I, the transmigrated villain, please wait, gentle master.

Chapter 54 I am the Lord of the Taiji Hall...

Li Tingyun stared at him without blinking. "No, it doesn't hurt at all."

Mei Shiyu carefully chose his words, "Has there ever been any of my usual actions that made you feel... perhaps, perhaps a little out of line?"

"Then there's even less chance."

Li Tingyun asked, puzzled, "Why would Master say that?"

Mei Shiyu sighed, "You... how am I supposed to say this? Do you even know what you were like in the illusion... all those... all those youthful, yearning thoughts you had... Yuanbao, what should I say?"

Li Tingyun froze, gripping his trouser legs with both hands, his palms sweating profusely.

[Host, what exactly happened in the illusion? You still haven't explained to me why you cut off my view...]

Wang Laoliu looked at the black screen in front of him. Well, the host had unilaterally cut off contact with him again.

What on earth is it that the esteemed original author is unworthy to know?!

Li Tingyun was speechless for a moment.

Mei Shiyu was more frank and sincere than he had imagined.

A generous and open-minded person, gentle and refined like jade.

It is unknown what extraordinary conditions Emperor Xuanzong possessed to cultivate such a refined and noble character in him, or perhaps he was born a piece of flawless jade, naturally smooth and delicate without any need for carving.

Li Tingyun swallowed hard, his Adam's apple bobbing.

His grandma's.

If Mei Shiyu had been a little more short-tempered or unreasonable, and had caught him and given him a beating, he wouldn't be like this now... feeling like he was blaspheming, extremely filthy.

Indeed, sincerity is always the ultimate weapon.

Li Tingyun inhaled the cool fragrance of plum blossoms and struggled to say, "Alright, Master, I know I was wrong..."

“Yuanbao, you are at the age when you are just beginning to experience love. If I criticize you harshly, it seems a bit unreasonable... But if I turn a deaf ear, I will not be fulfilling my responsibility as a teacher.”

Mei Shiyu gently rubbed his temples. He really couldn't understand why his apprentice would set his sights on him.

After thinking for a moment, he asked, "Yuanbao, do you like me?"

Without warning, Li Tingyun heard him ask such a question, and it was as if a bomb had exploded in her ear, shaking her to her core.

"I...I like it..."

he murmured.

But it seemed as if he didn't hear his own voice.

He emphasized again, saying solemnly, "Yes, it's true... I really, really like it."

Dissatisfied with his stutter, he stubbornly said it a third time: "I like it..."

"Yuanbao" (a type of ancient Chinese currency).

Mei Shiyu interrupted him, “There are many kinds of feelings in this world. At your age, it’s especially easy to simply attribute your feelings for someone to romantic love. But have you thought about how you will meet more people and experience more things in the future? If you confuse your feelings like this, it will not only slow down your own spiritual practice, but also cause trouble for others.”

Li Tingyun then snapped out of her daze.

He gradually realized that Mei Shiyu didn't actually care how he answered, because the question "Do you like me?" wasn't meant to refer to anything romantic; it was simply asking him, "Do you have feelings for me?"

Affection can exist between friends, between teachers and students, and even more so between relatives. Even if he were to raise a dog, over time, he could develop feelings for it!

You don't want to replace a water cup after using it for a long time; you repair and fix old items after using them for a long time, but you just don't want to throw them away... How can this not be considered a sign of affection?

Mei Shiyu couldn't detect any discord in Li Tingyun's words, "I like you." He simply thought that the fact that his disciple was willing to say those words meant that he, as the master, hadn't failed too badly. At the very least, he felt quite favorably towards him.

While understanding what he was actually thinking, Li Tingyun also realized how self-centered, presumptuous, and sentimental she had been.

Before he knew it, he had pulled up all the few blades of grass that were stubbornly growing in the crevices of the rocks at his feet!

He threw it on the ground, and said indignantly as if he had suddenly realized his mistake:

"Ah, yes, yes, Master is right! I was just too young and naive. I actually thought that having feelings for Master was love?! I love you so much! I was so narrow-minded, my perspective was so limited. This is clearly just a case of being grateful to Master for a lifetime!"

Mei Shiyu was deeply uncomfortable with his sudden outburst of temper and frowned, saying, "Sit down and speak properly."

As he had said, Li Tingyun sat down, but not properly; he crossed his arms and returned to calm.

Turning around, he smiled at Mei Shiyu and said, "Master, I suppose you also have this pure feeling of admiration for the Dao Xuan Sect Master!"

Cold and sarcastic remarks.

"The sect leader is a man of noble character and integrity. I have been by his side since childhood, and he has personally taught me all my lessons and guided me through my cultivation over the years. He is a towering figure to be admired and a model to follow. I respect the sect leader, but I do not idolize him."

Mei Shiyu still wanted to remind him that "admiration" is not necessarily worldly love.

Li Tingyun chuckled, "It seems you're quite timid, afraid to think about certain things. I'm different; I'm very bold."

He said, word by word, "Whenever I think of my master, I want to kiss him, hug him, caress him, and *kill him*!"

With a "smack," a slap landed on his face.

The sound was exceptionally clear and crisp.

His head was knocked to the side.

Li Tingyun's face stung with pain.

"What nonsense are you spouting!"

Mei Shiyu stood up abruptly, her hand trembling slightly as if she were trying her best to control herself from turning her head to strangle this stubborn bastard.

In an instant, he lost his usual warmth and became incredibly sharp.

Li Tingyun rubbed his burning cheeks and chuckled softly, "Master, why don't you ask me if I hurt you this time?"

He watched Mei Shiyu's restrained back and said casually, "So, do you still think I've confused my own feelings? Do you also want to kiss your master, just like I do...?"

"You beast, shut up!"

Mei Shiyu suddenly turned around, raised her hand to slap him again, but after seeing his swollen cheek, she slowly lowered her hand, bent down, grabbed his collar, and lifted the little brat up.

"Your mouth is full of foul language, and your body is filthy and disgusting. Who taught you that?!"

"I don't know, I was born this way, I can't learn anything good, but I just love how good you are to me."

Li Tingyun looked into his eyes. "This is the truth. You told me to tell the truth. Didn't you say before that I should answer whatever you asked? Don't avoid the questions, tell the truth."

He's gone mad, truly mad. Not satisfied with the stimulation, he continued, "Look, this is only the first question, about the truth of the illusion, and you can't handle it. If the second question asks about my identity and background, am I supposed to tell the truth?"

"Alright, the second question: Who are you? Which member of the Taiji Hall are you...?"

Mei Shiyu already had an answer in his mind that was about to be revealed.

He had lived two lives and had never seen a bastard as insane and shameless as this one, except for a certain Mr. Li!

Li Tingyun grabbed his wrist and looked him straight in the eye.

He knew that Mei Shiyu had already made up her mind, and his precarious disguise was really going to be exposed no longer.

And so, he casually remarked, "Of course I am the Master of the Taiji Hall..."