Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 40

In a hazy daze, Mu Ling felt as if she had floated back to modern times, returning to the iron-framed bed in her dormitory. Blushing furiously, she hid under the covers, reading a novel titled The Domineering Immortal Lord’s Fierce Love. Mu Ling wasn’t sure why she kept reading this story where the female lead shared her name perhaps because the plot was so melodramatic, and certain scenes were described in rather vivid detail.

With a mix of shame and guilty pleasure, Mu Ling, her face flushed, reached the final passage:

“After the Demon King was slain by Lin Qingge and plunged into the abyss, the demonic forces scattered like loose sand, swiftly crushed by the immortals. The crimson glow of sunset bathed the land as the group arrived before the Demon Palace, its dark and foreboding structure fully revealed to the immortals. Bai Junhao held Mu Ling close, his gaze fixed on Lin Qingge ahead. By now, Lin Qingge had become the most revered figure in the immortal path, standing atop the distant mountain peak. A streak of blood-red stretched across the horizon, and a swirling vortex of seven-colored light appeared in the sky.

“‘Look, even the heavens rejoice in Qingge’s victory!’ The seven-colored vortex drew nearer, and Mu Ling, captivated by the sight, couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

“‘Why speak of others at a time like this? Our future children will surely surpass Qingge!’ Bai Junhao glanced at Lin Qingge’s retreating figure before turning back to Mu Ling, his eyes brimming with tenderness. ‘I’ve wronged you in the past, but now that the Demon King is dead and I’ve inherited the Bai Xu Sect, we can finally have children.’

“Mu Ling smiled shyly and returned his embrace.

“Their happy life had only just begun.”

This was the final chapter of The Domineering Immortal Lord’s Fierce Love!

Something flashed through Mu Ling’s mind, jolting her awake from the dream.

Soft sunlight streamed across her face, and she squinted, realizing she had slept deeply, it was already daytime.

Her heart still pounded wildly. The moment she recalled her discovery, excitement surged through her: she had found a way back!

“The end of everything” must refer to the conclusion of this novel. Once the story reached its climax. When Qingge killed the Demon King and the seven-colored vortex appeared that would be her chance to return to the modern world!

Mu Ling counted the days. The Demon-Slaying Alliance had already been formed, and from now until the final assault on the Demon Palace, only a little over a year remained.

Aside from the romantic subplot between the male and female leads, everything else seemed to be following the original storyline.

This meant that in just one year, she could go home.

Mu Ling took several deep breaths, calming herself from the initial euphoria. Only then did she begin to reflect on everything in this world.

Before, with an endless lifespan, a century had felt like a fleeting moment. But now, with only a year left, time suddenly felt urgent.

What would it be like when she left this world?

Her mood darkened.

Looking back on her years here, she realized she had formed many bonds. The sharp-tongued but kind-hearted Sect Leader Zhao Yunshi, the composed and capable Ding Xin, the seven adorable little puppets. But the one she would miss most was her beautiful, understanding disciple, Lin Qingge.

After so many years of companionship, they would surely be heartbroken when they realized she was gone, wouldn’t they?

After much deliberation, Mu Ling decided to move up her plans for seclusion: if she left before the seven-colored vortex appeared, pretending she had already gone into seclusion, then even if they noticed her absence, they would assume she was simply living in solitude somewhere, unaware that she had completely left this world.

With this thought, a sense of urgency welled up in Mu Ling’s heart. With only a little over a year left, she needed to cherish the remaining time even more.

Yan Qi returned later than usual that day. No one knew she had secretly visited the Demon Palace to finalize all preparations for the impending attack from the immortal realm.

Yan Qi had a bold plan in mind: she thought Lin Qingge’s previous strategy wasn’t bad. Perhaps she could openly become the leader of both the immortal and demonic factions, using her position to pit them against each other, weeding out the dregs and malignancies, and ushering in a new era for the three realms.

At this stage, it was time for Yan Qi, under the guise of Lin Qingge, to rise in the immortal realm. She ordered the demonic faction to temporarily retreat and conceal their strength, waiting until “Lin Qingge” had secured dominance in the immortal realm before the Demon Palace would reemerge.

Though the Demon Palace would feign concession, the process couldn’t appear too deliberate. Thus, Yan Qi carefully orchestrated the battle arrangements, and by the time everything was set, it was nearly midnight.

Strangely, despite the Demon Palace being a familiar sight, Yan Qi felt it was dark and suffocating this time, as if she couldn’t bear to stay a moment longer.

When Yan Qi returned to Qingbo Peak, she had expected Mu Ling to be asleep. Even if Mu Ling was awake, Yan Qi was prepared to face a despondent version of her. Yet, to her surprise, Qingbo Peak was still brightly lit, and the light in Mu Ling’s room was still on.

Frowning, Yan Qi heard laughter and chatter coming from Mu Ling’s room and couldn’t resist stepping inside.

Mu Ling’s room was strewn with storybooks.

A few small puppets and some newly recruited junior disciples of the Qingyi Sect were squatting on the floor, happily picking through the books.

Yan Qi frowned, pressing her lips together as she looked at Mu Ling. These were the mortal storybooks Mu Ling had collected over the decades. Mu Ling treasured them dearly, often saying they encapsulated the evolving thoughts of people across different eras. Even rereading them after a decade or two could yield new insights, which was why Mu Ling had never been willing to discard them, filling two entire Qiankun bags with her collection.

Yan Qi subtly channeled her spiritual energy, scrutinizing Mu Ling’s aura: it was still the same Mu Ling, not possessed by anyone else.

What on earth had gotten into her today, that she was willing to share her beloved books with others?

Mu Ling spotted Yan Qi too and quickly called out with a smile, “Qingge, come pick one too! See if there’s anything you like?”

Yan Qi’s heart skipped a beat, involuntarily recalling the contents of the storybooks she had collected as Lin Qingge, her cheeks warming slightly.

Having grown up in the demonic realm, where customs were liberal, she had always despised such frivolous matters. Never had she imagined she would one day secretly read these books.

It was all that fool’s fault!

Mu Ling noticed the slightly cold gaze in Lin Qingge’s eyes and belatedly remembered there were others present. As the foremost figure in the immortal realm, Lin Qingge probably wouldn’t want anyone to know she secretly indulged in reading romance novels in private.

Mu Ling inwardly cursed, “Oh no,” and quickly tried to smooth things over: “I forgot you never read these kinds of novels.”

“But you know! It’s not that your master is nagging you. I know you’re diligent and meticulous, but you can’t always keep that string in your mind pulled so tight. Sometimes, you need to relax a little. Balance work and rest, you see.”

Here she goes again!

Yan Qi watched as Mu Ling resumed her efforts to make her “indulge in frivolous pleasures.” Pressing her tongue lightly against her molars, a sudden thought flashed through her mind: What kind of expression would Mu Ling wear if she knew her beloved disciple was fantasizing about her while reading those novels?

With this thought, the coldness in Yan Qi’s eyes dissipated slightly. She much preferred this silly, carefree version of Mu Ling, who seemed happy every day.

Seeing Yan Qi’s expression soften but still show no interest in picking a novel, Mu Ling sighed inwardly and abandoned the idea of persuading Lin Qingge to choose one. Instead, she pulled Yan Qi to sit beside her at the dining table, handing her a cup of wine. Gazing at the disciples browsing the novels, she mused nostalgically, “Qingge, when you first joined the sect, you were only as old as they are now.”

“But you were different from them. So composed and mature, even as a child.”

Yan Qi stared deeply at the cup of wine Mu Ling had handed her. Since Mu Ling had learned that alcohol led her to mishaps, she rarely drank voluntarily. Today, she had not only brought out her treasured novels to give away but was also offering her wine. What was she planning?

Mu Ling, however, didn’t notice Yan Qi’s expression.

Her heart was pounding with nervousness, and she needed the wine to bolster her courage.

Downing the cup in one gulp, Mu Ling choked, tears welling in her eyes as the alcohol burned its way down. Taking a deep breath, she finally mustered the courage to look at Yan Qi: “Qingge, you’ve grown up now, capable of standing on your own. Don’t be fooled by how young I still look. My heart has long grown weary. Recently, I’ve had an epiphany. I’m tired of the mundane world and have decided to retire to seclusion after the upcoming demon-subjugation campaign, to live a carefree life for a few years.”

“You have a great destiny ahead, one that will surely transcend the Qingyi Sect. I plan to pass the position of Qingbo Peak’s master to your senior sister. She can ensure the peak’s legacy endures for generations, while you’ll remain free come and go as you please.”

A faint crack sounded.

Guiltily, Mu Ling looked up to see Yan Qi calmly tucking the shattered wine cup into her sleeve, her lips curving into a faint, unreadable smile. “Master’s arrangements are truly thorough.”

Yan Qi’s tone was devoid of emotion, leaving Mu Ling uncertain of her thoughts. She could only force a dry laugh and lower her head.

Mu Ling’s heart fluttered anxiously. If Qingge had reacted with shock and outright refusal like Ding Xin, she might have felt confident in gradually persuading her. But this calm indifference unsettled her deeply.

So, this was her “ashes to ashes, dust to dust”?

Everything that the fool Lin Qingge had desperately tried to protect. The entirety of Qingbo Peak, she wanted to discard with just a single, careless remark.

Yan Qi glanced at the downcast Mu Ling, her lips curling into a mocking smile as the shards of the wine cup in her palm instantly crumbled to dust.

Things seemed to be taking a rather ominous turn!

With an impassive expression, Yan Qi poured herself another cup of wine. She had always wanted to deny that the fool Lin Qingge was herself. Yet, when she heard Mu Ling mention her plan to live in seclusion, an unsettling thought arose in her heart: she wanted to lock Mu Ling away by her side, clip her wings, and ensure she could never leave.

This was not a thought she should be entertaining.

What was even more troubling was that Yan Qi realized she didn’t feel the slightest bit of resistance toward this idea.