Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 11

Lin Qingge carried her sword on her back and was escorted to the main peak by Mu Ling before dawn.

Mu Ling felt somewhat nervous, as if she were a poor parent sending her child to kindergarten for the very first time.

However, the “kindergarten principal,” Comrade Zhao Yunshi, was even more diligent than the master-disciple pair. By the time Mu Ling arrived, Zhao Yunshi had already finished a swift and fierce sword routine.

Unfortunately, this “principal” was notoriously strict and not one for gentle guidance.

“Come earlier tomorrow!”

Upon seeing Mu Ling and her disciple, Zhao Yunshi didn’t bother with pleasantries. She casually snapped off a tree branch, swung it a few times with rough simplicity, tossed it to the ground, clapped her hands, and leisurely retreated into her room, shutting the door behind her.

Mu Ling and her little disciple exchanged bewildered glances.

Mu Ling, who had at least some experience with swordsmanship, was about to demonstrate a few moves for her disciple when Zhao Yunshi’s icy voice rang out from inside the room: “Peak Master Mu may return to her peak!”

The message was clear. Zhao Yunshi didn’t want Mu Ling helping her disciple!

With a sigh, Mu Ling could only drag her feet back to her own Qingbo Peak, glancing back every few steps. The entire day, she felt restless, and even her favorite snacks seemed to have lost their flavor. She fully experienced the anxiety of a parent sending their child off to kindergarten for the first time.

Finally, when the sun dipped below the horizon, Mu Ling waited for her little disciple to return. Yet, the girl’s cold expression gave no hint of what she had endured that day.

That night, however, Mu Ling discovered that her disciple had stayed up all night, secretly practicing swordplay until dawn.

The following days followed a similar pattern.

Mu Ling knew about her disciple’s private training sessions, but since the girl didn’t want her to know, Mu Ling played along and pretended not to notice. After all, Mu Ling’s own cultivation had been honed through countless hours of solitary practice and relentless refinement.

Nowadays, many in the immortal realm preferred shortcuts relying on elixirs and magical artifacts to boost their cultivation while neglecting actual training. These cultivators might appear powerful, but their skills were nothing more than an ornate facade, crumbling under real combat. Mu Ling didn’t want her disciple to tread such a path, especially since the girl bore the weighty responsibility of saving the three realms.

But trying to pry Zhao Yunshi’s thoughts on the child was as difficult as scaling the heavens.

Zhao Yunshi was actually more amiable toward Mu Ling than she was toward most others though Mu Ling had no idea why she had earned such favor. Still, Zhao Yunshi either remained silent or spoke with impeccable discretion, leaving Mu Ling unable to glean any insight. In fact, during her attempts to fish for information, Mu Ling had been tricked into handling quite a few tasks for the sect.

Both master and disciple were equally tight-lipped and unyielding. Days passed, and Mu Ling still had no idea how Xiao Qingge was progressing or whether she had adapted to Zhao Yunshi’s teaching methods.

But later, when she noticed Xiao Qingge’s swordplay gradually taking shape and the girl beginning to master sword flight, Mu Ling slowly relaxed and let the two of them do as they pleased.

Soon, two months had passed.

Xiao Qingge’s face had filled out a little, and she had grown significantly taller. Under the nourishing effects of the spiritual spring water, her scars had faded, and she was beginning to resemble the breathtakingly beautiful young woman described in the novels.

On a serene and sunny afternoon, Mu Ling sensed a ripple of spiritual energy near Xiao Qingge’s room, the girl had successfully drawn qi into her body!

Xiao Qingge’s speed in drawing spiritual energy into her body wasn’t particularly fast. Now that nearly half a year had passed since she began, many in the sect had already succeeded in guiding qi into their bodies. But Xiao Qingge had a mixed spiritual root, and for someone with such a root to achieve this speed could be considered unprecedented throughout history.

“Xiao Qingge is truly amazing!” Mu Ling waited outside Lin Qingge’s door, and when Lin Qingge pushed it open, she was greeted by Mu Ling’s beaming face.

Lin Qingge’s complexion was somewhat pale, her expression listless. Her gaze swept over the beautiful dress Mu Ling held in her hands, then lingered on Mu Ling’s smiling face. The ice in her eyes unconsciously melted, and her lips curved slightly. “Thank you, Shifu!”

“Go try it on and see if it fits!”

When she emerged again, Xiao Qingge had changed into the new white dress Mu Ling had bought. The young girl looked as pure and lovely as a gracefully growing lotus flower. Mu Ling was overjoyed, her smile widening with satisfaction.

Before transmigrating into the book, Mu Ling’s favorite pastime had been playing a dress-up game. Now that she couldn’t play games anymore, she had a young girl under her care with an excellent figure and appearance. Mu Ling found every excuse to buy Xiao Qingge various accessories and outfits. Watching the girl grow more beautiful day by day brought Mu Ling even more joy than playing games ever had!

Xiao Qingge, however, remained remarkably composed. After sharing breakfast with Mu Ling, she flew on her sword to the main peak.

As usual, Zhao Yunshi had already completed a set of sword forms.

Xiao Qingge silently followed behind Zhao Yunshi, swinging her wooden practice sword. Sometimes she could keep up with Zhao Yunshi’s movements, but more often than not, she was completely flustered. By the time the set was finished, Xiao Qingge was drenched in sweat and panting heavily, barely able to hold onto her wooden sword, while Zhao Yunshi looked as refreshed as if nothing had happened.

If Mu Ling could see that Xiao Qingge had successfully drawn qi into her body, naturally Zhao Yunshi could too.

“Not bad for someone with a mixed spiritual root!”

Zhao Yunshi rarely spoke. She tossed aside the wooden branch in her hand and turned to give Xiao Qingge an inscrutable look. Xiao Qingge lowered her head, feeling a surge of power silently flooding into her body, circulating through her meridians and dantian.

A cold sweat broke out on Xiao Qingge’s back as she struggled to maintain a calm facade, not letting Zhao Yunshi notice anything amiss.

After a long moment, the probing energy withdrew.

Zhao Yunshi said nothing more and turned to return to Qianqiu Pavilion.

Xiao Qingge watched Zhao Yunshi’s retreating figure and let out a long breath. Her hands trembling, she picked up the wooden sword and began swinging it again, just as she did every day.

For some reason, Zhao Yunshi had been probing her with spiritual energy every few days during this period. No matter how Xiao Qingge tried to show goodwill or diligence, Zhao Yunshi remained intensely wary of her. Xiao Qingge had no choice but to be extra cautious, terrified that the ‘her’ inside might emerge and be discovered by Zhao Yunshi.

Fortunately, over these past few months, ‘she’ had remained in a dormant state. Aside from the mysterious energy within her, Zhao Yunshi couldn’t detect anything unusual.

But today was different. The moment Xiao Qingge drew qi into her body, she felt a stirring within and knew clearly that ‘she’ had awakened!

Thankfully, Zhao Yunshi hadn’t noticed anything amiss.

Her hand began to cramp, waves of pain shooting through it. Gritting her teeth, Lin Qingge struck her hand with the hilt of the sword. A sharp pain flared, and sensation returned to her hand. Taking a deep breath, Lin Qingge steeled herself and continued practicing.

Zhao Yunshi was a proud person, and her so-called righteous moral compass wouldn’t allow her to feign compliance while acting otherwise. So, it was likely that she had taught the other disciples in the same way she had taught before.

If she couldn’t learn it, it was simply because her talent was too low.

Just practice a little more!

Like the few words her foolish master had recited outside her door. Dripping water wears through stone; the accumulation of quantity would eventually lead to a qualitative change!

……

That day, Xiao Qingge practiced yet again. She didn’t know why, but she was extremely reluctant to let her foolish master know about her training progress. After resting for a while, Xiao Qingge forced her exhausted body to move and prepared to return to Qingbo Peak as usual.

Unfortunately, today’s journey was not smooth. On the way, Xiao Qingge encountered several newly recruited disciples from this year’s intake.

Since Xiao Qingge was the earliest to enter the inner sect, yet her displayed talent wasn’t particularly high, and she had no backing whatsoever, she naturally drew the attention of others.

By now, Xiao Qingge had grown accustomed to all sorts of scrutinizing gazes.

These disciples had clearly come specifically to block Xiao Qingge’s path, their eyes unfriendly as they stood in her way.

“Oh! Isn’t this our dear Lin Qingge, Senior Martial Sister Lin? Only just now learning to guide qi into the body?” A girl of about sixteen or seventeen mocked. “Our Senior Martial Sister Su Yue mastered qi guidance a month ago! Even the guiding cultivator praised her for her exceptional talent.”

At the center of the group of female disciples stood one with an arrogant expression. She swept a cold glance at Lin Qingge. “Lin Qingge! I don’t know what method you used to bewitch Peak Master Mu, but you shouldn’t shamelessly cling to what isn’t yours! Since you’re Peak Master Mu’s disciple, you should prove yourself worthy in the eyes of everyone! Tonight at the hour of the ox, we’ll spar at the fork in the road before the back mountain. If you lose, you’ll move out of Qingbo Peak on your own and let someone more talented become Peak Master Mu’s disciple.”

Lin Qingge, however, didn’t look at Su Yue. Instead, she glanced at the girl who had spoken first—Huang Meng.

These girls didn’t know that nearly all the animals on the mountain were Xiao Qingge’s eyes and ears. She was well aware of their plans: for instance, it was Huang Meng who had first suggested that Su Yue challenge Lin Qingge. But their real goal wasn’t just to defeat her in a spar. They wanted to throw the defeated Xiao Qingge into the back mountain of the Qingyi Sect!

The back mountain of the Qingyi Sect was a forbidden zone. Few who trespassed ever returned alive, and even the animals living there were scarce.

Lin Qingge didn’t know what she had done to offend Huang Meng, making her devise such a sinister scheme to frame her. They had never even met before.

Su Yue had been one of the candidates competing with Ding Xin for the position of Mu Ling’s disciple. During the selection period, Su Yue happened to suffer from diarrhea and performed poorly, losing to Ding Xin. Ever since, she had been seething with resentment.

No one knew the medicine that caused Su Yue’s diarrhea had been administered by animals under Lin Qingge’s direction. Lin Qingge wanted to choose a senior martial sister who was easy to get along with, and the other candidates had all encountered mishaps of varying degrees during the selection period.

Lin Qingge had used her innate advantage to weave a vast, undetectable web within the Qingyi Sect.

Now, surrounded by so many people, Lin Qingge had always known when to yield. Moreover…

Lin Qingge pursed her lips slightly. Zhao Yunshi’s spiritual sense was still monitoring her.

She didn’t know why she could detect Zhao Yunshi’s probing spiritual sense when the other was so much stronger than her.

Meeting Su Yue’s gaze, Lin Qingge nodded calmly, though she had no intention of paying them any real attention.

Once the girls achieved their goal, they stepped aside, and Zhao Yunshi’s spiritual sense withdrew as well.

Back at Qingbo Peak, little Qingge quickly put the matter out of her mind and resumed her daily routine of diligent sword practice.

Since guiding qi into her body, she had sensed some dormant power awakening within her, though she couldn’t yet define what it was. All she could do was push herself harder.

By the hour of Zi (midnight), her foolish master finally couldn’t take it anymore and rushed out, forcibly dragging her back to rest.

Lin Qingge obediently complied in front of Mu Ling, lying down and closing her eyes under her watchful gaze. But in her heart, she had already resolved to rise again at the hour of Yin (3-5 AM) to resume training.

Yet, shortly after the hour of Chou (1-3 AM), little Qingge abruptly opened her eyes.

“Worthless!” Her eyes were tinged red at the corners, a dark ferocity swirling in their depths as she gripped the low-grade flying sword and scoffed in disdain.

Perched unsteadily on the sword, she mimicked her usual daytime flying posture, her expression icy as she sped toward the location where she had agreed to meet Su Yue.

–

The moon hung high in the sky as Zhao Yunshi ended her meditation and opened her eyes.

Recalling the fight Lin Qingge and Su Yue had arranged earlier that day, she couldn’t resist casting her spiritual sense toward the spot where the girls had agreed to duel.

Zhao Yunshi didn’t know why, but despite Lin Qingge’s recent normal even outstanding behavior, she simply couldn’t bring herself to like the girl. There was an inexplicable, unsettling danger about her.

As her spiritual sense descended, Zhao Yunshi’s expression suddenly froze.

She caught sight of a fluttering white robe, and above it, Su Yue’s conflicted gaze.

In an instant, Zhao Yunshi understood: resigning as a peak master’s disciple was no trivial matter, not something that could be settled by a mere fight. Su Yue had actually planned to kill and usurp her position!

And that location in the back mountains.

With a sigh, a rope descended from the sky, binding Su Yue just as she tried to flee. At the same time, a paper crane shot forth like an arrow, streaking toward Qingbo Peak at breakneck speed.