Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Eavesdropping, Stealing Fish. Young Master Lu Shuyao is the Best Candidate.

The Transmission Seal (Chuanyinjue), as described in the original novel, is a spell that utilizes the resonance of internal spiritual energy for point-to-point communication. In modern medical terms, it is somewhat similar to bone conduction. It is a mandatory introductory course for spiritual cultivation disciples in the world of The Coming Desire.

However, although it is mandatory, the Transmission Seal is for “emergencies, not laziness.” It is primarily used when a cultivator is in peril and imprisoned, serving as a long-distance distress signal. Or, perhaps, when two people wish to exchange “whispers” in the presence of outsiders. In any other situation, it should not be used frequently—and certainly not habitually.

This is because when the spell is cast, the sender releases spiritual energy which forcibly compels the receiver to also release spiritual energy to create resonance, using the energy fluctuations as a medium to transmit the message. This sudden surge and the rapid change in frequency cause the receiver to experience brief spiritual blockage, chest oppression, and difficulty breathing.

This is especially true for someone who has just suffered a severe injury, whose spiritual core is fragile, and whose energy is unstable.

No wonder Su Cheyue had suddenly coughed like that!

Li An stood by, emphasizing nonchalantly: “The Transmission Seal. The Trans-mission-Seal. Young Master should know it well; it’s a basic spell every immortal disciple must learn.”

Lu Shuyao knit his brows. “…Does Sect Leader Su or the Eldest Young Master know you’re doing this? Would they agree?”

Li An glanced toward the courtyard gate, then lowered his voice. “The Eldest Young Master doesn’t allow it. He caught us once and flew into a rage on the spot, warning us never to use it on the Second Young Master again. However…”

“However what?”

Li An’s eyes darted around. “The Eldest Young Master has a bad temper; everyone in the Baoshan Sect knows it. Though he is the Sect Leader’s biological son, he is far less reasonable or ‘big-picture’ oriented than the Sect Leader.”

What did that mean?

“Peace be with you, Young Master. I’m off to make food.” Li An didn’t say more and dashed off as if racing against fate for the second time.

Lu Shuyao felt it was absolutely necessary to go see Su Xun.

…

The Baoshan Sect outside Yangshuo City lived up to its name: “Embracing Mountains.” Surrounded by peaks and gurgling streams, with immortal clouds and wild cranes, it was a tranquil and spiritual paradise—a true sanctuary for cultivation.

“The Sect Leader says the Su family is an immortal lineage; we do not emphasize the empty wedding etiquettes of mortals. Please return, Young Master.”

The disciple guarding the main hall spoke respectfully to Lu Shuyao, who had come seeking an audience with Su Xun.

The “empty etiquettes” the disciple mentioned likely referred to the ritual morning bow of a new bride on the day after the wedding night. Lu Shuyao rubbed the bridge of his nose and smiled. “Ah, well then, alright.”

He walked back casually, his high ponytail swaying with his movements. As soon as he rounded a corner, his ponytail whipped around as he slipped behind the back wall of the side hall like a swimming fish.

According to standard cultivation novel tropes, the side hall behind the main hall is where the Sect Leader rests daily. A slender purple shadow swept under the window, moving as fast as a bolt of lightning.

He hadn’t intended to eavesdrop; he just wanted to find a gap to see Su Xun and report Li An’s misconduct. But as soon as he reached the window, he heard movement.

Since I’m already here, I might as well listen. Perhaps they were discussing a “30-day crash course for cultivation.”

As for eavesdropping, Lu Shuyao wouldn’t say he was a master, but he was certainly well-practiced. After all, he had listened to his parents arguing through doorframes hundreds of times as a child.

After a moment, he heard footsteps inside. “The Madam is back,” a voice said.

It was Su Xun speaking, his voice much softer than when he was seen in public. Lu Shuyao held his breath and heard the Madam, Yang Yuan, reply with a simple “Mhm.”

Su Xun followed up immediately: “Any success with this trip down the mountain? Did you find a better method?”

Yang Yuan didn’t speak, but she must have shaken her head, because Su Xun sighed. “So difficult… who knows how much longer we must wait…”

After the sound of tea being poured, Yang Yuan asked: “I heard you brought a man back from the Lu family?”

Su Xun paused before answering: “That is correct.”

The teacup clattered heavily on the table. Yang Yuan’s voice suddenly rose: “Outrageous! Letting a son of our main house marry a man? What will happen to the Baoshan Sect’s reputation once word gets out!”

It’s already spread everywhere, Lu Shuyao thought wryly.

“Madam, do not be angry,” Su Xun soothed her. “I have my reasons for this.”

“What reasons?” Yang Yuan asked. “Do you want to suppress him, or just disgust the entire Su family? I’ve heard that little Young Master from Qifeng Ferry is quite the enchanting troublemaker. If he steals the Desire-Probing Pearl from Su Cheyue early, what will you do? Will all these years of effort be for nothing?”

The Desire-Probing Pearl!

The protagonist did have such a thing inside him—it was his ultimate weapon for reading hearts later in the book. Why were Su Xun and Yang Yuan so interested in it?

“Tell me, what are you really thinking?” Yang Yuan pressed.

Su Xun explained: “Establishing an engagement for Che’er was, firstly, to stabilize people’s hearts so other sects wouldn’t constantly fawn over the ‘Number One Gentleman.’ Secondly, it was to anchor Che’er’s own heart. If he has a family and a lover, he would have to consider the Lu family’s safety even if he wanted to break away from the Su family. Now that he is like this, we need someone to help us watch over him and share the burden.”

“Then why didn’t you bring back the Lu daughter as planned?”

“Lu Qingcheng likely despises Che’er for becoming a cripple,” Su Xun said. “I thought about it all night at Qifeng Ferry. It seems to be fate—Young Master Lu Shuyao is the best candidate.”

Lu Shuyao froze.

“Why do you say that?”

Su Xun explained patiently: “Lu Shuyao was originally a formidable talent. He reached the Golden Core stage at a young age with a stable core and abundant spiritual energy. If nurtured, he would have been the next Su Cheyue. However, the Ghost Purgatory didn’t just ruin Che’er. Sect Leader Lu secretly told me that Lu Shuyao also lost most of his cultivation. He might not even be as strong as a basic Foundation Establishment disciple now. Thus…” Su Xun lowered his voice, “…doesn’t he become very easy to control?”

Lu Shuyao felt a chill run down his spine.

He remembered that in the original book, not long after Su Cheyue returned and left to seek healing, Lu Shuyao usurped the Lu Sect Leader’s position and led a massacre against the Baoshan Sect. It was only then that Lu Shuyao’s role in sabotaging Su Cheyue was exposed. He hadn’t expected there to be so many dark, complex layers within the Su family themselves.

As Yang Yuan remained silent, Su Xun continued: “And there is one more vital point. Does Madam wish to hear it?”

“What?”

“Have you considered what would happen if Che’er had an heir?”

“…” Yang Yuan’s voice turned stiff. “If your elder brother hadn’t fathered him back then, the Desire-Probing Pearl should have been yours.”

Su Xun said softly: “It is best that you understand. Since Che’er married a man, he can never produce an heir in this lifetime. Our future worries are greatly diminished. As for the reputation you mentioned, I’ve already spread the word along the way back: the Young Master Lu was so moved by love that he insisted on ‘offering himself’ to marry and care for our Second Young Master. Their family owes us for everything we’ve done for Luzhou; it’s time they paid back the debt.”

Finally, Yang Yuan said: “…I spoke without thinking. You have worked hard, husband.”

…

Even though they stopped talking, Lu Shuyao didn’t leave. His feet felt heavy.

“Is Mother back?” Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice.

Lu Shuyao immediately turned and hurried in the opposite direction. However, Su Qingyang had high cultivation; he heard someone instantly: “Who’s there?!”

Lu Shuyao’s footsteps faltered. He looked down and, without hesitation, tumbled down the hall steps and dove straight into the spiritual pond surrounding the palace.

“Who?!” Su Qingyang’s figure appeared.

Lu Shuyao surfaced from the pond, his handsome face dripping wet. He coughed out a few mouthfuls of water and smiled brightly: “It’s me!”

Su Qingyang already disliked him. Seeing his unruly behavior made him even angrier: “What are you doing in the spiritual pond?!”

Lu Shuyao’s eyelashes were wet, and the corners of his eyes drooped, making him look exceptionally innocent. He raised his right hand, clutching a thrashing spiritual carp. “Is it forbidden? I’m sorry, I didn’t know. I just wanted to catch a fish to nourish the Second Young Master.”

Su Qingyang said coldly: “The carp in this pond are for Father and Mother to eat for breakthroughs or healing. It is not—”

If they’re that good, the male lead should definitely eat them!! Lu Shuyao thought.

Before Su Qingyang could finish saying “not allowed,” he hesitated. His tone suddenly shifted. “Fine. I will ask Father and Mother.”

Su Qingyang walked a few steps, then turned back, looking down at Lu Shuyao. “You. Get out. Bring the fish and come with me!”

The handsome youth was like a soaked puppy, dragged into the hall by his collar by Su Qingyang. Although he was actually taller than Su Qingyang, he had to keep his head down, stumbling along.

“Father, Mother.” Su Qingyang greeted them and pushed Lu Shuyao forward.

Water droplets still clung to Lu Shuyao’s bangs, dripping onto the floor. He rubbed the back of his neck and flashed a smile at Yang Yuan: “Greetings, Madam.”

Yang Yuan frowned the moment she saw him. This boy’s appearance was even more “enchanting” than the rumors suggested.

“This kid was stealing fish from the pond outside. I caught him red-handed.”

“Who’s stealing?!” Lu Shuyao protested.

Su Qingyang: “Taking without asking is stealing.”

Lu Shuyao: “I was just about to ask!”

“I couldn’t find the Sect Leader or the Madam, so I was going to leave. I saw the fish were well-raised, so I caught one for the Second Young Master.” Lu Shuyao opened his palm.

Yang Yuan was displeased by the fish, but Su Qingyang said: “Stealing is wrong, but he has a point. Mother, perhaps A-Yue should try this fish.”

Before Yang Yuan could respond to her son, Su Xun interjected: “I was about to mention that. Your mother was injured while exorcising spirits down the mountain; this fish should probably go to her first…”

“Mother is injured?” Su Qingyang said frantically. “Where? Let me see!”

Lu Shuyao sneered inwardly.

“It’s fine,” Yang Yuan said indifferently. “Have someone cook the fish.”

“Good, I’ll do it right now!” Su Qingyang snatched the fish from Lu Shuyao. “Once the soup is ready, I’ll go with you to see A-Yue.”

The couple exchanged a look. Su Xun said: “I just received an urgent message. Mountain spirits are causing trouble and harassing the people. I need you to depart immediately.”

“So soon?” Su Qingyang was unhappy. “But I haven’t seen A-Yue since returning from Luzhou…”

“Qing’er, what is the motto of our Baoshan Sect?”

“…” Su Qingyang looked reluctant, but straightened his posture and answered: “Righteousness comes first.”