The Demon King asked, “What about you? You are a demon now as well. Do you have a way to survive in that world?”
Lin Qing’s eyes filled with confusion. “I do not know. I have not thought that far ahead.”
His greatest wish was to rid himself of the System and cultivate enough power to shatter the void and seek revenge. That alone was difficult enough. As for what came after, it felt too distant to even contemplate.
The Demon King spoke persuasively. “Think about it now. What do you want most? Perhaps your Master can help you achieve it.”
Lin Qing thought carefully. “I want to find a hidden paradise and live as a hermit.”
Once he had his revenge, taken care of his parents, and fulfilled his wishes, he would find a secluded sanctuary. If he ever got bored, he could come out for a stroll and then return to his isolation. A life without desires or demands seemed quite pleasant.
“So little ambition. Do not tell people you are my disciple in the future.”
As they spoke, the Demon King finished spreading the medicinal liquid evenly. He looked at his disciple’s skin, where the smooth white surface had been replaced by jagged scars. Even after applying the ointment, there was little improvement, and a spark of nameless anger rose within him.
He suddenly asked, “Do you want to taste demonic beast meat?”
“Huh?” Lin Qing turned his head, confused. They were talking about their future lives. Why the sudden mention of meat?
The Demon King handed the medicine bottle to Lin Qing. “Apply the rest to the wounds on your front. I will be back shortly.”
When the Demon King said shortly, he meant it. Before Lin Qing could even finish treating his chest, the Demon King returned carrying a large bird that had been plucked clean.
The more Lin Qing looked at the bird, the more familiar it seemed. “Is this the one I just fought?”
The bird, once full of magnificent feathers, now looked like a giant bald chicken, making it hard to be certain.
“We are having roasted bird for dinner.”
As he spoke, the Demon King started a campfire and prepared to roast the massive, half-dead bald bird over the flames.
Lin Qing looked at the struggling creature. “Master, we already stole its herbs. Now we are going to eat it too?”
The Demon King said coldly, “If you want to survive in this world, put away your worthless kindness. The strong prey on the weak. That is the law of survival.”
Lin Qing nodded. “I understand.” This was a cultivation continent where the strong were respected, not the modern world where eating a protected animal would land you in jail.
The Demon King softened his voice and explained, “These herbs grow naturally. The demonic beast simply occupied the spot first. Even without us, other beasts would have come to fight for it.”
“Yes, I know you are doing this for my sake, Master.”
Lin Qing watched as the Demon King skillfully handled the innards, set up the roast, and sprinkled spices he had obtained from somewhere. Soon, the tantalizing aroma of food filled the air. Lin Qing had not felt hungry, but the scent made his mouth water. Since coming to this world, he had lived like a typical cultivator who rarely ate, and it had been a long time since he had enjoyed a proper meal.
The Demon King sliced the roasted meat and handed the most tender piece to Lin Qing. “Taste it.”
Lin Qing took a bite. The skin was golden and crispy, and the meat was incredibly tender and flavorful. The beast was huge, and a small piece from the wing was enough to satisfy Lin Qing’s appetite.
His Master’s skills were better than those of the barbecue chefs near his old office. He marveled, “Master, is there anything you cannot do?”
Seeing the glistening oil on his disciple’s lips, the Demon King reached out to wipe it away. “What, trying to test your Master? Nothing in this world can stump me.”
“I can do it myself,” Lin Qing said quickly, using a cleaning spell to clear the grease from his face and hands. Men usually ate messily, but having his Master wipe his mouth like that was embarrassing. It made him feel clumsy.
After the meal, Lin Qing took the initiative to clear the trash and stored the leftover meat in his storage ring. Once finished, he took out his herbs, intending to cultivate through the night.
The Demon King stopped him. “What is the rush? Rest well tonight. It will not be too late to cultivate tomorrow once your wounds have healed.”
“Alright.”
There were no entertainment devices in this era, but being on a cliffside was perfect for a starlit picnic. Lin Qing lay on the ground, gazing at the stars. Drowsiness soon overcame him, and he fell into a deep sleep.
The Demon King, who had been lying beside him, sat up. He stroked the youth’s cheek, tracing his exquisite features with his fingertips. Feeling the warmth through his palm, he let out a satisfied sigh. “So beautiful.”
In his sleep, the youth seemed to sense a dangerous presence and knitted his brows as if about to wake. A wisp of demonic qi entered his brow, and the restless man’s breathing leveled out as he fell back into a heavy slumber.
The Demon King’s figure was as ethereal as mist, yet it completely enveloped the person on the ground. Wisps of purple mist swirled around the youth, sliding up his wide sleeves and slipping past his loosened collar to press against his delicate skin.
“My dear disciple, you smell so sweet.”
“The child of destiny favored by the heavens. Soon, you will be mine.”
“Your Master has wanted to do this for a long time.”
Lin Qing had a nightmare. In the dream, he was entangled by a venomous snake that stripped him of his clothes and slithered over his body. He struggled desperately to break free, but the snake bared its fangs and bit his lips.
The piercing sunlight on the cliff made Lin Qing bolt upright. He touched his lips, still shaken. Perhaps it was psychological, but his lips felt numb, as if he really had been bitten.
Seeing his reaction, the Demon King asked gently, “What is wrong, disciple?”
Lin Qing shook his head. “Nothing. Just a strange dream.”
He could hardly say he dreamed of being molested by a snake. Maybe I am becoming a deviant myself after staying in this place for so long. It was just a dream. He must have had too much free time lately.
Lin Qing pulled up his sleeve. “Master, look! My wounds are mostly healed. I can cultivate now.”
The gruesome wounds from the night before had closed completely, leaving only faint pink scars on his fair skin that looked more like ambiguous red marks.
“The wounds on your arms are healed, but let me check your back.”
Focused on his cultivation, Lin Qing shed his upper garments and let them hang at his waist. The Demon King’s hand reached for his back, his fingertips pressing against the remaining marks. “Does it hurt?”
“It does not hurt,” Lin Qing replied.
A series of itchy sensations traveled up his spine. Lin Qing could clearly feel the cool fingertips moving from bottom to top, left to right, circling again and again. He finally could not help but remind him, “Master, are you finished?”
The Demon King calmly withdrew his hand. “Finished. The wounds are fine. Put your clothes on and cultivate. Take out the herbs you collected earlier. I will help you refine the pills.”
Lin Qing breathed a sigh of relief and presented the herbs. “I will trouble you then, Master.”