CH 3

November 10th, 2022

TL note: After some thought, I’ve switched the way I’m translating a few of the names:

Yunjian Keep -> Cloudbank Keep

Fuqiu Mountain -> Hollow Ridge1

The previous chapters have already been edited with these changes.

………………………………………

Countless flying spiritual tools took to the air. Leading them was a large black ship that cast a shadow wherever it went, like a black canopy descending from the sky, causing a shudder in the hearts of those who saw it.

Fang Li stood at the head of the ship. Because of the protective barrier, not a thread of his robes was rustled, unaffected by the encroachment of the freezing wind.

Yan Sui had only been harmed by the Soul-Parting Venom because of a qi deviation, his soul scattering to pieces and sending the internal energy of this body into chaos. If he acted without thinking, it was highly possible that he himself would also qi deviate…… They were fast approaching Hollow Ridge, and if he couldn’t recover his cultivation soon, he’d be hard-pressed to hold the initiative in front of those wild, ambitious underlings.

Though, from very the start, he’d never promised that he’d definitely complete the mission …… Fang Li carelessly wondered, what kind of feeling was it to go into qi deviation?

Would it be like how it was written in novels? Sinking into paradise, intoxicated by blissful illusions, forever losing sight of yourself…… Dying in a beautiful dream could still be considered a type of blessing.

Perhaps Yan Sui just didn’t want to wake up from that type of dream. Though, it was a pity that whatever he had dreamed of was beyond Fang Li’s knowledge.

Wu Yimei stood respectfully in attendance to one side, his brows slightly pinched. He could more or less guess His Excellency’s reasons for attacking Cloudbank Keep—it was simply to give the righteous sects a show of strength. Cloudbank Keep was the sect with the longest history and the head of the five great sects. It held a venerated position and had always been a model for the righteous sects. Using it to send out a warning could not be more suitable……

As for Yuyi-jun Xie Huai, as a young Soul Formation-level expert with boundless potential, he was simply incomparable to those old men waiting for death. Moreover, his martial prowess was so strong that he could contest with opponents of a greater cultivation level, and the cold steel of his blade had taken the lives of countless demonic cultivators. Even if those demonic cultivators charged forward without fear of death, taking turns to exhaust his cultivation…… in the end, they still had to rely on His Excellency to step forward in order to injure him.

Xie Huai was simply too big of a threat.

An opponent like this was bound to become a thorn in his side if given time. He could not be treated lightly—the correct choice was to cut down the problem at its root.

Wu Yumei had thought that His Excellency had exaggerated the matter of making Xie Huai his plaything to insult Cloudbank Keep and to destroy this potential threat in advance…… Who could have imagined that he really seemed to have the intention of bringing Xie Huai back……?

Previously, he had never dared to evaluate His Excellency’s thoughts, but confining someone like Xie Huai to his side as a plaything was simply playing with fire. Just a moment of carelessness, and it was hard to predict who would be the survivor.

It couldn’t be that… after seeing Xie Huai in person, His Excellency was also bewitched by his appearance and had developed those sorts of intentions?

Wu Yimei mulled over it, his expression solemn. Finally, he spoke, “Your Excellency, this subordinate believes that we should not bring Xie Huai back.”

Fang Li pulled back his attention and looked at the person beside him with a light laugh. “Oh? Then what do you believe should be done?”

Wu Yimei said slowly in a hoarse voice, “Xie Huai will not resign himself to becoming a plaything. He will doubtlessly be waiting for a chance to strike at Your Excellency, and he cannot be underestimated. This subordinate believes that we should eliminate the problem at its root to prevent any mishaps.”

Truly a diligent and conscientious evil cannon fodder. They had only just brought the protagonist back, and he was already urging him to kill him.

Fang Li’s expression was languid as he glanced sidelong at Wu Yimei, saying coolly, “It couldn’t be that you believe he poses a threat to this lord?”

Wu Yimei’s expression changed somewhat. Fearing that His Excellency was displeased, he quickly said, “That was not this subordinate’s meaning. But since Your Excellency has no intentions toward him, what need is there to leave him alive? Wouldn’t killing him directly make those righteous cultivators more fearful?”

Fang Li said, “Who said this lord has no intentions?”

“……”

Fang Li rested his hand on the railing, a shallow smile resting on the corners of his mouth. His tone was understated, but carried a sort of finality that forbid further questioning. “This lord has already said that as of now, he’s mine. Don’t bring this up again.”

He still had to carefully guard Xie Huai until Xie Huai came to kill him.

Seeing that Fang Li’s decision was already made, Wu Yimei wouldn’t touch Xie Huai’s life for the time being, but he still wasn’t at peace leaving someone like that by His Excellency’s side. After a moment of silence, he spoke again, “If Your Excellency intends to accept Xie Huai, why not destroy his cultivation? This way, when you partake of him in the future, he’ll be a little more obedient.”

Fang Li finally turned his head, his gaze fixed on Wu Yimei.

In truth, he hadn’t expected this to occur. In the original book, Yan Sui had indeed destroyed Xie Huai’s cultivation, but it hadn’t mentioned…… that Wu Yimei’s encouragement had been involved.

Fang Li considered briefly, then said indifferently, “If a beauty like that is all beaten up and bloody, it would ruin this lord’s appetite. Just use the Soul-Sealing Pins.”

Wu Yimei still wanted to speak, but seeing the cold look on Fang Li’s face, clearly already displeased, he only uttered an “Understood,” before bowing and retreating, probably to make preparations to personally carry out the sentence. After all, when handling Xie Huai, not a shred of negligence could be allowed.

He had always been a diligent and conscientious subordinate.

Only after watching Wu Yimei’s figure leave did Fang Li shake his head and sigh, thinking, I know you’re loyal and devoted…… But don’t you know? If you go against the main character, you won’t have a good ending.

【 The System anxiously said: Why did you have Wu Yimei use Soul-Sealing Pins? According to the script, you should be personally destroying his cultivation. 】

【 Fang Li: What’s the purpose of destroying his cultivation? 】

【 System: Getting rid of his cultivation. 】 Cough, so you can do with him as you please……

【 Fang Li: What’s the purpose of Soul-Sealing Pins? 】

【 System: Temporarily getting rid of his cultivation. 】 Demonic sects commonly used them on captives, sealing their cultivation and spiritual energy to take away their ability to resist, so they could be used as they pleased……

【 Fang Li: So, do you still have any questions? 】

【 System: …… 】 But those are two completely different things! Once a cultivator’s cultivation is destroyed, it could never be recovered, completely ruining them. On the other hand, Soul-Sealing Pins only temporarily sealed their cultivation, and unsealing it was as easy as removing the pins. One was temporary, one was permanent; one was reversible, one was irreversible……

Although, even after having his cultivation completely destroyed, Xie Huai still managed to re-cultivate. Looking at it that way, maybe there really wasn’t much difference……

【 Fang Li: This body just went through a qi deviation. I already have my hands full with that. If I really make a move in person, the first to die might be me. 】

【 System: …… 】

【 Fang Li: Of course, I’m not too concerned with whether I die or not. After all, I just died once. If you really want me to go, it’s not like I couldn’t…… 】

【 The System forced out a cheerful tone: It’s not like that. 】 Forget it, either way, it was letting him do with him as he pleased! They should be about the same, right……?

Fang Li lifted the corner of his lips and laughed, then lowered his eyes, pondering.

In the original story, not only did Yan Sui personally destroy Xie Huai’s cultivation, but his methods were exceedingly cruel, creating a bloody scene. Not only did he shatter Xie Huai’s dantian, he also broke each of his bones inch by inch, tormenting this gifted prodigy until he was just a breath away from perishing. Treating a cultivator this way was crueler than taking his life by far.

A shattered dantian, crushed bones—even a deity wouldn’t have the heaven-defying ability to escape their fate. Yan Sui had wanted to completely and thoroughly destroy him.

After suffering this kind of torment, most cultivators would rather simply die. Only Xie Huai…… As the world’s predestined protagonist, only he could stand back up from this desperate situation, and even climb further to unprecedented heights.

Had it been anyone else, they could only remain ruined, never again fated to tread the path toward immortality.

The book never mentioned exactly how Xie Huai managed to recover his cultivation, but Fang Li imagined that it must have been a road full of thorns.

When he had first read the original story, he’d only thought that this passage had been violence for the sake of violence, but thinking on it now, Yan Sui also had his reasons for doing so.

Wu Yimei’s suggestion to kill Xie Huai was not without reason. Fang Li understood clearly that eliminating a threat like this was naturally the best move. Even if Xie Huai wasn’t killed, he couldn’t be allowed to recover his strength. If one were arrogant enough to presume that they could toy with Xie Huai as they pleased without first completely ruining him….. that would truly be the most laughable thought.

That Yan Sui could deal this kind of vicious hand meant only one thing—at that point, he hadn’t yet become addled by love and was truly that cruel, cold-blooded devil who had united the demonic path.

Only, Fang Li felt no need to go that far. He and Xie Huai had no deep grudges between them, and tormenting a respectable adversary was really unnecessary.

But if he didn’t do anything at all, the first to die upon returning to Hollow Ridge would be him. He was going die, but it wasn’t the time for that yet, so he could only cause Xie Huai some grievance for the time being.

Soul-Sealing Pins were only used to seal cultivation and wouldn’t fundamentally harm him. By the time Xie Huai broke through the seal, it would be about time for Fang Li’s death.

Perfect timing.

Although the process of events was a bit different, they were just different roads to the same destination.

The day after, Fang Li arrived back at Hollow Ridge.

The towering, jagged peak before them was like a solitary blade fragment embedded obliquely into the dark, crashing waves of the Fallen Star Sea.

This place was rugged and steep with no natural resources, and the monsters in the Fallen Star Sea were savage and fierce. It was a remote and uninhabited natural fortress, and neither demonic nor righteous cultivators were willing to approach.

Only after Yan Sui united the demonic sects and erected his doors at Hollow Ridge did it gradually start to look like a proper sect.

Because it had only been a short time, the construction at Hollow Ridge couldn’t be considered complete. On the way there, there had been more than a few low-level demonic cultivators improving fortifications, constructing palaces, laying down arrays, and so on.

As he passed by overhead, Fang Li just happened to see a demonic cultivator accidentally trip and fall into the Fallen Star Sea. In just a split second, the cultivator was devoured clean by the demonic fish, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye.

He shook his head, descending to the palace situated at the top of the mountain.

Constructed with huge slabs of black rock, the palace was built much in the style of demonic cultivators. Gloomy, dark, and imposing, as soon as one stepped inside, they would feel the oppressive atmosphere bearing down. Simply standing there, the average person wouldn’t be able to help but feel fear crawl up their chest.

He followed his memories to make his way across the black jade-like floor. Wu Yimei trailed quietly half a step behind him, and seeing that Fang Li was about to head to the living quarters to rest, he probed, “Yuyi-jun…… How should his arrangements be made? Please instruct, Your Excellency.”

“I’ll leave those trivial matters up to you,” Fang Li said without a care.

Wu Yimei agreed deferentially.

The reason why Fang Li could give such an order was because the original story also went this way. Although Yan Sui brought Xie Huai back, he hadn’t kept the matter in mind at this point. After destroying his cultivation, he’d simply ignored him and left matters up to Wu Yimei to arrange.

Wu Yimei found Xie Huai an eyesore from the start, and maintaining the principles of an evil cannon fodder character, he had placed Xie Huai in the rear garden with the other playthings in order to humiliate him.

But that wasn’t important.

The important thing was, the next time Fang Li would see Xie Huai was still three months from now.

As for how Xie Huai was doing now…… Fang Li wasn’t the least bit curious. He was here to follow the script, not to ruin it. He wasn’t some pure-hearted Virgin Mary, and he wasn’t planning to go around playing good Samaritan.

After all, in the original story, Xie Huai had undergone much worse, but even after experiencing that kind of torment with half a foot in death’s door, he still managed to tenaciously cling to life. Not only did he not seek out his own death, he’d even sought out an opportunity to take Yan Sui’s life. His endurance was no joke.

Putting aside the fact that he hadn’t been injured much and had only had his cultivation temporarily sealed, when it came to suffering a bit of measly disgrace, he must have prepared himself even before coming here.

With someone as strong as Xie Huai, rather than worrying about him, it would be better to worry about himself.

Fang Li casually instructed the servants by his side that he would be going into closed door cultivation for a while and not to let anyone disturb him, then closed main doors of his palace.

Ever since waking up, if he wasn’t surrounded by demons, he was facing off against righteous cultivators…… He could only grit his teeth and endure, without a spare moment to closely examine his body.

Now that he was finally alone, Fang Li sat down and circulated his internal energy with some difficulty, immediately spitting out a mouthful of blood.

【 The System turned pale in shock: Host, what’s wrong with you? 】

Fang Li wiped away the blood from his lips and laughed. “Being a System must be a pretty easy job, huh?”

【 System: ……? 】

Fang Li said meaningfully, “After all, you don’t have to worry about anything other than finding a host and waiting for the mission to be completed.”

【 System: …… 】

Fang Li closed his eyes wearily. Looking into his dantian, this body really was in shambles. Beneath the gilded exterior was a ruined mess; although it didn’t look too bad on the surface, his veins were dried up and his insides had rotted away to the point of collapse. This state…… definitely wasn’t simply due to the qi deviation, but the result of accumulated damage over a long period of time.

The qi deviation had simply been the last straw.

Yan Sui had been prepared to face death at any second, so his death wasn’t the least bit unexpected.

Actually, if he’d just held on a for a few more months, he could have completed the script and gone off to die, but he just happened to bite the dust a few months too early, dragging Fang Li into this world.

Fang Li slowly let out a breath. He fished out a black jade talisman from his robes, something that Yan Sui kept on his person at all times.

As the conqueror of the demonic path, a monster seldom seen in a hundred thousand years, and the big villain of the original story, naturally, Yan Sui was no normal person. He’d also had his providential windfalls.

His windfall was precisely this black jade talisman.

Although Yan Sui’s innate talent was already extraordinary, no matter how talented he was, he was only in his twenties. His actual cultivation level was only at the peak of Soul Formation…… though he was already an absolute prodigy, he still lost out to Xie Huai by a hair.

With his cultivation level, he could carve out a territory for himself in this world, but when it came to conquering the entire demonic path undefeated or heavily injuring the late-stage Void Refining-level Elder Ming Yin who had lived for hundreds for years, that should undoubtedly be no more than a tall tale.

Yet Yan Sui managed to do it, to do what should have been impossible—precisely because of this jade talisman.

The black talisman could drain his own lifeblood to drastically increase his attack, granting him an advantage in every aspect, to the point that he could even defeat opponents above his cultivation level. To this day he remained undefeated, so much so that no one yet knew his true cultivation level.

But the repercussions were also grave. This was a short-sighted method, and with the severe damage to his lifeblood, his body was like a candle burnt to a stump. At best, he could only use the jade talisman two or three more times before his life force ran dry. Even if he never used it again from this point on…… he’d only be living on borrowed time for another year and a half.

He was already doomed to die.

Fang Li slowly turned his head. There was a mirror to one side, reflecting a man with an pale, ashen complexion. This was Fang Li’s first time seeing his own appearance.

The man in the mirror had abnormally white skin without a trace of blood. His long, black hair draped behind him, his long and narrow eyes were shadowed, and his eyebrows were sharp. His thin lips were pale to the extreme, the corner of his mouth raised slightly, appearing sickly and faint.

No matter how you looked at it, it was the appearance of a person beyond cure.

Why had no one noticed that there was something wrong with him, you ask? That was because Yan Sui had always looked like this. There had indeed once been those who had provoked him or looked down on him, but those people had all died, and died extraordinarily miserably.

Besides, there was no shortage of demonic cultivators with all sorts of bizarre appearances. Someone who looked frail enough to topple to a breeze could be a peak level master, someone who looked young and tender could be a wizened elder, someone who looked weak and sickly might not really be ill…… Gradually, everyone stopped paying attention to how he looked. Strength and appearance had nothing to do with each other, and he only brought about death and terror.

Fang Li lifted the corners of his mouth and laughed, lending that ruthless, sickly countenance a thread of indolence and nonchalance.

Only he knew that this body was on the brink of death.

When he had read the original book, Fang Li had only thought that the plot was short on logic. Yan Sui hadn’t needed to die, but he’d recklessly courted disaster, finally perishing at Xie Huai’s hand.

But Fang Li now understood, this was the ending that Yan Sui had chosen for himself.

All of the bizarre and preposterous events in the story had actually been determined long ago.

………………………………………

In the blink of an eye, Fang Li’s closed door cultivation became three months long.

He wasn’t the least bit concerned about the goings-ons outside. Yan Sui had never bothered much with taking charge, so most affairs were left to Wu Yimei to handle, and he thoroughly trusted in Wu Yimei’s management.

Previously, Fang Li had thought that Yan Sui was a love-addled demon lord with no work ethic, wantonly doing as he pleased and only willing to spare some attention for Xie Huai… but now he understood.

Even if the world descended into chaos after his death, what did that have to do with him?

Yan Sui had never intended to properly run Hollow Ridge. He was just a willful madman unafraid of death.

As for acting like a freeloader, Fang Li had no qualms about it.

The palace was piled with priceless treasures, miraculous tonics, and inexhaustible amounts of spirit stones presented by the demonic sects. Fang Li applied them generously, finally recovering about a third of his cultivation, roughly reaching early stage Soul Formation.

In this world, reaching Soul Formation already made one a rarely-seen master. The number of Void Refining-level cultivators, even more so, could be counted on two hands. Aside from the sect masters of the five great sects, there were only a few old ghosts who never showed their faces, and the average person would never have the chance to encounter them in a lifetime…… And as the demon lord, he had countless subordinates, so there were few occasions where he’d have to personally act. Even if he really did meet a troublesome opponent, he still had the jade talisman.

Moreover, it was about time to see Xie Huai again.

These days, the System had been incessantly reminding him not to forget the date, and Fang Li’s ears were about to fall off.

According to the script, after kidnapping Xie Huai, he’d ignored him for a whole three months. It wasn’t until he’d gone to his rear court to unwind and chanced upon him that he’d found out that Wu Yimei had arranged for Xie Huai to stay there.

As for Xie Huai, he’d been cold and unyielding even after suffering that kind of torment. Set against Xie Huai’s peerless looks, the entire court full of pet lovers had lost their color. Yan Sui had been seized by a momentary impulse and had instructed Xie Huai to be brought to him.

That was Yan Sui and Xie Huai’s first night.

Bored senseless, Fang Li stood up and pushed open the door.

The demonic servant keeping watch outside saw Fang Li exit and immediately knelt deferentially. Just as the servant was about to ask what orders His Excellency had, the servant saw Fang Li walk right past him, his black robes dragging behind him.

Following his memories, Fang Li arrived at the back of the palace, where Yan Sui’s pet lovers lived.

As soon as he entered, he was spotted by two sharp-eyed beauties. The two immediately smiled and welcomed him, one to either side, their coquettish laughter rising in waves.

“How did Your Excellency find time to come here?”

“Yao’r had no appetite night after night, wanting to see you very much.”

“Did Your Excellency forget Yin’r? Last time you praised this one, saying this one’s eyes were pretty.”

Fang Li glanced blandly to his sides. One black-haired beauty with gray eyes, called Shui Yao, was a little spirit2 proficient in seductive techniques; a black-eyed beauty with rosy lips, called Feng Yin, was an expert in bed techniques.

The ones who could stand guard at the entrance were all rather stubborn. Though it looked incidental, it was anything but. Much like those office workers who wracked their brains looking for ways to curry favor with their bosses, they were using all of their effort and patience.

There was no such thing as an easy walk of life, and the bed trade was no exception.

Fang Li wasn’t going to look down on the other party. He gave a soft laugh, allowing the two to wrap around him as they walked.

Following his entrance, everyone discovered that His Excellency had arrived, and all of the beauties came forward to welcome him. They saw that the places by Fang Li’s side had already been occupied by Shui Yao and Feng Yin, but reflecting on His Excellency’s cold-blooded methods, in the end, they didn’t dare push forward.

Quite a few thought viciously in their hearts, His Excellency hadn’t come in so many months, but in just a moment of carelessness of not standing guard at the entrance, they had been taken advantage of by these vixens. To think that His Excellency was even tolerating their impudence and hadn’t shaken them off!

The rear court was filled with pavilions and alcoves, every step a beautiful landscape, both luxurious and elegant at the same time. There were beauties of every shape and form, overflowing with laughter and chatter, giving off the feeling of living in the lap of worldly luxury. Fang Li felt like he’d returned to the mortal world. He didn’t find it noisy, and even felt like there was a bit more of a human presence, unwittingly causing his spirits to rise.

After ambling for a while, he noticed a pavilion and settled down to rest.

The pavilion had a soft couch woven from golden threads, and as soon as Fang Li sat down, Shui Yao and Feng Yin immediately followed suit, sitting down to each side of him, fearing that one of the others would barge in and take their spots.

Seeing that there wasn’t the slightest crack to squeeze into, the others coud only viciously swallow their reluctance and circle around Fang Li with smiles on their faces.

Looking around, Fang Li only thought that it truly looked like a garden with flowers of every color, each with its charm, the very picture of an imperial wealth.

The only pity was that they were all men.

And he wasn’t into men.

Seeing that His Excellency seemed to be in a good mood today, the crowd hesitated for a while, but gradually gained some courage. They came forward one after another, some massaging his shoulders, some kneading his legs, some pouring wine for him……

Fang Li’s manner was languid as he half-closed his eyes, giving off the air of someone sinking into hedonistic bliss.

【 The System became anxious: Host, host, don’t forget you’re here to see Xie Huai! 】 It thought that the host was already muddle-headed. It had already been half a shichen, why wasn’t he going to see Xie Huai!

Fang Li’s eyebrows didn’t so much as twitch, only responding to the System in his mind.

【 Fang Li: Don’t panic. Wait a bit longer. 】

How could the System not panic? He’d never seen a host this careless. Did he really take himself as someone who was here to visit his imperial harem? Oh…… Actually, even if he did, it seemed like there wasn’t a problem……

The System sank into confusion.

Another half of a shichen passed in the blink of an eye. The System wavered ceaselessly, and just as it was considering if it should raise another reminder, Fang Li suddenly stood up.

Shui Yao and Feng Yin were the closest to Fang Li and had been nestled up against him for a while. Seeing Fang Li stand up, they thought that he was going to select someone and immediately stood up in excitement.

Fang Li estimated that it was about the time. Since he was supposed to be having a chance encounter with Xie Huai while enjoying the pleasures of his rear court, rushing over to Xie Huai the moment he arrived wouldn’t suit the script. The System was truly a little too impatient. It was just a shichen, after all.

But if he wanted to see Xie Huai, staying here wouldn’t work.

He still had to take a little bit of initiative……

There were two types of beauties in the demon lord’s harem: the first were the ones offered up by the demonic sects, who’d recommended themselves up to seek a place in his bed.

The other type were the ones who had been taken by force.

The ones who had willingly come to serve were naturally eager to come forward to share his bed, while the ones who had been snatched naturally stayed away.

Fang Li was perfectly clear where those people were.

He wrapped an arm around Shui Yao’s waist with one hand, seemingly heedless as he ambled along the water’s edge, gradually approaching the depths of the bamboo forest in the rear court.

Shui Yao and Feng Yin were both a little puzzled. All of the ones who fled to this corner were the righteous sect disciples who were unwilling to serve His Excellency. All of them avoided His Excellency as if he were a poisonous snake, and every time His Excellency came, they would stay far away. His Excellency didn’t pay much attention to them either, always acting as if they didn’t exist…… It was all thanks to those tactless demonic sects. Whenever they snatched up someone a little bit good-lucking, they’d send them up to His Excellency’s rear court. Did they really think His Excellency didn’t have his pick of the litter?

If Fang Li had known their thoughts, he would definitely have wholeheartedly agreed.

Naturally, Yan Sui wasn’t starving for crumbs. In fact, he hardly ever came to the rear court. The one and only person he had a hand in snatching—was Xie Huai.

As for the others, if they weren’t beauties presented to him by his underlings, then they were prisoners his underlings had captured.

Although Yan Sui didn’t have a lot interest in these things, he also didn’t care how many people were in his rear court. Whether it was one or ten or a hundred, whether they lived or died, none of it made a difference to him. In his eyes, there was no difference between a beauty and a dried-up skeleton. But seeing that he didn’t refuse them, more and more underlings tried to curry favor with him, and his rear court grew more and more crowded.

At the end of the creek was a bamboo forest, and concealed between the vibrant green were hazy silhouettes. Xie Huai should be among them.

Shui Yao held onto Fang Li’s arm lightly, his elegant brow slightly furrowed. He was not the least bit eager to have His Excellency go there in case those fellows ruined his mood, but he didn’t dare obstruct him, so he could only follow as Fang Li proceeded forward.

A few steps away, their field of view suddenly opened up. In the midst of the bamboo forest were several people sitting or standing, all plainly dressed…… Compared to the vivid, eye-catching flowers by his side, it was a different kind of beautiful scenery.

Fang Li couldn’t say at the moment which was more beautiful, but he was certain of one thing——

Xie Huai undoubtedly looked the best.

Probably only Xie Huai could make a flock of delicate beauties lose all color, and probably only Xie Huai could make it so difficult to move your eyes away from him wherever he stood.

Just then, Xie Huai turned to look at him.

The tranquil man’s black hair was tied up at the back of his head, and he wore a set of plain white robes. Head turned, blandly glancing over, his sleeves pulled along the edge of the stone table as he held a small stone in his fingertips.

Oh? You still have the leisure and taste to be playing a match?3

Fang Li slightly raised an eyebrow.

Although he’d seen the original book and had long known that Xie Huai was extraordinary and definitely wouldn’t be sobbing and crying, much less giving up on himself, this person…… No matter where he was or what circumstances he was in, he always faced it calmly and steadily, not allowing anyone to see his vulnerable side.

These were all things that Fang Li had known for a long time, but seeing it in person still deeply moved him. After all, his cultivation had been sealed——and he was in the demon lord’s inner court.

He was probably clear on what he might suffer, right?

Fang Li revealed a taunting expression as he halted his steps, looking profoundly at the other party. He laughed softly, “How come you still haven’t come to greet this lord?”

Xie Huai still hadn’t reacted, but the people around him already had resentful expressions as if filled with loathing, though they couldn’t conceal the terror in the depths of their eyes.

This was what normal people were like, Fang Li thought. Faced with torment that you could just about imagine, falling from being a prodigy of a righteous sect to becoming the plaything of a demonic cultivator…… terror and unwillingness were the normal response.

But Xie Huai didn’t have these reactions……

In the span of time that Fang Li spent sinking into thought, Shui Yao, seeing the circumstances, had begun to contemplate. He wasn’t afraid of those blockheads who didn’t know what was good for them. His Excellency had never spared them a glance, so they didn’t pose the least bit of threat. But this newcomer gave him a strong premonition of danger.

He looked at Xie Huai…… Although this person was merely sitting there quietly, Shui Yao already felt inferior. What would he do if His Excellency took a fancy to him?

Shui Yao made up his mind and suddenly stepped forward, reaching out his hand to yank at Xie Huai, saying, “How dare you! Just sitting there when His Excellency is here!”

These righteous cultivators liked nothing better than putting on airs. They were clearly all scared to death but still liked to put on a show; it was so fake it made him want to vomit. If they really wanted to die so bad, why not just go kill themselves? That would be preserving their integrity.

Shui Yao couldn’t wait to see the look of this handsome, ethereal man as he cried and knelt and begged for mercy. He would show His Excellency that this man was nothing special…… Even if he refused to kneel, having him anger His Excellency enough to kill him was even better.

Xie Huai’s expression didn’t change. He only lightly raised his hand, and before Shui Yao had even seen what was happening, grasped his delicate wrist.

The next moment.

The crisp sound of a bone snapping was drowned out by a miserable scream. Shui Yao’s expression twisted in pain. He cupped his hand as he knelt on the ground, looking at Xie Huai in disbelief. He…… He really lashed out right in front of His Excellency! How dare he!

The corner of Fang Li’s mouth lifted slightly.

He hadn’t stopped Shui Yao precisely because he had wanted to see how Xie Huai would react. It was obvious Xie Huai wouldn’t submit, but the ruthlessness of snapping someone’s wrist without so much as a word…… He really didn’t know the first thing about pitying the fairer sex. Too bad for this near-sighted cannon fodder.

【 Fang Li laughed: Looks like the beauty who just arrived is pretty spicy. 】

【 System: …… 】

………………………………………

1 Hollow Ridge – 浮丘山 I’m choosing to translate this somewhat literally and thematically (hollow as in “superficial”), but it might also be a reference to 浮丘公, an immortal from ancient history referenced in several classic poems

2 “Spirit” here refers to yao, a type of spirit (sometimes translated in other places as demon, but they’re distinct) originally born as something mundane like a plant or animal who can attain human form and sentience with high enough cultivation. There’s no need to think on it too deeply, it’s just an off-hand character/world detail.

3 A match of go, if it wasn’t clear.