After the Demon Lord was Reborn, She Switched to a Master-Disciple Romance Script - Chapter 36

Zhu Jiyun’s calm question froze all the turmoil in Xun Juexue’s heart.

Xun Juexue looked up, her gaze colliding unguardedly with Zhu Jiyun’s deep, ink-black eyes. After a moment, she offered a defense: “It’s not that I dislike it.”

A flicker of understanding crossed Zhu Jiyun’s brow. “Then it’s because of the rules.”

Xun Juexue fell silent.

In that moment, silence was an admission.

Zhu Jiyun’s expression softened. A gentle curve touched her lips as she spoke softly, “But Master, haven’t I shown you respect? The standard for judgment shouldn’t be those empty rules everyone repeats, but you.”

“Everything right and wrong should be decided by your heart.”

A harmless smile bloomed on Zhu Jiyun’s dazzlingly beautiful face as she asked softly, “Master, isn’t that right?”

Silence hung heavy in the air.

After a long pause, Xun Juexue moved.

“You’re right.”

She gave Zhu Jiyun a deep look before withdrawing her gaze, her voice as cool and clear as ever. “I need to speak with your Martial Aunt. You may return now.”

With that, she turned and left.

Zhu Jiyun watched her Master descend the mountain, a smile lingering on her face.

Her Master’s retreating figure remained ethereal as a celestial being, still impossible to look away from.

Yet Zhu Jiyun sensed a hint of escape in her retreating figure.

Has she realized my aggressive intentions? Zhu Jiyun raised an eyebrow, lost in thought.

“Senior Sister, what brings you here?”

Ning Huaizhu was mildly surprised to see Xun Juexue at the Profound Cloud Courtyard. She instinctively rose, her voice tinged with concern. “Has something happened with the Malignant Qi again?”

Xun Juexue paused. “It’s not about the Malignant Qi.”

Ning Huaizhu sighed in relief. “Then what brings you here, Senior Sister?”

It wasn’t an unreasonable question. Senior Sister never visited her unless there was a pressing matter.

Xun Juexue asked, “How are the arrangements for the Secret Realm Trial progressing?”

Ning Huaizhu blinked in confusion. “Senior Sister, since when have you been concerned with these matters?”

In all the centuries they’d known each other, she’d never seen Senior Sister take an interest in such affairs.

But then the reason dawned on her. “Is this about your concern for our Martial Niece’s participation in the Secret Realm Trial? Don’t worry, Senior Sister. With her abilities, she’ll undoubtedly progress smoothly and gain significant benefits from this trial.”

I understand. This was Senior Sister’s first time taking on a disciple. It’s only natural she’d dote on her student and worry enough to ask.

Just like when Ning Huaizhu had first taken Cheng Ruo as her disciple. Still caught up in the novelty, she had cherished her first disciple like a precious treasure for quite some time.

As for now?

Isn’t it only right for a disciple to share their master’s burdens and solve their problems?

With this thought, Ning Huaizhu smiled at Xun Juexue, her eyes brimming with satisfaction. “It seems insisting the World take a disciple was the right choice after all. Senior Sister has become so much more human.”

Of course, it wasn’t that Senior Sister had ever been cold or inhuman. After all, she had always treated Huaizhu very well.

But since taking a disciple, Senior Sister was clearly different. She no longer retreated to Forgotten Solitude Peak for years at a time, never seeing anyone. Over time, she had developed an unapproachable, ethereal aura.

In recent years, with someone by her side, the loneliness that had clung to Senior Sister had noticeably diminished.

Huaizhu had come here because she was feeling flustered and instinctively wanted to avoid her disciple. Yet the moment she arrived at Profound Cloud Courtyard, her junior sister brought up the little disciple again.

Xun Juexue couldn’t help but ask, “Do you think this change is for the better or worse?”

Ning Huaizhu replied without hesitation, “Is there even a question? Of course it’s for the better! Senior Sister, you never look in the mirror, do you? You have no idea how much satisfaction shines in your eyes whenever you mention your little disciple.”

“Senior Sister, seeing you so happy these past few years makes my heart truly glad. You’ve taken on such a wonderful disciple. Though you’ve never been one for big emotions, I’m your Junior Sister who’s known you since we were little. Don’t you think I know you well enough? You seem so much happier now.”

Ning Huaizhu slapped the table, the loud bang not bothering her in the slightest. “It’s wonderful!” she exclaimed.

Her Senior Sister had spent centuries alone, but now she finally had a sweet, caring little disciple by her side.

Xun Juexue couldn’t help but agree inwardly. Indeed.

Though Zhu Jiyun often joked about wanting to slack off, she always completed the tasks assigned to her with unwavering dedication.

Zhu Jiyun loved to talk, especially to Xun Juexue. Her earnest, heartfelt words seemed endless, each one warming Xun Juexue’s heart and making her want to treat her even better.

And Zhu Jiyun’s kindness wasn’t just talk. Her thoughtful gestures were always followed through with action.

As Xun Juexue reflected on the past, she began to understand why her disciple had shown such uncharacteristic aggression today.

In her disciple’s eyes, Xun Juexue’s words must have sounded like she was deliberately creating distance between them and their master.

How could she possibly bear such a thing?

Xun Juexue’s thoughts raced, and she quickly pieced together the reasons for Zhu Jiyun’s sudden change of heart.

Having figured it out, she sighed in front of Ning Huaizhu. “I never imagined I’d become someone who clings to rigid rules, unable to adapt.”

“Hmm?” Ning Huaizhu was puzzled by her Senior Sister’s sudden remark. But when she caught a fleeting trace of sadness on Xun Juexue’s face, she fell silent and asked cautiously, “What happened?”

Xun Juexue shook her head, refusing to elaborate.

Seeing this, Ning Huaizhu didn’t press further. Instead, she said, “I’ve already arranged for our Sect to coordinate with the others regarding the Secret Realm Trial. The plans are always similar. Once the time comes, we can send this batch of disciples.”

After briefly explaining the Secret Realm Trial, she shifted the focus to the more pressing matter. “Senior Sister, how’s the Malignant Qi purification going?”

“Two more days, and the Malignant Qi will be gone,” Xun Juexue replied.

Ning Huaizhu’s face lit up. “That’s wonderful!”

She paced excitedly back and forth across the study.

No one knew the anxiety she had felt when she learned the Spirit Medicine was ineffective against her Senior Sister’s condition. Knowing Xun Juexue’s stubborn nature, she knew her Senior Sister wouldn’t ignore the Kangtuo situation for a single day until it was resolved.

But this meant the Malignant Qi posed a grave danger to Senior Sister.

Fortunately, Senior Sister could refine Malignant Qi!

Ning Huaizhu stopped walking, pondering aloud, “I suppose it’s because of your profound cultivation and abundant Spiritual Power that you’ve managed to confine the Malignant Qi to a single point in your spiritual meridian and diligently refine it daily.”

Someone else might not have succeeded.

Xun Juexue glanced at her without rebuttal.

“I plan to return to the Kangtuo border after the Secret Realm Trial begins,” Ning Huaizhu said.

The smile on Ning Huaizhu’s face vanished. Her expression turned grave. “We do need to investigate.”

Sigh, Malignant Qi, Malignant Qi. This cursed Malignant Qi is truly vexing.

“Also,” Xun Juexue paused, voicing her suspicion, “I suspect Wu Hongye is still alive.”

Ning Huaizhu gasped. Her heart leaped. “What do you mean? Didn’t we witness his soul scatter?”

Xun Juexue shook her head.

“What we saw that day was indeed as you describe. But during my recent deep dives into Kangtuo, I discovered Demonic Qi in its depths that resonates with the Demonic Qi still lingering within my body. They share a common origin.”

Ning Huaizhu didn’t know which revelation was more shocking. Her face darkened as she demanded, “Senior Sister, how did Demonic Qi enter your body?”

Xun Juexue explained calmly, “Wu Hongye accidentally injured me back then.”

Ning Huaizhu took a deep breath, but it didn’t help. She still felt furious, her eyes wide with anger. “You never told me about this in all these centuries!”

Xun Juexue paused.

She replied truthfully, “Even if I had told you, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Besides, it’s just some Demonic Qi. I can handle it.”

Ning Huaizhu pointed a trembling finger at her hand, then abruptly withdrew it.

“I’m not talking to you anymore!”

Her head was about to explode. When would her Senior Sister ever stop silently bearing everything alone?

No, she needed to have a serious talk with Zhu Jiyun about this.

As a disciple, she couldn’t control her Master, who was a silent, stubborn type who swallowed all his injuries. But Zhu Jiyun, who was always by her side, might be able to nag her into listening.

Forcing down the anger her Senior Sister had provoked, Ning Huaizhu frowned deeply. “If Wu Hongye really isn’t dead, this situation is extremely troublesome.”

The unstoppable Malignant Qi was already making her anxious. If Wu Hongye were still alive, Ning Huaizhu knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep soundly again.

Xun Juexue’s snow-like eyes gradually narrowed. “When I said he wasn’t dead, I meant his soul hadn’t completely scattered. He must have left something behind in this world.”

Was it a surging stream of Demonic Qi, or an unformed Demonic Thought?

Xun Juexue suspected it was the latter.

“Deep within Kangtuo, there should be Demonic Qi,” Xun Juexue murmured. “That mass of Demonic Qi seems to possess consciousness.”

Demonic Qi capable of evading detection must be under some form of control.

Ning Huaizhu’s expression grew grave. “Whatever it is, we must utterly destroy it.”

Xun Juexue’s voice carried a chilling edge. “Naturally.”

Ning Huaizhu suddenly looked up, her eyes filled with understanding. “So, when you go to Kangtuo next time, you won’t just be observing the perimeter, will you?”

Xun Juexue remained silent.

Ning Huaizhu said, her voice strained, “I understand, Senior Sister. I won’t stop you.”

After seeing her Senior Sister off, Ning Huaizhu quickly formed a Seal Art and sent a message to Zhu Jiyun.

I won’t stop you, but I’ll make sure your obedient disciple keeps a close eye on you!

When Martial Aunt Ning’s Voice Transmission Talisman arrived, Zhu Jiyun was meditating in cultivation.

She opened her eyes and swiftly read through the message. Her beautiful eyebrows slowly furrowed.

Martial Aunt Ning had told her to keep a close eye on Master’s health and to constantly remind Master how much she needed her, even to the point of tearful pleas.

Zhu Jiyun was speechless.

Master must be hiding something from Martial Aunt again.

Zhu Jiyun wasn’t particularly interested in the secret itself, but the implication in Martial Aunt’s words was clear: whatever Master was hiding likely involved her disregard for her own well-being.

This Zhu Jiyun couldn’t tolerate.

For days, a question had been gnawing at her: why had she never seen Master in her previous life?

The implications behind this question, combined with the System’s warnings, forced Zhu Jiyun to take it seriously.

So, when Xun Juexue returned from the Profound Cloud Courtyard, she found her disciple silently weeping, staring at her with tear-filled eyes.

Hesitant, Xun Juexue wondered if she had given her disciple a cold look before leaving.

But when Xun Juexue saw the Communication Talisman in her disciple’s hand, the one reserved for her Junior Sister, she understood.

Understanding brought a rare surge of anger.

How could Junior Sister make this young one worry about me, her own master, every single day?

Zhu Jiyun looked at her Master, who was as radiant as the clear breeze and bright moon, her eyes brimming with tears. “Martial Aunt told me everything.”

So it was true, Xun Juexue thought, her anger simmering.

Zhu Jiyun’s gaze was accusatory. “Does Master have nothing to tell me?”

Like, what’s really wrong with your body?

Besides the Malignant Qi, what else is there?

Master, please, please don’t keep secrets from me.

Zhu Jiyun struggled to suppress the rising malice in her heart. Her expression grew increasingly pitiful under her Master’s silence.

In the early days, Zhu Jiyun had played the role of the dutiful disciple perfectly, always acting sweet and obedient around her Master.

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