The Teacher’s Grace Is Like Heaven

19 – Hundred Years of Love (4)

I was stunned by this unexpected behavior. Of course, I’m not a virgin who hasn’t gotten over his first love.

Still, it was a lot to swear at her to her face, even if I hadn’t ended things so well with her.

The noisy guests were quiet as if cold water had been poured over them. Liu Chengmei also looked at Bi Yan with a stiff expression.

The first to react were the maids at Yu Cheng-mi’s side, their faces contorted into grimaces, and they immediately rose from their seats.

I sighed and did the same with them.

Of course, she was in the wrong, but I couldn’t stay silent. In order to protect her, I stood in front of her, which naturally drew the gazes of the Yuchengmi and Kakudugi, who were glaring at her.

To be honest, I was a little scared. Everything was unfolding similarly to that day eight years ago, when we had an argument at the table.

I shook my head from side to side. For now, I need to focus on what’s happening now.

And the fault of the disciple was also the fault of the master. I bent down and apologized, facing the whey and pods before me.

“I apologize. My pupil has been disrespectful.”

If you’ve done something wrong, apologize and make amends. Murimans were no different. The squires chuckled.

“You’re just going to take it on the chin?”

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“That’s right, what did you say, a word is worth a thousand!”

“…….”

“That’s not what it means, you ignorant bastards.” It was ridiculous, but this was definitely not a situation for words. I soon let out a sigh.

“In that case, I’ll pay for the drinks.”

“Yeah, that’s the way it should be.”

“You’re a good talker.”

“One more thing.”

The negotiations were going rather smoothly. Until Yuchengmi, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. I looked at her.

Her expression remained stony. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand; she’d just heard an incredibly harsh insult. It was understandable.

Liu Chengmei was still glaring at Bi Yan. She wasn’t averting her gaze either. Liu Chengmei soon walked towards her.

I raised my hand to stop her from approaching Biyun. She soon gave me a look of incredulity. I looked at Yuchengmi and said.

“If you have something to say, say it to me.”

“Why should I? He’s the one who did something wrong.”

“The fault of a disciple is the fault of me, the master.”

“But, master……!!”

“Keep quiet, Chen Biyun.”

Cold words came out of my mouth that surprised even me. Flinching at my words, Bi Yan remained silent, though she gave me an incredulous look.

But then she relented, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. I frowned slightly at the sight of it. There goes that damned habit again.

“Fine then, you can apologize to me yourself.”

“I’ll do it for you. I’m sorry.”

“Is that how you apologize?”

“…….”

I could see what she wanted. I didn’t say anything, I just looked directly at her and bowed my head.

Then she smiled a satisfied smile.

You’ve always been like that, always thinking only of how you’re treated.

But now, I don’t have anything to say, because it’s my side that’s in the wrong. Liu Chengmei smiled and gestured to Kakdugi. “I’ll let it slide today, especially since I saw you.”

“I’m sorry.”

“But next time, you’ll be more careful with your disciples. Do you understand?”

“……Yes.”

“That’s all I need to know. Oh, and I’ll ask you to pay for tonight’s drinks.”

With that, Yu Chengmei left the bar with the kakdugi. I sighed and paid for the food.

Maybe it was because they were all drinking expensive alcohol, but it was more expensive than I thought. I didn’t say anything, and we left the restaurant together.

On the way home, I could feel her eyes on me. But I deliberately didn’t say anything and quickened my pace.

On the way home, I remembered to bring a sturdy enough branch. When I arrived home, I looked at Bie Yan and opened my mouth.

“This should be enough.”

“Master……?”

“Give me your palm.”

“……I understand.”

I thought over and over again. I wondered if it would be better to just say the words, because they weren’t wrong, and I should just end it with a cautionary note. I was not only her teacher, but also her only protector.

If I were to turn a blind eye to her faults, how could she ever grow up right? Unconditional love is akin to irresponsibility.

Bi Yan nodded and held out her hands toward me. My hands trembled as I held the spinning wheel. But then I gritted my teeth.

The spinneret slammed into Biyun’s hand, leaving a red mark. Every time she heard it, it was like her heart was breaking.

In the end, the number didn’t reach five. I threw the spinner over the fence. I could see my hands shaking.

“Do you know what you have done wrong?”

“I do, Master.”

“Then tell me what you have done wrong.”

“I have spoken unspeakable words to a novice.”

Respect your elders, and be polite to one another. It was not much different than today. Of course, Bi Yan’s rant was outrageous.

Of course, my own thoughts were no different from hers, but it wasn’t her fault, so I have a responsibility to make it right.

Because I am her teacher.” I glared at her, and she flinched, then looked upset and continued.

“And…….”

“And?”

“I dared to bring your name into disrepute, Master. I’m so…… sorry, Master.”

Up until this point, Bi Yan had been emotionless, but towards the end, she couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into tears.

Tears rolled down her cheeks and fell to the ground. Seeing that, my heart weakened, and I ended up hugging her.

Her arms wrapped tightly around my waist. I wondered if this was what it felt like to have your heart broken, but I swallowed the pain.

Who am I to blame? I can only blame myself for not being enough. I stroked Biyun’s hair. Her black hair swayed gently.

“Why do you care if my name is tarnished?”

“But I am your disciple, am I not?”

“How can a disciple fault a master?”

What have I done wrong? I only wish I knew. Whatever my name was, whatever the world laughed at. It doesn’t really matter.

I was not a good teacher by any stretch of the imagination, nor did I excel in knowledge, nor was I renowned for my martial prowess.

On the contrary, eight years ago, I came close to being killed and escaped in disgrace. I’ll tell you the whole story someday, of course.

But for now, at least.

For now, there was only one thing I could do: …… do the best thing I could do, and that was to keep the story straight.

* * *

I got angry.

At the whore who had dared to flirt with my master and take his money. So, without realizing it, Bian Yan cursed in front of everyone.

Of course, it was an obvious mistake. To say something like that in front of everyone was a slap in the face to his master.

Bi Yan had no choice but to admit her mistake. But she couldn’t help it. She couldn’t control the emotions boiling in her heart.

Who are you? Who are you? How dare you approach Master? Master has suffered so much because of you. How dare you!

An unknown black emotion took over her body and mind. Harsh words came out of her mouth without her realizing it. That’s how things got out of hand.

However, I do not regret it. She was able to feel her Master’s love once again, and he loved her, too.

In the past, when she had risen to prominence in the martial arts. No one dared to criticize her. Rather, they were busy speaking candy-coated words.

But the Master was different from the rest of them. He clearly pointed out the wrongdoing, and he took the hawk to correct it.

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But as she watched his trembling hands, she realized all at once that she was loved by him, and that was why her heart ached so much. Why did she have to do that, why did she have to do that.

The memories of her past, her previous life, still haunted her like a curse. The more she felt her Master’s love, the more it hurt. “Surely, this is my fault.”

“Surely, this is my fault.”

On a street that had fallen into total darkness, where not a single person could be seen, the only thing shining in the darkness was …… those red eyes.

“I should have killed them long ago.”

How dare they, how dare they.