Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 22

Another three or four hours passed before the others slowly began to wake up.

The townsfolk felt as though they had experienced a long, vivid dream; one where they had traveled far back in time, becoming one of their own ancestors recorded in the thick family registers.

The scholar’s ancestor was an illiterate butcher with a rough, scowling face. The wealthy landlord’s ancestor had been a peddler wandering the streets. The farmer’s forebear was once a well-read retainer in the city lord’s manor. And the charming, coquettish tavern owner’s ancestor turned out to be a reclusive, plain-faced widow who had lost her husband early.

In their dreams, they lived lives entirely different from their own, yet all eventually faced the same drought and war. Some perished in the famine, while others survived.

The stories of the dead turned to dust, while the living had to carry on. Later, an inquisitive scholar collected these varied dreams and compiled them into The Record of Floating Lives, which became the continent’s best-selling book that year. Even Mu Ling had bought a copy and read it with great relish.

But all that came later.

After killing Yu Qing, Ding Xin finally awoke from the illusion as well.

Three months ago, the Bai Xu Sect’s Heart-Erosion Lotus had been secretly nurtured in the lake of the Water God Temple. By sheer coincidence, it awakened Yu Qing’s inner demon. When Ding Xin entered Biming Town and sensed the disturbance at the temple, she rushed over, only to fall into the trap of Yu Qing’s demonic influence. The demon then used Ding Xin’s body to engulf the entire town.

Within the illusion, Ding Xin became her own ancestor, Luo Ying. The surname “Luo” had once belonged to the royal family of the Tian Shui Kingdom, though it was later changed to “Ding” for certain reasons. Luo Ying was originally the granddaughter of the city lord’s cousin. When the calamity of Tu City’s invasion struck, she was still very young, only remembering that her entire family had perished in the chaos. She was entrusted to Luo Huai by the beautiful elder sister Luo Zhi. Luo Huai treated her well, never mistreating her even during their days of hiding and fleeing.

Later, Luo Huai reclaimed Luo City and established the Tian Shui Kingdom. After ruling for only ten years, he abdicated in favor of Luo Ying. Once he saw her throne secure, he wandered the world like a drifting cloud, never marrying in his lifetime.

Luo Ying had once caught the way Luo Huai looked at the portrait of Luo Zhi. It was then that she understood why he had remained unmarried all his life.

…

Yet all of this was merely a story within the illusion. No matter how poignant it felt, she could not live in the dream after waking.

Once she came to, Ding Xin spent a few days politely accompanying the Bai brothers in their search for traces of the Heart-Erosion Lotus seeds. For some reason, her master and junior sister both seemed to dislike the Bai brothers, leaving Ding Xin as the only one to accompany them. However, perhaps the seeds had already been refined by the inner demon. No trace of them could be found in all of Biming Town. But since no one had known the true purpose of the Heart-Erosion Lotus seeds for years, their symbolic value outweighed their practical use. Seeing their search fruitless, the Bai brothers eventually gave up.

Ding Xin returned to Qingbo Peak with her master.

Life seemed no different from before. Her easygoing, slightly whimsical master, her taciturn and prodigious junior sister, and the seven clever little puppets. Everything was just as Ding Xin remembered, peaceful and familiar.

Yet, Ding Xin still carried a trace of guilt in her heart, feeling that her wavering resolve had allowed the inner demon to take advantage. After returning to the mountain sect, she became even more diligent in her cultivation.

Immersed entirely in her practice, it took Ding Xin a full month to belatedly realize something seemed off between their master and junior sister.

Her junior sister showed no noticeable changes. Ding Xin wasn’t sure why perhaps it was because Lin Qingge’s reputation was too illustrious, making Ding Xin instinctively more alert in her presence. Or maybe it was due to some childhood experiences that had shaped their junior sister into someone exceptionally reserved at such a young age. Even Ding Xin couldn’t discern her emotional fluctuations.

But their master was entirely different.

Master Mu Ling was easy to read. Likely because she had spent years secluded in Qingbo Peak with little interaction with the outside world, her temperament was simple and pure, almost like an ordinary girl from the mortal realm. Every emotion played out clearly on her face. She was unmistakably someone who had been doted on while growing up.

Lately, however, Master Mu Ling seemed to be avoiding their junior sister.

Whenever their junior sister appeared at the dining table, Master would suddenly remember some urgent matter and retreat to her room. Occasionally, when their paths crossed, Master’s expression would visibly stiffen.

This was truly bizarre!

After all, the entire Qingyi Sect knew that Master doted on their junior sister the most. Usually, she treated her like a fragile treasure afraid she might shatter if held too tightly, or melt if kept too close. She had never once spoken a harsh word to her. Ding Xin even privately suspected that Master was raising Qingge as if she were her own daughter!

And now, this disciple-devoted master had begun distancing herself from her beloved junior sister? To Ding Xin, this was as unbelievable as red rain falling from the sky!

Given Lin Qingge’s usual temperament, she was rather indifferent toward others even when facing the sect leader. But when it came to Master, a softness would appear in her eyes. Someone like Lin Qingge surely wouldn’t do anything to anger Master.

So, the problem likely lay with Master.

As the senior sister, Ding Xin felt it was her duty to mediate between Master and their junior sister. Considering that the mortal world’s Spring Festival was approaching, she seized the opportunity to descend the mountain. She picked up some of Mu Ling’s favorite snacks and returned to the royal palace of Tianshui Kingdom to fetch a few jars of fine wine, blending them with immortal realm herbs. Her plan was to use the festive occasion as an excuse to give Master an opportunity to reconcile with their junior sister.

Unbeknownst to Ding Xin, Mu Ling was already wrestling with her own turmoil.

Ever since discovering that Lin Qingge had taken on the identity of Yu Qing in the illusion, Mu Ling had resolved never to reveal that she herself had been Luo Zhi all to spare Lin Qingge any psychological burden.

Fortunately, Lin Qingge wasn’t the curious type and had never asked about it.

Mu Ling had assumed everything would return to normal after leaving the illusion. But perhaps because she had never been in love before her previous life had been too tranquil. The passionate, straightforward emotions of Luo Zhi in the illusion had left an indelible mark on her. Even after escaping the illusion, they continued to influence her thoughts.

Occasionally, when she caught sight of Lin Qingge’s back, Mu Ling would unconsciously think: Qingge’s posture is so straight, her waist so slender!

When she glimpsed Lin Qingge’s profile, another thought would surface: When Qingge isn’t speaking, she looks so cold almost like Yu Qing in the illusion.

Watching Lin Qingge practice her swordplay, Mu Ling’s thoughts began to wander once more: What exactly was the relationship between Qingge and Bai Fengqing? After playing the role of that scumbag Yu Qing in the illusion, had she unwittingly started down the path of becoming a scoundrel herself?

…

Mu Ling knew these thoughts were wrong. Her little disciple was single-mindedly devoted to her sword practice, likely never even having glanced at a risqué book. Moreover, her upright, pure-hearted, and ill-fated little disciple was nothing like the lofty, pampered scoundrel Yu Qing. To speculate about her like this was practically a sin!

Yet Mu Ling was surprisingly thin-skinned when it came to such matters and couldn’t control her thoughts. Every time she saw Lin Qingge, she couldn’t help but recall the absurd days when Luo Zhi had pursued Yu Qing with wild abandon. A sense of shame would rise unbidden in her heart, forcing her to avoid her little disciple as much as possible. She planned to wait until her emotions settled before pretending nothing had happened and reconciling with her.

To her relief, her little disciple didn’t seem to notice Mu Ling’s distance, treating her with the same demeanor as always. During this time, Mu Ling also indulged in reading many melodramatic novels titles like After Rebirth, the Scumbag Begs Me for Forgiveness on Her Knees and Why Did the Scumbag Sect Leader Sever Her Own Meridians? and after venting her frustrations, she felt she could face her little disciple with composure again.

So, when her eldest disciple, Ding Xin, arranged a feast to celebrate the human world’s Spring Festival, Mu Ling no longer avoided Lin Qingge. She sat boldly across from her, serving her dishes as she used to: “Qingge, try this! It’s the signature dish of your senior sister’s family’s imperial chef.”

Lin Qingge gave a slight nod and ate quietly, taking small, delicate bites.

Watching her obedient little disciple eat, Mu Ling couldn’t help but compare her to the high-maintenance Yu Qing from the illusion. The more she looked at Qingge, the more she found her pleasing; unpicky, easy to raise, and obedient!

Mu Ling gazed at her disciple with tender affection, finally feeling at ease: her motherly instincts had returned!

But joy often turns to sorrow. Mu Ling’s relief led her to drink too much again.

This time, it wasn’t entirely her fault. After her last drunken episode, Mu Ling had been especially cautious, sticking to mortal wines that she could easily expel from her system if she felt tipsy. However, she hadn’t accounted for Ding Xin’s meddling to encourage reconciliation, Ding Xin had spiked the wine with celestial herbs, overestimating Mu Ling’s tolerance. And so, Mu Ling was drunk once more!

Seeing that the feast had worked as intended, Ding Xin sighed in relief. Though surprised by her master’s low alcohol tolerance, she decided to go the extra mile to mend the rift between master and disciple. “Qingge,” she urged, “Master is drunk. Could you take her back to her room?”

Lin Qingge, as taciturn as ever, nodded. She walked over to Mu Ling, who was flushed and grinning foolishly, let out an almost imperceptible sigh, then bent down and picked her up.

Watching Lin Qingge carry their master without any apparent resentment, Ding Xin finally relaxed.

Ding Xin had no idea that the moment Lin Qingge carried Mu Ling into the room and closed the door, her demeanor changed. Coldly, she placed Mu Ling on the bed and was about to leave when Mu Ling suddenly wrapped her arms around Lin Qingge’s neck, giggling as she leaned in close to her face. “Little Qingge! Don’t go, I’ll tell you a secret!”

Mu Ling’s breath, sweet with the scent of fruit wine, was right in front of her. Lin Qingge’s eyes twitched, knowing full well that this drunkard would have no memory of this the next day. Seeing no need to hide her true nature any longer, she asked coldly, “What secret?”

Mu Ling covered her flushed face with her hands. “In the illusion, I was Luo Zhi! Bet you didn’t expect that, huh? Hehehe…”

“But don’t worry, I won’t tell you,” Mu Ling hiccuped, patted Lin Qingge’s shoulder, and flopped back onto the bed. “Little Qingge is nothing like that scumbag. I don’t want to trouble you.”

With that, Mu Ling fell into a deep sleep.

Lin Qingge, however, didn’t move.

Her gaze darkened as she stared at Mu Ling’s sleeping face, an inscrutable emotion flickering in her eyes. Her hands unconsciously traced the delicate curve of Mu Ling’s slender neck.

The life beneath her palms was so fragile, as if a single squeeze could snuff it out entirely…

Back in Biming Town, when Mu Ling had called Yu Qing a “scumbag,” Lin Qingge had already guessed Mu Ling’s identity in the illusion.

After all, the maze attracted people with certain similar traits. Mu Ling’s kindness, in some ways, aligned perfectly with Luo Zhi’s; like her habit of picking up strays.

Did Mu Ling really think she was nothing like Yu Qing?!

Lin Qingge let out a cold laugh. Luo Zhi had picked up Yu Qing, only to invite a wolf into her home. Wasn’t Mu Ling doing the exact same thing?

Then again, perhaps it wasn’t the same.

Lin Qingge lowered her gaze, studying Mu Ling’s features intently. This drunkard was even more unfortunate than Luo Zhi. She had picked up someone far more cunning and ruthless than Yu Qing.

After consuming the second lotus seed, Lin Qingge’s mind began flooding with more fragmented images. At the same time, the presence of “her” within her body grew increasingly frequent.

This time, Lin Qingge could clearly see the protagonist of those visions. A face identical to her own. That person concealed herself behind wide sleeves and a mask year-round, her gender and appearance a mystery to all. People trembled and called her the “Demon King.” Due to her cultivation method, she grew increasingly cruel and erratic, leaving countless souls in her wake.

The Demon King practiced the Heaven Sundering Art, which, upon reaching its final stage, would allow her to break through the barriers of heaven and earth, ascending as a deity of destruction. No one in this world would be her match. She would slaughter every hypocrite, just as she desired, and toy with this vile world, turning it upside down.

Yet the final stage of the Heaven Sundering Art was no easy feat. The Demon King failed her breakthrough, watching helplessly as her body shrank, her power rapidly fading until she reverted to the form of a ten-year-old even losing her memories in the process.

To fully break free from the shackles of her cultivation, she needed to consume four Heart-Eroding Lotus seeds.

…

So, she truly was the Demon King.

Even after confirming this suspicion, Lin Qingge expected to feel calm. Instead, an overwhelming fury surged within her.

Night after night, she began to have nightmares, haunted by the faces of those she had killed. Lin Qingge never expected that after so many years, the Demon King would still remember every face of those who had died by her hand. Lin Qingge started searching through these faces one by one, though she didn’t know what she was hoping to find. In the end, she memorized the names of all the Mu family members she had killed. After all, Mu Ling had claimed the Demon King held a deep grudge against her. What if… what if it was all just a misunderstanding?

Lin Qingge’s fingers traced Mu Ling’s neck several times before she even realized what she was doing. By the time she noticed, her fingertips had already brushed against Mu Ling’s lips.

The softness beneath her touch startled her, and Lin Qingge recoiled in horror. She remembered Yu Qing from the illusion, how she would often sneak into Luo Zhi’s room late at night, gently caressing Luo Zhi’s cheek.

No! Impossible! She couldn’t possibly be harboring such thoughts. It must have been a momentary lapse of reason.

Her mind in turmoil, Lin Qingge swayed slightly where she stood. When she lifted her head again, the corners of her eyes had turned crimson once more.

The look she cast at Mu Ling was now laced with bone-chilling murderous intent. Even her raised palm pulsed with spiritual energy. But then, as if recalling something, she gave Mu Ling who had sensed the danger and burrowed deeper into her blankets a long, deep look before scoffing, “Coward,” and withdrawing her hand…

Lin Qingge slowly lifted her head, sensing the movements around her, then abruptly narrowed her eyes with a mocking glint. “I never expected that spineless fool to have such ambition. I truly underestimated him.”

With a flick of her wrist, a wisp of black smoke drifted from her fingertips. As if guided by consciousness, it slipped through the Qingyi Sect’s protective barrier and sped toward the demon realm.

That night, all high-ranking demonic cultivators received the Demon King’s decree for the first time in twenty years. The decree ordered them to lie low for the next three years, deliberately losing a few battles against the immortal realm while spreading the rumor that “the Demon King has fallen from power, grievously injured, and will soon perish.”

The Demon King’s authority was absolute. By the next day, the demonic cultivators had already begun acting. Immortal cultivators soon noticed that the once-ferocious demonic forces now crumbled like sand in battle, retreating again and again. Meanwhile, spies sent into the demon realm unanimously reported the same news: “The Demon King has suffered a qi deviation during cultivation and will soon perish!”

In an instant, morale in the immortal realm soared!

Yet atop Qingbo Peak, when Ding Xin cheerfully relayed this news to Mu Ling, the latter didn’t react with the joy Ding Xin had anticipated.

Mu Ling lazily waved a hand and reclined back into her chair, returning to her storybook. “Just between the three of us, the Demon King is cunning. There’s definitely a scheme here. Let the other reckless fools in the immortal realm charge ahead if they want, but you two better not be stupid enough to follow them.”

This plotline was clearly written in the little booklet within Mu Ling’s spiritual sea. For the next three years, the Demon King would feign severe injury and bide her time, while the hotheads of the immortal realm foolishly believed she was finished. They would even gather all the sects to form an alliance and hold a “Demon-Slaying Conference” to eradicate her.

If it hadn’t been for Lin Qingge’s sudden emergence during the crisis to slay the Demon King, the “Demon-Subduing Alliance” might have already fallen into the trap set by the Demon King and been wiped out.

Upon hearing Mu Ling’s words, Ding Xin immediately adopted a serious expression: “I will heed Master’s teachings!”

Ding Xin didn’t know why, but despite rarely leaving the mountain sect, Mu Ling’s judgment of the current situation was always incredibly accurate. In fact, there had never been a single instance where Mu Ling’s predictions had been wrong.

“I will heed Master’s teachings!” Lin Qingge, standing beside her, also bowed her head, though a shadow flickered imperceptibly in her eyes.

She knew that ‘she’ had awakened again that night. Soon after, the once-fierce and formidable demon realm began to crumble, and news spread that the Demon King had been injured. It was undoubtedly ‘her’ doing behind the scenes.

Yet Lin Qingge hadn’t expected Mu Ling to see through ‘her’ scheme!

Indeed, is one’s greatest enemy also the one who understands them best? What kind of deep-seated grudge existed between Mu Ling and ‘her’?

Lin Qingge didn’t know why she was unwilling to admit that ‘she’ was herself as if denying it would allow her to prolong her current life indefinitely.

Unaware of Lin Qingge’s thoughts, Mu Ling suddenly remembered something and quickly set down the storybook in her hands, her gaze settling on Lin Qingge with a trace of concern. “Qingge, how has your cultivation progressed recently?”

When Lin Qingge had just reached the Golden Core stage, Mu Ling had gifted her half of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Art under the pretense of a congratulatory present. In the original story, Lin Qingge had slain the Demon King at the Unity stage, relying on the sword art’s intricate and ingenious techniques to overcome the difference in cultivation. But now, time was running out for Lin Qingge.

“Moderate progress,” Lin Qingge replied with her head lowered.

She was currently at the Golden Core stage. After consuming the lotus seeds, she felt she could advance one or two more levels. Moreover, she had already recalled fragments of the Heavenly Crippled Art. Under the combined influence of the Heavenly Spirit Sword Art and the Heavenly Crippled Art, the spiritual energy within her had reached a delicate equilibrium. To avoid drawing attention by advancing too quickly, Lin Qingge forcibly suppressed her own cultivation.

Mu Ling, however, remained oblivious to Lin Qingge’s calculations.

To outsiders, her disciple’s achievements were already at the level of a prodigy, but they still fell far short of the heights Lin Qingge was supposed to reach in the original story. With so many plotlines now altered, if Lin Qingge failed to kill the Demon King at the critical moment.

Just the thought sent a chill down Mu Ling’s spine!

…For now, Lin Qingge would simply have to endure the hardship.

Lin Qingge keenly noticed the shift in Mu Ling’s gaze, her master’s eyes now carried a hint of urgency and worry.

“Qingge,” Mu Ling said, “during this time, seek out Sect Leader Zhao again. See if you can learn more from her. A great battle between immortals and demons is inevitable, and as a sword cultivator, you will undoubtedly be on the front lines…”

Mu Ling was not well-versed in sword cultivation techniques, so she could only place her hopes on Zhao Yunshi.

Lin Qingge nodded. She had always appeared obedient to Mu Ling’s words, yet the depths of her eyes darkened imperceptibly.

Why was she asking her to practice swordsmanship now? Over the years, she had indeed gained considerable fame among the younger generation, but the immortal realm was full of sword cultivators whose skills surpassed hers. She wouldn’t necessarily be sent to the front lines. Moreover, if a full-scale war between immortals and demons truly erupted, whether on the battlefield or behind the scenes, everyone involved would be in danger. Yet, why did she only give this warning to her and not Senior Sister Ding?

So many mysteries had shrouded Mu Ling in recent years…

What exactly did she know?

Mu Ling had advised her disciples to stay out of the conflicts between the immortal and demon realms, never expecting that trouble would come knocking even if they didn’t seek it out.

Zhao Yunshi returned to Qingbo Peak with Lin Qingge, who had been sent to fetch her.

“Stop sending your disciple to look for me all the time,” Zhao Yunshi was always blunt. “I’ve already taught her everything I know. What’s left is for her to comprehend on her own.”

Mu Ling could only offer an awkward smile in response.

“Don’t try to charm your way out of this,” Zhao Yunshi said, though her gaze softened slightly as she looked at Mu Ling. “I came to find you because there’s something I need your help with.”

“I have an old friend, a disciple of the Bai Xu Sect, named Bai Mufeng. Bai Mufeng rarely involves himself in the sect’s affairs and has long resided in Lufeng Town within the borders of Yunhan Kingdom. Recently, for some unknown reason, he suddenly lost contact.”

“His health has never been the best, and I fear something may have happened to him. With my impending seclusion, I thought to ask you to go and check on him. If anything has indeed occurred, I would trouble you to lend your aid in his recovery.”

Over the years, Mu Ling had received much care from Zhao Yunshi and had long wished to repay her kindness. Now that Zhao Yunshi had a request for her help, Mu Ling naturally agreed without hesitation.

“Then I shall trouble you with this!” Zhao Yunshi clasped her hands in gratitude, then turned her gaze to Lin Qingge beside her, her smile fading slightly. “Your master has long resided on Qingbo Peak, and her heart is pure and untainted. I would not feel at ease with her going alone, you shall accompany her.”

“Understood!” Lin Qingge gripped her sword and bowed respectfully, unfazed by Zhao Yunshi’s distant demeanor, as it had always been this way over the years.

Yet, Lin Qingge’s lowered gaze darkened slightly.

The name Lufeng Town sounded oddly familiar, though she had no memory of ever encountering it herself.

If it wasn’t from her own recollection, then it must be from her memories.

And if she remembered this place so vividly, this journey was bound to be anything but peaceful.^