Every Day I’m Reforming My Disciple [Transmigration into a Book] - Chapter 8

The brilliant sun shone overhead, and the sunlight was warm.

In the courtyard, the villagers were being inspected one after another.

The village chief and several servants were kept aside for questioning.

“It was the Right Guardian who specifically ordered the kitchen to make candied water chestnut cake. I happened to see it when I went out, and in order to show the Guardian our sincerity, I specially brought it over. Clan Leader, you have to believe me. Even if I had ten times the courage, I still wouldn’t dare poison the Guardian.”

Xue Youge saw the Clan Leader standing beside her, her expression calm and steady, without the slightest ripple. But if one looked carefully, one would discover that her eyes were unfocused as she stared at a nearby room.

“Clan Leader.”

Han Le was looking at the tightly closed door across from her. After the female lead had angrily gone inside and ordered someone to bring a bucket of water for a bath, the door had stayed shut the entire time. Han Le was wondering if she had gone a little too far.

Hearing Xue Youge call her, she returned to her senses and summoned the chubby guard beside her.

“Xue Youge, this matter is closely connected to the poisoning of the water source. You are involved in it, so to prove your innocence, I will give you three days to uncover the truth. Do you have any objections?”

Xue Youge panicked. “Clan Leader, the poisoning is an extremely serious matter. Youge fears she may not be able to shoulder such a heavy responsibility.”

Han Le pointed at the chubby guard. “From today onward, he will obey your orders.”

Xue Youge still wanted to say something, but Han Le said again, “Xue Youge, I believe in you.”

Her gaze was serious and firm, making Xue Youge freeze for a moment. Then she immediately bowed.

“Youge will definitely not disappoint the Clan Leader.”

The sun sank westward, and the beauty of dusk was intoxicating. After the village chief’s questioning ended, he hurriedly had someone clean up another room for Han Le to stay in.

She stood before the door and looked toward the room opposite her, which was still tightly shut. She could not help feeling puzzled. Did it take that long to bathe?

Xue Youge walked over from behind, looking somewhat tired. After questioning everyone who had come into contact with the pastries, she had gone to the back kitchen and investigated every possible place the poisoner might have gone.

“Clan Leader.”

Seeing that she wanted to speak but hesitated, Han Le said, “Speak freely.”

Xue Youge said, “If the poisoner is caught, how will the Clan Leader deal with them?”

Another question about punishment methods. Han Le thought for a moment, then said two words.

“Clan rules.”

Xue Youge’s face turned pale. “Youge understands.”

Since Xue Youge asked this, she had probably already guessed the poisoner’s identity and was caught in a dilemma.

But Xue Youge was someone who cared about the greater good. Her mind and bearing were not comparable to ordinary people’s.

It was fine to leave this matter to Xue Youge.

After all, Han Le had something more important to do.

After hesitating for a long time, Han Le still stood outside the female lead’s door. She admitted that vomiting on someone else did make her conscience uneasy. She should apologize.

But after she knocked several times, no one responded.

Could the female lead not be inside?

But Han Le had been watching the whole time and had not seen her come out. After hesitating, she pushed open the door. A wave of heat rushed toward her from inside.

She closed the door and walked behind the screen, then could not help holding her breath.

Thick black hair, smooth and soft, spilled down like a waterfall. Han Le could not help taking a few steps forward. Fair, slender shoulders. A graceful line of neck. Alluring collarbones. Skin like congealed cream, muscles and bones like ice and jade.

Han Le’s gaze moved downward. Bright red petals floated all over the water’s surface, hiding that tempting warmth and softness from view.

She had not expected the female lead to be able to soak in a bath from daytime all the way into the evening.

Seeing her leaning against the wooden tub with her eyes closed, Han Le stepped forward and stretched out a finger to check her breathing.

She was somewhat disappointed. She had not drowned.

Still, if she kept soaking like this, even if she did not die, she would lose several layers of skin.

Han Le decided to be a good person and carry her to the bed.

However, the instant her hand touched the other woman’s skin, Han Qu suddenly opened her eyes. Her palm struck toward Han Le almost without hesitation.

Water from the wooden tub splashed across the floor. Han Qu struck Han Le with a palm, then abruptly stood up from the tub, furious.

“Han Le, what are you trying to do?”

Han Le was caught off guard and knocked to the ground. Her body felt awful, and before she could curse, her vision was assaulted by a field of snow-white skin. Her mind instantly became dizzy.

Han Qu thought the other woman had meant to harm her, but instead, she saw a stream of blood flowing from the other woman’s nose. Realizing something, she immediately grabbed the clothes on the screen and wrapped herself up. Her expression turned extremely ugly.

“Get out.”

Even after the door behind her closed, Han Le still had not recovered. Amid that snow-white vision, the protruding pinkness kept crashing into her sight. She forcefully narrowed her eyes and opened them again. The dark sky was dotted with a few scattered stars. Han Le wiped the blood from her nose and sat on the steps outside the female lead’s door.

She remembered when she used to go to the bathhouse. In that misty, steamy space, slender waists, graceful bodies, full breasts, and round hips all moved before her eyes. When warm liquid flowed from her nose, Han Le had known that she was different from other people.

The door behind her opened, and the female lead’s voice sounded.

“Master still hasn’t left?”

Han Le turned to look. Damp hair hung over Han Qu’s shoulders. Light blue clothes wrapped around her soft, slender waist, and a white gauze shawl covered her shoulders. Her cold eyes showed a trace of softness beneath the moonlight, gorgeous yet clear.

“Is your body all right?”

The woman sitting on the steps was someone Han Qu had dreamed countless times of killing with her own hands. Enchanting, seductive, pretending to be pure, acting like a delicate woman, charming and manipulating others in the palm of her hand.

Even if the other woman had changed because of Han Qu’s rebirth, so what? She was still Han Le. She was still Han Qu’s master. She was still the person Han Qu would personally destroy.

“Thank you for your concern, Master. Your disciple is fine.” She revealed a smile.

Han Le looked at her in a daze. “It’s good that you’re fine.”

System: “Plot completion progress bar +1. Total progress: four percent. Host, please keep up the good work and continue doing your best!”

Hm???

After Han Qu returned to the room, she immediately meditated and sensed the vast power inside her body.

She had not expected that, through a fortunate accident, her divine sense had successfully explored the azure-blue bead. She had originally thought that the hatred in her heart would prevent her from forming a deeper connection with the bead, but unexpectedly, it had done the opposite.

Not only had the bead not rejected her, it had completely merged with her.

Han Qu closed her eyes and meditated. This meditation lasted an entire day. As soon as dawn broke, she opened her eyes, got up, and opened the window. The world outside instantly became somewhat different in her eyes. She could not explain exactly how, only that what she sensed now was entirely different from before.

What made her even happier was that her cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. She was certain that even if she had to face the Han Le from the foggy forest when she had killed her, she would be able to handle her with ease.

However, going to kill the other woman now would be far too boring. Since Han Le wanted to act out deep master-disciple affection, Han Qu would cooperate properly. When a person thought she had succeeded, stabbing her in the back would be far more wonderful.

Han Le lay on the bed, sleepless all night. She asked the system the entire night why the progress bar had risen. No matter how she threatened or tempted it, the other party kept saying, “temporarily unable to answer.”

A little angry. A little helpless.

Only when the sun was high in the sky did Xue Youge’s voice come from outside the door.

“Clan Leader, Youge has found the poisoner. Please make the decision, Clan Leader.”

Han Le’s eyes widened, and she got out of bed. So fast?

Could the progress bar have risen because Xue Youge caught the snake clan spy?

The sounds of insects and birds rose around them. Xue Youge walked beside Han Le and reported the details.

“It was Old Zhang, the fish seller. His wife and child were violated and murdered by an official’s wealthy son in Le City a year ago.” As she spoke, she observed Han Le’s expression.

The original owner loved the human world. After taking over the fox clan, she had completely transformed the interior of the fox clan into the appearance of human society.

Elite foxes with high cultivation and pure bloodlines all lived in Le City, including the original owner, who had specially built a golden palace there. As for foxes born with lowly bloodlines, they were all driven away and lived scattered outside Le City, where they were often bullied by higher-class foxes.

“He went to Le City several times to report to the authorities, but each time, he was driven out. Some time ago, he left the clan on business and encountered members of the snake clan. After being repeatedly instigated by them, he agreed to work for the snake clan and kill all the officials and wealthy people in Le City.”

“Old Zhang did not know about the poison in the stream. But he was indeed the one who brought the snake clan people into the clan and allowed them to poison the water source. Afterward, Old Zhang regretted it deeply. He had not poisoned the people of Le City; instead, many people in his own village fell ill.”

“At that time, the Right Guardian happened to enter the village. The snake clan people may have thought that since they could not poison the fox clan warriors, killing a guardian would also count as great merit. So they threatened Old Zhang, saying that if he wanted revenge for his wife and child and wanted the antidote to save the villagers, he had to kill the Right Guardian.”

“Old Zhang knew that the villagers had been implicated because of him, so he agreed. The snake clan people gave him a venomous fang. After the pastries were made in the back kitchen, Old Zhang secretly snuck in. He knew Youge was there, so he only placed the poison in the candied water chestnut cake.”

Han Le nodded. This was not very different from the original novel.

“You were able to solve the case in such a short time. Very good.”

Then she stopped walking. “Xue Youge, come back to Le City with me.”

Xue Youge froze, at a loss. “Youge is only of lowly fox clan blood. How could I be worthy of going to Le City? Clan Leader, please do not honor this humble woman beyond her station.”

Xue Youge’s mother had been a two-tailed fox, possessing noble blood and a respected status. Yet, unfortunately, she had joined with a low-ranking fox and became a laughingstock from then on. Her decision to give up one life just to reincarnate with him made others look down on her even more.

Because of that, even Xue Youge was looked down upon by the people of Le City.

“You were able to find the culprit in such a short time. That means you are worthy of going to Le City,” Han Le said.

Xue Youge replied, “Actually, this matter was not Youge’s achievement alone. First, Old Zhang already felt guilty. With just a little probing, he confessed everything. Second, thanks to Lady Spirit Maiden’s reminder, Youge carefully investigated the scene and found fish scales that had fallen from Old Zhang’s body in the back kitchen, as well as the smell of fish on the plate.”

“If I say you’re worthy, then you’re worthy.” Seeing a figure in the distance walking toward them, Han Le immediately said it firmly.

That certain, trusting gaze made Xue Youge’s mind waver. What virtue or ability did she have to receive such trust from the Clan Leader? She restrained the emotions in her eyes and lowered her head.

“Youge swears to serve the Clan Leader to the death.”

By the time the female lead, Han Qu, walked up to them, Han Le had already sent Xue Youge away to pack her things and prepare to leave for Le City that same day.

Han Qu’s black hair drifted in the wind, and her black eyes were bottomless.

“Xue Youge caught the snake clan spy. She naturally deserves to be brought back to Le City and heavily rewarded.”

Han Le avoided her gaze. “Mm.”

In the original novel, it was the female lead who valued Xue Youge and personally invited her back to Le City. Xue Youge was like Zhuge Liang, who had long lived in a thatched cottage. After the female lead visited her three times with sincerity, she was moved and became the female lead’s most trusted teammate.

For the first time, Han Le had walked a plotline that belonged to the female lead, so she felt a little guilty.

Especially since she had seen the other woman’s body yesterday.

Her ears felt faintly hot.

Han Qu stood in front of her. Seeing Han Le expressionlessly avert her gaze and give a serious “Mm,” she could not help letting out a cold laugh.

Han Le left the pale-faced guard behind to continue developing an antidote and save the people in the village. The poison Shi Yingying had been afflicted with was more complicated, so she could only be brought back to Le City for treatment. She lay on a stretcher, utterly lifeless, as the guards carried her.

After saying farewell to all the villagers, Xue Youge followed them on the road.

The village was quite far from Le City, and they only arrived the next day.

Looking at the golden palace glittering brightly, Han Le’s mouth was slightly open. The guards escorted Old Zhang to the dungeon. She ordered someone to arrange a residence for Xue Youge, specifically reminding them that it had to be close to her own room. This made the servants exchange glances.

Especially the female lead. Even the way she looked at Han Le changed.

“This subordinate did not know the Clan Leader had returned and failed to welcome you properly. I deserve death ten thousand times over.”

Han Le had truly heard these kinds of words a little too much recently.

The man kneeling on the ground had white hair but the face of a young man. He was one of the original owner’s trusted right and left hands—the left hand, Li Ren.

Unlike the Right Guardian, he was a sharp blade who only knew how to receive orders and kill.

Unfortunately, he was loyal to strength. Whoever was stronger was the one he served.

Later, he became the ultimate boss’s subordinate. His hands were stained with blood, and he was cut down by the male lead in a single strike.

When his gaze landed on Han Qu beside Han Le, his eyes paused.

“If the Clan Leader has no orders, this subordinate will take his leave.”

This was also the reason the original owner had used him heavily. He never meddled in things that did not concern him.

“Wait,” Han Le said. “The Spirit Maiden learned that I encountered danger in seclusion and risked herself to assist me. This is a merit. Go make the arrangements.”

The original owner did not only have the Left and Right Guardians at her side. There were also several elders, and those elders were not easy to deal with. Like Shi Yingying, they coveted the favor the Spirit Maiden received from the original owner and had long wanted to drag the female lead down from her position.

According to Shi Yingying, she had already sent two elders to capture the female lead. Presumably, the wounds on the female lead’s body before had been caused by that. Now that they had returned to Le City, those elders would definitely swarm over to condemn the female lead.

Han Le did not have the energy to deal with them one by one. She might as well find someone to pass the message along.

The Left Guardian, Li Ren, just happened to be the first to come to her door. He was also solitary by nature, had no ambition, and relied on his ruthlessness to sit firmly in the position of Left Guardian. Letting him handle this matter was the best choice.

“Yes.”

After Li Ren left, only Han Le and the female lead remained in the vast palace.

Han Le looked at the golden soft couch placed in the center of the palace and thought that the original owner really knew how to enjoy herself. With such an ostentatious palace, no wonder other clans wanted to attack them.

She walked forward and sat down on it.

Comfortable.

Han Qu looked at the other woman sitting on the golden soft couch while she herself stood in front of her, as if they had returned to the past again. Her master had pretended to treat her well, letting everyone know it, even often praising her in the palace hall.

At that time, she had thought the other woman was truly proud of her. Only later did she learn that Han Le had only been using her.

The tallest tree catches the strongest wind. Her master had used her affection to make everyone scheme against Han Qu. Then, when Han Qu was in despair, she would give her a piece of candy, making her understand that in this vast fox clan, Han Le was the only one who treated her well.

Until Mount Li…

Han Qu suddenly raised her head. “What did you just say?”

Han Le had no choice but to repeat herself. “Master is going to take a trip to Mount Li.”

Unexpectedly, after rebirth, this point had arrived even faster than she had anticipated.

“When?”

“Today.” Han Le looked at the female lead. “Do you want to go with Master?”

Han Qu smiled. “No matter where Master is, your disciple will stay by your side.”

It was clearly supposed to be a touching sentence. So why did it sound so chilling when it came from the female lead’s mouth?

Han Le lay on the bed, thinking about the next part of the plot.

In the original novel, they had set off for Mount Li after attending the celebration banquet two days later.

This time, she was taking the female lead to Mount Li ahead of schedule. She did not know whether they would run into the male lead, Chen Haotian.

After that came the part where she stabbed the female lead in order to obtain Liyuan Hong. This part could be slightly changed. Han Le carefully calculated everything, then suddenly realized she seemed to have forgotten something.

Her mind went blank for a few seconds before she remembered.

She seemed to have forgotten the little fox, Lili.

Where had that little fellow run off to?