After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 23

Zhu Jiyun’s first stop after descending the mountain was Stone Water Town at the foot of Liulan Mountain.

She and Ji Nianyan found the house Granny Zeng had bought years ago. After the three of them caught up, Zhu Jiyun temporarily parted ways with Ji Nianyan, giving Granny Zeng and Ji Nianyan time alone to reminisce.

Later, because their destinations differed, they separated permanently in Stone Water Town.

The Ji Nianyan of today was no longer the same timid girl from five years ago. Having gained the ability to protect herself, Zhu Jiyun had no lingering worries.

After reuniting with Xia Lianjiao and Han Banmeng, the trio headed to the last known location of the two Sect disciples mentioned on the token:

Water Moon City.

All three had come from the Human Realm to the Cultivation World, so returning to the bustling human city felt natural. They quickly blended into the crowd, moving through the streets like fish in water.

Even the usually reserved and anxious Han Banmeng unconsciously relaxed, the fear in her eyes gradually replaced by a sense of peace.

Xia Lianjiao sighed, “Water Moon City is so far away!”

Their journey these past few days had been exhausting.

Zhu Jiyun gazed toward the distant north. “This is the closest major city to Kangtuo.”

I wonder how Master is doing now?

Han Banmeng, leading Xia Lianjiao, was busy finding lodging and didn’t hear Zhu Jiyun’s muttered thoughts as she trailed behind.

As dusk fell, they couldn’t freely use their spiritual power in the Human Realm. As team leader, Han Banmeng naturally took charge of arranging accommodations for her companions.

Xia Lianjiao watched in surprise as Han Banmeng skillfully negotiated with the innkeeper, handling the arrangements with ease.

I never expected Banmeng to change so much in the Human Realm.

Han Banmeng turned and smiled gently at the two. “I used to do this all the time.”

This immediately piqued Xia Lianjiao’s curiosity, and she eagerly pressed closer, peppering Han Banmeng with questions.

Zhu Jiyun had her own suspicions but didn’t mind.

*****

After settling into their rooms, Zhu Jiyun pondered aloud, “Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Huang disappeared from Water Moon City two months ago. Let’s rest tonight and try using the Spirit-Seeking Art tomorrow to narrow down their general location.”

The others agreed.

But in the middle of the night, a sudden knock echoed at Zhu Jiyun’s door.

She knew exactly who was at the door.

When she opened it, Xia Lianjiao stood there as expected.

Xia Lianjiao didn’t bother with formalities, knowing Zhu Jiyun was too clever to miss her purpose. She cut straight to the chase: “Zhu Jiyun, what did you mean by what you said when we set out that day?”

She hadn’t found a chance to speak with Zhu Jiyun alone these past few days, so she’d kept putting it off. Only now, after arriving in Water Cloud City tonight, could she finally slip away to find her.

“What could I possibly mean?” Zhu Jiyun replied. “I was just stating a fact.”

Xia Lianjiao knew it was true, but it still stung. “Do you really think I value romance over friendship?”

Zhu Jiyun smiled. “Is that how it seems?”

Xia Lianjiao glared at her, then threw her hands up in exasperation. “Fine, fine! It’s just that Ji Chengyu keeps trying to control every little thing I do, and it’s driving me crazy!”

“We had a fight!” she declared. “He wants to restrict everything I do. I’ve been wanting to go on a mission for ages, but he keeps holding me back, saying he’s worried about me and wants me to wait for him!”

“And that’s not all! Sometimes he even tries to stop me from making friends!”

Xia Lianjiao grew more and more aggrieved as she spoke, as if in Ji Chengyu’s eyes, she could never do anything right.

Sometimes she got angry, but then she remembered it was only because he loved her and worried about her.

After all, as Ji Chengyu had said, he wouldn’t treat anyone else this way!

Zhu Jiyun watched her rattle on like spilling beans. When she finally finished her complaints, Zhu Jiyun cut straight to the heart of the matter: “Ultimately, it’s just that you’re not as strong as him.”

Xia Lianjiao’s heart skipped a beat. She lowered her gaze, as if Zhu Jiyun had struck a hidden nerve.

Zhu Jiyun continued calmly, “Because you’re not as strong as him, even though you’ve declared your feelings for each other and should discuss everything together, he still controls you so much. Isn’t that because he sees your weakness and believes that since you’re not on equal footing, you should simply obey him?”

She added meaningfully, “And from what you’re saying, it sounds like he’s constantly making you compromise for him?”

Xia Lianjiao pressed her lips together. “He didn’t have an easy childhood.” That was why she felt a little sorry for him.

Feeling sorry for a man. That was truly an unfortunate beginning.

Zhu Jiyun thought to herself, but said aloud, “But he’s doing so well now, even better than you. If he understands the importance of strength, why would he hold you back from improving, like protecting a fragile seedling? Even the most promising seedling can’t grow into a towering tree without weathering the rain and wind.”

Xia Lianjiao wanted to say that Ji Chengyu wasn’t holding her back. He had never interfered with her cultivation. He only sometimes told her to rest if she seemed too tired, saying she didn’t need to rush because he was there for her.

But when she met Zhu Jiyun’s seemingly all-knowing gaze, she hesitated and couldn’t bring herself to say the words.

After all, judging by the results, she had indeed been slacking off these past few years.

Zhu Jiyun sensed her hesitation and shrugged. “I’m just saying what I think. Maybe I’m overthinking things. It’s getting late. You should go back and rest. We have important business to attend to tomorrow.”

Xia Lianjiao’s mind was in turmoil. She couldn’t believe Ji Chengyu was the kind of person Zhu Jiyun described.

Yet deep down, she had to ask herself: How much has your cultivation actually improved these past few years?

Watching Xia Lianjiao leave, Zhu Jiyun raised an eyebrow and poured herself a glass of water to soothe her throat.

She hadn’t deliberately tried to drive a wedge between Xia Lianjiao and Ji Chengyu. But after observing Ji Chengyu’s behavior over the past five years, and recalling their interactions in her previous life, she couldn’t help but speculate.

Ji Chengyu was a man of immense pride. He likely couldn’t bear to see someone more talented than him constantly outshining him.

*****

In this life, she had once again surpassed him in the Outer Sect Grand Competition. He had spent the past five years diligently cultivating, honing his skills. But as the saying goes, “Mountains and rivers may change, but a person’s nature is hard to alter.” Zhu Jiyun even suspected his pride had become even more sensitive than in their previous life.

After all, in their previous life, everything had gone smoothly for him. Apart from some romantic misunderstandings, his career had been remarkably successful.

To make matters worse, the person who had surpassed him in this life was a woman. His arrogant pride must have been even more wounded!

Thinking this, Zhu Jiyun clicked her tongue twice.

Still, she hadn’t done anything drastic. She had merely criticized her sister’s romantic interest during their late-night chats.

With this thought, she cheerfully spread out her bedding and went to sleep.

The night passed without dreams.

When the three gathered in the morning, Xia Lianjiao’s expression showed no obvious signs of distress, though there were dark circles under her eyes, as if she hadn’t slept well.

Seeing Zhu Jiyun looking refreshed and energetic, Xia Lianjiao pursed her lips.

“Now that we’re rested,” Han Banmeng said, “let’s start with the Spirit-Seeking Art.”

She pulled two personal items belonging to Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Huang from her Cosmic Pouch, which she had specifically retrieved before they left.

Still in the Foundation Establishment Stage, Han Banmeng’s spiritual power couldn’t match Zhu Jiyun’s or Xia Lianjiao’s, so the two of them would cast the spell.

Zhu Jiyun formed a hand seal, her familiar spiritual energy guiding her consciousness to drift. After a few seconds, she opened her eyes and said, “Senior Brother Chen’s last known location was north of the city.”

“Senior Sister Huang is east of the city,” Xia Lianjiao added.

The three exchanged glances. Zhu Jiyun proposed, “Then let’s split up. I’ll check the north alone, while you and Jiaojiao go east. We’ll meet back at the inn tonight.”

“Okay,” Han Banmeng agreed, hesitating before adding, “Be careful out there on your own.”

Zhu Jiyun nodded.

Clutching Senior Brother Chen’s item, she headed north.

The further north she traveled, reaching the outskirts of Water Cloud City, the item in her hand began to faintly warm.

Zhu Jiyun stopped. This area marked Senior Brother Chen’s last known location in Water Cloud City.

She scanned her surroundings. Rows of dark alleys stretched before her, with only one four-story building in the center, its ornate facade suggesting luxury.

But…

Zhu Jiyun inhaled the cloyingly sweet scent and glanced at the glimpses of bare shoulders flashing behind the window, lost in thought.

Lingyan Pavilion.

The name of this brothel was surprisingly elegant.

Yes, this area north of the city was likely a red-light district.

But Senior Brother Chen had vanished in a place like this?

Zhu Jiyun frowned.

As she pondered, the back door of Lingyan Pavilion opened, and a plump woman emerged, fanning herself, followed by a line of pimp-like figures.

Facing them were men leading two horse-drawn carriages.

“Madam Xu, you’ve seen the merchandise. Isn’t this batch exceptionally fine? You know how hard my brothers worked to find such beauties for you.”

The plump woman, Madam Xu, waved her fan dismissively. “Hard work? Do you think my silver grows on trees? I’ve always treated you well, paying fair prices. Don’t get too big for your britches!”

The middle-aged man leading the group bristled. “Forget the others. That white-haired one in the carriage is top-tier. You’ll have to pay extra for her!”

At the mention of the white-haired woman, Madam Xu’s fan paused. “Her face is so pale. Did you bring me someone on death’s door?”

But she had a plan forming in her mind.

The one with the white hair was undeniably beautiful.

The middle-aged man lied through his teeth, “We’ve been working together for so long. Don’t you trust us brothers? The white-haired one is just weak and anemic. The sleeping powder made her face look pale.”

In truth, he’d picked up the white-haired woman. Seeing her beauty, he decided to bring her along. She was still breathing, so she wouldn’t die anytime soon. Even if she did, he and his brothers would be long gone from the city by then. What did they care?

Madam Xu pretended to reluctantly calculate the price, and after the two groups exchanged money and goods, she had her men carry the sacks inside.

Zhu Jiyun’s heart clenched when she spotted a strand of white hair peeking out from one of the sacks.

Without hesitation, she slipped into Lingyan Pavilion and followed the men into a large room on the third floor.

While the pimps were gone, Zhu Jiyun swiftly tore open the sack containing the white-haired woman.

She stared at the back of the woman’s head, hesitated, then dragged her around to face her.

Thank goodness, it’s not her.

Zhu Jiyun’s breath rushed out in relief.

But…

She stared at the still somewhat familiar face.

Gongye Yuan?

Is she a woman?

When Zhu Jiyun looked closer at Gongye Yuan’s white hair, she realized it was nothing like her Master’s naturally soft, smooth, and silky frost-like hair. This was premature graying!

There were still strands of black hair mixed in!

Zhu Jiyun was speechless.

What was I even thinking? Master is in Kangtuo, not here. Besides, with Master’s incredible martial prowess, how could she possibly encounter such a situation?

Calming down, Zhu Jiyun felt rather foolish.

She covered her trembling hand, which slowly stilled, her lips pressed into a sharp, thin line.

I’ve lost my composure.

The strands of hair that fell over Zhu Jiyun’s cold expression momentarily obscured her dark eyes, making them appear deep and unreadable.

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