Reborn as the Novel’s Villain: Cultivation Lost, Female Leads Take Control - Chapter 121

“Master, please punish me!”

Qin Kewan lay prostrate, eyes tightly shut and lips pressed together, clearly terrified.

Xu Yang had genuinely intended to discipline his fifth disciple. After all, their first encounter during this trip had her addressing him as “Senior,” a slight that could easily be seen as rebellion in the eyes of a more traditional master. It was enough to make any self-respecting teacher feel disrespected.

But as he looked at her now, cowering and ready to accept her punishment, Xu Yang found himself hesitating.

“Disrespecting your master deserves punishment!”

He lightly tapped Qin Kewan with the flat of the sword.

“Huh? That didn’t hurt!”

Qin Kewan felt a spark of relief but dared not show any reaction, maintaining her pitiful demeanor.

“Indulging in play and gluttony, also deserves punishment!”

Xu Yang struck again, still with minimal force.

“Still doesn’t hurt! Hehe,” Qin Kewan thought, growing secretly pleased. She had braced herself for days of bedridden misery, lamenting that she wouldn’t even be able to enjoy White Emperor City’s delicacies.

Smack!

Without warning, Xu Yang struck her harder, the sword’s flat surface producing a crisp sound.

“Ah!”

Caught off guard, Qin Kewan let out a cry, her face turning red with a mix of shame and frustration. She opened her eyes and protested indignantly, “Master, what was that one for?!”

“To teach you a lesson,” Xu Yang said sternly. “Let’s see if you dare sneak off for so many days again!”

The chill in his voice made Qin Kewan’s back tingle. Seeing the intent in her master’s gaze, she understood his deeper care and intentions.

“Master, I know I was wrong. I promise I won’t sneak off again!” Qin Kewan said meekly.

“Good. Then I’ll let it slide this time. But if you do it again, I’ll let your senior sister handle it!” Xu Yang said pointedly.

At his words, Qin Kewan stiffened and nodded vigorously.

“I won’t do it again! Definitely not!” she assured him.

While her master might go easy on her, her senior sister certainly wouldn’t. Her punishments were the real deal!

“Kewan, you’re only getting off lightly this time because you didn’t cause any serious trouble. Don’t let this make you complacent. If there’s a next time, I’ll personally enforce family law,” Yuan Kouxuan said as she landed beside Xu Yang. Taking back her Qing’ai sword, she crossed her arms and gave Qin Kewan a sharp look.

“Furthermore, once this gathering concludes, you’re to return to Purple Cloud Peak. Until you break through to the Nascent Soul realm, you are not to leave your quarters. Understood?”

“Understood, Senior Sister,” Qin Kewan muttered, her spirits dampened.

It wasn’t the cultivation part that bothered her, but being confined to her quarters felt like torture.

“Are you unhappy about it?” Yuan Kouxuan asked coldly.

“…”

Qin Kewan turned to her master with pleading eyes. Yuan Kouxuan’s presence was so intimidating that she couldn’t even open her mouth to argue. She simply bowed her head, trembling slightly.

“Don’t be too hard on her, Kouxuan. She knows where the line is,” Xu Yang intervened gently, playing the role of the kind father.

In any family, one parent had to be strict while the other softened the edges, ensuring harmony.

At her master’s interjection, Yuan Kouxuan backed off, though she cast Qin Kewan a warning glance before relenting.

Qin Kewan looked at Xu Yang with immense gratitude, thinking, Thank goodness Master spoke up. Otherwise, Senior Sister might have drawn her sword on me!

“So, tell me, what have you been up to since you left Purple Cloud Peak?” Xu Yang asked.

Qin Kewan began ticking off events on her fingers as if recounting treasures:

“I first visited a mortal kingdom where there was a town called Chuanshu. They had this unique dish called hotpot! I only ordered it mildly spicy, but it nearly burned my tongue off. I had to drink a ton of spiritual liquid to recover. But the recipe is simple—I’ve already learned how to make it! When we’re back at Purple Cloud Peak, I’ll prepare it for Master…”

“Then I went to another large city…”

Listening to her, Xu Yang couldn’t help but smile. Among his disciples, someone like Xue Jinli would undoubtedly be seeking fortuitous encounters while traveling. But Kewan? Her journeys always revolved around food.

A true little foodie, exactly as the original described!

As Qin Kewan continued to ramble, she suddenly noticed her senior sister’s expression darkening. She quickly straightened up and added,

“Of course, the food was secondary. My real reason for coming to White Emperor City was to participate in the gathering of young geniuses. With all the Northern Province’s talents here, I thought winning the competition would bring honor to Master!”

“That’s more like it,” Yuan Kouxuan nodded in approval.

Xu Yang, watching quietly, saw through her but said nothing. He knew the real reason she came to White Emperor City was still food.

Receiving rare praise from her senior sister, Qin Kewan perked up and continued with enthusiasm.

“Senior Sister, you wouldn’t believe it! I’ve been nothing but amicable in White Emperor City, never looking for trouble. But yesterday…”

She recounted the previous day’s events with great gusto.

Exactly as I thought, Xu Yang mused, chuckling softly. “At least you’ve got a little filial piety.”

Qin Kewan tilted her chin proudly, her demeanor saying, ‘Of course I’m filial!’

“Kewan, this hidden immortal Huang family—will they cause trouble?” Yuan Kouxuan asked, narrowing her eyes.

“Senior Sister, don’t worry! I can handle the Huang family. They were the ones who made the first move, and I’m in the right. Plus, I have connections. They wouldn’t dare challenge me!” Qin Kewan waved dismissively.

“Enough about them. Senior Sister, Master, this inn has the best food! You must try it. Let me ask Brother Jiang to prepare a feast for you—my treat for welcoming you both!”

Hearing this, Xu Yang and Yuan Kouxuan exchanged a knowing glance, both smiling faintly.

Qin Kewan scratched her head, puzzled. “Master, Senior Sister, what are you laughing at?”

“You even need to ask?” Yuan Kouxuan rolled her eyes. “What else would we laugh at? Your gluttony!”

Qin Kewan blushed deeply, gulping awkwardly. “It’s mainly to welcome Master and Senior Sister…”

“Then you won’t touch a single dish later?” Yuan Kouxuan teased.

“Master, look! Senior Sister’s bullying me again!” Qin Kewan complained.

“And you’re brave enough to complain in front of me? Feeling itchy, are we?” Yuan Kouxuan retorted.

“Bleh!” Qin Kewan stuck out her tongue and dashed off.