After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 11

“You can eat it,” Zhu Jiyun said, holding out the crispy, fragrant roasted fish.

Xun Juexue stared at the fish, its tempting aroma filling the air, but remained silent.

Zhu Jiyun nudged the fish closer.

Although cultivators at a certain level could abstain from food through cultivation, some still occasionally indulged in meals out of habit or desire.

“This fish is big,” Zhu Jiyun explained. “I can’t possibly finish it all myself. If Senior is interested, we could share it.”

Xun Juexue picked up on the implication. “Do you often cook here?”

Zhu Jiyun smiled innocently. “Not often, just occasionally. Sometimes.”

Xun Juexue glanced at her. “Have you caught any wild chickens?”

“Of course not!” Zhu Jiyun immediately protested. “Ever since you told me not to, Senior, I haven’t even thought about catching them!”

Except, perhaps, when she was eating roasted fish and a plump chicken happened to wander by, making her mouth water just a little.

“From now on,” Xun Juexue said, “you may eat wild chickens.”

Zhu Jiyun thought she’d misheard. “What?”

Xun Juexue’s voice remained calm. “The wild chickens on the back mountain. You may catch them whenever you wish.”

Zhu Jiyun’s eyes widened slightly in surprise.

Looking at the Senior before her, so pure and untouched by worldly concerns, Zhu Jiyun found it hard to believe she would actually bother with such a trivial matter.

Zhu Jiyun grinned. “Senior, you absolutely must try this grilled fish today!”

Xun Juexue frowned. “I don’t…”

Zhu Jiyun smiled warmly. “But Senior specifically asked the owner of the pheasant about it, all for my sake. To me, that already counts as Senior’s kindness toward me. I have nothing of value to offer in return; anything I possess, Senior surely lacks nothing of. The only way I can repay your kindness is by sharing this grilled fish with you.”

Zhu Jiyun’s sincerity and earnestness made Xun Juexue, who had been about to refuse, hesitate for a rare moment.

She’s just a junior.

Though no one had mentioned it in years, Xun Juexue knew everyone feared her cold indifference. No junior would ever dare to approach her with such a bright, cheerful demeanor.

For a moment, Zhu Jiyun’s warmth felt strangely novel to Xun Juexue.

After a few silent breaths, Xun Juexue said, “I’ll only have a small piece.”

Zhu Jiyun’s expression softened. “Senior, please wait a moment!”

She cradled the fish in one hand and carefully pulled out a clean handkerchief with the other, offering it to Xun Juexue.

Every time Zhu Jiyun saw her, Xun Juexue was always dressed in pristine white robes, utterly spotless. She seemed to be someone who cherished cleanliness above all else.

For such a refined cultivator, who appeared untouched by worldly concerns, tearing fish meat with her bare hands seemed utterly out of character.

Xun Juexue accepted the handkerchief and, holding it between her fingers, reached to tear off a piece of fish.

But when her hand hovered above the fish, she realized she didn’t know where to start.

She had been abstaining from solid food for nearly a thousand years.

Noticing her hesitation, Zhu Jiyun pointed to the soft, boneless flesh near the fish’s belly. “Senior, this part is the most tender and flavorful.”

Xun Juexue nodded.

Then, using the handkerchief as a barrier, she tore off a small piece and brought it to her lips.

Every movement carried an air of ethereal grace.

Watching her swallow the fish, Zhu Jiyun looked at her expectantly. “Senior, how is it?”

Xun Juexue replied slowly, “Not bad.”

Zhu Jiyun’s smile widened. “That’s good to hear.”

Her eyes sparkled with laughter, her smile radiant and full of charm.

Xun Juexue didn’t linger. She had only come to confirm Zhu Jiyun was here and to let her know that wild chickens were now safe to eat. With her purpose fulfilled, there was no need to stay.

As Xun Juexue departed, Zhu Jiyun munched on the crispy fish tail, pondering how much thinner the Senior looked compared to two months ago, her complexion paler too.

Wait, she realized, she didn’t even know the Senior’s full name!

Oh well, I’ll ask next time we meet.

Zhu Jiyun promptly forgot about it.

Before she knew it, Zhu Jiyun had spent over half a year lounging around at the Qingmiao Sect.

It was the third month of spring, the willows swaying in the breeze.

Zhu Jiyun leaned against the doorframe, hands tucked into her sleeves, admiring the rare sight of the day’s clouds.

They look like candied hawthorns strung together, she thought.

Now I want some.

As she mentally searched for a candied hawthorn recipe, she felt someone nudge her.

Ji Nianyan stood there, pouting. “Sister Zhu, why aren’t you worried at all?”

Ji Chengyu’s Foundation Establishment two months prior had already shaken the morale of many. With the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition approaching in mid May, everyone was pushing themselves to the limit, studying and training relentlessly, their nerves stretched taut.

But unlike the hurried, serious-faced crowd, Zhu Jiyun remained her usual lazy self.

Ji Nianyan pressed her lips together and said, “The Head Instructor says I might achieve Foundation Establishment soon.”

“Isn’t that good news?” Zhu Jiyun replied.

She had been watching Ji Nianyan’s diligent efforts over the past six months.

Ji Nianyan broke down. “Good? How is that good? Sister, you’re not even trying! What will you do during the Grand Competition?”

Zhu Jiyun sighed. “Why are you always so worried?”

She glanced up at the sky, noticing one of the white candied hawthorns was missing from her skewer. Leaning closer, she whispered, “I’ll tell you a secret. I’ve already achieved Foundation Establishment.”

With her past life’s experience, achieving Foundation Establishment was now a trivial matter for Zhu Jiyun.

Ji Nianyan’s eyes widened, surprise and delight flashing across her face. “When did this happen?”

Zhu Jiyun blinked and made a shushing gesture.

Ji Nianyan, imagining who-knows-what, nodded eagerly.

If Sister Zhu is secretly working hard when no one’s around, then I don’t need to worry, Ji Nianyan thought.

She clenched her fist, her fighting spirit immediately reignited. “In that case, Sister Zhu, I’m going to practice my sword now!”

Zhu Jiyun smiled warmly as she saw her off.

Then she turned around, tidied up her things, and headed to the back mountain.

No time like the present! Time to make those candied hawthorns!

But as soon as she reached the back mountain, she accidentally overheard an argument.

“I told you to stay away from Zhu Jiyun! Why won’t you listen to me?!”

Xia Lianjiao sounded equally aggrieved. “I told you she hasn’t done anything wrong to me! Why are you trying to control who I can be friends with?!”

Since they were mentioning her name, Zhu Jiyun figured it wouldn’t hurt to eavesdrop on the Male Lead’s drama.

Zhu Jiyun raised an eyebrow, stopped walking, and carefully controlled her breathing as she observed the pair from a distance.

Ji Chengyu glared at Xia Lianjiao, his eyes red with anger. “Fine! Fine! Then I’ll tell you exactly what she did!”

He struggled to suppress his rage as he recounted the events that had transpired in Stone Water Town.

Xia Lianjiao froze, instinctively asking, “Could it be because you provoked her before, but you don’t remember?”

Ji Chengyu’s eyes narrowed, staring at Xia Lianjiao in disbelief.

“Is that really what you think of me?” he asked, as if deeply wounded. Though his heart ached, he forced a cold, proud tone. “Fine, Xia Lianjiao! You’re just great! Just great!”

Chirp!

Enraged, he slashed at a wild chicken that had strayed into his path, splattering blood everywhere.

But his anger remained unvented. Ji Chengyu couldn’t bear to look at Xia Lianjiao any longer and stormed off in a fury.

Xia Lianjiao stood speechless.

Still shaken, she numbly raised a hand to wipe her cheek.

Zhu Jiyun approached and offered her a handkerchief. “Use this to wipe your face. Be careful not to get blood on your sleeves.”

Xia Lianjiao snapped back to reality, recognizing Zhu Jiyun. Her gaze suddenly faltered, unable to meet Zhu Jiyun’s eyes.

Zhu Jiyun noticed her discomfort but paid it no mind. She walked past Xia Lianjiao to the chicken’s corpse, bent down to pick it up, and smiled faintly.

Looks like today’s candied hawthorn plan will have to wait. Free chicken it is.

After slowly wiping the chicken blood from her face, Xia Lianjiao moved to stand beside Zhu Jiyun, who was already preparing the bird.

“Um… about what we were just saying…”

Ugh, caught talking behind someone’s back by the person themselves. How embarrassing, Xia Lianjiao thought.

Besides, she didn’t believe Zhu Jiyun would do something like what Ji Chengyu had described without a good reason.

And even if it was true, it was just a small thing. Ji Chengyu had even sparred with Zhu Jiyun afterward, right? Why was he still holding onto it?

Is Ji Chengyu just being petty? Xia Lianjiao wondered inwardly.

Zhu Jiyun waved it off. “It’s fine. I admit to what I did.”

Xia Lianjiao crouched down. “That’s not what I meant. I just… I just wanted to say I don’t think you’re a bad person.”

Zhu Jiyun might be lazy about cultivation, but she sometimes made snacks and generously shared them with Xia Lianjiao and Ji Nianyan. Plus, Zhu Jiyun was usually kind and beautiful, so Xia Lianjiao had always liked her.

Zhu Jiyun turned her head, a smile in her eyes. “I heard you defending me.”

Xia Lianjiao’s face flushed slightly, whether from the earlier argument or the stuffy air, she couldn’t tell.

But seeing that Ji Chengyu, that jerk, was unhappy made Zhu Jiyun happy.

If I can’t kill him, I can at least choke him to death.

Zhu Jiyun invited, “Want to try this pheasant later?”

Xia Lianjiao watched her skillfully prepare the bird, a hint of hesitation in her voice. “Could it belong to someone?”

A certain figure flashed through Zhu Jiyun’s mind.

“Maybe,” she replied, “but it’s definitely edible.”

After all, Senior had specifically asked about it for her.

“That’s good,” Xia Lianjiao said, relieved.

The two sat by the riverbank, waiting for the pheasant to roast. Zhu Jiyun, remembering Xia Lianjiao’s outgoing nature and frequent wanderings, asked, “You’ve been at Qingmiao Sect for a while now. Have you ever seen someone with snow-white hair and a crimson mole on their forehead?”

“Snow-white hair and a mole on their forehead?” Xia Lianjiao repeated, searching her memory for such distinctive features. She shook her head. “I haven’t seen anyone like that.”

Zhu Jiyun felt a flicker of disappointment, but she quickly brushed it aside. “Alright then,” she said.

Xia Lianjiao glanced at Zhu Jiyun flipping the pancake and couldn’t resist asking, “Zhu Jiyun, at the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition, which Elder do you want to become your Master? Will it be Elder Su?”

Zhu Jiyun’s hand froze.

Elder Su?

The Pill Refiner Elder Su from Cloud Throne Peak?

She gave Xia Lianjiao a strange look. “Do you really think he would take me?”

Xia Lianjiao couldn’t help but laugh, remembering Zhu Jiyun’s track record of destroying a pill furnace every time she attended Pill Refinement class. Eventually, Instructor Wang, who taught Pill Refinement, had begged her to stop tormenting him.

“Alright, I just thought since you love Pill Refinement so much, you’d want to become Elder Su’s disciple.”

Zhu Jiyun sprinkled seasoning as she casually asked, “What about you? Who do you want to become your Master?”

Xia Lianjiao didn’t answer immediately. Instead, she exclaimed excitedly, “Zhu Jiyun, did you know? Immortal Venerable Qingwu will be accepting disciples at this year’s Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition!”

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