Back To When The Demon Lord Was A Beggar - Chapter 1

Folk legends tell of a land called “Hua Zhao,” a place of eternal spring where a hundred flowers bloom year-round. It was said that those who reached this kingdom would live a life of smooth sailing and immense wealth. If a cultivator were to find it, their immortal arts would increase a thousandfold.

The third month of Qiming, the Beginning of Spring.

In the center of the Long Street of Central City, Chu Nanzhen sat on the ground. His clothes were nothing but tattered rags, and his long, grey hair was matted into clumps. A flower-shaped mark rested at the corner of his eye. Covered in grime and wearing shoes with holes in the soles, he gripped a wooden branch and knelt.

“Have a heart, spare some change,” he called out to the passersby, drawing out his words in a long, weary drone. He tapped his branch against the ground repeatedly, making a soft, rhythmic thud.

People streamed past him in a constant flow, yet not a single person stopped for him.

The Kingdom of Qiming was divided into four cities. Central City was the closest to the Imperial Palace, second only to the Royal City itself. It was populated by high officials and the wealthy, which was partly why Chu Nanzhen chose this spot to beg.

A nearby stall owner noticed him and called out, “Hey! Little beggar, how long has it been today? Have you collected anything yet?”

Chu Nanzhen turned his head and gave a shaky smile. “I’ve been coming here for five or six years, and the money I’ve gathered is still barely anything!”

He was the only beggar in this part of the city. Although the residents were wealthy, they rarely spared him a single copper. Most of the money he earned came from commoners who took pity on him. He usually managed to scrape together three or four silver taels a month, which was at least enough to keep him from starving to death in the streets.

“Why don’t you try learning a craft like us? You could earn enough to support yourself. If the nobles take an interest in your work, you’d strike it rich,” the stall owner suggested.

This vendor was the only person willing to speak to him. Chu Nanzhen had heard that “strike it rich” speech at least fifty times; he had practically developed calluses on his ears from it. It sounded easy in theory, but reality was much harsher. He had tried to survive on honest labor before, but no matter what he did, someone would always ruin it. No one would hire him for manual labor either. Over time, he simply settled into the life of a beggar.

“You’re the one with the good fortune, boss. You’re bound to get rich. Someone like me, who can’t even set up a stall, is stuck being a beggar,” Chu Nanzhen replied.

The stall owner let out a loud laugh, repeating “Right, right, right” as he tossed an orange over. Chu Nanzhen caught it, peeled a segment, and popped it into his mouth. The burst of sweet and sour flavor spread across his tongue, making him smile.

“This orange is pretty sweet, thanks!”

“It’s nothing. We’ve been chatting for years, it’s just an orange. Look at how happy it makes you!” the stall owner teased.

As the sky began to darken, Chu Nanzhen stood up and brushed the dust off his rags. He started walking toward the desolate mountain to the west. Before leaving, he didn’t forget to wave goodbye to the vendor. “I’ll bring you some peaches next time, they’re incredibly sweet!”

Chu Nanzhen did not know where he came from or where he was going. His earliest memory was being dumped on the Long Street of Central City. Later, after hearing stories about that mountain, he decided to make his home there.

People had warned him that the desolate mountain was cursed with constant storms and prowling wild beasts. Some even claimed it was haunted by ghosts. He didn’t believe in superstitions, so he went anyway and had lived there ever since.

When he first arrived, it truly looked like a barren wasteland. However, within a day of him moving in, the mountain shifted into a state of eternal spring. He built a small grass hut and managed to get by.

A peach tree stood outside his hut, blooming and bearing fruit regardless of the season. Unfortunately, the tree was small and produced very little. He only allowed himself to pick a peach when he was on the verge of fainting from hunger.

He had only walked a few steps when a woman’s voice called out from behind him.

“Sir, please wait!”

He stopped and turned to see a woman with a round, pleasant face dressed in light yellow. He couldn’t tell which noble household she belonged to.

“Can I help you?”

The woman said, “My young master requests your presence. Please come with me.”

Chu Nanzhen thought back. In all these years, he had been entirely alone. He didn’t know any wealthy young masters. This sounded like total nonsense. He asked, “And who might your master be?”

Before the woman could answer, a carriage pulled up beside her. Chu Nanzhen’s gaze was instinctively drawn to it. The person inside lightly lifted the curtain and said, “Drag him in.” The voice was cold and detached, the kind of voice that belonged to someone you didn’t want to cross.

The woman gave a quick bow and obeyed.

When she looked back at Chu Nanzhen, her expression was no longer friendly. He felt the shift immediately.

“What is the meaning of this? I may be a beggar, but I’m not afraid to die. If your master intends to harm me, I’ll take him down with me.”

The person in the carriage let out a disdainful scoff and beckoned the woman with a slender hand. Understanding the signal, she walked up to Chu Nanzhen with a smile. “Sir, did we scare you? My master just wants to ask you a few questions.”

If you want to ask questions, then just ask. Why talk about ‘dragging’ me? Someone would think you’re planning a murder! Chu Nanzhen thought to himself.

He forced a thin smile. “Fair enough. As long as I know the answer, I will tell you everything I—”

Before he could finish his sentence, the woman threw a handful of white powder into his face. He began to cough violently and felt a surge of dread, but it was too late. His vision blurred, his head grew heavy, and his body swayed. A moment later, he collapsed to the ground.

When he finally woke up, he was no longer on the Long Street of Central City. He was lying on a bed in a room that was simply yet elegantly furnished, the kind of place reserved for high-ranking officials. Looking down, he realized someone had changed his clothes. He was no longer wearing his tattered rags, but a brilliant red robe with intricate gold embroidery. It looked incredibly expensive.

Actually, it looked exactly like a wedding robe.

Chu Nanzhen frowned and walked over to a mirror, his eyes widening in shock. He was clean. His matted hair had been washed and smoothed out, with two small braids tied with red silk ribbons framing his face.

Just then, the door pushed open. It was the woman who had drugged him. He felt a surge of anger. Why couldn’t they just talk? Why the need for kidnapping?

He marched forward to demand an explanation, but he stopped short when a young man followed her into the room. The man had a cold, frost-like beauty. His dark brown hair was held up by a simple wooden pin, and a silver stud pierced his lower lip.

The most jarring detail was that this man was also wearing a red robe. Chu Nanzhen looked down at his own clothes again.

Dammit! This really is a wedding outfit!

Zhi Shiyi gave him a cool look and said, “Take him to the front hall.” He turned and left without a second glance, leaving Chu Nanzhen stunned by the man’s strange behavior.

He turned to the woman. “Where am I? You guys aren’t human traffickers, are you?” After seeing that man, his anger had been replaced by sheer confusion.

The woman chuckled, covering her mouth. “Sir, you may call me Guyu. Today is the young master’s wedding day. How could you have forgotten?”

“So, I’m just here to help him test out the wedding clothes?”

As soon as he said it, Chu Nanzhen realized how ridiculous that sounded. He was a man; why would he be testing wedding clothes for a bride? Before he could process it further, two guards in black stepped forward. They grabbed him by the arms and began dragging him toward the front hall.

Then it clicked. This young master was into men! He had clearly set his sights on him! Chu Nanzhen began to question his entire existence. I’m ugly and I’m poor, what could he possibly see in me? I’ll change! Whatever it is, I’ll change it!

The front hall was decorated with festive red lanterns and “Happiness” characters everywhere. Only the household servants were present. Zhi Shiyi stood there rigidly, his eyes fixed on Chu Nanzhen, never wavering.

“Wait, master, surely you have the wrong person. I have no flaws, only virtues, wait, I mean I have no virtues and only flaws—” He was speaking so fast his tongue tripped over the words. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. By the time he opened them, he had been dragged right in front of the man. He had to look up to meet his eyes. “Sir, I’m just a beggar. I have nothing to offer you. Besides, I’m not into men!”

Zhi Shiyi looked down at him with a cold, predatory gaze, as if he wanted to consume him. After a long silence, he simply said, “Mhm. With you, I need nothing else.”

Chu Nanzhen was speechless. The man hadn’t listened to a single word he said. He wondered what kind of mental illness this young master was suffering from.

“Marriage should be between two people who actually like each other. We’ve never even met. Marrying like this is a bit inappropriate, don’t you think? Furthermore, I am a man…”

“Guyu, I want him.”

Zhi Shiyi walked to the side, completely ignoring his protests.

Guyu nodded and told the guards, “Hold the Young Consort firmly. Don’t let him break free and escape.”

The guards replied, “Understood!”

Chu Nanzhen’s face went pale. He must have had terrible luck today. If he had known, he never would have left his hut. He hadn’t had a full meal in ages, and he couldn’t resist the strength of the guards. His body slumped in frustration.

Forget it!

Is this a wedding or a kidnapping?

“Let me go! Or I’ll report this to the authorities! I’m telling you, this is the forced abduction of a handsome man, and you’ll go to jail for it!”

The Emperor of Qiming ruled with justice, and there were very few corrupt officials. The local magistrates were known for their integrity. He didn’t believe no one would help him! He expected them to flinch, but instead, the guards gripped him even tighter. Chu Nanzhen let out a pained groan and knit his brows.

Zhi Shiyi let out a soft laugh. “You’re right. Abducting a handsome man would usually land someone in a cell. But if I am the City Lord, who would dare to imprison me?”

“Exactly. Our City Lord is kind to the people and governs with excellence. Bringing a beggar like you back is your good fortune!” one of the guards added.

He was forced to face Zhi Shiyi. Guyu called out the command to “Bow to Heaven and Earth,” and his head was forcibly pushed down. After three bows, the ceremony was considered complete, and the guards finally let go.

Chu Nanzhen straightened his robes, his face red with fury. He glared at Zhi Shiyi and shouted, “Sir, this is against all the rules!”

“Do you even remember my name?”

Chu Nanzhen froze. This confirmed his suspicion that the man was either crazy or had mistaken him for someone else. They had never met, so how could he know his name?

“Chu Nanzhen, it has been seven years,” Zhi Shiyi said quietly, lowering his eyes.

Hearing his own name made Chu Nanzhen’s heart skip a beat. He stared in disbelief. How could this stranger possibly know who he was?

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