After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 24

With more pressing matters at hand, Zhu Jiyun refused to let herself be consumed by her emotions.

She reached down and shoved the person beneath her without hesitation. “Since you’re awake, stop pretending.”

Then, she rose smoothly and pushed Gongye Yuan’s head off her body with a clean, decisive motion. She didn’t even flinch at the soft thud as it hit the ground.

After speaking, Zhu Jiyun glanced at the locked door and the unconscious women sprawled across the floor. She raised her hand and cast a small barrier to prevent any sound from escaping.

Gongye Yuan’s head throbbed. She coughed painfully twice, then slowly opened her eyes. When she recognized the person standing above her, she realized it was the beautiful woman she had glimpsed six years ago in Stone Water Town, Liulan Mountain.

“So it’s you, Fellow Daoist,” she said with a sigh of relief. “Though you may be beautiful, your heart is so cruel.”

That shove to my head was way too forceful!

Zhu Jiyun’s face remained expressionless. She scoffed coldly, “I never imagined a notorious playboy would turn out to be a delicate young woman.”

Even in this situation, Gongye Yuan couldn’t resist teasing. “Who says a delicate young woman can’t wear men’s clothes?”

As she spoke, she knew Fellow Daoist Zhu wouldn’t offer her a hand. So she wriggled slowly until she was leaning against the wall.

Zhu Jiyun lifted her robes and crouched before Gongye Yuan, her gaze fixed on his pale face. She narrowed her eyes and asked, knowing the answer, “I’ve heard the Fan Shui Sect has the Twin Paragons of the Gongye Clan, said to be the two most outstanding disciples of the sect’s new generation. I wonder, are you the Eldest Young Master Gongye or the Second Young Master?”

Gongye Yuan smiled modestly. “Young Master or not, Fellow Daoist, you can just call me Gongye Yuan.”

Zhu Jiyun’s smile was ambiguous. “So you’re the Second Young Master.”

In her previous life, she had never known that Gongye Heng’s younger brother, Gongye Yuan, was actually a woman.

Zhu Jiyun’s memories of Gongye Yuan were vague, but she knew a bit about Gongye Heng.

The reason was simple: Gongye Heng had been a significant male supporting character in the original novel.

At this time, the Human Realm was divided into three kingdoms. Gongye Heng hailed from the Gongye Clan of the Chen Kingdom, which bordered the Great Undertaking. As one of Chen Kingdom’s most prestigious clans, with centuries of history and countless resources, its members found it easier than others to rise to high positions in the Human Realm or to uncover the secrets of Spirit Awakening and pursue immortality.

Yet this ancient and powerful clan was bound by countless feudal customs. They valued legitimate heirs over illegitimate children, favored men over women, and maintained a strict hierarchy.

This was the norm in the Human Realm.

Unfortunately, Gongye Heng was a son born out of wedlock, and the eldest one at that.

But even the most talented illegitimate son couldn’t compare to the importance of a dissolute, unambitious legitimate son.

So, this man, constantly suppressed and looked down upon, gradually lost his mind.

He became even more petty and prideful than the Male Lead.

Moreover, in the Cultivation World, strength reigned supreme. Because of his natural talent and relentless effort, Gongye Heng’s cultivation was impressive. He scorned anyone weaker than him, even believing that those with lower cultivation deserved to be bullied. After all, why didn’t they strive for more?

How did Zhu Jiyun know all this?

During a Secret Realm Trial in her past life, Zhu Jiyun had accidentally crossed paths with him. She was speechless at his arrogant, skyward-tilted gaze and his presumptuous demand that she “know her place and move aside.”

A fight ensued, forging a bitter rivalry between them.

Zhu Jiyun could only curse her bad luck!

Though this important Male supporting character would later develop feelings for the Female Lead, fate had already chosen the Male Lead as its favored son. Thus, Gongye Heng remained merely a significant foil.

His arrogance and insolence after gaining power served to highlight the Male Lead’s noble character and magnanimity, despite his high position and authority.

Anyone who has lived a life of smooth sailing, free from oppression and showered with respect, would naturally have their youthful malice smoothed away.

No wonder the Male Lead could become so magnanimous and benevolent.

Zhu Jiyun’s smile was a little cold.

As for why Gongye Yuan was cross-dressing as a man, it wasn’t hard to guess, given the Cultivation World’s emphasis on seniority and gender bias.

Zhu Jiyun stood up.

Gongye Yuan hurriedly called out, “Hey, Fellow Daoist! I can tell you’re here on a mission to the Human Realm. Could you do me a favor? Name your price!”

Zhu Jiyun looked at her. “What kind of favor?”

Gongye Yuan’s face lit up. “Do you happen to have any Spring Return Pills on you? My spiritual power is completely drained, and I’ve taken a few injuries. I’m too weak to even lift a finger. I just need a Spring Return Pill to recover a bit.”

“Of course I do,” Zhu Jiyun said. “Two thousand mid-grade spirit stones.”

Gongye Yuan choked.

That’s outrageous!

In the Cultivation World, even a mid-grade Spring Return Pill would only cost twenty mid-grade spirit stones. This was highway robbery!

Zhu Jiyun said, “If you’re not buying, I’m leaving.”

She turned to walk away again.

Gongye Yuan gritted her teeth and called out, “I’ll buy it!”

Then she added, “But I don’t have that many spirit stones on me.”

Zhu Jiyun said calmly, “No problem. Just write an IOU (means “I owe you”).”

Gongye Yuan’s smile vanished. “I’ll write the IOU right away!”

She tore off a piece of cloth, making two copies. Halfway through writing, she looked up. “I haven’t asked your name yet, Fellow Daoist.”

“Zhu Jiyun.”

The brush paused. Gongye Yuan’s smile returned. “So you’re a disciple of the Immortal Venerable.”

“Another word of idle chatter, and the price goes up by a thousand.”

Gongye Yuan fell silent.

Shut up!

You’re a disciple of the Immortal Venerable. Why are you so short on spirit stones? This is highway robbery!

After finishing the IOU, she smiled sweetly. “Thank you, Fellow Daoist Zhu.”

As Zhu Jiyun left, she tossed Gongye Yuan a cloth pouch.

Gongye Yuan opened it to find a high-grade Spring Return Pill. She’d expected a mid-grade one.

Even a high-grade Spring Return Pill only cost two hundred spirit stones on the market!

Gritting her teeth, she swallowed the pill in one gulp.

*****

After leaving Lingyan Pavilion, Zhu Jiyun checked the surrounding area. She discovered that only inside the pavilion did Senior Brother Chen’s belongings grow noticeably warmer.

So she returned to Lingyan Pavilion.

She found a private room and stayed there alone. During the day, Lingyan Pavilion seemed unremarkable, so she decided to wait until nightfall.

The pavilion was empty and somewhat desolate during the day. But as the sun set and darkness fell, the streets outside buzzed with life. Inside, laughter and flirtatious chatter echoed through the halls, and a cloying fragrance filled the air.

Zhu Jiyun sat in an empty room on the third floor, quietly watching the revelry in the main hall below through a crack in the window.

Then she saw a familiar face.

Zhao Qianfan.

He wasn’t alone. Beside him stood a male cultivator who clearly seemed unfamiliar with the surroundings.

Zhao Qianfan was leading him to a seat when several flowerlike girls leaned against his shoulders, giggling and greeting him like a regular customer.

Zhu Jiyun’s gaze shifted to Zhao Qianfan’s somewhat awkward companion.

She recognized him. To be precise, they had crossed paths a few times. She didn’t know much about him, only that this Senior Brother was considered quite talented among his peers. With his aptitude and diligent cultivation, he was destined for no ordinary future.

Zhu Jiyun thought of Senior Brother Chen, the person she was looking for.

Senior Brother Chen… he seemed to be one of the most outstanding disciples in their cohort, along with Senior Sister Huang.

They had gathered this information while searching for Senior Brother Chen and Senior Sister Huang’s personal belongings after accepting their mission.

Thinking of the young cultivators who had gone missing in the Human Realm in recent years, Zhu Jiyun frowned. She couldn’t draw any firm conclusions, as their knowledge was limited to the Qingmiao Sect. With its relatively small number of members, it was impossible to discern any patterns.

With this in mind, Zhu Jiyun returned to the room where she had seen Gongye Yuan earlier that morning.

He was still there, and his spiritual power had even recovered slightly. He had set up a small barrier.

“Fellow Daoist Zhu?” Gongye Yuan opened his eyes, surprised.

Zhu Jiyun nodded. “I have a question for you.”

Gongye Yuan smiled warmly. “Of course, of course.”

Zhu Jiyun looked up and asked, “In recent years, has the Fan Shui Sect had any disciples sent on missions to the Human Realm who have failed to return?”

Gongye Yuan recalled. “Yes, there have been some.”

Zhu Jiyun pressed, “Do you remember any of them?”

“I don’t know them,” Gongye Yuan said. “But I do know two people who came to the Human Realm a while back. It’s been about two years since I last saw them. I wonder if they haven’t returned or if I just haven’t run into them.”

Zhu Jiyun asked in a low voice, “Are these two people very young? Were they considered exceptionally talented among their peers?”

Gongye Yuan was slightly surprised. “How did you guess that?”

Could it be because she sees how talented I am? So she assumes anyone I know must be equally outstanding?

Zhu Jiyun looked at her. “That’s classified.”

Then she turned and left without another word.

Gongye Yuan stared after her. “……”

What a heartless beauty!

Oh no! I forgot to ask for my consultation fee!

After questioning Gongye Yuan, Zhu Jiyun immediately left Lingyan Pavilion. She cast a spell to transform herself into a handsome man who looked moderately wealthy, then strode confidently back inside.

“Oh my! Is this your first time here, Young Master?”

“Young Master, you’re so handsome!”

“Come, come, Young Master, this way please.”

Madam Xu, who was greeting guests at the entrance, saw Zhu Jiyun and her eyes lit up. She swayed her hips as she approached, warmly welcoming him.

Zhu Jiyun chuckled softly, tossing Madam Xu a pouch with a casual flourish. “Arrange a private seat for me on the first floor,” she said, not refusing.

Madam Xu hefted the pouch, her smile growing even warmer. “Qingdai, quickly show this young master to a private seat!”

As soon as she gave the order, a woman in a sheer green dress, her features delicate and charming, glided forward from behind her. Her voice, like the song of a nightingale, chimed, “Young Master, please follow me this way.”

Zhu Jiyun followed her, watching as the woman leading the way drew closer and closer, almost leaning against her. Yet her expression remained unchanged, her smile unwavering.

The moment she settled into her seat, Qingdai began pouring wine, a fragrant breeze wafting from her sleeves as she raised her arm.

With Qingdai’s soft body pressed against her side, Zhu Jiyun slowly sipped the wine, her gaze drifting to Zhao Qianfan, who was surrounded by three or four women.

Qingdai, her cheeks flushed, followed Zhu Jiyun’s gaze and pouted slightly. “What is Young Master looking at?” she asked softly. “Am I not serving you well enough?”

Zhu Jiyun didn’t answer directly. Instead, she asked, “Why does that young master over there have several exquisite women attending him, while I only have you?”

Qingdai thought Zhu Jiyun was envious. Her beautiful eyes flickered as she giggled, “If Young Master comes often, Qingdai can invite some of my sisters to serve you too.”

Zhu Jiyun smiled. “Even that clueless fellow beside him has two girls fawning over him.”

Two to one? I’m still short.

Qingdai shot her a playful glare, her voice soft and sweet. “Young Master Zhao is handsome and refined, with an extraordinary presence. His guests are always very popular!”

“Oh? Is that so?” A faint flicker of light crossed Zhu Jiyun’s eyes. She lifted Qingdai’s delicate chin with her folding fan and murmured, “Am I not as handsome as him? Not as dashing and charming?”

Meeting those deep, affectionate eyes that seemed to brim with longing, Qingdai’s gaze melted into a pool of spring water. She murmured dreamily, “Of course you’re far more handsome than him.”

Not just more handsome than Young Master Zhao, but more handsome than all his friends too.

At home, I’m Master’s obedient disciple.

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