Take me as your disciple, baby
“So what if I did it? I just don’t like you.” Han Shengyao stood up gracefully, as if the embarrassment of being knocked down was just an illusion. She quickly pulled her scattered hair back and casually glanced at the scratches on Bai Wan’s face. With her eyes slightly lowered, she deliberately looked towards the grass.
Observing Han Shengyao’s arrogant posture, Bai Wan became furious after embarrassing herself in front of the Demon Emperor. She exclaimed, “Ah Heng, did you see that? What kind of attitude is that! We must catch that beast. I want to personally skin it!”
The Demon Emperor remained silent, having noticed Han Shengyao’s unintentional fall. He suddenly realized that the seemingly imposing woman in red had a delicate and thin figure beneath her cold facade. He felt a tinge of pity and regret for trying to harm her.
If only she wasn’t the Saint Protector of the Lake, whom the previous Demon Emperor had instructed never to disrespect. If only she posed no threat to his position…
The Demon Emperor’s gaze looked Han Shengyao up and down, carefully examining the appearance and cultivation of the Demon Realm’s foremost beauty for the first time. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of regret upon realizing her potential. Although she was vicious and willful, in the demonic realm where the strong are respected, he would have chosen her to be his Taoist companion1.
Bai Wan froze for a moment then turned her head. Seeing that the Demon Emperor’s gaze was fixed on the absent-minded Han Shengyao, she instantly became a little worried.
She had lost all her composure just now, which had definitely caught the attention of the Demon Emperor. Could it be that she was noticed and scorned by him?
Bai Wan cursed the uninvited guest who had scratched her in her heart, and her expression regained its pitiful look. Her hands trembled as she held onto the Demon Emperor’s face, shifting his gaze back to her. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she said, “Ah Heng, am I really ugly now? Will you not want me anymore?”
The Demon Emperor withdrew his gaze towards Han Shengyao, wiping away Bai Wan’s tears as she spoke, before saying in a gentle yet authoritative voice, “As fate would have it, the right hand of the deity brought back a superior elixir from Zhongnan Immortal Mountain. In a few days, these wounds will fade. You are the future Demon Empress. How could I not want you?”
Upon hearing the words “Demon Empress”, Bai Wan’s eyes lit up. A victorious smile twisted her lips as she glanced at Han Shengyao. Her gaze turned opaque, as she resolved to eliminate the threat that the other woman posed, lest it delay her own plans.
The Demon Emperor, towering above Han Shengyao, coldly commanded, “Why are you still here? I don’t want to see you right now.”
Staring at the so-called future Demon Empress in the Demon Emperor’s arms, Han Shengyao curved her lips in a partially mocking smile. “As you wish, Your Majesty, the Demon Emperor.”
After casting one final look at the tearful Bai Wan, Han Shengyao returned her face to a nonchalant expression and departed, leaving the scene behind her without attachment.
In the serene bamboo forest, light filtered through the rustling bamboo leaves, casting scattered patches of light upon the blooming wildflowers and the green grass. The trickling stream splashed against the smooth pebbles, producing a harmonious sound.
Han Shengyao lazily leaned against a rock by the stream, playing with a stone in her hand before tossing it into the water. Her gaze briefly shifted towards the jungle. With her voice devoid of emotion, she uttered, “You’ve followed me all this way, hiding in the shadows. Come out.”
Lin Qianshuang, who had been concealed in the tall grass, hesitated as she contemplated when to reveal herself. However, upon realizing that Han Shengyao had already sensed her presence, Lin Qianshuang quickly stepped forward.
As Han Shengyao’s eyes were fixed on the ground, she failed to show any signs of emotion. While passively observing, she noticed a beautiful silver-white cub slowly making its way towards her.
Its large round eyes were filled with watery innocence, and its furry tail remained curled up behind it. Its restless ears, however, betrayed a hint of fear.
“It was you who scratched Bai Wan’s face and pushed me out of the way of the attack with your cleverness.”
Han Shengyao raised her eyes, a hint of displeasure flickering in their depths. She loathed the fact that her moment of vulnerability had been witnessed, even by the seemingly innocent and newborn creature before her.
Lin Qianshuang noticed her master’s displeasure, carefully taking a seat beside Han Shengyao before rubbing against her, her voice tinged with grievance. “Master, I saw that person attempting to harm you. I didn’t want you to be hurt…”
“I don’t remember ever taking you as an apprentice.”
With her piercing gaze, Han Shengyao shifted her focus to Lin Qianshuang. Deep creases formed a small frown on her forehead, as she couldn’t recall accepting a young demonic beast as her disciple.
Sensing Han Shengyao’s suspicion, Lin Qianshuang curled up into a tight ball on the grass, mimicking the movements of a magic egg as she tumbled and hopped around. Innocently casting her eyes towards Han Shengyao, she softly said, “Master, do you still remember saving my life on Tianfu Mountain?”
“So you’re the magic egg?”
Upon catching a glimpse of Lin Qianshuang’s innocent and lively form, Han Shengyao’s eyes widened with surprise. Confusion was evident on her face as she gazed at the seemingly weak cub before her, as if she had just hatched from a egg. The young beast appeared to possess an unusual energy for such a newborn creature.
Filled with joy, Lin Qianshuang wagged her tail and used her innocent gaze to meet Han Shengyao’s eyes, confidently stating, “Yes, I am that egg.”
Quickly responding, Han Shengyao lifted Lin Qianshuang off the ground. She placed her hand atop her head to sense the demonic energy inside her. With a touch of reproach in her voice, she said, “Didn’t the senior brothers take good care of you? Why did you come here?”
“Senior Brother Xia and I were hunting in the forest to absorb demonic energy, but that beast was too cunning. We lost it.”
Lin Qianshuang appeared troubled, her ears drooping as she swept her tail back and forth pitifully.
The pitiful and frustrated appearance of the little beast before her stirred the tender side of Han Shengyao’s heart. Her words of reprimand got stuck in her throat and she didn’t utter them. Instead, her hand involuntarily caressed the head of the little beast, as if to console it.
Lin Qianshuang’s heart was moved. Han Shengyao’s touch was very intimate, which meant that the other party did not dislike her.
This young beast injured Bai Wan. With Bai Wan’s narrow-mindedness, she definitely won’t let it go.
Han Shengyao recalled the fate of those who had provoked Bai Wan in the past, her cold eyes narrowed slightly. She grabbed the young beast by its ears and gently lifted it up. Her breath was close to it as she said, “Do you know that Bai Wan’s status in the Demon Emperor’s heart is unmatched? You’ve hurt her, and you’re in great danger.”
Cheekily, Lin Qianshuang snuggled into Han Shengyao’s arms and let out a few trusting sounds.
Observing the cute appearance of the young beast, Han Shengyao smiled to herself. Holding the silver ball of fur, she stated, “Little one, are you trying to make me protect you forever? Everyone in the Demon Palace knows that I pay no attention to my disciples’ life and death, let alone an nameless one like you.”
Gently grasping Han Shengyao’s sleeve with her furry little beast paws, Lin Qianshuang softly exclaimed, “I’m not a little one. My name is Lin Qianshuang. Master, you promised to take me as your apprentice. Please don’t break your word.”
Han Shengyao did not respond to the pawing. Instead, she looked at the beautiful little beast in front of her hanging its head in despair, standing alone as if abandoned. Her heart suddenly twitched.
This little beast reminded her of her past self, clueless about the future, having just formed a human shape by the sacred lake.
Lin Qianshuang’s eyes drifted to the ground as she waited for Han Shengyao’s answer in her heart. She knew Han Shengyao’s weakness through and through: she was defenseless against cute things. This was evident from the fact that in the original text, the male protagonist, Liang Jingxuan, had gained a significant amount of her favor after giving her a Persian cat as a gift.
When she acted coy and adorable towards Han Shengyao, she could clearly sense the transformation in Han Shengyao’s demeanor, shifting from initial coldness and guardedness to subsequent tenderness and ease.
All of a sudden, two hands hugged her waist and pulled her into their arms. “Is your name Lin Qianshuang? Then from now on, I will call you Shuang’er2.”
Curling her fingers under Lin Qianshuang’s chin, she carefully examined her appearance and spoke with an ambiguous smile, “With such a beautiful human form, you must be a rare beauty. If you want me to protect you, just listen to your teacher and stay by my side. Not only will I train you to be an unparalleled demon cultivator, but I will also help you secure a position as the queen of the demon world. That way, you can completely oust Bai Wan, that cunning woman, from her current standing.”
Lin Qianshuang’s eyes widened as she looked at Han Shengyao in a daze. Keeping her by her side was a good thing, but the meaning in her next words was that she wanted to support and cultivate her to become the Demon Empress!
“Are you unwilling?”
Han Shengyao’s voice carried a hint of oppression. Observing her cub’s wide eyes, she wondered if Lin Qianshuang could understand her words.
How could he be unwilling? This is a good opportunity to approach the Demon Emperor and kill him.
Lin Qianshuang looked at Han Shengyao with a confused expression, and demurely replied, “Master, I’ll do whatever you say, as long as I can stay by your side.”
“Very well, my obedient disciple.”
Han Shengyao’s eyes regained their laziness as she tenderly held Lin Qianshuang in her arms. She whispered, “Shuang’er, I’ll take you to the Demon Transformation Pool. It will greatly benefit your form’s transformation and progress in cultivation.”
Suddenly, a hurried rush of footsteps echoed from the edge of the forest.
Snuggling into Han Shengyao’s embrace, Lin Qianshuang turned her attention towards the source of the noise. To her relief, it was senior brother Xia, who had been following her whereabouts. Xia approached the pair, panting, “Junior sister! Are you okay? You’re not hurt, are you?”
After Xia got lost, he chased her scent all the way, worried that his fellow disciple would be attacked by other low-level monsters in the woods.
Upon spotting Han Shengyao cradling his junior sister, Xia was dumbfounded. Stuttering, he stammered, “Master, why are you here? Junior sister…”
“Shuang’er is my personal disciple. From now on, you must address her as your senior sister.”
Han Shengyao interrupted Xia’s words. Seeing his astonished expression, she continued, “Inform the Demon Lord of the Jiuchong Demon Palace that I have accepted a personal disciple. Have him make her an identity token.”
Xia stood in a daze for a while, watching Han Shengyao leave with Lin Qianshuang. It finally hit him.
Oh my God, what did I just hear?!
My little junior sister… She’s now my senior sister?!
The most cold-hearted master in the Jiuchong Demon Sect had actually accepted a personal disciple?!
Filled with envy, Xia watched as Lin Qianshuang’s figure disappeared into the distance. Slowly, it was replaced by a tinge of sorrow. He finally had a junior sister, but now she was taken away by his master.
The distance between Master’s abode on the Jiuyang Peak and her residence here at the Demon Palace is not negligible. It was rare for her to visit.
In addition, only personal disciples ranked at the Demon Lord level and above can enter the upper two floors of the Demon Palace.
In the future, the chances of seeing the little junior sister will be very rare.