Yin Xuanlin truly had no face left to show anyone.
That entire day, his movements could be summed up in a single image, like a mushroom that shriveled the moment it saw the light, skulking about within the vast and opulent Golden Toad Sect. One moment he was hiding in this shadowy corner, the next he had slipped behind that dim artificial rock formation.
From beginning to end, his limbs moved stiffly in unison, his gaze drifting aimlessly, unable to settle anywhere.
If only a place as grand and resplendent as the Golden Toad Sect had something like a crack in the ground.
He would have gladly found one and burrowed straight into it!
“Ahhh!” At one point, he even pressed his forehead against a door and knocked it lightly, letting out a low, muffled groan as he seriously contemplated whether he should pack up his belongings, flee to some remote place where no one knew him, change his name and spend the rest of his life in obscurity.
Or perhaps he could ask Yuan Jinyu for a bowl of memory erasing medicine and force it down Xie Chen’s throat.
Actually… drinking it himself would work just as well!
In the end, after much torment, he came to a grim conclusion.
Anyway, what was done was done. His dignity had already been thoroughly trampled.
So what if he simply stopped pretending to be a decent person!
Once that thought settled, Yin Xuanlin suddenly understood the mindset of those dissolute young masters described in storybooks, those who seized men and women by force and indulged themselves without restraint.
That’s right. What was he afraid of?
After all, Xie Chen was now utterly abandoned by all, betrayed by everyone. He could cry out to the heavens and receive no answer, shout himself hoarse and no one would come to save him.
And as for himself, he had power, influence and backing enough to cover the sky with one hand.
He could do whatever he pleased!!!
As it happened, on that very day, Yuan Jinyu was applying fresh medicine over Xie Chen’s eyes. “Young Master, when this is removed next time, Young Master Xie’s eyesight should be restored without issue. His eyes will regain their former clarity as well.”
Yin Xuanlin: *
So soon?
The corners of his mouth twitched uncontrollably. It had been one thing when Xie Chen could not see but once those cold, reproachful eyes looked at him again, reflecting him with nowhere to hide… just imagining it made his scalp tingle.
Well but anyway…
So what if he hated him? Even if he did, he still wouldn’t be able to escape from his grasp!
After Yuan Jinyu left, silence once again filled the room.
Inside, Yin Xuanlin waged a fierce battle with himself. He paced three steps to the left, then three steps to the right, over and over, until finally he steeled his resolve, gritted his teeth and strode once more to the bedside.
“Xie Chen, I know you can hear me! Listen carefully!”
“What happened yesterday, th… that was this young master showing you favor!”
“Other servants spend their entire lives doing nothing but making beds, folding quilts, boiling water, chopping firewood, mere menial labor but, considering that you’re at least somewhat pleasing to the eye, this young master is giving you the chance to serve like a bed attendant. You’d better not fail to appreciate it!”
The room remained utterly silent.
“In any case, you’d better do your job properly.”
“If you do well, then maybe one day, when this young master is in a good mood, I might… might even grant you the status of a male concubine!”
And with that, Yin Xuanlin fled once again.
He ran out into the corridor, gasping for breath, his heart pounding violently in his chest.
Come to think of it… what kind of reaction had Xie Chen shown just now, after hearing that absurd string of words?
It seemed like… no reaction at all.
But how could there truly be no reaction? Someone like him, unyielding, upright, as pure and lofty as a clear breeze beneath a bright sky, shouldn’t he have been trembling with anger?
The divine physician had said it clearly: he simply couldn’t move, not that he lacked emotions.
So what did no reaction even mean?!
Was he ignoring him? Completely ignoring him?!
Fine.
That very night, the young master finally began his so called “purification of the Demon Lord” in earnest.
On the first night, he entered the elegant residence in the back mountain clad in resplendent robes, his expression dark and forbidding, a coil of rope in his hand.
Yin Xuanlin:
He wasn’t that foolish. Even weakened, the Demon Lord was still dangerous!
So of course he would bind the Demon Lord’s hands and feet first before thoroughly “purifying” him. Once he could do whatever he pleased to him, this and that and then more of that, would he still be able to maintain that indifferent, expressionless composure?!
Heh.
And so, beneath a dark sky and a high windless night, Demon Lord Xie Chen’s wrists were bound to the head of the bed with fine silk cords.
Yin Xuanlin stood above him, his smile twisted and shadowed with something fierce.
“Heh! Look at you, all skin and bones, who would even want you? Being able to serve this young master is your good fortune!”
“You’ve nowhere else to go now. At the end of the day, you’re nothing more than a bird I’ve raised in a cage. Try resisting me, I dare you. Not that you would have the guts!”
“Who are you putting on that dead expression for?! You’d better know what’s good for you. Don’t just lie there like a block of wood! Move when I tell you to, stop pretending to be mute and stop putting on airs of false nobility, mm… ah, slow down, slow down!”
“D… don’t look! Close your eyes!”
When the young master emerged from the residence, it was already the afternoon of the next day.
It was said his steps were unsteady, dark shadows pooled beneath his eyes and he even limped slightly as he walked, most likely due to excessive depletion of spiritual energy during the “purification of the Demon Lord.”
But as expected of the young master, his determination to rid the world of demons was unmatched!
He had only rested for a single afternoon before, that very night, he returned once more, this time carrying a soft leather whip said to drive out demonic souls, along with calming candles, his fighting spirit as high as ever.
The day after that, it was said that “the Demon Lord’s gaze was too fierce and interfered with the purification,” so the young master thoughtfully prepared a high quality blindfold to block his vision.
The day after that, having read in an ancient text that “tattooing could seal demonic energy,” the young master enthusiastically brought along brushes and pigments…
In short, his methods of exorcism grew more varied by the day, constantly innovating, never repeating themselves.
Half a month later, Yin Xuanlin began to feel, with complete sincerity, that Xie Chen had changed since falling into demonic cultivation!!!
Wasn’t it only half a month ago that he had still been unwilling, aloof and indifferent? At times, there had even been a dark, crimson haze lurking in his eyes, his teeth clenched in defiance as a show of resistance.
And yet, how long had it been?
Now, when Yin Xuanlin once again bound him tightly, climbed over him and bullied him without restraint, Xie Chen’s reactions had already shifted, from the initial rigid stillness to the faint tilting of his head in reluctant acceptance over the past few days.
And this time… This time, he even returned the kiss, gentle and utterly lost in it.
The indescribably gentle sensation on his lips struck Yin Xuanlin like a bolt of lightning, leaving him scorched inside and out, his mind going utterly blank.
At the very least… it shouldn’t have been this yielding.
It was hard to imagine that the once proud and defiant favored son of heaven, stripped of his wings, could become so adept at lying low, at concealing himself so thoroughly.
Gradually, Xie Chen’s body began to recover.
He became more obedient as well, he would eat properly now.
When Yin Xuanlin handed him new clothes, he would quietly change into them. So often did he comply without protest that Yin Xuanlin, who had originally intended to pick faults, found himself forced into silence!
At times, when Yin Xuanlin grew irritable, he would pull him into his arms and toy with him, kneading and handling him at will.
In these past few days, Xie Chen seemed to have grown accustomed to it. He would even unconsciously adjust himself into a position that made things easier for Yin Xuanlin, resting his face obediently into the hollow of his shoulder.
Yin Xuanlin: Don’t you dare try to win me over or confuse me with tricks like this!
Gradually, Xie Chen was able to get out of bed.
When Yin Xuanlin was in a good mood, he would even allow him to “get some air” in the small courtyard filled with blooming medicinal herbs.
Sometimes, he would even take him along to wander aimlessly around the Golden Toad Sect.
Each time they walked, Xie Chen would quietly follow half a step behind him. When Yin Xuanlin walked, he walked; when Yin Xuanlin stopped, he stopped. If Yin Xuanlin reached out to take his hand, he would lower his gaze and let himself be led.
The more he behaved like this, the more a faint unease crept over Yin Xuanlin, raising goosebumps along his skin.
More than once, he found himself wondering whether Xie Chen was secretly preparing some kind of sudden counterattack!
There was not much conversation between them.
Mainly because Yin Xuanlin himself did not know what to talk about.
After all, what was there to say? Should he bring up how Xie Chen had once treated him with indifference? Or should he ask about his thoughts after becoming the Demon Lord?
Not a single topic was remotely pleasant!
Time passed quickly. One month, then two.
Their exchanges remained sparse, occasionally, Yin Xuanlin would curse under his breath while Xie Chen listened in silence and during heated nights, the low, hoarse murmur that slipped from Xie Chen’s throat as he called, “Senior brother.”
Heh. The immortal and demonic paths could never coexist, who was his senior brother supposed to be!
Another summer night.
The sound of cicadas droned endlessly, the air thick and heavy with languid warmth. Xie Chen had been in increasingly good spirits lately. Even after everything was over, he would not settle down, always preferring to hold the half asleep person in his arms, pressing soft kisses again and again to his cheek and the corner of his lips.
Every movement was cautious, gentle in a way never seen before.
Sometimes Yin Xuanlin would be stirred awake by him, muttering drowsily:
“Junior Brother Xie… you… haven’t been possessed by someone else, have you?”
Moonlight filtered through the window lattice and in Xie Chen’s dark eyes lay something Yin Xuanlin had never been able to understand.
Could a single year truly change a person so much? Yin Xuanlin did not believe it.
Because between them, it had never been just a single year.
There had been many years.
Back at the Tangdi Immortal Sect, year after year had passed.
And yet, nothing had ever managed to change.
Soft, lingering kisses fell along his neck.
Yin Xuanlin asked him, “Do you hate me?”
“You must hate me to death, don’t you.”
The person buried against his neck paused for a moment, then after a long while, shook his head.
Softly, almost like a quiet animal, he nuzzled against him with gentle warmth.
Yin Xuanlin fell silent, choking on his frustration. Xie Chen had truly mastered that art of yielding and adapting and he had mastered it flawlessly.
Back then, when Xie Chen had been aloof and untouchable, Yin Xuanlin had been indignant and dissatisfied.
But for some reason, now that Xie Chen had lowered himself, becoming compliant in everything, obedient to the point of granting whatever was asked, Yin Xuanlin still felt irritated, still restless!!!
By now, Xie Chen’s injuries had indeed healed significantly. He could even accompany Yin Xuanlin on business trips, acting as a quiet “bodyguard.”
All along the way, Yin Xuanlin observed him in secret.
After leaving the Golden Toad Sect, he did not run. After boarding the carriage, he did not run. Now, with the boat drifting in the middle of the river, surrounded by nothingness, it was the perfect place to kill and dispose of a body without a trace,
And yet, he still did nothing. Instead, when the night wind rose, he carefully fastened the heavy cloak around him.
By nightfall, the cabin of the boat was already cramped.
And yet Xie Chen still adhered to his “duty,” continuing to “serve” him.
Yin Xuanlin: **
At this point, he would almost rather that Xie Chen resisted! That he openly expressed his hatred!
But the reality was that Xie Chen caught hold of his sleeve, pressing kisses along his wrist and slowly moving upward. Beneath the candlelight, those dark eyes held a glimmer of something almost reverent, quiet yet tinged with a kind of restrained madness.
“You bastard, let go! Stop it!”
Yin Xuanlin struggled, his voice carrying a faint, almost imperceptible tremor.
“You think I don’t know? The way you’re acting now, bending yourself like this, it’s only because, at the moment, I’m the only one who can protect you. You…”
In the darkness, he seemed to hear a vague, indistinct sound, nearly swallowed by the rhythm of breathing, a soft “Mm.”
A sharp, sour ache suddenly surged into his chest, rising all the way to his nose, making his eyes burn but whatever he wanted to say was swallowed back, sealed away by those murmured kisses and the low, indistinct whisper of “Senior Brother Xuanlin.”
Afterward, he was once again pulled tightly into an embrace, their skin pressed together, their breaths mingling.
Yin Xuanlin had always remembered that Xie Chen was a man of few words.
The only time he had ever spoken at length had been for the sake of that “little white lotus,” offering comfort that cut like blades, each word piercing straight into the heart.
And yet, after returning from this business trip, Yin Xuanlin finally witnessed once again what Xie Chen was like when he spoke a great deal,
Unfortunately, the object of those words was not him.
It was the Second Miss of Piaomiao Peak, Du Xinlan, who had recently been visiting the Golden Toad Sect quite often.
The Second Miss herself had a calm and graceful temperament, a good and decent young woman yet her appearance was soft and delicate, her eyes gentle and expressive, so much so that, without reason, Yin Xuanlin was reminded of that “little white lotus” who had once made his teeth ache with irritation.
But it seemed that Xie Chen quite liked this type.
That Second Miss Du was also rather bold, daring enough to speak alone in the garden with this “former Demon Lord” whose reputation preceded him.
Although the exact content of their conversation could not be heard, it went on for a long time.
Yin Xuanlin had never known that Xie Chen could have so much to say to someone else.
Heh. Well, well.
He really had changed.
Once, he had been as pure as a clear breeze beneath a bright moon, proud of his talent and aloof from the world. Now that the tiger had fallen into the plains, he had learned to flirt and entangle himself with others everywhere he went.
Fine.
He would pack his things for him right now and see, without the protection of the Golden Toad Sect, would Piaomiao Peak really dare to take in a former Demon Lord? He would see just what place in this world would dare to accept him!
Seething with anger, Yin Xuanlin stormed off.
The next half of the day passed in a blur of business dealings, entertaining guests and exchanging pleasantries. Making money was far more enjoyable, far better than facing that brazen, fearless, damned Demon Lord!
Yin Xuanlin remained busy until nightfall.
It was then that he ran into his elder sister, Jiang Qianxue.
Her delicate brows furrowed slightly. “Xuanlin, that Second Miss Du is someone Father and Mother are quite fond of as a potential daughter in law and yet you rejected her so directly?”
Yin Xuanlin blinked. “Huh?”
Jiang Qianxue looked at him, puzzled. “What, wasn’t it you who had Xie Chen speak to Second Miss Du? Saying that you already have someone in your heart, that in this lifetime you will accept no one else and asking her to seek another match?”
Only after his sister explained everything from beginning to end did Yin Xuanlin finally understand.
So it turned out that Second Miss Du of Piaomiao Peak had been visiting so frequently of late because the elders of both families had intended to bring them together. They had thought that if the younger generation spent more time in each other’s company, perhaps affection might grow.
But Yin Xuanlin had known nothing about any of this.
And since he had known nothing, there was no way he would have told her that his heart already belonged to someone.
So why had Xie Chen taken it upon himself to make that decision?!
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Once a chosen one of heavenChapter 2 · Why didn’t you crawl in the shadows?!Chapter 3 · They would rather fight each otherChapter 4 · I’ll do a handstand and run naked three times!Chapter 5 · So what if I’m showing off!Chapter 6 · If you look again, I’ll gouge your eyes out!Chapter 7 · The young couple is fighting again.Chapter 8 · I’m back at the Jinchan SectChapter 9 · Sour, sourChapter 10 · To seize credit for someone’s workChapter 11 · The Golden Toad Sect has come to our aid to annihilate the Demon LordChapter 12 · Sect Leader’s HusbandChapter 13 · The stone, fox, tree, and scarecrow are named XuanlinChapter 14 · My junior and I have had sweet moments in private!Chapter 15 · The truth behind their first falling out back thenChapter 16 · Hate lasts longer than loveChapter 17 · Xie Chen was actually the Demon LordChapter 18 · Slaying the Demon LordChapter 19 · From resistance to enjoymentChapter 20 · Xiao Xie’s perspective begins!Chapter 21 · Only because it was Yin XuanlinChapter 22 · Xie Chen was not a foolChapter 23 · The End