Chapter 7: Picking a Fight

November 14th, 2022

TL Note:

First of all, thanks everyone for reading and for your comments! It’s really nice and motivating to see that people are enjoying this.

And second, in terms of release schedule, I’ve decided to continue shitting out releasing new chapters at roughly this pace until the end of the non-VIP chapters (chapter 13), after which I’ll be switching to a somewhat more sane bi-weekly release schedule.

…………………………

The air was dead silent.

Although it wasn’t the first time, the feeling of doing it while the victim was unconscious and doing it while the victim was awake was like night and day.

After all—he wasn’t really a pervert.

Oh, right, Xie Huai wouldn’t think that he was trying to pinch him to death, would he? Or maybe…… that his desires weren’t normal?

Fang Li pretended to be calm as he retracted his hand, glancing to the side without a trace. Sure enough, the incense burner on the table had gone out at some point…… A trace of vexation crept into his expression.

Xie Huai had truly woken up at a bad time.

Fang Li murmured under his breath, then said blandly, “Your blankets slipped.”

Saying that, he abruptly turned and left with big strides.

The System hadn’t expected Xie Huai to suddenly awaken either, and it hadn’t experienced any less of a scare than Fang Li. After calming down a bit, looking at the host’s somewhat rapid footsteps…… How rare. So even the host could get nervous!

…………………………

Xie Huai watched Fang Li’s departing figure, and his eyes darkened, pensive.

Fang Li lit the incense every night, and unless he himself fell asleep, he absolutely wouldn’t approach…… He was clearly guarded toward him and wasn’t a self-conceited person, but since he was so guarded against him, then why didn’t he simply thoroughly cripple him and be done with it once and for all? Instead of choosing such a bothersome method filled with hidden dangers.

This was the first contradiction.

Fang Li in truth had no interest in him, yet he insisted on staying here night after night and pretending to care about him. Was it really only for the sake of humiliating the righteous cultivation sects……? There were thousands upon thousands of ways to humiliate someone, there were plenty of dirtier and more ruthless methods. What need was there to stay in a room together? Going to this much trouble was truly over the top.

This was the second contradiction.

Xie Huai had remained here in order to kill this devil and eliminate harm from the world…… but in the time that they’d interacted, every time they got a bit closer, every time he understood a bit more, he would find that this person was the complete opposite of what he’d imagined.

Although they were sharing a room, this person rarely spoke and never bothered him……

Although they slept in the same bed, this person maintained propriety and never exceeded it by a hair.

Although he said he would make himself obey, he’d never so much as touched him once.

Refined and polite, gentle and amicable.

He was like a mild and tranquil spring, so clear you could see the bottom at a glance, but sometimes…… more like an imperceptible fog, concealing everything in unknown depths, impossible to see through or grasp.

Everything that he did seemed to have a purpose, but on closer thought, also had no purpose at all.

Seemingly necessary, but in truth unnecessary.

And he slept beside him in this way night after night, and there were many times that Xie Huai felt a kind of illusion, that killing this person would be very easy.

So easy that there was no need to break through the seal, no need to pick a path of mutual destruction. All he needed to do was snap his neck while he was in the middle of a dream. Such a pale, wan, and fragile neck would be very easy to snap……

Perhaps it was so simple and so easy that it seemed more like an obvious trap, leading Xie Huai to hesitate.

He suddenly felt an urge to probe……

So at that moment when he shouldn’t have opened his eyes, he did.

Yet that person hadn’t subconsciously revealed any murderous intent, nor had he seized the opportunity to do anything dirty or improper…… he’d only seemed a little at a loss, then pretended to be unruffled as he fled.

Xie Huai hadn’t missed the split second of embarrassment in the other’s eyes.

Why had he been uncomfortable? Why had he avoided Xie Huai?

He could clearly follow his desires and do anything he wanted. There was no need to mind whether Xie Huai was awake or asleep…… and there was even less of a need to give him “time to consider.”

Yet he’d instead left in that manner, looking a little bit pitiful, like a child who’d been caught red-handed while secretly playing a prank.

Xie Huai had originally thought that his move could capture a hint of the truth hidden beneath those pretenses so that he could confirm his conjectures, so that he could prove that everything was part of that devil’s hidden schemes…… but it had only given birth to more doubts, more confusion.

It was like he was surrounded by dense fog, thinking that if he took a step forward, he would be able to see exactly what was concealed, but he’d only trapped himself even deeper, and even the way back behind him had become blurrier and blurrier.

…………………………

Shui Yao’s right wrist was wrapped in gauze. Although Xie Huai hadn’t held back at the time, Shui Yao was still a little spirit, and with the miraculous spirit medicines in the demon lord’s palace, his injury had actually recovered most of the way. But he still hadn’t removed the bandage.

It was said that ever since Xie Huai had entered His Excellency’s palace, His Excellency had stayed there night after night, as if he was monopolizing the lord’s favor……

Shui Yao paced back and forth inside the room, growing more and more uneasy. Xie Huai really was too beautiful. Even if he didn’t want to, he had to admit that when he had faced Xie Huai, he had felt a kind of shame about his own appearance……

With someone like that around His Excellency day and night, could His Excellency’s heart really remain unmoved?

Shui Yao didn’t believe it.

Irritably, he squeezed the cup in his hands until it shattered. He’d originally wanted to take the opportunity to eliminate Xie Huai, but who could’ve known it would instead backfire and send Xie Huai to His Excellency’s side…… If he still didn’t make a move right now, he was afraid he wouldn’t get the chance in the future.

Only, without His Excellency’s summons, Shui Yao didn’t really dare to request to see His Excellency on his own. If he angered His Excellency……

Just as he was struggling to come to a decision, Feng Yin opened the door and entered.

He and Feng Yin had entered the demon lord’s palace at around the same time; their relationship was pretty good, and they had always supported each other. In the rear court where everyone harbored ulterior motives, only by forming alliances could one avoid becoming isolated and helpless, and he and Feng Yin were on the same side.

As soon as Feng Yin entered, he said anxiously, “I heard Xie Huai has captivated His Excellency to the point that he’s almost lost his soul.”

Shui Yao was in the middle of worrying about precisely this, and he became even more resentful after hearing that. With a wave of his hand, he knocked the teapot on the table onto the ground, his chest heaving. “I heard so too.”

Feng Yin furrowed his brow and said, “We can’t sit here and wait for death.”

How could Shui Yao not be thinking the same? But they couldn’t even get close to His Excellency, so what could they do……?

Feng Yin mulled it over for a long time, then suddenly said, “Let’s go see His Excellency.”

Shui Yao suppressed the excitement in his chest and said anxiously, “Have you forgotten, there was someone who had crooked thoughts and went to the lord’s palace in the past, pretending to chance upon him, but he only angered His Excellency and was directly sentenced to death.”

Feng Yin clearly remembered this as well, and his face became pale. He seemed to retreat for a bit, but finally his ambition won out over his fear. He grit his teeth and said, “That was because he overestimated himself, but you’re different. Perhaps His Excellency won’t be angered.”

Shui Yao’s heart skipped a beat. “How am I different?”

Feng Yin side-eyed him, his tone full of jealousy as he said, “Don’t play dumb. Everyone saw the way that His Excellency treated you that day, you couldn’t not have a clue? When has His Excellency ever treated me that way? Besides, he even had you rest to recover from your injury and rewarded you with all kinds of miraculous cures……”

Shui Yao’s cheeks reddened slightly, and he couldn’t hide his delight. His lips twitched as he said, “Perhaps that was only His Excellency’s momentary whim……”

Feng Yin’s eyes were about to roll back into his head. “Oh, please! There are so many beauties in the rear court, how come His Excellency never had any momentary whims in the past? I’m telling you, it’s hard enough that His Excellency’s taken an interest in you and treated you so well. Don’t give up such a good opportunity. If you don’t hurry and show your face in front of His Excellency, His Excellency might really get seduced by someone else and forget about you. By then you won’t even have anywhere to cry!”

Shui Yao bit his lip.

A ferocious look flashed past Feng Yin’s eyes. “Don’t hesitate. If it comes down to it, I’ll go with you!”

Shui Yao was finally moved. He was a little scared to go by himself, but if someone went with him, he felt a little better. Plus, Feng Yin’s words really did speak to his heart…… As expected, it wasn’t just his own misconception; other people also thought that His Excellency had treated him differently.

Risk and reward went hand in hand. Shui Yao finally made up his mind.

He said, “Alright.”

Feng Yin finally smiled, saying, “When you make it big, just don’t forget about me.”

Shui Yao covered his face and laughed. “Of course I won’t.”

Pet lovers like them lived inside the rear court, which was situated in a corner of the demonic palace. Shui Yao and Feng Yin quietly slipped out with no one the wiser.

The two of them carefully made their way to the center of the palace. The buildings outside were extensive and cold, completely different from the romantic, charming style of the rear court. Even the black stone pathways emitted a stern air.

After walking for a short while, they arrived near the side palace hall. They could faintly hear a person’s voice to one side, and the two immediately hid behind a fake rock. Not far away, they saw servants entering and exiting in a stream, carrying fine delicacies. Looking at this scene, Shui Yao and Feng Yin were so jealous their eyes became red.

Shui Yao said fiercely, “That vixen!”

This was supposed to be where Xie Huai lived. Everyone said that His Excellency had hidden him away in the side palace, where he passed heavenly days piled in fine clothes and luxurious feasts. Sure enough, Shui Yao was so bitter he was about to grind his teeth to dust.

Feng Yin was silent for a long time, then said, “Seeing as we’re already at the side palace, just ahead should be where His Excellency lives.”

Shui Yao said, “That’s right. I bribed a guard once, His Excellency’s palace is right there.”

Feng Yin hurriedly said, “You go see His Excellency, I won’t go with you.”

Shui Yao said in astonishment, “You’re not coming?”

Feng Yin cast him a sidelong glance, saying unhappily, “If sparks start flying between you and His Excellency, am I supposed to stand to the side and watch? You’ll be fine by yourself, I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t understand tact.”

Those words resonated with Shui Yao’s heart. Since they had already gotten here without a hitch, he didn’t really want Feng Yin to disturb things, either, so he said, “Alright, be careful.”

Feng Yin nodded. “Don’t worry.”

He watched Shui Yao walk forward. Then, his eyes flashed and he turned around, walking toward the side hall.

Xie Huai had finished dinner and was sitting by the large table in the room. He held a go piece in one hand, playing a match with himself.

Ever since he’d left in a hurry, Fang Li hadn’t returned even once in the past several days.

Why?

Was it because he’d accidentally gotten too close while dreaming? Or because he’d been caught red-handed in the middle of his little trick? Or perhaps…… was it merely because Xie Huai no longer had any value to make use of?

Was he not going to come anymore?

Xie Huai’s eyes darkened minutely, and he slightly pursed his lips. It wasn’t that he minded whether Fang Li would come or not…… only that he was afraid he wouldn’t have the opportunity to kill him.

Clink, the stone piece landed softly on the table surface.

Xie Huai’s expression was indifferent, his voice clear and cold. “Who’s there?”

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The window was blown open with a crash, and Feng Yin walked out from the shadows. He glazed coldly at Xie Huai, raising the corners of his mouth in a mocking voice, “And here I thought you righteous cultivators were the courageous type. I didn’t imagine you were just pretending to be virtuous. To think that the grand Yuyi-jun would also be willing to serve in bed.”

Xie Huai looked at him steadily, with no trace of resentment on his face. He instead raised his eyes slightly. “Oh, and?”

Seeing that he remained unmoved, Feng Yin seemed flustered and said viciously, “You don’t have your cultivation right now, what do you have to be arrogant about?!” Although he spoke this way, he seemed to have some anxieties and didn’t dare act.

Xie Huai suddenly laughed and said, “Why not come have some tea and take your time speaking.”

Feng Yin hesitated for a long time, then said coldly, “Who’s afraid of who? You think I wouldn’t dare to come over?”

Saying that, he leapt into the room.

There was no one around them, and Feng Yin’s back was against the window, somewhat blocking it. His expression suddenly changed, and he revealed a concerned expression. Silently, he mouthed, “I’m worried about you.”

Xie Huai was pensive as he looked at youth in front of him. The mindless jealousy was only a façade; he had looked for an opportunity to come see him on purpose, but Xie Huai didn’t recognize him.

Feng Yin also knew that he needed to acquire Xie Huai’s trust. He advanced a step and dipped his finger in the tea to write two words on the table surface: Feng Ying.

Xie Huai’s expression shifted, pondering.

Seven years ago, Xiyuan province’s Red Scroll Faction1 had been exterminated by the Ghost Moon Creed, a demonic sect, and the Red Scroll Faction’s leader’s young son Feng Ying had been captured by demonic cultivators. Xie Huai had just happened to be traveling in Xiyuan, and after hearing about the matter, he and his sword had extinguished the Ghost Moon Creed. However, he hadn’t been able to rescue the captured Feng Ying, and he’d only thought that the child had already died.

Feng Ying suddenly lifted his sleeves and knelt on the ground, bowing deeply.

His eyes were reddened. At the time, after being kidnapped by the Ghost Moon Creed, they’d seen that his cultivation potential wasn’t poor, and he looked fairly good, so they’d sold him to a Hehuan Sect2 elder. The Hehuan Sect elder had personally trained him into a cultivation furnace and sent him into the demon lord’s palace to curry favor with the demon lord.

He hadn’t been able to escape in all of those years, and later, it was already too late to leave. He was covered in filth, and he didn’t have the face to confront the past, so he might as well simply sink further into the demonic path.

But he had always remembered that his family’s blood debt had been paid for him by Yuyi-jun.

He hadn’t thought that he would also have the chance to repay this favor.

Stroke by stroke, Feng Yin wrote on the floor, “I have a way to send information outside. As long as you give the word, I won’t hesitate to go to any length.”

Xie Huai sank into silence for a moment, then said, “I understand.”

Feng Yin stood up and rubbed his eyes, so stirred up that his hands were faintly trembling. In truth, he had been extremely worried that Xie Huai wouldn’t believe him, or that he would look down on his current state…… Thank goodness that Xie Huai hadn’t.

Xie Huai said slowly, “You took too big of a risk.”

Regardless of whether Feng Yin was sincere or not, visiting so brashly was exceedingly dangerous and was putting himself at risk.

Feng Yin also knew that he had been impulsive.

If he hadn’t truly been too worried about Yuyi-jun, afraid that his benefactor wouldn’t be able to withstand the demon lord’s torment, he wouldn’t have taken this risk and revealed himself.

Seeing that Yuyi-jun was unharmed right now, he also relaxed.

“I can’t stay here. If you have any matters, please give the order,” Feng Yin said in the quietest voice possible, then suddenly retreated a step and raised his voice sharply, “Don’t be so pleased with yourself. His Excellency is simply seeking novelty, he’ll get sick of you soon!”

…………………………

Fang Li sat in the study, reading.

These days, he hadn’t gone over to Xie Huai’s, but he’d instructed his servants not to treat him poorly. Actually, missing a few nights probably shouldn’t be a big deal. Right now, who didn’t know that he doted on Xie Huai?

As long as the result was the same, it was fine.

Fang Li read until he started to get tired, closing his eyes and dozing off lightly. He’d promised to give Xie Huai time to consider, yet he’d taken advantage of him while was asleep to get close, and had even tried to “pinch” his neck…… What would Xie Huai think of him?

He didn’t want to spoil this hard-won equilibrium because of a momentary lapse.

Fang Li sighed faintly and pressed his forehead. Suddenly, a shadow landed beside him and spoke quietly.

This was the secret guard he’d left by Xie Huai’s side, reporting to him that someone had come to seek Xie Huai for trouble. It looked like in this period of time that he’d “favored” Xie Huai, there really were a few people who couldn’t sit still.

After searching through his memories for a bit, Fang Li shook his head.

Feng Yin, the cultivation furnace that the Hehuan Sect elder had sent over.

Only, he didn’t know if these actions were for the sake of the Hehuan Sect, or if he had another purpose?

If he was handling something for the Hehuan Sect, that wouldn’t be strange, but why had he left Shui Yao behind to go see Xie Huai? It couldn’t be that his mind had really been muddled by jealousy? Interesting……

Fang Li lowered his eyes pensively for a few moments, then a smile suddenly stretched across his face. Who cared what his purpose was? If Feng Yin wanted to visit, then he could go ahead. As long as Xie Huai was here beside him and could accompany him in following the script, he could turn a blind eye to everything else and happily take it easy.

Besides, the script hadn’t mentioned this part. He wasn’t too clear exactly what role Feng Yin played, so it was better not to concern himself too much with extraneous matters.

Fang Li waved his hand. “Enough, don’t bother with it.”

The secret guard abruptly disappeared.

Fang Li stood up and pushed the door open to leave.

The System who had been silent for several days suddenly woke up.

【 System: Host, where are you going? 】

【 Fang Li: Someone already came to find trouble for Xie Huai. If this lord just sits by, wouldn’t it look like I’m not paying enough attention to him? 】

【 System: You’re right, host! Host, you’re so smart! 】Thank heavens, the host was finally willing to go see Xie Huai!

Fang Li laughed and shook his head.

As soon as he went out the door, he saw Shui Yao coming over. As soon as Shui Yao saw Fang Li, he revealed the expression of a beautiful, lovable consort and said with coquettish indignation, “Your Excellency, did Your Excellency forget Yao’r?!”

The beauty’s wrist was wrapped in bandages. Logically, the injury should have already healed, but it looked like he didn’t want Fang Li to forget and was reminding him……

Fang Li raised the corner of his mouth in amusement.

In Yan Sui’s memories, the pet lovers in his rear court would never dare to be this bold and were quiet as could be, not even daring to breathe too loudly when they saw him…… He had only been here for a few days, and there was already someone bold enough to come to his door to seek favor. He was afraid he’d given them a misconception that he shouldn’t have given them, leading them to think they could be presumptuous.

Fang Li didn’t like to do things that wasted people’s time.

He glanced down at Shui Yao from above and said blandly, “I didn’t forget.”

His Excellency saying that he hadn’t forgotten should have been a happy thing, but Shui Yao looked into Fang Li’s eyes. They looked gentle, but they didn’t have a shred of warmth. Suddenly, a chill went down his spine…… His expression slowly froze, and his lips began to tremble faintly.

Shui Yao suddenly realized that he’d become muddle-headed and had done something that he shouldn’t have done.

Fang Li gave a soft laugh. “If there’s a next time, you needn’t bother going back.”

After saying that, he walked past Shui Yao and left.

Shui Yao’s entire body knelt limply on the ground, barely able to crawl upright. He didn’t understand—His Excellency had obviously been so gentle, so special toward him. Why was it that in just a few days’ time, he’d become so cold and callous, just like His Excellency from before?

Could it be that it really was all his own imagination?

After handling the cannon fodder who didn’t know how to use his eyes, Fang Li ambled leisurely into Xie Huai’s courtyard. As soon as he entered, he saw Feng Yin push open the door and fly out in a rage, cursing as he walked, as if he loathed and disdained this righteous sect cultivator……

It looked like he’d arrived at the perfect time.

Fang Li lowered his eyes. According to the script, at this point, Yan Sui should have already fallen for Xie Huai, and moreover, this work had a central theme that ran through the whole book from start to finish, which was—

No matter how much Yan Sui humiliated or tormented Xie Huai, nobody else could touch even a fingertip of Xie Huai’s, or they would die.

Thinking about it, had Feng Yin actually touched one of Xie Huai’s fingertips or not? Listening to the report, it sounded like he’d just gone a round of cursing? And it sounded like he hadn’t actually gotten anywhere with his cursing?

In that case…… the death penalty wasn’t necessary. Some punishment would be hard to avoid, probably.

Fang Li cleared his throat, his expression cold and indifferent as he said to the demonic servant beside him, “Be more attentive. Don’t let just anyone in anymore. In the future, if anyone dares to disrespect Yuyi-jun again, kill without mercy. As for him……”

He lowered his eyes to glance at Feng Yin. His next words hadn’t yet come out when the door opened with a creak. Xie Huai appeared, tall and slender in his white robes, his expression cold and apathetic like freezing snow on a high mountain. He said slowly, “I have no right to comment on how Your Excellency handles your people, but if it’s for my sake, then it’s unnecessary. Your Excellency’s deep favor, I can’t afford to receive.”

Truly cold and ruthless. It seemed like he didn’t care about Feng Yin the slightest and only hated Fang Li’s actions.

It was pretty consistent with Xie Huai’s character profile, but was that really all?

Although, Fang Li had no intention of executing Feng Yin from the start.

He took advantage of the opportunity to neglect Feng Yin, dripping with a cold, tyrannical air as he said, “Seeing as you belong to this lord, naturally, other than this lord, no one is allowed to slight you. Even if you’re unwilling, you have no choice but to receive it.”

Xie Huai gave him a tranquil look, then spit out two words from his thin lips. “Suit yourself.”

Having said that, he turned and left.

The highest level of disdain was to ignore someone, to look without seeing, to treat the other party like air.

And right now, Xie Huai truly was treating him just like air.

Fang Li was beyond delighted to be treated like air. He hoped Xie Huai could stay just like this through thick and thin, but right now he was the demon lord, and he absolutely couldn’t leave with his tail between his legs, or that would be cramping the style of a demon lord.

If it was behind closed doors then he could just forget it, but right now there were people watching, and he couldn’t neglect his reputation.

Fang Li appeared to be infuriated. He abruptly stepped forward and tightly gripped Xie Huai’s wrist! And pressed him against the door! He said in a sinister voice, “Who allowed you to speak to this lord like that? It looks like this lord will have to help you improve your memory.”

A violent, cold-blooded, ruthless, exceedingly possessive, perverted demon lord. Fang Li was beginning to get a feeling for the act. He tightened his grip on his wrist and was just about to drag Xie Huai into the room, but then—

Xie Huai’s thin lips curled and he leaned close to Fang Li’s ear, his cool and clear voice flowing, “Is that so? How exactly does Your Excellency intend—to improve my memory?”

Fang Li, “?”

It felt like he was being challenged!

…………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Author: It’s said, it’s said~ that wanting to understand someone, is the beginning of love.

Xie Huai: ……

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1 Red Scroll Faction (丹书派) – Red ink is associated with imperial edicts and also talismans and stuff

2 Hehuan Sect – I’m leaving this one untranslated because… ahem… it is the cultivation sex cult signature, after all…

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