Strategy to Capture That Scum Gong
Chapter 100 - My Disciple is Secretly in Love with Me

Chapter 100 - My Disciple is Secretly in Love with Me

Translated by Eve

Edited by Kitty, Serefina

There are 14 chapters in this arc.

1. My Disciple is Secretly in Love with Me

【Ding, the target of this world, Lance, has been captured. 30,000 experience points obtained. The important character of this world, Cecil, has been captured. 24,000 experience points obtained. The important character of this world, Sawyer, has been captured. 24,000 experience points obtained. Total experience points obtained in this world is 78,000.】

【Ding, transfer to new world complete. Memory transfer in progress....】

The new world was a xianxia cultivation world. Xie He’s role was named Ji Xing. He was a brilliant and famous demonic cultivator known as the Dongyang Demon Lord.

However, no one knew that Ji Xing had once been a disciple of the number one righteous cultivation sect, the Immortal Sect. When Ji Xing was an adolescent, he and his friend from the same village, Yun Huaiyu, entered the Immortal Sect together. Due to his extraordinary talent and outstanding spiritual root, Ji Xing very quickly stood out within the sect. Originally, his path to immortality should have been smooth.

That is, until a certain treasure hunt in a secret area. Ji Xing and Yun Huaiyu had entered the Dongyang mountain range together. Deep inside the mountain range, they discovered an extremely rare Heavenly treasure—the Holy Fruit. The Holy Fruit could clean one’s meridians. Ordinary people without spiritual roots could become cultivators and the constitution of cultivators who ate this would increase one level upon eating it. No cultivator would remain unmoved when faced with a treasure that could upgrade their innate spiritual root.

Compared to Ji Xing, who was born with extraordinary talent, Yun Huaiyu’s spiritual root was mediocre. He was nothing but an unremarkable, ordinary disciple in the Immortal Sect.

Ji Xing had actually always been in love with Yun Huaiyu. He had wanted to give the Holy Fruit to Yun Huaiyu. However, he had underestimated the temptation the Holy Fruit held for Yun Huaiyu. Although Yun Huaiyu knew of Ji Xing’s feelings for him, he had always kept his distance. He enjoyed Ji Xing’s care for him but was never willing to answer Ji Xing’s feelings. Yun Huaiyu was distrustful and had an inferiority complex. He thought that Ji Xing would act as he himself would—that he would definitely seize the Holy Fruit for himself. Meanwhile, he had no way to steal it away.... Therefore, after Ji Xing risked his life to get the Holy Fruit, Yun Huaiyu pretended to be interested in Ji Xing. Then, he took advantage of Ji Xing’s being off-guard and pierced the other through the chest before pushing him down into an abyss!

Ji Xing had gone to get the Holy Fruit for Yun Huaiyu with a heart full of love. He didn’t expect that before he could speak... he would receive a merciless stab from the person he loved.

Fortunately, Ji Xing’s luck was good. Although he had fallen into the roiling lava at the bottom of the abyss, his shifu had previously bestowed upon him a precious protective talisman that allowed him to escape from the brink of death. However, he had suffered a serious injury, and his meridians had been destroyed. In just one day, his cultivation was destroyed! He could not resign himself to dying like this. He was also truly an outstanding and brilliant person. While trapped underground, he created his own cultivation method. He utilized the power of the abyss’ lava and forcefully cultivated, enduring great pain and suffering. A hundred years later, he was finally able to escape from the abyss!

After Ji Xing came out, he found out that Yun Huaiyu, who used to be a nobody, had increased his cultivation by leaps and bounds because of the Holy Fruit. Right now, he was the youngest Elder of the Immortal Sect. His military success was extraordinary, and because he was poised and as gentle as jade, he was currently the most esteemed cultivator amongst the righteous sects.

Back then, when Yun Huaiyu returned alone, he had claimed that he and Ji Xing had met with danger. In order to save him, Ji Xing had fallen into the abyss and died. When Yun Huaiyu saw that Ji Xing had actually come back alive, he was extremely shocked. However, he very quickly expressed incredible joy at Ji Xing’s return. He had even said that he wanted to repay him for saving his life.... Ji Xing was extremely angry at how Yun Huaiyu had twisted the truth. However, only the two of them who had been at the scene knew the truth of what happened back then. Right now, Yun Huaiyu was an Elder of the Immortal Sect and had an impressive influence. Meanwhile, Ji Xing, who had been missing for a hundred years, could not defeat Yun Huaiyu in both cultivation or status. No one would believe him. Instead, they criticized him for ‘slandering’ Yun Huaiyu by saying he held errant thoughts in his heart.

Ji Xing betrayed the righteous path out of rage. He was originally icily arrogant and reclusive. After this, his personality became even more extreme. He directly turned to the demonic path and became a lone wolf. His actions became increasingly unreasonable and fierce. What he’s always hated the most were sanctimonious hypocrites!

Back then, in order to regain his cultivation to escape from the abyss, Ji Xing had borrowed the power of the fire spirits in the lava and forced his cultivation to improve. The poisonous flames entered his circulation and could not be expelled. Although his cultivation was formidable, his meridians had been destroyed and could no longer be strengthened, so his original, direct path to immortality was broken off.... Moreover, for one day every month, the poisonous flames would flare out with all its might. Ji Xing would lose all rationality and ability to defend himself. Ji Xing exhausted all sorts of methods but was still unable to expel the poisonous flames.

Like this, several decades passed. One day, Ji Xing passed by a hidden little mountain village and discovered that it was full of demonic cultivators. These demonic cultivators wanted to kill him but ended up being exterminated by him. Ji Xing rooted out their base and found a child.

That child had Heavenly Spiritual Veins. He had been raised to be a sacrifice for the ancestor of that demonic sect. The Heavenly Spiritual Veins were better than what Ji Xing had in the beginning. It was considered an indicator of the most exceptional talent in cultivation and was extremely rare. Ji Xing was thus drawn in. He sealed the child’s memory and then accepted him as his disciple. He gave him the name Mo Cang. He wanted to wait for Mo Cang to grow up and cultivate to a high level before stealing his body. This way, Ji Xing would be able to free himself of his broken body and begin cultivating anew.

Originally, Ji Xing had only raised Mo Cang as a substitute body. He did not treat Mo Cang well at all.... However, this child was always very trusting of him and dependent on him. Ji Xing was his everything. After more than ten years of being together day in and day out, Ji Xing’s cold, stiff, closed-off heart developed a slight crack. One time, when Ji Xing was surrounded by righteous cultivators while he was trying to steal a spiritual object, he ended up severely injured. It was Mo Cang who risked his life to save him. Although Ji Xing looked indifferent on the outside, he was someone who had a clear distinction between those he liked and those he disliked. He therefore directly discarded his plan of stealing Mo Cang’s body. From then on, he treated him as a true disciple and began to trust him more.

After Xie He finished combing through the memory, he couldn’t help but sigh at how Ji Xing’s EQ was so low it made people angry. That Yun Huaiyu was obviously a calculative person and good at forbearance. At that time, he had kept Ji Xing hanging only because he wanted to reap the benefits. Ji Xing was completely devoted to him and treated him well. In the end, he was betrayed and ended up paying for it with his originally glorious and stable life. In the end, he betrayed his sect. Heaven’s beloved son had been reduced to a demonic cultivator and his path had been destroyed. No wonder his personality had changed greatly and had become much more cynical.

【Xie He：Baby, is my target Yun Huaiyu or Mo Cang?】

【444：Mo Cang. O(∩_∩)O~】

【Xie He：Oh?】

【444：What’s wrong, Host dada? (⊙o⊙)】

【Xie He：Nothing. 🙂 】

【444：Right, Host dada. It’s also a higher plane this time, so it’s still three times the experience points, oh. \(≧▽≦)/ Moreover, I’m now a level 5 system!】

【Xie He：Very good.】

Xie He was a little surprised. Ji Xing had a very deep impression of Yun Huaiyu in his memories. Love and hate were interwoven and deeply entrenched in his bones. He had never given up on getting revenge on Yun Huaiyu. However, his impression of Mo Cang was evidently more superficial. Although they had been together for many years, for the first ten years, Ji Xing had only seen Mo Cang as a substitute body. He hadn’t cared about Mo Cang’s feelings. He only cared about the development of his cultivation. After Mo Cang saved him, Ji Xing finally began to care about this disciple. Nonetheless, he was not the kind of person who would show concern for his disciple. He still let Mo Cang live his life without interfering much. In the end, the only impression he had of him was that he was a sensible, obedient and reliable disciple who had never made him worry.

With regards to Mo Cang, Xie He felt that he needed to interact with the other before making a judgement on him. Ji Xing’s memory was not at all reliable. A man with a low EQ was unbearable.

Xie He shifted. A clanking sound of metal against stone followed. Only then did he realize that his wrists and ankles were bound by heavy cuffs made of black iron. He was also shut in a stone room. He really quickly recalled that because of the poisonous flames, Ji Xing would lose his rationality and go mad on the first day of every month. In order to protect himself, he would lock himself in a secret room and only leave when he regained consciousness.

Yesterday had been the first day of the new month, which explained why he was here.

Xie He took off the cuffs and shed the torn clothes. He pulled out a new black chang pao from his storage ring and changed into it. He then walked over to the pool to look at himself.

Regardless of which world he was in, the first thing Xie He always did was look at his appearance. After all, that was the number one factor in his capture.

The man reflected in the pool had black hair and eyes. His long hair nearly fell to the ground; his skin had an unnatural pallidness; his nose was tall and eyes deep set; his lips were thin and his eyes were sharp. There seemed to be a faint red light flickering within his black pupils due to his cultivation method. At first glance, he gave off the impression of being icily arrogant and ruthless.

Xie He stroked his chin and felt very satisfied. Cool and handsome—he liked it.

Right now, all that was left was to go see his precious disciple.

After Xie He left the stone room behind the mountain and reinstated the concealing barrier, he returned to his Immortal’s Cave.

Ji Xing had always been solitary. Furthermore, because he had to evade and be on guard against the righteous cultivators that wanted to kill him, his Immortal’s Cave was extremely hidden.

Xie He traversed through a familiar maze to get to his room. His room had an interesting and appealing antique feel to it. Every part of it was extraordinary. He walked over and sat down in front of his sandalwood desk. From his ring, he took out the spiritual tea that Ji Xing treasured and brewed himself a pot. The refined aroma instantly caused Xie He’s eyes to light up. It was truly incredible. He loved this cultivation world!

At the moment, he recalled the cultivation world’s food that he had bought in the System Store. All of it had tasted exceptional but was also very expensive. Since he finally got a chance to visit, there was nothing stopping him from enjoying the delicacies of a cultivation world!

【Xie He：Baby, help me see if I can sell this spiritual tea?】

【444：You can! 50 g is worth 100 experience points!】

【Xie He：Got it. 🙂 】

He had 444 give him prices for a few other items. The System Store would offer different prices according to how precious each item was. As always, it was shady/stingy(?) and only offered low prices. Despite this, if he were to sell all of Ji Xing’s valuables, he would gain at least 10,000 experience points. Xie He was extremely pleased. He loved it when meat pies fell from the sky.

Moreover, the rarer the treasure, the higher the selling price was. Xie He was instantly deeply interested in the treasures of this world. He was a demonic cultivator, ah. It was quite normal for him to steal cultivation resources! It seemed that he would be very pleased with the benefits he could reap in this world.

Xie He felt extremely happy. A while later, Mo Cang came back from outside.

On the first of every month, Mo Cang would go to the market situated in front of the mountain. He would pretend to be a wandering cultivator and help Ji Xing buy and exchange goods. It had been this way for several years now. In the beginning, Ji Xing had set this rule because he wasn’t willing to let anyone discover his weakness. That was why he sent his only disciple away.

Mo Cang was tall. While most people would leave their hair long in ancient times, he had orderly, short black hair. Beneath his bangs were a pair of deep black eyes like bottomless pools. His features were grave and stern while his personality was steady. He was dressed in simple grey clothing. Only, because he was handsome and he had a good body—broad shoulders, slender waist and long legs—even if he was dressed plainly, he still shone in other people’s eyes.

Tsk tsk, this was the rumoured Heavenly Spiritual Vein, ne! Even Ji Xing had been tempted to steal this rare existence for himself. If he was flaunted outside, those sects would stop at nothing to win him over and they would treat him as a treasured inner disciple. Meanwhile, here, he was being treated as a little manservant, forced to run errands and odd jobs.

Right now, he said humbly towards Xie He, “Shifu, I’ve bought all of the herbal medicines that you wanted. The only thing that is missing is the Ancient Vine Root.”

Xie He maintained his indifferent attitude and said insipidly, “Buy it on the first of next month, ba.”

Mo Cang said, “Yes,” and then said, “Then I shall go prepare your meal.”

Xie He said, “Wait.”

Mo Cang immediately stood in place. He did not ask why, as if he wouldn’t have any objections to anything Xie He said.

Xie He narrowed his eyes slightly. Yes, in Ji Xing’s memory, Mo Cang had always been like this: silent and extremely obedient.

Ji Xing didn’t think that there was any issue with this. He thought that disciples ought to be like this. But Xie He thought that there was something more going on. It should be known that... Ji Xing’s treatment of Mo Cang had never been good. Ji Xing was solitary and apathetic by nature. After entering the demonic path, he followed the standard way of the demonic cultivators. He had forced Mo Cang to kill from a young age. Moreover, in order to steal the other’s body, Ji Xing had set a strict cultivation regime for him. If Mo Cang could not reach the cultivation level set by Ji Xing in time, Ji Xing would beat him until he vomited blood.... When he wasn’t training him, Ji Xing would treat his only disciple like a servant, ordering him about.... Under these sorts of circumstances, Xie He found it really hard to believe that any feelings between master and disciple could be formed.

Moreover, the demonic sects followed the law of the jungle. It was common to kill one’s master or forefather and be self-centered, not making allowances for the needs of one’s family.... But if Mo Cang’s subservience was all faked, why did he save Ji Xing? Could it be that he really respected Ji Xing as his master? Did he think that Ji Xing was just a little bit strict?

In a cruel cultivation world, it was indeed true that Ji Xing wasn’t the harshest or cruelest master. He was just a bit more apathetic and merciless than others.

Xie He looked into Mo Cang’s eyes. It seemed like there were no fluctuations in those bottomless pool-like black eyes. Even Xie He could not see through them. He could not look down on him since he was able to be so reserved and collected at such a young age. Xie He even thought that Ji Xing was underestimating the other. This disciple not only had an exceptional talent, but his personality was also extraordinary.

At a time like this, Xie He did not hesitate to use his cheat.

【Xie He：Baby, help me check his Favourability Value.】

【444：The current Favourability Value is... yi, it’s 75!!! Σ( ° △°|||)︴It’s so high!】

【Xie He：So it’s like that. Smile.JPG】

【444：_(:зゝ∠)_】What did you realize?

The corner of Xie He’s lips drew up into an imperceptible arc. This world was really full of good things.... Not only was it full of experience points for the reaping, but there was also a pleasant and civilized disciple. What respect for his master? Mo Cang just liked Ji Xing. He was quite courageous to covet even his own master. Moreover, he could perfectly hide his scheming heart. If he couldn’t look up the other’s Favourability Value, even Xie He wouldn’t have noticed.

Xie He placed his teacup down and said blandly, “Pick a few Purple Moon plants from the rear herb garden and use them while preparing the meal.”

Mo Cang was startled and then said, “Yes, Shifu.”

The Purple Moon plants had been meticulously grown by Ji Xing with all his heart for a long time for the purpose of concocting medicinal pills. Today, he actually ordered him to use it to cook. Although Mo Cang was rather surprised, he still went obediently.

Xie He watched Mo Cang leave before pouring himself another cup of tea, smiling. Those Purple Moon plants were precious medicinal herbs. They could also be used as food. Even Ji Xing could not forget about that extremely delicious flavour. Xie He really wanted to give it a try. After all, the reason he wanted to earn money was so that he could enjoy himself. Xie He was never one to wrong himself. Of course he would first live it up before anything else.

【444：Host dada, you seem to be in a very good mood, oh! O(∩_∩)O~ Is it because Mo Cang likes you?】

【Xie He：Am I? Smile.JPG】

【444：Are you not? ( ⊙ o ⊙ )】

【Xie He：If you like someone, you should be brave about it and not act fearful. This kind of disciple who doesn’t dare make a move on his master and chooses to love him secretly makes me, his master, quite disappointed, ah....】

【444：......】

【Xie He：To raise but not teach is a father’s mistake. To teach but not discipline is a teacher’s laziness. As his master, I have not guided him well. Clearly, he is a demonic cultivator, yet he acts so timidly, not at all direct or efficient. This is my fault as his teacher. However, that’s not a problem. From now on, I will properly teach him how to love someone. 🙂 】

【444：......】Was it him who was sick? 444 thought that if Mo Cang actually topped Xie He, he would be considered disgraceful, ne? (:зゝ∠)_

Xie He waited for about half a shichen before Mo Cang finished cooking. Mo Cang had served Ji Xing for more than ten years. His cooking was quite good. Xie He was very satisfied upon eating it and inwardly gave his obedient disciple a thumbs up. After eating, Mo Cang got up and was prepared to go wash the dishes when Xie He called for him.

”Come over here.”

Mo Cang came over to Xie He and lowered his eyes, saying, “What orders does Shifu have?”

Xie He said, “Stretch out your hand.”

Mo Cang did not hesitate to raise his sleeves and extend a hand. He gave his wrist over to Xie He. At this time, it would be very easy for Xie He to kill him. However, he did not seem to care. He gave Xie He his utmost trust.

Xie He thought that this disciple was really out of the ordinary. He had quite a tranquil bearing. No wonder Ji Xing had put down his wariness towards him. Xie He placed his finger on Mo Cang’s wrist and inserted his spiritual force. He faintly felt Mo Cang’s cultivation before withdrawing.

Worthy of being the Heavenly Spiritual Vein. It was a trifling ten or so years and he had actually reached such a level in cultivation. It was only a matter of time before he surpassed Ji Xing.

Xie He muttered to himself for a bit. From his storage ring, he took out a sparkling gemstone and handed it over to Mo Cang. “You are already at late stage Soul Condensation. This Heart Purification Stone should help you achieve a breakthrough in your cultivation. Take it, ba.”

Mo Cang’s eyes flickered away and then he deferentially took it. “Thank you, Shifu.”

Xie He was expressionless, still as indifferent as ever. It was like what he was giving away wasn’t a precious Heart Purification Stone, but an ordinary thing worth nothing. He waved his hand. “Go.”

“Yes,” Mo Cang said.

After leaving Xie He’s courtyard, Mo Cang returned to his room. He then opened up his palm. The sparkling stone in his hand emitted a faint lustre.

He recalled the feeling of Ji Xing’s slightly cold fingers against his skin. A certain desire within his heart began to stir. He wanted to grasp that pair of hands and use force to... touch that person. But he endured.

Right now was not the best possible moment to act.

This was what he had been anticipating for over a decade now. That indifferent, arrogant, and ruthless man would sooner or later be his.

....................................

Xie He passed a few leisurely days. Aside from occasionally having Mo Cang use the spiritual grass Ji Xing grew to make him meals, he would also hunt the spirit beasts near the mountain range. The flesh of the spirit beasts was very delicious. Their beast cores, skin, and bones could also be sold for money. Ji Xing had lived his life rather willfully. However, he was not usually much of a foodie. Therefore, Xie He could not go too overboard. Sometimes, he would even go get good food on his own without asking Mo Cang to avoid Mo Cang discovering this discrepancy.

In this world, for the first time, 444 discovered that his host was actually such a foodie. He didn’t even play games much or watch movies. He didn’t even seem worried about the capturing! Were the delicacies of the cultivation world really that tempting?!

After a few months passed, at the end of one month, Xie He decided to create an opportunity for his beloved disciple. He could no longer bear watching him endure so bitterly.

For the last few days, Xie He had travelled around the bottom of the mountain. He intentionally staged a meeting with a few righteous cultivators and fought with them. Although his cultivation was very high, the other party was also no weakling. Moreover, they had power in numbers. Xie He managed to steal the other’s treasure and escape with much difficulty.

When he returned to his Immortal’s Cave, he was injured, so he could no longer suppress the poisonous flames and it erupted ahead of schedule.

However, Mo Cang had yet to leave. Xie He could only force himself to bear his injury and call Mo Cang over. “Descend the mountain now. Help me replace some Frost Spirit shards and bring them back.”

This was an important spiritual material that he used to suppress the poisonous flames inside of him.

As always, Mo Cang did not question him. He descended the mountain. Xie He watched him leave before spitting out a mouthful of blood. He turned around and went to the back of the mountain.

After descending the mountain, Mo Cang did not leave. Instead, he turned around and followed Xie He.

He had actually long been suspicious of why Ji Xing would order him to descend the mountain on the first of every month. This was because once when he returned in advance, he discovered that Ji Xing was not around. After that, he secretly came back early a few more times. Every time, Ji Xing would not be in his Immortal’s Cave. He always disappeared on the first of every month.

However, Mo Cang’s cultivation was too low back then. He didn’t dare tail Ji Xing or investigate his matters. However, he was the type who was able to bear patiently. After so many years, he had gradually been able to discern Ji Xing’s habits. He had prepared many medicinal herbs and spiritual items in advance. On the first, he would pretend to descend the mountain before secretly sneaking back. The next day, he would take out the things he had prepared in advance and bluff his way out. He deceived Ji Xing into thinking that he had gone down the mountain to purchase these things. In this way, he had been able to avoid incurring Ji Xing’s suspicion despite not heading down the mountain.

This time, he had the Frost Spirit shards that Xie He wanted, and it wasn’t that the Ancient Vine Root really hadn’t been bought last time... therefore he was not planning on going down the mountain at all. He saw that Xie He was injured and didn’t want to let go of such a good opportunity. He wanted to give it a try.

Right now, he was no longer a powerless orphan like he had been in the beginning. Recently, he had broken through, and his cultivation was not much lower than Ji Xing’s. His ‘late stage Soul Condensation’ was actually a front. His special constitution made it so that even Ji Xing could not see through him.

Xie He carefully headed to the back of the mountain while sensing around him with his spiritual force. He did not sense anyone tracking him.

【Xie He：Baby, is my good disciple following me?】

【444：Yes!】

Xie He thought that this disciple was indeed not very honest. Although he was injured, if Mo Cang was really just at late stage Soul Condensation, there was no way he could follow him while evading detection. Xie He had been planning on pretending he hadn’t noticed because of his injury... but it now seemed like there was no need to.

Because the Heavenly Spiritual Vein was so rare (and not much information was known about it), it was not impossible that he could keep things hidden from Ji Xing.

Xie He reached the stone room. He felt that he would soon be unable to suppress the poisonous flames inside his body. He bound his own wrists and ankles with the cuffs. As soon as he fastened them, he could feel a wave of heat surge into his head. The spiritual force within him rioted inside. His face twisted into an expression of pain.

【444：Host dada, do you require a pain barrier or something to help you regain awareness?】

【Xie He：No need. Just help me record it. 🙂 】

At a time like this, there was no need to waste energy and act. He just had to wait and see the final result. Xie He held on for a while. His fingers left deep marks in the stone and he lost all rationality really quickly.

Mo Cang followed him. He held his breath and looked inquisitively. This was the first time he had been able to successfully follow Xie He. He now knew where he went.

He followed after Xie He and carefully traversed the maze, reaching a hidden stone room. He hesitated for a moment before pushing the door open. This was his master’s secret... it was actually so close.

What was held within? A light flickered through Mo Cang’s eyes, and he finally pushed the stone door open slowly, opening it just a crack.

With that one peek, he was rendered into a daze and forgot how to breathe.

That haughty, strong man who one could not offend, who he usually looked up to with a raised head, was currently bound by heavy cuffs. Both his eyes were red and pained groans overflowed from his throat. Those handsome eyebrows were furrowed together. He looked like he was doing his best to escape his restraints. The chains were pulled taut. However, it was all to no avail. The walls and floor of the stone room were littered with scratch marks. It was obvious that he spent the first of every month here... enduring such pain and torment.

Mo Cang’s gaze fell to Xie He’s clavicle, which had become exposed during his struggle. He could even faintly see his chest. That pale skin was transfused with an unnatural red flush. It was like his whole body was being scorched by something. The black shackles contrasted with his pale skin... he looked like a beautiful animal in its deathbed struggle.

Like he was being cruelly chained to an altar.

This was a desperate side of Ji Xing he’d never seen before... but all the same, it drew in his gaze... making him unable to look away.

Eve: *blushes* Excited for this despite how much I cry at cultivation terms. Also, I wonder what the author is going to do. The target this time already has such a high Favourability Value. Hmmm? Also, woo! Reached 100 chapters. Almost halfway (that would be ch 105/106).

sere: Σ( ° △°|||)︴is also my reaction to literally everything in this chapter

Kit: looking back at this chapter after finishing the arc and wiping a tear