Raising Disciples Brings Trouble - Chapter 2

Chapter 2

I rubbed the space between my brows.

I was tired.

But what else could I do? Sui Qingjing was half human, half demon.

When I picked him up back then, he already had one foot in the grave.

Of course I could tell him to get lost, but if he didn’t stay by my side, where else could he even go?

What if he got bullied out there?

What if people discriminated against him and hurled abuse at him?

So I’m telling you, Sui Qingjing really was going to drive me insane.

I lay on the couch, tossing and turning.

Suddenly, Mo Cangyue sent a message from outside the door requesting an audience.

I told him to come in on his own.

But when I saw the state he was in, I was honestly startled.

His body was covered in lash marks. Every single one had been dealt with full force, splitting flesh and tearing skin.

[The male lead is hurting himself again to fish for sympathy.]

[Actually, that one lash given to the junior disciple made the male lead jealous.]

[Male lead: Why are you rewarding the junior disciple?]

Mo Cangyue cupped his hands in greeting, his voice hoarse.

“I committed a wrong. Since Master took pity on me and would not punish me, I ought to punish myself.”

I turned away and refused to look at him.

I was afraid my heart would soften.

“You’ve been using this same trick since you were sixteen. Do you think it still works every time? Do you think I’ll feel sorry for you?”

“I do not ask for… Master’s pity.”

No matter where Mo Cangyue went, he always carried himself with that bright, noble, moonlit grace.

He was incredibly handsome, diligent, and talented.

He challenged the First Immortal Sect with his sword and even took first place.

Everyone envied me, saying Mo Cangyue brought me honor.

At first, I thought so too.

Of course I knew a bowl of water could never be held perfectly level. My heart was, in fact, tilted a little toward Mo Cangyue.

He was too sensible. Too obedient.

So precocious it made one’s heart ache.

But however radiant and glorious he looked on the outside,

that was exactly how rotten and dark he was on the inside.

He clearly knew my inner demon was mine, and yet he still said those things to it…

It was simply…

Simply!

And I couldn’t provoke him, either.

I could only distance myself from him silently, without letting anything show.

I didn’t look at Mo Cangyue.

Staring at the wall, I asked,

“Does it hurt?”

“It hurts…”

His voice was so small, so muffled. He sounded both aggrieved and pitiful.

It was easy to imagine what sort of face I’d see if I turned around.

Guaranteed, all your anger would vanish on the spot.

“Good. It’s supposed to hurt. Comfort is reserved for the dead. Have you learned your lesson?”

“Mm.”

I lazily waved a hand.

“Then get lost.”

Mo Cangyue was still obedient.

He turned and left.

Every step rubbed against his wounds, and he kept suppressing his gasps.

Tiny breaths, one after another, sharp inhales of pain through clenched restraint.

Then his foot suddenly slipped, and the pain made cold sweat bead across Mo Cangyue’s skin.

I clenched my fist.

“Get back here. I’ll apply medicine before you leave.”

[What’s going on?]

[“Works every time.” “I won’t feel sorry for you.”]

[Don’t fall for the male lead’s self-injury scheme, ahhh!]

What else was I supposed to do? I had raised him in the palm of my hand all these years.

I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t seen it.

Mo Cangyue sat down obediently and untied his robes.

Just like the countless times before.

I rapped Mo Cangyue on the head.

“If you do this to yourself again, don’t expect me to put medicine on you. It hurts? Why doesn’t it hurt you to death?”

“I’m sorry, Master.”

Mo Cangyue had a top-tier figure: broad shoulders, narrow waist, long legs.

His skin was pale too, so pale it was dazzling.

Aside from that wretched masochistic streak in his bones, there really wasn’t anything else to criticize.

However.

One flaw ruined everything.

While I applied the medicine, Mo Cangyue didn’t make a sound.

He just watched me quietly without blinking, so very, very obedient.

Once I finished, I patted Mo Cangyue on the shoulder.

“All right. You can get lost now.”

Mo Cangyue didn’t get up.

He raised his arms, wrapped them around my waist, and buried his face against the small of my back.

His scorching breath spilled over me.

Then he said something utterly treasonous.

“Master, I’m… aroused.”