The Aloof Master’s Persona Crumbles

[The aloof master who falls into demonic obsession for love, gong] x [The seemingly warm but cold-hearted, indifferent disciple, shou]

Ning Jinchen transmigrates into an old-school cultivation novel as a cannon-fodder disciple of the Sword Sovereign.

His master is the picture of noble elegance, but only around Ning Jinchen does he reveal his true nature: a cold, refined gentleman who is actually a venomous beauty.

Not only does he beat and scold Ning Jinchen at every turn, he'll later destroy his sword bones, force him into demonic cultivation, and make the whole world despise him, until he finally dies with ten thousand swords piercing his heart and his soul scattered.

Why is his master treating him this way?

Ning Jinchen figures it's probably because his extraordinary talent makes his master wary and jealous.

There's no way his master is jealous of how handsome he is, right?

*

Ning Jinchen is ganged up on by his fellow disciples.

In the original story, his master never asks what happened, blames him for everything, and beats and punishes him mercilessly.

In reality, his master never asks what happened and simply takes his side. "Who dares say a bad word about my beloved disciple? They'll have to answer to the sword in my hand."

Ning Jinchen competes with another cultivator for a spirit sword.

In the original story, his master orders him to hand it over. "You have no right to use such a high-grade spiritual artifact."

In reality, his master orders the other cultivator to present the sword with both hands. "Who dares take something my beloved disciple has his eye on?"

Then he adds, "This sword is low-grade. I'll give you a better one."

Ning Jinchen receives a huge pile of spiritual artifacts and pills from his master, becoming a spoiled young master of the cultivation world who can get by without lifting a finger.

Ning Jinchen: His master is trying to spoil him to death.

*

Ning Jinchen plays along, gets himself a full set of divine gear, and plans to escape the sect during an expedition.

His master: "Want to go out and have fun? Sure. Where do you want to go? I'll come with you."

"Go by yourself? No way!"

*

Amid the flames, the cold Sword Sovereign stands with sword in hand, his gaze dark. "Jinchen, you want to leave?"

"You'll have to step over my corpse first. Otherwise, you'll stay by my side for the rest of your life."

"From the very first moment I saw you, you stole my heart. I couldn't help myself."

Cover art used with permission from artist Shaohua Meng-Wenzi.

Theme: Persevere and keep striving forward