What Do You Mean I’m Supposed to Be the Villain, But Everyone’s Chasing After Me? - Chapter 21:

Chapter 21: Master, Could It Be You Secretly Love Me?

“Brat, watch your Master charm you to death~”

Su Qingjue was secretly delighted as she lifted her jade-like fingers, pure as snow, and hooked Li Changju’s sharp chin. Her movement was gentle yet playful, like an ice lotus blooming quietly under the night sky, carrying an intoxicating fragrance.

She leaned down slightly, her silken silver hair cascading like flowing water, as if drawing in all the surrounding light. “Well? Is your Master beautiful?”

Her voice was cold and indifferent, like snow that never melts atop the highest peaks, carrying a piercing chill that seemed to freeze even the air.

“Beautiful!” Li Changju’s voice trembled slightly. At this moment, he had no idea what Su Qingjue intended. He had expected character collapse, but not one so extreme. Worse, the danger Su Qingjue radiated was stronger than anyone else he had ever met.

All he could do was go along with her.

“Truly?” A trace of a smile flickered in her eyes, her lips curving softly, like the blooming of a thousand-year ice lotus. It was mesmerizing.

Seeing her smile made Li Changju’s heart blossom with relief, as if the tension stringing him taut finally loosened.

“Compared to Xue Fulan?” Su Qingjue asked softly, her tone laced with provocation.

“How could that witch ever compare to Master? She’s utterly unworthy!” Li Changju replied quickly, his tone firm. He knew this was the right answer.

But instead of looking pleased, Su Qingjue’s face darkened like storm clouds gathering. Her phoenix eyes narrowed, releasing a chill. “Then why did you let her go?”

“Disciple did not!” Li Changju denied, his heart racing in panic.

“Do you take me for blind or deaf?” Her voice dropped, heavy with threat, like lightning tearing across the night sky, sharp enough to pierce the soul.

She leaned closer, her lips almost brushing his ear. A warm breath teased his skin, leaving a tingling sensation that made his body shiver involuntarily. Her whisper was soft but carried irresistible authority. “Do you dare defy your Master?”

Her words fell like gentle rain, yet an unseen force struck straight into his chest.

Moonlight streamed through the branches above, casting their crossed shadows across the ground, as if time itself had frozen into a quiet, unspeakable emotion that spread silently between them.

“Disciple does not dare!” Li Changju’s voice had grown hoarse. He forced himself to suppress his trembling heart and squeeze out the words.

Su Qingjue pouted slightly, murmuring, “I’d prefer if you did dare…”

Li Changju: ??? He must have misheard.

Suddenly, the sound of a bell rang through the heavens.

“BOOM—” A heavy crash shook the air, snapping Li Changju back to his senses. Su Qingjue frowned in irritation. “Of all times…”

She whispered coldly, then leaned close again, murmuring in his ear, “We’ll speak of this later. For now, I’ll act as though I know nothing and let you off… but I’ve taught you before—when someone does you a kindness… you must repay it.”

Her emphasis on “repay” struck him like thunder. Then, Su Qingjue leaned into his chest, her butterfly-like lashes lowering to hide the complex emotions swirling in her eyes.

Her soft, fragrant body pressed against him, and Li Changju’s heart skipped a beat.

At that moment—he was completely stunned, dumbfounded.

…

“What just happened?” Li Changju sat blankly on the stone platform, the scene replaying endlessly in his mind. “Could Master… actually be secretly in love with me?”

A shiver ran down his scalp. 

In the original novel, Su Qingjue had a childhood fiancé. On the verge of becoming Dao partners, she discovered he was a spy from the Demon Clan and killed him without hesitation. Later, when Li Changju fell into demonic cultivation, she personally led forces to hunt him down. From beginning to end, she was unyieldingly opposed to the Demon Clan.

That was also why she later willingly protected Ye Yan on his path. But now… if she truly liked him, and someday that affection turned into hatred, wouldn’t his death be even more miserable?

The more he thought, the more uneasy he felt, shivering at the thought. No, he had to distance himself from her.

“Damn, I nearly forgot something important!” It was already deep into the night when Li Changju remembered his urgent matter. 

Without delay, he flew his sword straight toward Phoenix Perch Palace.

…

A quarter of an hour later.

Li Changju slipped silently into the Phoenix Perch Palace.

At that moment, Xiao Hongyan was changing her clothes. Suddenly, she felt a pair of warm hands wrap around her slender waist. That touch—she could recognize it instantly.

“Hmph!” Xiao Hongyan gave a proud snort, ignoring his show of affection. “Didn’t you refuse to accompany me? What are you doing in my Phoenix Perch Palace then?”

Li Changju replied smoothly, “Whatever Senior Sister says to do, I’ll do.” 

His right hand clasped her left, pulling her gently before embracing her.

“Let me down! Don’t mess around tonight!” Xiao Hongyan struggled, pushing against his chest, her face flushed red. Though usually domineering, even she felt shy at times—especially before Li Changju.

Li Changju chuckled. “Senior Sister doesn’t want our secret exposed to Master, does she?”

Xiao Hongyan froze. Wait—why did that sound so familiar?

“Not tonight! Don’t you know the Sect Master has ordered the peaks sealed? The Law Enforcement Team is out searching for demons!” Xiao Hongyan quickly pulled away from his arms, fixing her clothes. “I was about to come check on you to make sure you were safe. Now that I see you’re fine, I’m relieved. Go back to your cave at once, something big might happen tonight!”

Startled, Li Changju didn’t wait for her to continue. He leapt onto his sword and shot off toward his cave, leaving only a dashing silhouette behind.

“Hey!!! You heartless bastard!!!”

…

Not long after Li Changju left, Bai Shuyue arrived anxiously at his cave, calling out, “Junior Brother Changju, are you alright?” Her heart was filled with worry. “Junior Brother, today demons infiltrated the sect. The Sect Master has ordered the peaks sealed. Are you unharmed?”

She called repeatedly, but there was no response.

“Junior Brother Changju?” she tried again, but silence remained.

After hesitating, she formed a hand seal and broke the protective barrier, stepping inside. The cave was pitch-black, silent except for the whisper of the wind.

“Strange… where did Junior Brother go?” Bai Shuyue muttered, lighting a candle. The flame illuminated her delicate features as she searched the room.

But there was no sign of Li Changju. “Could he have gone out? No… wait, does this demon intrusion have something to do with him?”

Her eyes filled with doubt. “No, if the Law Enforcement Disciples find his cave empty, it could bring him trouble!”

Determined, she made up her mind. “If Junior Brother isn’t here, then I’ll stay and guard his cave for him.”

Standing beside his bed, she whispered shyly, “So this is… Junior Brother Changju’s bed?”

She breathed in the lingering scent in the air, her cheeks blushing. “It still carries his aura…” Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, her lips curving in quiet delight like a cat enjoying a cozy nap.

Almost instinctively, she rubbed her cheek against the spot where Li Changju had lain. Her expression slowly melted into dazed intoxication, her thoughts sinking deeper and deeper.

But she didn’t realize—at that very moment, Li Changju had silently returned and stood at the entrance.

The sight before his eyes struck him like a bolt of lightning!