Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Little Starstruck — I don’t accept male fans.

Even though they were inside an illusion, Lü Shuyao gripped Su Cheyue’s hand tightly, staring warily at the sky outside. Jiang Zhiqing was indeed startled, but he continued to hold his sister close, suppressing his terror as he asked: “What?!”

“You don’t seem very bright,” Chang Huaichen remarked. “That female ghost wants your sister’s life.”

“My sister has no grudge against her! Her drowning wasn’t our fault, so why seek revenge on my sister?!”

“See, that’s exactly the tone. Everyone says, ‘It wasn’t my fault, why should I stand in the way?’ In the end, everyone harmed her.”

Jiang Zhiqing couldn’t win the argument; he was being led in circles. “Then… what must she do to let my sister go??”

The man on the roof stopped speaking. Suddenly, they heard the sound of swords clashing in the air. Looking up, Chang Huaichen had vanished.

Lü Shuyao: “Where did he go?!”

“Where are you… where are you?” Jiang Zhiqing cried out in panic.

No one answered. After a moment, a red figure descended from the dark abyss of the sky. Holding a long sword, he landed before Jiang Zhiqing in a half-kneeling position.

Jiang Zhiqing took a half-step back: “You—”

Chang Huaichen supported himself by his shoulder and looked up. He had a red mark on his forehead, blood seeping from the corner of his lips, and skin so pale it was startling. He flashed Jiang Zhiqing a soul-stirring smile.

Jiang Zhiqing was stunned for nearly ten seconds—long enough for Lü Shuyao to wonder if the illusion had lagged. Finally, the youth stammered: “…You’re hurt?”

Chang Huaichen said: “Take a guess.”

Jiang Zhiqing reached out as if to help him up. Chang Huaichen stared fixedly at his movement. Within that inch of space, the youth seemed to suddenly feel either offended or afraid, and he pulled his hand back.

Chang Huaichen said: “You’re staring at me. Do you think I’m handsome?”

He was indeed handsome, both inside and outside the illusion. Lü Shuyao even felt that inside this memory, his appearance held an extra layer of delicate, ethereal charm.

Jiang Zhiqing asked: “Your face is so white, whiter than winter snow. Are you wearing makeup?”

The hand Chang Huaichen used to hold his shoulder slid down to his arm. He rolled up his red sleeve, revealing a wrist like the frost-moon, and said with a rising lilt: “Every part of me is white.”

That white arm flashed before Jiang Zhiqing’s eyes, freezing all the panic and fear in his gaze.

“But you’re right. I am wearing makeup.”

“What kind of makeup?”

Chang Huaichen withdrew his sword, wiped the red from his lips with a finger, and said: “I talk to you of ghosts and demons, yet you talk to me of skin and makeup. At such a young age, you’re quite the little starstruck fan.”

Jiang Zhiqing snapped out of it as if waking from a dream: “I… I’m sorry! The little girl you mentioned—where is she? Can my sister wake up?”

“Look, the rain is still falling. She hasn’t left. She was forced to swallow so much river water when she was alive; now that she’s dead, she wants to spit it all back out.”

Jiang Zhiqing set his sister aside and suddenly began kowtowing to Chang Huaichen. “Can you save her? You were sitting up there and the lightning couldn’t touch you. You must be very powerful, right?? Please, save my sister!”

Chang Huaichen: “I can save her, but I have one condition.”

Jiang Zhiqing said: “I’ll agree to any condition!”

Chang Huaichen curled his lips: “Really? Any condition at all?”

“As long as I can do it,” Jiang Zhiqing promised.

Chang Huaichen stood up and walked toward him. He was actually a bit shorter than the youth, but his aura completely overwhelmed him. “You can do it.”

“What is it?”

Chang Huaichen stepped aside and pointed to the sister behind him: “I want her.”

Lü Shuyao: …

Jiang Zhiqing was utterly confused. “What do you mean?”

“This is Huailing. As I said, my surname is Chang.” He leaned in closer to Jiang Zhiqing, repeating with a trace of mockery: “Chang. Huai. Chen.”

“Chang… You are the Palace Master of Zhuohua Palace!?” Jiang Zhiqing realized. Chang Huaichen looked him over with satisfaction: “Not entirely ignorant, then.”

The reputation of Zhuohua Palace was half-divine, half-notorious. Everyone knew it. Jiang Zhiqing didn’t hesitate: “No! You cannot take her back there!”

Chang Huaichen stared at him, his fox-like eyes narrowing at the corners, his voice icy: “Who do you think you’re talking to?”

“Palace Master Chang,” Jiang Zhiqing suddenly calmed down, clenching his fists. “Let us go!”

“Tsk. You have a fine face but no brains. Right now, it is you who won’t let your sister go. Following you, she sleeps in the wild, suffers the cold and hunger, and you can’t even stop a ghost from bullying her.”

Chang Huaichen took the token from his waist. A whistle sounded again, and a blood-red bolt of lightning struck down, nearly splitting the roof!

Jiang Zhiqing said: “That female ghost was summoned by you!!”

Chang Huaichen paused, then burst into laughter. Under the dark night, his eyes curved and his skin glowed like flowing snow.

Jiang Zhiqing was furious: “You harmed her! I’ll have your life!” He lunged forward with bare fists, but Chang Huaichen dodged easily. “You don’t even have a sword; how will you take my life?”

Chang Huaichen said: “My patience is at an end. Goodbye, little starstruck.”

Thunder crashed. The rain became even more violent, turning the long street into a wall of water. Lü Shuyao grabbed Su Cheyue’s wrist: “Careful!”

Su Cheyue’s voice was low: “We won’t get hurt inside an illusion.”

Better safe than sorry!

Suddenly, a piercing red light surged. Everyone instinctively closed their eyes. When they opened them again, Chang Huaichen and the girl on the ground were gone.

He had simply abducted her!

Jiang Zhiqing was distraught, his handsome features twisted in anguish. He rushed into the rain, screaming toward the sky: “Chang Huaichen… Chang Huaichen! Give me back my sister!”

Strangely, the moment he ran out, the rain stopped. The clouds dispersed, and the sky instantly returned to brightness.

Lü Shuyao said: “It really was his doing?!”

Chang Huaichen had long since made off with his prize; there was no one to answer Jiang Zhiqing. The poor brother knelt in the middle of the street, his eyes red with guilt. He slammed his fist into the cold, wet ground, blood seeping onto the stone.

He stayed there for an unknown amount of time until the sky darkened and real night arrived. Jiang Zhiqing stood up dejectedly and walked into the distance.

At this point, he’s still alive and well. If what Jiang Zhiqing (the sister) said is true, how did he die?

Su Cheyue watched the youth’s tall, retreating back. “Follow him.”

Just as they were about to move, another sudden shift in the world occurred, as if the Bounty Order didn’t want them following Jiang Zhiqing’s footsteps directly. Lü Shuyao instinctively pulled Su Cheyue toward him, while at the same time, Su Cheyue placed a protective hand behind Lü Shuyao’s head.

The scenery warped and reorganized. When it cleared, they were in the valley of Zhuohua Palace.

“The Palace Master! It’s the Palace Master!” a bright, feminine voice cheered.

“The Palace Master is here! Everyone line up! No cutting!”

The valley, previously so quiet you could hear a flower fall, suddenly became lively. Lü and Su exchanged a look and walked toward the sound.

In a clearing amidst falling blossoms, a long line of female disciples had formed. They were all smiling, waiting expectantly, chatting with those in front and behind them.

“This is my first time seeing the Palace Master.”

“I’m luckier than you; I saw him when I first entered the sect.”

“Is the Palace Master handsome?”

“You’ll see in a moment. ‘Handsome’ doesn’t even describe it; he’s like a celestial being descended to earth.”

“I’m so excited!”

Lü Shuyao and Su Cheyue also looked on. At the end of the line, a flash of red clothing was visible.

Together, they walked to the front of the line, passing through the crowd as if invisible.

They saw Chang Huaichen.

He still had the same pale face, blood-red lips, and fox-like eyes. However, he wasn’t wearing heavy makeup like that night, and the scar on his forehead wasn’t there yet.

Chang Huaichen smiled like a spring breeze. He held a fine brush in his hand and, just as Jiang Zhiqing had done, was painting floral designs on the girls’ foreheads. Though he was a man, his hands were incredibly agile; the petals he painted looked alive on the skin, rivaling the real blossoms in the valley.

Every girl who passed through his hands looked even more radiant. Each one left the line full of joy, running off shyly amidst the envious whispers of the others.

At that moment, a disciple came through the forest to report: “Palace Master! That man is here again.”

Chang Huaichen focused on his painting, not looking up. “Mm.”

The disciple said: “Palace Master, he comes every day. He stays outside the barrier day and night. Is something wrong?”

Chang Huaichen: “I don’t know.”

He suddenly remembered something. His brush paused, and he lifted his fox-like eyes: “Where is Jiang Zhiqing?”

“Zhiqing misses her brother. she’s eating too little and has fallen ill again.”

Chang Huaichen let out a disappointed sigh and addressed the long line: “That’s all for today. Come back tomorrow at the same time and place.”

The girls were even more disappointed, letting out a collective groan before dispersing in small groups.

Once the valley was empty, Chang Huaichen flicked his red robes and leaped toward the waterfall barrier. Fortunately, this was an illusion, and Lü and Su’s movement was passively accelerated, allowing them to keep up with him in the blink of an eye.

Jiang Zhiqing was standing outside the waterfall. His grey-white clothes were worn out and he looked haggard. When he saw the red figure land gracefully, he froze for a second, then said hatefully: “Chang Huaichen, give Qingqing back to me!”

Chang Huaichen: “How ungrateful. Your sister eats well and sleeps well here. I’m even teaching her cultivation for free. Why can’t you even call me ‘Palace Master’?”

“You—did you bully her…”

Chang Huaichen’s expression darkened.

“The outside world says you, Chang Huaichen, are a lecherous fiend!”

“Is that so?” Chang Huaichen said. “I am a lecherous fiend. What can you do about it?”

“If you dare bully her,” Jiang Zhiqing stared him down, jaw clenched, “I… I will kill you…”

“Then try it. Can you kill me?” Chang Huaichen sneered, putting his hands behind his back. “You have no sword, and I won’t use one either. I’ll fight you without using spiritual power.”

Jiang Zhiqing lunged forward. The grey shirt and red robe instantly tangled together. Though not a cultivator, his movements were sharp and disciplined. After several physical exchanges, Chang Huaichen—who was smaller than him—was actually locked firmly by the shoulders. With their bodies pressed together, Jiang Zhiqing whispered into Chang Huaichen’s ear: “Give her back!”

Chang Huaichen laughed, turning his face slightly to look at Jiang Zhiqing. His voice was close and provocative: “Am I white enough today, little starstruck?”

The words were like an electric shock. Jiang Zhiqing’s whole body trembled uncontrollably, and he instinctively wanted to let go and push him away.

But he endured, gripping the man even tighter: “Chang Huaichen!”

Chang Huaichen’s gaze shifted. Suddenly, fallen petals from all directions flew into the air. The thin peach petals swirled with mist, striking like powerful arrows and stopping inches from Jiang Zhiqing’s eyes!

“Blossoms have no eyes,” Chang Huaichen threatened. “Little starstruck, let go.”

Jiang Zhiqing only repeated: “Where is my sister?!”

“You asked for this.”

As soon as he spoke, the petals turned into blades, instantly slicing toward Jiang Zhiqing’s throat! Jiang Zhiqing didn’t dodge; instead, he leaned in, his voice rising: “My sister!”

Chang Huaichen’s brow furrowed. The petal blades shifted direction, cutting Jiang Zhiqing’s shoulder instead. Blood flowed, soaking into the red robes on Chang Huaichen’s back, but the man behind him still didn’t let go.

“…”

The decadent peach blossoms fell softly over them both. Chang Huaichen suddenly said something inexplicable: “If only I could have been as reckless as you back then.”

He pushed the man away, his expression indifferent. “Fine, see her. See her.”

He set up a temporary barrier outside the waterfall so Jiang Zhiqing and his sister could talk. He was supposed to leave, but after entering the waterfall, he changed his mind for some reason, paused his steps, and hid behind to listen.

…Childish.

Lü and Su could only hide with him behind the waterfall, watching as Jiang Zhiqing checked his sister from head to toe. “Qingqing! How are you? Are you unwell? Are you hurt!?”

Jiang Zhiqing (the sister) had suffered a minor cold, but hearing her brother had arrived, she had rushed over excitedly.

“I’m fine, Brother!”

“That’s good,” Jiang Zhiqing finally let go of his days of worry. “Let’s go. Let’s leave this place!”

But she said: “Brother, Zhuohua Palace is very good. I… I don’t want to leave. I want to stay here.”

Jiang Zhiqing: “What did you say?”

“It’s true!” she said quickly. “The Palace Master is very good to us! He saved me, took me and the other sisters in, taught us cultivation, and protects us from evil spirits!”

Jiang Zhiqing said: “…He really only accepts women, doesn’t he? Qingqing, he might not be as perfect as you think. He might have other motives…”

Chang Huaichen, like a child, muttered to himself: “Yeah, yeah.”

“The Palace Master is very lenient with us; he never forces us to work hard. In other sects, there’s roll call, evening classes, meditation… the Palace Master never requires those! He says to do what we can; if we’re tired, we rest; if we’re hungry, we eat; if we’re in a bad mood, we sleep. When he’s free, he even paints floral designs for us. Look, this one on my forehead—a peach blossom pattern. Isn’t it pretty?”

Jiang Zhiqing stared at the three-petaled peach blossom. Suddenly, his expression changed. “…Yin-Attracting Makeup. The Yin-Attracting Makeup of Zhuohua Palace! I should have remembered! What he painted that day was the Yin-Attracting Makeup!!”

Chang Huaichen: “Little starstruck, how did you suddenly grow a brain?”

“What is Yin-Attracting Makeup?” the sister asked.

“Does he use this makeup to force you to summon ghosts for his use?! Qingqing, this is dangerous. Wipe it off!”

Behind the waterfall, Chang Huaichen laughed—a cold, lazy laugh. “Dream on.”

The sister shook her head like a rattle. “He wouldn’t!”

“It’s true, Brother saw it with his own eyes! Believe me!”

But Jiang Zhiqing was firm: “Brother, I’ve listened to you my whole life, but this time, I don’t believe you! The Palace Master is really good to us. He saw long ago that I have no talent for cultivation, but he was still willing to let me stay in the palace and study with the senior sisters. I’m very happy living here! I’m not leaving! If you don’t believe me, I’ll go beg the Palace Master to let you join the sect too. That way we’ll never be homeless again!”

Chang Huaichen: “I don’t accept male starstruck fans.”

Jiang Zhiqing never expected his sister to think this way: “Qingqing, you—”

She shifted into a coaxing tone: “It would be great if Brother was here. Stay nearby and wait for my news, okay?”

Jiang Zhiqing was helpless. Knowing the current situation, he couldn’t take her away immediately. He suppressed his worries and comforted her: “…Alright, alright. As long as you’re happy, Brother is happy.”

He stood up. The sister asked, “Brother, where are you living now?”

“Just below the valley. Very close to you.”

“Where exactly? Tell me specifically so I can ask the Palace Master to let me go down and see you when I miss you.”

“No need.” He leaned down and gently touched her floral design. “Take care of yourself. Before you remember to miss me, I will come to see you.”

“He’s leaving again. We’re going to lose them.” Lü Shuyao shielded Su Cheyue, preparing for another round of overwhelming dizziness.

Unexpectedly, this time was calm. Nothing happened.

They looked up and saw Chang Huaichen in his red robes, his steps light as if playing a game, quietly following Jiang Zhiqing down the cliff.

At this point, Su Cheyue spoke: “It seems the Bounty Order contains Chang Huaichen’s own memories.”

Lü Shuyao replied: “Makes sense. The Bounty Order was his to begin with.”

They followed him, and he followed Jiang Zhiqing, all the way to the banks of the Huai River. The sun was setting, and the bamboo forest was bathed in an ambiguous orange-yellow glow. Staring too long could make one fall into the illusion that “this place is warm, it could be home.”

In the bamboo forest was an unremarkable courtyard, and inside the courtyard was an unremarkable wooden house. The house was dilapidated, looking as though it had been abandoned for many years.

Jiang Zhiqing, in his grey-white robes, walked with steady, quiet steps. He got closer and closer to the small wooden hut, and Chang Huaichen’s pace behind him quickened. Before he could push open the courtyard gate, his wrist was suddenly grabbed. Startled, he turned around.

“Who allowed you to come here?” Chang Huaichen whispered.

That red robe was more vivid than the sunset, staining the forest and burning into Jiang Zhiqing’s eyes.

Jiang Zhiqing was stunned for a long time. Finally, Chang Huaichen repeated the question: “Who allowed you to come here?!”

“I—” Jiang Zhiqing found his voice. “I came by chance…”

“Leave.” It was an order that brooked no argument.

Jiang Zhiqing met Chang Huaichen’s angry gaze. “Why?”

“No reason,” Chang Huaichen said. “This is my place.”

Jiang Zhiqing said: “This place isn’t under the jurisdiction of Zhuohua Palace, and no one has been here for a long time. I was just staying—”

“What right do you have to stay here?! You’ll mess up my things!”

Jiang Zhiqing was incredulous: “I’ll mess up…?”

Chang Huaichen grabbed him and pulled him toward the house, likely intending to catch him in the act of making a mess. To his surprise, the moment he opened the door, Chang Huaichen was speechless.

After a few seconds, he twisted his neck and said through gritted teeth to Jiang Zhiqing: “…You did this?”

Jiang Zhiqing nodded: “Yes.”

Curious, Lü Shuyao also poked his head in.

Hah! What a spotless and orderly house!

The house wasn’t large—two inner rooms and one outer hall. The windows, stove, incense burner, and bed were all very old, but they had been scrubbed until they gleamed, reflecting the pale gold light of the dusk.

The pots and pans in the kitchen were stacked neatly from largest to smallest. Even the copper, earthenware, and porcelain were categorized to prevent accidental breakage.

Lü Shuyao: Impressive. Even better than I could do.

Chang Huaichen: “You know how to clean a house?”

Jiang Zhiqing: “Mm.” He watched Chang Huaichen’s reaction and seemed to want to laugh, but held it back. “It’s much better than it was, right?”

Chang Huaichen: “…”

Chang Huaichen walked into the inner room and immediately found a makeup case sitting securely on top of a cabinet. He opened it; the jewelry inside was perfectly arranged, not a single piece missing, and each item had been thoughtfully wrapped in a layer of soft cotton cloth.

The anger in his heart vanished instantly.

The last of the sunset faded. Outside in the courtyard, the withered trees were thin and long, their bare branches lonely and mottled. In the dim light, Jiang Zhiqing stood at the doorway, his silhouette appearing solid and reliable in Chang Huaichen’s eyes.

Perhaps because he had just seen his sister, when he spoke again, he wasn’t as sharp. His voice was soft and rather pleasant to hear.

“Palace Master Chang… can I stay?”