The Cold and Arrogant Master (Transmigration) - Chapter 3

At this moment, Rong Xuan’s expression was captivating, displaying a wide range of emotions such as awe, confusion, fear, indignation, and finally, resolve. Every feeling was written all over him without restraint.

Chu Yu raised an eyebrow in mild puzzlement. He’d seen reverence, admiration, and even dread in countless eyes, but never had he encountered such a strange mix as what he saw in Rong Xuan’s face. If he had to describe it in one phrase, it would be “like he couldn’t wait to run far, far away.”

Curiosity stirred within him. He wanted to ask this boy—why?

But as a solemn and aloof Immortal Lord, how could he casually ask such a thing? So he suppressed the question and let his cool, indifferent eyes settle on Rong Xuan’s face instead. He spoke:

“You look remarkably like someone I once knew. Her name was Chu Yun. Do you know her?”

At the mention of that name, a strange pain pricked through Rong Xuan’s heart like needles. Unconsciously, he blurted out, “What was your relationship with her?”

Chu Yu’s expression didn’t change. His voice remained as calm and detached as ever, as if he were recounting something utterly mundane: “She was my senior martial sister. After she left the Yushen Palace years ago, we lost all contact with her.”

Rong Xuan remembered reading about those events in the original story. Back when Chu Yu was young, he’d wandered the world, bullied and homeless, until he met the old man of Boshan. Seeing his talent, the elder took him in, named him Chu Yu, and taught him cultivation. That elder had a daughter—Chu Yun. She and Chu Yu had grown up together, and she’d cared for him deeply. Later, she fell in love with Rong Hao, the Lord of the Demon Domain. The old man was furious with his daughter and expelled her from the Yushen Palace. After that, she disappeared without a trace.

So this Chu Yun… She must have been the original body’s mother. No wonder just hearing her name made him feel such stabbing sorrow. Clearly, he hadn’t only inherited the original’s body but also his emotions.

Steadying himself, Rong Xuan growled with seething hatred, “She’s dead. Killed by that monster, Ye Ming!” Deep down, he hoped Chu Yu would avenge Chu Yun. That would be his way of repaying the woman who had used her life to protect the original body.

A faint frown appeared between Chu Yu’s brows, and something like pain flickered in his eyes—so quick it almost went unnoticed. But he quickly returned to his usual stoic self and said coldly, “My condolences. She’s gone now. No need to dwell in sorrow.”

Rong Xuan froze. What the hell? he thought. Your martial sister died, and you don’t even want revenge? In that moment, he completely forgot that he was Chu Yun’s real son—the one who should be avenging her.

Chu Yu looked at him with the same detached expression; his voice was clear and cold. “What is your name?”

“Rong Xuan,” he answered quickly, his mind still stuck on Chu Yu’s reaction.

There was a long pause. Just when Rong Xuan thought Chu Yu had fallen asleep, the Immortal Lord’s voice rang out again, low and composed:
“The Rebirth Spell in your body—she traded her life to cast it, buying you three more years. Cherish her sacrifice. Do not disappoint your mother’s final wish. Seek justice for her.”

So that was it. No wonder he’d always felt something was off. Back in the Demon domain, he’d lived like a “walking bl00d bank,” drained daily by Ye Ming for cultivation. For three whole years, he’d endured without dying from the bl00d loss. That alone was a miracle. But now, he understood—it was thanks to Chu Yun, his mother’s protection.

Rong Xuan’s chest tightened with a mix of emotion and fury. His hatred for Ye Ming deepened. Sure, he still dreamed of living the salted fish life—flopping around aimlessly and peacefully. But some debts just couldn’t be ignored—especially bl00d debts, both inherited and personal.

After a pause, Chu Yu said, “From now on, you’ll stay here at Yushen Palace. Focus on your cultivation. I’ll do everything in my power to train you.”

Just as he finished, Elder Bai Yishan of Qingmu Peak rushed in, his face tense and his voice urgent and disapproving:
“Immortal Lord, I urge you to reconsider! The boy may have a pitiful past and be Chu Yun’s son, but he’s still part of the Demon Clan. It’s inappropriate to make him your disciple!”

Chu Yu glanced at Bai Yishan, with an impassive expression. “And what of it? I’ve protected the realm for centuries. I judge only right and wrong, not bl00d or race.”

“But Immortal Lord,” Bai Yishan pressed on, “your disciple is destined to lead Yushen Palace in the future. If the world learns he is of demon bl00d, how will we maintain our reputation?”

Still calm, Chu Yu replied firmly, “I’ve made my decision. If he remains kind and upright, what harm is there in him leading the palace? If he strays, I will not show mercy.”

Bai Yishan frowned deeply, hands clasped behind his back. “Immortal Lord, you must not act on emotion—”

But Chu Yu’s tone turned resolute. “Elder Bai! My senior sister once saved my life. Her son is under my protection.”

Wait—Elder Bai? Bai Yishan?

The moment Rong Xuan heard that name, anger flared in his chest. In the original novel, this very Bai Yishan repeatedly framed the original Rong Xuan, doing everything he could to expel him from Yushen Palace. Because of him, the original host suffered countless unjust beatings.

I may not want to be Chu Yu’s disciple, Rong Xuan thought bitterly, but I won’t let this old bastard trample me. What kind of Chinese hero would I be if I let him get away with that?

His eyes reddened—not from sentiment, but from fury.

“Um… Great Immortal… I mean, Elder, what you said makes sense. I really don’t belong here. Maybe I should just leave. I don’t want to cause trouble for you.” Rong Xuan gave Chu Yu a pitiful look, mentally adding, “Let’s see if you can resist this over-the-top, tea-flavored performance.”

But Chu Yu seemed completely unaffected. It was like he didn’t hear it at all.

Realizing this trick wasn’t working, Rong Xuan quickly switched tactics; his voice was sincere:
“Honestly, I’m not cut out for cultivation, nor do I want to stay at Yushen Palace. Still, what the elder said puzzles me. My father, Rong Hao, was a true descendant of an ancient demon god, even though he came from the Demon domain. He ruled peacefully for hundreds of years, never once provoking war. He kept the demons orderly and law-abiding, and my mother, Chu Yun—she was born and raised in the immortal world. So if anything, my roots lie more with cultivators. After all, I even stayed an extra ten months in my mother’s womb.”

“That doesn’t change your demon bl00d!” Bai Yishan snapped, sneering.

“No, it doesn’t. But it also doesn’t erase the fact that I’m the son of an immortal cultivator. And as for who’s suited to lead Yushen Palace—wouldn’t someone like me, with ties to both realms, be ideal? Isn’t your whole mission to foster peace between the clans? Wouldn’t someone like me be the perfect bridge? Or… could it be that Elder Bai doesn’t actually want peace at all?”

His words struck like thunder. Bai Yishan’s face turned beet red. “You… you…!”

He wanted to argue more, but Chu Yu raised a hand, cutting him off. “Enough. My decision is final.”

Ha! You think you can mess with me? Rong Xuan sneered inwardly. I was binge-watching palace dramas before you were even a draft in the author’s outline!

Chu Yu, however, watched Rong Xuan with growing suspicion. So many people begged to become his disciple—the great Sword Immortal of Yushen. But this kid? He looked like he was only staying to annoy Bai Yishan. He didn’t seem interested in being Chu Yu’s disciple at all.

Why?

Who knew?

Still, true to his nature, the Immortal Lord quickly returned to his calm and commanding self. “You have nowhere else to go. The Demon domain is hunting you down. Staying here is your best option.”

Damn it. Rong Xuan’s heart sank. He’d forgotten about that part. Chu Yu’s words stabbed him right in the gut. Was there no way out of this situation?

He looked down at himself. Penniless, dressed in rags that barely covered him—he was the definition of “dirt poor.” And in this strange cultivation world, he didn’t even have basic survival skills.

Tears welled up in his heart. What did I do in a past life to deserve this?

But then again, when he thought about it… he wasn’t much better in his original world. A complete slacker who only lived to eat, drink, and mess around. He and the original body really were two peas in a pod.

At this point, staying at Yushen Palace really was his best choice. At least here, he’d get food and shelter. As long as he didn’t go chasing an ice-cold, impossible master or slaughter the entire sect, he might just survive. Given Chu Yu’s benevolent nature, surely he wouldn’t kill him for no reason.

After thinking it through, Rong Xuan dropped to his knees, stiff and reluctant.
“Master, please accept your disciple’s respects.”

Not long after joining, Rong Xuan had already accomplished the impressive feat of shutting down Qingmu Peak’s Elder Bai Yishan—one of the top figures in Yushen Palace—with a single speech. Word of it spread like wildfire throughout the palace.

“Xuan-ge, you’re a legend!”

But Rong Xuan knew none of this. After the disciple ceremony, he promptly collapsed onto the bed and threw himself into his most sacred mission:

Sleeping.