Master is Also Running Away from Marriage Today (Transmigration) - Chapter 42

Mu Ling felt that her subconscious was burdened with immense psychological pressure due to her impending departure, which was why she couldn’t sleep well at night. She constantly felt as though she were wrapped in a furnace, unbearably hot, yet no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t wake up.

Fortunately, the time for the Demon-Suppressing Alliance’s departure soon arrived.

The Qingyi Sect was responsible for the southern front of the encirclement. Along with other sects from the south, they would gather at the border between the demon realm and the human world before advancing into the demonic territory, battling the demonic clans along the way. Eventually, they would meet up with the sects from other directions in front of the Demon Palace.

When Mu Ling boarded the great ship again, her mood was entirely different from the last time. Standing at the bow, she carefully studied every face in the Qingyi Sect, silently bidding farewell to each person, her eyes involuntarily filling with tears.

Zhao Yunshi couldn’t help but laugh at Mu Ling’s pitiful expression. “Alright, so many disciples are watching. It’s just a trip of a year or two at most. Don’t make it seem like a life-or-death parting.”

But when she met Mu Ling’s tear-filled eyes, Zhao Yunshi faltered and softened her tone. “We’ll be waiting for your return at the sect.”

Mu Ling didn’t speak.

She lowered her head, pressed her lips together, and solemnly raised her hands above her head before kneeling on both knees before Zhao Yunshi.

A triple bow, unable to fully express the gratitude in her heart.

Since entering the sect, this was the first time Mu Ling had ever performed such a formal gesture toward Zhao Yunshi.

“All these years, I have been deeply grateful for your care,” Mu Ling said, looking up at Zhao Yunshi, her heart aching as she fought back tears.

Her parents had passed away so long ago that Mu Ling’s memories of them had long faded. Over the years, Zhao Yunshi had played the role of both teacher and mother in her life, and Mu Ling had come to regard her as a respected elder in her heart.

Mu Ling couldn’t bear to leave all this behind, but her grandfather was suffering, and she had no choice but to return to the modern world.

Seeing Mu Ling’s solemn demeanor, Zhao Yunshi’s eyes flickered with emotion. But years of stern discipline had hardened her, and though her lips twitched, she ultimately didn’t smile. Instead, she simply patted Mu Ling’s shoulder lightly.

Mu Ling forced a smile, turned, and boarded the great ship. As the vessel soared into the clouds, carrying with it years of memories and reluctance, the Qingyi Sect grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

Only when the majestic mountain gates of the Qingyi Sect had completely vanished from sight did Mu Ling finally retreat into the ship’s cabin.

She had left a gift for Zhao Yunshi.

Two days later, Xiao Qi would deliver the gift Mu Ling had prepared. A batch of medicinal pills to nourish and heal the old injuries Zhao Yunshi had accumulated over years of secluded cultivation.

As the sect leader, Zhao Yunshi lacked for nothing, and Mu Ling could think of no other way to repay her.

As for the others in the Qingyi Sect, she would do everything in her power to ensure their survival!

Mu Ling raised her head, gazing in the direction of the Qingyi Sect where she had lived for nearly two centuries, and pressed her lips together tightly. Preserving the sect’s strength was the last thing she could do for them.

…

It took Mu Ling half a day to steady her emotions. By the time she stepped out again, dusk had fallen.

Ahead, standing at the ship’s railing directly opposite her cabin door, was a figure clad in snow-white robes. Even from behind, his presence was enough to haunt one’s dreams.

Mu Ling smiled and walked over to her young disciple, standing beside her to admire the scenery together.

The massive ship cut swiftly through the dazzling clouds, so close it seemed one could reach out and touch the colorful sky. Below them stretched the myriad landscapes of the mortal world: bustling streets, secluded forest paths, towering palaces, and silent temples.

Even though she had seen it many times before, Mu Ling couldn’t help but lose herself in the view. This was the true, vibrant pulse of mortal life, not the dry accounts from books, and every living being here existed in vivid reality.

When Mu Ling finally snapped out of her reverie, she noticed her disciple had turned her head and was staring intently at her.

“What is it?”

Mu Ling averted her gaze, her heart inexplicably skipping a beat. She didn’t understand why, but for a fleeting moment, she couldn’t bring herself to meet Qing Ge’s eyes. Those beautiful orbs of hers were no less striking than the resplendent clouds around them, and the emotions hidden within them.

Mu Ling couldn’t quite name those emotions, but she instinctively shied away from probing deeper.

“Nothing,” Yan Qi curved her lips slightly. “I just realized how exceptionally beautiful you are, Master.”

Even the myriad hues of the clouds and the breathtaking mortal scenery paled in comparison to the radiance of your smile.

“R-really?” Mu Ling hadn’t expected such a reply. Though she knew Qing Ge was complimenting this borrowed body, her cheeks flushed uncontrollably. She didn’t understand why perhaps it was simply because Qingge was so stunningly beautiful, her usual demeanor so cool and detached, that any praise from her lips felt irresistibly genuine. And any girl would feel a secret thrill when praised by a peerless beauty.

Watching Mu Ling’s reddened earlobes, Yan Qi’s smile deepened, her mood suddenly lifting.

She had actually been waiting here for quite some time.

She knew Mu Ling was unhappy perhaps because she had never been away from her sect for so long before, her entire demeanor seemed listless. Yan Qi felt a pang of jealousy toward Zhao Yunshi, as Mu Ling’s reluctance to part with her was so plainly evident. But more than envying Zhao Yunshi, Yan Qi wanted Mu Ling to be happy. She couldn’t bear to see Mu Ling downcast.

Yet the Demon King had lived her entire life indulging her whims; it had always been others trying to please her. She had never actively sought to cheer someone up before. So, she had lingered outside Mu Ling’s door, hesitating for the longest time, unable to bring herself to push it open, her agitation growing by the minute.

So, praising her makes her happy?

Yan Qi observed Mu Ling’s sparkling eyes and the blush creeping down her neck, recalling from Lin Qingge’s memories the things that brought Mu Ling joy. Pressing her tongue against her molars, she suddenly felt as though she had grasped something important.

Mu Ling had initially thought that her recurring nightmares would improve after leaving the Qingyi Sect. However, during the past few days of travel, she found that her symptoms hadn’t lessened at all. Every night, she still felt as though she were sleeping in a furnace. What troubled her even more was that she often seemed to hear faint, intermittent panting in her dreams. Mu Ling didn’t understand what was happening to her. Whenever she heard those suppressed breaths, so close it felt as if they were right beside her, her entire body would tingle with a strange sensation, as if something had lightly brushed against her heart, leaving her limp and weak, like a puddle of melted water.

At the same time, Mu Ling noticed that Qingge had changed again.

She had always taken great pride in the fact that a peerless beauty like Lin Qingge was someone she had nurtured. Showering her with spirit stones, ancient texts, and care. But perhaps influenced by Mu Ling’s habit of doting on her, Qingge now seemed intent on returning the favor, as if she wanted to pamper Mu Ling in turn.

In the past, Qingge would also buy things for Mu Ling, but they were always items tailored to Mu Ling’s tastes. This journey, however, was supposed to be a serious and tense demon-subduing mission. Yet Qingge treated it like a leisurely outing. Mu Ling often saw her, clad in flowing white robes, descending gracefully from the ship’s edge on her sword, only to return with an armful of purchases: local specialties from the countries they passed, beautiful clothes and jewelry, various cosmetics, and all sorts of snacks.

Moreover, for some unknown reason, Qingge had recently been gazing at Mu Ling with a look that made her blush and her heart race. When caught, Qingge didn’t shy away. Instead, she would openly say things like, “Master, you look stunning in this dress.”

“Master, try the lip rouge I bought yesterday. Your skin is like flawless jade. It complements your complexion perfectly.”

“Master, the hairstyle you’ve done today is just as lovely as yesterday’s…”

At first, Mu Ling felt immensely gratified hearing such words. After all, everyone has their vanity, and being praised by a great beauty felt incredibly satisfying especially when the beauty’s admiration seemed utterly sincere.

But after a while, Mu Ling began to feel embarrassed. She couldn’t let this continue, or she’d grow too full of herself. Besides, as the perpetually impoverished Peak Lord of Qingbo Peak, watching Qingge spend money like water pained her. Qingge was already devastatingly beautiful. She shouldn’t be allowed to indulge in such nouveau riche behavior, squandering spirit stones without restraint.

Thus, even though Mu Ling still found everything Qingge bought for her perfectly suited to her tastes, when Qingge seemed about to set off on another shopping spree, Mu Ling grabbed her sleeve and gently said, “Qingge, your master doesn’t lack for anything.”

“I know Master doesn’t lack anything,” Yan Qi replied, her lips curling unconsciously as she took in Mu Ling’s outfit. Every piece of which she had personally chosen. The satisfaction she felt surpassed even the joy of razing an entire city. “But I want to give these to you. Master is so wonderful. You deserve the very best this world has to offer.”

Now that she understood her own feelings, Yan Qi’s eyes darkened with determination: She would definitely do better than Lin Qingge!

Here we go again!

How could Qingge say such shameless things so effortlessly?!

If it weren’t for the fact that Qingge remained as cold and indifferent as ever toward everyone else, Mu Ling would almost suspect that Lin Qingge had been possessed by some outside force.

Yet, even though she couldn’t understand why Qingge’s temperament kept shifting, Mu Ling was certain this was still the same Qingge she had raised with her own hands.

“Qingge, I know you’re filial,” Mu Ling decided to make one last attempt, tugging at Lin Qingge’s sleeve. As the beneficiary, her words lacked conviction, and she didn’t even realize that the way she was pulling at Qingge’s sleeve resembled a young wife acting coquettishly. “But in the future, Qingbo Peak will need to recruit more disciples. To raise those children, spirit stones, medicinal herbs, magical artifacts none of these can be lacking. And then there’s all the miscellaneous affairs and dealings.”

“Are you afraid I can’t afford to support you?” Mu Ling thought she had been subtle enough, but she hadn’t expected Lin Qingge to see right through her. Qingge even grabbed Mu Ling’s wrist, looking at her with an amused smirk.

Mu Ling instinctively shrank back, her gaze darting around. Before she could come up with an excuse, she felt Lin Qingge press a jade token into her hand.

Mu Ling channeled a wisp of spiritual energy into the token, and her expression instantly froze.

My apologies!

She never expected it to be the deed to five spirit stone mines!

Those five mines alone could buy an entire Qingbo Peak!

Mu Ling would never have imagined that her little disciple had actually become a wealthy heiress! But upon reflection, it wasn’t that surprising. Mu Ling had never pried into Qingge’s personal assets, but given Qingge’s intelligence, earning spirit stones wouldn’t have been difficult.

Meanwhile, Yan Qi watched Mu Ling’s dazed expression as if she had suffered a tremendous shock and the smile on her lips grew increasingly pronounced.

She finally understood why Lin Qingge was so fond of Mu Ling!

Mu Ling was just so adorable. So adorable that Yan Qi wished she could tear out her own heart for her, stay by her side every moment, and tuck her into her embrace.

This was the happiest time Yan Qi could remember in her entire life.

The person before her was the one in her heart.

She had left behind all the schemes and intrigues, becoming like a reckless, clumsy girl from the mortal world. Joyful and passionate, pouring out everything to please the girl she loved.

And even if that girl didn’t understand her feelings yet, it didn’t matter. One day soon, she would surely fall into her arms.

For the next few days, Mu Ling enjoyed being pampered by her wealthy disciple with a mix of delight and guilt. Qingge’s overwhelming presence during this time even kept Mu Ling from wallowing in melancholy over her impending departure so much so that she missed some crucial news.

Until ten days later, when the flying ship landed at Bucheng, the border between the demon realm and the mortal world. This was the agreed-upon meeting point, where the southern demon-subduing team was supposed to regroup.

When Mu Ling first heard of Bucheng, she had assumed it was a small town. But as the ship descended and the increasingly familiar scenery came into view, her eyes widened in shock!

Just then, the voices of two nearby disciples reached her ears:

“I heard Bucheng used to be a small kingdom called Mu Country, famous for its hot springs. The ruler was so deluded he pledged allegiance to the Demon Palace even went so far as to offer his own daughter to the Demon King. But what good did it do? The kingdom still fell.”

Mu Ling, the daughter who had been offered to the Demon King listened to this conversation and felt her entire world crumble.

The original text did not mention the fate of the Mu Kingdom. In previous years, Mu Ling would still keep an eye on news about Mu Kingdom. However, since Lin Qingge arrived at Qingbo Peak, Mu Ling hadn’t paid attention to it for years. Yet, she never expected that after all this time, she would find herself back in this place once again.

The Mu Kingdom revered cultivators and, like many other nations, supported practitioners. Though the kingdom had fallen, these cultivators had not perished, and there was a high likelihood that some might recognize Mu Ling.

And as fate would have it, the moment their airship landed, invitations from the local cultivators of Bu’an City arrived requesting the Qingyi Sect delegation to attend a welcoming banquet.