The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 17

Yuan Shao walked down the street, her expression dark and gloomy, as if shrouded by storm clouds. Her once-charming peach blossom eyes now held nothing but icy coldness.

“Shizun!” Chi Jinni called out as she hurried after her, finally catching hold of Yuan Shao’s sleeve. She bent over, panting heavily. “Why did you leave without me?”

Yuan Shao didn’t answer, turning her face away.

Just moments after Yuan Shao had stepped out of the shop, the seamstress had rushed out after her. Upon questioning, Chi Jinni learned the reason behind Yuan Shao’s inquiry about the bracelet.

In the Upper Cultivation Realm, cultivators were expected to join a sect from a young age to train. Only after reaching a certain level of cultivation could they choose a suitable partner for dual cultivation, which would enhance both their powers. Engaging in dual cultivation before achieving Foundation Establishment could lead to dire consequences, ranging from complete loss of cultivation to fatal meridian reversal, or even worse, qi deviation that could rob one of their sanity.

Thus, until reaching a certain age and cultivation level, cultivators in the Upper Realm were strictly forbidden from indulging in desires. Otherwise, they risked harming not only themselves but also their dual cultivation partner.

Yuan Shao’s question about the bracelet suggested she had begun to doubt her disciple’s identity or perhaps suspected her of misconduct behind her back.

Chi Jinni quickly explained, “Shizun, about that bracelet you asked me about, I found it after defeating a demon. The creature fled in panic, and while cleaning up the battlefield, I stumbled upon it. Back then, I was young and naive, so I wore it out of curiosity. But once I learned its meaning, I immediately pawned it off.”

Hearing this, Yuan Shao’s expression softened slightly, though she still refused to look directly at Chi Jinni.

Chi Jinni grasped Yuan Shao’s wrist and grinned. “Did Shizun suspect me of sneaking around and dating someone behind your back?”

“You” The words instantly brought a faint blush to Yuan Shao’s previously pale, angered face. She lifted her gaze to meet Chi Jinni’s, her tone stern but her voice still clear and devoid of anger. “How dare you speak to your elder like that!”

“Yes, yes, Shizun, don’t be angry. This disciple was wrong.” Seeing Yuan Shao’s expression ease slightly, Chi Jinni knew she had narrowly escaped trouble.

Inwardly, she couldn’t help but think that the longer she stayed by Yuan Shao’s side, the sooner her true identity would be exposed. Any slip-up could cost her life. This only strengthened her resolve to send Yuan Shao away.

But before that, she needed to cling to her one last lifeline.

Chi Jinni tugged at Yuan Shao’s sleeve. “Shizun, the cloak will take a while to finish. Could you accompany me somewhere first?”

Chi Jinni led Yuan Shao to the entrance of a Taoist temple.

The temple was unusual its layout differed from ordinary Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries alike. The courtyard was filled with fluttering pear blossoms, their fragrance overwhelming.

The waiter at Yihui Hall had told her that this temple enshrined a goddess known for her miraculous powers, which explained its enduring popularity.

“Shizun, they say this place is very effective. Since we’re heading somewhere dangerous tomorrow, I wanted to pray for safety first,” Chi Jinni explained.

Yuan Shao shook her head. “As cultivators, we shouldn’t casually worship deities.”

Chi Jinni replied, “It’s fine. Shizun can just watch from the side. My cultivation is still shallow, so it should be alright for me.”

With that, she pulled Yuan Shao into the temple. After collecting incense at the side hall, Chi Jinni made her way to the communal prayer mat and knelt down.

Yuan Shao watched as her little disciple raised the incense above her head, eyes tightly shut, earnestly making her wish. For a moment, she couldn’t help but wonder what that wish might be.

The main hall’s entrance was barred by railings, inaccessible to all. Every worshipper knelt in the courtyard. Just inside the gate stood a massive incense burner, its azure flames surging upward in clusters, filling the air with the scent of sandalwood.

Before the burner, the ground was covered with prayer mats. Visitors would first hold their incense sticks, make their wishes on the mats, then proceed to light the sandalwood incense at the burner and insert it into the tripod cauldron before returning to the mats to kneel and pray.

With so many devotees, this ritual took considerable time. The worshippers came in all ages and genders, each bearing exquisite offerings fruits, pastries, even gold and silver vessels.

An elderly woman had just finished her prayers and was resting on the nearby corridor. Yuan Shao approached and asked, “Madam, may I ask which deity is enshrined here?”

The old woman was dabbing her forehead with a handkerchief. Seeing the handsome young master addressing her, she smiled and explained, “You must be new here, young man, not to know of Lady Liji!”

“Lady Liji?”

“Indeed, she’s a saint! They say our revered master was once gravely injured in his youth and was saved by Liji. Later, when Lady Liji attained enlightenment and became an immortal, the master built this temple in her honor, offering daily worship. She’s incredibly efficacious! My neighbor’s eldest son was once critically ill, no doctor could cure him. His family came here, lit incense, and obtained a talisman. Placed under his pillow, he recovered within a month. Now he has two grandsons!”

Hearing this, Yuan Shao grew even more curious about this goddess. She wondered what such a miraculous “saint” looked like to inspire such devout followers. Her gaze drifted toward the statue inside the hall.

The enshrined figure was a woman holding fresh flowers, her gentle eyes and brows exuding an inexplicable warmth.

Just as she was observing, Chi Jinnian, having finished her prayers, approached. “Master, it’s so crowded here, and the incense is overwhelming. Let’s go outside.”

Bidding farewell to the old woman, Yuan Shao allowed Chi Jinnian to lead her out of the temple.

Amid the crowd, a white-robed “youth” let the young girl ahead pull her along, moving against the flow of people.

A pear blossom drifted down in the breeze, landing on her auburn hair. When no one was looking, Yuan Shao plucked the flower and quietly tucked it into her sleeve.

Once outside, Chi Jinnian opened her palm, revealing a small red pouch.

“I got this protective charm for you, Master.”

It was midsummer, nearing noon, and the sun blazed unrelentingly. The temple had been stifling with the crowd and the burning incense. Yuan Shao noticed beads of sweat glistening on Chi Jinnian’s forehead under the sunlight. “For me?”

“Yes!” Chi Jinnian extended her hand further. Seeing Yuan Shao hesitate, she simply unfolded the other’s palm and placed the red pouch in it. “They say prayers for safety here are very effective. You must keep it safe, Master!”

For a moment, that tiny red pouch in her hand felt as heavy as a thousand pounds so heavy she could barely hold it up.

At the same time, she also guessed the wish Chi Jinnian had made when she clasped her hands together earlier.

After a long pause, she finally replied, “Well, thank you then.”

Tonight, Chi Jinnian stayed at Yuan Shao’s place again.

In the evening, Yihui Hall delivered the items Chi Jinnian had purchased: two cloaks, some outdoor living supplies, and a large amount of medicinal ointments. All of them were stuffed by Chi Jinnian into two storage pouches.

These pouches were only the size of small sachets, making them very convenient to hang at the waist.

After packing everything up, Chi Jinnian carried her little bedding roll and came to Yuan Shao’s bedside.

Just as she was about to lie down, Yuan Shao took out the red string from her sleeve and handed it to Chi Jinnian. “Didn’t you say you were afraid? I noticed you slept quite soundly with this red string tied last night. You should wear it today too.” As she spoke, she cooperatively rolled up her sleeve and extended her arm.

This gesture reminded her of how they had woken up that morning. At the time, she had been resting her head on this very arm. Though Yuan Shao was slender, her arm had been surprisingly comfortable to lie on otherwise, she wouldn’t have slept so soundly until dawn.

At this thought, Chi Jinnian felt a twinge of guilt. She wondered how Yuan Shao had felt about being held by her all night.

Chi Jinnian took the red string and lowered her head to tie it. Pretending to be casual, she stole a glance at Yuan Shao, only to find the other woman staring back at her. Flustered, she quickly looked down again.

Nervousness made her fingers clumsy. What should have been a simple knot ended up being twisted and turned several times without finding the right spot.

Just as Chi Jinnian was growing flustered, Yuan Shao extended a finger to hold the other end of the string in place.

Being this close, she could catch the faint scent emanating from Yuan Shao like mint leaves, fresh and crisp, without any overpowering sweetness.

“Done,” Chi Jinnian said with a smile before quickly grabbing her little blanket and retreating to her makeshift bed on the floor.

Amitabha, she hoped she could behave tonight and not wander around in her sleep. To ensure the string wouldn’t be too short, Chi Jinnian deliberately placed her bedding as close to Yuan Shao’s bed as possible.

Tonight, she definitely wouldn’t disturb Yuan Shao’s sleep like last night. Reassured, Chi Jinnian lay down.

After what felt like a long while, Yuan Shao listened as the soft breathing in the room gradually evened out. She tentatively called out once, but there was no response the girl on the floor had clearly fallen asleep.

This time, Yuan Shao didn’t lie down beside her. Instead, she picked her up directly and gently placed her on the bed. Once settled, she reached out to tuck a stray lock of hair behind Chi Jinnian’s ear.

The sudden tickling sensation made Chi Jinnian instinctively brush her forehead in her sleep before rolling over and draping her wrist across her chest.

Yuan Shao gazed at the fair wrist adorned with the red string the jade bracelet from before had now been replaced by it.

The wrist was slender. Yuan Shao measured it with her fingers, finding that her thumb and forefinger could just encircle it.

Seeing the red string draped limply around her wrist, Yuan Shao suddenly felt that her little disciple would indeed look lovely wearing a bracelet.

But the previous one hadn’t been suitable it wasn’t clear enough, too murky.

With her fair complexion, she would look beautiful in something light and translucent.

The soft moonlight bathed Chi Jinnian’s serene face, casting long shadows from her lashes beneath her eyes. Her delicate nose trembled slightly with each breath, and beneath it, her crimson lips remained tightly closed.

Like a sleeping white rabbit, so relaxed that even its ears drooped, she looked utterly docile.

For some reason, Yuan Shao always felt that Chi Jinnian carried a hint of tension and distance when facing her. Though she wore a smile, her eyes curved sweetly, she deliberately maintained a careful, measured space between them.

If Yuan Shao stepped back, she would step forward. But the moment Yuan Shao thought to close the distance, Chi Jinnian would retreat again, clinging to the propriety of respecting her master.

After much thought, Yuan Shao attributed it to her own past coldness toward her little disciple before losing her memories.

Suddenly remembering something, she retrieved a small red pouch from her sleeve, the protective charm Chi Jinnian had prayed for earlier that day.

Yuan Shao carefully tucked it into the embroidered bag at Chi Jinnian’s waist.

If peace is what you seek in your heart

Then, this master is willing to protect your peace.

But don’t be afraid of me, all right?