“Young Master Yu, your act makes it look as though my master has bullied you,” Mo Chenxiao stepped in front of Ji Lan, his voice cold and sharp. “I do not know why you suddenly appeared on Qingya Mountain, nor what ties you have with the demons, but Young Master Yu, you have gone to such lengths to approach us with impure motives.”
“What does it have to do with you?” Yu Zhengyang sobbed. “This is a matter between Ji Lan and me. Why must you meddle so much?”
This person truly tested his patience beyond its limits.
“Enough,” Ji Lan felt that his stance was already abundantly clear. “Young Master Yu, if you came here solely to argue about this matter, you may leave now.”
Sniffling, Yu Zhengyang complained with deep dissatisfaction, “Ji Lan, you are an elder, yet you hide behind your disciple. Do you really wish to avoid me that badly?”
Ji Lan thought Yu Zhengyang’s mood swings were utterly unpredictable. What was that ridiculous phrasing about hiding behind a disciple? That was clearly a loyal disciple protecting his master!
“I will never give up!” Yu Zhengyang declared with absolute certainty. “Ji Lan, none of them compare to me. I am the only one truly suited for you!”
Ji Lan honestly had no idea how to respond.
If an adorable young lady, or even a sweet little girl, cried and begged to become his disciple, his heart would surely soften.
However, Yu Zhengyang was a man. No matter how dazzlingly flashy his appearance might be, he remained a male.
Being relentlessly pursued by another man gave Ji Lan a perpetual sense of chest tightness and impending heart failure!
“Young Master Yu,” Mo Chenxiao reached out and pressed down firmly on Yu Zhengyang’s shoulder, “stay away from my master.”
Yu Zhengyang had intended to catch Ji Lan off guard with a sudden embrace, but before he could execute his plan, Mo Chenxiao blocked him completely.
“You are nothing more than a disciple! Do you think you’re some sort of guard dog looking after a house?” Yu Zhengyang flicked his sleeves in fury. “Mo Chenxiao, just you wait! I will definitely find a way to enter Ji Lan’s sect!”
Listening to those words, a shiver ran down Ji Lan’s spine.
What was this person saying? A dog?
How could anyone describe the male lead that way? Did he have a death wish?
“Better than a stray dog like you,” Mo Chenxiao’s expression remained completely unfazed. “Young Master Yu, why make such a spectacle of yourself?”
“That’s enough,” Ji Lan’s face darkened. “Why do both of you insist on speaking with such foul mouths? Young Master Yu, return to your quarters and stop causing a scene. Chenxiao, let us go.” Without bothering to check the expressions of the two young men, Ji Lan turned around and walked away without looking back.
What a massive headache, Ji Lan sighed inwardly. Why did every scenario he found himself in feel so bizarre, resembling some kind of messy love triangle between two men and another man?
If he had transmigrated as a woman, everything would have flowed naturally, but he was a man!
Forgive him, heavens, for these sins.
Ji Lan let out a long breath. He possessed striking good looks, but surely the male lead wouldn’t actually harbor romantic feelings for him, right?
The mere thought made his skin crawl. No, that was impossible. He was thoroughly ordinary; he couldn’t let vanity cloud his judgment.
“Master,” Mo Chenxiao’s face sank into a heavy gloom, “are you still thinking about Young Master Yu?”
Upon hearing that question, Ji Lan blurted out, “I was thinking about you!”
Realizing how that sounded the second the words left his mouth, Ji Lan scrambled to correct himself. “I was thinking about how you still lack a proper sword, which simply won’t do. Chenxiao, previously I set my standards for you too high. How about this, in a few days you can go pick out a fine sword. As a disciple of the Sword Pavilion, you cannot go without one.”
Mo Chenxiao stood in a daze, his mind replaying the phrase I was thinking about you on an endless loop. Watching his master’s lips open and close, he barely managed to piece together the rest of the sentence.
“There is no need to worry,” Mo Chenxiao said awkwardly, “I already possess a sword.”
The sword his disciple referred to was likely those ordinary practice weapons that broke the moment they were used.
Ji Lan felt a twinge of pity for his disciple. Such a magnificent weapon as the Ranhong Sword had been snatched away by Ah Yue.
“That will not do,” Ji Lan sighed. “In a few days, I will accompany you to choose a new one.”
Even though his disciple possessed a tall, imposing frame, he was ultimately still an eighteen-year-old youth. It was such a vibrant, youthful age, yet the boy forced himself to wear such a gloomy, rigid expression every day. It was truly a heavy burden for one so young.
Ji Lan concluded that his adaptability was truly remarkable. When he had first arrived, the mere sight of Mo Chenxiao had terrified him out of his wits.
Yet now, he found himself feeling protective and sympathetic toward the boy.
After all, as an elder, it was only natural to dote on the younger generation.
Ji Lan decided he possessed a deeply benevolent and nurturing soul.
For some reason, Mo Chenxiao felt that the gaze his master was casting his way carried a rather strange weight. Although the look was gentle, it still felt peculiar in a way he couldn’t quite pinpoint.
“Conglian, you have returned?” Zhenxi greeted him with a warm smile. “Did you catch a glimpse of that little girl earlier? Are you considering taking her as your disciple?”
“The Pavilion Master knows about this already?” Ji Lan felt somewhat speechless, waving a hand to signal Mo Chenxiao to step away for a moment. “Pavilion Master, you know my physical condition. Since she is a young maiden, she is truly unsuited to cultivate under my lineage.”
“It matters little even if she isn’t under your direct lineage,” Zhenxi sighed. “Is your eldest disciple not qualified to take on apprentices now? Letting Xu Xi enter as a second-generation disciple would be a splendid arrangement as well.”
Ugh… Letting Xu Xi become Mo Chenxiao’s disciple?
That actually sounded like a rather intriguing proposition, Ji Lan thought, rubbing his chin. A talented young man and a brilliant young woman, both proud prodigies of their generation—ten years from now, when Xu Xi matured into an absolute beauty, she would pair up swimmingly with the male lead in a classic romance!
What? You say they are master and disciple?
Ji Lan reasoned that given how eccentric and unstable the male lead was, he might actually develop a taste for such a forbidden, taboo romance.
“Conglian?” Zhenxi watched the rapidly shifting expressions on Ji Lan’s face, assuming he remained opposed to the idea. “I am well aware that you harbor certain reservations regarding your current disciple, but he has always held you in deep reverence. If he takes on an apprentice of his own, he can finally establish an independent branch of his own.”
“Pavilion Master, that is not what I meant,” Ji Lan forced an awkward smile. “If Chenxiao is willing, I naturally have no objections.”
“Splendid,” Zhenxi exhaled in relief. “Troubles across the immortal path continue to multiply without end, and the mysteries surrounding the Qingya Mountain incident remain unresolved. Conglian, you must exercise caution in all things.”
The Pavilion Master truly cared for his well-being.
“I understand,” Ji Lan hesitated for a moment before deciding to voice a lingering question. “Pavilion Master, what is the deal with Young Master Yu? We simply do not get along.”
“This matter stems from my own oversight,” Zhenxi frowned. “However, Young Master Yu possesses an exceptional background, making it difficult for me to turn him away outright. Conglian, his persistence is likely just a passing curiosity. If you truly find him intolerable, you could always have Chenxiao take him in as a disciple.”
Ji Lan: “!” Hearing that proposal made Ji Lan’s scalp tingle with horror. Mo Chenxiao and Yu Zhengyang?
If those two ever became master and disciple, he would willingly swallow the Lotus Rain Pavilion whole!
“Pavilion Master, you do not understand,” Ji Lan offered an apologetic grimace. “Young Master Yu and Chenxiao oil and water simply do not mix. Every time they cross paths, they end up at each other’s throats. It is truly…”
“I understand,” Zhenxi nodded slowly. “That being the case, you will simply have to bear the burden a little longer.”
Bear the burden? Bear what burden? Pavilion Master, why can’t you just speak plainly?
“Conglian,” Zhenxi suddenly reached out, grabbing one of Ji Lan’s hands and giving it a gentle squeeze. “In the past, I failed you. I will grant you status, women, and everything your heart desires. My only wish is to see you happy and at peace.”
Gasp—Ji Lan drew a sharp breath of cold air, wrenching his hand out of the Pavilion Master’s grip with a violent jerk. “Pavilion Master, I have no idea what you are implying!”
“Very well,” Zhenxi closed his empty palm softly, lingering as though the warmth of another hand still rested within his grasp. “Conglian, return to your quarters for now. Do not fear; with me here, no harm shall befall you.”
What on earth did the Pavilion Master mean by those remarks?
That tone, that expression, that lingering gaze… Why did it feel so intensely, unmistakably gay?
Ji Lan felt as though his sanity was slipping away.
Zhen’er, Zhen’er! Ji Lan shrieked internally. What on earth is the Pavilion Master’s game here? Why did he stroke my hand and speak such ambiguous nonsense to me?!
Calm yourself! Zhen’er maintained an unruffled composure. Host, is your brain capable of processing anything other than slash fiction? Never mind, I shall grant you a spoiler. He is your father.
Gasp-gasp-gasp—Ji Lan halted in his tracks so abruptly he nearly tripped. The Pavilion Master is the original host’s father?!
Indeed, my dearest user, Zhen’er giggled lightly. Now that he has officially been passed down to your care through inheritance, you are his rightful son. However, allow me to issue a warning: even if the male lead discovers you are not the original owner of this body, you must never allow Zhenxi to realize you are an impostor, or else a far more gruesome fate awaits you!
Ji Lan felt completely lost. Wait, who is Zhenxi?
…He is your father, Zhen’er sighed in wordless exasperation. Host, I beg of you to pay attention to crucial plot details! Furthermore, you must ensure that Zhenxi never figures out that Zhen’er is your mother, otherwise death remains your only outcome.
Standing on the left led to hell, standing on the right led to the eighteenth level of the netherworld, a mountain of blades awaited ahead, and a sea of fire loomed behind. Ji Lan felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to achieve ascension right then and there.
Perhaps once he died, he would finally find the peace of heaven.
Host? Host! Zhen’er belatedly panicked, realizing she might have pushed the teasing a bit too far. You possess such formidable capabilities, why are you panicking so? Surely you aren’t afraid, right?
My legal name is Ji Lan, but my professional middle name is Coward, Ji Lan stared blankly into an abyss of despair. Why on earth did you choose me as your host? Did you not do a background check? Cowards are entirely out of style as protagonists these days!
Suspecting her host had suffered temporary brain damage from sheer fright, Zhen’er reluctantly disclosed the truth. Because you possess the most stunning face in existence. Our system places a high value on aesthetics, you see.
Ji Lan: …Alas, curses upon my own overwhelming handsomeness!
“Master, did the Pavilion Master say anything of importance?” Mo Chenxiao looked over with a gaze full of anxious concern. “Did something grave occur?”
Pulling his wits back from the brink of collapse, Ji Lan realized that his primary source of terror wasn’t even the male lead at the moment—it was the Pavilion Master!
“Your master is quite well,” Ji Lan forced himself to maintain an exterior of absolute calm. “I was simply struck by sudden hunger.”
Hungry? If you were hungry, why did you wear such a deeply aggrieved expression?
Mo Chenxiao felt as though his heart had been lightly grazed by a falling feather. “Then this disciple shall prepare some refreshments for Master.”
“Sorry to trouble you.”
Mo Chenxiao’s gaze flickered with an unreadable light. “Serving Master is this disciple’s greatest honor.”
Once Mo Chenxiao had walked a short distance ahead, Ji Lan realized with a delayed jolt of realization that he might have accidentally domesticated the male lead!
Host, Zhen’er chimed in out of nowhere, I must warn you, the way the male lead looks at you is becoming increasingly abnormal! His killing intent appears to be escalating by the day!
Ji Lan, who had just begun experiencing a fleeting moment of self-satisfaction, froze like a statue. What did you just say?!
W-well, perhaps I am mistaken, Zhen’er’s voice trembled audibly. Yet I genuinely felt a sharp surge of murderous intent! Host, I truly believe the male lead poses a far greater hazard than the Pavilion Master!
Ji Lan: …Damn it all, I resign!