The Five Disciples He Took In After Transmigrating Into The Book Were All The Same Person - Chapter 6

“Cong Lian,” Tan Fengyu said, suppressing his amusement, “it is likely because you are currently dressed in women’s clothing, so…”

Everything was understood without further words. Ji Lan felt depressed. Xiao Yuwei was the real woman here; the child had simply recognized the wrong person.

“I am not your mother,” Ji Lan said helplessly. “I am a man. I cannot give birth to you.”

A-Yue did not respond; instead, he happily rubbed against Ji Lan’s shoulder.

“Master Huailian,” Ji Lan said, feeling exhausted, “let us focus on business. There are many villagers on Qingya Mountain who require rites for the dead.”

Ji Lan’s words left Huailian stunned. “Rites for the dead? The village at the foot of Qingya Mountain has been empty for a long time. Who would dare to climb this mountain?”

Chapter 30: What Is This Posture? What Is Master Trying to Do?

That was strange. Ji Lan had not implied the villagers were voluntary climbers. Why was the old monk so certain no one dared to ascend?

“Master,” Ji Lan said, calmly patting A-Yue’s back, “I only wish to ask you to perform rites for the villagers. Do you mean to say there are hidden complications?”

Huailian’s expression darkened. “Elder Cong Lian, from the moment you entered the vicinity of Qingya Mountain, you entered a massive illusion. We were led here step by step, and as you can see, we were trapped. If not for you, we might have…”

Huailian’s words left those who had ridiculed Ji Lan feeling ashamed. If not for Elder Cong Lian’s extraordinary talent in using this child to rescue them, who knew what fate they would have met? Falling into the hands of the Demonic Clan would surely have been a fate worse than death.

“Elder Cong Lian! Thank you for saving us.” Huailian whispered a Buddhist mantra before continuing, “My disciples and I have other matters to attend to, so we will take our leave.”

Ji Lan nodded. “Please, Master.”

Once Huailian departed, the hesitant disciples from other sects followed suit. Eventually, only their original group remained, along with Tan Fengyu.

“That crowd,” Tan Fengyu said with an ugly expression. “Cong Lian saved them, and all they had to say was a simple thank you? Their lives truly aren’t worth much.”

“Saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda,” Ji Lan said calmly. “It is fine; let them go.”

Yes, that line was perfect. It sounded incredibly arrogant! Ji Lan felt his stature grow a few inches. Tan Fengyu looked at Ji Lan with suspicion. Since when did this man become so noble and virtuous? With Weiwei here, who was Ji Lan trying to impress? It was obvious.

“Senior Brother Tan, are you alright?” Xiao Yuwei observed Tan Fengyu’s gaze toward Ji Lan and felt a flicker of pride. “This time, it is all thanks to Ji Lan.”

Hearing his junior sister praise another man didn’t sit well with Tan Fengyu. Didn’t she dislike Ji Lan?

“Mother!”

Before Tan Fengyu could speak, he was choked by that sudden cry.

“I am not your mother,” Ji Lan said, his heart weary. “I am a man.”

A-Yue looked at his fair-skinned, beautiful mother, tilted his head, and blinked in confusion. “Mother is Mother.”

“You…”

Before Ji Lan could finish, his arms were empty again. Mo Chenxiao had snatched A-Yue away.

“He is my Master, not your mother,” Mo Chenxiao said, his face dark. “You must call him Elder Cong Lian.”

You haven’t even entered the Sword Pavilion yet; don’t even think about calling him Elder!

“Forget it, he is just a child…” Ji Lan could not bear to hear Mo Chenxiao scolding the child in such a harsh tone. Just as he was about to reach for A-Yue, he heard a “waaaaah.” A-Yue was crying!

Ji Lan felt even more distressed. “He is so small; why are you frightening him?”

Mo Chenxiao ignored him, staring coldly at the child.

“I know,” A-Yue sobbed while wriggling back toward Ji Lan. “Elder Cong Lian, hold me, hold me, wuwuwu…”

Ji Lan was stunned. It actually worked? Compared to being called Mother, let the protagonist scare him.

“Why has Cong Lian become so popular with children?” Tan Fengyu looked at A-Yue and then at Wan Song, confused. “Junior Sister, what is going on?”

Xiao Yuwei was also baffled. Ji Lan had always disliked noisy children, which was why Mo Chenxiao had been so dull and quiet growing up. Now, this was unbelievable.

“Master,” Mo Chenxiao did not intend to return A-Yue to Ji Lan’s arms, instead lulling the child to sleep. “Based on Master Huailian’s words, he likely wants you to dispose of this child.”

“Dispose of him?” Ji Lan disapproved. “He is still a child.”

“Cong Lian,” Tan Fengyu said with an awkward laugh. “This is likely no ordinary child. Master Huailian tossing this hot potato to you is likely done with ill intent.”

“It is fine,” Ji Lan said calmly. “He has mastered the Heart Sword, so he is naturally no ordinary person. Besides, do we not have Chenxiao?”

Hearing his own name, Mo Chenxiao looked puzzled. What did this have to do with him?

Ji Lan added lightly, “A-Yue is afraid of Chenxiao. Having Chenxiao around is enough.”

Tan Fengyu could not help but ask, “Cong Lian, since when have you become so fond of children?”

Ji Lan: “I am getting older, so naturally, I have become fond of them.”

Tan Fengyu was speechless. “Then keep him by your side, and give this little disciple a companion.”

Wan Song, the little disciple, noticed Tan Fengyu looking at him and tried to force a smile. “Th-thank you, Elder.” Even if Wan Song felt dissatisfied, he dared not say a word. He was unworthy. Mo Chenxiao saw Wan Song’s sullen expression and sneered. This child actually has some uses.

“Miss Xiao,” Mo Chenxiao suddenly handed A-Yue to Xiao Yuwei. “You are the only woman here; please take good care of this child.”

Ji Lan: “…I could have done it too.”

“Master,” Mo Chenxiao said steadily. “If you continue to pamper A-Yue like this, Junior Brother Wan will be unhappy.”

Wan Song: “?!”

“Very well.” Ji Lan sighed, thinking of something. “In that case, Yuwei, I leave it to you.”

Xiao Yuwei took A-Yue, looking bewildered, feeling that something was not quite right.

“Cong Lian, where should we go now?” Tan Fengyu asked cautiously. “With White Deer Cliff destroyed, Huailian and the others are likely hunting the remaining demonic remnants. Should we go too?”

Ji Lan pondered. What was I here for in the first place? To find the protagonist’s sword, but it had been intercepted by a toddler. To take Wan Song to see the world—well, he had seen it, and perhaps a bit too much. There really was nothing left to do.

[Host!] Zhen’ai’s voice shrieked. [Perform rites for the villagers! Have you forgotten? You let those monks go!]

Ji Lan: “…”

Why didn’t you remind me earlier?

[Task failed! Electric shock penalty!] Zhen’ai stated coldly before vanishing.

“Nngh—ah!” Ji Lan suddenly let out two short, sharp cries. An intense current surged through his limbs, his heart stopped, and he collapsed backward.

“Master!” Mo Chenxiao quickly caught him in his arms. “What is wrong?”

“Nngh…” Ji Lan’s heart began to beat again, and he couldn’t help but cling to him tighter.

“Master…” Mo Chenxiao was rigid, not daring to move. This posture… what is Master trying to do?