Chapter 15: Seven Days

December 7th, 2022

Fang Li blinked.

He looked at Xie Huai’s face that was cold and serene as a celestial. Huh, such a perfect, flawless protagonist……

It was very difficult to feel disgusted by him, to the point that when actually doing the act, it turned out that it wasn’t that hard to accept……

It was all because the method for using this love parasite was too bothersome. It had to be nurtured with blood from the heart, then transferred to the target with spiritual energy, and the time frame for using it was super precise, and it had to be fed mouth to mouth. As expected of a plot device from a novel of a certain genre……

Brother, just think of it as getting bitten by a dog, okay!

Fang Li thought a little bit ruefully, who could’ve thought that there would come a day when he’d have to go kiss a straight man…… He was actually making quite a few sacrifices too, okay?

Taking advantage of the fact that Xie Huai hadn’t managed to react yet, he hurriedly completed the task.

Xie Huai looked at Fang Li in disbelief, forgetting to move for a moment……

Getting kissed by a cruel, cold-blooded devil, this sort of thing…… It should have been as nauseating as swallowing a fly, but Xie Huai dazedly lowered his eyes. What was reflected in his eyes was a fragile, ashy pale, delicate face, and a pair of apologetic, embarrassed, gentle eyes……

He was looking at him in that way.

As if he’d gathered up an extremely large amount of resolve before carefully, tremblingly getting closer.

Clearly, the one being kissed forcefully was himself, but it seemed like he was the one who had no choice……

This was another side to this person that Xie Huai had never seen before.

The person before him was no longer that languid, easygoing, fathomless cold-blooded devil, but merely a tangled, nervous, uneasy, and inexperienced young man.

Two faces as different as night and day, yet Xie Huai somehow felt that this was that person’s true face, as if stripped of all pretenses. The interior that was revealed when all defenses were gone, a soft and genuine side……

Compared to his disguise, it was even more bewildering to the heart.

It seemed like something had been passed over, and Xie Huai unconsciously swallowed it. Immediately after, the person before him suddenly pushed him away.

The sensation of faint coolness went away……

Xie Huai’s expression darkened. He spoke, his voice low and hoarse. “What did you feed me?”

Having just done something along the lines of harassing a beauty, Fang Li was a bit contrite for once. Saying something like “Just wait until you come begging this lord” probably wasn’t necessary, right? It was really too awkward, if he acted it out, it would just be super cringe.

Fang Li coughed lightly and pretended to be mysterious. “Something to make you like me.”

Saying that, he hurriedly turned and left.

Xie Huai stood completely still where he was, his gaze fixed on Fang Li’s back figure leaving in a rush.

If he hadn’t been certain that Fang Li wouldn’t dare to do anything, he wouldn’t have given him the chance to catch him off guard, but why hadn’t he pushed him away at the first second……? He’d obviously had the chance……

To the point that that faintly quivering, slightly cool, soft touch hadn’t aroused the tiniest feeling of loathing……

Xie Huai tightly pursed his lips, a conflicted look briefly flashing through his eyes.

Something to make him like him?

What was it?

Or rather, did he really like him?

Before, Xie Huai had maintained that Fang Li was simply putting on an act and didn’t have the least bit of sincere affection for him, which was why he stayed at respectful distance. But at this moment, he suddenly wavered a bit.

The gentle, apologetic look in Fang Li’s eyes hadn’t been fake, and that fumbling, cautious kiss was even less so……

And it definitely wasn’t pretend.

It couldn’t be that the reason he’d never touched him wasn’t because he didn’t like him, but because he was embarrassed? He’d intentionally put on a frightening, callous appearance, but it was actually just to hide his anxiety?

It was because he liked him that he sought his approval in so many ways, maintaining both his manners and his distance, not willing to show the least bit of disrespect.

Like pure, clueless youth who didn’t understand anything and was completely helpless during his first time liking someone.

This was truly even more absurd than the idea that he liked him in itself……

But even more absurd was……

Xie Huai closed his eyes.

He actually cared about it a little.

………………………………

Fang Li’s footsteps hastily left from there, and he let out a breath.

Luckily, his interactions with Xie Huai before had been fairly peaceful, so he’d fed him the love parasite without any problems. During this period of time, he’d have to keep his distance from Xie Huai. Xie Huai still didn’t know what it was, but when he realized in a few days, mn…… he’d want to kill him.

So Fang Li needed to hide from the storm.

As for whether the love parasite would hurt Xie Huai, Fang Li wasn’t too worried about that. In the original story, Xie Huai bore it without even changing his expression. You couldn’t even tell he was under the effect of the love parasite, which had fiercely slapped Yan Sui in the face, so these trifling matters weren’t even worth bringing up to Xie Huai, and Fang Li didn’t need to worry for him.

He also wouldn’t intentionally manipulate the love parasite, and even less would he use it to harm his life, so aside from bearing with it a bit once a month, it wouldn’t have too much of an impact on Xie Huai……

Using a trick like this on someone who hated you truly wasn’t very honest or upright, and Xie Huai had previously even helped him, so Fang Li couldn’t help feeling a bit apologetic.

But in order for the plot to progress smoothly, I can only wrong you for a bit.

Don’t worry, I only have a few months left to live, anyway.

To cultivators, a few months would pass in the blink of an eye. You’ll be free of me very soon.

The only thing he had to pay attention to was to stay away from Xie Huai during the flare-up period. After all, Xie Huai was under the effect of the love parasite, so Xie Huai would suffer from an attraction to him. If he were nearby, it would make it even harder to bear, but without him, it would be much simpler……

Just like if someone were starving, and you placed an extravagant feast in front of them but didn’t permit them to eat, compared to putting nothing at all in front of them, the difficulty of bearing the former would be much higher.

As long as he didn’t appear, he had faith that Xie Huai’s willpower would definitely let him make it through!

After finishing this, Fang Li started living the leisurely, idle days of a couch potato again. According to the script of the original book, he graciously rewarded the Hehuan Sect sect master.

The Hehuan Sect sect master seemed to have become the demon lord’s favorite.

Ever since Xie Huai had arrived at Hollow Ridge, His Excellency had been acting like he was under a spell. He didn’t bother with official matters, didn’t do anything wicked, and he spent all day hanging around Xie Huai. Nobody could even get a word in, which made everyone distressed without end……

Just when everybody was at a loss as to what to do, the Hehuan Sect sect master went from being an unassuming little sect master with no chance to show his face before His Excellency to His Excellency’s closest, most beloved confidante in a single leap. His Excellency’s rewards flowed out like a river, and he would often even allow the Hehuan Sect sect master to stand close to him……

Seeing this, everyone’s envy and jealousy were ceaseless. Bah, this old sex fiend’s cultivation wasn’t much, but he understood better than anyone those filthy things between men and women and so on, and he had more underhanded tricks than anyone else. Who knew what kind of treasures he’d offered or what methods he’d used to make His Excellency honorable heart so pleased?

Unfortunately, no matter who asked, he refused to answer, not letting the slightest clue slip out.

The Hehuan Sect sect master’s cave abode was luxurious to the extreme. Hundreds of night pearls were inlaid at the top of the cave, and His Excellency’s rewards were displayed in the most eye-catching location. Just the sparkling, translucent top-quality spirit stones alone were enough to fill an entire chest.

Show-off, what a show-off!

The Broken Blade Sect sect master had come to pay his greetings to the Hehuan Sect sect master, and seeing the piles and piles of goods, he was so jealous his eyes were practically dripping blood. What a waste, what a waste! The Hehuan Sect sect master, that old sex fiend, was steeped in licentious matters of passion his entire life, and his cultivation was really only average. Even piling these top-quality spirit stones on him probably wasn’t enough to get him to Soul Formation…… If it wasn’t for the fact that this old sex fiend was His Excellency’s favorite recently, the Broken Blade Sect sect master would’ve even considered killing him to take these treasures.

The Broken Blade Sect sect master inhaled deeply, then plastered a smile onto his face and went in to pay his greetings.

The Hehuan Sect sect master nested within a pile of beauties. Seeing the Broken Blade Sect sect master come in, he didn’t even move a muscle, but raised an eyebrow and smiled in a deliberately cryptic way. “Oh, isn’t this the Broken Blade Sect sect master? How is it that you have time to visit my humble abode today?”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master’s eyelid twitched, and he suppressed the heat flaring up in his chest. Normally, he didn’t have much respect for the Hehuan Sect sect master and didn’t have much interaction with him. If not for the sake of consulting him on how to seek favor with His Excellency, why would he personally come here?

“Have someone come, bring Sect Master Hu some tea,” the Hehuan Sect sect master said.

Very quickly, a beauty came over presenting a cup of tea. The Broken Blade Sect sect master took a sip, then spat it out. Pah, to think it was cold tea! He looked at the Hehuan Sect sect master, the look on that arrogant little rat, and was so infuriated that he nearly twisted his neck right on the spot! You’d best pray that His Excellency keeps on protecting you, or you’ll be sure to die without a grave!

But the Hehuan Sect sect master wasn’t intimidated in the least. He’d already planned out in advance that His Excellency would protect him. This was only the beginning; after a while, when His Excellency had tasted sweetness, he would be sure to bestow him with even more rewards. And as for Xie Huai…… From now on, he’d be nothing to fear.

The look in his eyes was insidious. The reason he’d presented the Entangling Threads Love Parasite to Fang Li was to kill two birds with one stone. The first was to seek favor with His Excellency, and the second was to smoothly remove the hindrance that was Xie Huai. As long as Xie Huai was controlled by the love parasite, his proud backbone broken, thoroughly falling to become a plaything, he would never again be able to disturb His Excellency and spoil their matters.

These days, plenty of people had come to visit him. The Broken Blade Sect sect master wasn’t the first, nor would he be the last. They only wanted to seek out some clues from him and learn how to earn His Excellency’s favor, but why would the Hehuan Sect sect master tell them?

These people had always looked down on him in the past, thinking that he was vulgar and base, but these days, didn’t they all have to plead with him courteously and politely?

The Hehuan Sect sect master raised an eyebrow, saying, “What business does Sect Master Hu have to come here today?”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master forcefully endured his fury, stiffly giving a dry laugh. “This old Hu recently collected some good eggs, all extremely high-quality virgin men and women. You can take them and raise another flock of fine furnaces……”

The Hehuan Sect sect master smiled, saying, “Oh, then thank you very much.”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master stroked his beard with a smile. “No need, no need. Then, that is, this old Hu has something puzzling me, I wonder if……”

The Hehuan Sect sect master cut short his words, giving a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Something that Sect Master Hu doesn’t even understand, how could this sect master know? Someone come, see Sect Master Hu out.”

The Broken Blade Sect sect master was swollen to the shade of a pig’s liver, enraged to the point of laughter. “Fine, fine, fine.”

This old sex fiend with no sense of shame. Receiving his benefits without letting slip a single clue—he didn’t even want to save face! Don’t think that you’ll be able to go on with this arrogance. When His Excellency is no longer protecting you, this one is going to rip you limb from limb!

………………………………

Xie Huai sat in his room. News from the outside world flowed in without end, and he lowered his eyes, the paper talisman in his fingertips burning away.

The rumors from outside said that the Hehuan Sect sect master had offered up a treasure to please His Excellency in order to win his favor and receive numerous rewards. The Hehuan Sect sect master was relying on His Majesty to prop himself up and had seized plenty of benefits recently, strutting around Hollow Ridge extremely pleased with himself……

Exactly what had the Hehuan Sect sect master offered up? Could it be the thing that Fang Li had fed him that day?

Something to make him like him……

Xie Huai tightly furrowed his brow.

Ridiculous. How could there be something in this world that could make someone like another? The human heart was impossible to control, yet he had stubbornly taken whatever the Hehuan Sect sect master had said as truth. Did Fang Li wish for him to like him that much?

But if he liked him that much, why was Fang Li avoiding him?

That person was like a splendid butterfly full of deadly toxin, softly fluttering its wings to land on his heart, flitting away as soon as it landed, neither close yet far and impossible to fathom……

He would approach all on his own, then leave without a single warning.

Yet he wouldn’t even give Xie Huai the chance to ask.

As for himself, his every emotion was pulled along on a string without any self-control.

It shouldn’t be like this. Xie Huai tightly pursed his lips, the look in his eyes as heavy as the ocean depths. His emotions shouldn’t be under the control of anyone.

Especially not a ruthless, cold-blooded devil.

………………………………

Fang Li sat leisurely in the study. These days, he’d given the Hehuan Sect sect master plenty of rewards. Whatever he wanted, he would give, indulging him to the utmost. But seeing the Hehuan Sect sect master basking in his success, Fang Li gave a pitying sigh.

He wouldn’t be able to celebrate much longer.

In the original book, Yan Sui had tried to use the love parasite to control Xie Huai, but he’d found that it was unable to make Xie Huai surrender. In his fury, he’d killed the Hehuan Sect sect master straight off.

He was just a cannon fodder brimming with evil and past crimes. Fang Li didn’t pay much mind to the Hehuan Sect sect master’s fate. With the Hehuan Sect sect master’s actions and conduct, even if he died a hundred times, it wouldn’t make up for his sins.

Rather than a little clown gleefully hopping around, Fang Li was more concerned about Xie Huai’s circumstances.

Today was the start of the first flare-up period.

The original story said that Xie Huai’s willpower was exceedingly strong and had restrained the effects of the Entangling Threads Love Parasite, holding back the symptoms internally, treating it as if it were no big deal. But still, this was the Hehuan Sect’s signature treasure. If it were really so easy to resist, the Hehuan Sect sect master wouldn’t offer it up to him as if presenting something priceless. He knew that Yan Sui was cold-blooded and ruthless, and he definitely wouldn’t dare to take out some ordinary thing to trick Yan Sui with. After all, it wasn’t like he was tired of living.

Thus, even knowing that nothing would happen to Xie Huai, and even knowing it wouldn’t have much of an effect on Xie Huai, when the time actually came, Fang Li couldn’t help taking some precautions and instructing someone to watch over things at all times, in order to prevent any accidents.

After all, he couldn’t have any mishaps happening to the protagonist.

At nighttime, the demonic servants from the side palace come over to report, saying that Yuyi-jun hadn’t had dinner that night yet. They’d gone over to ask for instructions and had been ordered not to disturb him, and it had been through a closed door, so they hadn’t seen Yuyi-jun in person.

Fang Li reckoned it had already started. At this point, Xie Huai definitely wouldn’t want to be disturbed, so that was normal.

Another quarter hour passed, and another demonic servant came to report, saying that the room was quiet and peaceful with no movement at all. Yuyi-jun might have gone to sleep.

So quiet? It looked like it was just as the book had written after all. Xie Huai had already gotten a handle on things, and everything would be fine after tonight had passed. Fang Li thought there shouldn’t be anything else that would come up and finally relaxed, turning over to get into bed and go to sleep.

【 The System hesitated: Host, do you really not plan to go over and take a look? 】

Fang Li’s hands were pillowed before him, his sleeping posture completely serene. He said lazily, “What is there to see? In any case, he’s still the pride of the heavens. Leave him some face.”

Having someone see him like that would be embarrassing to death!

He’d probably even start to feel a little murderous……

Putting himself in Xie Huai’s shoes, Fang Li could understand very well Xie Huai’s feelings right now. It would be better to let him quietly face it himself as he stewed in hostility. Fang Li wouldn’t go over to add oil to the file.

【 System: But only the owner can relieve the love parasite…… 】

Fang Li said with complete confidence, “You’re really underestimating the protagonist. What is the protagonist for? To create miracles and smash preconceptions.”

In the original story, Xie Huai hadn’t reacted to it even a bit.

【 System: But…… 】

Fang Li raised his eyes lethargically, his tone bland. “Or else? You want me to go top a man?”

The System immediately shut its mouth. It was afraid the host would just throw his hands up and give up. Forget it, forget it, what the host said was probably right…… It had to have faith in Xie Huai!

Fang Li slept all the way until noon the next day.

The demonic servants waiting in attendance outside immediately came up to report, saying that Yuyi-jun hadn’t had breakfast yet that morning, and there still wasn’t any movement in the room.

Fang Li was a bit surprised, but his worries quickly vanished. After having something like that happen last night, it was normal for Xie Huai to want some peace and quiet alone, after all.

Fang Li instructed the servants not to disturb him, then went off by himself to mind his own business.

Eating and drinking his fill, the day quickly passed by.

When Fang Li woke up the third day, the demonic servants came to report, saying that Yuyi-jun still hadn’t come out.

Fang Li didn’t think there was any problem. Who knew, maybe Xie Huai was pushing himself to the extreme in his efforts and didn’t want to see Fang Li at all, only thinking about how to break through the seal in the shortest possible time to kill him. If he didn’t come out, then he didn’t come out.

………………………………

All the way up until the seventh day.

When the demonic servants came to tell Fang Li that Xie Huai still hadn’t taken a single step out of the room, and the room still hadn’t had any signs of movement, Fang Li finally felt some unease.

No signs of movement for seven days and nights…… Although this matter was kind of difficult to bring up, and the proud Xie Huai definitely wouldn’t be able to accept it, he was the protagonist shou with a will of iron, after all. In the original story, he’d suffered more than a hundred kinds of torment and still hadn’t given up on himself and had even broken through in his cultivation in the midst of adversity to kill Yan Sui……

He wouldn’t go as far as to shut himself in his room and give up on himself because of a little thing like this, would he?

Not coming out for seven whole days was a bit unusual……

The System was making a serious ruckus in his ears. Since a few days ago, it had kept bugging him to go take a look, worried that something had happened to Xie Huai. Fang Li hadn’t paid it much mind the whole time, thinking that it was just worried that the sky was falling. He had plenty of confidence in Xie Huai, after all, but at this moment, he suddenly wavered a bit……

Something couldn’t really have happened to Xie Huai, could it?

Fang Li creased his brow and lapsed into thought for a long time, reviewing all his actions again, but he still hadn’t discovered any slip-ups. Then why was this different from the original story?

Fang Li was a bit worried and decided to go take a look in the end.

He arrived at the side palace in the middle of the night. The demonic servants attending outside paid their respects, saying as they bowed, “This subordinate has been on watch this whole time. Yuyi-jun hasn’t come out yet, nor has he had any orders.”

Fang gave an inattentive “mn” sound, then went directly through the doors in large strides.

The room was completely pitch-black.

There wasn’t any candlelight.

The night pearls on the frames were covered by brocade, not letting a single ray slip through.

The door hadn’t been opened in seven days.

As soon as Fang Li stepped inside, a dense and heavy scent permeated his nose. It seemed like wine that had been brewing for many years, and it was so strong that it made one choke a bit……

There wasn’t a trace of movement in the darkness. No, wait. Fang Li gathered his senses to listen closely. Behind the curtains of the bed in front was a very, very low…… it seemed like the sound of stifled, restrained breathing……

Thank goodness, at least he was still alive!

There was something off about the circumstances. Fang Li wasn’t able to put too much thought into things and stepped forward quickly, pulling up the curtains swiftly to examine things. But as soon as he reached out his hand, the world spun around him, and a hand as scorching hot as a pair of heated iron tongs tightly grasped his wrist, firmly pressing down!

His back crashed heavily against the side of the bed. Fang Li’s face paled, and he looked up with a bit of astonishment, directly meeting a pair of murky, reddened eyes.

………………………………

The Author Has Something to Say:

Fang Li: He detests me this much, and he’s the all-capable protagonist, restraining the love~ parasite is a piece of cake, no problem~ (100% confidence)

Xie Huai: Seven days : )