Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 3

When Mu Ling woke up, she happened to see the child rinsing her mouth. Using the Immortal Sect’s Cleansing Fruit, the child held water in her mouth before spitting it out, naturally removing any impurities.

The child’s movements didn’t seem the least bit unfamiliar, suggesting she must have been accustomed to this routine before losing her memory.

And Cleansing Fruits weren’t something ordinary commoners could afford.

Mu Ling quietly noted this detail.

“Morning!” The child seemed highly perceptive of her surroundings and immediately turned to look when she sensed Mu Ling’s gaze. Smiling, Mu Ling stretched out her hand. “Want to go down the mountain together?”

The child seemed tempted, taking two steps forward before hesitating. For some reason, she withdrew her foot and shook her head.

Mu Ling didn’t press her. She recorded the child’s image with a Memory Stone before riding the wind down Qingbo Peak.

The sun had just risen, and Mu Ling descended leisurely, observing the new disciples training outside the inner gates. The disciples were all focused on their exercises, and at a glance, the sea of heads made it impossible to distinguish one from another.

Mu Ling was on her way to meet Zhao Yunshi, the sect leader of Qingyi Sect.

Unlike Mu Ling’s ethereal and refined beauty, Zhao Yunshi had striking, voluptuous features. The face of a breathtaking enchantress. Unfortunately, she was stern and unsmiling, a cultivation fanatic who intimidated everyone.

Zhao Yunshi spent most of her time in seclusion, and meeting her required sending a message via a paper crane. The cranes outside her residence, the Thousand Autumn Pavilion, were personally crafted by Zhao Yunshi, crimson-crowned, with radiant wings and an elegant posture, almost indistinguishable from real cranes.

“Peak Master Mu, what a rare guest!” The paper crane greeted Mu Ling in a soft, feminine voice before fluttering into the pavilion. Moments later, it returned. “Peak Master Mu, follow me.”

Mu Ling took a deep breath and trailed behind the crane. Every time she met Zhao Yunshi, she felt a twinge of apprehension. However, just as teachers favor their best students, Zhao Yunshi held Mu Ling with her extraordinary cultivation talent in higher regard and was uncharacteristically gentle with her.

Mu Ling had come for two reasons.

First, she wanted Zhao Yunshi’s help in contacting allied sects to see if they could locate the child’s parents.

Second, she wanted to request the position of “Disciplinary Master” for this year’s new disciples.

The Disciplinary Master was largely a ceremonial role, responsible for giving motivational lectures to new disciples about the path of cultivation. Given its symbolic importance, it was traditionally held by a senior cultivator of high status and strong cultivation.

Though Qingbo Peak, where Mu Ling resided, was the weakest among the twelve peaks, she was still a Peak Master. Aside from the sect leader, the Peak Masters held the highest status in Qingyi Sect.

“I must admit, I’m rather surprised,” Zhao Yunshi said after hearing Mu Ling’s request. Slowly closing her teacup lid, she glanced up. “In previous years, you never involved yourself in sect affairs. Why the sudden change?”

Mu Ling pretended not to notice Zhao Yunshi’s scrutinizing gaze, puffing out her chest to appear righteous. “Before, I was solely focused on cultivation. Now that I’ve made some progress, it’s time to contribute to the sect!”

Her words were half-true. While she had indeed reached a level where she could venture out safely, the main reason was that among this year’s new disciples was Lin Qingge, a future prodigy.

Within Mu Ling’s spiritual realm lay a small lambskin booklet where she had recorded all the plot points she could remember from the original novel. According to the timeline, the demon clan had inexplicably gone into seclusion over the past twenty years, and it was during this period that Lin Qingge had fortuitously joined the Qingyi Sect.

Lin Qingge was merely a supporting character in the novel Mu Ling had read, and the author hadn’t devoted much ink to her description. Mu Ling only knew that Lin Qingge had entered the Qingyi Sect at this time, but she had no idea what she looked like or which peak she had been assigned to.

A disciple of Lin Qingge’s exceptional talent would likely be fought over by the peak masters. How could such a prize ever fall to her own dilapidated Qingbo Peak! So, Mu Ling contemplated becoming the disciple overseer. This position would make her the nominal master of this cohort of disciples, creating a connection that might ensure Lin Qingge wouldn’t stand idly by if she ever found herself in trouble in the future.

But Zhao Yunshi’s attitude.

Mu Ling stole a glance at Zhao Yunshi, only to meet her faintly amused gaze. Not daring to look further, Mu Ling straightened her posture, eyes fixed firmly ahead.

“In that case,” Zhao Yunshi’s smile deepened as she patted the paper crane beside her, “fetch the disciple overseer’s token!”

The crane brought over a jade-green token. At Zhao Yunshi’s prompting, Mu Ling channeled her spiritual energy into it, and the token emitted a dazzling white light. Immediately after, Zhao Yunshi’s voice resounded throughout the entire Qingyi Sect!

“Congratulations to Peak Master Mu Ling of Qingbo Peak for becoming this term’s disciple overseer! Peak Master Mu Ling is astute, virtuous, and endowed with extraordinary talent.” The voice from the token spoke unhurriedly, lavishing sincere praise on Mu Ling who had no idea she possessed so many virtues!

Zhao Yunshi produced a water mirror, showing the new disciples in training. At first, the disciples seemed stunned by the announcement, but upon learning that Peak Master Mu had reached the Nascent Soul stage before the age of two hundred, someone took the lead, and soon the entire group burst into enthusiastic applause!

Was the disciple overseer position supposed to be this high-profile?

Mu Ling’s face burned with embarrassment. The scene was unbearably awkward!

“The disciples seem to like you very much.”

Finally, the token stopped broadcasting, and Mu Ling felt like she could breathe again only to see Zhao Yunshi smiling at her once more.

Mu Ling’s heart instinctively skipped a beat.

“The new disciples’ evaluation will take place in a year. This batch is quite talented, so Peak Master Mu should prepare well. You’ll need to find some decent magical treasures, and it’s about time you took on a few disciples. ”

“Magical treasures? Wh-what treasures?”

The paper crane beside her kindly explained, “Peak Master Mu has been devoted to cultivation and rarely left the peak these years, so you might not know. For decades now, each cohort of disciples undergoes an evaluation a year after joining. The disciple overseer of each term presents the winning disciples with magical treasures from their private collection as rewards.”

“Peak Master Mu?”

Mu Ling’s head buzzed, barely registering anything beyond this point.

No wonder Zhao Yunshi had so generously handed her this position. It was a money-pit role meant for a sucker!

And everyone knew that Qingbo Peak was the poorest among the twelve peaks of the Qingyi Sect! Unlike the other peak masters, Mu Ling couldn’t even produce a single magical treasure, let alone multiple.

Yet now, Zhao Yunshi had already announced it to the entire sect.

Mu Ling felt nothing but overwhelming regret, her intestines practically twisting with remorse! She couldn’t imagine ever being happy again, drifting away from the Qianqiu Pavilion like a wandering ghost.

“Why did the Sect Leader give this position to Peak Master Mu?”

The paper crane watched Mu Ling’s dejected figure recede before fluttering onto Zhao Yunshi’s shoulder. “Peak Master Song and Peak Master Wu both wanted this role. Peak Master Mu is still so young.”

“She is the only peak master who has taken in commoner disciples,” Zhao Yunshi replied, rubbing her temples wearily. “The others have grown too comfortable these years. So comfortable they’ve forgotten the founding purpose of the Qingyi Sect.”

The paper crane murmured softly, “To seek a haven for women in this world.”

“Exactly!” Zhao Yunshi sighed quietly. “Our founding matriarch, hunted for her bloodline, broke through the heavens to establish the Qingyi Sect, vowing to shelter women who sought strength. Now, the Phoenix Flame bloodline ends with me, but the Qingyi Sect must endure for generations. I must find someone worthy to inherit our legacy.”

“Sect Leader, you are still in the prime of your years,” the paper crane nuzzled against Zhao Yunshi’s temple in comfort. “It’s too soon to speak of such things.”

“It’s not too soon! With the demonic clans stirring unrest, these troubled times demand early preparations. Besides, some ‘clever minds’ have already begun scheming.” Zhao Yunshi let out a derisive chuckle, her gaze sweeping over the thin, pale girl in the memory stone. Unwilling to dwell on the topic, she carefully placed the stone into a cloth pouch and hung it around the crane’s neck. “Deliver this to the other sects.”

The paper crane hesitated, as if wanting to say more, but in the end, it only sighed softly before taking flight into the vast sky.

The wind swept by, scattering the last remnants of blossoms at the doorstep. Zhao Yunshi leaned against the doorframe, her solitary figure exuding a chilling solemnity as if she were watching the crane, or perhaps gazing through it at some distant horizon.

Spring had come to an end.

Mu Ling knew nothing of what transpired after she left.

Too ashamed to show her face among the new disciples, she took a detour around the back mountain to return to her Qingbo Peak. The moment she arrived, she activated the mountain-protecting barrier. No one could enter unless a mighty cultivator forced their way in.

No one outside Qingbo Peak had any idea what Mu Ling had been up to all this time.

And within Qingbo Peak, apart from a few simple-minded little puppets (who barely counted as human), the only other person was the child Mu Ling had casually picked up.

“Kid, the Peak Master has locked herself in her room for three days! Go ask her what’s wrong.”

Seven puppets crowded around the child, eagerly urging her on.

Xiao Qi even shoved a handful of candies into the child’s hands in a bid to win her over. “Kid, we’re good sisters, right?”

…

Truly, like master, like servants. If nothing else, these puppets had inherited their master’s habit of bribing people with sweets to perfection!

The child sneered inwardly. The puppets’ behavior was odd. Their eyes flickered, avoiding direct eye contact.

What could possibly be wrong with that woman?

News of her appointment as the Disciplinary Master had spread throughout the sect. She was probably hiding away to gloat in private while playing hard to get. After all, with such a position came countless benefits starting with the disciples’ tributes.

Yet despite these thoughts, the child didn’t refuse the puppets’ request. She nodded and, under their hopeful gazes, feigned timidity as she pushed open Mu Ling’s door.

The door swung open with a gentle push.

Contrary to the child’s expectations, Mu Ling wasn’t lounging about enjoying food and drink as she had imagined. Instead, Mu Ling lay sprawled on the floor, her gaze despondently fixed on the ceiling, her face etched with frustration.

“Xiao Qi, I’ve gone through Qingbo Peak’s treasury again, and I’m truly penniless. I have no magical artifacts to give those disciples! Can’t you all just accompany them for three to five years? I promise I’ll redeem you after that.”

The child’s footsteps faltered.

In the next instant, Mu Ling turned her tearful, woeful eyes toward the door. Upon seeing the child, her expression stiffened, and the sorrow on her face vanished instantly.

Mu Ling shifted uncomfortably, averting her gaze. “What brings you here?”

These past few days, Mu Ling had nearly forgotten about the child she had picked up.

Now, the child understood everything. Earlier, it must have been Mu Ling and the little puppets in a dispute, and she had merely been an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.

But wasn’t this woman at the Nascent Soul stage? She could have as many puppets as she wanted. Why did she care so much about these small puppets’ opinions?

And more importantly…

How could a Nascent Soul cultivator be this poor? If she just extended an olive branch, countless people would rush to offer her magical artifacts and spirit stones.

Still, this presented the child with an opportunity.

“I know where to find magical artifacts,” the child said, lifting her head to look at Mu Ling. She forced a stiff smile, trying her best to appear obedient. “When those cultivators were tormenting me, I saw a hidden door in the underground palace, concealed by immortal magic. There were many artifacts inside.”

“Will you let me stay with you?” The child feigned timidity, though inwardly she was confident. “If you agree to let me stay, I’ll take you to that hidden door.”

Wasn’t she desperate for artifacts? If she agreed, it would solve her immediate problem. Given the hypocrisy of immortal sects, this woman would surely say yes, wouldn’t she?

When Mu Ling heard the child’s words, she was momentarily stunned. Then, her eyes lit up abruptly only to dim again as she shook her head with a smile.

“Child,” Mu Ling sighed, sitting up from the floor and patting the child’s head. She prepared to explain patiently. “You don’t want to go home because you’ve forgotten your past, but your family might still be waiting for you.”

Like Mu Ling herself. After so many years in this world, even though cultivators didn’t need sleep, she loved it dearly. Only in dreams could she see the grandfather she missed so much.

“You can stay with me for now. If you grow attached to me, you can always come back to visit after you find your family.” Seeing the child lower her head as if in fear, Mu Ling added softly, “I may be poor, but I can still afford to raise one child.”

The child pressed her lips together and, after a long pause, gave a slight nod.

Mu Ling’s reactions kept defying her expectations, and this loss of control was infuriating.

What had she done in the past when she felt this way?

The child narrowed her eyes. Suddenly, a sharp pain split through her mind. Like a crack tearing through a dark sky. Visions of endless blood flashed before her eyes, fragmented memories surfacing…

Was this her past?

The child stood frozen in place.

Mu Ling, however, mistook the child’s silence for sadness over her words. With a quiet sigh, she called Xiao Qi inside to keep the child company.

Xiao Qi was overjoyed by Mu Ling’s words about “not sending you to accompany the disciples” and kept chattering excitedly around the child: “I knew the Peak Master couldn’t bear to part with us. After all, she raised us.”

However, unlike usual, the child who normally found it annoying didn’t respond at all this time.

The child kept their head down and remained silent. Yet, for some reason, there was a moment when an overwhelming aura erupted from them, sending a chill through the usually carefree puppet’s chest, making it suddenly forget what it was about to say next.

That night, the child had a dream.

In the dream, they were a formidable and fearsome figure, wielding immense power. Commanding the winds and clouds, turning the tide at will, while others cowered before them like ants.

But how could someone so small possess such terrifying strength?

The child seemed to sense something, their eyelids fluttering as their body suddenly tensed. When they opened their eyes, their gaze was dark and sinister, the corners slightly tinged with red.

Feeling the faint flow of spiritual energy within their body, the child curled their lips into a meaningful smile and glanced toward Mu Ling’s room. Then, like a ghost, they swiftly descended the mountain. Despite the vastness of the Qingyi Sect, not a single soul detected their presence.