After Transmigrating Into a Pirated Novel to Teach Them a Lesson - Chapter 27

That person grew shy from her words. “Changning…”

“I want to see what Master looks like.” Liu Changning’s voice was hoarse. She reached out and touched the white silk over Fu Chenxue’s eyes—this was the same strip Fu Chenxue had once tied over her own.

The side of that person’s face flushed red, as if she was still embarrassed. “Don’t…”

Liu Changning coaxed, “Just one look.” Then she added, “Only one look.”

…

A sound suddenly came from the entrance of the residence. Fu Chenxue had finished bathing and felt refreshed all over. When she walked inside, she saw Liu Changning curled up in the quilt, fast asleep. She could not help walking over and pinching her cheek. “You said you’d wait for Master, so why did you fall asleep so quickly?”

But she did not pinch hard. Fu Chenxue lay down. She had spent the whole day at Dingbai Mountain and was truly tired. She also wanted to rest early. Unexpectedly, the moment she lay beside Liu Changning, the other person instantly woke with a start.

“Master?” Liu Changning sprang up from the bed and stared blankly ahead. No one knew what kind of dream she had been having, but her skin was pink like spring peach blossoms, and her breathing was heavy.

Fu Chenxue turned over and raised a brow. “What’s wrong?”

When Liu Changning truly heard Fu Chenxue’s voice, she was instead startled. “Mas… Master, you’re back.”

Fu Chenxue yawned. “Mm. I came back after bathing.” Then she asked, “What’s wrong with you? Did you have a nightmare?”

Liu Changning suppressed the emotions in her heart and slowly lay down. “No…”

Fu Chenxue said, “Good. Go to sleep.”

After saying this, Fu Chenxue fell asleep first. But Liu Changning was not sleepy at all. She tossed and turned under the quilt, unable to calm her thoughts.

She was certain that she had just dreamed, and the dream had something to do with Master.

It was all that damned civet-cat spirit’s fault for telling her so much, making her restless all day. Liu Changning recalled that dream and pursed her lips. But… Master looked truly beautiful bound by the Immortal-Binding Rope like that.

Liu Changning could not forget the white clothes in the dream, nor those bright, thin lips…

Liu Changning suddenly realized that it was not that she herself wanted to say those words. It was that she wanted to hear Master say them. This feeling of her heartstrings trembling wildly was like being scratched by soft feathers. Liu Changning turned over and listened to Fu Chenxue’s even breathing.

She gently picked up Fu Chenxue’s fingers, pressed them to her lips, rubbed against them for a long while, then lightly bit them.

She heard Fu Chenxue’s faint sleep-murmur. “Changning, be good. Don’t make trouble…”

Liu Changning suddenly realized that in Master’s heart, she was still that obedient child, someone who did not know how to kill, much less how to take revenge, and only knew how to weakly rely on her side.

But this also made her very happy. Since Master liked it, then she would keep pretending this way forever. As long as Master was happy, she was happy. If Master liked her like this, then she would always be like this.

Reluctantly, Liu Changning put that hand down, then curled into Fu Chenxue’s embrace. Master had just finished bathing, and her body smelled fragrant and wonderful. Liu Changning was not sleepy. She lay in Fu Chenxue’s arms for a long while but still could not fall asleep.

“Master…” Liu Changning reached out to touch Fu Chenxue’s face. Fu Chenxue was exhausted, her eyelids so heavy she could not lift them. She instinctively stroked Liu Changning’s back and continued sleeping.

Liu Changning silently buried her face into Fu Chenxue’s neck. “Master, I want to see you so much…”

Early the next morning, Fu Chenxue woke very early. Liu Changning clung to her in her arms and refused to get up. Fu Chenxue coaxed her for quite a while before Liu Changning murmured, “Master, why do we have to get up so early? I’m still sleepy.”

Fu Chenxue said, “Then sleep a little longer.”

With permission granted, Liu Changning shrank back into the quilt. Fu Chenxue draped on her outer robe and left the residence. She planned to go to the small kitchen in the back and see if she could make something delicious for Liu Changning.

They had only just returned to Winter Peak, and Liu Changning was still a little unused to the place. Fu Chenxue felt sorry for her disciple, who could not see, and wanted to make more tasty things to coax her into being happy.

When it came to small things like making desserts, Fu Chenxue was never willing to rely on spiritual energy, because she felt that something made by hand carried a different feeling. After choosing for a while, she thought plum blossom pastries would be easiest. They were sweet without being greasy, and Liu Changning would definitely like them.

There happened to be fresh plum blossom petals in the small kitchen. Fu Chenxue took them to soak, intending to use them for kneading the dough. She had just finished working the dough when footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the small kitchen, followed by a clear female voice. “Chenxue, are you here?”

Fu Chenxue turned around and saw Xue Linglong walk in. After resting for one night, she looked much better. She sat down casually. “What are you making?”

“Plum blossom pastries.” Fu Chenxue added, “For Changning.”

Today, Xue Linglong wore a pale-pink outer robe, and her hair was tied up with a black ribbon, making her look very graceful and pretty. She said, “Sect Master asked me to tell you something.”

Fu Chenxue rolled up her sleeves. “What is it?”

“He said you wanted to investigate Yu Tianji’s whereabouts,” Xue Linglong said. “There are clues now.”

After hearing this, Fu Chenxue immediately turned around. “Really? Where is he?”

Xue Linglong scratched her head. She did not answer directly and instead said, “Before that, I have a question I want to ask you.”

Fu Chenxue signaled for her to ask.

“Why are you looking for Yu Tianji? He’s someone from the Demon Realm’s Ghost Altar. He shouldn’t have anything to do with you.”

Fu Chenxue recalled Liu Changning’s pitiful blood-red eyes when she first met her, and her heart instantly ached. “Changning’s eye condition and leg injuries were both caused by him.”

At that time, Liu Changning had been trapped alone in that dark, sunless water prison. No one helped her, and no one saved her. She had gone through so much pain. Fu Chenxue had spent a full two years pulling Liu Changning out of that agony.

She had always known that Liu Changning depended on her very much. Whenever Fu Chenxue left, Liu Changning would panic. But Fu Chenxue did not want Liu Changning to remain like this. She wanted her to become strong. Even if Fu Chenxue might die by Liu Changning’s hand one day, Liu Changning would still be able to protect herself properly.

So even if she could not cure Liu Changning’s eyes right now, Fu Chenxue had to kill Yu Tianji first.

“So that’s how it is…” Xue Linglong finally understood the situation. “It’s like this. I heard from Sect Master that although Yu Tianji is the Ghost Altar Master, he doesn’t often return to the Ghost Altar. Instead, he wanders around the cultivation world.”

“He isn’t in the Demon Realm?” Fu Chenxue felt that this was good news.

Xue Linglong said, “According to Sect Master, Yu Tianji’s appearance was completely ruined because he cultivated the ghost path, so he has always relied on absorbing the spiritual energy of cauldrons to maintain his appearance. But where would the Demon Realm find that many clean cauldrons for him? So he can only go out and capture all kinds of cultivators with good aptitude.”

“Most of those cultivators are at Foundation Establishment and are no match for Yu Tianji at all. They can only obediently let themselves be slaughtered.” Xue Linglong sighed. “Being someone’s cauldron doesn’t feel good. They’ll be drained until only a skin remains.”

Xue Linglong’s expression made Fu Chenxue feel a little puzzled. Xue Linglong looked very sympathetic toward those who were used as cauldrons, but hadn’t she herself been used as a cauldron by the civet-cat spirit in Dingbai Mountain? Could it be… that what the civet-cat spirit said was true? It had not used Xue Linglong as a cauldron, but had dual cultivated with her?

Out of politeness, however, Fu Chenxue did not ask. “Then where is Yu Tianji now?”

Xue Linglong said, “At Fuling Sea. He captured at least thirty male cultivators there… to use as cauldrons.”

Fu Chenxue frowned. “No one is stopping him?”

Xue Linglong snorted coldly. “You want to reason with demonic cultivators? Most of them only care about their own pleasure. What does the life and death of others have to do with them?”

Hearing this, Fu Chenxue’s heart suddenly felt somewhat stifled.

Because in the future, she would also walk this path.

Seeing that Fu Chenxue was silent, Xue Linglong added, “Of course, I said most.”

Fu Chenxue said, “…There probably aren’t any exceptions.”

Xue Linglong stood up. “Some people may also be forced by circumstances. For example, those cultivators Yu Tianji uses as cauldrons. After Yu Tianji drains their spiritual energy, their souls can’t leave, so they can only be forced to turn to the ghost path and continue staying by his side to do the lowest, filthiest things. People like that are already pitiful enough.”

The two chatted for a while longer. Xue Linglong took a liking to the plum blossom pastries in Fu Chenxue’s hands. She leaned beside the chopping board and returned to her old cheerful, laughing self. “How long until these plum blossom pastries are ready?”

Fu Chenxue glanced at her. “These are for Changning.”

“I know, I know. Can I… taste one first?” Ever since Xue Linglong lost most of her cultivation, she would feel hungry from time to time. She was also unwilling to eat fasting pills, so she had no choice but to cook for herself. Unfortunately, the food she made was far too terrible. So she would freeload a meal here and there every day, making sure she did not starve.

Fu Chenxue refused righteously. “Changning didn’t sleep well last night. She woke early this morning saying she was sleepy. And when she wakes up, she needs to eat. Wait a little longer.”

Xue Linglong instantly bristled. “Your disciple is at least at Foundation Establishment, right? Does someone at Foundation Establishment still need to eat? Why don’t you pity me, someone whose spiritual meridians are damaged?”

“Weren’t your spiritual meridians damaged because you mistakenly ate a pill?”

Xue Linglong propped up her face, indicating that she did not want to answer this question.

Seeing her unhappy appearance, Fu Chenxue felt that she really resembled Liu Changning when Liu Changning threw tantrums with her. But Liu Changning was much cuter than her and much easier to coax.

“All right. When I bring them over later, I’ll leave a few pieces for you.” Fu Chenxue curled her lips.

Xue Linglong’s eyes lit up. “Really? Chenxue, you’re so good to me. Then this time, I’ll go with you to Fuling Sea.”

“You’re going with me?”

“Of course.” Xue Linglong blinked. “There are many benefits to bringing me along. You’ll know when the time comes.”

After Fu Chenxue finished making the plum blossom pastries, she reluctantly left two pieces for Xue Linglong and brought the rest back for Liu Changning.

When she entered the room, Liu Changning was still curled in the shadowy corner. Fu Chenxue placed the tea tray on the table, walked over, and gently patted Liu Changning’s back for a while before saying warmly, “Changning, get up.”

Liu Changning gave a soft sound and called quietly, “Master, you’re back…”

Fu Chenxue stroked her hair. “Why are you sweating so much in your sleep? Was it too hot at night?”

Liu Changning did not know why either. She felt that Master’s body was icy and cool, very comfortable, so she pressed her face against her. “Master, this bed isn’t comfortable. It isn’t as comfortable as the one in the cave residence…”

“Is it too soft?” Fu Chenxue noted in her heart that Liu Changning did not like sleeping on soft beds.

“Master, where is my beast-fur blanket?” Liu Changning dozed for a little while longer before fully waking up. She reached around but did not touch the familiar item, and the corners of her lips drooped.

Fu Chenxue carried her down and let her step barefoot onto the beast-fur blanket. “I already laid it on the floor this morning. Right, Master made plum blossom pastries and crucian carp soup. Come eat a little.”

Liu Changning was guided by her to the table. The plum blossom pastries had just been made and were still warm. The crucian carp soup was light and refreshing. Liu Changning drank half a small bowl before rubbing her stomach. “Master, I’m full.”

“Changning, in a few days, Master has to go do something very important. Once it’s done, Master will send someone to find you.” For the time being, Fu Chenxue did not plan to tell Liu Changning about Yu Tianji.

“Where is Master going?” Liu Changning’s voice sounded somewhat anxious. “Am I staying alone on Winter Peak?”

“Don’t be afraid. Master won’t be gone for long. At most, I’ll send you news within five days.” Fu Chenxue held her hand to reassure her. “Master hopes you’ll obediently stay here. Changning, you’ve already grown up. If you follow Master around every day, other people will laugh at you.”

Liu Changning said gloomily, “They don’t know me anyway. I don’t want to care what they say.”

Seeing that this explanation did not work, Fu Chenxue said, “But you are already at mid Foundation Establishment. You need to stay on Winter Peak and cultivate diligently.”

Liu Changning said, “But… but I can cultivate while staying by Master’s side too…”

“I’ve already asked Elder Lu Tong to take care of you. She will teach you some sword techniques. You want to become a sword cultivator, don’t you?”

Ever since Liu Changning was harmed in the Demon Realm, her original wish to become a medical cultivator had changed. Now, she wanted more to become a sword cultivator. Fu Chenxue also knew that the female lead was excellent material for cultivation. Letting her become a medical cultivator would be too much of a waste, so she happily agreed.

Thus, three days later, at the entrance of the Yubing Sect, Liu Changning could only reluctantly hold Fu Chenxue’s hand. “Master, you have to come back early.”

Fu Chenxue wore white robes. Her tall figure was elegant as jade, and her eyes flowed with light. That gorgeous appearance was even more dazzling than pearls and jade. She stroked Liu Changning’s hair. “Remember to use the Firefly-Binding Grass morning and night, otherwise your eyes will hurt again.”

“I know.”

Seeing Liu Changning’s pitifully aggrieved look, Fu Chenxue hugged her once more before turning to leave. She needed to go to Seeking Autumn Peak to find Xue Linglong.

She had already told Hua Fengming that she would go to Fuling Sea to settle accounts with Yu Tianji. Hua Fengming had very readily given her a bag of spirit stones and even prepared a flying carriage for her.

The flying carriage was much more spacious than an ordinary carriage. Xue Linglong had been lying down ever since she got into the carriage. Fu Chenxue did not know what benefits someone whose cultivation had been crippled could bring by following her, but she still took care of Xue Linglong attentively along the way.

Xue Linglong brought out many snacks. She had stolen all of them from Pei Wuxia. Pei Wuxia had many disciples, and they were all young, still at an age where they loved snacks the most. So Xue Linglong shamelessly fought them for food. Afterward, Chasing Summer Peak hung up a notice—People from Seeking Autumn Peak are forbidden to visit.

But that notice did not stay up for long before Hua Fengming took it down, saying it was not conducive to friendly relations between the peaks. And so Xue Linglong happily continued freeloading food and drink.

Fu Chenxue looked at that row of little snacks and said, “Changning also likes powdered cakes…”

Xue Linglong said, “How can you think of your disciple no matter what you see? She’s on Winter Peak right now. She can’t eat them anyway.”

Fu Chenxue nodded. “It’s fine. I can make them for her when I go back.”

Xue Linglong: “…”

Was there any saving this master?

After traveling for half a day, the two finally arrived at Fuling Sea. The moment Fu Chenxue got off the carriage, she felt a little dizzy. Xue Linglong explained, “Fuling Sea is located in a remote place, and spiritual energy here is scarce. Very few cultivators cultivate here. Even birds and beasts are unwilling to live here. It’s an out-and-out barren land.”

Fu Chenxue looked around. Indeed, this place was extremely desolate. There was only a lifeless, vast sea.

The astrological compass pointed the way. Fu Chenxue and Xue Linglong landed steadily on the ground and continued walking forward. Xue Linglong held the compass, looked up, and seemed to be calculating something. Only after she finished calculating did she say to Fu Chenxue, “At the Mao hour, the Minor Thousand World of Fuling Sea will open. When the time comes, you’ll need to bring me with you so we can enter together.”

“What is the Minor Thousand World?”

Xue Linglong said, “Although Fuling Sea is a barren land, there is still a place called the Minor Thousand World. It’s equivalent to its secret realm. Inside, there are layers of mountains, lush greenery, and vibrant life. It’s completely different from here. Yu Tianji is hiding inside and enjoying himself.”

“You know quite a lot.” Fu Chenxue praised her sincerely. This cultivation world was not entirely created by her. The system had already told her that before.

“It’s nothing, really.” Xue Linglong grinned.

Fu Chenxue asked, “Have you been to Fuling Sea before?”

“No.” Xue Linglong sat down on the ground, intending to wait until the Mao hour.

“Then how do you know so much?” Fu Chenxue slightly raised her chin, playing casually with the golden thread transformed from Twilight Sky Cold in her hand.

Xue Linglong felt a shadow fall over her. When she looked up, she saw Fu Chenxue watching her. She gave an “uh.” “I just happened to hear Sect Master mention it…”

Fu Chenxue said quite seriously, “So that’s how it is. Thank you for your hard work.”

“It’s no trouble, no trouble.” Xue Linglong hugged the astrological compass in her arms. Strange. Why did she feel that Fu Chenxue was acting oddly?

The two chatted for a while about sect matters. Seeing that the barrier to the Minor Thousand World was about to open, Xue Linglong hurriedly pulled Fu Chenxue up. “Quick, the barrier is about to open. Let’s go in.”

The barrier of the Minor Thousand World was made of layers of mist. It looked as if it could be scattered with a single breath. Fu Chenxue’s slender fingers formed several seals. She used a formation to bind Xue Linglong to her side, then easily brought her through. Xue Linglong asked, “How confident are you that you can kill Yu Tianji?”

Fu Chenxue walked forward expressionlessly. “Completely confident. He must die.”