After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 14
- Home
- After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script
- Chapter 14 - Persuasion
Forgotten Solitude Peak was the highest peak within the Qingmiao Sect.
Every time Ning Huaizhu set foot here, a subtle chill would creep into her heart.
She knew it wasn’t just the peak’s altitude that made it cold; it was also because her Senior Sister lived here alone, making the entire mountain feel utterly desolate and lonely.
Though her Senior Sister was a quiet and reserved person who preferred solitude, she didn’t dislike lively company.
But ever since Ning Huaizhu had grown up and their Master had passed away, genuine warmth had become rare in her Senior Sister’s life.
Burdened by countless responsibilities, she often lacked the energy for anything else. That’s why Ning Huaizhu had suggested her Senior Sister take on a disciple, someone to keep her company on this desolate peak.
That way, she wouldn’t have to be so isolated and cold.
Who could have imagined that her Senior Sister, who never broke her word, would actually go back on her promise this time?
As Ning Huaizhu approached the Main Peak of Forgotten Solitude Peak, Xun Juexue sensed her presence the moment she stepped onto the mountain.
She sighed. “Come in.”
Ning Huaizhu entered the Hall of Unforgettable Solitude, her face stiff as she sat down across from her Senior Sister without a word.
“Why did you break your word, Senior Sister?”
Xun Juexue waved her sleeve, slowly pouring a cup of tea for her.
The tea’s fragrant steam curled upward, carrying its delicate aroma.
“I have my reasons,” she said quietly.
Ning Huaizhu inhaled the fragrant tea aroma, then slammed her hand on the table, raising her voice at her Senior Sister, whom she had always both admired and respected since childhood. “I know you’ve been busy with the anomalies in the Kangtuo Realm lately, but surely you haven’t been so occupied that you couldn’t spare a moment to return to Forgotten Solitude Peak in a century?”
Xun Juexue: “I…”
Ning Huaizhu cut her off with the authority of the Sect Leader. “Since I first mentioned the situation in the Kangtuo Realm to you months ago, you’ve already investigated it twice. Do you think I haven’t noticed? If you can return to Forgotten Solitude Peak for rest and preparation between investigations every few months, then surely taking on a disciple and teaching them a thing or two would be a simple matter!”
Xun Juexue: “How can teaching a disciple be treated so casually?”
Ning Huaizhu: “Then just choose someone exceptionally talented! Such disciples grasp concepts instantly and require minimal effort.”
“If you’re truly concerned, I can oversee their training and progress in your absence. Senior Sister, surely you trust my capabilities?”
Xun Juexue: “I never doubted your abilities.”
Ning Huaizhu stared at her. “See? You lack your Master’s lazy streak. He was such a slacker! He took me on as a disciple, then dumped me on your doorstep to learn from you within days.”
Xun Juexue remained firm in her resolve, unwilling to mislead any young disciple. “Huaizhu, there’s no need to say more. My decision is made.”
Ning Huaizhu fell silent.
Seeing that a direct approach wouldn’t work, she immediately switched tactics, softening her tone.
Her eyes reddened slightly, and her voice lowered. “Senior Sister, I only want you to have a devoted disciple by your side to care for you and keep you company. You’ve always been a person of great righteousness, shouldering the burdens of the world as your own. I both admire you for this and worry about you because of it.”
She looked up, her eyes glistening with tears. For a moment, the Sect Leader, who had led a major sect for centuries, seemed to revert to the playful, affectionate child who used to follow her revered Senior Sister, teasing and clinging to her.
“During the war against the Demon Cultivators, our sects suffered terrible losses. Many seniors perished in Kangtuo to defeat Wu Hongye. I saw you draw your sword and stand against him in the Kangtuo Realm to protect the world. I was so worried.”
“Master has passed away, and I’ve succeeded him as Sect Leader, already taking disciples and establishing my own lineage. Yet you have no disciple to carry on your legacy. Senior Sister, I’m truly afraid! I fear your lineage will end with you. How could I ever face our departed Master if that happens?”
At this, Ning Huaizhu burst into tears. “Senior Sister, please listen to me just this once. Sob.”
Xun Juexue remained silent.
She sighed softly and silently handed over a handkerchief.
“Huaizhu, taking on a disciple isn’t something to be done lightly. If I accept one, I must dedicate myself fully to their instruction, not treat it casually.”
Ning Huaizhu took the handkerchief and declared firmly, “Then just accept someone who’s naturally gifted and quick to learn!”
“I…”
“Senior Sister, don’t you ever feel that Forgotten Solitude Peak is too lonely?”
“I…”
The words of refusal were on the tip of Xun Juexue’s tongue, but she paused.
She suddenly remembered Zhu Jiyun, who had joined the Sect as a new disciple half a year ago.
Zhu Jiyun had assumed Xun Juexue was just an ordinary senior of the Qingmiao Sect, so she had been cheerful and relaxed, showing no restraint in her words or laughter.
It had been a long time since Xun Juexue had experienced such genuine warmth from a junior.
She knew her own nature was cold and aloof, rarely smiling. As a result, Sect disciples always trembled in her presence, as if standing on the edge of an abyss.
Even her Junior Sister’s disciples often panicked when they saw her, cowering and hesitant, as if she were not the Martial Uncle they should be close to, but someone to avoid and fear.
Naturally gifted, exceptionally perceptive.
And one of the rare people who didn’t freeze up in her presence.
If it were her…
Even if Xun Juexue became preoccupied with other matters later, would she still be able to avoid neglecting her disciple?
After a moment’s reflection, Xun Juexue made her decision.
Ning Huaizhu frowned, already preparing her rebuttal. But Xun Juexue changed her mind. “Then I’ll take a disciple.”
Ning Huaizhu’s heart leaped with joy.
“However,” Xun Juexue added, “I already have someone in mind.”
“Senior Sister, choosing a disciple is naturally your decision,” Ning Huaizhu replied. “Whoever you choose, I have no objections!”
The future Martial Niece’s character was undoubtedly impeccable, given Senior Sister’s discerning eye. As for talent? Ning Huaizhu dismissed that as irrelevant. The Qingmiao Sect wasn’t seeking another peerless prodigy like Xun Juexue. Besides, as the foremost cultivation sect, they had no shortage of miraculous elixirs. If the Martial Niece desired it, they could simply use pills to cultivate any talent she lacked!
Most importantly, Ning Huaizhu’s criteria for the future Martial Niece had never been about ability.
All she wanted was someone to keep Senior Sister company on Forgotten Solitude Peak.
Xun Juexue took a sip of her cooling tea, her gaze thoughtful. “Huaizhu, you’re swamped with duties. You should leave now. Since I’ve agreed to take a disciple, I won’t change my mind.”
“Can’t we do it now?” Ning Huaizhu asked.
With a suitable candidate already chosen, Ning Huaizhu felt it was best to settle the matter quickly, before her senior sister changed her mind again. She couldn’t shake the feeling that only by finalizing this would her mind truly be at peace.
Xun Juexue sighed helplessly. “I still need to ask the other person’s opinion.”
Ning Huaizhu stared at her senior sister, who spoke so plainly. After a long moment, she suddenly smiled. “Alright.”
It seemed her senior sister had no idea how many disciples in the Sect yearned to become her apprentice. Nor did she realize that a single word from her could draw countless followers like moths to a flame.
Or perhaps she was fully aware of this, yet never allowed it to make her arrogant.
This is my senior sister.
This is Xun Juexue.
She had climbed to the highest peak of cultivation, yet never forgot to bow her head and measure the lives of ordinary people.
Such a noble person.
She truly deserves to be the foremost figure in the cultivation world!
Her brow smoothed, and she drained the now-cold tea in front of her, feeling the frustration that had plagued her in recent years, due to Sect affairs, finally dissipate.
As she watched Ning Huaizhu’s elegant figure stride away, Xun Juexue couldn’t help but wonder what new insight she had gained. Yet seeing her aura so clear and her spirit so bright, she assumed it must be something good.
Still, she needed to meet with Zhu Jiyun again.
Did she truly wish to become Immortal Venerable Qingwu’s apprentice?
******
“I did consider it,” Zhu Jiyun said, leaning against the tree and turning to face Senior Xun, who looked as radiant as ever despite their months-long separation.
“Immortal Venerable Qingwu once purged demons with a single sword, eradicating countless evils from this world. Later, in her youth, she crossed realms to slay Wu Hongye, a scourge upon humanity, scattering his soul and spirit. How could I not have imagined what it would be like when such a legendary figure announced she was taking disciples? It would be stranger if I hadn’t felt any stirrings in my heart.”
Zhu Jiyun plucked a small yellow flower and twirled it between her fingers, her expression earnest.
Her gaze met Xun Juexue’s with unwavering sincerity. No one would doubt the truth of her words.
And indeed, she wasn’t lying.
These were merely the thoughts that had crossed her mind in her previous life when she first heard Immortal Venerable Qingwu was taking disciples.
Back then, she had been realistic, knowing she couldn’t compare to Ji Chengyu. After all, the Immortal Venerable would undoubtedly choose disciples based on their abilities.
In the face of Ji Chengyu’s exceptional talent, the brilliance of the second-ranked faded completely under the radiant sunlight.
As for the third-ranked, they were practically invisible.
As for this life…
She had long known the Immortal Venerable would never take disciples, so she naturally didn’t take the rumor seriously.
Even if it were true, Zhu Jiyun had little interest.
Ever since Xia Lianjiao had hinted at wanting to perform well in the Outer Sect Disciple Grand Competition to earn an opportunity, the System, which had been dormant for ages, had suddenly reactivated in her Sea of Consciousness.
It now clamored daily for her to defeat the Female Lead and seize the chance to become the Immortal Venerable’s disciple herself, insisting she trample the Female Lead’s halo underfoot and forge her own unique villainous female supporting character Mary Sue halo!
Zhu Jiyun really wanted to roll her eyes at this clueless, idiotic System that couldn’t grasp the main point.
Does the Female Lead even have a halo?
Bullshit!
That glittering halo has been firmly fixed on the Male Lead’s head from the very beginning, okay?!
If you’re going to steal a halo, you should steal the Male Lead’s!
But she couldn’t.
Whether it was the information the System revealed between the lines or the conclusions Zhu Jiyun had drawn from reviewing her past life’s actions after awakening her transmigrated memories, everything indicated that she couldn’t steal the annoying halo hovering over Ji Chengyu’s head.
The System suddenly piped up, “What is the Male Lead’s halo?”
How could it not know?
Zhu Jiyun replied expressionlessly, “Immortality.”
“No matter how badly he’s hurt, he can’t be killed. Anyone who tries to kill him, whether their cultivation is lower than his, or even at the same level, will die by his sword after a struggle. And those with higher cultivation? He always manages a desperate counterattack at the brink of death.”
“The brink of death.” For that bastard Ji Chengyu, the word “death” had never truly touched him.
Back then, Zhu Jiyun and Ji Chengyu were both at the Spirit Severing Stage, but her true cultivation had already reached the Integration Stage. It was just unstable, still appearing to be late-stage Spirit Severing.
So when Ji Chengyu killed her, he was actually killing someone above his cultivation level.
The System whimpered, “He’s the Male Lead…”
He’s the Male Lead, the protagonist of this world. Of course he won’t die.
Zhu Jiyun calmly closed her eyes, refusing to acknowledge the System’s foolishness any longer.
Now, her gaze was fixed intently on Senior Xun across from her.
Xun Juexue fell silent.
A sudden unease stirred within her.
It had been many years since she’d heard such direct praise, unvarnished and free of pretense.
Zhu Jiyun truly possesses a heart as clear as daylight, yet remains so innocent and untainted.
She recalled Zhu Jiyun’s fearless, intelligent, and decisive demeanor during their time in the mortal realm.
I actually quite admire her character.
As she looked at Zhu Jiyun now, her gaze carried the warmth of a mentor.