Dreaming with My Aloof Master - Chapter 1

“Disciple, I beg you… faster… hah… too fast.”

The aloof Immortal Venerable’s breath came in shallow gasps. The aphrodisiac poison had seeped into his blood, forcing him to utter the very same filth he had once despised.

“How can Master’s words be so contradictory? Weren’t you just saying you’d rather stab yourself than ask for my help?” Xiao Xuanqing’s voice was low and raspy as he pressed his fingers into the wound. “Only hope Master holds on tighter, lest I fall.”

“You wretched disciple! How dare you be so disrespectful!”

The wound’s placement was exquisite. Fresh blood traced a path down Xiao Xuanqing’s pale fingertips, clinging to them. The sticky ache at his waist forced Lu Qinghuai’s consciousness back to the surface.

He closed his eyes, his lids trembling as he shamefully averted his gaze from that undisguised, burning stare.

Lu Qinghuai possessed the bearing of a high immortal, yet a single red mole at the corner of his eye softened his austere detachment. Now, under the dual assault of desire and humiliation, that red mole looked like blood splattered on fresh snow.

Xiao Xuanqing found the sight utterly captivating. He chuckled softly, seized the other man’s chin, and forced his mouth open, stirring his blood-stained fingertips inside.

As he withdrew, a glistening silver thread stretched between them. He then pressed his lips against those already swollen and reddened.

“Master, we are bound tightly from top to bottom.” Xiao Xuanqing paused, his eyelashes fluttering as he looked up. His gaze was devout yet devoid of true emotion, his beauty breathtakingly vivid.

 Lu Qinghuai’s face paled as he read the heavy desire in the other’s eyes. He struggled to escape.

But Xiao Xuanqing gave him no chance. He raised his hand, lifting Lu Qinghuai’s waist even higher, then abruptly let go. As a muffled groan of both pain and pleasure echoed in his ear, Xiao Xuanqing sneered, “This disciple has ‘uplifted’ his Master with the utmost respect.”

Closing Arrogant Immortal Venerable, Lu Qinghuai, lying in the hospital bed, clenched the pages. Anger surged in his usually cool eyes.

“Brother, brother, brother! Is it especially good, right?”

The pink-haired high school student in the next bed, hearing the commotion, had his eyes shining through the curtain separating them.

Lu Qinghuai enunciated each word: “Good. Right.”

Pink Hair hadn’t noticed anything unusual yet and continued muttering to herself, “Brother, you have the same name as the villainous master, and even the red mole at the corner of your eye is exactly as described in the book. It must be so much more immersive when you read it.”

She couldn’t help but clutch her chest, her eyes filled with longing. “The ultimate villain, the only rival who can compete with the protagonist. This feeling of mutual love and hate is truly captivating for book fans.”

Shua—

The curtain separating them was abruptly pulled open. Lu Qinghuai threw the book into Pink Hair’s arms and said coldly, “Mutual love and hate? Hate each other all the way to bed?” 

The temperature in the hospital room seemed to plummet. Pink Hair shuddered, but the thrill of a successful recommendation quickly overpowered any other feeling. “Bro, I told you your ideas were old-fashioned! Fighting has no boundaries. Quick, let me read my favorite part to you.”

Pink Hair skillfully flipped to the page and began reading with great interest, “Xiao Xuanqing pinned Lu Qinghuai against the mirror, forcing him to carefully.”

“Ah! I’m sorry, Bro!” Pink Hair wailed, suddenly understanding why Lu Qinghuai’s expression had soured after reading the book. “This is fanfiction! I grabbed the wrong one because the covers are identical. Bro, Bro, Bro, don’t walk away so fast! The original is just a typical dog-blood counterattack novel!”

Pink Hair’s voice still echoed behind him as Lu Qinghuai strode downstairs, his jaw clenched so tight he nearly crushed his own teeth. I can’t believe I fell for it. I actually read the whole thing.

Twelve Volumes of Erotic Books! Each volume is a masterpiece of smut!

That’s what had led to the opening scene.

An unnamed fire burned in his heart, making him walk faster than usual. Suddenly, a familiar crushing sensation seized his chest. The pain drained his strength, and he slumped uncontrollably against a magnolia tree by the path.

For a moment, pure white petals scattered like falling stars. They drifted over Lu Qinghuai’s exceptionally beautiful eyes as his vision went black, and he lost consciousness.

*****

 “Cough—”

A suffocating pressure seized his throat, forcing Lu Qinghuai awake. He opened his eyes to meet a pair of crimson pupils, brimming with sadistic pleasure.

For a fleeting moment, he saw the round pupils slit into vertical lines, like a snake’s.

A bone-chilling cold surged through his entire body.

Who is this? He’s trying to kill me!

Lu Qinghuai desperately tried to grab the youth’s wrist, but it was like an ant trying to shake a tree. He couldn’t muster a shred of strength; instead, his struggle only made the grip on his throat tighten.

His vision began to fade to black. A faint, warm glow emanated from the youth’s slightly open collar, momentarily dazzling Lu Qinghuai. It was an ink-black jade pendant, entwined with a blood-red snake.

Though the fanfiction was sparse on plot, it had never been stingy with descriptions of Xiao Xuanqing’s jade pendant:

[Lu Qinghuai was forced to open his mouth as a cool jade pendant was shoved inside. He could even feel the sinister pulse of the blood-snake jade core. He tried to push it out with his tongue, but Xiao Xuanqing only pushed the pendant deeper, maliciously stifling every one of his Master’s whimpers.]

As he felt his life slowly slipping away, Lu Qinghuai couldn’t understand why he was enduring this, but he knew he had to gamble.

He managed to squeeze out four words: “Xuanqing, wake up.”

Xiao Xuanqing’s fingertips unconsciously traced the pulsing vein beneath his hand, feeling its vibrant thrum. Just a little more force, and he could take the other man’s life.

 He seemed amused by the intimate yet unfamiliar name “Xuanqing,” his striking brows arching slightly.

The next moment, the constraint on Lu Qinghuai’s neck loosened. He collapsed onto the bed, gasping for air, his chest heaving violently.

Simultaneously, a flood of memories surged into his mind—the true original text of Arrogant Immortal Venerable:

The protagonist, Xiao Xuanqing, was an orphan born with a demonic root. At eighteen, Immortal Venerable Qinghuai rescued him from villains and took him in as his disciple.

With countless opportunities and his own unwavering perseverance, Xiao Xuanqing rose to become the most powerful cultivator in the Cultivation World. He vanquished evil and championed the good, earning the adoration of the common people. Everything seemed to be heading toward the standard “underdog-to-hero” ending typical of male-oriented web novels.

But Arrogant Immortal Venerable became a bestseller precisely because of its melodramatic plot, the kind that made readers swear at the book while being unable to put it down.

In the second half of the story, Immortal Venerable Qinghuai’s true nature was revealed. He had secretly manipulated every one of Xiao Xuanqing’s fortunes, propelling him to the highest peak only to orchestrate his devastating fall.

He even staged a dramatic scene before the world, painting himself as the victim of his disciple’s rebellion and assassination attempt.

In an instant, righteous fury consumed the public. They spontaneously gathered and besieged Xiao Xuanqing’s sanctuary.

“How pitiful that Immortal Venerable Qinghuai, unaware of the truth, was deceived by a demonic creature like you! He took you in as a disciple out of the goodness of his heart and dedicated himself to your growth, only to be left on the brink of death.”

 Just then, someone cried out, “Kill the demon!”

Ten thousand voices echoed in unison: “Kill the demon!”

Xiao Xuanqing was bound by the very people he had once saved, handed over to Immortal Venerable Qinghuai for punishment.

Little did they know that the righteous Immortal Venerable Qinghuai they praised had severed each of Xiao Xuanqing’s fingers one by one before chaining him in a pitch-black water dungeon.

The youth, drenched in blood and immersed in bone-chilling ice water, let his long hair fall forward. His eyes held a faint, mocking disdain. “Master, the world says you are ‘devoted to your disciple.’ If you want them, I will offer them up with both hands.”

The next day, the pool was filled with blood and scattered flesh.

[Ding! Binding complete. Host, please adapt to your current identity: The villainous master from Arrogant Immortal Venerable.]

The massive influx of information flooded Lu Qinghuai’s mind, causing a splitting headache. But the situation left no room for thought. The person before him was being controlled by demonic energy. If he couldn’t suppress it immediately, he would surely die at Xiao Xuanqing’s hands today.

The novel’s ending left Lu Qinghuai trembling with lingering fear. Though the details were left unwritten, Xiao Xuanqing had somehow managed to destroy the original host—and even himself—in the most brutal way possible, all while his cultivation was completely sealed by the original host.

 This only proved that Xiao Xuanqing was a complete and utter madman.

In an instant, Lu Qinghuai made his decision. He reached out to probe Xiao Xuanqing’s spiritual platform, his powerful spiritual energy surging with a murderous intent.

If I want to live, he must die!

Seeing Lu Qinghuai’s move, Xiao Xuanqing’s eyes glinted with amusement. He allowed the spiritual energy to invade his spiritual platform, like a snake nonchalantly toying with its prey—releasing its fangs only to tighten its coils for the kill.

[Warning: Host, if the protagonist dies, the entire world will collapse immediately. You will be directly erased.]

Suddenly, a sharp pain pierced Lu Qinghuai’s heart. An uncontrollable sense of impending death swept through his entire body.

His bamboo-straight back buckled slightly from the pain as he struggled to support himself against the edge of the bed.

I can’t kill the protagonist… Lu Qinghuai felt a pang of regret as he looked up at Xiao Xuanqing. The young man appeared to be seventeen or eighteen, it was hard to imagine that he would one day grow to become the most powerful figure in the Cultivation World.

Right, everything in the novel hasn’t happened yet. If I can make the protagonist trust and rely on me, perhaps there’s still a glimmer of hope for the ending.

Restraining his killing intent, Lu Qinghuai’s lips turned pale. His voice trembled with feigned heartache: “Xuanqing, has the demonic energy invaded your body again?”

The pain in his heart vanished instantly.

The System’s piercing warning came to an abrupt halt.

 Xiao Xuanqing felt the warm, soft touch against him. His gaze traveled up from the other man’s hand, settling on the clearly visible red marks on his pale, fragile neck.

The prolonged lack of oxygen and coughing had left the corners of Lu Qinghuai’s eyes flushed red and glistening with tears, making him look like a rag doll that had been brutally toyed with. The red mole at the corner of his eye, where it met the bridge of his nose, only added to his fragility, effortlessly stirring an uncontrollable urge to torment him.

Lowering his long eyelashes, Xiao Xuanqing concealed the violent glint in his eyes. “This disciple’s crime is unforgivable. My demonic energy spiraled out of control, and I dared to harm Master.”

He then knelt, putting on an air of profound gratitude. “Master, your kindness is immeasurable, and this disciple has no way to repay it. Only the demonic root can aid in cultivation. Please, Master, dig it out for me.”

A flicker of mad, ecstatic fire danced in Xiao Xuanqing’s eyes. For a fleeting moment, the image of his Master swallowing the demonic root and exploding in his past life seemed to unfold before him—a spectacle as brilliant as fireworks.

Lu Qinghuai had no idea that the person before him was no longer the Xiao Xuanqing he once knew, but a reborn, blackened Xiao Xuanqing who possessed the peak cultivation from his previous life.

If I want the protagonist to trust me, how can I simply obey his words? I must treat him with utmost kindness. Lu Qinghuai summoned his spiritual energy, intending to expel the demonic energy from Xiao Xuanqing’s body.

 “Hmm.”

Hearing the muffled groan, Xiao Xuanqing’s cold, pale wrist was gripped tightly. A thin layer of lust and killing intent flashed in his eyes. “Master, what are you trying to do?”

“This Master…”

Lu Qinghuai’s fingertips trembled. He was new to the Cultivation World and still unfamiliar with using spiritual energy. That last move had been nearly identical to the spiritual intercourse of dual cultivation. An indescribable, melting weakness instantly swept through his body. Even he, at the moment of contact, felt his mind go blank, almost unable to think. This meant the other party was experiencing the same pleasure.

His voice trailed off, as if he were truly considering Xiao Xuanqing’s situation: “Without your demonic root, you cannot survive alone. This Master merely wishes to help you control your demonic energy.”

After a long moment, Lu Qinghuai felt the oppressive aura invading him slowly recede. His body relaxed. “Then I shall trouble Master.”

“It is no trouble.”

Forcing himself to steady his mind, Lu Qinghuai tried to avoid the spiritual platform, only to find his divine sense enveloped by the other’s powerful divine sense. His brow furrowed slightly, and large beads of sweat formed on his forehead, trickling down his sharp chin.

How could it be this painful?

Within Xiao Xuanqing’s spiritual platform, Lu Qinghuai’s divine sense had become a lamb awaiting slaughter. Without the slightest mercy, his divine sense was repeatedly torn apart and shattered, then forced to heal, over and over again.

 A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Lu Qinghuai’s lips.

But… now is the best time to build Xiao Xuanqing’s trust.

He forced himself to pull the other man into his arms, pouring spiritual energy into him without reserve. “Xuanqing, so this is what it’s like to be plagued by demonic energy day and night… This Master never knew you suffered such torment…”

Searing pain swept through every inch of his internal organs. Lu Qinghuai’s lips turned pale as he finally lost consciousness.

Xiao Xuanqing lowered his gaze, looking down at the man in his arms with an expressionless face.

Demonic energy surged from Xiao Xuanqing’s fingertips, obediently nuzzling against his finger pads. Following his silent command, it dove into the unconscious man’s forehead, gnawing at his divine soul.

Even in his faint, Lu Qinghuai curled up in agony, his consciousness blurring into a low murmur. Xiao Xuanqing leaned closer, the man’s warm breath brushing against his ear.

“Xuanqing… it doesn’t hurt… This Master will bear it for you.”

Xiao Xuanqing’s pupils constricted. He sneered, “Nothing but a deceptive illusion.”

The demonic energy leaped out of Lu Qinghuai’s forehead, seemingly dissatisfied with its master’s recall, and continued to linger nearby.

Just as it was about to find another opportunity to slip back into the spiritual platform and torment him again, a slender hand snatched it. With a slight squeeze, the energy shrieked and vanished into ash.

Xiao Xuanqing’s voice was ice-cold: “Do not touch him without my permission.”

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