Past Life

Weisheng was confused by the strange question that Ru had posed. He suddenly recalled when Xiaoling warned him not to share his 'split personality' with other spirits as it might hinder their reincarnation. He hoped Ru wouldn't start deducing such aspects after hearing about his life before he got the curse because either way he looked at it, his life had always been terrible. Having a curse didn't make a difference. 

"Frankly, it wasn't very different from now," Weisheng truthfully said, "The only bad thing this curse brought was evil spirits. It sounds a bit cliche, but my fate seems the same either way." He added nonchalantly, "My father and Bojing had already passed before I got the curse. Knowing the circumstances around Cang Tao, I can't say if I wouldn't have done something to him after knowing he had my father's reports. Perhaps I might've sought law and order if not for the curse…"

Ru hummed softly, "So, you mean to say you had similar terrible circumstances regardless of the curse." 

"Yes," Weisheng nodded, "That's what I think." 

"Then it must be Karma," Ru concluded, "Your past self must've been an offender. There is no other way to explain why your life is terrible." 

Thankfully, Ru seemed to have ignored the existence of the Supreme Demon Lord, the secret Weisheng and Xiaoling were keeping from everyone. 

"I have a question if you don't mind," Weisheng needed intel. His spirit mates were the only people he could rely on. 

Ru nodded softly. 

"Spirits don't remember their mortal lives. Is that true?" Weisheng asked. 

"Correct," Ru said, "If we end up remembering our mortal lives, we lose our chance to reincarnate. Although I heard there are ways to reverse it, I don't personally know anyone who remembered their past." 

Qiang clapped her hands upon remembering something, "I remember a girl who remembered her past. She got reincarnated shortly after, though. I think it had something to do with coming to terms with how you died." She explained, "Like if you come to terms with your death and your mortal life, Heaven's Arbiter lets you reincarnate." 

Weisheng narrowed his eyes. He knew they wouldn't tell her about Xiaoling. So, he masked his curiosity under other questions. 

"How do spirits even learn about their mortal lives?" Weisheng asked, "You all seem to bring it up casually. It seems there are not a lot of ways to remember one's past." 

"You're right," Hai said, "Records of life are only accessible to Heaven's Arbiter and their assistants." 

"However," Ru murmured, "Reliving through past events unknowingly can make you remember your mortal life." 

"Yes," Qiang nodded, "The girl I told you about earlier only remembered her life because she ended up going to the place where she died. It happened unknowingly. She started to gain her memories after seeing the place where she passed." 

Weisheng rested his chin on his hand, "Then that means Master-" 

"Master doesn't remember her past as far as I know," Ru immediately stopped Weisheng's trail of thought. 

"Yeah," Hai said, "She can't reincarnate because she has beef with Heaven's Arbiter." 

Ru and Qiang looked at Hai and frowned. 

"Oops," Hai murmured. 

"Sorry," Weisheng said, "I shouldn't put you all in trouble. I'll pretend I don't know this."

…

Xiaoling walked inside furiously. The people quietly sitting in the lounge could hear her swift footsteps. She opened the lounge door and peeked through. 

"Weisheng!" She whispered loudly, staying respectful in case her Godmother was seated there. 

Weisheng quickly stood up and rushed toward her. Xiaoling grabbed his sleeve and pulled him out. Everyone shared glances, wondering if she heard their conversation somehow. 

"Uh…" Weisheng cluelessly muttered while being dragged into the hallway. 

Xiaoling pulled him toward her room, turned to glare at him, and said, "Did you break your phone?" 

Weisheng cluelessly shook his head. Xiaoling clicked his tongue, opened the door of her room, and pushed him inside. 

"I met your mother just now," Xiaoling said as she put her hand out in front of her. 

Weisheng quickly started going through his pockets to search for his phone. He handed it over sheepishly. 

"She said this was necessary," Xiaoling muttered, holding his phone in her hands. She looked at him with innocent eyes while her hands effortlessly broke the phone into two pieces. 

Weisheng gasped, "H-How?" 

"What?" Xiaoling murmured, "Oh, right. If you learn how to manifest Qi, you'll be able to break phones like this, too!" 

Weisheng hesitantly said, "Master, I don't think I'll need this skill-" 

"You never know!" She shrugged, "Anyways, I'm angry!" She frowned, "Since you made me take my precious car outside and some random bird dared turn it into something outrageous!" She sighed, "Now, you have no choice but to brew my favorite tea for me. Off you go!" 

Weisheng blinked slowly, confused and lost. 

"What are you waiting for? I need my tea right now!" Xiaoling scolded him. 

Weisheng quickly walked out of her room with utter confusion. He went to the kitchen and saw a little cookbook on the shelf. He went through it and successfully found a tea recipe with the title 'Shifu's favorite tea.' Weisheng could swear Hai had written it down. 

Weisheng meticulously gathered the ingredients and brewed fresh tea. Although it was a chore, he didn't find it tiresome. In fact, the faint scent of the fresh oolong tea leaves, combined with a hint of cinnamon dust and the tangy aroma of the lemon in the beverage, calmed Weisheng's nerves. 

He wondered if Xiaoling purposefully made him brew this tea. He put the kettle and some cups on the tray before returning to Xiaoling's room. He knocked on the door before entering. 

"Master," Weisheng slowly called her, putting the tray on the round table in front of the pine-wood screen. "I brought your tea." 

Xiaoling looked at him through the screen. She appeared to be sitting on her bed. Upon looking at him, she walked out and sat on the low chair beside the round table. 

"So?" Xiaoling asked, grabbing the kettle to pour herself tea. She poured for him as well. "Have you calmed down?" 

Weisheng faintly smiled since he guessed her intentions correctly, "All thanks to you, Master." 

"Then have a cup, too," Xiaoling smiled, "We'll use this precious time to start cultivating," She scoffed, "The demonic way, at that."