Chapter 54: Leaving the Ridge

May 3rd, 2023

Fang Li had a nightmare that night.

In his dream, he saw Xie Huai, and he wanted to ask Xie Huai if he was doing well. He reached out his hand and put it on Xie Huai’s shoulder, and he saw Xie Huai’s face turn toward him. Blood was flowing from his eyes, those eyes as savage as a ghoul’s, fixed dead on Fang Li. Every sentence and word sounded like it was coming from hell.

He said: I love you so much, so why are you so cruel toward me? Is it, that you’ve never loved me?

He said: You’re a liar. You’ve been alive this whole time, you’ve tricked me so miserably.

Fang Li woke from fright with a shudder.

That dream had really been too terrifying.

He wiped away the sweat on his forehead.

After a long time, Fang Li let out a low, bitter laugh.

He’d thought that once he completed the mission, everything from the past would have nothing to do with him anymore. He was the one who’d been naive.

Fang Li let out a deep sigh and got up to go outside. As usual, Xie Huai had prepared some dishes, but the person himself was missing, which allowed Fang Li to relax a little.

Although last night’s dual cultivation had been Xie Huai frightening him, as soon as Fang Li recalled it, his heart would clench. He would rather Xie Huai kill him than to dual cultivate!

After finishing his meal, Fang Li sunbathed idly, chancing upon Fu Junling, who was pacing nearby.

As soon as Fu Junling saw him, he looked Fang Li up and down. Only after confirming that Fang Li was fine did he sigh, “It’s good that you’re fine.”

But after experiencing yesterday’s events, Fu Junling didn’t dare to bring Fang Li out to play again.

Yesterday, Xie Huai had looked like he’d wanted to kill.

And he obviously kept a very close eye on Fang Li……

Just who was this fool?

Sure enough, after not too long, the white-robed Xie Huai walked over. His face looked extremely calm, and he glanced calmly at Fu Junling, saying, “Now what business do you have?”

It looked like Xie Huai had already returned to normal. Fu Junling let out a slight breath. He couldn’t see through the current Xie Huai, and he hesitated for a moment before saying, “Don’t bicker with a fool.”

Oh, you’ve only known each other for a few days, and you’re already so concerned about him.

Besides, you say he’s a fool?

This person was more than intelligent. And only he would be able to fool me again and again, without leaving me with any way to deal with him. Where does he need you to worry for him?

Xie Huai opened his mouth impassively. “If you have no other business, it’s time for you to leave.”

This was showing him the door.

Fu Junling gave a dry laugh, pressing his lips together. “You know I came here with business……”

Xie Huai didn’t have any interest in participating in the Ascension Conference.

Seeing that Xie Huai was about to refuse, the expression in Fu Junling’s eyes shifted, and his gaze settled on Fang Li as he said, “Even if you don’t want to go out, you should take him out for a trip, right? A fool can’t stay inside all day. Who knows, maybe if he goes out for a change of pace, he’ll improve? Look at him—”

Fu Junling pointed at Fang Li. “I’ve only been here a few days, and his complexion looks worse day by day. His illness is going to get worse.”

Fang Li: ?

Where does it look like my illness is getting worse?

Xie Huai looked at Fang Li.

Although the young man still had that careless posture, standing there lazily, he seemed to emit a vaguely melancholy air…… As if he was being plagued by a difficult problem day after day……

Had he been pressuring Fang Li too much?

At this thought, Xie Huai’s heart immediately softened a bit, finding it hard to bear. He’d finally managed to find this person. Even if Fang Li didn’t love him, that wasn’t his fault. That Xie Huai had mistaken his feelings was also one of the reasons.

In the end, he couldn’t bear to restrain him too much.

Seeing that Xie Huai hadn’t immediately refused, Fu Junling hurried to add, “If you’re willing to go, I can explain things to the tower master and ask for a Nine-Turns Wisdom Pill. Even a pig would be able to gain sentience after eating it. Who cares whether he’s a fool or a madman, I guarantee that I’ll cure him for you!”

At this, Xie Huai’s expression finally alleviated somewhat, becoming pensive.

Although Fang Li was only pretending to be a fool, the Nine-Turns Wisdom Pill was a divine pill that only the Black Star Tower had. Even if he had no illness, if a cultivator were to use it, it would have a fantastic effect on strengthening their consciousness and would be of help in passing tribulations in the future. It was an extremely difficult pill to come by, so getting one for Fang Li to eat wouldn’t be extraneous.

But Fang Li immediately became nervous.

What?

Even a pig could gain sentience after eating it. There was even a godly pill like that?

If he were to eat it, how would he continue to play the fool?

Although he’d initially rather looked forward to going out for a bit, as soon as he heard this sentence, he no longer wanted to go out. It would still be better for him to stay here properly.

But Xie Huai nodded at Fu Junling. “Alright.”

Fu Junling was overjoyed. “Don’t worry, I’ll do just as I say, I’ll definitely get it for you.”

Fang Li: “……”

……………………

The once-a-decade Ascension Conference was one of the grandest occasions in this world.

This year, it was hosted by Black Star Tower of the four great sects. Early that morning, Fu Junling sent a letter to the tower master to bring up the matter of the Nine-Turns Wisdom Pill and obtained the tower master’s affirmation, then took Xie Huai and Fang Li and set out.

Fang Li sat on Fu Junling’s flying spiritual device.

He’d been on this sky-touring boat before at Mountainview City. At the time, Fu Junling had come on behalf of Chong Wanshan to see him and had gotten tossed around by him for quite a few days. Fang Li had even tricked him out of seventy thousand spirit stones’ worth of purchases……

At this thought, Fang Li snuck a peek at Fu Junling.

As the host this time, Fu Junling naturally had to arrange their itinerary.

Only, they could’ve originally sped up the journey, but Xie Huai had insisted on stopping and resting regularly the whole way there.

On this day, they would stop at this city and bring Fang Li out to have a meal.

The next day, they would stop at that county and bring Fang Li out for a rest.

At first, it was fine, but later on, Fu Junling didn’t understand. Was it necessary to be meticulous to this extent? There was no need to be that diligent for a fool, was there?

Today, Xie Huai wanted to disembark again.

Fu Junling said awkwardly, “Look, we’ll be able to arrive in Fengming county in just a few days. We can disembark once we get there, too. Our Fengming county’s delicacies are also very outstanding……”

Xie Huai said blandly, “Wasn’t it you who said that going outside more would help alleviate his illness?”

Fu Junling: “……”

He let out a sigh and still put away his flying device, entering the city with Xie Huai.

This was a bustling little town.

Previously, when traveling around the world, Xie Huai had once stayed here for a few days. The local delicacies were rather unique, and Fang Li should like them.

Since they had come out to travel, naturally, they had to see the local sights and taste the local foods, or else, what pleasure was there to speak of on this trip? Xie Huai still remembered that before, this person had liked nothing more than to leave the ridge to tour and travel.

So, when you’re with me, I can also accompany you to do all the things you like to do.

On the market streets, people bustled to and fro.

Xie Huai held Fang Li’s hand tightly, walking through the stream of people.

When Fang Li had been following the script before, he’d held Xie Huai’s hand plenty of times and had never thought there’d been anything wrong with it. It was all required by the script anyways…… Later, after he’d been reborn and had been discovered, Xie Huai had also led him by the hand frequently, but when he considered that he was a fool, there was no need to think too much about being led by the hand……

But now, he suddenly felt a bit stricken.

He would never be able to remain as unruffled as before……

Fang Li thought he needed to reorder his thoughts a bit. Seeing as he could only think of Xie Huai as a good brother, continuing to interact with him like this in the manner of a sweetheart wasn’t too suitable……

His mind raced, and he looked toward the side of the street where they were selling sugar figurines and was about to withdraw his hand, saying, “I want that one—”

But Xie Huai seemed to have already anticipated it, and in the moment that Fang Li pulled at his hand, he suddenly increased his strength, firmly keeping Fang Li’s hand in his grasp. Only then did he walk over and buy a sugar figurine for Fang Li.

Fang Li’s fingertips were grasped in Xie Huai’s palm, and the burning warmth seemed to scald him. Just what kind of cultivation was Xie Huai practicing, how come his body was always so hot……

His ears dimly felt a bit feverish. Unresigned, he tried to struggle again, but he saw Xie Huai lower his eyes to glance at him, saying coolly, “Don’t move. It wouldn’t be good if you wandered off and got lost again……”

Fang Li: ……

Those with previous records couldn’t have confidence. He ate his sugar figurine with melancholy. Forget it……

Wasn’t it just holding hands!

As long as it wasn’t dual cultivation, anything else was fine!

Xie Huai watched embarrassment flash past the young man’s face. Although at the beginning, he had been a little reluctant, but in the end, he still docilely stayed still and allowed Xie Huai to lead him by the hand, strolling leisurely through the crowd.

At the start, Fang Li was extremely unused to it.

But he thought, in the past, he was also always holding Xie Huai’s hand. At that time, he’d even been a devil who’d taken Xie Huai by force, and even then, Xie Huai hadn’t resisted him. How could he not possess even this little bit of tolerance?

He was a big, strong man. If he could do it, then he could take it.

If you want to hold hands in return, then go ahead!

Along the way, they walked and ate. Whatever he glanced at, Xie Huai would buy for him, occasionally helping him wipe his mouth. Fang Li slowly got accustomed to it.

As long as Xie Huai didn’t say anything, he would act as if it didn’t exist.

Don’t think too much, don’t make up worries for yourself!

They walked and walked, arriving at a little restaurant where people came and went.

This restaurant wasn’t the biggest in town, but the surroundings were fairly clean, and they had plenty of business. Xie Huai led Fang Li by the hand and entered.

Fu Junling very discerningly went to find a seat and pay.

Xie Huai didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down with Fang Li, smiling faintly at him. “The lamb soup here is first-class. I once traveled the world and visited this place. It’s been over ten years, so I don’t know if the taste has changed.”

Fang Li’s eyes lit up.

Something that Xie Huai had eaten when he’d traveled the world? Since even he said it was delicious, then it must be good. Speaking of which, Fang Li was only a transmigrator, and in Yan Sui’s memories, ever since the Windbearer Sect had been destroyed, there really hadn’t been any parts involving enjoying life. If it wasn’t seas of blood and mountains of blades, then it was killing people to take revenge. Fang Li didn’t want to take a second look at those memories unless there was reason to. He actually still knew very little of the beautiful parts of this world.

But Xie Huai was a sword cultivator who’d traveled the world!

Previously, Fang Li had thought he didn’t partake in earthly affairs, but looking at it now, he’d also been a bit biased. Actually, wasn’t walking through the mortal world without being stained by its dust of an even higher level?

It didn’t take long for the steaming hot lamb soup to be carried over.

After taking only a single whiff, Fang Li squinted in satisfaction, his index finger moving. Sure enough, Xie Huai’s recommendation wasn’t bad. He was a great companion, a great companion!

It really was a pity. How great would it be if they could be good brothers forever……

With delicious food in front of him, Fang Li was too lazy to think about those troublesome things and started eating leisurely with satisfaction. Xie Huai also had a bowl in front of him, and he ate slowly and unhurriedly. Even while sitting in a streetside alleyway where people came and went, he still had the graceful air of being untouched by the world……

Fang Li soon became full, sitting there lazily. At this time, an ill-fitting sound burrowed into his ears.

At a table on the first floor, a few men were in the middle of chatting loudly.

“I heard that Yuyi-jun will also be appearing at the Ascension Conference this time.”

“The rumors came from inside Black Star Tower. They said Yuyi-jun will be coming. In order to admire Yuyi-jun’s grace, more than a few people who originally weren’t planning on participating are all getting ready to do so now.”

“I heard there’s an especially large number of female cultivators, tsk tsk.”

“Cough, as expected of Yuyi-jun. Even going through something like that hasn’t affected the number of admirers he has……”

At this, they lowered their voices a little.

“Speaking of which, back then, when Yuyi-jun was trapped on the ridge by that devil, in the end, did the devil……?”

“Do you need to ask? He definitely did. With those kind of peerless looks, who wouldn’t look at him and be moved?”

“The devil is human too, or else what did he snatch Yuyi-jun away for? You think he just enjoyed the view from afar and didn’t have his fun?”

“True, or else Yuyi-jun wouldn’t hate the devil so much. In the end, even his eyes were red as he killed him. What a pity, such an exceptional person, yet he just had to suffer the devil’s humiliation……”

Fang Li’s expression shifted minutely.

He cautiously turned and peeked at Xie Huai.

Xie Huai remained expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard.

Fang Li’s heart was immediately filled with guilt. He turned and looked at those people, the fury in his heart flaring up.

This lord gave away his life and even ended up offending Xie Huai this badly, and it still isn’t enough to plug your mouths?

All you know how to do with your mouths is squawk, squawk, squawk. Do you not know how hard this lord’s life is?

Who says you can’t just enjoy the view of such a peerless beauty from afar?

You just had to poke at the elephant in the room!

What a mood-killer.

Fang Li swept a cold glance in their direction, picked up the bowl and plate in front of him, and simply sent them flying in that direction, perfectly smashing into the two people’s heads.

The amount of force he used sure wasn’t small.

Although they were two cultivators, they were smashed so hard they started howling, looking all around to see who’d hit them.

Fu Junling had originally been eating just fine. As soon as he lifted his head, he saw Fang Li using his plate and bowl to smash people.

The young man leaned against his chair languidly, a playful expression hanging off his eyes and brow. In the midst of a haze, that arrogant, reckless appearance……

Fu Junling couldn’t help but recall the terror of being driven around by the devil back then in Mountainview City.

How come this fool was so good at making a fuss?

Only, Xie Huai watched this fool too closely, and he had no way to stick his hand into their affairs. Thus, he hurriedly looked at Xie Huai, hoping Xue Huai could stop Fang Li.

Xie Huai received Fu Junling’s gaze and slowly put down the empty bowl in his hand, pushing it lightly toward Fang Li as he said, “If it’s not enough, use mine.”

Fu Junling: “……” If you’re not going to stop him, fine, but why are you even helping him commit crimes? You’re even worse than before!

Fang Li: “……”

Fang Li indeed hadn’t had enough of smashing, but when he considered that he was a fool right now, he thought that being a little restrained was also fine. Who could’ve known that Xie Huai would push his own bowl over, too……

For a moment, he was shocked and uncertain. He didn’t know whether Xie Huai was serious, or if he really meant the opposite.

Fang Li glanced at Xie Huai, but Xie Huai was only watching him mildly. In the depths of his black eyes, there seemed to be a trace of a smile, as if he was in high spirits for once……

During this period of time, Fang Li had seen a Xie Huai with abstruse thoughts, an unfathomable Xie Huai, a Xie Huai with unpredictable moods, a Xie Huai as murky and deep as the sea…… Yet he had never once seen Xie Huai so relaxed, wearing a smile……

He pondered for a moment. This probably wasn’t a trap for him.

Thus, without any courtesy, he grabbed Xie Huai’s dishes, and with a thump, thump, there was another two crashes.

Nice.

This time, those two found the culprit who’d been throwing things at them. As soon as they turned their heads, their eyes met with a weakly-looking young man who was currently smiling unperturbed at them, looking quite secure with his backup. Furious, they were just about to charge over, but when their gazes swept around, they fell on Fu Junling and Xie Huai’s faces.

Immediately, their entire bodies went stiff.

Then, they turned tail and ran.

Fang Li hadn’t expected the two to simply be scared into fleeing and clicked his tongue with disinterest. It looked the two deities beside him really were quite famous……

He lazily withdrew his gaze.

The corners of Xie Huai’s lips lifted slightly. After a moment, he restrained himself and pressed them back down.

Fang Li was still the same as before, unable to watch others speak even a single ill word of him. If not for his sincere protectiveness, and those various actions that made one misunderstand…… His heart wouldn’t have been moved, either.

He’d thought everything from the past had been fake.

But in reality, that wasn’t the case.

How could a complete falsehood fool someone? Although I don’t know why you insisted on treating me well even though you clearly don’t love me…… At the very least, you also care about me a little, right?

……………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Fang Li: As long as it’s not dual cultivation, anything is fine.

Xie Huai: If you want to open a window, first you have to lift the roof.

Share this:

TwitterFacebook 

May 3, 2023

heliotraipse

The Demon Lord Only Wants to Follow the Script

The Demon Lord Only Wants to Follow the Script

One response to “Chapter 54: Leaving the Ridge”

 ruyi says:

May 3, 2023 at 2:23 am

‘Xie Huai still remembered that before, this person had liked nothing more than to leave the ridge to tour and travel.

So, when you’re with me, I can also accompany you to do all the things you like to do.’

AU spinoff with Fang Li and Xie Huai’s various blog posts as they go around the world sampling delicious food and visiting tourist-y areas.

‘Xie Huai received Fu Junling’s gaze and slowly put down the empty bowl in his hand, pushing it lightly toward Fang Li as he said, “If it’s not enough, use mine.”

Fu Junling: “……”’

Oh NO lmao Xie Huai is enabling Fang Li’s behaviour sldkfsdklf