Shu Qing hadn’t slept well, and when he was startled awake, he felt a bit uncomfortable, with a sudden urge to vomit. Unconsciously, he furrowed his brows and pressed his fingers against his temples. Seeing this, the King of the Underworld reached out and pulled him into his embrace. His tone was as usual, “What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?”
In his heart, Shu Qing blamed the King of the Underworld, feeling that all of this was his fault. But he didn’t dare to say it out loud, only thinking it to himself. Moreover, leaning against the King of the Underworld’s chest provided a solid support, making him feel slightly better. “…It’s nothing, maybe I’m just a bit hungry.”
The King of the Underworld glanced around, seeing only Chun Li entering, pouring water and preparing to assist Shu Qing with washing up. The King of the Underworld became displeased, his tone suddenly turning heavy, “The servants here are getting lazy. I have time today, so I’ll deal with it.”
With that, he called in two guards. “Drag out everyone who was supposed to serve here today and execute them.” “Yes!” Although Chun Li wasn’t included among those people, she was still terrified by the King of the Underworld’s severe and cold punishment, her knees going weak as she quickly knelt down. Not to mention Chun Li, even Shu Qing was shocked.
In truth, Shu Qing had killed two people here before, striking them down without batting an eye. He had also punished and taught many people a lesson, leaving many with skin torn and flesh exposed. But those were people who had offended him, gossiping about him either to his face or behind his back. Shu Qing would never show mercy to those who wronged him. But he wouldn’t trouble innocent people for no reason, especially not with matters of life and death.
He could say it was just talk, but Shu Qing himself had climbed up from being a little demon, knowing how difficult it was. “Your Highness,” Shu Qing quickly said, “Please calm down, Your Highness. I told them to leave, so they wouldn’t disturb my sleep with their movements… Please don’t be angry, Your Highness.”
The guards knew how favored Shu Qing was now. They were about to leave, but hearing Shu Qing plead, they stopped, waiting for the King of the Underworld to give another order. “Disturbing your rest means they weren’t meticulous enough in their work, and they deserve to die. But if they all leave and don’t come in to serve when you wake up, they deserve to die even more.”
The King of the Underworld didn’t give Shu Qing any face, insisting on the execution. The main reason was that when he came in, he didn’t smell Shu Qing’s scent, which made him genuinely panic, thinking Shu Qing was gone. But if this continued, with Shu Qing merely sleeping, they dared to leave without a trace—who could guarantee such a thing wouldn’t happen again? If they truly failed to keep an eye on Shu Qing and let such a thing happen, they wouldn’t just deserve death; they should be torn to pieces.
“Your Highness… Your Highness, please calm down. Considering their usual care, give them another chance, just this once.” “Don’t worry, I’ll arrange for better and more attentive people to serve you.” “…”
Shu Qing bit his lip, “Your Highness, it was just a single mistake. They’ll learn from it in the future.” “No worries, this way there won’t be any more mistakes.” “…”
The King of the Underworld was determined to punish, and whatever Shu Qing explained was dismissed. Finally, he waved at the guards, “Why are you still standing here? Go do it!” “Yes!” “Your Highness, Your Highness…”
This time, no matter how much Shu Qing called, it was useless. The guards didn’t look back, hurrying to carry out the King of the Underworld’s orders. The King of the Underworld couldn’t imagine the impact this action had on Shu Qing. Holding Shu Qing with one arm, he pinched Shu Qing’s face with the other, still able to chuckle, “You used to enjoy punishing people, but today you’re pleading for them? What, are you turning over a new leaf?”
Shu Qing couldn’t muster a smile. No matter how he punished people, he wouldn’t harm the innocent, let alone take their lives. “Your Highness, they don’t deserve to die.” The King of the Underworld was indifferent, “I know.” “…”
Though they didn’t deserve to die, the King of the Underworld chose to have them killed, so they had to die. This was the ruler of the entire Underworld. Life and death of all things were at his whim. The King of the Underworld looked at Chun Li, still kneeling on the ground, “Get up and help with the washing. I didn’t drag you out to kill you, so why panic?” “Yes.”
In just a few days, Chun Li had experienced such things twice, both times narrowly escaping. There was no joy of surviving a disaster, only fear of the King of the Underworld’s unpredictable temper and the terror of almost losing her life. Shu Qing, held in the King of the Underworld’s arms, also felt a chill spreading through his body. The most terrifying thing was the King of the Underworld’s attitude of controlling life and death, seeing through life and death, and being indifferent to whether others lived or died.
In Shu Qing’s eyes, death could be categorized. One was for those who offended him, deserving death. Another was for those who offended him but didn’t deserve to die. There were also those he couldn’t defeat, couldn’t kill. And those who did nothing wrong, who shouldn’t die. But in the King of the Underworld’s eyes, death was singular: if he thought someone should die, they had to die.
That’s why he could end the lives of many servants with a single word and dared to chop off the Mountain God’s head with one stroke. In his eyes, perhaps the Mountain God was no different from these servants; once the reason for death came, they all had to die by his hand. Shu Qing couldn’t stop thinking, what if his escape failed, or if he was caught by the King of the Underworld after escaping, how would the King of the Underworld punish him… Would he also kill him so straightforwardly…
The more he thought about it, the more terrified he became, feeling hopeless. His body turned cold. If the plan truly failed, the King of the Underworld wouldn’t spare him and would indeed take his life. But should he give up? Shu Qing couldn’t give up. The determination to escape ultimately outweighed the fear of death. It was precisely because of the King of the Underworld’s nature that he had to escape.
If he stayed obediently by the King of the Underworld’s side for three years, the variables would be too great, and he might not even survive until then. Escaping at least offered a glimmer of hope. Even if the end result was still death, it would be after exhausting all efforts, with no other choice.
…
But Shu Qing was still quite frightened by the King of the Underworld. Already lacking energy, combined with guilt and tension, he felt even weaker. After waking up, he stayed in the room, not going out. The King of the Underworld stayed with him for quite a while, but later, when some ministers came to see him, he left for the council hall. During dinner, the King of the Underworld didn’t return either. Shu Qing ate a few bites and then prepared to bathe and wash up.
Having not left the room all afternoon, Shu Qing hadn’t changed clothes. After all, the King of the Underworld “favored” him, and no one dared to say he didn’t follow the rules. But when it came to sleeping, he wanted to change into a new inner garment. Last time, he got some new fabrics, one of which was light and breathable, making it very comfortable to wear as an inner garment.
While choosing clothes, Shu Qing suddenly thought of something and said to Chun Li, “By the way, go get my jewelry box.” Although Chun Li didn’t understand why Shu Qing wanted the jewelry box at this time, she went anyway, “Yes.” Once it was brought, Shu Qing wasn’t in a hurry to choose clothes. Instead, he opened the box and said to Chun Li, “See if there’s anything you like, pick two pieces you like.”
Chun Li’s eyes widened, unable to believe what she heard. The box contained rare treasures bestowed by the King of the Underworld to Shu Qing, each one priceless and rare across realms. The King of the Underworld didn’t care about these things, so he was generous with his rewards. But Chun Li knew Shu Qing loved these things. He loved to dress up and look beautiful, always fond of dazzling items. Even during the days he was sulking with the King of the Underworld, he would occasionally take them out to admire.
“…Such precious things, how can they be given to a servant? I dare not!” Shu Qing smiled, “Silly girl, if I tell you to pick, then pick. Such a good opportunity doesn’t come every day.” Chun Li was tempted but still hesitated, “I dare not!” “Don’t be afraid, just pick.” Shu Qing sighed, “Were you scared today? If you weren’t following me, you wouldn’t have to go through this.”
Chun Li’s eyes trembled. “So what I give you is what you deserve, don’t be shy.” Chun Li bit her lip, looking up at Shu Qing, and in the next second, she bent her knees and knelt on the ground. “Little Immortal, I don’t want these things… If you really want to reward me, please grant me one request.” It seemed that after being with him for so long, even Chun Li had learned to push her luck. Not bad.
Shu Qing chuckled, “What request? Tell me first.” Chun Li spoke earnestly and firmly, “I want to stay with Little Immortal—” “Hmm? Aren’t you already with me?” “Not just now, but in the future—” Chun Li said anxiously, “When Little Immortal can leave here, can you take me with you?”
Shu Qing fell silent. He hadn’t expected Chun Li’s request to be to leave with him. Shu Qing felt a bit heavy, “You should know, you’re from the Underworld, and I can’t decide your fate.” “But Your Highness favors Little Immortal so much, maybe Little Immortal can plead for me… There’s still more than a year left… I want to be with Little Immortal, and I want to be with Little Immortal in the future too.”
Shu Qing remained silent. He couldn’t possibly tell Chun Li that she shouldn’t hope for it, as he was already planning to escape early, right? “Even Xiao Cao can be with Little Immortal… I’m much better than him. I won’t make Little Immortal angry, and I know how to serve Little Immortal better. Please take me with you…” Shu Qing remained silent.
“Little Immortal… Please don’t leave me behind, take me with you. I want to be with Little Immortal…” “I’ll serve Little Immortal well, listen to everything Little Immortal says, please… take me with you…” Shu Qing sighed, “Get up first—” But before he could finish, the King of the Underworld appeared like a ghost. Despite his tall stature and naturally oppressive aura, he managed to appear silently, as if he had always been lurking in the shadows, suddenly stepping into the light.
The King of the Underworld interrupted Shu Qing, and upon appearing, his aura of sharpness and murderous intent enveloped like mountains and rivers. His expression was grave and sinister as he slowly spoke, “Why do you want Little Immortal to take you with him?” “Hmm? What do you want to do with Little Immortal?”
[Author’s Note] Updates might be a bit slow, please bear with me. But thinking about the content to be written later fills me with anticipation and excitement, haha [sunglasses][sunglasses]. So, dear readers, please leave more comments for the author! It will motivate the author to write more! [flowers][flowers]