The Villain Recognizes the Female Lead as His Master [Transmigration] - Chapter 36

That evening, Yuan Shao informed her two disciples about their upcoming trip to the Winter Cold Assembly.

“The Northern Star Palace holds the Winter Cold Assembly once every five years. This year, both of you will accompany me. However, we must be cautious along the way and conceal our identities under no circumstances should anyone discover we are from Jade Purity Peak.”

Chi Jinnian recalled the relevant plot, though the specific details had grown hazy in her memory. She only knew that in the original story, Yuan Shao had taken Su Tingxi along, and upon learning this, the original Chi Jinnian had followed them in secret. Disguised as an unknown disciple, the original Chi Jinnian had feigned injury at a critical moment, tricking Yuan Shao into letting her guard down and offering help.

What followed was a classic case of the farmer and the snake. Seizing the opportunity when Yuan Shao was off her guard, the original Chi Jinnian turned on her and pushed her into a magical formation.

Three years later, Yuan Shao finally emerged, returning with great honor and a significantly elevated cultivation level. Not only had she obtained the golden finger the Nine Suns Sword, but since the male lead had accompanied her in the formation, their relationship had also deepened.

Chi Jinnian thought to herself, Since those two are destined to follow the romance plotline, and in the original story, I had a conflict with Yuan Shao there, it’s better for me to keep my distance. So she volunteered eagerly, “Master! You and Senior Brother can go with peace of mind. I’ll stay behind to watch the house and await your triumphant return!”

The moment the words “watch the house” left her lips, Yuan Shao’s smile visibly brightened. To think my little disciple already considers this place home

Yuan Shao reassured her gently, “There’s no need to worry. My Jade Purity Peak is protected by a barrier no outsiders can enter without my permission.”

“But that’s not the point!” Chi Jinnian appealed to reason and emotion alike. “Keeping the door shut all the time isn’t a solution. What if pests or mice get inside?”

“The Dawn Glory Elder from Upper Purity Peak sends people regularly to clean. You can come with me without any concerns,” Yuan Shao replied.

Seeing that Yuan Shao wouldn’t budge, Chi Jinnian refused to give up. “Outsiders, how could they be as reliable as one of our own? Outsiders tidying our home surely won’t put in the same care and effort. Master, please rest assured you and Senior Brother go ahead to the Winter Cold Assembly. I’ll stay obediently at home, not going anywhere, just waiting for your return.”

With every mention of “home,” “one of our own,” and “waiting obediently,” Yuan Shao’s mood grew brighter. She wasn’t in a hurry, patiently reasoning with Chi Jinnian, “I want to bring you along because your spiritual power is still weak. If we can seize this opportunity to find a cultivation artifact suited for you, wouldn’t that be wonderful?”

Aside from the Nine Suns Sword, the Northern Star Palace specialized in refining and forging magical artifacts. Thanks to this enterprise, their financial standing ranked among the top in the upper cultivation world.

Hearing this, Chi Jinnian could only shoot a meaningful glance at Su Tingxi, as if seeking help.

Su Tingxi seemed to understand the plea in her expression and chimed in, “Master, I think Junior Sister makes a valid point. We really should leave someone behind to watch the house a home shouldn’t be left empty!”

At this, Yuan Shao turned a cold gaze toward Su Tingxi and rebuked, “Since you feel so strongly about it, why don’t you stay behind instead?”

Chi Jinnian: “…”

Su Tingxi: “…”

Seeing the situation unfold, Chi Jinnian hurriedly stepped in to smooth things over. “Master, it’s like this you see, Senior Brother is stronger than me. With him by your side, he can protect you.”

Yuan Shao looked at Chi Jinnian, her expression darkening slightly. You ungrateful little thing, are you implying that I can’t protect you myself?

“Then why is it that I can’t control you now? Are you not going to listen to your master anymore?”

“No, Master, I.”

“Since it’s not,” Yuan Shao interrupted her, “then stay obediently by my side and don’t run off.”

The small meeting among the few ended on a sour note. After Yuan Shao finished explaining the arrangements for the next day’s departure, she returned to her room alone.

Chi Jinnian could sense Yuan Shao’s displeasure. She felt that all of Yuan Shao’s unhappiness stemmed from her own “disrespect”perhaps Yuan Shao thought that Chi Jinnian considered her weak and didn’t want to follow her into danger.

But that wasn’t the case.

So, seeing the light still on in Yuan Shao’s room, Chi Jinnian took the initiative to knock on the door.

“Master, are you there?”

Yuan Shao didn’t answer. She had seen Chi Jinnian return to her room, and now she was asking if she was there.

“Master, may I come in?” Chi Jinnian knocked twice more. This time, there was a response from inside: “The door isn’t locked.”

Hearing this, Chi Jinnian pushed the door open and entered. She saw Yuan Shao standing with her back to her, hands clasped behind her back, not turning around even as she approached.

It seemed she was truly angry.

Chi Jinnian stepped forward. “Master, please don’t be angry. I didn’t mean to look down on you I just, I.” Chi Jinnian struggled for a long time but couldn’t find the right words.

Seeing this, Yuan Shao didn’t want to make things difficult for her and turned around. “You what?”

Chi Jinnian lowered her head. “Master, I was wrong. I shouldn’t have disobeyed you.”

Yuan Shao beckoned for Chi Jinnian to come closer. When she did, Yuan Shao reached out and poked her cheek, as if punishing her, leaving a deep indentation in the soft skin.

Knowing she was in the wrong, Chi Jinnian pouted but didn’t dare to argue, allowing Yuan Shao to pinch and prod her face.

After a long while, she finally looked up. “Master, look, I didn’t even try to avoid you today. Can you please stop being angry?”

Originally, Chi Jinnian’s initiative to coax her had already dissipated most of Yuan Shao’s anger. With these words, the last remnants of her frustration vanished completely.

Yuan Shao cleared her throat. “Fine, I’ll let it slide today. But if you do it again, I won’t let you off so easily. I’ll have to punish you properly.”

Chi Jinnian raised her hand to rub her cheek and looked at Yuan Shao with innocent eyes. She asked cautiously, “Then, Master, how would you punish me? Would you expel me from the sect?”

This question caught Yuan Shao off guard. Initially, she had only intended to scare her little disciple and hadn’t actually considered how to punish her.

Hearing this, Yuan Shao grabbed Chi Jinnian’s right hand, which wore the bracelet. “What, are you so eager for me to cast you out? Now that you’re my disciple, do you regret it?”

Chi Jinnian lowered her head. “I wouldn’t dare.”

Yuan Shao curled her fingers and gently flicked the bracelet on Chi Jinnian’s wrist. As the bracelet moved, the palace bell chimed softly. “Once you wear my things, you belong to me. Even if you make mistakes, you’ll be my disciple for life.”

Chi Jinnian still didn’t dare to look at Yuan Shao and continued to ask, “Master, I’m serious. If I really commit a serious mistake, how would you punish me?”

Hadn’t her little disciple asked this before? Why bring it up again today? Seeing the innocent look in her disciple’s eyes, Yuan Shao decided to scare her a little. “You’re already mine, so leaving is out of the question. If you don’t listen or if you deceive me, I’ll lock you up.”

“Locked up?”

“That’s right.” Yuan Shao gestured with her hands, “When the time comes, what you’ll be wearing on your wrist won’t be a bracelet. I’ll find an iron chain this thick to lock you up, and you won’t be able to go anywhere.”

Seeing her little disciple keeping her head down, Yuan Shao reached out and lifted her chin, forcing her to look at her. “When that happens, you’ll live within a fixed area every day. No going out to play, no delicious food. So, you’d better behave. Otherwise, I’ll lock you up.”

Chi Jinnian nervously swallowed, her gaze toward Yuan Shao tinged with a hint of fear. Yuan Shao, noticing the girl had taken her seriously, suddenly laughed. “What, you actually believed me? Are you scared?”

Only then did Chi Jinnian realize Yuan Shao was teasing her. “Master, you’re scaring me!”

“So what if I’m scaring you?” Yuan Shao pinched Chi Jinnian’s delicate nose. “Who told you to be so disobedient earlier? You argued back at every word I said. I just wanted to teach you a lesson so you’ll behave.”

By now, Chi Jinnian had completely forgotten that she was the one who had come to coax Yuan Shao. Furious at being frightened like this, she turned and stormed off, heading straight back to her room.

Seeing her little disciple’s puffed-up, angry expression, Yuan Shao didn’t chase after her. They would be embarking on another long journey tomorrow, so she decided not to bother her today and let her get a good night’s sleep.

The next day, Yuan Shao and Su Tingxi both used magic to alter their appearances. Yuan Shao dressed in men’s clothing, disguising herself as a wealthy young master. Chi Jinnian and Su Tingxi, meanwhile, posed as her maid and servant.

Chi Jinnian, with her low spiritual power and lack of skill in magic, still wore a mask to conceal her face. However, this time, Yuan Shao infused the mask with her own spiritual energy, helping to conceal Chi Jinnian’s original hair color. As long as she wore the mask, no one would be able to tell she was a demon.

The group made their way to Ling’an City, where the Northern Palace was located. At the city gate, guards were inspecting the identities of those arriving for the Winter Cold Conference. A notice clearly stated: attendees must bring their invitation.

Just as it was about to be Yuan Shao’s turn, the area was suddenly filled with a strange odor.

Chi Jinnian found the smell somewhat familiar. When she turned around, she saw it was indeed Huang Er.

He hadn’t brought his lackeys but had come alone. Likely, he was planning to stage a chance encounter, thinking that since Yuan Shao had already been fed the Heart-Losing Pill, he could take advantage of the situation.

His plan was wishful thinking, but no one around welcomed him.

“Hey, hey, you furry one! The night soil collectors don’t use this gate!” one of the guards shouted, directing him. This enraged Huang Er, causing the fur all over his body to bristle.

“Open your dog eyes wide and take a good look! Don’t you recognize Lord Huang Er?” Huang Er thought his name was known far and wide, but the guard wasn’t impressed. “I know, you’re Huang Er the night soil collector. You have to go around and use the back gate!”

Being mistaken for a night soil collector with the same name infuriated Huang Er. In his rage, he charged forward and started brawling with the guard.

The other guards stood by, none stepping in to help after all, no one wanted to get that stench on them.

Seeing the entrance in chaos, Chi Jinnian quickly pulled Yuan Shao away. She hadn’t altered her appearance, and if Huang Er spotted her and accidentally revealed something to Yuan Shao, she would surely be in for a world of trouble.

While everyone was gathered around watching the weasel fight the guards, no one noticed a woman in red wearing a mask, leading a handsome young master as they slipped inside. The breeze stirred, causing their robes to flutter and intertwine, their fingers laced together, the warmth of their palms a stark contrast to the icy chill of Ling’an City.

Chi Jinnian’s mask only covered the upper part of her face, while the lower half was concealed by a curtain of red beads strung together, hiding her true appearance. With each step she took, the beads clinked softly against one another.

By the time the two found an inn, Su Tingxi had caught up with them.

As they entered, the innkeeper glanced at the three of them and immediately deduced their relationship: a newlywed young master with his wife, accompanied by a servant.

Noticing the young master’s elegant attire, the innkeeper directly brought out the key to the best room. “You must be here for the Winter Cold Conference. This is our finest room, the only one left. I guarantee you and your wife will be satisfied.”

Upon hearing this, Yuan Shao’s face flushed slightly. “You’ve misunderstood, innkeeper. This is my maid.”

The innkeeper took another look at Chi Jinnian, his gaze finally settling on the bracelet on her wrist. A maid wearing such a high-quality accessory? Who did they think they were fooling!

But then it occurred to him, many wealthy families had maids who also served as concubines. Since the young master had spoken up, it was likely he hadn’t yet won the girl over.

Well, he might as well lend the young master a hand. After all, he was such a helpful person!

The innkeeper pushed the key forward again. “Young master, you may not know this, but with the Winter Cold Conference approaching, all the sects of the cultivation world have sent their representatives. Our inn only has this one room left. So, what do you say.”

Su Tingxi stepped forward. “Young master, perhaps we should check the inns further ahead!”

The innkeeper inwardly scoffed this servant truly had no sense of tact, no wonder he was just a servant. “Every inn in Ling’an City is fully booked. Ours is the only one with any space left.”

“This” Yuan Shao hesitated. “But innkeeper, there are three of us, and you only have one room”

“Don’t worry, young master. We have a woodshed in the backyard with a bed perfect for the servant,” the innkeeper said, stroking his beard.

“You.” Su Tingxi was furious but couldn’t lash out in front of Yuan Shao, given his current role as a mere servant.

Seeing Su Tingxi’s displeasure, Yuan Shao pressed further, “Could you please check again? Are there no ordinary rooms available?”

The innkeeper shook his head.

Seeing no other option, Yuan Shao reluctantly accepted the key to the superior room. After all, having one room was better than none.

She pulled Su Tingxi aside and pressed the key into his hand. “I am the master. I’ll take the woodshed. You take the room.”

But Su Tingxi would never agree to let Yuan Shao stay in the woodshed and quickly returned the key. “Master, you are the young master. It wouldn’t be right for the young master to sleep in the woodshed.”

As the two continued to argue, Chi Jinnian suddenly spoke up from the side. “Um, how about I take the woodshed?”

The moment the words left her mouth, Yuan Shao shot her a frosty glare.

Realizing her mistake, Chi Jinnian quickly added, “We can ask the innkeeper for an extra quilt and have him sleep on the floor in the young master’s room. Isn’t it common for servants to stay in the outer chamber to attend to their masters?”

Just as these words were spoken, the innkeeper happened to pass by and overheard. He cleared his throat and said, “Young master, this maid of yours is quite improper! When a maid accompanies her master out, how can she not stay by his side and even shift her responsibilities onto a servant boy?”

“And another thing!” the innkeeper added, “Our inn’s bedding is strictly accounted for there are no extras.”

Upon hearing this, Chi Jinnian quickly lowered her head, afraid she might slip up and reveal her identity.

Seeing the young maid remain silent, the innkeeper promptly shooed her and Yuan Shao toward the staircase. “Young master, if I may say so, you really ought to teach this maid a lesson. She has no sense of propriety at all. What are you dawdling for? Hurry up and follow your master back to the room to receive your punishment!”

Chi Jinnian was utterly confused by the innkeeper’s words but dared not argue. Yuan Shao, however, seemed to grasp the underlying meaning and chuckled lightly. “The innkeeper speaks wisely. This maid of mine does need to be properly taught.”

With that, he turned and grabbed Chi Jinnian by the wrist, leading her upstairs.

Su Tingxi was left alone in the hall, dumbfounded.

The innkeeper glanced at him and said, “Don’t just stand there! The woodshed is out back!”