Xiaoquan never expected that, despite once being a mighty Demon Lord, she would be reborn as a good-for-nothing with no strength to defend herself, only to run into her former disciple, Wen Chen.
The good news: They know each other.
The bad news: They have already severed ties.
Back then, Xiaoquan had ruthlessly cut off their bond. Now that they had met again in such a wretched state, all she could hope was that he wouldn't recognize her.
Fortunately, Immortal Lord Baili kept his distance from strangers. Xiaoquan played her part to the very end, but he took her to his sect, claiming she needed to recover from her injuries.
Since she was already there, Xiaoquan shamelessly asked Wen Chen to take her up the mountain to see the sights. She didn't mention that she actually wanted to investigate the Lou Tower and uncover the truth behind her senior sister's death.
Hearing this, the purple-robed man seated upright said coolly, "Anyone who causes trouble at the Divine Gate deserves to die."
What did that mean? Did he think she would cause trouble?
Xiaoquan sadly shed two tears.
The air fell silent. A soft sigh came from above.
"Very well... but you must stay within fifty paces of me."
She had thought she could keep her head down and be an insignificant extra on the mountain. Instead, a string of melodramatic events unfolded around Xiaoquan.
A kind older man yielded his chance to become a disciple, then pressed her into bowing to Wen Chen, claiming the other man was honest and upright.
Xiaoquan protested: "How can a master become a disciple to his own apprentice? That's ridiculous!"
The immortals waved her off. "Immortal Lord Baili has always gone his own way. He would never accept a disciple. You two should give up."
But the very next moment, Immortal Lord Baili's normally icy face showed a rare trace of tenderness.
"From now on, you are my disciple."
Xiaoquan's smile froze instantly. ???
The immortals looked worried. "Oh no. Immortal Lord Baili was perfectly fine. Why has he suddenly gone blind?"
*
Immortal Lord Baili's surname was Wen, and his given name was Chen. He was the only personal disciple of Xiaoyao. For a hundred years, he had vanquished demons and monsters and protected the people. He was a true immortal of noble and spotless character.
If there was one stain on his life, it was that he had chosen the wrong master.
His master had once been carefree, but became obsessed, went mad, betrayed the immortal sect, and abandoned him.
According to the rumors, Immortal Lord Baili hated Xiaoyao.
But Wen Chen didn't see it that way.
He gazed at the girl outside the window, reunited with at last. He could only take her in under the name of master and disciple, but that was enough for him.
After all, she was the woman he'd spent more than two hundred years searching for.
"I fell in love with someone I shouldn't have loved, and begged for her pity. But she has a generous heart, and I'm only one among many."
P.S.
* This is not a story with an ultra-powerful heroine. Some readers, please keep that in mind.
* The story focuses on the heroine's return after being reborn, interspersed with some flashbacks. She makes mistakes and doesn't renounce worldly desires. She has an ex-boyfriend and a coming-of-age arc. Readers with high expectations, proceed with caution.
* The adult male lead is aloof at first and gentle later. He's a true gentleman throughout, with no hidden dark side, though he gets a little jealous. In the flashbacks, the younger male lead is aloof at first and clingy later, with a slight contrast in personality.
* The male lead has a humble, unrequited crush. The heroine is a mature woman, but "not mature" in front of him. She only figures things out and takes the initiative later on.
* The plot and romance get equal attention. The main story isn't especially lighthearted, so don't expect an easy read.
Theme: Judge good and evil by deeds, not intentions
