Back To When The Demon Lord Was A Beggar - Chapter 33

Hearing that someone wanted his life, Chu Nanzhen was visibly stunned. His body shrank back instinctively. It was truly strange, he had no skills, no money, and nothing to his name except his meager life. Yet, the great demon was dead set on taking it. He couldn’t fathom why this figure would go to such elaborate lengths just to kill him.

The moment the words were spoken, Zhi Shiyi’s expression darkened significantly. A flicker of suppressed rage crossed his face as he muttered, “I should have expected as much.”

He had harbored a sliver of hope that this incident wasn’t centered on Chu Nanzhen, but Chu Shunsuian’s words today had shattered that hope, crushing it into the dirt. Previously, one could argue that the mastermind was merely someone from an immortal cultivation sect, which would be manageable, but they now realized there was likely a “god” pulling the strings. If that were the case, the world was on the brink of chaos.

Chu Shunsuian was a sensible man. Sensing the heavy implications in Zhi Shiyi’s words, he excused himself on account of being “busy,” though not before reminding them once more to leave the Mountain God statue for him. Knowing he was infatuated with the Sea God, the group assumed it was simply an obsession. Perhaps they had crossed paths once in the past, and this affection was merely Chu Shunsuian’s unrequited longing.

Once he had left, someone finally asked, “City Lord Zhi, what did you mean by that earlier?”

Zhi Shiyi opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, his gaze lingering on Chu Nanzhen. Perhaps it was better for the boy not to remember the past and start anew, at least he wouldn’t have to suffer as he did before. But if he kept quiet, how long could the secret truly last? After this incident, it wouldn’t be long before Chu Nanzhen’s identity was exposed, and waves of people with ill intentions would come for him.

After a long silence, Zhi Shiyi lowered his head and sighed softly. “I mean that since someone wants Little Chu’s life, we must bring the culprit to justice as soon as possible. It might be his life they want today, but it’s hard to say whose life they will come for next.”

“City Lord Zhi is right!” Lin Fengye suddenly stood up. “Regardless of who started it, anyone who wants to take another’s life is no good!”

Wu Xiang raised an eyebrow and teased, “I didn’t think I’d see the day you actually said something sensible!”

Lin Fengye glared at him, but before he could snap back, heavy rain began to pour outside. It was past the Beginning of Spring, so the weather should have been warming up, yet the wind blowing in made Chu Nanzhen shiver. The storm was so intense that the windows rattled loudly.

The rain had come too suddenly, the downpour arriving before the clouds had even fully gathered. Suspicion grew in their hearts. It was just rain, wasn’t it? But it grew heavier by the second, as if it intended to submerge the entire area. In the sudden quiet, the storm felt increasingly eerie. Chu Nanzhen’s teeth began to chatter, and a bone-chilling cold washed over him, making him feel as though he were lying in a coffin of ice.

Shen Shangli stood up and walked to the window. When she returned, her face was grim. “It is indeed raining,” she said, “but the ground is dry.”

Shocked, everyone rushed to the window.

Normally, rain would soak the earth, but this storm was different. The droplets fell, yet the ground remained untouched by water. It was as if the rain was a performance staged specifically for them to see.

“Shiyi, I’m so cold…”

Zhi Shiyi snapped out of his thoughts and turned to see that frost had begun to form on Chu Nanzhen’s eyelashes. His lips were turning white. Realizing something was terribly wrong, Zhi Shiyi pulled him into a tight embrace, continuously channeling spiritual power into him through his pulse.

The warmth of Zhi Shiyi’s breath against his neck made Chu Nanzhen feel a slight itch, and he instinctively tried to pull away.

The others realized the gravity of the situation and hurried to bring over all the candles, hoping the warmth would offer some relief. Yun Guitu, who prided himself on his medical skills, stepped forward to take Chu Nanzhen’s pulse.

“How is he?” several voices asked at once.

Yun Guitu released his hand and shook his head apologetically. “His body is… fine.”

It was bizarre. He clearly looked unwell, so why couldn’t he find anything wrong? Since this group had arrived at Yun Mountain, Yun Guitu had checked the pulses of four people and failed to find a single cause for their ailments. He began to wonder if his skills had declined, or if he was truly as talented as his master claimed.

“The spiritual power I’m sending into him is being pushed back,” Zhi Shiyi sighed, his voice laced with worry.

Usually, an immortal’s spiritual power is beneficial whether given to another cultivator or a mortal. But with Chu Nanzhen, the energy flowed right back into Zhi Shiyi as if something was blocking the path.

Wu Xiang’s ears twitched. He poured himself a cup of tea, downed it in one go, cleared his throat, and said calmly, “Someone is coming.”

Hardly had he finished speaking when there was a light knock on the door. Everyone went on high alert until they heard Chu Shunsuian’s voice from outside.

“The weather is quite strange today, the rain came out of nowhere. The original blankets were a bit thin, so I’ve brought a few thicker ones for you.”

He knocked again. “Can I come in?”

After a quick exchange of glances, someone told him to enter.

Chu Shunsuian walked in carrying several quilts and set them on the bed. He didn’t seem surprised by Chu Nanzhen’s condition. Instead, he walked to the window and stood with his back to them. “It turned cold so suddenly, I can feel it in my bones.”

“Not long ago, there was a heavy rain just like this one. That day, a man and a woman arrived, and they seemed to be at odds. Apparently, they were traveling together on a sect mission. I went to deliver blankets that night, and the girl said she was cold. Frost had formed between her brows. The young man thought she was possessed and tried to give her spiritual power, but for some reason, the energy wouldn’t go in. Seeing that the man was about to rush her back to their sect, I suggested, ‘Perhaps it’s just the cold, and her heart has frozen over. Since you are both cultivators, why not sleep in each other’s arms for the night? With your spiritual energies interacting, she might get better.’ The man asked for the lady’s consent, she agreed, and they spent a night of passion together. By the next morning, she was perfectly fine, and the two of them ended up together.”

“There are only a few of us in this inn, and it’s lonely out there. I figured I’d tell you this story while delivering the blankets just to pass the time.” Chu Shunsuian finished his story and walked straight past them without a second glance. Just as the door was about to close, Zhi Shiyi called out to him.

“You aren’t just a waiter,” Zhi Shiyi challenged.

Chu Shunsuian smiled faintly. “My name is Chu Shunsuian, a stall owner in the Middle City, and a waiter in Yun Mountain Town.” With that, he closed the door.

From his words alone, they knew this “Chu Shunsuian” was far more than he appeared.

Lin Fengye looked awkward. “A man and a woman is one thing, but if two men have a ‘night of passion,’ do you think they’d even be able to look at each other the next day?”

His eyes kept darting toward the two of them. By now, Chu Nanzhen’s consciousness was fading. Frost was spreading across his skin, and he was shivering uncontrollably in Zhi Shiyi’s arms.

Zhi Shiyi was clearly conflicted. If Chu Shunsuian was wrong, Chu Nanzhen might actually freeze to death.

Wu Xiang frowned at them. “I said, someone is here.”

“They came and went, are you thick? He just left,” Lin Fengye snapped.

“I’m not talking about him. Someone arrived before him. Behind Nanzhen, there is a Mountain God statue.” As soon as Wu Xiang said this, everyone’s skin crawled. They looked where he pointed but saw nothing.

Only after a moment did they remember that Wu Xiang saw things differently than they did.

At that moment, Chu Shunsuian’s voice rang out from downstairs. “I’m going to light incense for the Mountain God! I pray she blesses the inn with good business! If I could see the Mountain God with my own eyes, I’d be willing to work like a horse or an ox for her!”

Wu Xiang spoke again. “She’s gone, likely following the man outside back to the temple. I think her matter can wait. The priority right now is Nanzhen. If we don’t do something, he’s going to die!”

Lin Fengye nodded solemnly. “The dead cat is right.”

“…”

The logic was sound, but the execution was difficult. Several pairs of eyes stared at the two on the bed, their expressions complicated.

Zhi Shiyi hesitated for a moment before picking Chu Nanzhen up in his arms. “Don’t worry, there is another way. This technique was created by my master. I must ask you all to go to the other rooms.”

Lin Fengye grew anxious. He wanted to help if something went wrong, but what came out of his mouth was, “What? Are you afraid we’ll steal your master’s secret technique?”

He froze, then tried to explain with a long face, “…I didn’t mean it like that.”

Zhi Shiyi didn’t take offense. “That’s not it. If a third party is present, it might drain some of the spiritual power, making the effect less potent.”

Hearing this, everyone scrambled out of the room, terrified of getting in the way. In the blink of an eye, only the two of them remained. Zhi Shiyi looked down at the shivering figure in his arms and whispered, “Little Chu, did you hear what Chu Shunsuian said? If you agree, just give me a sign. If not… I will find another way…”

His master had no such secret technique. He had only lied to protect Chu Nanzhen’s reputation. Zhi Shiyi knew he didn’t hold a large place in Chu Nanzhen’s heart yet, and he didn’t want the boy to feel resentful if others knew what they were about to do.

Though his consciousness was blurred, Chu Nanzhen had heard every word. It was as if his hearing and his mind were two separate entities.

He looked at Zhi Shiyi through half-lidded eyes. He opened his mouth, but his throat felt frozen. After a long moment, he managed a faint, “Mm.”

Zhi Shiyi didn’t know whether to feel happy or nervous. His heart began to pound so hard it felt like it might burst from his chest. This was his first time, and he was understandably clumsy. He laid the boy gently on the bed, looked away, and said in a low voice, “Then, I’m starting…?”

Chu Nanzhen gave another “Mm.”

The tips of Zhi Shiyi’s ears turned red. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “It’s my first time, so my technique might be poor, please don’t hate me…”

Clothes were soon scattered across the floor. The first half of the night was chaotic and frantic. At one point, there seemed to be cries, which eventually turned into soft whimpers. As Chu Nanzhen’s body finally began to warm up, Zhi Shiyi breathed a sigh of relief. Even though a long time had passed, the moon remained fixed in the same spot in the sky.

Suddenly, a powerful gust of wind blew through the window, extinguishing every candle in the room. In an instant, they were plunged into total darkness.

Normally, even without candles, the bright moonlight should have provided some visibility. It shouldn’t have been so dark that one couldn’t see their own hand. It was as if the moon itself was a fake.

Chu Nanzhen, exhausted, let out a yawn. “It’s likely the Mountain God’s doing.”

Zhi Shiyi agreed. Just as he was about to get up to investigate, he heard the voice from outside again. “I’m going to light incense for the Mountain God! May she bless our business! I am her most loyal believer!”

It was definitely Chu Shunsuian.

The moment he spoke, the candles in the room flickered back to life on their own. Looking out the window, the moon had returned to its proper position and the wind had died down. It was as if everything that just happened had been nothing more than a shared hallucination.

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