My Master Has Been Through the Wringer

[Mysterious arrow of desire: junior disciple → senior disciple → master] [Main pairing: senior disciple x master] [Beautiful top, strong bottom] A master who seems cold and nonchalant but is actually gentle and proud, paired with a senior disciple who seems seductive and flirtatious but is actually touchy, sensitive, and devoted Ruan Zhanyu was a mere rogue cultivator who lived by the principle of letting people off when he could. But while he was willing to spare others, they were hardly inclined to spare him. His eldest disciple, He Yunye, was as beautiful as an immortal and quick-witted, yet harbored improper intentions. Every day, he would either sneak closer to Ruan Zhanyu or openly flirt with him. For the sake of his virtue as a master, Ruan Zhanyu pretended not to notice, kept silent, and played dumb, enduring it again and again. As long as they hadn't kissed, they were still innocent! It seemed, though, that his avoidance only made his disciple unhappy. Whenever his attempts at seduction failed, He Yunye would grow embarrassed and angry, picking arguments with him. Ruan Zhanyu was perfectly fine with that, since arguing was better than kissing. Dealing with a disciple who had a crush on him was already giving Ruan Zhanyu a headache, but his junior disciple, Xu Wuyu, was no easier. Xu Wuyu was honest, obedient, respectful of his elders, and hardworking. But the boy had a crush on his senior disciple! And that senior disciple was He Yunye. Ruan Zhanyu: Hahaha ≡ω≡ (smiles in resignation) Being a master is hard. The emotional pressure from his disciples wasn't enough. Ruan Zhanyu also had to deal with pressure at work. He was a retired slacker who'd been lying low for years, yet somehow he was forced back into service! A commission he accepted because he was broke pulled him into a conspiracy a century in the making. Not only was his identity exposed, he was also framed, and his century-old reputation was ruined. Sitting in jail, he ran into an old acquaintance he'd cut ties with years ago. Ruan Zhanyu thought to himself: What a miserable life. P.S. 1. Contains plenty of submissive tops, and many side characters have one-sided crushes on the top. 2. The master's senior brother plays a major role in volumes two and three. 3. Neither lead is perfect. 4. One-on-one, both virgins, happy ending. 5. Contains a side pairing with a tragic ending, but it doesn't take up much space. Theme: Jade must be carved to become a useful vessel.