Master is pretending to love me - chapter two

Jian Xiu Yun didn’t sleep well the whole night.

 

Every time he closed his eyes, the darkness before him made him feel like he had returned to that dark and gloomy dungeon.

 

His Golden Core was taken out, his meridians were shattered, and there was not a single intact spot on his body. He was hung by cold iron chains, like a piece of raw meat in a butcher’s shop waiting to be picked.

 

His whole body was in constant pain.

 

Even worse was the psychological fear.

 

As long as he heard the footsteps of that person, his whole body would tremble uncontrollably.

 

Jian Xiu Yun felt that he was really unlucky. He just didn’t like Kan Wen Xiao, so why did he have to suffer such great torment?

 

If there were another life, he should never let himself encounter Kan Wen Xiao again.

 

But the unfortunate thing was that there was indeed another life, and he was still Kan Wen Xiao’s unlucky Master.

 

“Master, how does it feel to have a dagger pierce your body? I remember that you used this dagger to take my Golden Core… It really hurts!” Kan Wen Xiao said, and with force in his palm, the dagger plunged into his lower abdomen and then moved downward.

 

Pain mixed with coldness instantly spread through his whole body.

 

Large amounts of blood gushed out from his body.

 

The surroundings were filled with a blood-red hue.

 

“No… I was wrong!” Jian Xiu Yun cried out as he sat up from the bed. Large drops of cold sweat fell from his forehead, splashing on the green quilt, leaving tiny marks.

 

Although the night had passed, the bed was still ice-cold.

 

According to reason, with his current cultivation level, his body temperature should not be affected by the earthly weather anymore. However, he still felt waves of coldness penetrating his bones like festering sores.

 

Jian Xiu Yun hugged the blanket tightly, trying in vain to draw a hint of warmth.

 

At this moment, he suddenly heard a knocking sound at the door.

 

Before he could respond, the door was pushed open slightly, revealing Kan Wen Xiao’s face.

 

The person from his nightmare suddenly appeared in front of him. Jian Xiu Yun felt his heart stop for a moment, and a powerful suffocating feeling engulfed him.

 

“Don’t come any closer,” Jian Xiu Yun cried out.

 

He wanted to get up and run away from him, but his legs had already gone weak. He could only cower against the wall like a frightened little servant girl, trying to support himself with his hands.

 

Kan Wen Xiao’s steps, which had been moving forward, halted upon hearing his words.

 

Yesterday, after Kan Wen Xiao returned, he had looked at Jian Xiu Yun’s cloak on the bed for a long time. He still felt that it was somewhat unreal.

 

How could his Master suddenly care about him?

 

He clearly had always disliked him.

 

Kan Wen Xiao lay on the bed with Jian Xiu Yun’s cloak next to him.

 

A faint cold fragrance filled the air, just like the fragrance of others – cold yet pleasant.

 

Kan Wen Xiao remembered the first time he smelled this kind of fragrance. It was when he was huddled in his mother’s arms.

 

There were flames all around and the constant sound of swords and knives piercing through bodies.

 

The fire was burning along his hair and clothes.

 

He felt like he was about to die from the pain.

 

It was at this moment that Jian Xiu Yun passed by.

 

He gave them a cold glance and continued walking.

 

It was because his mother begged him with the last of her strength that he reluctantly saved him.

 

He held him in his arms, extinguished the flames on his body, and brought him back to Xuyu Sect, the holy land of cultivators.

 

He curled up in Jian Xiu Yun’s arms all the way, his nose filled with his scent.

 

He still remembered how much he liked Jian Xiu Yun at first.

 

But as soon as he arrived at Xuyu Sect, Jian Xiu Yun threw him to the ground and let someone else take care of his wounds.

 

Later, he tried everything to get close to him, but all he received was his undisguised disgust.

 

Later, he found out that Jian Xiu Yun only liked people who looked good.

 

And he clearly wasn’t one of them.

 

Any amount of liking was worn down by daily aversion.

 

As he grew older, Kan Wen Xiao would no longer foolishly expose his softness in front of Jian Xiu Yun, allowing him to hurt him.

 

The old wounds had scarred over, and a shell had formed, making him learn to protect himself.

 

Kan Wen Xiao turned to his side, looking at the cloak in front of him.

 

He couldn’t fathom Jian Xiu Yun’s intentions. Why did he tie him up by the furnace and then suddenly release him? And why did he give him the cloak, showing concern that he might catch a cold?

The events of tonight were truly strange.

 

Kan Wen Xiao extended his fingertip and gently touched the silver-patterned cloak. However, it seemed like he had been burned, so he quickly retracted his hand.

 

He closed his eyes again.

 

He had to return the cloak tomorrow morning.

 

As a result, as soon as he approached Jian Xiu Yun’s room, he heard painful cries coming from inside. He felt a bit worried and knocked on the door before pushing it open and walking in.

 

And then, as usual, he faced the same aversion and avoidance.

 

Kan Wen Xiao looked at the expression of rejection from Jian Xiu Yun and didn’t move forward. He restrained his emotions, placed the cloak he was carrying on a nearby chair, and said calmly, “Master, I’ve come to return the cloak.”

 

After speaking, he turned and left the room, closing the door behind him.

 

As the door closed, a bitter smile appeared on Kan Wen Xiao’s lips.

 

What kind of person was Jian Xiu Yun? He had already known for a long time, so why did he still harbor that unrealistic hidden joy?

 

His gaze returned to its icy demeanor.

 

“Never learnt my  lesson.” He said coldly and walked away briskly.

 

Jian Xiu Yun sat on the bed, taking some time to recover. He gradually realized what he had just done.

 

He had restrained him yesterday and yelled at him this morning. Tsk, he was getting farther away from his target.

 

Jian Xiu Yun rubbed his temples and felt a headache coming on.

 

He kept telling himself that they were two different people now.

 

The current Kan Wen Xiao was only fourteen years old and had not hurt him yet.

 

After comforting himself, Jian Xiu Yun got up from the bed and started to wash up, preparing to give morning lessons to his disciples.

 

As he passed by the Hundred Flavors Garden, Jian Xiu Yun hesitated for a moment but decided to go in.

 

In Xuyu Sect, it was quite special compared to traditional cultivation sects, which only accepted disciples who could build their foundations for cultivation. Xuyu Sect was more inclusive and accepted disciples with various talents, such as those in machinery, mechanical armor, and other fields.

 

After these disciples entered Xuyu Sect, they would be grouped together and receive unified lessons.

 

Since they didn’t need to cultivate and were still ordinary mortals, Xuyu Sect also specially opened the Hundred Flavors Garden to provide meals. They would have a selection of various cuisines.

 

Of course, even cultivators who had already undergone fasting could come here to eat if they were tempted.

 

For example, Jian Xiu Yun liked the delicate and exquisite pastries here very much.

 

Li Shifu, who was behind the pastry counter, was said to have been the royal pastry chef. After retiring, he was brought here by the Sect Master with a Longevity Pill as a reward.

 

Though he had a rough and sturdy appearance, with a broad build and a bearded face, the pastries he made were exceptionally delicate and exquisite, making them irresistible.

 

Because Jian Xiu Yun always bought pastries whenever he came to the Hundred Flavors Garden, they had become familiar with each other over time.

 

“Senior Jian, come to buy pastries again.” Li Shifu greeted him warmly. “These were just made and are still hot.”

 

Seeing Jian Xiu Yun hesitating in front of the pastries, he asked, “What’s wrong today? Can’t decide on something?”

 

Jian Xiu Yun looked at the pastries in front of him and shook his head somewhat regretfully. “Master, today’s pastries don’t look as good.”

 

Li Shifu pretended to be angry. “Senior Jian, are you buying pastries to eat or just to look at? Besides, the pastries I make are all top-notch. What’s not good about them?”

 

Jian Xiu Yun unfolded the fan in his hand, revealing the words written on it: “The heart that loves beauty, everyone possesses it.”

 

Li Shifu knew about his temperament and didn’t insist any further, but rather prepared another tray for him.

 

As Jian Xiu Yun left the Hundred Flavors Garden with a tray of freshly baked pastries, he realized that he was running late.

 

But it didn’t matter.

 

No one would dare to criticize him anyway.

 

Moreover, he hadn’t eaten Pine Nut and Lily Cake for a long time, and he really craved it. At this moment, his disciples were far less important than the pastries in his arms.

 

Just as he entered the Dance and Ritual Courtyard, a slender and handsome young man rushed out.

 

The young man looked about sixteen or seventeen years old, tall and upright. He stood there like a tall white poplar tree, with long black hair tied into a ponytail at the back of his head, giving him a vigorous appearance. His eyebrows were like swords, and his eyes were bright, and though he hadn’t fully grown into his features yet, one could already glimpse the appearance of a handsome young man in the future.

 

This was his second disciple, Lin Liao Ting.

 

Lin Liao Ting was the young master of the Lin family in the Jiangbei region. He had grown up surrounded by love and pampering, and his temperament matched his appearance – not easy to deal with. However, he was quite docile in front of Jian Xiu Yun.

 

Jian Xiu Yun looked at Lin Liao Ting in front of him, nodded in satisfaction. This was what his disciple should look like, exquisitely beautiful, making people feel refreshed and happy.

 

“Master, did you wake up late today? Why did you come just now? Senior Sister has already gone to your room to look for you.” Lin Liao Ting followed him and was about to explain when he heard Jian Xiu Yun ask, “Where is Kan Wen Xiao?”

 

Lin Liao Ting was a bit surprised and stopped in his tracks. He knew that Master disliked Kan Wen Xiao and usually avoided him whenever possible. Why did he ask about him today?

 

“I don’t know.” Lin Liaoting casually replied, “He might have gone somewhere to play. If he’s not here, he’s not here. It saves our master from getting angry when he sees that face again.”

 

In the previous life, if he couldn’t see Kan Wenxiao, of course, he would be happy to see him succeed. But times have changed, and he has decided to build a good relationship with him.

 

“You really didn’t see him?” Jian Xiuyun asked again.

 

Lin Liaoting looked surprised and said, “Master, what’s gotten into you today? If he’s not here, he’s not here. He rarely attends the morning lessons anyway. Why are you suddenly so concerned about him?”

 

Just as Jian Xiuyun was about to speak, a female voice came from outside the door, “Master, I see you’ve already arrived.”

 

Then, a young woman walked in.

 

She was his eldest disciple, Song Qingru.

 

Song Qingru was eighteen years old, in the prime of her youth. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders like a waterfall, and though she wore the disciple’s white and blue-patterned robe, her graceful figure gave her a unique charm.

 

Her small oval face was adorned with two slender willow eyebrows, her bright eyes had a bewitching charm as if containing autumn waters, her delicate nose was straight, and her thin lips were slightly pursed. Even without moving, she could easily capture someone’s attention.

 

Jian Xiuyun looked at his two disciples before him and felt extremely satisfied.

 

With such disciples, what more could a teacher ask for?

 

“Sister, Master didn’t sleep, so he went to Baiwei Garden to buy pastries.” Lin Liaoting explained first.

 

Hearing this, Song Qingru smiled helplessly, just as she was about to sit down after coming in, she looked around and asked, “Hey, where’s Wenxiao? Wasn’t he just here?”

 

Her gaze fell on Lin Liaoting.

 

Jian Xiuyun felt an uneasy feeling rising in his heart upon hearing her question.

 

He also looked at Lin Liaoting.

 

Whether it was influenced by him or not, Lin Liaoting also particularly disliked Kan Wenxiao. He had been tripping Kan Wenxiao secretly for quite some time. It was no wonder Kan Wenxiao had fallen into his hands again.

 

“You’re all looking at me? I don’t know!” Lin Liaoting said through gritted teeth.

 

Jian Xiuyun clearly didn’t believe him. He walked up and placed his hand on Lin Liaoting’s shoulder, applying some force. “Liaoting, where is Kan Wenxiao?”