The Beloved Master's Mad Dog Disciple - Chapter 33

Bo Xuenong licked her lips, a faint sweetness lingering on her tongue…

She licked her lips again, the subtle sweetness clinging to her tongue, while her heart was already consumed by murderous intent.

Perhaps it was the taste of bl00d from killing Guan Caimei that had deepened her craving for slaughter. She unconsciously twitched her nose, as if catching a fragrant scent, and tasted a hint of sweetness on her lips.

Taste… I mustn’t taste.

Bo Xuenong snapped back to reality. Without a second thought, she knew Shen Yanting would never allow her to eat people. But these beasts? Shen Yanting would surely let her kill them. Bo Xuenong had already envisioned how she would slice their throats with her sword.

After killing them, she could use wooden puppets to impersonate them and lure the others to the Heavenly Cuisine Sect. It might be risky, but…

“Beauty!”

He Yongshi’s awestruck voice, mixed with the sound of swallowing, shattered Bo Xuenong’s reverie. They had indeed lifted the veil, but it was Liu Huairou’s veil, not hers. He Yongshi reached to lift another, but He Yongda stopped him. “Enough. These wedding veils are imbued with Spiritual Qi. If those old fogies find out we peeked beforehand, they might use it as an excuse to make unreasonable demands.”

He Yongshi stopped his struggle, and Bo Xuenong and the other two women were quickly stuffed into a large bridal sedan. Four Golden Core cultivators lifted the sedan and soared into the air, carrying them away. He Yongda, dragging He Yongshi by the collar, followed alongside the sedan.

He Yongda continued talking, “That girl isn’t any less beautiful than Shen Yanting, is she?”

At the mention of Shen Yanting’s name, the tips of Bo Xuenong’s ears twitched.

He Yongshi’s voice suddenly surged with excitement, “No, Elder Brother! Shen Yanting is still far more beautiful! If you could just see her once, you’d understand. She’s a hundred times more stunning than her portrait in the Heavenly Talent Register. One glance, and you’d never forget her!”

It seemed his initial desire to become a disciple had never been sincere.

He hadn’t wanted to become a disciple at all; he had merely coveted Shen Yanting.

Courting death.

Bo Xuenong seethed with the urge to slaughter the He brothers right then and there. Suddenly, the voices outside the sedan seemed muffled, as if filtered through a barrier. Though still audible, they sounded distant, as if coming from a great distance.

Bo Xuenong lifted a corner of her veil to assess the situation. The moment she peeked beneath the red cloth, she saw Shen Yanting, who had already lifted her own veil. In her hand, she clutched a high-grade Spirit Tool shaped like a crescent moon—this must be the source of the distorted voices.

Bo Xuenong pointed to her mouth, and Shen Yanting understood immediately. She touched the Spirit Tool in her hand. “It can speak.”

“Master, can I kill them?”

Bo Xuenong’s sudden question startled both her and Shen Yanting. Her words were too quick, too urgent, as if she yearned for it too much.

Liu Huairou broke the silence. “They truly deserve to die,” she murmured.

Gui Nianqin had stopped using the Contending Blossom Talisman after discovering its deception. But Liu Huairou had always been beautiful, and the talisman had already reached its final stage, elevating her appearance to new heights. She was undeniably stunning.

Having endured the torment of the Spring Seal Prolonged Light Formation, Liu Huairou’s beauty was pale and fragile. A clear pinch mark marred her wrist, undoubtedly left by He Yongshi, who had seized the opportunity to grab her earlier.

Their bridal veils were identical, except for Shen Yanting’s, which was slightly different. Bo Xuenong and Liu Huairou’s veils were indistinguishable. He Yongshi had likely taken a fancy to Liu Huairou, leaving a mark to claim her later. This meant they wouldn’t lift the veils prematurely, which was actually a good thing.

Bo Xuenong’s dark eyes flickered as she compared the marks on Liu Huairou’s wrist. With a gentle flick of her fingertip, spiritual mist swirled, instantly erasing the marks.

Liu Huairou looked surprised, but Shen Yanting understood Bo Xuenong’s intentions: she wanted the He brothers to choose her.

He Yongda had received Spirit Supplements before, proving he was no innocent.

Shen Yanting pressed her lips together, her gaze falling on the red mark on Bo Xuenong’s wrist. “Kill them if you want.”

Bo Xuenong’s bl00d burned with excitement. The fragrant scent filled her nostrils as she imagined the exquisite scene of two severed heads at her feet, their bl00d staining the ground crimson. Her lips curved into a smile as she struggled to suppress her murderous fervor, yet a hint of uncontrollable joy slipped into her voice: “Thank you, Master!”

Liu Huairou stared at Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting, finding the scene utterly bizarre.

How could someone thank their master for permission to kill, and look so… ecstatic? And why doesn’t Shen Yanting seem surprised by Bo Xuenong’s reaction?

She knew very little about the two women, only that they were fellow disciples of Fu Yunqing and had agreed to help them escape the Heavenly Cuisine Sect. Beyond that, she knew nothing—she hadn’t even seen their faces until now. They struck her as two frail, powerless women. Her probing gaze gradually filled with guilt, and she couldn’t help but speak, “Ladies, the Heavenly Cuisine Sect is dangerous. It’s not too late to turn back.”

Bo Xuenong was slightly surprised. Liu Huairou should have known that the sudden disappearance of the chosen brides from their bridal sedan chairs meant the Heavenly Cuisine Sect had discovered that cultivators had uncovered the secrets of Lanshou Village. To prevent the Divine Pavilion from tracing their actions, all Spirit Supplements—except for Gui Nianqin, who served as a Human Talisman—would be destroyed as quickly as possible.

Shen Yanting couldn’t help but study Liu Huairou more closely. “Aren’t you afraid of death?”

“I am,” Liu Huairou said, forcing a smile. “But… you’re not from the village. We can’t let you die because of us. I…”

Liu Huairou paused, gazing at the red bridal veil in her hand. Her smile turned even more bitter. “For us, death would be a kind of liberation. But everyone is still worried about the children in the village… Miss Shen, I have a question.”

“Ask,” Shen Yanting said.

Liu Huairou’s fingers tightened around the red veil. “Can children without spiritual roots who can’t gather Qi still cultivate?”

Bo Xuenong and Shen Yanting both knew Liu Huairou was referring to the children of Lanshou Village. The Heavenly Cuisine Sect had taken those children away long ago. Without the centuries-long refinement by the Spirit Gathering Talisman to transform them into walking Spirit Medicine, and lacking spiritual roots or any aptitude for cultivation, how had they survived until now? Liu Huairou had long harbored this question, but only today had she found someone who could answer it.

She had her own suspicions, but she still needed confirmation.

Shen Yanting fell silent. Bo Xuenong answered instead, “Yes, but they can’t follow the righteous path. Demonic Cultivators can grow spiritual roots by devouring others, while Joyous Union Cultivators can gather them by seizing Yin and Yang Essence. They can also cultivate by absorbing the Spiritual Qi of others.”

As Bo Xuenong watched Liu Huairou’s face grow paler, she glanced at Shen Yanting’s grave expression and softened her tone. “You don’t need to worry about any of this. No matter which path you take, as long as you’re alive, there’s still hope.”

Liu Huairou’s fingers curled tightly, digging into her palms until her delicate skin bled.

Her face grew increasingly pale, and her voice trembled as she spoke, “Miss Bo, what parent wouldn’t want their child to walk the righteous path?”

“That’s not true,” Bo Xuenong countered, glancing furtively at Shen Yanting. Seeing no sign of disapproval, she continued, “Not all sword cultivators or Pill Cultivators are good people. If they were all good… the Heavenly Cuisine Sect wouldn’t have Demonic Cultivators or Joyous Union Cultivators, yet they still drove Lanshou Village to ruin.”

Bo Xuenong believed that righteousness wasn’t determined by the path one walked, but by the person walking it.

While good people were rare among Demonic Cultivators and Joyous Union Cultivators, the so-called righteous path also harbored those with malicious hearts.

Take herself, for instance. She was no saint; her Bloodline constantly urged her to kill everyone she saw, except for Shen Yanting.

Yet she wasn’t a Demonic Cultivator, but a sword cultivator.

Of course, Bo Xuenong would never voice such thoughts aloud. She was comforting Liu Huairou because she believed Shen Yanting would appreciate her acting as a gentle, compassionate girl who soothed the suffering, not because she wanted to reveal that she already knew about her Bloodline.

What she said was true.

The same path yields different outcomes depending on who walks it.

Shen Yanting was also a sword cultivator, yet she would never harbor such murderous intent, covet Human Talismans, or aid the wicked.

Shen Yanting was a celestial being who cared for all living things.

Had anyone else stood here, Bo Xuenong might not have seen these as virtues. But she excelled at admiring everything about Shen Yanting. Anything Shen Yanting possessed was perfect, even a simple hairpin. Bo Xuenong would consider it the world’s finest Spirit Treasure.

Liu Huairou paused, startled. “Miss Bo is right.”

Shen Yanting opened her mouth to speak. “There are many ways to survive, not just cultivation and choosing a path. There’s also…”

Shen Yanting suddenly stopped, as if struck by a thought, and didn’t finish her sentence.

Liu Huairou didn’t press her. She sighed softly, her eyes gradually filling with longing. “All the children from the village have been brought back to Guolan Shou Village, except… except for An’er. Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if she’s dead, and other times I’m certain she’s still alive. When I heard Mother and Third Aunt mention Xiao Yunqing’s return, I remembered how An’er used to love playing with Aunty Qing. She’d always cling to Aunty Qing, calling her ‘Sister,’ begging her to take her fishing, shouting…”

“You heard?”

If Bo Xuenong remembered correctly, the spiritual formation consisted of separate chambers. Except for those sharing a room, everyone could only see Gui Nianqin, the sole person capable of moving freely between the formation’s interior and exterior. The Gui Family’s chamber housed only Liu Huairou and Gui Nianqin. How could Liu Huairou have overheard Gui Nianqin’s conversations with others?

Liu Huairou nodded. “Perhaps it’s from absorbing too much spiritual power. My hearing has improved year by year. Third Aunt lives next door, so it’s not surprising I can hear her through the wall.”

Not surprising?

How could that not be surprising?

Bo Xuenong herself needed to use a Technique to penetrate the formation and hear the faint sobs from within the chambers. How could Liu Huairou hear them directly?

Shen Yanting gently took Liu Huairou’s arm, kneading a wisp of pale golden light into her body. She looked slightly astonished. “You have a Spirit Bone… a cultivated Spirit Bone.”

Those without spiritual roots cannot cultivate because their bodies are fundamentally incapable of absorbing Spiritual Qi. They can’t even use Spirit Gathering Talismans. But Liu Huairou and the others are different. Because Gui Nianqin is a Human Talisman with independent consciousness, the Heavenly Cuisine Sect tampered with the formation, causing Spiritual Qi to flood into their bodies. If Gui Nianqin didn’t want them to die, she had to control the Spiritual Qi within them. Gradually, their bodies transformed. Initially unable to absorb Spiritual Qi, they became vessels for it. Over years of being nourished by Spiritual Qi, their spiritual power accumulated, and as they became Spirit Supplements, they also developed spiritual roots.

In essence, everyone in Lanshou Village can now cultivate, and their spiritual root levels are unlikely to be low.

Shen Yanting released Liu Huairou. “You all should become excellent Spirit Cultivators. Once this matter is resolved, you might consider seeking an Immortal Sect to cultivate.”

“Cultivation…” The bitterness in Liu Huairou’s eyes nearly overflowed. “Miss Shen, I overheard your conversation with Mother last night. Both Human Talismans and Spirit Supplements are highly coveted in the Cultivation World. Seeking an Immortal Sect might not lead to survival, and besides…”

Liu Huairou’s voice softened considerably. “Life is so hard. Cultivation isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I’d rather live a peaceful hundred years. When I think back, things were better before. Mother wasn’t a Human Talisman yet, and we weren’t Spirit Supplements. Aunty Qing hadn’t left for the Imperial Tranquility Sect. The village children would all go swimming and catch fish together, always getting filthy. Every time… Actually, by the time the Heavenly Cuisine Sect took those children away, An’er was no longer a child. But because she was from the Gui Family, they still took her. She…”

A sob escaped her lips, and Liu Huairou couldn’t finish her sentence.

Bo Xuenong finally understood why she could hear weeping from every household. Liu Huairou’s sentiments mirrored those of most villagers—these past seven hundred years had been a relentless struggle.

Liu Huairou harbored no hope for the Path of Cultivation, only despair.

“You can’t think like that,” Bo Xuenong said, stroking her chin thoughtfully. After a long pause, she continued, “Since you have Innate Talent, you should strive to cultivate. If you become strong enough, you can easily kill anyone who comes for Human Talismans or Spirit Supplements, protecting yourself and those you care about. Conversely, if you don’t cultivate, your abundant Spiritual Qi will make you a target even in death—your corpse would be devoured. Besides, Human Talismans can only die by self-destruction. You probably don’t know how agonizing that is, but they say it…”

Liu Huairou’s gaze sharpened, and she hastily grabbed Bo Xuenong’s hand. “Miss Bo, if I’m fortunate enough to survive, would the Imperial Tranquility Sect accept me?”

Bo Xuenong was mildly surprised. “You’re remarkably devoted to your mother-in-law.”

She noticed that Liu Huairou had shown little reaction to her earlier words, but when she mentioned the excruciating pain of self-destruction, Liu Huairou immediately changed her tune.

Liu Huairou was like a stagnant pond, only stirring to life when speaking of her child and mother. She yearned for Gui Nian’an and worried about Gui Nianqin.

The Contending Blossom Talisman worked well, making Liu Huairou appear frail and delicate, as if she would shatter at the slightest touch.

Bo Xuenong couldn’t help but wonder if rejecting Liu Huairou would cause her to crumble before her eyes. Before she could decide, Shen Yanting had already agreed. “Yes, Aunty Qing is the Sect Leader of the Imperial Tranquility Sect. She will welcome you.”

When Liu Huairou heard that Fu Yunqing was the Sect Leader, a flicker of surprise crossed her eyes, followed by intense unease. She must have realized that if the Sect Leader was only at the mid-stage of the Core Formation Stage, the others must be even weaker.

Bo Xuenong muttered, “The Sect Leader didn’t get her position through strength alone.”

Liu Huairou heard her but still said, “Both of you must be careful.”

Liu Huairou genuinely had a kind heart, and Shen Yanting immediately took a liking to her.

As Bo Xuenong had predicted, Shen Yanting lifted Liu Huairou’s sleeve and left a mark on her arm. “At the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, avoid conflict if you can. If you can’t, feign compliance until I can come for you.”

After instructing Liu Huairou, Shen Yanting turned her gaze to Bo Xuenong.

Bo Xuenong saw the worry in Shen Yanting’s eyes and immediately patted her chest reassuringly. “Master, don’t worry about me. I can protect myself.”

Before Shen Yanting could respond, Bo Xuenong spoke again, her eyes trembling slightly, hiding a fervent desire. “Master, besides the He brothers, can I kill anyone else?”

Shen Yanting knew Bo Xuenong was desperate for her approval, but she deliberated for a long moment before answering, “As long as they harbor malice toward you, you may kill them.”

“Master is the best!” Bo Xuenong’s mood soared, and even Liu Huairou, who was sharing the sedan chair, seemed more agreeable. “You definitely won’t die, and your daughter will be safe too. Once we reach the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, I’ll help you find her.”

Tears welled in Liu Huairou’s eyes. “Thank you.”

As they drew closer to the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, the bridal sedan chair soared higher and higher.

After landing on a mountain peak, the disciples carrying the chair ceased flying and began slowly ascending the path on foot.

As their pace slowed, the scents in the air became clearer.

Shen Yanting’s cultivation and senses far surpassed Bo Xuenong’s. She detected a strange odor permeating the Heavenly Cuisine Sect, her gaze darkening. “Nong’er, if anyone tries to harm you, you must retaliate.”

“I definitely will!” Bo Xuenong suppressed her excitement, nodding obediently.

Shen Yanting saw the upward curve of Bo Xuenong’s lips. She knew the consequences of her words. Bo Xuenong’s bloodline was already unstable. If left unchecked, she might unleash a massacre at the Heavenly Cuisine Sect. The more Bo Xuenong killed, the more her bloodline would surge, potentially spiraling out of control.

But… if her sense of smell was correct, the strange odor belonged to Beast Tamers.

Given the intensity of the scent, there must be at least several hundred Beast Tamers on this mountain peak.

Beast Tamers differed from demon beasts, which roamed freely. They were domesticated by Beast Tamers and acted only upon their masters’ commands.

For a Beast Tamer, failing to contract a High-Tier Demonic Beast would severely hinder their future cultivation path. Yet, cultivators who had just completed Foundation Establishment and chosen their path lacked the ability to tame such powerful creatures. This is why, apart from the Beast Taming Sect, few other sects in the Cultivation World embraced the path of Beast Taming, and why it never became one of the Eight Great Paths of Cultivation.

The path of Beast Taming was essentially monopolized by the Beast Taming Sect. This wasn’t because their disciples possessed extraordinary talent, capable of taming High-Tier Demonic Beasts immediately after completing Foundation Establishment. Rather, it stemmed from the sect’s founder, a half-human, half-demon being. This founder had rescued numerous critically injured demon beasts, taking them in and raising them as her personal Beast Tamers. Naturally, the families of these beasts also came under her care, and over generations, this tradition of nurturing demon beasts persisted. Among these creatures, nurtured by the Beast Taming Sect for centuries, were not only High-Tier Demonic Beasts but also those with exceptionally rare demonic beast Bloodlines.

Having received the sect’s patronage for generations, these demon beasts naturally favored the Beast Taming Sect’s members. If they encountered a disciple who resonated with them, they would willingly form a contract, regardless of the disciple’s Innate Talent. After all, contracting a High-Tier Demonic Beast could significantly enhance one’s Innate Talent.

The Beast Taming Sect differed from traditional Beast Tamers. Instead of taming and controlling beasts, they forged bonds of life and death with their companions.

While ordinary Beast Tamers could only bond with a single beast in their lifetime, Beast Tamers from the Beast Taming Sect typically had two or more. Those with exceptional Innate Talent could even manage several beasts simultaneously. For example, the Young Sect Master of the Beast Taming Sect had five beasts under her command. Unfortunately, the territory they were currently in did not belong to the Beast Taming Sect.

If only a few beasts had appeared, it might have been plausible to assume that some members of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect were interested in Beast Taming techniques.

However, the simultaneous appearance of over a hundred beasts made it impossible for the Heavenly Cuisine Sect to have raised them.

The only explanation that could convince Shen Yanting was that someone from the Beast Taming Sect had infiltrated the Heavenly Cuisine Sect.

The Heavenly Cuisine Sect had risen rapidly in recent centuries, ascending to become a top-tier sect second only to the Three Great Sects. In contrast, the Beast Taming Sect had long maintained its position as a top-tier sect just below the Three Great Sects. Were it not for the limited scope of their disciples’ Path of Cultivation, their overall strength could have soared even higher.

If the Beast Taming Sect was involved in this matter, the situation would be far more dire than initially imagined.

Shen Yanting worried about Bo Xuenong being taken advantage of.

As long as Bo Xuenong didn’t harm innocent people, she would rather Bo Xuenong kill others than be killed herself.

It was too early to conclude that the Beast Taming Sect and the Heavenly Cuisine Sect were colluding. She had interacted with members of the Beast Taming Sect many times before and sensed that they had little interest in Human Talismans or Spirit Supplements. The power their Contract Beasts absorbed also enhanced their own abilities. If they truly sought shortcuts, having their beasts devour powerful demon beasts would be a much faster method.

She believed that a few individuals within the sects might harbor malicious intentions.

But she doubted that the entire Sect had been compromised.

Bo Xuenong, of course, had no idea Shen Yanting’s thoughts had drifted elsewhere. She was still thrilled at the prospect of finally being able to kill openly and legitimately. Her bl00d surged with excitement, but she also noticed Shen Yanting’s demeanor. “Master, what are you thinking about?”

“I smell the scent of Beast Tamers,” Shen Yanting replied.

“Beast Tamers? Are members of the Beast Taming Sect here too? Are they good or bad?”

Shen Yanting pressed her lips into a tight line, finally offering a vague answer after a long pause: “There are good ones and bad ones.”

So, can we kill them or not?

Before Bo Xuenong could press further, Shen Yanting had already retracted her Spirit Tool and lowered the red veil back over her face.

Bo Xuenong and Liu Huairou hastily readjusted their own veils as the bridal sedan came to a stop. Through the curtains, Bo Xuenong overheard He Yongda and another disciple of the Heavenly Cuisine Sect speaking outside.

“Senior Brother He, those Beast Taming Sect bastards are back again. Elder Feng wants you to take one of them immediately. Send the other two to Elder Jin and Elder Hua respectively.”

“When will they ever give up?!” He Yongda snapped.

“Why doesn’t the Sect Leader just deal with them?” He Yongshi scoffed. “They’re just useless trash who can’t survive without their beasts. What’s there to fear? We’ve told them countless times there are no Beast Taming Sect members here. Why do they keep coming every day?!”

“Brother, you underestimate the Beast Taming Sect,” He Yongda warned. “Those beast-loving bastards are incredibly persistent. Back then… Hurry and fetch that Spirit Supplement you like. I need to deliver the other two to the Elders as soon as possible.”

“……”

He Yongda clearly had more to say, but Bo Xuenong had no interest in hearing the words of a “dead man.” Her mind was consumed with thoughts of how she would slaughter He Yongshi and He Yongda later. Having overheard He Yongda instructing He Yongshi to choose someone from inside the sedan chair, she silently placed her wrist, marked with a red seal, on her lap, ensuring He Yongshi would see it the moment he lifted the curtain.

He Yongshi obeyed his elder brother without hesitation. At He Yongda’s command, he immediately sprang into action.

He lifted the sedan curtain and his eyes fell instantly on Bo Xuenong.

He Yongshi pointed at Bo Xuenong, and He Yongda immediately sent three streams of spiritual mist into the sedan chair. The moment the mist entwined around her body, Bo Xuenong felt as if an invisible rope had been tied to her. Guided by this unseen tether, she followed Shen Yanting and the others out of the sedan chair and walked to He Yongshi’s side.

After exchanging a few words with the other disciples, He Yongda turned to He Yongshi. “Brother, take her back first. I’ll deliver the others to Elder Jin and Elder Hua, then return. We can enjoy ourselves together later.”

How delusional, Bo Xuenong thought, sneering inwardly. He Yongshi wouldn’t live long enough to see that day.

He Yongda was a Nascent Soul cultivator, so Bo Xuenong would need to choose her moment carefully. Now that the brothers had separated, it was the perfect opportunity.

He Yongshi hadn’t been exaggerating—He Yongda held a high position within the Heavenly Cuisine Sect.

Riding on He Yongda’s coattails, He Yongshi, who had been merely an Outer Sect Disciple in the Imperial Tranquility Sect, had become an Inner Sect Disciple within days of arriving at the Heavenly Cuisine Sect. He now wielded considerable influence, with disciples greeting him respectfully at every turn. Yet, not a single former Imperial Tranquility Sect disciple was to be seen.

Bo Xuenong wondered if they were still in the Outer Sect, or if they hadn’t even been allowed to enter the Heavenly Cuisine Sect at all.

Not that she cared about their fate. She was simply hoping to encounter them so she could kill them all at once—after all, they had threatened Shen Yanting alongside He Yongshi.

Unfortunately, not only did they fail to encounter any Imperial Tranquility Sect members, but He Yongshi also led her further and further off the beaten path until they were completely isolated.

He Yongshi brought her back to a lavishly decorated courtyard and eagerly ushered her into one of the rooms. The moment the door closed, his voice took on a sinister edge. “My beauty,” he purred, “after today, you’ll belong to both my brother and me. Let me have my way with you first…”

Bo Xuenong watched He Yongshi approach through the veil, her eyes narrowing. After confirming no other presence in the room, she lifted the veil before he could.

The moment the veil was lifted, she saw He Yongshi’s lewd grin and greedy gaze.

This must be the malice Shen Yanting spoke of.

He can be killed.

Bo Xuenong nodded in satisfaction and smiled at He Yongshi. “He Yongshi, we meet again.”

The moment he saw Bo Xuenong’s face, He Yongshi’s smile froze instantly, his pupils dilating wildly. Shock flooded his eyes, and a scream surged to his throat, but when he opened his mouth, no sound came out. His throat burned with agony, and the pain spread to his abdomen, chest, and arms…