Chà Chà Novel

At the sight of the assorted pastries in the oil-paper parcel, Qin Du’s cold expression finally softened a little.

In truth, he was not really angry with Lin Huaiqing. After all, those two were the ones who truly belonged together as master and disciple. He was merely a thief who had stolen someone else’s happiness.

What truly worried and frightened him was the thought that, now that Mu Yunting was here, Lin Huaiqing would no longer care about him—or need him.

“Master… I behaved willfully today. Please punish me.”

“It’s all right. As long as you get along with your junior brother from now on, I’ll have nothing to worry about.”

Using his spiritual senses to guide his hand, Lin Huaiqing patted Qin Du’s head.

Watching his master leave, Qin Du felt an aching sense of loss. The threat Mu Yunting’s arrival posed to him went far beyond this.

He had eaten only a few bites of the sweet pastries when he suddenly heard movement outside.

Had his master not left yet?

Qin Du hurried to open the door, only to find the last person he ever wanted to see standing on the other side.

“What are you doing here?”

His hostility was plain, but he still wasn’t certain whether this Mu Yunting also retained memories of their previous life.

“Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Once they were inside with the door firmly shut, the tension between them was palpable. Neither would speak first.

In the end, Mu Yunting lost patience and demanded bluntly, “You bastard, Qin! How did you deceive my master into taking you as his disciple?!”

The moment Mu Yunting spoke, Qin Du had his answer. This fellow was no better at keeping his composure than he was—and had already realized that Qin Du had been reborn too.

“Deceive? That’s hardly the right word. I simply met Master five years before you did!”

Qin Du deliberately emphasized “five years,” making it sound like a boast.

“Bullshit! He was already my master in our previous life!”

“But he took me first in this one! Who knows where you were when I became his disciple!”

Mu Yunting’s fair face flushed scarlet with anger.

In his previous life, shortly after killing Qin Du himself, he had been caught in a strange celestial phenomenon and sucked into an abyss thick with demonic energy.

At first, he had thought it was a trap set by the demon race. He had no idea how much time passed before the demonic energy gradually dispersed. Through sheer determination, he had finally climbed out of the abyss.

Only then had he discovered that he looked seventeen or eighteen again.

That was when he realized he had been reborn.

His first thought had been to hurry to the Xuantian Sect and find his master.

Even if the master in this world did not know him yet, he was determined to become his disciple.

But without a formal visiting card, he could not enter the Xuantian Sect at all.

After finally waiting until the Immortal Affinity Assembly, he had at last seen his master again—only to discover that his master had already taken this demon as a disciple.

Qin Du admitted to himself that he had little ground to stand on. But he would never back down in front of Mu Yunting.

Instead, he stubbornly retorted, “So what?”

“So what? I’ll tell Master right now that you’re a demon. Let’s see whether he still lets you stay!”

Mu Yunting was certain that his master loathed evil and would never show mercy to demons who committed atrocities.

Once he learned Qin Du’s true origins, he would make him pay!

Yet Qin Du barely reacted.

“Go ahead! If you do, I’ll tell Master you harbor improper desires for him!”

“That’s a lie!”

Mu Yunting’s eyes widened as he stared in shock at Qin Du, who was lounging crookedly in his chair.

“You two were so inseparable in our previous life. Did you think I was blind? To everyone else, you were the loving master and devoted disciple—but don’t tell me you never privately fantasized about him.”

“How dare you slander the bond between my master and me! I’ll kill you!”

“Go on! Aim right here! Where’s your spirit sword? Cut me down! You’ve only just joined the sect, and you’re already murdering your senior disciple brother. Let’s see if Master executes you on the spot!”

In the end, Mu Yunting could do nothing, however much he wanted to. For one thing, his bonded spirit sword was still buried in a secret realm.

Even if he had it in his hand right now, his master would never forgive him for killing Qin Du under these circumstances.

“If you’re not going to do it, get out! Stop disturbing your senior brother’s sleep!”

With that, Qin Du picked up a pastry from the table and ostentatiously took a couple of bites.

“What are you staring at? Master went down the mountain himself to buy these for me! There’s none for you!”

The door slammed shut with a bang.

Inside, Qin Du nearly laughed aloud. Why did he enjoy seeing Mu Yunting thwarted so much?

This felt even better than beating him in a fight!

Early the next morning, Qin Du rose and washed up, then headed to his master’s sleeping quarters to wake him.

But the moment he entered, he found that Mu Yunting had already helped Lin Huaiqing wash and dress. His master had even started breakfast.

Catching Mu Yunting’s provocative glance, Qin Du ground his teeth in anger.

“Master… why are you up so early today?”

“You’re here, Xiao Du. Come, sit down and eat. Try your junior brother’s cooking.”

Cultivators were supposed to abstain from ordinary food, but the dishes suited Lin Huaiqing’s tastes so well that he couldn’t resist a few extra bites.

Dissatisfied though he was, Qin Du did not dare act out in front of his master.

After breakfast, Mu Yunting made a request.

“Master, I would like to leave the mountain to train!”

Lin Huaiqing frowned slightly.

“You’ve only just joined the sect. Going out to gain experience now could be dangerous.”

【Ding-dong! Main mission updated: Accompany the male lead on his training journey and ensure his safety. Find the key item: the Qingyu Sword. Upon obtaining it, the male lead gains +1,000 Attack, +10 Affection, and +50 Happiness. Host, you must complete this mission.】

For once, the system’s timing was excellent.

So the young male lead was eager to leave because he wanted to find his bonded spirit sword.

Lin Huaiqing promptly changed tack.

“So your senior brother and I will go with you!”

Mu Yunting’s eyes lit up.

“Wonderful! Thank you, Master!”

It would be even better if that demon Qin Du weren’t coming, and he could make the journey alone with his master!

Qin Du was equally excited to hear that he could leave the mountain too.

But the moment his gaze met Mu Yunting’s equally delighted eyes, both men wiped the smiles from their faces.

Unable to see, Lin Huaiqing naturally missed those subtle changes in expression. He had already begun arranging what they would need for their departure the next day.

Before dawn, Chu Xiuyuan escorted the master and his two disciples down the mountain.

Before parting, he reminded Lin Huaiqing once more to stay safe and exercise caution in everything.

Their first stop was the nearby town, where they hired a carriage and bought a few travel essentials.

Lin Huaiqing was blind, and neither Qin Du nor Mu Yunting had a spirit sword they could fly on, so a carriage was the most practical option.

It did, however, have its inconveniences.

Before long, the two disciples were arguing endlessly over who would drive and who would sit inside to keep their master company.

Thoroughly exasperated, Lin Huaiqing said coldly, “Stop arguing! Both of you can sit outside!”

At last, the two fell quiet.