Chapter 11: Source of Calamity

November 21st, 2022

By the time they exited, Fang Li was exceedingly pleased. He made up his mind to always bring Xie Huai along to discuss official business. He was simply a god-like teammate!

As for whether acting this way was a bit overboard, Fang Li wasn’t the least bit worried, because in the original book, Yan Sui had also been this way. As a madman without long to live who didn’t care about anything and only thought about avenging himself on society…… For the sake of the only person who resembled his shixiong, he could do anything at all and it wouldn’t be strange.

Recalling the time a few days ago when Xie Huai had ignored their past grudges to save him and how he’d helped him out of a tight spot again today, Fang Li’s eyes were full of friendly affection as he looked at Xie Huai. He nearly wanted to pat him on the shoulder and say, “Good work, keep it up!”

But that wouldn’t match his character profile.

Fang Li restrained himself and coughed lightly. He placed his hands behind his back and raised his chin, smiling at Xie Huai. “As long as you agree to be this lord’s, forget these trifling matters, this lord won’t refuse you anything.”

Xie Huai fixed his gaze on the person before him. Perhaps it was because it was a sunny day, but the other’s skin was suffused with a soft light. When he said those words, the faint hint of a smile floated in his eyes, looking as if he was in a rather good mood……

Although Fang Li said over and over that everything he’d done was for his sake, Xie Huai subconsciously thought…… that might not actually be the case.

It seemed more like he’d wanted to do so himself but couldn’t because of his status. Not only had he not been the least bit angered over Xie Huai’s actions, but he’d even…… been in a rather good mood?

This kind of delight that came from the bottom of one’s heart was hard to conceal. It definitely wasn’t a false pretense…… to the point that Xie Huai was dazed for a moment.

Previously, Xie Huai had been certain that Fang Li was pretending to dote on him for the sake of setting Du Meng up, so Xie Huai had meticulously put on an act of becoming arrogant from being spoiled. He knew that although Fang Li would be upset, he wouldn’t refute him in public because he still needed to deceive Du Meng, and Xie Huai could use this chance to protect a few people…… But at this moment, that thought suddenly wasn’t so certain anymore.

…………………………………

Ever since acquiring Xie Huai as a teammate, Fang Li felt that he was in a pretty good mood even when going to work. As expected, he hadn’t judged wrongly; the very first moment he’d seen Xie Huai, he’d known that this co-worker who warmed the heart and pleased the eyes would be easy and delightful to work with…… He hadn’t expected that at present, they’d even have such a telepathic bond and endless cooperation.

A colleague who was heartwarming and pleasing to look at and was full of mutual understanding with you. Honestly, if Xie Huai were a woman, who knows, he might even really fall for him.

During this period of time, as long as Fang Li had official matters to handle, he would bring Xie Huai along. As long as anyone requested an audience, he would have Xie Huai come over to listen. In short, aside from Wu Yimei…… If anyone else came to find him, he wouldn’t avoid Xie Huai in the least.

Anyways, there was nothing other than those few demonic sect matters—burning, killing, stealing, pillaging, and every kind of evil on earth—so there was nothing that Xie Huai couldn’t know.

Due to Fang Li’s manner, less and less people came to look for him, because—they couldn’t get past Xie Huai at all! Before, they’d only known that Xie Huai’s personality was proud and aloof, removed from worldly affairs. They sure hadn’t known that he had the talent to be a source of calamity, a femme fatale! They’d really underestimated him!

Fang Li was quite pleased. His days were peaceful again.

Although he couldn’t say things in the open due to the restrictions of the plot, Fang Li still rather liked being together with Xie Huai. After all, in the whole of this vast Hollow Ridge, only this one person had a similar mindset as him.

His days were spent in idleness and boredom. Today, fine delicacies were offered up again. Fang Li had woken up late, and he lazily ordered them to be sent to the side palace so he could have breakfast together with Yuyi-jun.

Xie Huai was sitting inside the room. When he suddenly saw the demon servants entering in a stream, arranging fine dishes all across the table, he knew that Fang Li was about to come.

That person usually didn’t have a set schedule. Whenever he woke up, he would come over. He sat in the demon lord’s position, but he rarely did anything a demon lord was supposed to do and was more like a spoiled heir leisurely idling his days away…… Xie Huai was already used to this attitude of his.

When Fang Li came over, he saw that Xie Huai was already sitting beside the table, except that he hadn’t begun eating yet, probably waiting for him.

Although Xie Huai still spoke very little and his manner was indifferent, as if he felt it beneath him to talk, Fang Li could sense that things between them weren’t as they were in the beginning, both holding the other at the tip of a blade. Their relationship now was more like friends…… Most likely, Xie Huai should believe now that Fang Li wouldn’t do anything to him for the time being.

Xie Huai didn’t like to speak, and Fang Li had no intention of holding an awkward conversation, either, so he sat down contentedly to eat. Actually, he could have eaten by himself, but it always felt a little lonely. Fine food was only delicious when shared.

When they were about halfway through the meal, a demonic servant rushed in and said in a low voice by Fang Li’s ear, “The Broken Blade Sect sect master requests an audience.”

Fang Li raised an eyebrow in astonishment. To think that there were still people who were bold and tactless enough to come to his door. Were the bitter lessons they’d swallowed earlier not enough……? Although that was what he thought, Fang Li still ordered, “Let him come to the side palace.”

Xie Huai’s eyelashes lifted minutely.

Not too long after, the Broken Blade Sect sect master arrived, bent at the waist and head lowered. He got to the ground to greet Fang Li, “This subordinate greets His Excellency.”

“Mn.” Fang Li said carelessly, gesturing for him to rise to speak.

The Broken Blade Sect sect master carefully looked at Xie Huai, then bowed and said to Fang Li ingratiatingly, “Yuyi-jun has been at the demonic palace for a while now. This subordinate fears that Yuyi-jun might be homesick and unaccustomed to solitude and remoteness of Hollow Ridge. Why not construct a palace here in the style of Linxian province? This way, Yuyi-jun can feel at ease while living here.”

Oh?

Fang Li raised his eyebrows and laughed. These demonic cultivators were really improving, they’d even learned how to use circuitous tactics.

With how much he doted on Xie Huai nowadays, constructing a palace from him to please him seemed to be a matter of course, but the Broken Blade Sect sect master obviously wasn’t saying this with a sincere heart. From the start, this demonic palace was built on a foundation of corpses and skeletons, not to mention that when constructing a new palace, there would be plenty of grift to be had.

Seeing that Fang Li wasn’t refusing, the Broken Blade Sect sect master seemed a little excited. He was exceedingly delighted, thinking that he might have correctly guessed His Excellency’s thoughts. Hmph…… The others would realize sooner or later that currying favor with His Majesty wasn’t as effective as currying favor with Xie Huai. It was only that they still couldn’t put down their dignity, but he didn’t care about such things. As long as profits came to hand, what did it matter if he had to ingratiate himself with Xie Huai?

The Broken Blade Sect sect master smiled obsequiously. “If Your Excellency permits, this subordinate is willing to manage the palace construction. This subordinate will be sure to allow Yuyi-jun to feel perfectly at home.”

“This lord thinks this idea isn’t bad……” Fang Li gave the Broken Blade Sect sect master a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. Though his expression was evidently pleased, he suddenly turned and asked Xie Huai, “Right, what do you think of this proposal, Yuyi-jun?”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master’s heart went ba-thump.

A flash of understanding flitted past Xie Huai’s eyes, and he slowly spoke. “A waste of labor and resources. Unnecessary.”

At this, Fang Li finally propped up his chin with one hand and looked at the Broken Blade Sect sect master, revealing a derisive expression. This guy really thought he was being clever. Even if this lord was willing to spoil Xie Huai, Xie Huai still had to be willing. Can’t you see such a self-evident “unrequited pining”? Do you really think Xie Huai is a pampered little thing?

Xie Huai can’t wait to slaughter me already, and you still want to build him a palace so he can feel perfectly at home…… It would be stranger if it did make him happy.

Fang Li waved his hand and said coldly, “Get out. Don’t bring this up again.”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master’s face turned pale. Soaked in cold sweat, he rushed out with his tail between his legs.

There was peace and quiet again.

A trifling little incident wouldn’t stop Fang Li from continuing his meal. Luckily, it hadn’t wasted too much time, and the food hadn’t gone cold yet.

Thinking that Xie Huai had just helped him resolve another quandary, Fang Li considerately gave him a piece of fish. He smiled, his eyes curving, as he said, “Don’t bicker with those people. Whatever you don’t like, this lord won’t like, either.”

Hah, starting to pretend again. Xie Huai’s face was cold.

If he’d still had his doubts the first time and hadn’t dared to be certain, then after this period of time he was a hundred percent sure. Fang Li was only using him to refuse the things that he didn’t want to do.

He’d clearly decided to use this person, yet instead, he’d been made use of once again.

He had tried to find Fang Li’s bottom line step by step, but Fang Li’s bottom line was that he didn’t have a bottom line.

He had never refused him even once.

Why?

Since you’d chosen this road back then, chosen to become a ruthless, cold-blooded devil, what need was there to maintain compassion in your heart?

Xie Huai pursed his lips. Although he kept telling himself that he couldn’t be swayed, couldn’t become confused…… he couldn’t restrain himself from recalling that scene in the forbidden area. Fang Li had revealed such a pained expression, so helpless and desperate, like the dying thrashes of a drowning man…… Just what kind of memories were they……?

Perhaps, none of this is what you wanted, either.

If, back then, someone had been able to pull you up, would everything be different?

Even though you became like this in the end, in the depths of your heart, is there still a trace of kindness left in your heart that you’re simply not willing to acknowledge……?

Xie Huai suppressed the chaotic thoughts in his heart. His line of sight fell on the piece of fish in his bowl. This devil was becoming more and more improper. While forgetting himself in delight, he’d even started to pass food into his bowl. At what point had they been close enough for that?

Xie Huai gave him a cold glance and was just about to toss out the piece of fish.

But he met Fang Li’s eyes that held a trace of a smile, gentle and bright like rays of light. The natural expression of delight softened the raw edges of his face, and he was looking over happily……

This person had just gotten rid of another demonic cultivator. Although it hadn’t been for Xie Huai’s sake, it was still doing a good deed for the common people……

Xie Huai gripped his chopsticks tightly and hesitated for a moment, then placed the fish in his mouth. It was creamy and smooth, the flavor exceedingly fragrant.

As a dedicated foodie, Fang Li didn’t give Xie Huai another look after giving him the fish and instead started happily enjoying the decadent dishes before him. The added benefits of transmigrating were actually quite superb.

Just as the meal was about to conclude, Wu Yimei suddenly arrived.

As Fang Li’s most capable and trusted aide, Wu Yimei didn’t need to be announced when he came in. He flashed Xie Huai a glance with his dark red, slit-pupiled eyes, his expression gloomy and his brows furrowed. These days, His Excellency stayed with Xie Huai day after day. Even if he was putting on an act for Du Meng, was it necessary to do so to this extent? Thinking that His Excellency might really have fallen, Wu Yimei was filled with apprehension and hostility towards Xie Huai.

Xie Huai also raised his eyes to look at Wu Yimei, his indifferent eyes seemingly covered with a layer of frost. Fang Li never avoided him when meeting with anyone—except Wu Yimei.

Oh……

Fang Li hadn’t thought Wu Yimei would suddenly come, and seeing that the atmosphere between the two of them was a bit off, he immediately stood up and smiled at Wu Yimei. “You have something to discuss with this lord? Let’s go, we can talk when we get back.”

In the original book, Wu Yimei just couldn’t get along with Xie Huai. At present, Fang Li had gone to no small lengths to relieve the conflict between them, and he sure didn’t want Wu Yimei to go down his old path again.

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As he spoke, he stood up and started walking outside.

Wu Yimei gave a deferential, “Understood,” and didn’t look at Xie Huai again, turning to follow Fang Li with brisk steps.

Xie Huai sat there, still as a statue. In the blink of an eye, the courtyard was empty…… No matter where or when, as long as Wu Yimei appeared, Fang Li would leave without the slightest hesitation. As for what they said, they never let Xie Huai know even a trace of it.

Nor did he know what kind of affairs they were up to that couldn’t see the light of day.

Xie Huai lowered his eyes and looked at the dishes before him. Suddenly, he lost all appetite, and his expression was cold and indifferent as he placed his chopsticks onto the table.

Fang Li led Wu Yimei back to his own residential palace and closed the door before he finally said, “What exactly did you come to find this lord for?”

No matter what outsiders said about Xie Huai being a source of calamity, or Fang Li being possessed, Wu Yimei wouldn’t listen, but he trusted what he’d seen with his own eyes. Even if Fang Li continuously declared that he had no intentions toward Xie Huai, his actions and manners couldn’t deceive anyone…… It was hard for Wu Yimei to avoid being worried. He didn’t want His Excellency to be harmed by Xie Huai. But His Excellency would listen to Wu Yimei about anything except for matters regarding Xie Huai. On this, he acted completely upon his own will, not allowing a single comment.

Sometimes, Wu Yimei couldn’t help but suspect that Xie Huai had truly put some kind of enchantment on His Excellency, to make him treat him so specially.

Wu Yimei pondered to himself for a moment, then said in a low voice, “This subordinate recently discovered that Rending Heart Gate has secretly had treasonous dealings. They have been embezzling large quantities of spirit stones from the yields of the spirit stone quarry, and the amount being sent to Hollow Ridge is less than half. They have been privately raising large numbers of demonic cultivators, and I suspect that they are amassing a private army to expand their influence. Rending Heart Gate is also under the Zenith Sky Creed’s banner……  With the severity of the matter, this subordinate did not dare to make a decision by himself. Your Excellency, please instruct.”

This matter, huh…… In the book, it had been over in one sentence, only saying that Rending Heart Gate had been embezzling spirit stones, and Yan Sui had personally gone down to suppress them and had left Hollow Ridge for several days.

The process of Yan Sui handling it hadn’t been described. The main purpose of this plot point was to get Yan Sui to leave and give Du Meng a chance to approach Xie Huai. If Yan Sui was guarding Xie Huai every single moment, how would Du Meng and Xie Huai meet?

So the script had already gotten to this point, Fang Li realized. Time had flown by pretty fast.

Looking at Wu Yimei’s expression, clearly not at ease with him interacting with Xie Huai and afraid that he would fall into danger, it was even possible that Wu Yimei had purposefully looked for an opportunity to send him away…… This trip couldn’t be avoided, first, for the sake of the plot, and second, to put Wu Yimei at ease.

Fang Li raised his lips into a smile. “Oh? In that case, this lord would like to see just how Rending Soul Gate plans to explain things this time.”

…………………………………

Three days later, Fang Li and Wu Yimei were strolling through the streets of Quqing Town. There were only a sparse handful of pedestrians on the roads, and occasionally, there would be demonic cultivators charging through on horseback.

Fang Li was attired in simple but elegant dark brocade robes, a jade ornament at his waist and a folded fan in his hand, like a wealthy young noble son.

Originally, Quqing Town had simply been an unremarkable little town under the governance of Wangyue province, with an average amount of natural resources and no breathtaking scenery or delights. The town only had a little cultivation sect called High Mountain Sect, and life there was simple and plain, neither good nor bad, up until High Mountain Sect unexpectedly discovered a spirit stone quarry here containing top-grade spirit stones.

Spirit stone quarries were a type of natural resource that cultivators fought fiercely for control of, especially top-grade spirit stones, which were exceedingly rare. As soon as word got out, it would definitely incite plenty of envy. High Mountain Sect knew that this wealth would only invite trouble and didn’t dare monopolize the spirit stone quarry, so they invited one of the five great righteous sects, Black Star Tower, to take joint management of it. As soon as Black Star Tower received the news, they sent three elders and tens of disciples forward to take charge…… Alas, in a turn of bad luck, they were one step late, and Du Meng’s group of Zenith Sky Creed cultivators slaughtered all of them to the last, including High Mountain Sect.

At this point, Du Meng had already surrendered to Yan Sui, so this spirit stone quarry naturally also became the property of Hollow Ridge.

Rending Heart Gate was one of the many demonic sects that belonged to Zenith Sky Creed. They had followed Du Meng for a long time and had always been greatly trusted by him, so Du Meng had given this important position to them, assigning them to oversee the extraction of spirit stones in this quarry.

Without Du Meng’s incitement, even with a hundred times their usual courage, Rending Heart Gate wouldn’t be bold enough to do something like embezzling spirit stones.

Du Meng pretended to be loyal while committing treason behind his back, covertly lining his pockets with embezzled goods…… Not only was Fang Li not surprised by this, Yan Sui had known about it all along.

Only, Yan Sui had previously been too lazy to take care of it. He had never been one to care what his subordinates usually did, typically handing management of each territory over to whoever had conquered it. For example, the reports that the flock of demons had given in the palace previously were usually just a formality. If not for Xie Huai’s interference, as long as they handed over enough tribute in time and honored his title as lord, Yan Sui wouldn’t meddle much in other matters.

The clearest water has no fish. Even the righteous sects couldn’t achieve absolute equality, fairness, and honesty in all things. It wasn’t like he really expected these selfish, ambitious demonic cultivators to be obedient and well-mannered.

Since that was the case, why had Yan Sui made a trip here in the original book?

Naturally, Yan Sui’s motives weren’t the same as his. Before, he had always looked the other way, yet he’d insisted on personally making a move on precisely this matter. Was it really only because he’d suddenly decided that he didn’t want to continue tolerating Du Meng anymore? Fang Li mulled it over.

As Yan Sui’s number one special operative, Wu Yimei’s professional capabilities were absolutely flawless. This time, he’d investigated everything completely thoroughly and had only come to report it after gathering decisive evidence. He followed behind Fang Li deferentially and said in a low voice, “Your Excellency, will we be heading straight for Rending Heart Gate?”

Why the rush? This was his first time leaving the mountain after transmigrating. He’d finally gotten a vacation, and seeing the hustle and bustle of the human world again after so long, Fang Li decided to properly relax for a time.

As for taking care of Rending Heart Gate, that was just something to handle along the way. It wasn’t worth fretting over.

A couple of children ran past his feet, and when they accidentally bumped into him, they were so frightened they apologized over and over. Fang Li helped a child who had fallen over get up, then smiled languidly at Wu Yimei. “I’m hungry. Let’s eat first.”

Wu Yimei, “?”

But Fang Li didn’t take notice of Wu Yimei and headed directly toward a restaurant by the road.

For a while, Wu Yimei was unable to snap out of his daze. With his cultivation level, His Excellency wouldn’t feel hunger…… would he? He vacantly followed Fang Li into the restaurant, and just when he was at a loss as to what to do, Fang Li pulled him directly over to a nearby seat to sit down.

Shortly after, Wu Yimei heard a soft laugh. “We’re outside, so don’t be so stiff.”

Wu Yimei’s wrist was grasped by Fang Li. His breath fell almost just beside Wu Yimei’s ear, and his cheerful words brushed past like a spring breeze. Wu Yimei had followed this person for more than ten years, but they’d never been this close…… Subconsciously, his whole body tensed. It wasn’t until the slightly cool sensation on his wrist left that he slowly and gradually relaxed.

A few Rending Heart Gate disciples had just passed by outside.

Perhaps His Excellency only wanted to avoid beating the grass and startling the snake and had pretended to come in to eat on purpose. He also had to properly coordinate; he couldn’t spoil His Excellency’s plans……

Wu Yimei’s thoughts were in disarray, up until he heard Fang Li sigh lightly. “I still don’t know what you like to eat.”

Wu Yimel lifted his eyes blankly to look at the man in front of him.

Was it necessary to know something like that?

Fang Li had scraped through all of Yan Sui’s memories. He knew what Wu Yumei’s cultivation level was, knew his strengths, his weaknesses, how many times he’d been critically injured. After all these years…… It seemed like he knew everything about this person, yet he didn’t even know what Wu Yimei liked to eat.

Most likely, in Yan Sui’s eyes, it was a trivial matter not worth knowing.

But Fang Li didn’t think so.

For the most part, a person’s life didn’t have so many grand and dramatic moments. It was only one small thing after another—sweetness, bitterness, sourness, and spice; love, hate, joy, and sorrow—that made up one’s life. In the book, Wu Yimei had been an evil cannon fodder, a character little more than a tool, but in front of Fang Li’s eyes was a living, breathing person.

Yan Sui had saved him back then, but he could only count as having saved him by half. He hadn’t taught Wu Yimei how to live like a person, nor was he capable of teaching someone something he didn’t even know how to do himself……

Fang Li only needed to take one look at Wu Yimei’s expression to know that he was overthinking things again. He truly lived up to the role of the dedicated and hardworking tool man…… When living, one shouldn’t always be thinking about work; sometimes it was also necessary to look at the scenery passing by. Wu Yimei’s level of professional diligence was far more than 9AM to 9PM six days a week, it was basically 24/7 seven days a week. It was all because the demonic cultivators of this world didn’t have such a thing as humanitarian labor regulations.

He sure wasn’t that sort of ruthless boss. He had to give his employees a vacation sometimes, too.

These days, your job is just to accompany me to eat and play.

Fang Li beckoned with his hand and had the restaurant staff serve each and every one of their dishes. It couldn’t compare in the least to the lavish delicacies in the demonic palace, but it had a different, light and refreshing sort of style. Fang Li’s gaze swept over the table, and he pushed a bowl of clear and translucent sweet soup toward Wu Yimei with a smile. “Try it.”

Wu Yimei looked at the sweet soup before him, his expression distracted for a moment. Actually, not even he knew what he liked to eat.

When he’d been young, he would eat anything, from leftovers and scraps to even rancid water. He ate whatever would fill his belly. After following Yan Sui into the demonic path, he no longer starved for lack of food, but he was often in critical danger, his life hanging by a thread. He had only focused single-mindedly on becoming stronger, and it didn’t matter what he ate. Then after that…… high-level cultivators only needed spiritual energy to survive. Ordinary food was completely unnecessary.

Thinking about it, he really hadn’t had anything he liked before.

To the point that for the moment, he didn’t know how to respond……

Wu Yimei lifted his eyes, falling into a pair of smiling eyes that seemed to contain some anticipation. He carefully tried a mouthful. The clear, sweet taste spread over his tongue, and his throat bobbed once. In a low and hoarse voice, he said, “I like it a lot.”

Because it was something you gave me.

Wu Yimei had a gloomy personality and never said anything, so Fang Li had originally been a little worried that it wouldn’t suit his tastes. Now he was finally at ease, and he picked up his chopsticks and smiled. “Let’s eat.”

Wu Yimei lowered his eyes to hold back his complicated expression. Ever since capturing Xie Huai, His Excellency had seemed like a whole different person. He’d started to like to laugh, and his expression had become much gentler. As long as he was with Xie Huai, he’d always reveal a side of him that he’d never shown before, as if he loved that person to the extreme…… Although he kept saying that it wasn’t love.

In the past ten years, Wu Yimei had never gotten close to this person, but because of Xie Huai, he’d started to allow others to approach his heart. It was as if a puppet who’d originally only known how to slaughter and kill had suddenly acquired a human heart and feelings. And now, he was even concerned about what Wu Yimei liked to eat……

Wu Yimei wouldn’t deny that at first, he’d been a bit bewildered and confused, but when he’d recovered from his daze, he’d found that he didn’t hate these changes at all, to the point that he was a little scared of shattering this scene.

In the beginning, when he’d been on the verge of death, it had been this person who had pulled him out and given him a place to go. He had been like a walking corpse, following this person on a journey of slaughter and death…… At that time, he would never have imagined that there would be a day like this, a day when he would be able to eat and talk and smile like a normal person. As if the turbulent heavens and earth outside had nothing to do with him, and there was only this moment of joy before him that he greedily clung to.

Wu Yimei’s hand clenched minutely. He had no choice but to admit that he was actually jealous of Xie Huai, jealous that he could receive all of this person’s love, jealous that he could stay by his side every moment of the day. 

Even if it was fake, it was a far-fetched wish that he could never have granted.

…………………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Xie Huai: Wu Yimei is the one that he trusts.

Wu Yimei: Xie Huai is the one that he loves.

Author: Mutual jealousy ✓

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