I Failed to Reform the Protagonist [Transmigration] - Chapter 12

Pei Jing had been at Yinghui Peak for several days now. He had integrated perfectly, playing the role of the unpopular youth who had gotten in through the “back door.”

This particular foray into the mortal world hadn’t yielded much of an experience perhaps because his opponents were too weak, and he was too strong.

One morning, the class was held at the front of the schoolroom as usual. The Elder was lecturing on herbal lore, speaking of rare flora and peerless elixirs.

Bored to tears, Pei Jing simply lowered his head, leaned against the desk, and took a sheet of paper to fold origami cranes.

By the time his hands were full of tiny paper cranes, he suddenly heard Elder Cao speak slowly: “By my count, it has been five days since you joined Yunxiao. In five days, you should have grasped some of the basics of the cultivation world. According to the traditions of Yinghui Peak, I should lead you down the mountain for a trial in the coming days. However, this time, there are matters within the peak that I must handle personally. Therefore, I am changing the rules.”

“We can go down the mountain?” A group of disciples instantly perked up, their eyes shining.

Elder Cao ignored their joyful gazes and continued: “This time, the location of the trial is the Yunlan Mountain Range. It is neither too close nor too far. I will dispatch several Senior Brothers to protect you and assign specific tasks. You will form groups of five and look out for one another. I will check your results in half a month.”

Pei Jing was also taken aback and looked up. The Yunlan Mountain Range—finally, something more than just child’s play. This mountain range had existed for at least a thousand years, and many powerful demon beasts lurked in its depths. However, as a trial ground for beginners, they would likely only be allowed to roam the outer perimeter.

The disciples could hardly contain their joy, whispering and exchanging information about the Yunlan Mountains. The once-stagnant schoolroom instantly became lively.

Elder Cao coughed, interrupting the clamor. Once everyone was quiet, he flicked his fly-whisk and said slowly: “The world outside the mountains is not unfamiliar to you, but this time, you are descending with a brand-new identity. Previously, you were mortals, the weak; now, you are cultivators, disciples of Yunxiao. You go down the mountain with the mission of slaying demons and maintaining the order of the world. Do you understand?”

The roomful of disciples responded in unison: “We understand!”

Elder Cao said, “Pack your things. We depart this afternoon.”

As soon as the class was dismissed, Pei Jing proactively sought out Chu Junyu, enthusiastically extending an olive branch: “How about the two of us form a group?”

Chu Junyu sat in his seat, dressed in blue and white robes with a white jade crown. His features were aloof as he gave Pei Jing a cold look.

Immediately after Pei Jing, a large wave of people swarmed over, rushing to recruit Chu Junyu into their parties, everyone talking at once.

“Brother Chu, why not join us? We just need one more to make five.”

“Junyu-xiong, look at me! All four of us in my group are at the seventh level of Qi Refining. If you join us, it’ll be a powerhouse team!”

Some were even calling him “Big Brother.”

“Brother Chu, don’t listen to their nonsense. What’s the big deal about the seventh level of Qi Refining? Their martial skills are lacking; they’ll definitely struggle against demon beasts!”

“Big Brother! I was with you during the first round of the Yunxiao selection, remember me?!”

“Brother, Brother, Brother…”

Swallowed by the tide of people and quickly pushed away from the center, Pei Jing’s mouth twitched. Cluck, cluck, cluck—they sound like a bunch of hens laying eggs.

He pushed through the crowd again, popping his head out to stand in front of Chu Junyu. Turning to face the crowd, he declared, “Could you guys clear off? I already said I’m in a group with Chu Junyu. Two people are enough!”

“Get lost! What does this have to do with you!” The crowd glared at him, unable to understand what this “connected” guy was so smug about.

At that moment, Chu Junyu stood up. Everyone’s eyes lit up, ignoring Pei Jing entirely as they waited breathlessly for his decision. But Chu Junyu ignored everyone, grabbed Pei Jing, and walked straight out.

The crowd: “…”

Being led away, Pei Jing felt a mix of amusement and triumph. His first reaction was to turn back and make a face at the stunned crowd, then he waved cheerily and boasted, “Know why he chose me?”

Amidst glares that could kill, he smiled meaningfully: “Because I can take on five by myself.”

The crowd: “…” They were so angry they couldn’t speak.

If you can take on five and don’t need teammates, then give Chu Junyu to us!

Leaving the schoolroom, Pei Jing wasn’t quite as arrogant. On the way back to Xiuya Grotto, he had a slight smile on his lips as he peeked at Chu Junyu. The more he thought about it, the more he felt the kid had performed well today.

The path was narrow, and the plants were wet with dew.

Pei Jing remembered the stack of tiny paper cranes in his sleeve. He squeezed them in his palm, balled his hand into a fist, and held it out to Chu Junyu. “How about I show you a magic trick?”

Chu Junyu looked down at his hand and then looked away. “I don’t want to see it.”

Pei Jing opened his fingers. “You’re seeing it whether you want to or not.”

The moment his fingers spread, a cluster of white light bloomed in his palm. The paper cranes seemed to take on actual life, their wings shimmering with silver starlight as they flew into the air.

In the misty mountain forest and under the thin layers of sunlight, they became flowing light and shifting shadows. It was breathtakingly beautiful.

Chu Junyu watched all of this with a cold gaze.

Beside him, Pei Jing smiled. “Pretty, right?”

Chu Junyu didn’t answer. He reached out; his fingers were pale and bloodless, slender and stiff. A paper crane landed on his fingertip.

Pei Jing let out a soft laugh. “Tell me the truth, you actually consider me a friend in your heart, don’t you? Otherwise, why would you have chosen me today?”

Chu Junyu tilted his head.

The youth before him was used to tying his hair with a simple grass rope. His eyes were slightly round with large pupils, and when he smiled, he gave off an exceptionally warm and refreshing feeling. Every smile overlapped with a certain scene in the rain. Bright as ever.

“Is that right? Hehe, don’t be shy. Being friends with me isn’t something to be ashamed of! I’ve been popular in our village since I was a kid; a whole crowd of people used to chase after me every day.” (Even if they were chasing me to beat me up.)

Chu Junyu smiled. The paper crane on his fingertip instantly turned into ash—silver flecks floating in the air bit by bit.

He lowered his gaze and said, “You will regret it.”

Pei Jing was taken-back. “Regret what?”

Chu Junyu gave him a brief smile. His usual cold mask seemed only to be suppressing something beneath. That fleeting smile made Pei Jing once again sense the danger he had felt when they first met.

The light-colored eyes were like shattered glass. Behind the indifference, violence and bloodlust struggled to break free.

He leaned in and said, “Regretting getting close to me, approaching me…” …and even letting me in.