After Returning from a Faked Death, My Crazed, Rebellious Disciple Forced His Love Upon Me - Chapter 20

Although Ji Chen could manage to stand, he found it impossible to walk.

In the end, it was Yuan Yi who supported him, hoisting him up so they could manage to limp out of the stone chamber. With every step, a piercing pain shot through his inner thighs and other sensitive areas. He cursed that bastard Guitong inwardly; the man had been all brute force and zero technique, nearly claiming Ji Chen’s old life in the process.

As he was being carried out, Ji Chen could not help but wonder why a man as ascetic as Guitong would suddenly decide to do this to him. Was it truly just a punishment?

Just as the thought crossed his mind, Yuan Yi spoke in a soothing, almost gossipy tone, “Congratulations, Brother Ji. I can tell His Lordship quite likes you.”

“Likes me?” Ji Chen looked at Yuan Yi’s nosy expression in disbelief. “How on earth did you conclude that?”

“I have followed His Lordship for many years, and I have never seen him show such mercy to anyone who provoked him. From the moment you refused to kneel, that whip strike alone should have torn you to pieces, yet he did not use a single shred of spiritual energy. He even used his fingers to help heal your wound afterward. And then there was that so-called punishment, well.”

At this point, Yuan Yi found it a bit difficult to continue. After a moment of hesitation, he summarized it simply, “After all, you are the Consort of the Demon Venerable. It is only natural.”

Ji Chen thought to himself, Natural, my foot!

“His Lordship has truly never treated anyone like this,” Yuan Yi insisted. “Trust me, Brother Ji! He definitely has feelings for you!”

Ji Chen did not feel happy about this in the slightest. Seeing that Ji Chen remained silent, Yuan Yi chattered on like a broken record, “And that Protector Jade Plate he gave you; neither I nor the Left Protector have one. Only you do.”

This finally elicited a reaction from Ji Chen. “Why do you two not have one?”

“Because we have been with him for a long time. Most demon cultivators already recognize us, so we have no need for a jade plate. As for you, His Lordship probably fears you might be bullied in the city, so he gave you that. Do not be fooled by the apparent peace and harmony of Jiulu City; there are dark undercurrents everywhere, with powerful leaders hiding in the shadows. With that plate, your situation will be much safer.”

Still, Ji Chen could not summon any interest in the jade plate. His current worry was how to break the Soul-Devouring Gu.

“You saw it yourself. He also placed a venomous parasite inside me. How is that liking someone?”

“He gave you the parasite because he is afraid you will run away and leave him,” Yuan Yi countered. “Seriously, Brother Ji, do not overthink it. I know His Lordship too well; he likes you, he just does not know how to express it.”

Ji Chen was speechless. He had seen people blinded by love, but he had never seen someone like Yuan Yi, who tried to force that perspective onto others. While Ji Chen did not want Guitong’s hatred, he did not want his love either. Regarding this disciple, he only wished for them to owe each other nothing and never meet again in life or death.

But clearly, that was impossible. Ji Chen admitted to himself that even if he healed the wounds he had caused Guitong, being treated like this meant he still owed the man.

He had been furious earlier, but when he closed his eyes, those words haunted him.

“Master, I only wanted you to love me a little more.”

Ji Chen and Yuan Yi returned to Kui Mu’s home. When Kui Mu saw them return unscathed, he was stunned.

“His Lordship actually let you go?” Kui Mu looked Yuan Yi up and down. Seeing no new injuries, he looked utterly incredulous.

Ji Chen saw that Kui Mu only had eyes for Yuan Yi and wanted to roll his eyes. The injuries are all on me! Why are you looking at him?

But since those injuries were too embarrassing to mention, Ji Chen remained silent. Yuan Yi laughed and made light of the situation with Kui Mu. “Well, perhaps His Lordship felt he had wronged me and decided not to hold a grudge. However, he stripped me of my position as Protector and gave it to Brother Ji.”

“No way!” Kui Mu, who always overreacted to anything involving Ji Chen, shouted uncontrollably, “On what grounds?”

Yuan Yi replied nonchalantly, “I do not mind, so why do you? Besides, His Lordship only took away my title, not my authority. It is effectively as if I am still the Right Protector, just without the name. Giving the position to Brother Ji was just to protect him. To tell you the truth, His Lordship cares for him deeply. No wonder he chose him as his Consort.”

“This.” Kui Mu looked at Ji Chen as if he had discovered a new world. “Just who are you to make that iron tree bloom?”

Ji Chen had no answer. He did not know either, and besides, this was all just Yuan Yi’s speculation.

Wanting to change the subject, Ji Chen interjected, “I have to live in this city from now on, but I have no place to stay. Which of you kind souls will take me in?”

Kui Mu was the first to refuse. “My place is tiny with only one bed. You do not want to sleep with me, do you?”

Ji Chen shook his head decisively and looked to Yuan Yi for help. Yuan Yi also refused without a second thought. “Do not get me in trouble. You are the Consort of the Demon Venerable. If word gets out that you are staying with me, how would I explain it to His Lordship?”

“Then what should I do?”

“How about staying at an inn first?” Yuan Yi suggested.

Ji Chen thought this was a great idea, but after a moment, he realized a problem. “But I have no money.”

“Do you not have the jade plate? That thing is essentially a pass for Jiulu City. You can enter and exit any place in the city, and no one will dare stop you.”

“Can I also consume things without paying?” Ji Chen’s eyes lit up.

“Naturally.”

To test the practicality of the Protector Jade Plate, Ji Chen headed straight for the largest tavern in the city. Since he did not know the way, he had to let Yuan Yi lead him. At the thought of having wine to drink, even his physical aches seemed to vanish.

Ji Chen was soon led to the largest tavern in Jiulu City, which also functioned as an inn. He took an immediate liking to the place. The thought of waking up to drink, sleeping when he was tired, and drinking again upon waking made him incredibly happy. This was the ideal lifestyle he had always dreamed of.

As they stepped inside, the owner recognized Yuan Yi first. Thinking he was still the Right Protector, the owner bowed quickly. Yuan Yi gestured toward Ji Chen and introduced him, “This is the newly appointed Right Protector. Please look after him in the future.”

“What?” The owner looked at Ji Chen in confusion. “Him?”

Ji Chen wasted no time pulling out the jade plate he had previously despised. He held it up like a treasure for the man to see. “Your Lordship gave this to me personally.”

The word “Protector” on the plate glowed with a faint red light. One look at the calligraphy told the owner it was written by the Demon Venerable himself. He had no choice but to accept it, though he looked somewhat reluctant. “Fine, I understand.”

Yuan Yi added another instruction, “This young brother is not only the new Right Protector but also the Consort of the Demon Venerable. You must take good care of him and never be negligent.”

The owner did not dare to disobey and nodded repeatedly. After settling everything, Yuan Yi left in a hurry. Ji Chen translated his excuse as having several days of backlogged work to handle. He truly was a dedicated worker.

Ji Chen did not try to make him stay. Although drinking alone was less fun, it was still better than not drinking at all. He had wanted to ask Kui Mu to join him, but Kui Mu was still traumatized from their last encounter and refused.

Thus, Ji Chen ordered the best wine and the most luxurious room in the house, heading upstairs to drink in solitude.

Drink for today, for today there is wine. Let tomorrow’s worries wait for tomorrow.

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