I Don’t Want to Get Hurt, So I’ll Max Out My Defense

Chapter 236 - 237 Attendant Student Liaowang

Translator: 549690339

Chaos energy emerged, transforming into a vast Chaos Sea that enveloped both Monk Liaowang and Su Mei’er within it.

At the same time, the Golden Light Mirror suspended in the void flickered, casting a huge image that depicted the scene within this Illusionary Realm.

The Illusionary Realm had been conjured by Song Zhong, though it was more accurate to say he merely initiated it; the Golden Light Mirror was a Divine Artifact, containing innumerable illusionary scenes. Song Zhong’s only action was to place the two of them into one of these scenes.

However, at this moment, Song Zhong held the Golden Light Mirror in his hand, and he could switch to a new scene before Monk Liaowang completed his trial at any time.

It could be said that, if he wished, he could keep Monk Liaowang trapped in various scenarios indefinitely, until the monk revealed a flaw and showed his darker side; then he would have grounds to execute him righteously.

No matter how it was viewed, this was a dead end.

The cultivators watched the massive image in the void with rapt attention. Although Monk Liaowang had been labeled a demon monk, they all knew that his understanding of the Buddhist Law was profound and his intelligence was exceptional. Carefully observing his actions in the Illusionary Realm might yield some enlightenment.

“Little junior brother, get ready to act; listen for my command in a moment,” said Sixth Senior Brother Liu Jinshui, who had quietly made his way over, speaking in a covert tone.

“Junior brother is always ready. What does the senior brother plan to do shortly?” Li Xiaobai asked. Liu Jinshui had just been circling the crowd, evidently laying some groundwork, most likely some sort of Formation.

“Senior brother has set up an ancient Formation already, allowing us to conceal our presence within a ten-mile radius. We are free to move through the Formation undetected, and stealing the Space Rings from these cultivators will be no issue,” Liu Jinshui declared confidently.

Li Xiaobai glanced at him, knowing well that his senior brother was always cautious and meticulous; even when swindling a junior cultivator for a low price, he would plan well ahead for a perfect trap. Yet today’s significant action was breezily glossed over in just a few words, definitely a sign of trickery.

The bigger the cover-up, the more likely there was something fishy—the guy most certainly planned to dupe him.

“I will follow Senior Brother’s arrangements,” Li Xiaobai said.

“Right, right.”

…

Monk Liaowang and Su Mei’er had already entered the Illusionary Realm, and everything they experienced was visible to the audience.

This artifact of the Buddhist Sect was truly remarkable, and Li Xiaobai watched enviously. It was an absolute treasure; if it was auctioned at the Treasure Pavilion, the starting bid would surely be astronomical. However, he wasn’t sure if he could lay his hands on it.

He would find an opportunity to try with a vacuum later.

In this cycle of reincarnation, Monk Liaowang became an Attendant Student, and Su Mei’er a maid, both living within a mansion.

Inside the Illusionary Realm, cultivators would gradually lose their sense of self, becoming assimilated by the identities created in the illusion. Only their inner nature remained unchanged; only those with resolute natures could successfully navigate the trials.

Inside the City Lord’s Mansion.

Monk Liaowang and Su Mei’er were gathered together, their memories still intact and not yet assimilated by the Illusionary Realm.

“Monk, do you have any methods to deal with this Illusionary Realm?” Su Mei’er asked.

“Patron, within this Illusionary Realm, our original memories will slowly blur, gradually sinking into this world. Only by passing the trials can we overcome these difficulties. Patron must always remember to act alongside this monk, and I will do my utmost to protect you,” Monk Liaowang said.

“At least you have some conscience,” Su Mei’er’s icy expression softened somewhat.

“You two, what are you standing around for? Hurry over and help the young master with his luggage!” came a sharp and acerbic shout from behind, belonging to Steward Wang of the City Lord’s Mansion.

“Yes, Steward Wang, we’re coming right away!”

Monk Liaowang followed Steward Wang through the mansion. His current identity was that of an Attendant Student to the young master of the City Lord’s Mansion, while Su Mei’er was an ordinary maid there.

The young master was set to depart today to travel to the Capital City to take examinations, and as his Attendant Student, he needed to accompany him.

In the courtyard, a carriage was parked, with several large bags already packed with clothes for the young master’s journey.

“Liaowang, the young master is heading to the Capital City for the examination today. You shall accompany him, and Su Mei’er, what are you doing here? Get to work now!”

The house steward glared and snapped.

“Yes, I’m going now!”

Su Mei’er’s heart tightened; the separation had barely begun and already they were to part ways. Without Liaowang by her side, she felt somewhat panicky, but due to her current status, she could only agree.

Su Mei’er was led away by the steward, and Liaowang did not say much.

The scene shifted. As the young master left the town, Liaowang followed, the carriage bumping along the way.

“Liaowang, tell me what’s the use of all this studying? When all is said and done, isn’t one still just a scholar who can flap his lips?”

The voice of the young man came from inside the carriage.

“To pass the examination and bring glory to one’s family name.”

Liaowang spoke softly, feeling his memories growing blurrier and losing himself, gradually becoming the Liaowang of this world.

“Exactly, to bring glory to the family name, to leave a vivid mark in the clan’s genealogy — that is the significance of my pursuit of scholarly honors, as well as the meaning of my existence,” said the young man.

“Liaowang, tell me, is this fortune or sorrow?”

The voice in the carriage spoke faintly.

“The young master was born into a family of officials and generals; it is naturally a fortune,” Liaowang replied.

“Hehe, I hope so.”

Once again, the scene changed: the master and servant entered the Capital City and settled down temporarily in an inn, where Liaowang’s first test arrived.

The young master, departing from his usual scholarly demeanor, spent lavishly in the inn, amid singing and dancing.

The private room was surrounded by beauty and merriment, light songs and graceful dances, laughter and chatter filling the air.

The young master lay in the lap of luxury, devoid of his usual scholarly grace, his handsome face hinting at a touch of madness, enjoying the beauty’s crimson lips and tender warmth.

“Liaowang, come, these two are for you — indulge to your heart’s content. Today, just forget it all and relax!”

The young master laughed heartily and gestured for two songstresses to attend to Liaowang.

Gazing upon the scene before him, Liaowang remained unmoved: “Young master, the examination is tomorrow; we must not miss the hour.”

“What a dampener, Liaowang! After all these years with me, don’t you know what’s in your master’s heart?” the young man asked faintly.

“Within the master-servant relationship, I dare not speculate,” Liaowang replied.

“The clan genealogy, the bloodline inheritance, I have never taken them to heart. Ten years at the cold desk was merely to elicit a smile from my father. I have lived my entire life within the confines of a story laid out by others, never possessing a true self.”

“Today, I’ve decided to live for myself. Will you help me?” The young man stood up, his gaze piercing through to Liaowang.

In that moment, all the beauties vanished, leaving only the master and servant alone in the private room.

Staring into each other’s eyes, Liaowang was silent; he understood what the other meant.

…

The next morning dawned.

Scores of students flocked to the examination hall; today was a significant day, and none could afford to take it lightly.

With a small bundle on his back, Liaowang followed the crowd and stepped slowly into the examination hall, at last understanding why the young master had brought so much luggage.

All of this had been planned by the young master; from this day forward, there would be only the young master in the world, and no more Liaowang.