My Master Always Says One Thing and Means Another

[90% of the novel is already written, so read with confidence]

Ming Lang's perspective:

The deepest hatred in this world is the hatred between humans and demons.

But when I was eight, my mother told me a secret as she lay dying: I was half-demon.

From then on, I wandered through the human world, a shadow that could never step into the light, until one snowy day, when my master appeared in my life like the sun as I was ready to give up on living.

She took me as her disciple, taught me to read and wield a sword, and gave me a home. From then on, my heart belonged entirely to this woman, cold and pure as snow.

I once thought I could stay by her side forever. Then the day my demon bloodline was exposed came. I knelt before her, weeping and begging her not to leave. I apologized over and over, saying again and again that I shouldn't have lied to her.

But she wouldn't even look back at me. She only said coldly, “Ming Lang, you're so foolish. I've known who you are from the start. All I ever wanted was to use you.”

She swung her sword and severed the corner of her robe that I clutched, then left without mercy. Only one sentence remained in the cold wind: “Our bond is over.”

*

Yan Longxue's perspective:

The war between humans and demons took my master and senior sister from me.

It was no coincidence that I saved Ming Lang twice. The demon blood in her veins was my finest weapon of revenge.

I raised her with care so that one day this weapon could avenge me, even if it meant... we would die together.

But over the years, she always looked at me with those ardent eyes. She brought me the first flower of spring and nearly lost her life saving me.

She was always saying she wanted to stay by my side forever, that my life mattered more than hers, and that my wish was her wish.

After so many years together, I could no longer tell whether I was using her or falling for her.

Until the day her identity was exposed. I saved her in front of everyone, even though it would ruin me, because I had to protect her.

But in the end, to keep her alive, I coldly told her the whole truth, severed the corner of her robe that she clutched so tightly, and pushed her away with my own hands. I only wanted her to give up on me and live well, even if she hated me.

I thought our story would end with us never seeing each other again.

But when we met again, the overwhelming hatred I'd expected never came. She still looked at me with those ardent eyes, took my hand and placed it against her chest, then leaned close to my ear and said, “Master, I willingly offer myself as your instrument of revenge. As long as I can stay by your side, I'll do anything you ask.”

• A cool, aloof master and her loyal disciple

• One-on-one romance, both leads are virgins

• A mix of sweetness and angst

Theme: Knowing and loving one another, and growing together.