The Cold and Arrogant Master (Transmigration) - Chapter 4

Squeak—The soft sound of a door opening echoed over the quiet peak of Cangqiong Mountain.

After sleeping soundly in his room for a whole month, so long that even his bones felt stiff, Rong Xuan still didn’t think he’d gotten enough rest. If nature hadn’t called, he wouldn’t have bothered leaving his warm bed. Now that he was up to use the latrine, he intended to return to his “important business”—sleep.

The crisp mountain air carried a fresh, earthy scent unique to forests and herbs, clearing the fogginess in his head in an instant.

He hadn’t paid much attention before, but now that he looked around, this place truly was tranquil and picturesque. Ancient trees formed a lush canopy around elegant pavilions. Mist curled around the mountains, making the peaks seem like they were drifting through a dreamlike realm.

“Rong Xuan, how are you feeling? Better now?” A young man in *Yu Shengu robes approached with a bowl of medicine and a bright smile. “The apprenticeship ceremony is tomorrow, so I brought over your formal robes for you to try.”

*”Yu Shengu robe” appears to be associated with clothing, particularly Hanfu with embroidery, weaving gold, and a dragon pattern.

Without looking up, Rong Xuan lazily reached out to accept the robes. “Gotta take a dump.”

Qin Fang choked on the directness of the reply, unsure how to respond. Only now did he realize that Rong Xuan had a talent for killing conversations instantly.

After a beat, Qin Fang forced a laugh and offered, “I’ll take you there!”

Qin Fang… a comic relief character and a hopeless simp. He would give his life for Chu Yu but would never gain his affection. Their endings weren’t that different: one was “willing,” the other was “forced.”

In the original novel, this guy was described as a chatterbox and a passionate soul. But based on Rong Xuan’s extensive reading experience, he felt there was more to this character than his appearance.

For the past month, Qin Fang had taken care of all his daily needs. Rong Xuan was grateful—but every time he saw Qin Fang, he felt like he was looking at a mirror. Two fools, silently crying together.

Since he’d already transmigrated, he had to accept it. The original Rong Xuan’s family had been wiped out. He couldn’t let them die in vain. Rong Xuan murmured silently, “Cannon-fodder brother, this life… I’ll avenge you. That Ye Ming really was a bastard—I’ve been stuck in bed because of him! As for love? Forget it. With someone like Chu Yu, admirers line up to die for him. I’ll pass. I just want to stay alive, okay?”

“This is Yu Shengu?” Rong Xuan glanced around. At the very least, he needed to know where he was.

Qin Fang’s eyes lit up. After taking care of Rong Xuan for over two months with barely anyone to talk to, he finally had an excuse to ramble.

“That’s right! This is Yu Shengu at the summit of Cangqiong Mountain. We’re at the very top, actually. This place is called Starshatter Pavilion—it’s where the Immortal Master lives!”

A visual setting sketch of the Starshatter Pavilion, the highest point on the Cangqiong Mountain, surrounded by ancient trees, mist, and a dreamlike atmosphere. The pavilion is elegant, with a serene and mystical aura, and the night sky above is filled with stars and occasional meteors. 

“Starshatter Pavilion?” Rong Xuan raised a brow.

“Yup! This is the highest place on the mountain, closest to the sky. At night, you can see a sky full of stars, sometimes even meteors falling. That’s why it’s called Starshatter.”

“No wonder it’s so peaceful here,” Rong Xuan commented with polite admiration, though he was grumbling inside, You dumped me up here so I wouldn’t run, huh?

Qin Fang chuckled, “Exactly! Immortal Master doesn’t like being disturbed, so normally no one is allowed here—not even servants. If you hadn’t been injured, I wouldn’t be up here either. Everyone’s so jealous! Honestly, I’ve been secretly celebrating.”

Rong Xuan looked at his silly face and sighed inwardly, Silly guy… still celebrating? This is your path to the execution grounds.

“You seem to really admire my master,” Rong Xuan inquired, attempting to gauge his feelings.

“Of course! Who in Yu Shengu doesn’t worship him? He’s either slaying demons or secluded in cultivation—we rarely see him. But get this: last time he came out of seclusion, I caught a glimpse from afar. That presence… it felt like a god descending to the mortal world! Hahaha!”

As Qin Fang spoke passionately, Rong Xuan became more curious. Learning more about Chu Yu wouldn’t hurt—especially if he could avoid triggering any of his taboos.

“Tell me more about my master,” Rong Xuan urged.

Qin Fang’s eyes sparkled. He finally found someone to share his endless stories with.

“Where do I even start! Our Immortal Master’s weapon is legendary. It’s called Han Chuan—some say it was formed from the axe Pan Gu used to split the heavens. It can slay gods above and demons below! They say if you refine it, you can control the Three Realms. Who knows if it’s true? His ultimate technique, the Nine Divine Swords, remains a mystery. Nobody has witnessed all nine moves and survived to tell the story. Even Sword Immortal Li Changfeng was defeated within three moves!

The adoration in Qin Fang’s eyes practically burned.

This poor kid, Rong Xuan thought. Someone like Chu Yu… he’s not someone ordinary folks can admire, let alone approach. The original Rong Xuan tried to approach Chu Yu. However, he suffered severe defeat and ended up being ridiculed by the sect. No way I’m making that mistake again. I should stay as far away as possible and focus on staying alive.

“What are you thinking so hard about?” Qin Fang’s voice dragged him back. It had been going on forever, and Rong Xuan hadn’t heard a word. His mind was full of—money.

Or rather, resources. In a cultivation world, money didn’t matter—resources did. As Chu Yu’s disciple, he wouldn’t lack them, but having a private stash wouldn’t hurt. Would Han Chuan and the Nine Divine Swords fetch a worthy price?

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. He remembered how the original Rong Xuan had been beaten half to death for trying to steal those exact things. And here he was, having the same thoughts.

Forget it! Absolutely not! Too risky!

“Oh, nothing. Just a bit tired. I think I’ll rest.” He wasn’t lying—without the Rebirth Spell, and after three years of bleeding rituals, his body was a mess. Even with recent recovery, being outside this long already made him dizzy.

“Then go rest; I’ll grab you something to eat.” Qin Fang hurried him to bed and left reluctantly after tucking him in.

Lying in bed, Rong Xuan thought about his next move. There was only one option—head into the Illusion Barrens.

A visual setting sketch of the “Illusion Barrens”, a mysterious and foreboding place at the foot of the Cliff of Reflection. The landscape is rugged and shadowy, with an eerie atmosphere, ancient ruins, and a sense of hidden danger.

That place… It used to be the cultivation site of the Demon God before ascension. That’s where the original Rong Xuan obtained the Weeping Wind, Pitying Sun manual. With that, he killed Ye Ming and crushed entire sects.

Back then, he stumbled into the Barrens by accident. Now, it was a matter of survival. He had to make that trip.

He vaguely remembered the Illusion Barrens being at the foot of the Cliff of Reflection, just beneath Yu Shengu.

Looks like he’d have to wait until after the apprenticeship ceremony and find a way to get Chu Yu’s permission to leave. Could his current cultivation be enough? He couldn’t even step out of the Starshatter Pavilion.