Fang Li lifted his head and looked at Xie Huai in a daze.
The white-robed man stood quietly outside the bamboo house, a slight breeze rustling past his clothes, his tranquil complexion reflecting the last rays of the setting sun. Such a beautiful sceneā¦ā¦ After the nightmare that had just receded, half real and half fake, it was hard to tell for a while if this was dream or reality.
ć The System shouted anxiously: Host, host, host,Ā wuwuwuĀ are you alright?!!! ćJust now itād been yelling for half the day, but the host had acted like he hadnāt heard at all. It had been worried to death. This was all its faultā¦ā¦ It should have told the host earlier that Yan Suiās memories were dangerous!!!
The familiar clamor appeared in his mind.
Oh, it looked like this was reality.
Fang Li blinked.
Just now, he had been caught off guard and had gotten sucked into Yan Suiās nightmare. If not for that distinct shout, he was afraid he would have been trapped inside, unable to wake.
There no was no one else here, so it could only have been Xie Huai.
At that moment, he had been at his weakest and most defenseless. Even a tottering child still learning to walk could have held up a knife and killed him. Such a good opportunityā¦ā¦ Xie Huai not only hadnāt eliminated him in the name of defending the common people, but had even saved him.
Why?
Fang Li looked at Xie Huai with a complicated expression, saying hoarsely, āWhy are you here?ā
Xie Huaiās face was cool and calm, his expression indifferent. āI was looking for a quiet place to clear my mind, thatās all. Is this somewhere Iām not allowed to be?ā
Fang Li had never restricted his movements, and he had effortlessly scouted out the whole demonic palace. There were no secret places, and even the so-called forbidden area only had a single sword set out.
Not a divine weapon that could strike the heavens and split the seas, but a common, ordinary sword, mottled with gashes and with very little spiritual energy remaining.
How could a sword like this be cherished so much by the magnificent demon lord?
That could only mean that its significance was greater than its value.
Xie Huai couldnāt see anything unique about this sword. Even when it had been whole, it couldnāt be considered a very valuable treasure. After it had been damaged, it had been left without an owner to nourish it with spiritual energy, and by now, it was little more than a lump of useless metalā¦ā¦ But to Fang Li, this sword must have unusual importance. He suddenly felt a bit of an urge to know the genuine, unknown face of this person, so heād quietly hidden himself inside the bamboo forest.
But he hadnāt imagined that Fang Li had simply touched the sword and sunk into a nightmare, faintly showing the portents of going into a qi deviation.
If he merely left it alone, there was a high chance that Fang Li would die.
He should have left, or perhaps seized the opportunity to kill him, forever resolving this danger.
But heād looked at Fang Liās painful expression, that pair of eyes shot with blood, the blue veins pulsing on his pale, ashen face. In a split second, Fang Li had been submerged in the suffering of the past, like a drowning man struggling with all his might to escape, but finding in despair that there was nowhere to go. He had been trapped in that eternally unending dream, sinking into an endless hell. Nobody could give him a pull, and even if his soul tore and scattered, he wouldnāt be able to escapeā¦ā¦
That person had finally shed his pretenses, revealing the genuine side of him concealed within, but was this scene what Xie Huai had wanted to see?
Xie Huai had closed his eyes, and before heād even realized it, heād already cried out to awaken Fang Li.
Why had he done that?
Perhaps it was merely because he didnāt want to see that person reveal such a helpless, despairing look. It made one unable to help but wonder what exactly heād experienced to become like his current self.
Why donāt you allow anyone to come here? Is it because the memories here are painful, very painful, yet you still canāt bear to let goā¦ā¦?
Xie Huai pursed his lips. He knew these thoughts of his were dangerous. This world had tens of thousands of kinds of suffering, and no matter what oneās past, it wasnāt a reason to wallow in corruption. Since he had chosen to enter the demonic path, then he should bear the cost of his choice.
Thatās right, it wasnāt that he took pity on that person. He was only, unwilling to take advantage of his critical state, that was all.
That was what Xie Huai told himself.
It was just a pity that he hadnāt acquired any useful information today.
Xie Huai slowly and firmly moved his gaze away, not looking at Fang Li any longer, then turned and left.
Fang Li watched Xie Huaiās back as he left, not speaking up to stop him.
If he still didnāt know good from bad right now, there was a high chance Xie Huai would regret his actions and come back to make up for it with a stab of his sword.
He pondered for a long time and came to the conclusion that with he and Xie Huaiās current standpoints, there could only be one reason that Xie Huai hadnāt acted, which was that he was a gentleman of honor and wouldnāt deign to take advantage of anotherās moment of crisis.
But in truth, the fact that Xie Huai hadnāt killed him was a hundred percent surprising to Fang Li.
Although heād read the original story and knew that Xie Huai dedicated his life to eliminating demons to uphold justice, punishing the wicked and uprooting evil, and he was someone the whole world revered, Xie Huai definitely wasnāt an indiscriminate do-gooder. He didnāt carry a merciful heart, a lenient hand, indecision, hesitancy, excessive sentimentality, and other such problems.
On the contrary, he was a hundred percent ruthless when facing demonic cultivators, killing them without blinking. He was unwavering, his way of thinking profound, and he wouldnāt easily be swayed by external factors.
He had never been a saint who tried to end the suffering of all living things, but a god of death whose blade cut down evil demons.
But now, it seemed like Fang Li had been wrongā¦ā¦
Xie Huai also had this side to him.
As expected of the protagonistĀ shouĀ who was made of goodness, truth, and beauty!
If it had been Fang Li in his place, he wouldnāt have been able to return evil with kindness like this.
ć System: Host, host, host, are you really alright now? QAQ ć
Fang Li finally had the energy to respond to the System. He laughed, āIām fine now.ā
The System decided to make up for its past mistakes. He shouldnāt have given the host Yan Suiās memories. Although the host hadnāt run into problems before, that didnāt mean that he wouldnāt in the future! If he met with another accident and Xie Huai wasnāt around to help, who knew if the host would really be unable to wake up? Thinking of this possibility, the System blamed itself endlessly.
ć System: I can help you reseal Yan Suiās memories. ć
Fang Li smiled and shook his head. āNo need.ā
He had truly had a momentās carelessness just now, but the reason that the nightmare could trap him was doubtlessly because he hadnāt been on guard. The bamboo sword had been a switch that had opened Yan Suiās memories, and it was only the sudden surge of the nightmare charging at his consciousness that had caused him to be unable to struggle freeā¦ā¦ But something like this was just like a pitfall; the same disguise in the same location might catch one unawares the first time, but as long as one knew about it, it was no longer of any use.
Besides, this was a cultivation world with fatal perils all around. It was hard to say whether the memories or the world itself was more dangerous.
Fang Li bent over and picked up the bamboo sword on the ground. Earlier, when heād been trapped, heād accidentally knocked it to the ground.
The System was just about to persuade the host, but it hadnāt thought the host would dare to touch that sword. It immediately lost all color in fright and was almost terrified into crashing!
But what surprised it was that this time, nothing happened to Fang Li at all. He only picked up the sword and gently put it back in place, carefully wiping the dust.
System: ?
Fang Li slowly walked outside. Before leaving, he turned back to look at the lonely bamboo house.
If this world had never given someone a thread of hope, that was still better than giving you hope, then mercilessly and thoroughly crushing it.
Regardless of whether his white robes were soaked in blood or whether he was mired in a hopeless situation, the person who had protected Yan Sui in his memories had never ceded a single step. Up until the very last moment, he had wanted to shield him with his body, as if as long as he was standing there, he neednāt fear this worldā¦ā¦
Just like how Xie Huai had faced the tens of thousands of demonic cultivators back then, carrying his sword in one hand as he stood in front of the Cloudbank Keep disciples, his white robes soaked in blood, refusing to retreat even half a step, willing to plummet into an endless hell in order to protect the people he wanted to protectā¦ā¦
Xie Huai was very similar to that person.
It was only a pity that the person Xie Huai stood in front of to protect wasnāt him. As for him, he would never in this life meet someone like that again.
Fang Li thought he understood a little why Yan Sui had allowed himself to sink.
Because he didnāt want to free himself and escape at all.
That he would fall in love with Xie Huai wasnāt because of the original storyās so-called āaffection borne from timeā ā¦ā¦ Perhaps, he had only always been chasing a dream that could never become reality. Although he knew it was all a fantasy, he still couldnāt bear to let goā¦ā¦
In the entirety of his short and tragic life, that was the one and only thing he had wanted to keep, yet had been unable to keep no matter what.
Unfortunately, in the end, what didnāt belong to him, didnāt belong to himā¦ā¦
Trying to keep something by force was only drinking poison to quench his thirst, only a way of deceiving himself.
These days, the System was constantly worried. Although the host had said he was fine, was he really completely fine?
Fang Li thought the System was truly overthinking things.
Compared to those trifling matters, Fang Li was more fed up with the fact that official business was picking up these days.
Du Meng had conquered another province, and their territory had expanded again. When the demonic horde banded together, there were almost no righteous sects who could resist them, causing their territory to expand too quickly recentlyā¦ā¦
Expanding their territory would cause the question of dividing the tribute to come up. Because of this, plenty of demonic sects had started to create a ruckus in front of him, quarreling this way and that. Although he didnāt really want to pay attention to it, he could only listen patiently.
This position of demon lord was more or less like being the emperor, but handling matters as an emperor was a very taxing job. Only muddle-headed monarchs lived comfortable, carefree lives.
Fang Li decided to go through with the āincompetent ruler who destroyed his nationā act to the very end.
The best way to evade work was to sink into vices of the flesh. Recently, Fang Li was very fond of going over to Xie Huaiās. Because of the matter last time, Fang Liās favorability towards Xie Huai had increased again. A noble-hearted gentleman who repaid evil with kindness and emitted the dazzling brilliance of a right and proper citizen wouldnāt use base or conniving tacticsā¦ā¦ Before Xie Huai broke through his seal, they could definitely get along peacefully!
Previously, he had been using the heart of a small-minded person to measure the bearing of a gentleman!
Plus, according to the progression of the original plot, after experiencing several intense X scenes, Yan Suiās heart was moved along with his body, and he finally started to fall step by step, giving Xie Huai whatever he wanted, completely bending to his will, and gradually turning into an obedient dog. He only hated that he couldnāt pluck the moon and stars for the sky to exchange for a single smile from the beautyā¦ā¦
When Fang Li had first read the book, heād thought that Yan Sui being moved because of lust to the point of falling in true love was a bit ridiculous and illogical. He could only conclude that it was because this was a PWP novelā¦ā¦
But after being trapped in the nightmare last time, Fang Li could understand Yan Suiās emotions a little, and he understood why it had to be Xie Huaiā¦ā¦ Because Xie Huai really was very similar to that person.
When the novel world was turned into reality and the two-dimensional characters became real, living people, the parts that originally didnāt make enough sense had automatically been filled out. It was a pretty interesting matter.
Today, Fang Li was about to go to the grand hall to listen to official matters again, and without the slightest bit of hesitation, he brought Xie Huai with him āto attend court.ā He held onto Xie Huaiās hand the whole way, leading him to sit by his side.
The horde of demons below couldnāt help raising a clamor. His Excellency was being too outrageous! This wasnāt something like a banquet, where bringing a plaything along to toy around with was whateverā¦ā¦ To bring a righteous sect cultivator to sit on the demon lordās throne while the demonic sects discussed official matters, what manner of nonsense was that?!
Xie Huai remained silent, his expression indifferent.
His hand was grasped by Fang Li without rest, and the slightly cool sensation of the otherās fingertips transferred over. Perhaps it was because theyād been holding hands for a while, but those fingertips gradually stopped feeling cool, as if theyād gained a little bit of warmthā¦ā¦ While this person ate and lived together with him, heād still been somewhat cautious at first, but now heād become more and more careless. Was it because he was starting to let his guard down?
Other than never truly touching him, this person could be said to be totally willing to bend to Xie Huaiās whims. His act of favoritism and affection could be considered to have been acted out flawlessly, to the point that it sometimes gave him the illusion that this person really did like himā¦ā¦
But he knew it was all fake.
Xie Huai lowered his eyes, meeting Du Mengās gaze.
Hah, so this was Fang Liās goalāmaking Du Meng think that Xie Huai was his weakness. For this, he didnāt hesitate to go to this extentā¦ā¦ Xie Huai pulled the corner of his mouth, lowering his gaze to cover up the chill in the depth of his eyes.
Since youāre making use of me, why donāt we make use of each other?
Fang Li propped up his chin with one hand, impatiently listening to the underling speak.
The Demonflame Sect sect master said, āThis time, we attacked twelve sects in Wangyue province, and there are seven hundred and ninety-two righteous sect prisoners. Your Excellency, how should we arrange them?ā
The Demonflame Sect sect master had already planned it all out. The Nascent Soul and above cultivators, theyād refine their souls; the Golden Core and above cultivators, theyād refine into puppets; the rest, theyād divide amongst everyone as slaves. Slaves with cultivation were hot commodities, after all, whether they were to be refined into furnaces or medicinal vessels, they were all top-quality materialsā¦ā¦ Their Demonflame Sect had contributed a huge effort this time, so no matter what, they should get a bit of a larger share, right?
How to arrange them?
Fang Li creased his brow, a little troubledā¦ā¦
Xie Huai suddenly opened his mouth, his voice cool and indifferent, his expression frigid. āSlaughtering innocents is a violation of heavenly law.ā
What a āslaughtering innocents,ā what a āviolation of heavenly lawā! The horde of demons below immediately burst into roaring laughter, looking at Xie Huai as if they were staring at a fool. He must have gone mad to say those kinds of words in this place. Didnāt he see what kind of people were here? Did he really think he was still that Yuyi-jun revered by all? Here, youāre nothing but a plaything being toyed around with! Not a sliver of self-awareness!
The Demonflame Sect sect master had also started to sneer. When His Excellency spoke, was there any place for a plaything to interrupt? No matter how much His Excellency doted on him, he wouldnāt allow him to act this willfully.
Everything thought Xie Huai was ridiculous and laughable.
Only Fang Liās eyes lit up. It wasnāt suitable for him to say those words, but for Xie Huai, it couldnāt be more fitting. This was basically gifting him a pillow just as he was getting drowsy, was Xie Huai the roundworm in his stomach?
Fang Li sat up straight and didnāt even look at the people below. His eyes were full of tenderness and doting as he said to Xie Huai, āAlright, whatever you want.ā
Then he turned and said coldly to the Demonflame Sect sect master, whose face was sluggish as he was still caught in a daze, āDidnāt you hear? Seeing as Yuyi-jun isnāt happy, these people wonāt be arranged anywhere for the time being.ā
The Demonflame Sect sect master looked at Fang Li blankly. He thought he must have been hallucinating.
Everyone present was startled for a moment. A terrifying thought appeared in their headsācould it be that the one who had gone mad wasnāt Xie Huai, but His Excellency?
Because of a single sentence from Xie Huai, they wouldnāt be arranging these people? They had put their all into capturing those prisoners, and theyād had plenty of casualties, too! How could they leave it like this! Everyone revealed resentful expressions one by one!
But Fang Li didnāt intend to give them the chance to retort. His voice was steeped in a penetrating chill, and his frigid gaze swept through the lower area as he enunciated, āWhat is it? Is there anyone who objects to this lordās decision? Come forward.ā
The room fell into silence.
Not a single person came forward.
Fang Li leaned back, satisfied. Pretty good, nobody was willing to be the nail that stuck out.
Because of this, the look that everyone gave Xie Huai changed. There was a bit less ridicule, a bit more resentment and fear.
After a long time, the Blackwater Valley valley master hesitated, then walked forward, bowing and clearing his throat as he said, āIt has been said that the demonic palace is lacking in personal servants. This subordinate specially collected eighty-eight young men and women, each top-quality in appearance. This subordinate wishes to send them into the palace to attend to Your Excellencyā¦ā¦ā
Xie Huai raised his eyebrows. āNo need, itās enough that His Excellency has me.ā
āā¦ā¦!ā The crowd was furious. Outrageous, truly too outrageous! His Excellency hadnāt even spoken yet!
Fang Li simply thought this was absolutely fantastic. He gave Xie Huai a heartfelt look. To think they had this level of tacit understanding! He immediately said impatiently to the Blackwater Valley valley master, āDidnāt you hear? Release them all. And donāt do this kind of unnecessary thing in the future, this lord isnāt lacking people by his side.ā
ā!!!ā Shouting, clamor, shock, bewilderment!
Fang Li said, āAnything else?ā
This time, the hall was silent for a long time. No one came forward for half the day.
Just as everyone was still in the midst of shock, not knowing how best to proceed, Du Meng suddenly stepped forward. He raised his head and fixed his eyes on Fang Li and Xie Huai, his murky black eyes carrying an oppressive weight. He slowly opened his mouth, āRecently, a few Cloudbank Keep disciples snuck into the areas surrounding Hollow Ridge and were captured. What does Your Excellency think would be the best way to handle them?ā
Cloudbank Keep disciples, huhā¦ā¦
Fang Li was already eagerly seeking advice. He smiled and directly asked Xie Huai, āHow does Yuyi-jun think it should be handled?ā
Xie Huaiās sharp gaze swept past Du Meng. The corner of his lips lifted slightly, and he said blandly. āNaturally, let them all go.ā
Fang Li had been waiting for this exact sentence. As expected, Xie Huai didnāt let him down. Someone with any less courage wouldnāt dare to seize control like this and might have gotten scared silly by Du Mengā¦ā¦
Fang Li gave Du Meng a cold glance, opening his mouth without hesitation. āLet them all go, and if any Cloudbank Keep disciples come in the future, as long as they donāt stir up any trouble, just leave them alone. Understand?ā These were his in-laws, Xie Huaiās maiden family. Forget doing anything to them, he had to properly offer them his respects!
After he was done speaking, he looked at Xie Huai, immediately putting on a warm expression, and said dotingly, āDo you think these arrangements are fine?ā
Xie Huaiās expression hadnāt changed from start to finish, maintaining that cool, indifferent appearance the entire time. He hadnāt even given a single smile, only making a light āmnā sound in his throat by way of reply.
Fang Li didnāt mind his indifference in the least. He looped an arm around Xie Huaās shoulders, as if he really were smitten all the way to the bone, saying tenderly, āAs long as youāre happy.ā
Everyone below was already thoroughly dazed. Was there even a f*cking shred of the natural order left?
Outrageous, outrageous, as a mere plaything, this was simply too outrageous! This was being spoiled to the point of arrogance!
Is the person in charge here His Excellency, or you, Xie Huai?!