The Art of Subduing Dragons

Chapter 48

Looking at the charming young girl in front of her, Luo Qingci spoke calmly, "It's not that I don't want you to look at me, but this is a rule of my family. After I began cultivating, I must exercise restraint and follow the rules. One must not be bound by mere appearances, so I have to wear a mask. And this mask can only be removed by the one destined for me. Do you understand?"

Ruan Li was momentarily stunned, a bit confused. "What do you mean by 'the one destined for you'?"

Inwardly, Luo Qingci silently apologized for borrowing the concept from Mr. Jin Yong's stories.

Then, with a serious expression, she continued, "It means that if someone removes my mask and sees my face, I must either marry them or kill them. Therefore, only when I meet someone I deeply care for and want to form a Daoist partnership with, can they take off my mask. If someone sees my face, that person is destined for me."

"Wha... What? A Daoist partner?" Ruan Li's eyes widened in disbelief. "How could there be such a strange rule?"

"It's been this way for generations, and I cannot disobey it. So, tell me, if you take off my mask and see my face, should I kill you or marry you?"

Luo Qingci originally meant to tease her, but as soon as the words left her mouth, Ruan Li's face flushed bright red, and she stammered, unable to form coherent words. "I... I'm not, if you... I..."

After stammering for a while, she finally managed to sort out her tongue and, with her gaze wandering, quietly mumbled, "If I do see it, would you really be willing to kill me?"

Luo Qingci heard her clearly and couldn't help but laugh. However, she didn't continue teasing the adorable blushing girl and sighed, "Of course, I wouldn't be able to bear it. So it's fortunate that you didn't manage to take it off when you were younger, or I would have been in a difficult situation."

Ruan Li quickly glanced at her, then, as if scalded, hurriedly averted her gaze. For some reason, she felt very happy, and even her toes curled with joy as she softly muttered to herself, "Then it wouldn't matter if I took it off."

Since she wouldn't kill her, marrying her would be fine too. It wouldn't be so bad.

"Hmm? What are you muttering to yourself?" Luo Qingci vaguely heard her but didn't think much of it, only finding her incredibly cute and teasing her with a smile.

Ruan Li immediately raised her head and shook it vigorously. "Nothing, I didn't say anything."

Then she suddenly thought of something and, with a tense expression, asked, "Is your mask secure? What if someone accidentally takes it off?"

This time, Luo Qingci couldn't hold back her laughter. "Why, are you afraid I'll marry someone else?"

Ruan Li's earlier happiness vanished, and her brows furrowed tightly. "This rule is quite unreasonable. If someone accidentally takes it off, and if they are stronger than you, regardless of their gender, age, morality, or appearance, you would have to marry them. How absurd. If you can't defeat them and can't kill them..." The more she thought about it, the more worried she became, her brows furrowing even tighter, truly distressed.

"Alright, you're worrying too much. I won't let just anyone get close to me. You're the only one who's ever managed to touch my mask all these years. Besides, there aren't many people in this world who can defeat me."

Upon hearing that she was the only one who had touched Luo Qingci's mask, Ruan Li felt inexplicably pleased. After thinking for a long time, she made up her mind and said, "I'll work hard to become stronger. If it ever happens, I'll deal with it for you. I won't let you marry someone random."