"Yes, and now Han Shun is ready to ascend to the immortal realm after obtaining his golden core. It will take us probably 4 months or so, but after that, we will leave. And I will give this residence to you."

Han Min's eyes widened. He looked at Master Bai and hoped that Master Bai was joking. 

"Master Bai, I—"

"You've been staying and serving me for 4 years. You took care of this residence every day, and you already know about the village and the villagers. The only thing you need is polishing your martial art, so you won't get hurt if someone tries to invade the residence or attack you."

"But, Master Bai, Han Min is just a lowly servant! I'm here because I want to work for you!" Han Min insisted. He felt undeserving of such a reward from Master Bai. "I don't have any reason to stay here if you leave!"

"Haha, don't be so uptight. Even if I leave, I will still return here with Han Shun. There are a lot of demonic cultivators who invaded the mortal realm. I will also come and punish anyone who made a grave sin, though that one is very rare to happen."

"Don't worry about money. I will give you one of my treasures," Bai Shijue got up and then picked something from his drawer. He put it on the table in front of Han Shun and Han Min. 

The item was a jade box, and when opened, there was nothing in it.

"This is a message jade box. A tool I have that's allowed me to stay in this mortal realm. Han Min, even if you want to tell me about a random thing, you're allowed to do so. But try to minimize that, alright? Try sending important messages only because I'm also busy in my realm."

"About the money, I will send you a monthly allowance from this jade box to take care of this residence. It will be enough for you to marry and make a family in this residence if you'd want to. Just make sure that nobody touches my room other than you, okay?"

"Master Bai…" 

Han Min couldn't believe that someone could be as kind as Master Bai. He took Han Min in, taught him martial arts, gave him good food that helped him grow up healthy, and now he also wanted to give him this big residence.

"Master Bai, why are you doing so much for me?" Han Min asked. "I… I don't deserve this…."

"That's because you're a good kid, Han Min. You're obedient and kind to others. That's why I'm rewarding you," Bai Shijue talked to Han Min like a father giving advice to his son. 

He glanced at Han Shun, whose face soured instantly. He must've felt like getting called out because he could be very disobedient, stubborn, and cruel.

"Thank you, Master Bai. Thank you so much," Han Min kowtowed in front of Master Bai and wanted to kiss his feet, but Bai Shijue held him by grabbing his shoulder. 

"Don't do that, Han Min. I'm not a god."

"But… Master Bai is my God…"

Bai Shijue sighed, "Just make sure that you're not setting up a temple for me. I'm here to help people anyway. I only come when there's a big danger."

'Which is what a God usually does,' Han Min thought. 

Han Min continuously thanked Master Bai before Bai Shijue told him to leave with the jade box and told Chinchin to leave.

Now that Han Shun and Bai Shijue were alone, Han Shun could finally speak, "Bai Gege, why are you giving so much to that kid? He is already lucky to live with us here!"

"Han Shun, stop being jealous of him. I see him as my own child, and he saw me as a father figure and his Master. Unlike you who never see me as a father figure."

"Bai Gege, I saw you as more than just a father figure…." Han Shun defended himself. Since Bai Gege already knew about his feeling, he wanted to confront Bai Gege.

But every time he wanted to say that he loved Bai Gege romantically, Bai Gege would just ignore him like air. 

Han Shun thought that was because he wasn't strong enough. He wanted to be strong, so Bai Gege would see him as equal and finally reciprocate his feeling.

"Han Shun, we're going to visit the Forest of Lost Mist every night now. I will train Han Min so he will be strong enough to fight any intruder and defend himself. I also need to create a barrier around the residence, so those demonic cultivators wouldn't dare invade our residence."

"You will not accompany me, Bai Gege?"

"No, I'll be busy. But I will give you a tool so you won't get lost this time," Bai Shijue replied. He took something from his sleeve and put it on a table. It was a talisman with 'Love' pinyin written on it. 

"This is the soulmate talisman. Once you get lost, you can just rip this talisman, and you will be teleported back to me. Don't worry. I will give you one every day."

"You need to explore everything in Forest of Lost Mist. If you get attacked by any demonic cultivators or savage celestial beasts, just rip the talisman, and you can return safely, okay?"

"… yes, Bai Gege."

Han Shun was secretly raging in his heart because Bai Gege chose to stay with Han Min instead of him. But he couldn't voice his disagreement. He just obediently accepted the talisman.

"I will rest, for now, Bai Gege. I will leave tomorrow night."

"Yes, you should rest. You've just encountered a dangerous demonic cultivator after all."

…

Han Shun left Bai Shijue alone. He looked at Han Shun's firm but lonely back and commented at Pupa, who materialized beside him, "Pupa, why do I feel like Han Shun got colder as he grew up?"

"Isn't that normal? He is already 18 years old, after all."

"I know, but I miss the cute and innocent Han Shun…."