After Provoking the Crazy Overpowered Protagonist, the Vicious Bottom’s Plans Failed - Chapter 4

“Dry your useless tears. I am not one of those shallow men who would willingly act as your dog.”

“The beauty you take such pride in holds no meaning to me.”

Xian Yuzhu was truly infuriated by Huo Yan’s words. In fact, the more he thought about them, the angrier he became. He had never been spoken to like that. Aside from his father, the Sect Master, Huo Yan was the only person in the world who had ever seen the Young Sect Master of the Yuxian Sect yield. In Yuzhu’s mind, anything that could make him cry was a matter of monumental importance.

He had already held onto the man, crying and pleading; what more did he want? How could Huo Yan be so heartless? Not only did he refuse to comfort him, but he also kept that corpse-like face and spoke in such a rigid tone. He is absolutely loathsome!

Xian Yuzhu’s eyes were still slightly damp, and his full lips were pressed tightly together as he held out his palms for his servant to apply medicine. One look at his expression confirmed that he was cursing Huo Yan hundreds of times in his head.

Seeing his master injured, Yuan Shun looked heartbroken. He carefully used a cool jade applicator to dab ointment made from celestial herbs onto Xian Yuzhu’s red and swollen palms. He even remembered to lean down and blow on them whenever Yuzhu winced.

Meanwhile, Huo Yan did not go back on his word after lecturing Xian Yuzhu. He chose to take the remaining five strikes of the punishment on his own back. Compared to the “all bark and no bite” force he had used on Xian Yuzhu’s palms, Huo Yan was clearly much harsher on himself. As he used his spiritual power to drive the ruler down five times, bruised welts immediately rose across his broad, powerful shoulders. The overlapping red marks were a gruesome sight.

When Huo Yan first knelt to receive the punishment, Xian Yuzhu had been watching with great interest. However, as he watched, his brow began to furrow. He shivered every time the ruler fell.

“Does he have some sort of obsession with self-harm?”

The five strikes ended quickly. Xian Yuzhu had originally intended to mock Huo Yan, gloating that he had Yuan Shun to apply his medicine while Huo Yan had spent years without even a servant to serve him tea. However, seeing Huo Yan stand up without changing his expression, the boy’s face instantly slumped again.

What is with him? How can he be so calm?

Compared to the way the man composed himself and straightened his robes after the punishment, it made Yuzhu look incredibly delicate, as if he could not endure even a hint of pain. Once Huo Yan adjusted his immortal robes, he instantly returned to his usual ascetic and restrained demeanor. He glanced at the servant who was gingerly applying medicine to Xian Yuzhu’s wrists. Seeing their heads nearly touching, he frowned almost imperceptibly.

“Xian Yuzhu, half a day of reflection. Follow me.”

Xian Yuzhu’s eyes widened at the request. Staring into Huo Yan’s chilling eyes, he blurted out, “Why? I do not want to!”

If Huo Yan were not there, he could sit or lie down however he pleased. Was not “reflecting behind closed walls” just staying indoors for half a day? He could pass the time by reading novels or sleeping. But if this cold-faced harbinger of death was right next to him, he would be forced to kneel properly according to the sect rules without even bending his waist. He would be exhausted after half a day!

As if he could read Xian Yuzhu’s thoughts, Huo Yan’s gaze swept lightly over that vibrant, beautiful face. He said firmly, “There is no ‘why’.”

Without waiting to see if Xian Yuzhu would resist, he pulled the Immortal-Binding Rope from his sleeve and wound it around his hand a few times.

“Either you follow me obediently, or I tie you up and bring you back. Choose.”

Xian Yuzhu had already lost face once in front of his fellow disciples and did not want to do so a second time. He instinctively cried out, “Do not bind me!”

Huo Yan continued to stare him down. Under the pressure of that gaze, Xian Yuzhu frustratedly ruffled his hair. With an unwilling expression, he finally slumped his shoulders and compromised. “Fine, I will go back with you.”

“Mm.” Huo Yan gave no particular reaction and did not seem angry, though his expression appeared to soften slightly.

Seeing this, Hanyang Immortal’s lips twitched. His goal had been achieved, and there was no point in staying longer. After a few polite exchanges, he departed.

“Come here,” Huo Yan ordered.

He was staring at Xian Yuzhu, who was currently surrounded by a group of elders who were patting his head and offering comfort.

“A-Yan, that is enough,” the Elder of the Medicine Peak, Shen Jue, walked over with a smile to play peacemaker. “Your Junior Brother is young and already knows he was wrong. Let us forget about the reflection.”

He genuinely admired the sect’s top genius, but Xian Yuzhu’s feelings were more important to him. After all, he had watched the boy grow up.

Huo Yan’s face remained rippleless. “He knows he was wrong?”

Everyone followed his gaze to Xian Yuzhu, only to see clear resentment and hatred written all over that small face. If he were not unable to defeat Huo Yan, he likely would have rushed forward to scratch Huo Yan’s face already. There was not a hint of remorse to be found.

Shen Jue chuckled awkwardly. “Well…”

Huo Yan possessed a proud and solitary nature. Once his mind was made up, it never changed. He lowered his brows slightly. “Martial Uncle Shen, Master specifically entrusted his discipline to me before going into seclusion.”

The implication was clear: Huo Yan was only managing Xian Yuzhu because the Sect Master had ordered it. The uncles and elders had no right to interfere. Seeing Huo Yan use Xian Yuzhu’s own father to pressure them, Shen Jue was left with no choice. He stepped back to clear the path, a trace of helplessness appearing on his handsome face.

Seeing Shen Jue yield, Xian Yuzhu immediately pouted. “Martial Uncle!”

Shen Jue could not resist the boy’s acting spoiled. He reached out to stroke Xian Yuzhu’s silk-like hair and whispered a careful instruction. “Yuzhu, do not be angry with your Eldest Senior Brother. Once you come out, I will bring you some candied haws.”

The other elders chimed in with similar promises. Xian Yuzhu was actually quite respectful toward his elders. He stirred and nodded, accepting their words one by one. His behavior was so obedient it was as if he were a completely different person compared to how he acted in front of Huo Yan.

After saying goodbye to his uncles, Xian Yuzhu snapped to attention in front of Huo Yan and looked up at him. “Fine, let us go.”

His tone was sharp and clearly defiant. Huo Yan gave him a nonchalant glance before turning to leave.

What a pretender, Xian Yuzhu thought, rolling his eyes behind the man’s back.

He did not expect that Huo Yan would choose that exact moment to turn his head. Xian Yuzhu tried to open his mouth to explain, but he found he could only make muffled “Ah, ah!” sounds.

That absolute bastard! He had placed a Silence Spell on him again!

Xian Yuzhu was fuming. He crept behind Huo Yan, built up some speed, and attempted to headbutt the wounds on Huo Yan’s back. If he could not make the man fall flat on his face, he at least wanted to make him hurt! Unexpectedly, it was as if Huo Yan had eyes in the back of his head. Just as Xian Yuzhu was about to hit him, the man easily stepped aside.

Xian Yuzhu had no time to brake and plummeted headfirst. In his panic, he instinctively screamed “Huo Yan!” in his mind. Just as his face was about to smash into the stone steps, a large hand suddenly reached out and grabbed his collar. Huo Yan effortlessly lifted Xian Yuzhu, whose entire body had been about to topple over.

“Behave.”

Xian Yuzhu had been disobedient time and time again. Huo Yan’s face darkened, and his patience was clearly wearing thin. In all his years since joining the sect, he had always kept his distance from this troublesome, attention-seeking, and beautiful junior brother. If his Master had not earnestly begged him to look after his only son before entering seclusion, Huo Yan would have already left for a secret realm to train. He would not be here dealing with this nuisance.

Xian Yuzhu was dazed by the man’s harsh tone. He did not say another word until they reached Huo Yan’s courtyard. The courtyard was desolate and deserted. Cold winds and heavy snow battered the mountain peak year-round. There were only two rooms: one for storage and one for the bedroom.

Huo Yan pushed the door open. Inside the bedroom, there was only a circular stone slab which Huo Yan usually used for meditation. Aside from that, there was a table, a chair, and a pot of tea that had been cold for God knows how long. It was incredibly meager.

“Go in and kneel.”

Xian Yuzhu stood in the center, his lips trembling. He pointed at the stone slab in disbelief. “Kneel where? Your room does not even have a decent bed. Huo Yan, is there something wrong with your brain?”