Chapter Fifty-Five: Only I Can Act Cool

"Is this thing really called the Netherfruit?"
With deep suspicion, Ye Qiu stared wide-eyed at the Netherfruit in his hand, utterly unable to comprehend...
The feeling was akin to being poor for twenty years, only for someone to suddenly inform you that your backyard is actually filled with gold.
It was truly overwhelming...
So, by this logic, all those apple magnates from my previous life were actually scions of immortal clans? Otherwise, where could they have obtained so many celestial fruits...
The grape from before was already absurd enough, and now you're telling me this apple I've eaten for decades is actually a Netherfruit?
Eat one and live to ninety-nine?
Ye Qiu felt as if he were struck by lightning—he could scarcely believe it was real.
A mere ordinary apple could be called Netherfruit? Wasn't that a bit too much?
"Whatever! Real or not, if wine can cure ailments, apples probably can't be that bad either..."
On second thought, Ye Qiu had witnessed far too many bizarre things to discern which were true anymore.
Cradling the apple, he glanced at Yuechan in his arms, particularly at her chest...
So ample...
So soft...
"Ahem... A gentleman does not take advantage of others in their vulnerability!"
Ye Qiu declared righteously, assuming Yuechan had fainted and couldn't hear him—who could have expected her to suddenly open her eyes?
That was rather awkward...
"Rogue, let go of me!"
"Look... Let me state for the record, I haven't done anything. Everyone here can vouch for me. You can't just slander an honest man without cause."
Ye Qiu forced himself to remain calm as he explained. How was it that he hadn't profited in the least, yet was now branded a rogue?
Had he known, he might as well have taken some liberties first.
Still, the Empress was indeed the Empress—peerless and enchanting. Compared to the little girl she once was, she had become infinitely more alluring.
Yuechan ignored Ye Qiu's explanation, struggling to sit up and focus on healing her injuries.
But Ye Qiu stopped her, saying, "Alright, no need to force yourself! Eat this first, then recover..."
When Ye Qiu offered her the Netherfruit, Yuechan paused, uncertainty in her gaze. "Are you sure this is for me? When did you become so generous?"
"Hmm?"

What did she mean, when did I become so generous? She made it sound as if I'd done something to wrong her.
Well... to be fair, that's not entirely off the mark!
I'm at fault, and I don't want to argue. Let her have this one.
"Don't be surprised. Just now, you risked yourself to shield me. Consider this fruit as compensation. I detest owing anyone a favor. We're even now..."
Ye Qiu smiled as he spoke, though inwardly he was cackling with glee.
Settling cause and effect with a single apple? What a deal.
If he could convince her, the debts of the past would be wiped clean.
Obviously, he was thinking too much. Yuechan furrowed her brow, took the Netherfruit, and replied coldly, "Impossible! What you owe me can never be repaid in a lifetime..."
With that, she calmly accepted the Netherfruit, took a small bite, and entered a meditative state to heal.
Ye Qiu, however, stood frozen, his heart sinking. "Damn, did she notice something? Has my identity been exposed?"
No, I've concealed myself so well—how could she have noticed?
Moreover, she actually resisted the urge to take action? Could it be... she has feelings for me?
Hmm...
Well now, that doesn't sound so bad. The Lord of the Celestial Palace herself, a peerless Empress, actually likes me?
Heh, I've made up my mind—tonight I shall dream this dream!
What bliss! Not even the most outlandish novel would dare write this. Me, a poor scholar with nothing but a rundown tavern to my name, finally about to rise to the top?
Am I finally about to ascend to greatness?
This plot is rather tempting! Pity I'm not the protagonist, or it would be perfect...
A flurry of images flashed through Ye Qiu's mind, but he quickly reined himself in. Too many daydreams would only lead to obsession and leave him unable to return.
Sure enough, after consuming the Netherfruit, Yuechan's color returned and her wounds rapidly healed. The miraculous effect left the Devouring Sparrow agape, at a loss for words.
Even the spectators nearby were astonished, murmuring, "Did you see that clearly? Was that the legendary Netherfruit?"
"Judging by its appearance and aura, it certainly seemed to be..."
"Gasp... That fabled elixir which brings the dead back to life—the senior actually possesses it? And just used it so casually?"
"Heavens, what a waste of a divine medicine! That's worth a life..."
The crowd erupted in a frenzy, all shocked by Ye Qiu's generosity. If they knew he had an entire orchard of apple trees in his yard, they'd likely die of fright.
The Devouring Sparrow gave them a contemptuous glare. "Bumpkins, have you never seen the world? Is a single Netherfruit enough to terrify you all?"

Well now, coming from one who once fainted dead away from fright, that was rich.
Shamed by the Devouring Sparrow's rebuke, the crowd hastily praised, "As expected, Senior Devouring Sparrow possesses profound wisdom and broad vision. Even in the presence of such treasures, you remain unmoved..."
"Indeed! Our mindsets are still too shallow—we cannot yet transcend desire. Faced with such wonders, excitement is only natural.
But Senior Devouring Sparrow stands as steadfast as a mountain, wholly unswayed by treasure. Such character is truly admirable..."
After such flattery, the Devouring Sparrow felt as light as a feather.
Is that so?
Am I truly so noble?
The Devouring Sparrow even began to doubt itself. All it had done was brag a little, yet unexpectedly received so much praise.
Heh... So this is what the master calls putting on airs?
It does feel quite good!
With all this flattery, I almost believed myself to be so virtuous.
"Not bad, not bad! I suppose I should practice this art of putting on airs as well. It's more satisfying than thrashing ten ancient beasts."
The Devouring Sparrow was practically floating, utterly content, having forgotten all about fainting in the medicine garden.
Smack—
Suddenly, Ye Qiu slapped it on the head, leaving the Devouring Sparrow's mind buzzing.
"Master, what are you doing? I wasn't done basking in my glory..."
"You? Putting on airs? Don't you know, when I'm present, only I get to do that?"
Ye Qiu said irritably. This was supposed to be his moment, yet the Devouring Sparrow had stolen the show.
Wasn't that taking food from his mouth?
After all, Ye Qiu now relied on this role for survival. Without putting on airs, he was nothing; only by maintaining the guise of a master could he keep up appearances.
It wasn't as if Ye Qiu wanted to be this way! If he could harness that righteous energy within, he'd be a true master without needing to pretend.
But he couldn't...
So he had to keep up the act—and do it better than ever.