Rebirth of the Fallen Master

One Last Chance

"Heal me?"

Behind the veil covering her face, Bai Lian smiled bitterly. Her face had been disfigured for over a decade. Her father had invited countless physicians, alchemists, and anyone else who claimed they could heal her, but the result? Not a single one had succeeded. Long ago, she had already given up hope.

"Thank you for your kindness, but many people have already tried and failed," Bai Lian said softly, not wanting to disappoint Li Ye.

"You've helped me so much already. At least let me try," Li Ye replied.

Bai Lian fell silent. Her hands quietly clenched into fists as she struggled to contain the emotions welling up inside her.

"Look at me," Li Ye said as he stepped forward. "Just a few days ago, I was on the verge of death. But look at me now. I'm perfectly healthy. I can even stand here in front of you," he added, trying to persuade her.

"I met an incredible master. In fact, I'm now working together with the Herbal Tower because of his remarkable abilities."

Bai Lian looked up in surprise. "So that's why he's been so different lately?" she thought.

A smile spread across her face as she heard the good news. "I'm glad. You've finally found a master who can truly guide you."

"That's why I want to try healing you as well," Li Ye said, reassuring her.

Bai Lian's eyes trembled as she looked into his serious expression. Slowly, her clenched fists relaxed. She gave a faint smile and nodded.

"Alright. There's no harm in trying. But don't expect too much," Bai Lian said.

Li Ye nodded after hearing her agreement.

"I don't believe I can be healed. But I do believe Li Ye would never intentionally hurt me. Even if he fails, at least he won't keep blaming himself," Bai Lian thought.

"Um... then, may I examine the wound on your face?" Li Ye asked.

Just as Li Ye reached out to remove the veil covering Bai Lian's face, a voice suddenly interrupted them.

"What do you think you're doing? Stay away from my daughter!" Bai Mu shouted, startling Li Ye and forcing the young man to take a step back.

The middle-aged man glared as he strode toward them.

"Father, what are you doing? Don't scare Li Ye like that," Bai Lian said as she hurried over to him.

"Scare him? I was simply keeping an eye on you two. How dare he try to touch you right in front of me?" Bai Mu snapped unhappily, leaving Li Ye stunned.

"Father," Bai Lian said as she gently held onto her father's arm, trying to calm him. "Li Ye only wanted to examine my face. He said he wants to help heal me," she explained, catching the man completely off guard.

Bai Mu's eyes widened as he stared at Bai Lian in disbelief. For a brief moment, a glimmer of hope appeared in his eyes.

"T-That's right. I only want to help," Li Ye said. For some reason, he felt nervous standing before Bai Mu.

However, the moment Bai Mu heard Li Ye's voice, his expression hardened once again. The hope that had briefly surfaced was instantly extinguished by the harsh reality that had struck him over and over again for more than a decade.

Bai Mu grabbed a nearby branch and swung it at Li Ye, venting his frustration. Li Ye instinctively dodged with a shocked expression, as did Bai Lian.

"Father, what are you doing?" Bai Lian asked as she hurried to stop him.

"This man has ignored you all this time, and now he suddenly comes here claiming he wants to heal your face," Bai Mu barked, pointing the branch at Li Ye.

"It's obviously a scam, and yet you believe him?" he continued, unable to understand his daughter's way of thinking.

It wasn't the first or second time the Li Family had taken advantage of Bai Lian's feelings for Li Ye to seek benefits, yet she always turned a blind eye for Li Ye's sake.

"Father, Li Ye truly means well. What's wrong with letting him try?" Bai Lian asked, trying to calm him down.

Bai Mu's breathing grew heavier. "Him? Mean well?" Bai Mu sneered as he glared at Li Ye.

The young man forced a smile, though it looked rather awkward. In both his lives, as Li Ye and as Cu Ye, no one had ever treated him like this.

"Tell me honestly. What do you want from my daughter?" Bai Mu demanded.

Li Ye let out a quiet sigh, understanding why Bai Mu found him so untrustworthy.

"Please allow me to try. I only want the two of you to believe in me," Li Ye said, causing Bai Mu's gaze to sharpen.

"What if you fail and make my daughter's condition even worse?" the man asked skeptically.

Li Ye remained silent for a moment.

"I'll take full responsibility. If Miss Bai's face becomes worse because of me, I'll willingly have my own face disfigured in exchange. Even if you wish to break both my arms and legs, I will accept it without complaint," Li Ye answered calmly, leaving Bai Lian speechless.

"Li Ye, how can you say something like that?" Bai Lian exclaimed in disbelief.

The young man remained silent.

"Very well. This is your last chance," Bai Mu said.

Li Ye smiled and nodded.

"Servant! Keep an eye on Miss!" Bai Mu shouted, prompting one of the maids to step forward respectfully.

Bai Mu cast Li Ye one last glance. "I still have business to attend to. Once you're finished examining her, leave this place immediately," he said coldly.

"I understand," Li Ye replied.

Bai Lian pouted slightly. Before leaving, Bai Mu signaled to the maid to stay close and not leave the two of them alone.

"Father is really being unreasonable," Bai Lian grumbled as she watched him walk away.

"He's only worried about you. I understand why he's acting this way," Li Ye said, making Bai Lian smile faintly.

"Let me examine it," Li Ye said.

Bai Lian nodded. As she removed the veil covering her face, the maid standing nearby was slightly startled before immediately lowering her head.

Bai Lian quietly clenched her hands, worried about Li Ye's reaction when he saw her face. Yet, to her surprise, the young man showed neither shock nor disgust.

He simply stared at her silently, carefully examining her face. "It's far worse than I expected," Li Ye thought.

"Is it... that bad?" Bai Lian asked shyly.

Li Ye gently touched the scarred half of her face.

"It's quite serious," Li Ye answered honestly, causing Bai Lian to force a faint smile to conceal the turmoil in her heart.

"This wound has been here for a very long time. It was probably just a burn at first, but because different potions and conflicting treatment methods were used together, the injury only spread further," Li Ye explained.

"Yes, that's why we stopped trying to treat it. Too many frauds took advantage of my condition and only made it worse," Bai Lian said disappointedly.

Li Ye smiled faintly. "Don't worry. I'll do my best."

Bai Lian immediately looked up at him in disbelief. She had thought Li Ye would give up.

"I have a method to heal your face, but..."

"But what?" Bai Lian asked curiously.

Li Ye looked directly into her eyes, causing her to freeze. They had never been this close before.

"You have to trust me," Li Ye said.

As though hypnotized, Bai Lian simply nodded before lowering her head shyly. Li Ye quickly stepped back, failing to notice that Bai Lian's face had already turned red.

"The method I'm going to use will be somewhat painful and frightening. That's why I need you to trust me," Li Ye explained.

Bai Lian covered her face once more and smiled.

"I don't mind. I've already agreed to follow your treatment."

"Besides, my face is already ruined. It won't make much difference even if it gets worse," Bai Lian thought, unwilling to disappoint Li Ye, who looked so confident.

"Then I'll be leaving for now. Don't worry. I'll come back fully prepared," Li Ye said.

Although disappointed that he was leaving, Bai Lian still nodded.

"Don't forget to eat the sweets," Li Ye added, making Bai Lian smile behind her veil.

"I'll see you out," Bai Lian said as she stood up.

However, the maid who had been watching them immediately stepped in front of her.

"My apologies, Miss. The Master's orders are that you don't need to escort Young Master. We'll do it instead," the maid said respectfully, hoping Bai Lian would understand.

"But..."

"It's alright. Don't make things difficult for them," Li Ye interrupted, causing Bai Lian to give up protesting.

"Alright then," Bai Lian said as she sat back down with a dissatisfied expression.

"This way, Young Master," the maid said, leading Li Ye onward.

Bai Lian could only grumble as she watched them leave.

"This way, Young Master," the maid repeated.

However, instead of escorting Li Ye out, she led him somewhere else. Li Ye noticed it immediately, but remained silent, curious about what was really happening.

"My apologies. These are the Master's orders. He wishes to see you here," the maid said respectfully, lowering her head.

The door slowly opened.

Behind the desk inside the room, Bai Mu was already waiting for him. The man's expression was far more serious than before.