Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 24

No!

It was just her first encounter with such things, and the shock had led to such a dream. That was all…

Lin Qingge took several deep breaths, barely managing to pull her thoughts away from those lingering fantasies, forcing herself to focus on the present.

During this time, she had followed Mu Ling around the town, running back and forth, yet she hadn’t found anything unusual about Lufeng Town. But in her memories, she distinctly recalled this place. Had her memory gone awry?

Lin Qingge couldn’t find an answer.

For so long, she had observed the memories of the “her” inside her with detachment, even feeling that everything she learned was only what “she” allowed her to see.

Lin Qingge knew she resembled “her,” and she knew “she” was gradually awakening within her. There was a high chance she wouldn’t be a match for “her,” because Lin Qingge hadn’t experienced the same suffering and despair as “her,” nor did she possess “her” all-consuming obsession. Everything had changed since she met Mu Ling.

Lin Qingge had a vague premonition: one day, “she” would seize complete control of this body. And when that happened.

What would “she” do to Mu Ling?

The thought of Mu Ling dying by her own hands sent a bucket of ice water pouring over her, chilling her to the bone.

She opened her eyes, the struggle in her gaze fading bit by bit, replaced by a resolve growing firmer in her heart.

Then let “her” disappear completely!

Lin Qingge lowered her gaze slightly. The key to “her” awakening within her was likely the Heart-Eroding Lotus Seed. But what if she restrained herself from seeking it out?

Given enough time, as her cultivation grew stronger, could she eventually devour “her” entirely?

Then, the world would no longer have the Demon Lord Yan Qi; only Lin Qingge, the righteous leader!

And the things “she” had wanted to accomplish but never could. Lin Qingge would have the chance to create a world of purity and justice herself.

Her eyes grew brighter and brighter. The “her” inside seemed to sense Lin Qingge’s thoughts, and the power lurking within her body surged violently, as if about to burst forth. Pain wracked her limbs and organs.

Lin Qingge clenched her teeth, drenched in cold sweat, desperately regulating her breathing to suppress the agony.

Yet her eyes shone like stars: even if the path ahead was long and treacherous, even if countless variables lay in wait. Even if she still fell into darkness in the end, at least she would remain herself. She wouldn’t kill those she didn’t wish to kill.

Mu Ling knew nothing of Lin Qingge’s inner turmoil that night. When she woke the next day, the memory of her dream sent a shiver down her spine. Her fear of the Demon Lord completely overshadowed the faint awkwardness and ambiguity from the day before. She naturally discussed their trip to the Liao Family Manor with Lin Qingge.

“If Bai Mufeng really went to the Liao Family Manor as Zhou Juan said, then there must be some trouble there keeping him occupied. We’ll have to stay alert to avoid falling into a trap.”

Lin Qingge nodded, her brow slightly furrowed with exhaustion. It was the first time Mu Ling had seen her look so weary, and concern flickered in her eyes. Reaching out as she had in their childhood, she took Lin Qingge’s wrist to check her pulse. “What’s wrong with you?”

Mu Ling hadn’t expected to grasp at empty air. Lin Qingge had instinctively withdrawn her hand almost immediately, casting a wary glance at Mu Ling.

“Qingge?” Mu Ling looked at Lin Qingge in surprise. Lin Qingge’s eyes gradually cleared, and she pressed her lips together before extending her arm back out.

Distractedly, Mu Ling took Lin Qingge’s pulse, only belatedly realizing that it had been years since she last checked it; ever since that strange energy within Qingge had stabilized. Qingge was no longer that frail little girl, and the pulse point was one of a cultivator’s vulnerabilities. Anyone would instinctively be on guard if it were suddenly touched.

But Qingge still trusted her deeply! She hadn’t hesitated at all when offering her arm back!

Mu Ling thought delightedly: This was definitely something she had to record in The Chronicles of a Prodigy’s Growth.

Her thoughts wandering, Mu Ling unconsciously prolonged the pulse-taking. Lin Qingge kept her eyes lowered, summoning every ounce of her willpower to maintain composure: Mu Ling was standing far too close. A few strands of her hair brushed against Lin Qingge’s cheek, and against her will, she was reminded once more of last night’s dream.

“Cough!” Lin Qingge cleared her throat.

“Why are you coughing again?”

Mu Ling hurriedly reeled in her scattered thoughts, a genuine flicker of worry rising in her heart: Sword cultivators were usually in excellent health, so why was Qingge?

“It’s nothing.” Lin Qingge’s expression remained calm, though inwardly, she regretted coughing. Her action had only deepened Mu Ling’s concern: Not only did Mu Ling meticulously check both of Lin Qingge’s wrists, but she also leaned in to examine her complexion.

The distance between them was so close that Lin Qingge could feel Mu Ling’s warm breath.

Heat crept up her cheeks, a tingling itch spreading through her chest. Lin Qingge bit her lip and turned her head away, murmuring softly, “Shifu—”

Only after speaking did she realize how hoarse her voice sounded.

How strange!

Mu Ling, however, didn’t notice Lin Qingge’s discomfort. Instead, she frowned slightly: That peculiar energy within Qingge had grown stronger again, no wonder her complexion seemed off.

Mu Ling quickly handed Lin Qingge another bowl of spirit spring water.

Under Mu Ling’s worried gaze, Lin Qingge steeled herself and downed the water in one swift gulp.

Seeing Mu Ling about to check her pulse again, Lin Qingge hastily stood up, subtly retreating two steps. “Shifu, I’m fine now! We shouldn’t delay. Let’s set off for the Liao Manor right away.”

Mu Ling eyed Lin Qingge skeptically. The latter kept her head slightly lowered, and though her cheeks seemed to have regained some color, her earlobes were inexplicably tinged red. Reluctantly, Mu Ling accepted her words, swallowed a Disguise Pill, and left with Lin Qingge.

By the time they stepped out, dawn had already broken. As they passed the Zhou residence, the sound of Zhou Juan’s muffled coughing could be heard from the courtyard.

If she continued using the Puppetry Curse like this, Zhou Juan wouldn’t last more than five years yet she seemed to embrace it willingly.

“The words ‘love’ and ‘affection’ are the most misleading of all.”

Mu Ling sighed softly, gazing at Lin Qingge’s retreating figure. Unbidden, thoughts of Bai Fengqing surfaced in her mind, and she couldn’t help but offer advice: “Qingge! Promise your master that you won’t foolishly let someone deceive your heart! I don’t expect you to be as detached from worldly desires as I am, but you’re so outstanding and still so young. There are plenty of people for you to choose from. There’s no need to hang yourself on a crooked tree right now.”

“Master, you say you’re detached from worldly desires. Does that mean you never plan to take a cultivation partner in this lifetime?” Lin Qingge interrupted, turning back to give Mu Ling a profound look, her voice tinged with probing. “Master, you’re simply reclusive, so no one knows of you. But if you were to go out more often.”

Lin Qingge suddenly realized she understood Yu Qing’s feelings from the illusion: the person she cared about was simply too dazzling, so radiant that she couldn’t help but want to hide her away, yet the person herself remained utterly unaware.

Lin Qingge couldn’t quite untangle her own emotions. All she knew was that whenever she saw the Bai brothers looking at Mu Ling, she wanted to gouge out their eyes.

“Never mind, I’ll just let fate decide.” Mu Ling didn’t catch the undertone in Lin Qingge’s words, nor did she shut the door completely. After careful consideration, she added, “You know my nature. I’m lazy and can’t bear heavy responsibilities. In life, I only seek to act with a clear conscience. Right now, my sole focus is raising you two disciples to your full potential. I don’t have the energy to consider anything else.”

Though she spoke these words, Mu Ling sighed inwardly: As long as the Demon King lived, she dared not step out openly, let alone entertain thoughts of romance.

But Mu Ling kept her wariness of the Demon King to herself. She didn’t want to burden Lin Qingge with her own fears.

The topic had shifted, so Mu Ling failed to notice. Her usually obedient little disciple, head bowed and lips pressed tightly together, had for the first time not agreed with her words.

The Liao Family Estate was in the neighboring county, not too far away, and the two arrived at its outskirts before long.

Seeing the estate in person, Mu Ling realized it was much larger than she had imagined. Spanning nearly a thousand acres, almost the size of a small town. The buildings within were orderly, and the entire estate appeared quite prosperous.

Mu Ling wasn’t in a hurry to enter. Instead, she found a traveling peddler to inquire about the estate’s background. The peddler, grinning from ear to ear at the silver Mu Ling pressed into his hand, readily shared the details with practiced fluency, clearly having told the tale many times before.

“This Liao Family Estate was originally just a poor village called Muddy Creek, completely unknown to anyone. Then, somehow, the ancestors must have smiled upon them. Muddy Creek produced a wealthy man named Liao Kun. Have you heard of him? His shipping business is famous across the land. They say the money he’s made these past years couldn’t be spent in ten lifetimes. Liao Kun grew up in Muddy Creek, relying on the kindness of villagers, and after making his fortune, he never forgot his roots. He paid to rebuild everyone’s houses, helped them with their livelihoods, and now everyone lives well. Muddy Creek just kept growing and growing.”

“In his youth, Squire Liao married a maiden from the Meng family. Despite his poverty at the time, she never looked down on him, and together they worked hard to build their later fortune. Squire Liao remained deeply devoted to his wife; even after amassing wealth that could rival a nation, no rumors of romantic affairs ever surfaced about him. A few years ago, when his wife passed away, the grief-stricken Squire Liao lost all motivation to continue striving. He retreated with his only son to Nishui Bay, which was subsequently renamed Liao Manor.”

“You two ladies must also be here to hunt demons in Liao Manor, right?” The peddler eyed Mu Ling and her companion, weighing the silver in his hand before adding, “But I’d advise you to abandon that idea. No need to throw your lives away for nothing.”

Mu Ling listened intently, sensing that useful information was about to follow. Just as the peddler expected, she pressed further: “Why do you say that?”

“It all started half a year ago,” the peddler sighed. “Squire Liao was already heartbroken over his wife’s death when, one day, his only son went up to the hills behind the manor and never came back down! Even the servants sent to search for him vanished without a trace.”

“That hillside was once lush and beautiful, but overnight, it became shrouded in black mist. Desperate to save his son, Squire Liao offered an exotic treasure he’d discovered during his travels at sea, along with a hefty reward. Over the past six months, he’s invited many cultivators, but none ever returned. Eventually, to avoid further casualties, Squire Liao gave up on seeking help and stopped hiring cultivators altogether.”

Unfortunately, the peddler’s heartfelt warnings clearly fell on deaf ears. The two women bid him farewell and strode straight into Liao Manor without hesitation.

With a resigned sigh, the peddler shouldered his load and continued on his way only to be stopped again moments later.

“Good sir, might we ask you a few questions?” This time, it was two handsome male cultivators who blocked his path. When the peddler spotted the emblem of the Bai Xu Sect on their robes, he nearly dropped his wares in fright!

“Don’t be afraid,” one of the cultivators said, waving a fan and gesturing as if to steady the peddler though he carefully avoided touching the grimy carrying pole. “Tell us, have you heard of any strange happenings in Liao Manor?”