Buli mused that if Lu Wuming could maintain this, perhaps becoming the strong, handsome, and imposing male god he wrote about in his fanfiction novels would only be a matter of time.
He curved his lips, and Liu Buli was increasingly satisfied with his disciple.
After Lu Wuming had practiced his stamina for an hour, he beckoned, signaling him to stop for a moment.
Lu Wuming immediately ran to his side.
He looked so obedient, cute, and attentive that if he had a tail, it would be wagging furiously right now.
Liu Buli instinctively reached out and rubbed his head, then smiled and said, "Wuming, what Master taught you before was physical training, only to make you stronger and sturdier. From now on, Master will teach you cultivation and techniques. Are you ready?"
Lu Wuming blinked.
He hadn't really prepared himself.
He worked hard on these exercises every day because Master said it would make him stronger and sturdier, develop muscles, allow him to lift Master up, and become the kind of person Master liked.
But Master had never said he liked those so-called immortal techniques. If that was the case, was there any point in learning them?
Lu Wuming couldn't understand.
So he pursed his lips and simply asked, "Master, do you like people who know techniques?"
"Of course I do," Liu Buli smiled. "Especially those who are powerful, whose techniques are as beautiful as art when they are performed. I believe you have talent in this area too, and honestly, I'm very curious to see what you'll be like when you perform them."
His words were Lu Wuming's greatest motivation.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Wuming's gaze immediately firmed, and he nodded vigorously. "Then Wuming wants to learn. Wuming wants to learn well, to become very strong and powerful, very... artistic."
Liu Buli laughed heartily.
This disciple was truly endearingly foolish.
However, he didn't say anything bad about him. Liu Buli rubbed the young man's head again and began to explain the incantations and methods of cultivation.
Lu Wuming had always been a quick learner.
Liu Buli taught him all day and felt increasingly accomplished. When night fell, he took Lu Wuming to the hot springs exclusively for the sect leader.
As before, he had Lu Wuming sit in his lap and helped clean him.
Supporting the young man's arm with one hand, he washed his body with the other. He pinched Lu Wuming's upper arm and smiled, "Wuming has developed some muscles. He feels much better to the touch now."
Lu Wuming lowered his gaze, licked his lips.
He had made progress, and Master had praised him. That was enough.
A smile involuntarily appeared on his face. After a moment of hesitation, Lu Wuming softly asked, "Master, Wuming wants to try if I can carry you. Can you let me try?"