Ch 48: How To Be A Good Lackey

Help the lord undress?

Work like this was usually reserved for only the closest and most trusted subordinates, wasn’t it?

And yet the lord had recognized at a glance that he was suited for it. The lord’s insight was truly sharp.

With excitement in his heart, Shao Ye stepped forward. Xue Du was still dressed in a loose black outer robe, faint patterns on it glimmering subtly under the moonlight.

Shao Ye’s hands trembled slightly as he carefully removed the robe, smoothing it out a bit before placing it on a nearby stone. Then he returned in front of Xue Du, bending down to untie his sash.

Xue Du lowered his gaze, idly looking at the top of Shao Ye’s head. His hair, tied high, fell loosely to either side, secured with a jade crown of rather ordinary quality, not worth much. Was the Kunlun Sect really so stingy? This was how their senior disciple dressed?

Shao Ye removed Xue Du’s outer garment, then his inner robe. Before long, only a pair of white trousers remained on him. When Shao Ye lifted his head, he saw the crisscrossing scars covering Xue Du’s chest.

Though Xue Du looked lean, his physique, once revealed, was strikingly well-proportioned. His muscles were balanced, just right. His skin was pale, making the scars stand out all the more. Shao Ye stared blankly at those layers of deep and shallow marks, his voice catching as he softly called, “My lord…”

Xue Du tilted his head slightly, puzzled. Why did he look like he was about to cry?

Shao Ye wanted to reach out and touch the scars, but didn’t quite dare. He could only ask with concern, “Why are there so many wounds on your body, my lord?”

Xue Du said calmly, “In the past, I was the fish on the cutting board, and others held the knife.”

Shao Ye immediately said, “Where is the one who hurt you now? I’ll go kill them for you!”

Xue Du was confused. He lowered his gaze to the spirit-locking ring still fastened around Shao Ye’s neck. Was this some way of trying to gain his trust?

“In the ghost prison, recovering,” he replied.

“Recovering?” Shao Ye didn’t understand. Why not finish them off while they were weak? How could they be allowed to heal?

Xue Du gave a quiet hum. “I couldn’t bear to let him die too quickly.”

Someone like that wasn’t sent straight to hell but kept around wasting food?

Still, since it was the lord’s own decision, and he had only just come under his command, it wasn’t his place to comment too much for now. So he praised, “My lord, you are truly kind-hearted.”

Xue Du: “……”

This was the first time he had ever received such praise.

Perhaps he should let the former Demon Lord below hear it as well.

Shao Ye continued eagerly, “My lord, I’ve heard that Liuxiang Valley has a spiritual medicine that can remove scars. One day, shall I go there and obtain some for you?”

Xue Du, harboring suspicion, wondered why he was being shown such concern. Was he trying to win his trust first, then tamper with the medicine?

Too troublesome. He might as well give him an opportunity now.

He gave a soft hum and stepped forward into the Seven-Star Pool. The cold water rose inch by inch over his skin. Leaning back against the edge of the pool, he closed his eyes, giving this Kunlun disciple ample opportunity to act.

As long as he made a move, he would know what was hidden against his chest.

But things did not unfold as Xue Du had expected. This senior disciple showed no intention of making a move at all. Instead, he crouched by the pool, chattering away, “My lord, why did you capture my junior brother?”

“Your junior brother?” Xue Du asked.

“Yes, Song Heming!” Shao Ye said.

“You don’t know?” Xue Du asked.

Shao Ye shook his head. Translated on Hololo novels. Wan Qian that old man had kept his mouth tightly shut. Maybe one day after giving him a good whipping, he’d talk.

Xue Du said, “I’m afflicted with a severe poison. It flares up every night at midnight. Someone told me that Song Heming’s blood can suppress the poison in my body.”

Shao Ye hurriedly asked, “Then has your poison been cured, my lord?”

“No,” Xue Du replied. So now would be the perfect time to strike.

“Why not?” Shao Ye asked anxiously. “Is my junior brother’s blood not effective?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t used it yet,” Xue Du said.

“Why not use it?” Shao Ye’s tone even carried a trace of reproach. He said with concern, “Doesn’t it hurt, my lord?”

“It’s manageable. I’m just lacking strength,” Xue Du replied, though in truth, the pain, like red-hot needles piercing from skin into bone, had never ceased.

Shao Ye studied him for a moment. Aside from a slightly pale complexion, he didn’t seem to be in any obvious distress, so Shao Ye believed him and asked, “Then can my lord release my other junior brothers and sisters?”

He really didn’t treat himself as an outsider at all. Xue Du found it amusing. Half-closing his eyes, he said softly, “Although I bear the title of Demon Lord, the ones who truly control Xiaoyao Palace are the Four Demon Kings. They show me respect on the surface, but in private they often go against my will. I’m afraid this is not something I can decide.”

“Ah…” Shao Ye let out a somewhat disappointed sigh, but quickly adjusted his mindset. The more those four acted arrogantly and overstepped their bounds, the more it highlighted his own unwavering loyalty to the lord.

He assured Xue Du, “My lord, don’t worry. I will definitely help you get rid of those four shameless villains.”

Xue Du couldn’t quite figure out what he was thinking and simply said, “Thanks.”

He waited and waited in the Seven-Star Pool, unable to understand why this senior disciple of the Kunlun Sect still hadn’t made a move against him.

Opening his eyes, he turned his head slightly and saw Shao Ye staring blankly at his chest. What was there to look at?

As he thought this, Xue Du’s gaze also drifted to Shao Ye’s chest. Unlike Shao Ye, he was simply curious, what exactly was hidden there?

Since Shao Ye wouldn’t act, and since someone as kind as himself couldn’t just tear open his clothes, yet holding back like this wasn’t in his nature, Xue Du finally asked, “What’s on your chest?”

“Huh?” Shao Ye looked down and shook his head. “Nothing.”

“Then why is it bulging here?” Xue Du pointed lightly at his chest, droplets of water flicking from his fingers and dampening the fabric slightly.

Shao Ye said a little awkwardly, “This outfit was given to me by my master at the last minute. It doesn’t fit very well. I was going to have it altered.”

But before he could, he had been sent off to rescue his junior brother.

“If it doesn’t fit, it becomes like this?” Xue Du asked.

Shao Ye nodded, then after a moment, simply grabbed his collar and tore it open to both sides, showing him. “See, my lord? There’s really nothing.”

With that motion, his full, well-built chest seemed to spring free, firm and smooth, honey-toned under the moonlight, as though coated with a layer of sweet gloss that made one want to taste it.

No wonder it looked so pronounced.

Xue Du narrowed his eyes slightly. Lying, was he? How could this count as “nothing”?

Just as he suspected, this person wasn’t being entirely honest.

Amid the sharp pain coursing through every bone, there seemed to be a faint, unfamiliar itch mixed in, though the three shallow red marks above looked somewhat displeasing.

“What’s this?” Xue Du asked.

Shao Ye immediately complained, “Wan Qian did it.”

Xue Du nodded, watching as Shao Ye pulled his collar back together, then reluctantly withdrew his gaze.

The water in the Seven-Star Pool still didn’t seem cold enough.

The bright moon stretched across the sky, a gentle breeze stirred, and wutong leaves drifted down, sending ripples across the water.

At the peak of Xiaoyao Mountain, gourds hanging from trellises absorbed the spiritual essence of heaven and earth, diligently cultivating day and night.

---

The next morning, the Four Demon Kings arrived at Changchun Hall. Wan Qian was just about to kneel and plead guilty, intending to report that due to negligence, a Kunlun disciple had escaped from the ghost prison the previous night, thus completely distancing himself from Shao Ye.

But when he looked up, he saw that very Kunlun senior disciple now standing boldly at Xue Du’s side.

Xue Du lounged on the couch as usual. Once everyone had arrived, he said, “Get acquainted. This is Shao Ye, the senior disciple of the Kunlun Sect.”

Why was a Kunlun senior disciple standing beside him? What was this supposed to be? Had the leftover flesh from the old Demon Lord not been enough for practice, so he’d switched to a new person?

As the Four Demon Kings were silently speculating, Xue Du continued, “From now on, he is my Chief Protector.”

Shao Ye stepped forward, puffed out his chest proudly, and looked down at the Four Demon Kings with blatant disdain.

The Four Demon Kings: “?”

Among them, Wan Qian found this outcome especially unbelievable. He knew exactly when and how Shao Ye had come to Xiaoyao Palace. Translated on Hololo novels. When Shao Ye had told him he would rise to prominence, he hadn’t believed it. Yet in just one night, he had transformed into the Chief Protector of Xiaoyao Palace?

Had he bewitched Xue Du?

Wan Qian cautiously raised his head, wanting to see if he was mistaken, only to be met with a fierce glare from Shao Ye.

Yes… that feeling. That completely out-of-place aura that didn’t belong among the righteous.

Wan Qian quickly lowered his head again, just as Xue Du spoke in a tone like a heedless ruler, “From now on, treat the Protector as you would me. Understood?”

The Four Demon Kings dared not object and answered in unison.

Standing on the steps, Shao Ye sized them up. They all looked respectful toward the lord on the surface, yet secretly dared to defy him. Such disloyalty deserved to be purged from Xiaoyao Palace as soon as possible.

With his goal set, he still couldn’t quite figure out how to carry it out. For now, he decided he should first find a way to cure the poison in the lord’s body, lest these two-faced villains take advantage of a flare-up to harm him.

At present, Song Heming was being held in Zhilian Palace not far from Changchun Hall. Dozens of demonic cultivators stood guard outside. Aside from restricted movement, his treatment wasn’t too bad, certainly much better than the other disciples imprisoned in the ghost prison.

But when Shao Ye arrived, he saw that Song Heming now had several more wounds than when he had last seen him in Luosi Cave. Shao Ye asked, “Junior brother, what happened to you?”

“Last night, a demonic cultivator came and interrogated me about the whereabouts of the Golden Lotus Relic,” Song Heming replied.

“Which one? What did he look like? What’s his name?” Shao Ye quickly asked.

Song Heming shook his head. “I didn’t see his face,” let alone know his name.

Shao Ye patted his shoulder to comfort him. “It’s fine if you don’t know. Your senior brother will definitely avenge you.”

Song Heming looked seriously at Shao Ye. Only now did he notice that his senior brother was dressed in far more elaborate and luxurious robes today, with a silver hairpiece set with dazzling gemstones, clearly not something from the Kunlun Sect. Combined with the fact that he seemed able to move freely within Xiaoyao Palace, Song Heming couldn’t help but question his current status. Hesitating, he said, “Senior brother, you…”

Shao Ye didn’t hide it at all. “I’ve already joined Xiaoyao Palace.”

Song Heming nodded, understanding. “So you joined—”

Wait. Joined where?

He froze. He wanted to question how his senior brother could do such a thing, but before the words could leave his mouth, he reconsidered. If his senior brother could say it so openly, then he must have a clear conscience.

Now dozens of their fellow disciples were trapped in Xiaoyao Palace’s ghost prison. Rescuing them unharmed was almost impossible. Song Heming had always been clever and perceptive; after a moment’s thought, he understood Shao Ye’s intention.

He wasn’t someone rigid or inflexible. Letting out a sigh, he said, “Senior brother, I think I understand what you’re trying to do, but this is too dangerous.”

“It’s not that bad,” Shao Ye didn’t feel any danger at all. A little proudly, he said to Song Heming, “Junior brother, I’ve already become the Chief Protector of Xiaoyao Palace.”

Song Heming: “?”

Were positions in Xiaoyao Palace handed out this casually?

He strongly suspected his senior brother had been deceived by those demonic cultivators. This so-called Chief Protector likely held no real power and was probably just a test to see if he was sincere.

His senior brother had a pure and straightforward heart, likely unaware of the traps within. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have come to see him at a time like this.

Song Heming cautioned, “Senior brother, you must listen to the Demon Lord obediently for now!”

Shao Ye nodded. Of course.

He pulled out a porcelain bowl from behind him and asked, “Junior brother, can you give me some blood?”

Song Heming already knew why Xiaoyao Palace had captured him. Hearing Shao Ye make the same request, he actually felt that his senior brother was sharper than usual. He asked, “Senior brother, are you trying to gain the Demon Lord’s trust?”

“Yes, yes, yes.” Shao Ye nodded again. His junior brother really understood him.

Believing he had seen through all of Shao Ye’s plans, Song Heming pulled a hairpin from his head and, without hesitation, cut his wrist. Fresh blood flowed out steadily, and before long, half a bowl was filled.

Shao Ye carefully held the porcelain bowl. His junior brother was too kind. Tonight, he’d have someone add a chicken leg to his meal so he could recover properly.

Seeing this, Song Heming grew even more worried. Demonic cultivators were cunning and deceitful. When it came to scheming, his senior brother likely wasn’t their match. Moreover, although they claimed to make him Chief Protector, they hadn’t even removed the spirit-locking ring from his neck. They clearly still suspected him.

Song Heming reminded him again, “Senior brother, be careful in everything. Put yourself first.”

Shao Ye hesitated. He was afraid that now, he had to put the lord first.

Seeing him silent, Song Heming let out a long sigh.

If his senior brother truly put himself first, he wouldn’t have endured humiliation to infiltrate the demonic sect. He still couldn’t let go of his fellow disciples.

After delivering Song Heming’s blood to Xue Du, Shao Ye made another trip to the water prison. Since Wan Qian wouldn’t release them, at least bringing his fellow disciples some food and drink shouldn’t be a problem.

Wan Qian, having just been whipped earlier for accidentally stepping past the lord’s position, was in low spirits. He didn’t quite understand Xue Du’s intentions, but no matter what, Shao Ye was now personally appointed as Chief Protector by the lord. At the very least, he had to listen to him somewhat.

Before long, the Kunlun disciples in the ghost prison not only had food and water, but were even provided with bedding. If Shao Ye had more money, he would have bought them some storybooks to pass the time.

As evening fell, after confirming that his junior brothers and sisters were doing relatively well, Shao Ye immediately headed for the Seven-Star Pool.

He was too worried that someone might attempt to assassinate the lord during a flare-up of his condition. So even though the spirit-locking ring prevented him from using spiritual power, he still patrolled near the pool every night to ensure the lord’s safety.

But in Xue Du’s eyes, it was a different matter entirely. Every time he bathed, this Kunlun disciple would appear, not making a move, just staring at him. What was he after?

Could it be… that he liked him?

Showing up out of nowhere to join Xiaoyao Palace, wanting to eliminate those around him, even bringing his junior brother’s blood to him… if it was because he liked him, that explanation seemed to make much more sense.

Rustling sounds came from the grass behind him. Xue Du didn’t even need to turn around to know that Shao Ye had arrived again.

He stroked his chin and silently cursed: little pervert.

Unfortunately, he was destined to be disappointed. Xue Du was cold by nature, with no interest in matters of love.

Raising a hand, Xue Du removed his clothing and casually tossed it backward.

Shao Ye, who had just arrived and got hit in the face by the thrown clothes: “?”

—

Author’s note:

[Seriously? It’s bad enough we don’t get to see the lord bathing, but why are you showing us a bunch of gourds instead? Refund!]

: Honestly, it’s kind of interesting. I can almost hear those gourds talking

: What are they saying?

: Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!

: Hahahahahahahaha

: When are these gourds going to talk? I want to hear them do a group comedy act

: Honestly, the Kunlun disciples seem better suited for that. Their senior brother defected, and they’re still asking for storybooks. And what is Song Heming imagining? Why does he look guilty toward No. 6?

: I suspect the devs lowered the NPC intelligence in this world

: Oh, I get it now. The devs are brilliant

: ?????

: I don’t get it. What’s so brilliant?

: To bring that NPC who was immune to the protagonist’s charm back onto the right path. Look, they even changed the protagonist’s gender this time. Probably still weren’t confident, so they also adjusted the protagonist’s intelligence to match No. 6

: My native language is speechless

: Not gonna lie, that kind of makes sense

: No. 6: say that again

: No. 6 already delivered the protagonist’s blood to the lord, so why isn’t he drinking it? Does he think it’s poisoned?

: Not only did he not drink it, he used it to water the gourds

: Gourds: Grandpa! Grandpa! Grandpa!

: Now I can hear it

: Honestly, this lord is kind of terrifying. When he poured out the blood, he smiled. I’m still getting chills

: Is he always going to be this unsettling? We haven’t even seen him kill anyone, but judging from the expressions of those cleaning up afterward…

: I’m scared, I don’t want to watch anymore

: Don’t worry, with No. 6 around, love can make flesh grow again

: @Old Demon Lord right here

: Ahahahahahaha help me 😭

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