Transmigrating into the world of Jade Dynasty, I was targeted by the female lead in a reverse romanc

A month later, Qingyun Mountain came into view in the distance.

Three streaks of light descended, revealing figures. Jiang Xiaochuan sheathed his gun and looked at Lu Xueqi. She was dressed in a spotless moon-white Taoist robe, standing in front of a mountain peak. The mountain wind made her robe flutter slightly, and her profile appeared somewhat blurred in the midday sun.

"I'm going back," Zhang Xiaofan said in a low voice. He glanced at Jiang Xiaochuan, then quickly looked away. The Yuanlei Sword light rose again, and the dark blue light swept towards Dazhu Peak, quickly turning into a small dot.

Jiang Xiaochuan looked in the direction where Zhang Xiaofan had disappeared, feeling a little uneasy. On the way back, Xiaofan had spoken very little and always lagged behind.

Just as I was thinking this, my wrist tightened.

Lu Xueqi had walked up to him without him noticing and naturally took his hand.

"Take me back to Xiaozhufeng."

His fingers were tight, not allowing him to break free.

Jiang Xiaochuan sighed and resignedly let her pull him along. Along the way, they occasionally encountered disciples from other peaks. When they saw them from afar, they would stop and cast curious or inquisitive glances at them.

Those who recognized Lu Xueqi stared wide-eyed at the two holding hands, then at Lu Xueqi's still aloof face, as if they had seen a ghost.

Jiang Xiaochuan's face felt a little hot, and he tried to pull his hand away, but Lu Xueqi held on tighter. He turned his head to look at her, and she looked straight ahead, riding her sword steadily, as if those gazes did not exist. Only her ears seemed a little red, very faint, and he didn't know if it was because of the sunlight.

Lu Xueqi's fingers tightened. She turned her head to look at the disciples from various peaks who were standing and watching, her gaze sweeping calmly over them before turning back. Her voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"Have you seen enough?"

The three words, cold and aloof, are like ice beads hitting a stone pavement.

Then he added in a low voice:

"From now on, this is how it will be. Whoever looks at this, I'll gouge out their eyes."

Several young disciples shrank back in fright and hurried away, whispering amongst themselves as they went:

"That's Senior Sister Lu from Little Bamboo Peak? Isn't she said to be aloof and indifferent to men...?"

"What do you know? That's Jiang Xiaochuan from Dazhu Peak, a contestant from the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament back then..."

"Shh—keep your voice down! Didn't you hear what Senior Sister Lu said? Want your eyes gouged out?"

The sound faded into the distance. Jiang Xiaochuan's face burned as he listened. He tried to pull his hand away, but Lu Xueqi gripped it tighter, turning her head to look at him with a hint of teasing in her eyes: "What, afraid of what people will say?"

"It's not that I'm scared..." Jiang Xiaochuan muttered, "It's embarrassing, being led around like this by you, like walking a dog."

Lu Xueqi paused, turned to look at him, and raised an eyebrow: "A dog?"

Jiang Xiaochuan choked, then quickly corrected himself: "No, I meant they look like...like prisoners being escorted..."

Seeing his flustered state, Lu Xueqi smiled slightly and said nothing more. She simply took his hand and intertwined her fingers with his, holding it even tighter, her fingertips weaving into his, fitting perfectly.

Forget it, Jiang Xiaochuan gave up struggling; it wasn't the first time anyway.

In just a few minutes, they returned to Xiaozhu Peak by flying on their swords.

The bamboo grove is still the same bamboo grove, rustling in the wind. The bamboo hut is hidden deep inside, so quiet that you can hear your own footsteps.

Master Shuiyue stood in the small courtyard in front of the bamboo house, her back to them, looking at a new bamboo shoot. Hearing footsteps, she turned around.

"Master." Lu Xueqi released Jiang Xiaochuan's hand, took two steps forward, and bowed.

"Uncle Shuiyue," Jiang Xiaochuan said, bowing in return.

Shuiyue's gaze swept over the two of them, lingering for a moment on Jiang Xiaochuan's face before she nodded: "You're back."

Lu Xueqi straightened up and said, "Yes, this disciple has benefited greatly from this trip. I have gained some insights in front of the blank jade wall at Tianyin Temple, and my cultivation has made some progress."

A faint hint of relief flashed in Shuiyue's eyes. She didn't speak, but just looked at her.

Lu Xueqi added, "Thanks to Xiao Chuan."

Jiang Xiaochuan quickly waved his hand: "No, no, it's because Xueqi is quick to understand and hardworking, it has nothing to do with me. I was just watching the show."

Shuiyue's lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile. She didn't reply, but turned her gaze to Jiang Xiaochuan, scrutinizing him from head to toe before slowly saying, "I heard that the thing inside you was somewhat suppressed by the Buddhist teachings of Tianyin Temple?"

Jiang Xiaochuan nodded honestly and said, "Yes, I'm much better. Thank you for your concern, Uncle-Master."

Shuiyue hummed in agreement and didn't ask any more questions. She simply looked at Lu Xueqi and said, "Now that you've gained something, consolidate it properly. Go on."

"This disciple takes his leave." Lu Xueqi bowed again, turned around, and naturally took Jiang Xiaochuan's hand, leading him towards her bamboo hut.

"Hey, wait a minute." Jiang Xiaochuan was being pulled along by her, and as he turned back to Shuiyue, he said, "Uncle-Master, I'll go first too..."

Shuiyue had already turned back to look at the new bamboo shoot, as if she hadn't heard anything.

Jiang Xiaochuan was dragged by Lu Xueqi all the way to the entrance of the bamboo hut. She pushed the door open, pulled him inside, closed the door behind her, and even locked it.

A soft "click" sounded particularly clear in the quiet bamboo hut.

Jiang Xiaochuan's heart skipped a beat as he watched Lu Xueqi turn around and approach step by step. She was facing away from the window, and the light shone from behind her, so her face was in shadow and her expression was not visible.

"Xue, Xueqi, why are you closing the door?" Jiang Xiaochuan subconsciously stepped back, his heel hitting the bamboo wall, with nowhere left to retreat.

Lu Xueqi walked up to him, stopped, and looked down at him. They were very close, close enough for him to smell her cool, light fragrance and feel the warmth of her breath. She had indeed grown quite a bit taller.

"I have something to tell you," Lu Xueqi said calmly.

"What can't be said in public...?"

Jiang Xiaochuan muttered to himself, his back pressed against the wall, the cool bamboo wall seeping through his thin clothes.

"I still have to go back to Dazhu Peak; my master and mistress are definitely waiting for me."

"What's the rush?" Lu Xueqi said, suddenly raising her hands and bracing them against the walls on either side of him. Her long arms encircled him between her and the wall.

Jiang Xiaochuan: "!"

The position was so oppressive; he could almost feel the heat emanating from her body and the unfathomable emotions in her clear eyes as she looked down.

He swallowed hard, his throat a little dry. "Lu Xueqi, what... what do you want to do?"

Lu Xueqi didn't answer, but leaned closer, her lips almost touching his ear. Her warm breath brushed against his earlobe, bringing a slight shiver.

"Call me Mom," she whispered, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, a touch of coaxing, and something else entirely.

Jiang Xiaochuan's mind went blank for a moment, and his face instantly burned.

He stared wide-eyed at her fair profile and slightly flushed earlobes so close to his face, his tongue stammering, "You...you're dreaming! Impossible!"

Lu Xueqi wasn't annoyed. She simply maintained the same posture, her breath brushing against his ear, and said slowly, "During my seclusion at Tianyin Temple this time, I gained some insights and my cultivation improved considerably. However, I have much to learn and need time to consolidate and digest these gains, so..."

She paused, her voice lowering, tinged with disappointment: "I need to go into seclusion for a while, a long time. At least... several years."

Jiang Xiaochuan was stunned. Seclusion? For years? The slight embarrassment and annoyance he felt suddenly faded, replaced by an inexplicable panic. He hadn't seen her for years…

Lu Xueqi keenly caught the fleeting panic in his eyes, and she knew that her chance had come.

Then she lowered her eyelashes, her voice softer and gentler, with a deliberate, almost imperceptible tremor:

"These past few years, I haven't seen anyone outside. Do you...do you miss me?"

She looked up, her eyes slightly red-rimmed, glistening with tears like dewdrops on lotus leaves in the morning, as if they would shatter at the slightest touch. This wasn't an act; the thought of not seeing him for several years truly pained her.

Jiang Xiaochuan's throat went dry. Looking at Lu Xueqi, who rarely showed such a vulnerable side, his defenses crumbled.

"I...of course I will..."

But you will forget me.

Lu Xueqi interrupted him, her voice choked with sobs: "If I'm not here, Tian Ling'er will cling to you every day, Senior Sister Wen Min will take care of you, and the other junior sisters from the other peaks will secretly watch you... A few years is enough time for you to meet many people and experience many things. By then, will there still be a place for me in your heart?"

She pressed him relentlessly, each word hitting him where it hurt the most.

Jiang Xiaochuan opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but found himself speechless.

Looking at his speechless expression, Lu Xueqi felt a chilling sadness replaced by a cold, clear-headedness.

"So," Lu Xueqi spoke again, her voice returning to its previous calmness, only softer.