Can a Hypocrite Fall in Love?

Shen B lackens his name as a hypocrite of impeccable manners, most skilled at wearing a kind and gentle mask, manipulating people’s hearts, and making them walk willingly to their deaths.

He has a young disciple whom he has doted on for eighteen years, raising him with every indulgence, all so the boy will willingly offer up his demon core to cure Shen’s poison.

Then one day, he overhears his disciple talking with a member of the Acacia Sect and learns that the boy is willing to absorb the poison in Shen’s body into his own through dual cultivation.

The boy knows, of course, that the poison in his master’s body is devastating. With his level of cultivation, once the poison enters him, he is sure to die.

But he is willing to die for his master.

The boy’s feelings are sincere and pure, and even a great villain like Shen B Du is moved by them.

He sits alone for a long time. Perhaps his conscience has finally stirred, because he makes a decision that goes against his very nature.

He no longer wants his young disciple’s demon core.

*

As a child, Jiang Luo was a little beggar, always filthy as he begged on the streets. On a good day, he might get a copper coin or two; on a bad one, he would be cursed at and beaten. His life was worth less than a dog’s in a wealthy household.

Then one day, when he was beaten nearly to death once again, an immortal in white crouched before him, holding a steaming hot bun and smiling as he asked, “Little one, would you like to take me as your master and come home with me?”

From then on, Jiang Luo had a master.

His master was the sect leader of the greatest sect under heaven, someone Jiang Luo had never even dared dream of meeting. Yet his master treated him so well. No matter what trouble Jiang Luo caused, his master would always sort it out, then gently reassure him:

“It’s all right. Don’t be afraid. Your master is here.”

For eighteen years, Jiang Luo was spoiled absolutely rotten by his master. Even when he was caught drugging his master with an aphrodisiac, he could still say, without a trace of shame, “I just want to cultivate with you.”

After all, his master would never hate him, would never abandon him.

So one day, after overhearing his master speaking with a friend and learning that he had taken Jiang Luo in only so the boy would willingly offer up his demon core to cure the poison, Jiang Luo wasn’t heartbroken. Instead, he rushed into the room with a grin and shouted to his master, “I’m willing!”

So his demon core could save his master. What could be better? Jiang Luo was overjoyed.

His master refused.

His master didn’t want his demon core.

How could his master refuse his demon core!

Jiang Luo couldn’t understand why his master was turning him down. He only knew that he couldn’t lose him.

P.S. A short story. The master has dark thoughts, but treats his young disciple gently from beginning to end.

The master survives after being cured of the poison, and it has nothing to do with the young disciple’s demon core. The happy ending doesn’t depend on the disciple sacrificing himself.

Theme: Stay true to your original intentions, change your approach, and every road leads to Rome.