Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control

Cough, cough, Xu Yang cleared his throat. “Disciple, why don’t you take a little break? You’ve been at this for a while; I’d hate for you to get tired out.”

He wasn’t worried about his own well-being so much as the bed’s. The last thing he wanted was for his diligent disciple’s enthusiasm to lead to an embarrassing incident where the bed suddenly collapsed under them.

“For Master’s sake, I could go on forever!” Yuan Kouxuan’s voice was crisp and sweet, but it carried a touch of beguiling charm that made Xu Yang pause.

“Er…” No matter how he tried to dismiss it, Xu Yang couldn’t shake the oddly suggestive tone. He felt like the ever-pure Tang Sanzang from Journey to the West, with his charming disciple as a mischievous spirit, always circling but never quite taking the leap. Was she worried about something?

In this scenario, he would appear to be the helpless “wronged master,” even if he were pinned down by her.

“Master, why did you go silent all of a sudden?”

“Um… I’m just… feeling quite stiff here in the chest, could you press a little more firmly?” Xu Yang quickly flipped over, stretching his arms and lying down with his eyes closed to avoid further awkwardness.

“As you wish, Master,” Yuan Kouxuan replied, her eyes shimmering with a soft, pink glow as she leaned in close, her fingers lightly massaging through his robes. Even through the fabric, the warmth and smoothness of his skin were almost tangible.

Xu Yang was overwhelmed by the faint fragrance that lingered in the air, tickling his senses. The effect was almost disconcerting, forcing him to shift uncomfortably…

Just as he moved, Yuan Kouxuan’s foot slipped, sending her tumbling backward.

“Aah!” she cried, and Xu Yang’s eyes snapped open. Instinctively, he reached out to grab her arm to steady her, but instead, his fingers caught the edge of her robe.

Rip!

Her robe tore slightly as Yuan Kouxuan landed, ending up seated awkwardly on his lap.

Xu Yang’s eyes widened as he took in the sight. Oh no…

Yuan Kouxuan was just as stunned. Her face quickly turned crimson as she noticed her torn robe clutched in her master’s hand and the intensity in his gaze. Her ears flushed red, and, in a moment of flustered embarrassment, she reached out to cover her face… only to realize that wasn’t helping. Panicking, she wrapped her arms around her master in a tight embrace.

Xu Yang had managed to keep his composure thus far, but now, as Yuan Kouxuan pressed herself against him, the atmosphere grew increasingly fraught.

Just then—

Tap, tap, tap.

Footsteps approached from outside, and a gentle voice called out.

“Master?”

Yuan Kouxuan stiffened, her gaze darting around at her torn robe. “What do I do, Master? I have nothing to wear!”

Xu Yang hadn’t expected Qing’er to appear at such a critical moment. An inexplicable feeling of guilt crept into his heart, like a cat caught in the act. He hurriedly fixed his clothes, grabbed a spare black robe from his wardrobe, and handed it to his disciple.

“Kouxuan, don’t worry. Nothing improper happened; we’re completely innocent. Put on my robe, and once you’re dressed, come outside. I’ll go stall your junior sister.”

After assuring her, Xu Yang quickly rose and headed out of the chamber.

‘Innocent?’

‘Master, if it’s all truly innocent, why are we both so flustered?’ Yuan Kouxuan mused as she pressed a hand to her racing heart, feeling a swarm of fluttering emotions that refused to settle. Shaking her head to dispel the strange feelings, she slipped into her master’s robe, which, surprisingly, fit her perfectly—as if it had been tailored just for her.

“This should be enough to avoid any suspicion from Junior Sister,” she muttered, feeling a bit more at ease as she exited the chamber.

…

In the Purple Cloud Hall, the outer hall of Purple Cloud Peak, her junior sister, Situ Qing’er, stood waiting. Dressed in a pink palace gown, a jade-green hairpin adorned her head, and fine silver tassels dangled elegantly. She looked every bit the dignified lady from a scholarly family.

Situ Qing’er had come with urgent news and was just about to enter the inner hall when Xu Yang appeared, halting her advance. She glanced around, not seeing her senior sister anywhere, and was about to throw herself into her master’s arms to recount her recent grievances.

‘Senior Sister Xuan had been relentlessly oppressive lately!’ To stop Qing’er from harboring any improper thoughts about Master, she had been watching her like a hawk. Whenever Qing’er even thought about moving closer, Senior Sister Xuan would materialize out of nowhere, blocking her way.

Now, finally, she had a chance with Senior Sister away and planned to enjoy a stolen moment with her master!

“Master…” Situ Qing’er began, stepping forward to embrace him. Just as she prepared to inhale his familiar, comforting scent—

A chilling voice interrupted her.

“Qing’er, what brings you to Master?”

Situ Qing’er’s expression shifted instantly. Gone was the joy from her face, replaced by a look of sheer exhaustion as she turned to see Yuan Kouxuan, dressed in a black robe. Feeling utterly drained, she cast a sorrowful glance at her master before facing her senior sister.

“Senior Sister Xuan, didn’t you get Third Senior Sister’s message? She’s furious right now.”

“Koi?” Yuan Kouxuan’s expression grew serious. “What happened to her?”

Since she wanted uninterrupted time with her master, Yuan Kouxuan had deliberately left her messaging jade in her quarters.

Hearing news of his third disciple, Xu Yang’s focus sharpened, and he turned his attention to Situ Qing’er, eager to hear more.

Situ Qing’er sighed. “Third Senior Sister went down the mountain on Master’s orders to recruit potential disciples, but then she ran into that person you ordered to be executed. She was ready to finish him off, but it turns out that Uncle Wanjun of Heavenly Thunder Peak was in Heavenly Origin City. He not only intervened to save that man’s life, but shamelessly tried to steal away the top-grade disciples Koi had chosen…”

TN// Koi is just Xue’s nickname