Master, Your Persona Has Fallen Apart Again

In my previous life, my Master sought to prove his Path of Ruthlessness by gouging out my spiritual root with his own hands and throwing me into the Ten Thousand Ghosts' Pit. After being reborn, I became the most doted-on junior sister at Taixu Sect. My Master had changed his face and taken a new name, but he was still aloof, otherworldly, and haughty. Every single day, without fail, he brought me pills to strengthen my foundations and nourish my essence. I smiled as I accepted them, then turned around and poured them into a flowerpot. Then one evening, he stood outside the medicinal garden, watching the tilted porcelain bottle in my hand through the spirit herbs. Moonlight fell across his expression as it suddenly crumbled. “Why?” His voice was hoarse. I stepped back and replied respectfully, “Your Path of Ruthlessness matters, Master. I wouldn't dare interfere with your cultivation.” He froze. That night, everyone in the sect heard the sound of things being smashed in his cave abode. He kept bringing me medicine every day after that, but no longer handed it to me. He quietly set it on a bluestone by the medicinal garden. I still poured it away as usual, though every time I did, I couldn't help sneaking a glance at the mountain path he took to get here. Later, during a secret-realm trial, I wandered into an illusion array and relived memories of my previous life. When he found me, my spiritual power was nearly drained. He lifted me from the ground, his heart pounding far too fast. I asked him, “How did you find me?” He was silent for a long time before saying, “I saw you fall.” As he said it, the tips of his ears turned red. Later still, the fiery peony I'd been watering with his pills bloomed in all its glory, red as if it were about to drip blood. He stood in the twilight and watched me eat the medicine in front of him. I frowned and said it tasted bitter. The next day, the medicine he brought me really did have licorice added to it. Theme: The true Path of Ruthlessness isn't about cutting off all emotion and love. It's knowing your heart has been moved, yet still choosing restraint and protection.