The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 21.2

Yuan Shao held Chi Jinnian’s hand firmly, her voice resolute, “Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, I’ll teach you properly, help you rise above others, and ensure no one can ever bully you!”

Yuan Shao spoke earnestly, her intense gaze fixed on Chi Jinnian’s tear-reddened almond eyes as she gently wiped away the tears with her thumb.

Chi Jinnian sobbed a few more times. Master, if I hadn’t read the original story, I’d think you were a fraud, a ‘great heroine’ who’s lost all her spiritual power and relies on me feeding you elixirs every day.

On the other side, Su Tingxi couldn’t take it anymore. He coughed pointedly to interrupt the “master-disciple” exchange.

“Chi Jinnian!” Su Tingxi asked coldly, “What’s this act now? First, you pester me endlessly, and now”

Afraid he might reveal something crucial, Chi Jinnian quickly cut him off, “Master! Senior Brother is here to take you back. You should go with him. Don’t worry about me!” She dabbed at her eyes dramatically. “This Water Mirror won’t last much longer. Your spiritual power hasn’t fully recovered, but Senior Brother is strong and brimming with energy. Let him take you out first.”

Then, she turned to Su Tingxi, “Senior Brother, Master was harmed by villains, losing her memories and powers, that’s why she doesn’t recognize you. After you take her back, make sure to care for her well, protect her, and keep her company. Don’t let those scoundrels hurt her again.”

I’ve laid out the steps right to your doorstep, Su Tingxi. Don’t mess this up now!

“That’s right, Master!” Su Tingxi seized the opportunity. “This cave is too deep. Let me take you out first.”

Yuan Shao seemed deaf to Su Tingxi’s words, her concern solely on Chi Jinnian as she squeezed the girl’s pale hand. “What about you? If you won’t leave, neither will I.”

Chi Jinnian.

“Master, can’t you see? I have no talent for cultivation. How could someone as useless as me ever deserve to be your disciple!” Chi Jinnian turned her face away, sobbing softly before whispering, “As long as Master remembers the bond we shared these past few days… I, I’ll be content.”

Su Tingxi froze for a moment, seemingly grasping Chi Jinnian’s implication. “Shizun, perhaps you should come with me first!”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao’s previously softened expression suddenly darkened with anger. “What kind of nonsense is that! She calls you ‘shixiong,’ yet you plan to abandon her here without a second thought? How could I have such a cold-hearted disciple?”

Chi Jinnian:

Su Tingxi, what’s with that fierce glare? You saw it I was trying to help you!

But Su Tingxi acted as though he couldn’t read the words in Chi Jinnian’s eyes at all, speaking in an ambiguous tone, “Shizun, I misspoke. As her shixiong, I truly shouldn’t leave her alone here, right Shi! Mei!”

The words “Shimei” seemed to be ground out between his teeth, with Su Tingxi deliberately emphasizing them.

Without another word, Su Tingxi hoisted Chi Jinnian onto his back and assured Yuan Shao, “Shizun, I’m a man. I’ll carry Shimei out.”

Only when Yuan Shao saw Su Tingxi’s change in attitude did she give a slight nod, and the group made their way toward the exit of the Water Mirror at the foot of the mountain.

Su Tingxi had figured it out, if he didn’t bring Chi Jinnian along today, Yuan Shao wouldn’t spare him another word. So he had no choice but to suppress his temper and carry Chi Jinnian forward.

Coincidentally, he also had something he wanted to discuss with Chi Jinnian in private. So he secretly drew a curse on her arm.

Chi Jinnian was baffled, but when Yuan Shao wasn’t looking, Su Tingxi explained the curse’s effect: “If Shimei doesn’t come to me to break this curse before midnight tomorrow, her intestines will rot, and she’ll die a painful death.”

Why had Yuan Shao become like this? Chi Jinnian, who kept calling her “Shizun,” owed him an explanation.

Chi Jinnian swallowed her grievances. She knew Su Tingxi was only doing this to uncover the truth behind Yuan Shao’s condition. Pressing her lips together, she began plotting her strategy for the night.

But their little exchange didn’t escape Yuan Shao’s notice. This disciple surnamed Su had been overly familiar with her from the start, showing no reverence for his elder. Moreover, he seemed to be scheming something behind her back with A’Nian. Every time she turned around, the two of them immediately acted normal again.

If they called her “Shizun,” why couldn’t they speak openly? And judging by A’Nian’s unhappy expression, this so-called shixiong had already mistreated his shimei right in front of his master, who knew what he did when her back was turned?

Yuan Shao had already formed her judgment of Su Tingxi: such underhanded behavior she didn’t like it.

The three of them proceeded in an extremely awkward dynamic until they finally exited the Water Mirror.

The moment they stepped out, the entrance of the Water Mirror transformed into a thumb-sized crystal-clear glass orb and landed in Yuan Shao’s palm.

The Water Mirror had been created by the giant serpent. Now that the serpent’s gallbladder resided within Yuan Shao, it was clear the Water Mirror recognized her as its master.

“Shizun, it seems it has acknowledged you as its master.” The moment they left the Water Mirror, Chi Jinnian quickly jumped off Su Tingxi’s back and put some distance between them, saying, “You should keep it. It might come in handy someday.”

Yuan Shao thought for a moment, then retrieved the red protective charm she had taken from Chi Jinnian earlier and placed it, along with the glass orb, into the brocade pouch at Chi Jinnian’s waist.

“Hold onto these for me for now.”

She trusted Chi Jinnian enough to safeguard such precious treasures.

Standing to the side, Su Tingxi could only watch.

Throughout the entire time, Yuan Shao didn’t even spare her a glance. After packing up, he led them into the demon realm. Yuan Shao seemed very familiar with the paths here, moving effortlessly through the demon territory. Su Tingxi had already lost count of how many turns they had taken when Yuan Shao finally brought him before a grand gate with a plaque that read “Peach Blossom Spring.”

Once they passed through the gate and circled around the screen wall, they discovered that despite the unassuming exterior, the inner courtyard was a hidden paradise.

Su Tingxi was even more astonished by the sight before him. It was a sprawling three-section mansion. On the branches of the trees in the courtyard, crimson kapok flowers bloomed in full splendor. Though it wasn’t the flowering season, each blossom was plump and radiant, clearly sustained by spiritual energy. A winding path meandered through the shrubs toward the rockery in the backyard, where a pond lay in front, dotted with white lotuses in full bloom. The faint fragrance of lotus, carried by the evening breeze, mingled with the refreshing coolness after sunset, creating an intoxicating aroma.

He couldn’t help but exclaim, “When did Master acquire such an estate here? I’ve never heard of it before.”

Yuan Shao glanced at him and chuckled lightly. “A’nian bought it for me. Isn’t it lovely?”