Devilish Disciple [Transmigration] 19

Chapter 19: Unreliable Elders

The moment her compatibility dropped, Li Yu quickly thought about how to explain herself.

After a brief deliberation, she decided to give up.

Forget it, the points were already deducted. A good explanation might restore them, but a bad one would only make her seem more suspicious. If the two juniors sensed her apprehension, she would lose even more points.

She couldn’t panic. She had to act confident.

“Repeat what you just said,” Li Yu said calmly, walking over to the bed and sitting down.

Her tone was composed, her demeanor elegant, completely erasing the hint of apology she had shown earlier.

Mo Yichu was stunned, briefly questioning his life choices.

After a moment of confusion, he quickly repeated what he had said.

“This disciple was saying that Disciple Mu Tao’s room is next door, and I’m staying across from her. If Master Li Yu or Disciple Mu Tao need anything, you can call for me at any time.”

Li Yu closed her eyes and nodded, appearing calm, while inwardly sighing.

That was it? She thought it was some important information.

She shouldn’t have asked, five points wasted!

She now felt that character compatibility wasn’t about how well she imitated the original owner but about her familiarity with the person judging her performance.

When she was familiar with them, as long as she didn’t say anything too outrageous, her compatibility wouldn’t fluctuate much.

But with someone unfamiliar, a single word, action, glance, or even a breath could result in a significant deduction.

Actually, since becoming close to Si Qinglan, it had been a while since she had lost so many points at once.

That sudden 5% drop had made her unconsciously tense.

But then she thought, that wasn’t entirely true. Hadn’t she lost a lot of points yesterday?

And the person who deducted those points was the master of this “5% deduction” standing before her.

Li Yu suspected this master and disciple duo were her nemesis!

Regardless, they would be traveling together for the upcoming main storyline.

To avoid being deducted to death, she had to find a way to improve her relationship with the original male protagonist—at least to the point where he wouldn’t deduct her points so easily.

Li Yu sighed inwardly.

Suddenly, she remembered the heavy bundle Mu Tao was carrying and quickly told the girl to put it down beside her.

“Such a heavy bundle, why didn’t you put it down? Were you planning to carry it all this time?”

“It’s not heavy, not heavy at all!” Mu Tao quickly explained, clenching her hands into fists. “Master, I’m very strong!”

“What did you bring?” Li Yu touched the large bundle, curious.

If she remembered correctly, when Mu Tao left Mount Chao Yao in the original story, she only brought some spirit stones and a few sets of clothes. Her bundle was light and small, very convenient for travel.

Mu Tao didn’t have any magical artifacts. What could be in that bundle?

As Li Yu wondered, Mu Tao untied the bundle.

It was packed tightly.

On the outside were some clothes and a pouch of spirit stones.

Inside was a large bag filled with hard objects. Upon opening it, Li Yu saw pots, pans, bowls, and various jars of seasonings.

The little protagonist…

…had packed the entire kitchen?

“You, you…” Li Yu was speechless.

“This disciple’s cultivation is low; I’m afraid I’ll be a burden…” Mu Tao said softly, her almond-shaped eyes shining as she looked at Li Yu. “But I can cook for Master! I brought everything I could from the kitchen. Even in the wilderness, I can cook for Master, so you’ll never go hungry!”

What was this, a cooking show?

Was the little protagonist’s sense of culinary responsibility a bit…excessive?

Looking at the earnest Mu Tao, Li Yu was at a loss for words.

As her mind stalled, Mo Yichu, who had been standing by the door, coughed lightly.

He clearly felt he shouldn’t be here, but without Li Yu’s dismissal, he didn’t dare leave.

Mo Yichu: “If Master Li Yu has no further instructions, this disciple will take his leave.”

Li Yu snapped back to reality.

Take his leave? Leave?!

Did he think he could deduct points from her in his mind and then just leave?

No such luck! She still had things to say!

Li Yu: “I do.”

Mo Yichu: “…”

“Don’t just stand there, sit down.” Li Yu gestured to a seat by the bed.

“Yes.” Mo Yichu sat down, looking slightly nervous.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Mu Tao flinched and didn’t dare mention cooking anymore. She quickly repacked her “portable kitchen” and stuffed it back into the large bundle.

Good, it seemed they were both ready to listen.

There was no hiding the truth; a newbie couldn’t fool an expert.

She felt it necessary to tell the two protagonists a harsh truth.

—The elder you respect so much is actually completely unreliable!

Of course, she couldn’t say it directly; she needed to be tactful.

“Do you know the purpose of this trip to the human realm?” Li Yu asked.

“Training!” Mu Tao answered immediately, then, realizing her answer was obvious, she quickly closed her mouth.

Mo Yichu pondered for a moment, then replied seriously, “Master said that demonic calamities are rampant in the human realm, causing widespread resentment. If not addressed in time, it may affect the seal in Suiqiong Cave. This trip to the human realm should be about eliminating resentment for the sake of the world.”

“Suiqiong Cave?” Mu Tao looked confused. “Why would matters in the human realm affect the forbidden grounds of Mount Chao Yao?”

“Disciple Mu Tao, you may not know this, but the object sealed within Suiqiong Cave is an ancient artifact—the Upper Spirit Lamp.” Mo Yichu’s expression became serious. “And within the sealed Upper Spirit Lamp is another seal, containing a fragment of the soul of the most powerful demon in the world, known as—the Heavenly Demon Soul Seed.”

Mu Tao’s eyes widened. “The most powerful demon in the world?!”

Mo Yichu: “The Heavenly Demon.”

Mu Tao: “…I don’t understand.”

Li Yu sighed and shook her head.

What Mo Yichu had said wasn’t a secret; it seemed the little protagonist really knew nothing.

But it’s fine, she knew about this!

The original owner of this body had dedicated her life to preventing the Heavenly Demon from wreaking havoc.

According to the novel, the original owner even possessed a world-protecting artifact.

However, what kind of artifact it was, and where it was kept, Li Yu didn’t know.

—The original owner never used it, not even before her death.

No, wait, she was digressing. These details, which even the author might not remember, were unimportant.

The most important thing now was to steer the conversation towards her intended topic.

“In ancient times, a demon was born from resentment, repeatedly wreaking havoc on the Three Realms, only to be killed by the gods each time.” Li Yu confidently recited the few plot points she remembered. “But every time this demon died, a fragment of its soul remained, waiting for the resentment in the world to grow strong enough for it to be revived—this cycle continued, granting it a lifespan comparable to the heavens, hence the name ‘Heavenly Demon.'”

“The power of gods and demons can easily disrupt the fate of the mortal world for millennia. Therefore, unless a demonic calamity threatens the world, we cannot interfere in human affairs with immortal or divine power. Those who dare to violate this rule will be punished by the laws of heaven.” Li Yu sighed and continued, under Mu Tao’s curious gaze, “For this calamity in the human realm, neither I, Qingxuan Revered One, nor Lingyao Revered One can personally intervene.”

“But if we allow the resentment in the human realm to fester, the seal on the Upper Spirit Lamp will eventually weaken, and the Heavenly Demon might return.” Li Yu looked at the two before her and said meaningfully, “This is a grave matter, leaving it entirely to you youngsters is a bit risky.”

Mu Tao blinked, not daring to speak as one of those unreliable youngsters.

Mo Yichu frowned in thought.

After a moment, he looked up. “Master Li Yu is wearing the Spirit Severing Hairpin, clearly not wanting to reveal your identity. Since there are no other disciples from the mountain on this trip, is it because you feel too many people would make it harder to stay hidden?”

Li Yu nodded approvingly.

Mo Yichu: “Master Li Yu has sealed your divine power to avoid the heavens and is taking this risk personally. Are you worried that we might encounter something we can’t handle?”

Exactly, that was the reaction she wanted!

“Indeed, I’m here to prevent any unforeseen circumstances. But the laws of heaven are absolute; any violation will result in consequences.” Li Yu smiled faintly and finally said what she truly wanted to say. “During this trip to the human realm, you two will decide how to handle every situation, big or small, on your own.”

“Remember, although I’m behind you, it doesn’t mean you can rely on me. Unless absolutely necessary, I will only observe and not interfere.”

“Consider this a trial from Mount Chao Yao. Seize this opportunity, do your best, and only then seek help.”

Li Yu stopped speaking and quietly looked at the two protagonists.

After a few seconds of silence, she asked tentatively, “Do you have any objections?”

Mu Tao immediately shook her head vigorously.

Mo Yichu quickly replied, “Master Li Yu’s considerations are profound. This disciple will bear them in mind.”

Li Yu breathed a sigh of relief.

Wonderful, she had successfully fooled both of them!

She had to thank the heavens for allowing her to lie so convincingly!