Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 16

T/N: I’m now including the character illustration. I’ve added this same note in Chapter 1 as well, since I initially forgot to include the character art earlier.

(You can view the original illustration on JJWXC here: https://www.jjwxc.net/onebook.php?novelid=4941970. Use Ctrl+ Scroll  to zoom if needed.)

(In order)

• 主角: Main Character/Protagonist

——

• 离玉: Li Yu (The Protagonist)

• 慕陶: Mu Tao

• 配角: Supporting Characters

——

• 司青岚: Si Qinglan (Supporting Character)

• 墨夷初: Mo Yichu (Supporting Character)

• 微生玄烛: Weisheng Xuanzhu (Supporting Character)

• 秦鸢: Qin Yuan (Supporting Character)

• 向寒玉: Xiang Hanyu (Supporting Character)

• 言不秋: Yan Buqiu (Supporting Character)

• 青女: Qing Nü (Supporting Character)

---

Chapter 16: “Wherever Master Is, I’ll Be There”

Li Yu swatted Si Qinglan’s hand away.

Si Qinglan, who had only wanted to check on her friend, was deeply hurt by this cold treatment. She dramatically wiped away nonexistent tears and sat down in a nearby seat, looking dejected.

“I don’t even want to say I’m doing this for your own good anymore,” she huffed, muttering, “You can’t defy the laws of heaven. You’re nearly ten thousand years old; surely you understand this…”

Faced with her colleague’s well-meaning but useless nagging, Li Yu could only sigh in exasperation.

Thanks for the invitation, but I’m twenty-seven and still suffering from PTSD triggered by the phrase “for your own good.”

I’m a simple person; I understand the rules. It’s just that I’m bound to a system.

There were things she wanted to say directly, but with a metaphorical sword hanging over her head, she could only pretend.

To avoid being lectured, she decided to take the initiative.

Li Yu: “I know what I’m doing.”

Si Qinglan: “Why don’t I believe you?”

Li Yu: “Si Qinglan, you know Mount Chao Yao isn’t exactly a pure place.”

Si Qinglan: “I don’t like the sound of that…”

Li Yu: “Every prejudice that exists in the mortal world exists on Chao Yao, perhaps even more deeply ingrained.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

Li Yu picked up her teacup, took a sip, and put it down, her mental speech already prepared.

“I was wrong in the past. I thought that by keeping her at Chaoxi Pond, she wouldn’t be exposed to worldly matters, but I forgot that she still lives on Chao Yao, subject to the scrutiny of others…” To avoid giving herself away, she subtly avoided Si Qinglan’s gaze. “Becoming my disciple didn’t earn her any respect; instead, it made more people dislike her, envy her, look down on her, and belittle her…”

Si Qinglan: “You can protect her.”

Li Yu: “Even if I protect her, it’s only a temporary solution. I can’t stop the gossip.”

Si Qinglan: “…”

“You saw it yourself, she went behind my back to participate in the Cloud Platform Trial – there’s a fire in her heart, a fire of ambition and desire. If left unchecked, it will consume her.” Li Yu closed her eyes and sighed softly. “Si Qinglan, this isn’t what either of us wants.”

She felt her words were incredibly moving. Anyone who heard them should be able to sense the helplessness of the usually aloof Cangming Revered One.

To confirm this, she peeked at Si Qinglan.

Good, Si Qinglan was stunned. She could continue.

“It’s hard to silence the masses. Only with a strong heart can one overcome them.” Li Yu lowered her voice. “I want her to see the human world, to broaden her horizons, so she can break free from the shackles and prejudices brought about by her talent and background.”

Si Qinglan’s eye twitched. She wanted to say something but was at a loss for words.

After a moment of hesitation, she leaned forward and asked softly, “Aren’t you afraid something will happen?”

Li Yu: “She’s my disciple, I will naturally accompany and protect her.”

Si Qinglan anxiously said, “You cannot interfere in human affairs! If you disrupt the laws of heaven with your divine power, the heavens will strike you with lightning, crippling your cultivation!”

Li Yu chuckled nonchalantly. She didn’t have any divine power to speak of.

Even if the heavens mistakenly targeted her with lightning, they probably wouldn’t be able to locate her.

Li Yu: “Don’t worry, I know my limits.”

Si Qinglan: “You really are…”

Li Yu: “Impossible to reason with?”

Si Qinglan: “Stubborn!!!”

Li Yu almost couldn’t suppress her smile.

Oops, miscalculation, she came up with a new insult!

Si Qinglan: “Are you trying not to laugh?”

Li Yu: “No.”

Si Qinglan stared at Li Yu for a few seconds, then, seeing her usual expression, bit her lip.

For a moment, she had indeed seen a smile on Li Yu’s face. Was it just her imagination?

Forget it, this was annoying. She didn’t want to deal with this anymore.

“Fine, do as you please! I’m not getting involved in this mess!” Si Qinglan said angrily, turning to leave.

After taking two steps, she remembered this was her place, so she stopped, turned around, and glared at Li Yu.

That person didn’t even seem to notice she was angry and was still calmly drinking her tea!

Si Qinglan rolled her eyes, pointed at the door, and said, “Leave! This is my house!”

“Oh.” Li Yu replied, finishing her tea and getting up to leave.

To return to Chaoxi Pond, she needed the crane again.

Fortunately, practice made perfect, and the return trip was less terrifying.

She searched through her “skill tree” and finally found the crane-summoning spell in an unlocked corner.

She had used it, so why was it still showing as unlocked?

Confused, Li Yu poked the red prohibition symbol.

A line of text popped up.

—Beginner Trial Card Active.

So, it was just a trial card!

Li Yu: “How long can I use it?”

【Until the day you leave Mount Chao Yao.】

Li Yu: “…”

So, it was about to expire!

Forget it, she was about to start the main storyline anyway; the spells would unlock eventually.

She should focus on how to persuade the little protagonist to leave the mountain.

…

In the quiet courtyard, Mu Tao sat cross-legged, eyes closed, diligently practicing the cultivation manual she had already memorized.

Sunlight fell on her, illuminating the beads of sweat on her forehead.

She hadn’t stayed in the cool room, afraid of losing track of time and missing the time to deliver her master’s meal.

But today, Mu Tao was less focused than usual.

Mount Chao Yao hadn’t opened its gates to the outside world for centuries. The sudden visit from the human imperial envoys suggested something major had happened in the human realm.

Her master had gone to Qianlizhu to discuss this matter. Would she be back late?

Should she prepare dinner at the usual time, or wait for her master to return?

If she cooked too early, the food would be cold by the time her master returned.

If she cooked too late, would her master be hungry and unhappy?

This simple question had troubled her all afternoon, preventing her from focusing on her cultivation.

But her master returned earlier than expected.

The crane’s cry, ethereal and distant, cleared her troubled thoughts.

As the soft blue light faded, the person she had been waiting for stood at the entrance of the courtyard.

“Master!” Mu Tao quickly stood up and ran to Li Yu, stopping respectfully behind her. “Master is back so soon!”

“Mm.” Li Yu replied softly, not turning around immediately.

—She needed a moment to compose herself. Her heart was still racing, her legs still a little weak.

“Why has Master come here?” Mu Tao asked with a smile, glancing at the sun.

It wasn’t yet evening; she hadn’t missed the mealtime. Her master must have something to tell her.

So, she waited respectfully behind Li Yu.

After a long silence, Mu Tao began to doubt her judgment. She tilted her head in confusion. “Master?”

Li Yu snapped back to reality, cleared her throat, and said directly, “Disciple, I’ve noticed your recent progress in cultivation. Would you like to go to the human realm for some training?”

Mu Tao: “…To the human realm?”

Li Yu nodded slightly, turned to look at Mu Tao, and calmly fabricated a reason: “There’s trouble in the human realm. The current imperial family has requested aid from Mount Chao Yao. The token the envoy possesses was indeed left behind by Qingxuan Revered One. This involves Qingxuan Revered One’s reputation, so it’s difficult to refuse.”

“Since we can’t refuse, we might as well treat it as a training opportunity for the younger generation.” Li Yu gently brushed a strand of hair from Mu Tao’s forehead. “I’ve secured a spot for you. Pack your things tonight, so you can depart anytime.”

Mu Tao opened her mouth, her brow furrowing slightly, her eyes reddening.

Before Li Yu could react, Mu Tao grabbed her sleeve and knelt down.

“Master, this disciple’s cultivation is shallow. Why should I go to the human realm for training?” Mu Tao’s voice choked with tears. “This disciple only wants…only wants to stay at Chaoxi Pond and cook for Master every day…”

Her words trailed off into sobs.

Everything happened so suddenly that Li Yu froze.

She tried to pull the kneeling girl up but found she lacked the strength.

Seriously, such a dramatic reaction to a trip?

Didn’t she insist on going to the human realm with her senior brother in the original story?

After a brief moment of confusion, Li Yu said tentatively, “I forgot to mention, I will be accompanying you on this trip to the human realm and protecting you at all times…”

The crying stopped abruptly. So that was the problem!

Mu Tao looked up, her tear-filled eyes wide with disbelief. “Master…will be going too…”

Li Yu: “Mm.”

Mu Tao wiped away her tears. “Master is leaving the mountain…to…protect me?”

Li Yu: “Mm!”

As soon as she spoke, she finally managed to pull Mu Tao up.

The moment the little girl stood up, she threw herself into Li Yu’s arms.

Li Yu paused, then gently patted Mu Tao’s back.

She heard Mu Tao mumbling something and strained to hear the faint words.

“This disciple doesn’t want to leave Master…”

“Wherever Master is, I’ll be there…”

This little clingy thing, how heartwarming.