Xie Rongjing’s temperament was as unpredictable as shifting weather, often changing on a whim. Yu Suisui had initially assumed this was just another passing phase—yet after half a month, he remained aloof with that same “we’re strangers” demeanor.
He seemed to be earnestly subjecting Yu Suisui to silent treatment, not only refusing the Frost Condensation Pearl but also returning the Spirit Liquid delivered by Steward Niu. Eager to fulfill the young lady’s orders, Steward Niu made multiple attempts, but on the last two occasions, he didn’t even catch a glimpse of Xie Rongjing—he was simply shut out outside the door.
“That’s how it is, Young Lady,” Steward Niu reported dutifully. “Perhaps this subordinate could teach him a small lesson…”
He didn’t dare say anything too extreme, as a vague suspicion had begun forming in his mind.
Could it be that the young lady had taken a fancy to this Devil Seed?!
Considering how she particularly favored Xie Rongjing, and how the two were often seen together at North Peak… Steward Niu found it highly plausible. After all, the young lady had reached the age of budding romance, and that Xie fellow happened to possess striking looks—perfect for deceiving young female cultivators who knew little of the world’s dangers.
Steward Niu cautiously observed the young lady’s expression, only to see her shaking her head like a rattle-drum as she solemnly advised, “Old Niu, you mustn’t lay a hand on him.”
This was a rare instance of Yu Suisui showing consideration for Steward Niu.
Mainly because there was no guarantee they could defeat him in a fight.
Steward Niu thought to himself: Just as I suspected!!
His conjecture had become reality, and he resolved to be even more cautious with his words hereafter, never speaking ill of this little Devil Seed again. He wouldn’t dare comment on the young lady’s romantic affairs, much less act like her father.
At any rate, they were all within Tian Zhao Sect—the young lady wouldn’t suffer any real losses. Having walked this path himself, Steward Niu sighed with emotion.
The young lady’s current pensive frown was unmistakably the prelude to romance—unrequited romance, no less. Poor Steward Niu, over two hundred years old, now had to fret over his new superior’s puppy love.
To his greater regret: Yu Suisui completely missed what he was lamenting about.
She was merely thinking that it seemed she’d have to personally check on Xie Rongjing after all.
Sigh… and she had hoped to rest for another week or two.
“Is there anything else this subordinate can assist with?” Steward Niu’s gossipy soul burned with curiosity.
Yu Suisui shook her head again. Since Steward Niu was a competent steward, she maintained a gentle tone: “I’ll make a trip to North Peak myself this afternoon.”
Steward Niu: …
This really isn’t advisable!
Based on his life experience, men—to varying degrees—all had a bit of a cheap streak. Though Xie was a Devil Seed, he was still a man. Rather than taking the initiative to show goodwill, it would be better to let him cool off for a while and wait for him to lower his head first.
He couldn’t help but hint tactfully, “This subordinate believes it might be better if Young Lady went later.”
Yu Suisui looked up at the nearly blinding sun and found his words quite reasonable: “You make a good point.”
The sun was so intense outside, and this world lacked sunscreen. If she got tanned, it would be a pity to ruin the original owner’s delicate, fair complexion.
“Then I’ll go at dusk,” she said.
Steward Niu: …!
The young lady had made up her mind to go. He silently sealed his lips.
Yet before evening arrived, the sun gradually became shrouded by thick clouds. Leaves in the courtyard rustled chaotically in the wind, and suddenly, a torrential downpour began.
The rain fell thick and fast, pouring down from the clouds like a rushing stream. After about half an hour, the downpour gradually eased, leaving only a fine drizzle drifting softly through the air.
This kind of weather was perfect for a walk outdoors.
Yu Suisui had lost her excuse to idle around until evening, so she mustered her energy and headed toward North Peak.
In the flower field on this rainy day, there was no sign of Xie Rongjing. Vast stretches of Scarletglow Flowers, now stripped of their blossoms and left with only leaves, drooped dejectedly. Even after drinking their fill of rainwater, they remained wilted and listless.
Holding an umbrella, Yu Suisui gently knocked three times on the wooden door of his residence.
There was no response.
Just as she hesitated between knocking a few more times or waiting a little longer, the door suddenly swung open.
Xie Rongjing was dressed in a black satin robe today, with a dark red belt tied around his waist. His ink-black hair was tied into a high ponytail with a ribbon of the same color.
“Do you need something?”
His tone held little warmth, much like the slightly chilly rain around them.
She looked at Xie Rongjing, who met her gaze with an indifferent expression.
His demeanor was placid—not the kind of coldness that pushed people away, but rather the detached calm one might feel upon opening a door to find nothing outside. Paired with the pattering rain, it added an extra layer of aloofness.
Though they stood only a step apart, it felt as though mountains and rivers lay between them.
Compared to before, the change in him seemed quite significant.
Perplexed, Yu Suisui said, “Well, I found another Secret Manual on Arrays and brought it for you to see.”
Although she had actually asked Steward Niu to fetch it from the library.
Xie Rongjing listened quietly but made no move to take the bamboo scroll.
His gaze gradually sharpened, like that of a dangerous cold-blooded creature, slowly crawling upward from Yu Suisui’s hand holding the manual, all the way to her neck.
Why was it so cold? Yu Suisui broke out in goosebumps for no apparent reason.
It was clearly still summer.
It must be because of the rainy weather, she thought, rubbing her arms. She pulled a coat from her Storage Bag and draped it over herself.
“You should wear more too,” she reminded Xie Rongjing offhandedly as she fastened the tie at her collar. “The more recently someone has recovered from a serious illness, the more they need to take care of themselves. Especially since your illness probably isn’t completely cured yet—be careful not to catch a chill.”
Xie Rongjing still hadn’t responded to her. Instead, he stared at her smooth, fair neck, his beautiful Peach Blossom Eyes curving slightly. The pupils within seemed so dark they could almost drip with ink.
“Wouldn’t it be better if I just died like this?”
He spoke softly.
Yu Suisui froze for a moment. “…I don’t think that would be good.”
She had initially thought Xie Rongjing might be showing self-destructive tendencies—something many antagonists went through during their pitiful phases, feeling unloved by their parents, frustrated by everything, and targeted by the whole world. As a result, they would fall into despair, undergo Blackening, and seamlessly switch between “I want to destroy this world” and “Life is fine, but I’m not coming back in the next one.”
In short, they either erupted in silence or perished in silence.
Yu Suisui wasn’t afraid of Xie Rongjing erupting in silence—after all, he was supposed to erupt eventually.
What she feared was that he might, in a moment of despair, end his own life prematurely, essentially becoming his own executioner.
Given Xie Rongjing’s unrestrained nature, she felt this was exactly the kind of thing he might do.
That wouldn’t do.
Yu Suisui wasn’t skilled at comforting people, but she understood one thing: when faced with someone who didn’t want to live, telling them how blue the sky was, how fragrant the flowers were, or how delicious hot pot tasted… was basically useless.
If it were effective, it was likely out of the other party’s consideration, pretending to be comforted to put you at ease.
An idea struck her, and she tugged at Xie Rong Jing’s sleeve.
Xie Rong Jing reacted swiftly, grabbing her wrist in return.
Her hand, much like her person, was warm and fragile, easily enveloped in his grasp.
It felt as though it could be snapped with minimal effort.
Yu Sui Sui once again felt that sensation of being wrapped in frozen meat. She grew even colder and couldn’t suppress a shiver.
Thinking of the life-weary great antagonist, she still soothed him, patting him with her other hand.
“Xie Rong Jing,” Yu Sui Sui carefully chose her words, “Whatever grievances you have, I’ll help you seek justice; whatever grudges you hold, I’ll help you settle; whatever wishes you want to fulfill, I’ll stand by you through them all.”
She concluded, “I’ll always be on your side.”
By giving the great antagonist a reason to live, she could also remind him that people don’t just perish in silence—they can also turn twisted in it.
This way, he surely wouldn’t end up harming himself, right?
Yu Sui Sui felt she was truly a little genius.
Xie Rong Jing’s grip on her hand loosened, and his gaze finally settled on Yu Sui Sui’s face.
Belatedly, Yu Sui Sui realized that such bold words should have been delivered with fervent tones and an expression of shared indignation to resonate with the great antagonist and better accomplish her task.
Well… it didn’t really matter if she hadn’t.
She was just a slacker, after all. Her comfort for Xie Rong Jing was purely out of humanitarianism and an employee’s instinct to maintain the original plot.
Yu Sui Sui casually withdrew her hand and naturally placed the Secret Manuals she had brought into Xie Rong Jing’s palm.
“Study hard,” she said with earnest gravity. “Knowledge is power, the ladder of progress for the Demons.”
The rain continued to fall.
Fine droplets pattered against her blue-and-white umbrella, drip by drip.
Amid the clamor of the rain, Xie Rong Jing responded with a nonchalant “Oh.”
Bang—
He retreated into the courtyard, and the door closed once more.
Well, this…
Was she just shut out like that?
Not only that, but the bamboo scroll had also been left outside, lying lonely on the ground.
Yu Sui Sui stood there in a daze for a moment.
At this point, she could confirm: Xie Rong Jing’s current attitude toward her was no different from his attitude toward anyone else.
She suddenly recalled Xie Rong Jing’s character setting in the plot.
In the later stages, many were willing to follow this great antagonist—among them, other Demons in hiding, as well as human cultivators craving power and authority.
But among these followers, whether loyal or hypocritical, he had never trusted a single one.
Yu Sui Sui had an epiphany.
Xie Rong Jing’s current demeanor was the norm. The fact that he had been able to get along with her before was the anomaly—a glitch in his usual disposition.
Thankfully, with a baseline of -50, she felt no disappointment. Instead, she quickly found the silver lining.
Since the target was this aloof, she could continue slacking off with a clear conscience!
“I’ll leave the Secret Manuals here by the door,” Yu Sui Sui cheerfully and perfunctorily delivered her daily “white lotus” closing line. “Keep it up! I’ll come see you again next time.”
Humming a tune and splashing through puddles, she stepped back onto her Flying Sword.
Yu Sui Sui was growing increasingly adept with this mode of transport, feeling as though she were standing on a skateboard, surfing freely through the sky.
Unfortunately, it was a rainy day, and she felt less inclined to wander aimlessly. Instead, she headed directly toward the South Peak.
Thus, she failed to notice the courtyard gate slowly opening behind her.
Xie Rong Jing stood there quietly, holding a black umbrella.
Through the curtain of rain, his figure appeared blurred and indistinct.
Yet if one were closer, they would see—his gaze seemed to pierce through the overcast clouds and pouring rain, fixed upon the girl in the sky.
He remained standing there for a long time, watching until she completely faded into an invisible speck of white.
Xie Rong Jing lowered his head, staring at his right hand.
The unfamiliar warmth still lingered in his palm. Frowning slightly in irritation, he used a sharp piece of rubble by the door to slice open his hand.
Crimson blood trickled down the wound in his palm, the pain diluting the confusion in his eyes.
He extended his hand beyond the umbrella, allowing the icy raindrops to wash away the last remnants of that fragile warmth.