If he didnāt dodge, this strike of the whip was asking for his life.
But if he dodged, wouldnāt that be equivalent to revealing his identity?
Fang Liās entire body was stretched taut, his eyes sharpening.
Just as the fatal moment arrived, a flash of cold light swept past, and Xie Huaiās white-robed silhouette blocked in front of him, flinging aside Wu Yimeiās whip with a single strike of his sword!
Xie Huaiās eyes were black as an abyss, his voice ice-cold. He said with deliberation, āCease.ā
Although Xie Huai had already been fairly restrained and had used the back of his blade, preventing the vine whip from being sliced in half in one blow, Wu Yimei still staggered, blood welling up in his chest. Seeing Xie Huai stand guard in front of that person, he glared at Xie Huai hatefully, pain and resentment in his eyes.
That year, heād obeyed His Excellencyās orders and left. Who could have known that before heād even reached Returning Spring Valley, he received the news that His Excellency had died on Hollow Ridge.
And the person who had killed His Excellency was Xie Huai.
In front of the entire Thousand Immortalsā Alliance, Xie Huai had killed His Excellency in a single blow and pushed him into the Fallen Star Sea so that not even His Excellencyās body remained.
Heād rushed back in such grief that he wished he were dead, but he hadnāt even made it back in time to see His Excellency one last timeā¦ā¦
Wasnāt it you who told me that as long as I lived, there would be a day we would meet again?
Youāve never lied to me.
But this time, why didnāt you keep your promise?
I just knew that sooner or later, Xie Huai would hurt you. Your heart was full of infatuation for him, but what was the result?
If, back then, I had killed Xie Huai even if it meant disobeying you, would none of this have happened?
These years.
Killing Xie Huai in order to get revenge for His Excellency had become the only thing possessing Wu Yimei to stay alive, but unfortunately, today, Xie Huai was already the number one in the world. He wasnāt a match for Xie Huai at all, suffering defeat after defeat at Xie Huaiās hands. Now, he couldnāt even keep safe the place where His Excellency had livedā¦ā¦
Wu Yimeiās pupils were so vividly red that they looked like they were about to drip blood, and the hand that was clenching his whip crackled loudly.
He would rather die at Xie Huaiās hands.
Yet Xie Huai persistently refused to kill him and would let him go every time. This was a humiliation toward him, letting him know how powerless he was. Not only was he unable to get revenge, he couldnāt do anything at allā¦ā¦
He could only watch his sworn enemy take over their home.
Even if you and His Excellency stood on different sides, could you really not sense how His Excellency treated you?
Why are you letting an unrelated person live in His Excellencyās residence, why do you have to trample on everything of His Excellencyās like thisā¦ā¦
This person was clearly cold-blooded and ruthless, he was clearly someone without a heart, yet the foolish people of the world praised him as a living celestial. How laughable.
A single grievous cry leaked out of Wu Yimeiās throat. He once again grasped the whip in his hand, and his cultivation erupted throughout his entire body. His blood-red eyes watched Xie Huai with reckless abandon.
Xie Huaiās brow creased.
Wu Yimei was burning his spiritual energy in order to try to take Xie Huai with him to the grave.
These years, Wu Yimei frequently came to the ridge to assassinate him. Although he knew full well that he wasnāt a match, he kept bothering him without rest, obviously harboring the intention of seeking his own death. He was just a devil with his hands full of blood, nothing more, and he didnāt know what was good for him at all. Reasonably speaking, Xie Huai might as well kill himā¦ā¦
But Wu Yimei was the person who Fang Li had stopped at nothing to protect just before his deathā¦ā¦
So no matter what, he wouldnāt kill Wu Yimei.
The Snowblue Sword in Xie Huaiās hands sensed danger and buzzed loudly, its fighting intent surging. His sleeves fluttered in the wind, a battle about to erupt at any moment.
Fang Liās expression finally became worried.
Wu Yimei wasnāt a match for Xie Huai.
Back then, heād gone to no small lengths to persuade Wu Yimei to leave the ridge, and it sure wasnāt for the sake of letting Wu Yimei come back to give away his life. If things went on like this, he would be forcing Xie Huai to strike. Did he really want to die here?
But right now, Fang Li couldnāt expose his own identity and order Wu Yimei to retreat.
Fang Liās heart was full of endless anxiety. Seeing that the two were about to start fighting, his mind raced, and he grabbed onto Xie Huaiās arm, putting on a frightened expression. āIām scaredā¦ā¦ā
Although Xie Huai was always icy cold, Wu Yimei had almost killed him just now. As a fool, asking Xie Huai for help wasnāt out of the question, right?
Xie Huaiās arm was suddenly hugged by Fang Li, the young manās thin body clinging tightly to him, seemingly terrified into trembling faintly. His pitch-black eyes looked at Xie Huai nervously, full of worry and uneaseā¦ā¦
As if Xie Huai was his only support.
But Xie Huai looked into the depths of his eyes.
He knew that all of it was a lie to confuse him.
The worry and unease in those eyes, just who was it for?
Are you that worried about Wu Yimei? So impatient to stop me?
A cold current swept through Xie Huaiās chest. These days, although he hadnāt appeared, he had actually been observing silently the whole time. Wu Yimeiās appearance was an accident, and it had originally been a good opportunity to probe Fang Li and force him to reveal a mistakeā¦ā¦ But in the end, he couldnāt bear for Fang Li to encounter a single accident, so heād immediately acted to stop itā¦ā¦
But Xie Huai hadnāt missed the joy in Fang Liās eyes the moment heād seen Wu Yimei.
So, you were very happy to reunite with Wu Yimei. Those eyes couldnāt deceive anyone. But why, when youāre facing me, do you only hide and flee?
Even if Wu Yimei nearly hurt you, you still think of protecting him, fearing that I might hurt him. For that, you donāt even hesitate to play the fool and put on such an appearanceā¦ā¦
Wu Yimei is someone you worry and care about. Then what about meā¦ā¦ Am I not worth even a shred of your care?
Did you really ever like me?
Ever since coming across this person.
Xie Huai had hoped day after day, night after night, that if there came a day where he could reunite with him again, he would be sure to tell him in person the feelings that he hadnāt had a chance to speak aloudā¦ā¦
But when they really did meet.
Everything was telling him that this person didnāt actually want his feelings. The only thing he wanted was to leave him.
An undercurrent swept though Xie Huaiās eyes, on the verge of breaking through its restraints.
In that split second, he really did want to kill Wu Yimei, so that this personās eyes could never look at someone else again, so that he could never again wound his heart for the sake of someone elseā¦ā¦ Since you were so heartless to me, itās not unreasonable for me to be a little bit heartless, right?
But in the end, it was only a thought.
He couldnāt bear to see this person suffer or despair.
If I kill Wu Yimei today, Iām afraid there will never be any possibility between us again.
Wu Yimeiās whip was already thrashing toward them. Xie Huai suddenly looked up, his eyes as frigid as an abyss. The Snowblue Sword in his hand turned slightly. This time, it was no longer the back of the blade, but the sharp edge that met the whip. The cold tip struck out, and in the blink of an eye, it split Wu Yimeiās whip into two halvesā
Following a shake of Xie Huaiās arm, the back of Xie Huaiās blade struck Wu Yimeiās chest and sent him crashing violently away!
Wu Yimei spit out a mouthful of blood, his body swaying, on the brink of collapse. Although the blow hadnāt been fatal, it had seriously injured him, and he couldnāt take another step forward. He looked hatefully at Xie Huai. Why, why did it turn out like this again, why must you leave me alive?
Why donāt you just kill me?!
Fang Liās hands suddenly tightened around Xie Huai, and he held his breath.
Because one of Xie Huaiās hands was being held by Fang Li, he had only struck with one hand, but he still hadnāt given Wu Yimei any chance to retaliate. When he struck, he hadnāt concealed his killing intent at all, letting Fang Li understand very clearly that at that momentāXie Huai had wanted to kill Wu Yimei.
Heād really wanted to kill him.
A demonic cultivator who had provoked him time and time againāif he killed him, that was it. Although he didnāt know why Xie Huai had spared Wu Yimei in the end, things couldnāt go on like thisā¦ā¦
Fang Liās worries were heavy.
Xie Huai watched Wu Yimei with an ice-cold gaze. His thin lips parted slightly, and he spat out a single word. āLeave.ā
Wu Yimeiās blood-red eyes were full of fury and pain. He knew Xie Huai wouldnāt kill him.
His heart was unwilling.
But continuing to stay here was only seeking out more humiliation for himself. He finally took a deep breath, then turned and disappeared into the night.
When his wounds healed, he would come again.
He wouldnāt let matters rest with Xie Huai until death!
Only after seeing that Wu Yimei was finally willing to retreat was Fang Li able to relax slightly. Heād managed through no small effort to complete the plot, but Wu Yimei still insisted on seeking death and couldnāt make peace with Xie Huai. If he really died by Xie Huaiās sword, it would be a waste of all of his bitter efforts.
He thought about how he was no longer the demon lord, yet he still had to worry about his subordinates. Just when would he be able to clock out?
Fang Li let out a gloomy sigh in his heart.
Just as he was about to let go of Xie Huaiās hand, he suddenly saw Xie Huai turn to look at him. In the depths of those murky eyes were a darkness that made oneās heart quiver, and Fang Liās movements couldnāt help but stiffen.
Xie Huai, seemed to be very unhappyā¦ā¦
Xie Huaiās gaze was fixed on the young man beside him. His jaw was clenched taut, as if fiercely suppressing something.
Back then, it was you who didnāt hesitate to use even your life to carve out a bright future for me. You werenāt willing to let me fall into hell with you, you pushed me aside and had me return to being the Yuyi-jun admired by allā¦ā¦ You also once cared about me, right?
Xie Huai couldnāt understand.
Why could this person treat him with profound affection on the one hand, but act so coldly and ruthlessly toward him on the other. Making him fall hopelessly for him, yet leaving without any hesitation.
He had hundreds, thousands of words in his heart to interrogate him with, asking him why he was doing this.
Xie Huaiās lips moved, but in the end, he didnāt speak. Instead, he turned and left decisively.
He was afraid of getting an answer he didnāt want.
Fang Li stood there blankly. Only when Xie Huai had left did he finally realize that his back was soaked in cold sweat.
The Xie Huai in that moment just now had felt both terrifying and unfamiliar.
After a long time, he let out a sigh with a complicated expression.
ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦ā¦
Originally, Fang Li had thought his days were nice and leisurely. He was happy and content being a fool. The Fang family was safe and sound anyways, and there wasnāt much to worry about for him all by his lonesomeā¦ā¦ But because of the situation with Wu Yimei, his heart was full of worries these days. Wu Yimei wouldnāt let things rest so easily. If there was a next time, would Xie Huai still let Wu Yimei go?
He had to think of a way to leave and look for an opportunity to meet with Wu Yimei so that he could tell him not to come seeking death anymore.
Only, Xie Huai was still on Hollow Ridge.
He didnāt believe he could escape from right under Xie Huaiās nose.
The Xie Huai from that night had truly been a bit terrifying. Fang Li decided not to provoke him for the time being, so these days, all he would do was eat and sleep, and he basically had his doors closed without stepping foot outside.
Xie Huai also seemed to have no intention of seeing him. Other than the food prepared every day without exception, he practically never appeared before him.
Several days passed just like this.
Xie Huai finally came by again.
When the cold, white-robed man walked into the courtyard, he seemed to bring with him a gust of wind and snow. There wasnāt a trace of warmth in his deep, gloomy eyes.
Fang Li immediately became alert, putting on a perplexed, ignorant expression. He was playing the part of the fool through and through.
Xie Huai lowered his eyes to glance at Fang Li. His gaze swept past Fang Liās dirty robes, his messy hair, and the grime on his faceā¦ā¦ In order not to be recognized, he sure was putting his heart into it.
He still remembered how much this person had once loved cleanliness. His robes had always had dirt-repelling spells cast on them, and if they got even a little bit dirty, he would change.
Now, he wasnāt even paying attention to these things.
Xie Huai inwardly laughed mockingly at himself. He had originally intended to let Fang Li go on like this, but in the end, his fingers twitched, and he still cast a cleaning spell for Fang Li, erasing the stains on his robes. He said blandly, āCome here.ā
Fang Li hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.
Xie Huaiās slender fingers placed a jade bottle on the table, and he said, āI have to leave for a few days. These are inedia pills. Eat these for now.ā
Fang Li was still looking at him with confusion.
Xie Huai didnāt intend on explaining any further. He put down the jade bottle, then turned and left. He didnāt even give Fang Li a glance before his figure disappeared through the courtyard entrance.
As soon as Xie Huai left, Fang Liās expression returned to normal, his eyebrows raised.
He picked up the jade bottle and fiddled with it, opening it up to take a look. The jade bottle was filled with little pills, all of them high-quality inedia pills. A single pill could last a month, but they looked dark and black, and the smell wasnāt great, either. At a glance, one could tell they wouldnāt taste good.
How could a fool understand what Xie Huai had said, and why would a fool eat these pills that looked like they would taste horrible just from their appearance?
Fang Li let out a faint sigh. This test was really too obvious.
But he had no choice but to accept it, this was an obvious ployā¦ā¦ It looked like he would have to spend these few days hungry. He didnāt know when Xie Huai would return, either.
But if Xie Huai left, would he be able to think of a way to escape?
But it might also be Xie Huaiās scheme to lure the tiger out of its denā¦ā¦
Fang Li went back to his room and lay down on his bed. He couldnāt act hastily. If Xie Huai had only pretended to leave and was actually observing him in secret, acting hastily would only play into Xie Huaiās hands.
When he woke up the next day, as expected, there was no food prepared.
Luckily, there were some pastries left inside the room. Fang Li ate the pastries and made it through the day.
On the third day, still no one showed up.
Fang Li circled the place and picked the fruit from the trees to eat.
The fourth dayā¦ā¦
The fifth dayā¦ā¦
Fang Li was already so hungry his stomach was complaining. Xie Huai still hadnāt returned, and his entire body was on the verge of collapse. He looked outside with vacant eyesā¦ā¦
His gaze hovered back and forth around the inedia pills, but in the end, he still fiercely turned his head aside.
Then, with a plop, he fell onto the ground in front of the door.
Fang Li was pretending to have fainted.
He just didnāt believe Xie Huai would watch him starve to death here. Xie Huai definitely couldnāt do something like trampling a human life like grass.
Fang Li kept lying on the ground and accidentally fell right asleep. But when he woke up, he was still in his original position, and the room still had no traces of anyone having come byā¦ā¦
Had Xie Huai really left the ridge?
Fang Li pressed his lips together.
If Xie Huai had really left the ridge, this was a good opportunity for him to escape. He slowly crawled up off the ground. He strolled around, seemingly without any purpose, as if looking for something to eat, and wandered toward the entrance of the demonic palaceā¦ā¦
Although Xie Huai shouldnāt be here, Fang Li still wasnāt overly careless and remained cautious.
He circled around the entrance of the demonic palace. As expected, there was a barrier set up around the entrance. He could see it at a glance, but he still crashed into it head-first, the pain causing tears to well up.
Fang Li turned back and left.
He walked through the entire demonic palace, but there wasnāt a single crack to be found. Finally, he arrived at the area behind the residential palace. When he saw the bamboo house in the forbidden area, Fang Liās expression finally changed.
The bamboo house was still there.
Although the outside held some marks and traces of age, it still maintained its original appearance.
Back then, when heād died and left, he hadnāt been able to bring anything with him, so in the end, Yan SuiāsĀ shixiongāsĀ bamboo sword could only be left in the bamboo houseā¦ā¦ This bamboo house was ordinary and plain, and the sword was also mottled and damaged. Perhaps it wouldnāt draw the Thousand Immortalsā Allianceās attention, so it could be preserved? Although that had been the case, heād known the chances were slim. When the Thousand Immortalsā Alliance charged in here, how could they not pick the demonic palace clean?
Aside from Yan Sui, who else would care about this useless sword?
So, heād thought this place would be long gone.
Only, he hadnāt thought that after all these years, Hollow Ridge would still be exactly the same as back then. Xie Huai had preserved everything, including this bamboo house.
That bamboo sword.
Might still be there.
Fang Li fell silent for a moment, his expression complicated as he walked inside.
The bamboo house was still empty. The mottled green sword was placed peacefully atop the table. Sure enough, it was still hereā¦ā¦ Fang Li lowered his eyes and laughed softly. Only, when his gaze moved aside, he couldnāt help his expression from stiffening.
Beside the bamboo sword was a black stone halberd.
Back when heād plummeted into the Fallen Star Sea, heād left this black stone halberd on the seaside cliff. It turned out Xie Huai had even brought this back?
This was Yan Suiās lifebound spirit weapon. After transmigrating over, heād inherited everything of Yan Suiās, including this black stone halberd.
When he recalled the past, it was like a lifetime ago.
Fang Li unconsciously stepped forward and softly stroked the handle. The moment he touched it, the black stone halberd that had remained silent for years hummed softly. It was obviously a ferocious killing device that had drunk the blood of countless victims and caused the people of the world to shudder, but in front of Fang Li, it was like a child waiting for its master, emitting intimate ripples of energyā¦ā¦ full of longing and unwillingness to partā¦ā¦
Apologeticness sprouted in Fang Liās heart, and his eyes softened.
This was the lifebound spirit weapon that was linked to his consciousness.
Yet itād been thrown aside and left all alone for nine years.
He could sense the black stone halberdās joy and exhilarationā¦..
Only, the whole world knew that this was the demon lordās weapon for slaughter. If he were to take the black stone halberd, it would be equivalent to announcing the demon lordās return to the whole world. He was afraid it would once again summon forth oceans of blood.
In this life, he only wanted peace and quiet.
He had no intention of getting wrapped up in the turmoils of the world, nor did he want to cause the slaughter of innocents.
So, Iām sorry, I canāt take you away.
Although his heart was still full of apologies and unwillingness to part, Fang Li still let go.
As his touch disappeared, the black stone halberd fell silent once again.
Emitting a quiet, solemn aura.
Xie Huai was standing in the air just above the demonic palace, and the entire demonic palace was shrouded within his spiritual consciousness.
He saw Fang Li enter the bamboo building, and his hands couldnāt help but clench tighter.
Then, he saw that black stone halberd full of raging bloodthirst that ordinary people couldnāt even approach let out an intimate hum in Fang Liās hand.
Only its master could cause this arrogant, unyielding killing device to submit.
Because this was his lifebound spirit weapon.
Although Xie Huai had long anticipated Fang Liās identity already, and all kinds of evidence had indicated that he was that personā¦ā¦ how exactly had Fang Li survived? And how had he arrived in his current body? There were too many doubts and mysteries in his mind, and in the end, he still had a trace of uncertainty.