Fang Li slept until the middle of the night before finally stirring groggily.
When he opened his eyes, he saw that it was already late. He had really slept too long.
Luckily, there wasnât really anyone in the palace right now, or he might have even been killed without knowing it.
This body was becoming more and more unable to endure hunger, and Fang Li was about to get a midnight snack to eat, but his lips seemed to hurt a little, and when he touched them, he actually found a tearâŠâŠ No way, was he already so hungry that heâd started gnawing on himself?
The system remained quiet as a mouse, wanting to speak, but stopping.
Actually, when it had seen Xie Huai kiss the host, it had already been shocked silly and had crashed right on the spot.
It could tell that because the host had changed the plot, Xie Huai didnât hate him or want to kill him as much anymore, to the point that he might even not dislike the hostâŠâŠ But the system had never in a million years thought that Xie Huai would have those sorts of thoughts toward the host. Hadnât he hidden it a little too well?!
How had Xie Huai started liking the host?
When had he started liking him?
You couldnât tell at all!
When it thought about how the plot had collapsed into this state without anyoneâs knowledge, the System suddenly felt its heart turn to ash.
It was over. The mission couldnât be completed anymore. This world was about to disappear.
Maybe it was because its heart kept crumbling and crumblingâŠâŠ but the System slowly reached nirvana.
If it were still back during the beginning of the plot, the System would have been sure to give the host a good nagging and tell him to properly follow the scriptâŠâŠ but at this point, what use would it be to say all of that? The plot was already impossible to recover!
When it thought about how the script couldnât be completed, this world would disappear, and the host would disappear along with itâŠâŠ
The System suddenly couldnât bear to tell the host what had happened.
It still remembered clear as day the ruthless vigor with which the host had slit his own throat in that illusory dream. With things at this point, it would still be better to avoid telling him and upsetting him, right?
Just let him go about in peace.
It could be seen as a final act of care.
Because all of the servants had been sent away. Fang Li groped his way to the kitchen by himself, overturning cabinets in search of food as he mumbled to himself, âSince I was biting my lips, it probably means Iâm craving meat. I should find something with meat to eat.
The Systemâs heart was full of pity and sympathy. It zipped its mouth shut, pretending to be mute.
Luckily, although the demonic palace was empty of people, it was stocked with plenty of luxurious delicacies. Even though he was doing the preparations himself, Fang Li had more than enough to enjoy.
When he was full, he went back to sleep again.
Fang Li didnât wake up until late the next morning, then called Wu Yimei over.
Wu Yimei still had that respectful appearance. âYour Excellency, what orders do you have?â
Fang Li pondered to himself for a moment.
He was about to die, and all the unimportant people had also been taken care of now. Now, only Wu Yimei was left.
He slowly opened his mouth.âThere is a matter that this lord would have you take care of. This lord can only trust you.â
Wu Yimei immediately said, âYour Excellency, please give the order.â
Fang Li said, âThis lord already knows where Du Meng is. Heâs at the Qing clanâs Returning Spring Valley. Capture him and bring him back.â
Having said that, he waved his hand, and a little black pagoda appeared in his palm. This was his spiritual device, the Soul-Refining Tower.
âDu Mengâs cultivation is too profound to measure. You likely wonât be a match for him. Bring this lordâs Soul-Refining Tower, so that even if you arenât able to capture him, you can still defend yourself,â Fang Li said.
Wu Yimeiâs expression suddenly changed. His dark red eyes seemed to be dripping with blood. For the first time, he didnât accept the command right away, but instead said in a hoarse voice, âYou want me to leave right now?â
The Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance could attack at any time, and Returning Spring Valley was far, far away. With the trip there and back, regardless of whether or not he captured Du Meng, he couldnât possibly make it back within ten days.
Moreover, the Soul-Refining Tower was one of His Excellencyâs most important spiritual devices, as important as his lifebound weapon, the black stone halberd. At a critical time like this, he was actually giving the life-preserving card up his sleeve to himâŠâŠ
His Excellency was driving him away.
He was going to stay here alone to meet death.
Wu Yimei knelt down, his forehead knocking against the ground, as he said word by word, âYou are more in need of people by your side right now. This subordinate can capture Du Meng in the futureâŠâŠâ
Fang Liâs voice became cold, âAre you defying this lordâs command?â
Wu Yimei remained completely still, looking at Fang Li imploringly. âPlease allow this subordinate to stay.â
But Fang Li remained unmoved, his expression increasingly frigid. His voice was cool as he said, âIt looks like this lord really is no good anymore. Even you dare to defy this lord.â
I only, want to stay here and accompany you by your side.
Fang Li leaned over teasingly and fixed his eyes on Wu Yimei, laughing softly. âWhat kind of expression is that? Do you think this lord is about to die? Do you think so little of this lord?â
Wu Yimei looked at Fang Li with grief, his expression full of pain and despair. Why do you have to drive me away?
Iâve followed you for so many years.
I only want to follow you to the end.
Is even such a tiny, tiny wish no good?
Fang Li looked at Wu Yimeiâs expression, his heart a bit unable to bear it. But he couldnât let Wu Yimei stay. He toughened his heart and turned, saying in a frosty voice, âLeave. If you donât leave, then donât ever appear before this lord again. This lord doesnât need any subordinates who would defy this lordâs commands.â
Wu Yimei looked at Fang Liâs cold, decisive back, his heart feeling like itâd been soaked in ice.
He knew this person was telling the truthâŠâŠ
His Excellency never needed anyone who would go against him. In all these years, he had stepped over mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and everyone who had defied him had become a vengeful ghost under his throneâŠâŠ
If Wu Yimei defied his order, he didnât even need to die. It was only that they would never meet again.
That was also this personâs mercy.
But if he followed the order, perhapsâŠâŠ he would never see this person again.
For a while, he didnât know exactly which choice held more despair.
Just then, Wu Yimei heard the person before him open his mouth to say mildly, âDo you believe in this lord?â
Wu Yimei lifted his eyes in a daze.
Fang Li said, âIf you leave today, perhaps there will be a day we can meet again. If you donât leave, then there wonât be.â
When Fang Li spoke this sentence, his tone was extremely calm, yet it held a certainty that couldnât be doubted. Just like every time before, every sentence that this person spoke held the weight of a mountain, and Wu Yimei had never doubted a single one of his decisions before.
But this time, Wu Yimei didnât dare believe him. His face was ghastly pale, and he said blankly, âIs what youâre saying trueâŠâŠâ
Fang Li smiled. âWhen has this lord ever deceived you?â
He paused, then said slowly, âIf you live, then weâll meet again.â
Wu Yimei fixed his eyes on him.
His dark red eyes seemed to be steeped in blood.
On their entire road together, this person had never deceived himâŠâŠ So, this time, you wouldnât lie to me either, right?
The room was completely silent. There were only two people, one standing, one kneeling.
After who knows how long.
Finally, Wu Yimei stood up slowly, and the Soul-Refining Tower flew into his arms. He gave Fang Li a fond look, full of reluctance to partâŠâŠ
I will definitely return.
I will definitely see you again.
Thatâs what you promised me.
Fang Li heard footsteps behind him leaving. Only when he was sure that Wu Yimei was far away did he turn around again, his expression complicated.
It wasnât really deceiving him.
If we both live this time, maybe there will be a day where we meet againâŠâŠ So, you must live on properly.
The System looked on silently, finding it difficult to bear. If this world disappears, then what meaning is there to everything youâre doing right now?
The System couldnât resist tactfully reminding the host.
ăSystem: Actually, you donât need to be like this. If the mission isnât completed, even if you send him away, he wonât be able to stayâŠâŠă Everything in this world would disappear.
Fang Li didnât like to hear such disheartening words. Heâd been working so hard for so long, so how could the mission possibly fail?
Fang Li said, âI think it can be completed.â
ăThe System said again tactfully: I think Xie Huai couldnât possibly be willing to kill you.ă
Hearing that, Fang Li fell silent for a moment, then said, âDonât jump to conclusions before the moment has arrived.â
The System thought, is this jumping to conclusions? I have an omniscient viewpoint!
If Xie Huai is willing to kill you, Iâll call you Daddy from now on.
But Fang Li had on the airs of someone with cards up his sleeve. He said mildly, âDonât worry, everything is already in place, just waiting for the push to set things in motion. The Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance will quickly attack. As long as Xie Huai is present, I have a way to complete the script.â
ăSystem: Ha ha.ă
It truly didnât know where the hostâs confidence came from. Even if you donât know that Xie Huai likes you, you should be able to tell that he doesnât hold any killing intent toward you, right?
It was all because I got hoodwinked by you at the very beginning that I fell for you saying this or that was about the sameâŠâŠ Now the plot has collapsed into this state. Is this the âabout the sameâ you were talking about back then?
Tired, I donât want to talk anymore.
Fang Li saw that the System wasnât speaking anymore and also delighted in the peace. Speaking of which, itâd been a few days since heâd seen Xie Huai.
After all, Xie Huai was the protagonist of this book, and he was an important VIP of the final plot. Fang Li decided to go visit Xie Huai and see what was going onâŠâŠ
But when he went to the side palace to look, Xie Huai wasnât in his room.
Where had Xie Huai gone?
Fang Li walked through the entire demonic palace and still didnât find Xie Huai.
Fang Li: ââŠâŠâ
Heâd talked too big just now. Although all of his machinations were in place in all other matters, the only thing he hadnât expected was that Xie Huai would run!
No wayâŠâŠ
This didnât match up with Xie Huaiâs style of doing thingsâŠâŠ
Did he seem like the kind of person who would flee just before the battle?!
But right now, the truth wasâŠâŠ
Xie Huai wasnât here.
It couldnât be that heâd gone too overboard previously and had really angered Xie Huai into leaving?
If the protagonist wasnât present, no matter how many plans he made, the most clever housewife in the world couldnât cook without ingredients!
Fang Liâs confidence immediately crumbled a little, but he had just made a pledge in front of the System, saying that he could complete the mission. He couldnât go and slap his own face nowâŠâŠ
After a long time, Fang Li coughed lightly and said casually, âThat, if Xie Huai isnât here when the time comes, and I die at the hands of the Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance, that also counts as completing the mission, right? Look, after all, Iâve already made it to this step and completed ninety-nine percent. It shouldnât be a big deal if Iâm only missing one percent, right?â
ăThe Systemâs voice was stupefied: Youâre saying Xie Huai is that one percent?ă
Cutting some other parts of the script was one thing, but this related to the future development of the world, the final ending that would determine the track of the protagonistâs destiny! You think it wonât be a problem if the protagonist isnât here? This world is already about to collapse, okay?!
Fang Li: âŠâŠ
Fang Li said heavily, âDonât worry, maybe he only went back to his sect temporarily, and heâll arrive along with the rest of the Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance when the time comes. It would save some effort.â
ăSystem: HahâŠâŠă
If not for the fact that the host was about to disappear, it would have definitely roasted him a few times. Do you even believe your own words?
Fang Liâs hands were behind his back, his footsteps heavy as he returned to his residential palace.
Three days passed.
Fang Li sat at the entrance of his residential palace day after day, almost like a watchdog. Even eating and sleeping lost their flavorâŠâŠ
Heâd gone to such painstaking efforts to bring the plot up to this point, and he was only missing the last tiny bit, yet the protagonist had turned in his resignation letter and decided not to do it anymore? Was that something a human would do?
I even thought of you as a brother, yet youâve left me behind and run off on your own?
Fang Li was very angry.
But after getting angry, he was completely helpless. In the end, he couldnât blame Xie Huai. Who told him to keep changing the plot?
The human heart couldnât be controlled.
It was his mistake.
So this time, he wasnât sure eitherâŠâŠ
He wasnât sure whether Xie Huai would return.
Fang Li let out a low laugh in self-ridicule.
In the blink of an eye, another three days passed.
Fang Li was too lazy to sit by the palace door anymore and decided he might as well leave everything to fate. Every day, he stayed at the seaside cliff behind the mountains, fishing to practice his patience!
Besides, this was a great place for a decisive battle, very in line with the style of the demon lord. In the original book, this was precisely where Yan Sui had met his death. There wasnât much time left anyways, and he didnât want to bother moving, so he might as well stay here.
He sat on a rock, the black stone halberd stuck into the rock by his side. His robes billowed up in the cold wind, rustling fiercely, the atmosphere perfectly solemn and grave.
Look, Iâve prepared everything, so how come you havenât come yet?
The System accompanied the host silently the whole time.
Although it had had some disagreements with the host in the past, after a long and bumpy road together, on the eve of their separation, it also felt a little emotional. When a person died, it was like extinguishing a light, and they wouldnât know anything after that. The System decided to say something pleasant to hear.
ăSystem: Relax, if the mission isnât completed, then forget it. If it does get completed, Iâll definitely pick a good body for you.ă
Normally speaking, the hosts would care very much about their bodies after they died, and before their deaths, they would double-check over and over again before feeling at ease. Some hosts would even have requests for their new bodies regarding age, gender, appearance, talent, and so onâŠâŠ
ăSystem: Do you have any requests for your new body? As long as itâs not anything overboard, I can fulfill them.ă
Fang Li said, âMale.â
ăSystem: âŠâŠ Thatâs it?ă
Fang Li opened an eye lazily and made a noise of confirmation. âIâll leave the rest up to you.â
ăSystem: âŠâŠă
The System was suddenly a little bewildered. Had the host already given up, so he didnât even care about this anymore?
It couldnât help but recall the first time it had met the host. The host had had this very same appearance of being indifferent to everything. At the time, it had been very worried that the host wasnât willing to properly follow the script and would nag from time to time. After thatâŠâŠ starting from who knows when, the host had started to seriously and earnestly complete the mission, and it had gradually stopped speaking.
I thought you had changed. Had it only been my mistake?
But if you didnât care, then what need was there to go to such lengths?
Actually, you could have collapsed the plot whenever you wanted.
Seeing that the host had stopped talking, the System also fell silent. It didnât know what else it could say.
Fang Li sat on the boulder beside the seaside cliff, his eyes lowered, his fingertips fiddling inattentively with a white stone talisman. It was precisely the loverâs talisman that he and Xie Huai had bought for three stones at Baihua province. After leaving the dream, heâd kept it on his person the whole time in order to disgust Xie Huai. Looking at things now, it hadnât had much effectâŠâŠ
He recalled the path heâd walked with Xie Huai.
Although their standpoints were different, theyâd unexpectedly walked it quite smoothly. As expected, Xie Huai was just like heâd imagined in the beginning, a very good colleague and collaboration partner.
They could also count as friends forged through crisis, right?
When Fang Li thought of this, he couldnât help but laugh.
The sound of weapons and fighting drifted over from far below the mountain. The Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance had charged over so quickly, huhâŠâŠ There wasnât even someone to report the newsâŠâŠ
In the end, aside from Wu Yimei, Yan Sui was still alone without any family or friendsâŠâŠ
Perhaps Xie Huai wouldnât come.
Fair enough.
There was no need at all for him to kill a devil who was already seeking his own death. How could Xie Huai do such an unnecessary and dishonorable thing?
So it was understandable that he would leave now.
Fang Li let out a soft sigh.
He stood up slowly.
Just then.
He saw a white silhouette approach from afar, appearing before his eyes.
Fang Liâs eyes slowly widened, looking out in disbelief.
Xie Huai had actually come back.
He had never awaited a person with so much eagerness as right now.
Fang Liâs hands trembled slightly.
It looked like he hadnât actually been as calm as heâd appeared on the surfaceâŠâŠ
But following Xie Huaiâs approach, Fang Liâs brow suddenly creased. Xie Huai held his sword in one hand, and his white robes were splattered with blood, as well as traces of burn marks. He looked to be in a very tragic stateâŠâŠ
Even when being besieged at Cloudbank Keep, he hadnât looked nearly as tragic as right now.
Just where had Xie Huai gone, what had he been doing? How had he gotten himself into such a state? Fang Liâs lips moved, wanting to ask, but when the words reached the tip of his tongue, he ended up swallowing them back down.
In the end, Fang Li only said softly, âYou came back.â
Xie Huai looked at the person before him, his eyes blazing hot.
Thank goodness, youâre still here.
Thank goodness, I made it in time.
Iâve already retrieved the Nine-Petaled Lotus.
You wonât die.
Seeing that the Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance was about to charge over here, the most important thing right now was to leave this place.
Xie Huai said in a hoarse voice, âI have something to say to you. Letâs leave first.â
But Fang Li stood there without moving. He laughed softly. âDo you know what the world will say about you if you leave with me today?â
Xie Huaiâs expression sank, his lips pressed firmly together.
Of course he knew, but he didnât care what the world said. He only wanted this person to be safe and sound. Even if the road before them was full of thorns, he would still walk it by his sideâŠâŠ
Fang Li looked at Xie Huaiâs appearance right now and couldnât help but feel a bit touched.
His actions had ended up changing many things after all. Some were within his expectations, and some were not.
What he hadnât expected was that Xie Huai would be willing to go this far for himâŠâŠ
Why?
Do you also think of me as a friend?
Or is it because your heart is full of pity, pity for someone like me facing certain death, and youâre unwilling to see me die here?
Fang Li let out a low laugh.
But right now, the reason wasnât important anymore.
I canât leave with you.
If I leave with you today, it would serve as proof for the rumors outside. Afterwards, everyone would say that Yuyi-jun fell gladly and willingly onto the demonic path and sank into depravity with the devil. And no matter what Xie Huai said, from then on, all of the world would curse and revile him.
As soon as one stepped onto that path, there would be no turning back.
Fang Li absolutely wouldnât permit something like that to happen, he couldnât allow Xie Huai to become the next Yan Sui.
It was enough for Yan Sui alone to suffer a thousand torments with no hope for reprieve. Xie Huai should by nature be noble and honorable, the pride of the heavens looked up to and admired by the whole world, not a devil who could only live in darkness for the rest of his life, forever sinking into an endless hell.
Not even Yan Sui could bear to let Xie Huai fall to such a state. In the end, heâd chosen to use his life to fulfill Xie Huai. So how could Fang Li be willing to bear it?
Do you know? Iâve never regretted changing the script.
Iâm very thankful that none of those dark and painful things happened to you at all.
And as soon as today is over, everything will return to its proper path.
Youâll still be the Yuyi-jun revered by the whole world.
And I will be just another devil cut down by Yuyi-junâs blade, nothing more.
Dark clouds roiled in the sky above the Fallen Star Sea, the sound of thunder booming. The Thousand Immortalsâ Alliance was already storming over, the four great sects marching shoulder to shoulder, bloodstained banners billowing. Fang Li narrowed his eyes, sweeping over those angry, terrified, hateful facesâŠâŠ
Fang Li gave a smile to Xie Huai. With things at this point, he could finally say something from the heart. He softly raised the corners of his lips, a faint smile in his eyes. âIâm very happy that I had you by my side to keep me company these days.â
To him, this world was strange and unfamiliar and icy-cold.
But the person by his side was boiling hot and full of life.
He was so vivid, so real, so perfect, that Fang Li hadnât felt a single bit of boredom or loneliness in this strange and unfamiliar world.
He didnât know from what time it was that he had started seriously completing the mission and following the scriptâŠâŠ
Fang Li looked at Xie Huai.
Because you made me feel that this world was worth existing.
So, in order to allow you and this world to keep existing, no matter whatâŠâŠ I have to complete the mission.
Nobody will disappear.
Xie Huai looked at Fang Liâs expression, and for some reason, a powerful unease suddenly arose in his heart. The sound of yelling and fighting behind him was just within reach, there was no timeâŠâŠ
No matter what else you have to say, we can talk after we leave first.
Xie Huaâs face set, and he reached out to pull Fang Li awayâ
That was what he had thoughtâ
But the hand that stretched out was his right hand that was holding his sword, and his blade pierced right through the chest of the person before him.
Xie Huai stared blankly at his own hand.
This, was this really his hand?
Why was it like this?
He had clearlyâŠâŠ only wanted to pull that person away, to take him away from hereâŠâŠ
Xie Huaiâs body was shaking. He wanted to pull his hand away, but he couldnât move his hand. He wanted to speak, but he couldnât open his mouth. He was just like a wooden puppet, trapped inside a shell of a body.
Fresh blood soaked through Fang Liâs black robes, but the person before him revealed a crafty, delighted smile. On that pale, white face was the delighted look that he was familiar with.
Xie Huaiâs eyes were about to split open.
The love, parasite.
This was the trump card Fang Li had left for himself.
Fang Li had planted the love parasite but had never used it to control Xie Huai precisely because he didnât want Xie Huai to be vigilant of it, because someone like Xie Huai wouldnât give someone a second opportunity to control him. SoâŠâŠ there was only one chance.
He had to be taken by surprise.
Xie Huai stood there completely motionless. Only his eyes were suffused with red, as savage as a ghoulâs. Inside his body, every single strand of his meridians was screaming with pain, every vein in his body trembling and threatening to tear. Fresh blood trickled down from the corners of his eyesâŠâŠ
Fang Li knew that Xie Huai was about to free himself from his controlâŠâŠ
He gave Xie Huai an apologetic look.
From now on, youâll still be that noble and honorable Yuyi-jun who has devoted your life to slaying demons and protecting the Dao.
Being able to die by your hand was Yan Suiâs good fortune, as well as my good fortune.
Iâm fulfilling you by clearing your name for a lifetime, and youâre fulfilling my death in its proper place.
But I donât wish for Yan Suiâs body to be trampled on and humiliated after my death, so I can only say goodbye to you here.
Fang Li took a step backwards.
The sword slid out of his chest.
His body toppled downwards, the strong winds sending his robes billowing upwards. Fang Li raised his head and gave Xie Huai a smile.