The Cold and Aloof Palace Master's Daily Demon-Slaying Life

Xiaobai washed very carefully and slowly.

She seemed to be enjoying the process, secretly observing Zuo Qingqiu's expression as she washed. Seeing that her eyes were closed and her expression was relaxed, she knew that her sister was comfortable, and she was immediately filled with a sense of accomplishment.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Xiaobai felt it was about time, so she reluctantly stopped, picked up the cotton cloth draped over the edge of the basin, and carefully lifted Zuo Qingqiu's feet out of the water, drying them thoroughly with the cloth. From toes to ankles, every inch of skin was wiped clean, leaving not a trace of water.

After finishing all this, she picked up the copper basin and said, "Sister, wait for me a moment, I'll go pour out the water and be right back!"

"Mmm," Zuo Qingqiu responded, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible languor.

Little White carried the basin and went out happily, its footsteps as light as a mouse that had stolen some oil.

Zuo Qingqiu opened her eyes, looking at her bare feet, which were slightly red and glistening from being soaked in hot water. She then glanced at the direction where Xiaobai had disappeared at the door, a complex emotion flashing across her eyes.

This little white dragon has been with her since it hatched. Nominally, it is a spirit pet and a maid, but in reality, it is no different from a younger sister. She is simple-minded, clear-headed, and dependent on and close to her.

For over a hundred years, I have been devoted to spiritual practice and traveling far and wide, so I haven't spent much time truly with her. On the contrary, she has always stayed by my side silently, waiting and watching over me, trying to warm my increasingly cold heart in her clumsy yet sincere way.

Perhaps... I should spend more time with her in the future.

Zuo Qingqiu thought to herself silently.

Xiao Bai returned quickly, closing the door behind him to keep out the chill of late autumn.

Night had fallen, and all was quiet. No lights were on in the old house; only the cool moonlight shone through the paper windows, casting hazy shadows inside.

"Sister, it's time to rest!" Xiaobai kicked off her shoes, climbed onto the bed, quickly spread out the quilt, and then looked at Zuo Qingqiu expectantly.

Zuo Qingqiu said with some helplessness, "I have already reached the Golden Core stage, so I don't need to sleep."

"I know!" Little White burrowed under the covers, only her little head peeking out. "But sleeping isn't just about restoring energy! Sleeping itself is very comfortable! Besides, Sister, you used to always be either cultivating or going out to fight and explore, you never had a proper rest! Now that you've become a True Lord, so powerful, no one dares to bully us anymore, it's time to relax and enjoy life!"

As she spoke, she moved further into the bed, patting the empty space beside her, her eyes shining like stars: "Come on, come on, sister! Just lie down for a little while! I promise I won't bother you!"

Looking at her expectant eyes, Zuo Qingqiu finally couldn't resist.

Fine, I'll give in to her this once.

She took off her outer robe, leaving only a plain white undergarment, lifted the quilt, and lay down next to Xiaobai.

The quilt was newly replaced, carrying the fluffy smell of sunshine and a faint fragrance of soapberry.

The bed wasn't very soft, but it was very clean.

Xiao Bai immediately snuggled closer to her like a kitten that had found a warm nest, until her arm gently touched her arm, and then she stopped contentedly.

The two lay side by side, covered by the same blanket.

Little White was small, taking up only a small space. Zuo Qingqiu could clearly feel the warmth of another life form emanating from beside her, as well as the unique, sweet scent of Little White, like grass after rain.

The room was quiet, with only the soft breathing of the two people.

Xiao Bai was clearly excited. Although her eyes were closed, her long eyelashes fluttered like small fans, and her breathing was a little rapid. She secretly turned her head and, using the dim light coming in from the window, looked at Zuo Qingqiu beside her.

The moonlight outlined Zuo Qingqiu's perfect profile, with a straight nose, beautiful lips, and a clear yet soft jawline. Her eyes were closed, and her long eyelashes cast soft shadows under her eyelids. The aloof and detached air she usually exuded, as if she were about to ascend to heaven, had faded considerably in her sleeping face, leaving only a tranquil and reassuring peace.

This is my older sister...

Xiao Bai felt soft and warm inside.

The Nine Heavens Taihua Purple Void Thunder Ancestor True Lord, who was revered by all and commanded respect from thousands, the Golden Core Great Power who could summon thunder from the heavens with a flick of his finger and change the color of mountains and rivers with a wave of his hand, was now lying quietly beside her, covered with the same quilt, breathing steadily, as if he were just an ordinary woman who was extremely tired and needed to rest.

very nice.

Xiao Bai didn't even know what she was thinking, "How wonderful!"

Is it an expression of admiration that the older sister is such a good person?

Or perhaps we're simply marveling at how precious this rare, peaceful, and cozy moment is?

Maybe there are.

My sister used to live a life that was too tense, like a fully drawn bow, like a taut string, as if something terrible was chasing her from behind, forcing her to keep going and not dare to relax. Cultivation, training, battles, enlightenment... it seemed that there was only one goal in her world: "becoming stronger".

Now things are much better. My sister has become a True Lord, with a lifespan of ten thousand years and immense strength. She is now a powerful figure in the Old Earth Continent. Although she cannot be said to be invincible, she at least has enough power to protect herself and no longer needs to be constantly on guard against threats from those of higher realms as before.

Finally, I can catch my breath a little.

Finally, I can lie down peacefully like this, not thinking about anything, not doing anything, just enjoying this moment of tranquility.

As Xiao Bai thought about it, the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up. She then quietly snuggled closer to Zuo Qingqiu, feeling the reassuring body temperature and faint cool fragrance transmitted through the thin fabric. She closed her eyes contentedly.

Although Zuo Qingqiu had her eyes closed, with her cultivation level, her five senses were extremely sharp. Naturally, she could not escape Xiaobai's perception of her small movements and subtle emotional changes.

She didn't move or open her eyes, but simply let that warmth and dependence seep into her heart, which had been frozen for too long.

So this is what it feels like to be needed, relied upon, and cared for so purely.

Unlike Master Yuan Lei Zhenren's strict yet loving expectations, unlike the Taihua Sect elders' attention which was mixed with favoritism and self-interest, and unlike the Zuo family members' utilitarian yet distant flattery.

What Xiaobai gave her was the simplest and most precious thing—unreserved closeness and trust.

She suddenly felt that occasionally stopping to experience this kind of ordinary warmth might not be so bad.

The moonlight outside the window gently spilled onto the bed, enveloping the two people nestled together in a hazy, serene glow.

The night breeze was gentle, and time seemed to slow down at this moment, becoming quiet and long.

-

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

For the past three days, Zuo Qingqiu has barely stepped out of the old house.

I spent most of my time meditating and regulating my breathing in my room, thus stabilizing my state of mind after experiencing intense emotional fluctuations.

Xiao Bai, like a happy little bird, busied herself around the old house, somehow managing to get some simple ingredients to try and make desserts for Zuo Qingqiu. Although the results were often unsatisfactory, either burnt or mushy, Zuo Qingqiu silently appreciated her good intentions.

No one in the Zuo family, from the three elders down, dared to disturb them. A hundred meters around the old residence was designated a restricted area, guarded by clansmen at a distance to ensure the peace of the ancestral home.