I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 15

Shen Qingzhuo paused for a moment before accepting the dagger.

“I have no shortage of spiritual tools; you didn’t need to be in such a hurry to return it to me.”

“However,” he continued, “even though there was a misunderstanding regarding the Seven-Leaf Kalpa Grass, my promise to you still stands. Whatever it is you want, you can tell me.”

Qi Ye shook his head. What he truly wanted, Shen Qingzhuo would never give him.

Seeing that the youth was no longer terrified but still appeared dejected, Shen Qingzhuo added, “Don’t let it weigh on your mind. I didn’t tell you earlier, but my original intent in winning those two items was to give them to you.”

The boy remained silent, making Shen Qingzhuo feel a bit uncertain. A possibility occurred to him. “Are you feeling unwell?”

While refining Qi Ye’s meridians, he had noticed the youth’s pathways were somewhat different from an ordinary person’s. He hadn’t thought much of it at the time, assuming everyone had minor biological quirks.

“Is it because of the injuries?”

Shen Qingzhuo wasn’t an apothecary and carried no medicine on him. He had only managed a simple bandaging, but the youth’s injuries were strange the most severe being on his head.

His heart heavy, Shen Qingzhuo paused before reaching out to touch the boy’s forehead.

This time, however, Qi Ye dodged.

The youth turned his head away to avoid the touch, finally finding a moment to clasp his hands over his temples. Despite his efforts to maintain a calm facade, a trace of irrepressible panic leaked through.

“My body feels clearer than before. My head no longer hurts,” Qi Ye said, backing away slightly.

He wasn’t trying to avoid Shen Qingzhuo himself, nor did he dislike the man’s touch. It was just that the memory of the previous night filled him with such nausea and fear, fear that Shen Qingzhuo would discover his abnormality.

Qi Ye looked toward the window. Unlike the thunderous night before, the sun was shining brightly now. It looked to be midday.

Having missed the touch, Shen Qingzhuo slowly withdrew his hand. Seeing the confusion in the boy’s eyes, he suggested, “Shall we go get something to eat? Afterward, I’ll check your condition again. Once your strength is restored, things like last night won’t happen again.”

After a long hesitation, Qi Ye gave a slow nod.

Shen Qingzhuo assisted him out of bed and provided him with new clothing. To Qi Ye, it all felt like a dream. Shen Qingzhuo was so kind that the boy felt if he asked the man to dress him, he wouldn’t even refuse.

But this perfection brought a sense of insecurity. Shen Qingzhuo had no reason to go this far. Why, why is he being so good to me?

When Qi Ye finished changing and emerged, Shen Qingzhuo had already been waiting. Seeing him, the man smiled and complimented his appearance before walking over to take his hand and lead him downstairs.

Qi Ye’s face flushed red once more.

The clothes Shen Qingzhuo had provided were far better than anything he had ever worn. If one was talking about beauty, however, he believed no one in the world could surpass Shen Qingzhuo.

The first floor was the dining area. The inn was bustling and crowded. As they descended, the shopkeeper recognized them; he had seen Shen Qingzhuo’s frantic arrival with the boy the night before. Regardless of who Qi Ye was, the man in white exuded an extraordinary aura that marked him as someone of high status.

The shopkeeper greeted them warmly and led them to a prime table. Shen Qingzhuo ordered several light, delicate dishes. The food arrived quickly, accompanied by a jar of premium wine a testament to the inn’s attentive service.

Shen Qingzhuo had the wine sent back, replacing it with a light tea. It wasn’t that he preferred bland flavors; he was primarily concerned for Qi Ye’s health.

“You fainted last night; it’s better to eat something light,” Shen Qingzhuo noted.

Though the meal was simple, the quality was high, featuring both meat and vegetable dishes, including house specialties that couldn’t be found elsewhere. Shen Qingzhuo didn’t place food in the boy’s bowl but pushed the dishes and the menu toward him. “See if there’s anything else you’d like.”

Qi Ye shook his head. “No. I want to eat whatever you’ve ordered.”

Sitting across from him, Shen Qingzhuo finished his meal quickly, while Qi Ye ate slowly, lingering over every bite. Shen Qingzhuo wasn’t in a hurry and watched him with a relaxed expression.

Other cultivators were present in the inn. Shen Qingzhuo caught snatches of conversation about a “Demon Seed” and a “Saviour Sage.” It was exactly what he had read in the book a few days ago. He didn’t believe in such things; the System hadn’t mentioned a Demon Seed when giving him the mission. Even if one existed, it had nothing to do with him.

His only goal was to protect the protagonist and help him grow strong.

He looked at Qi Ye and noticed the boy was moving his chopsticks sluggishly, chewing absentmindedly as if the conversation bothered him.

“The birth of the Demon Seed means the entire continent is doomed. We must rally all cultivators to eradicate it!”

“Rumor has it every generation of Demon Lord is ruthlessly cruel, possessing the power to destroy heaven and earth. It’s best to stifle it the moment it awakens.”

As cultivators came and went, Qi Ye finally set down his chopsticks and looked up obediently. “I’m finished.”

Shen Qingzhuo had been observing him. The boy hadn’t actually eaten much; he had simply eaten every bite with agonizing slowness as if trying to stall for time. He appeared quite clumsy.

Shen Qingzhuo rose and reached for the boy’s hand again. “Mm. Let’s go back upstairs.”

Qi Ye’s movements were sluggish, and his voice was soft. He looked at Shen Qingzhuo with wide, blinking eyes. “I. I have no money.”

This lavish spread of food must have been expensive, let alone the clothes and the care Shen Qingzhuo had provided.

Shen Qingzhuo called the shopkeeper over to settle the bill. Seeing the youth’s cautious, peeking gaze, he said gently, “It’s alright. I have money.”

Qi Ye allowed his hand to be enveloped in Shen Qingzhuo’s soft grip once more. He didn’t dare move; afraid his hand might slip out of the man’s grasp. In the past, he hadn’t known the meaning of living; he was a loner who went everywhere and knew no one. He hadn’t cared for money or worldly possessions, as they brought him no joy.

But as he was led back to the room, Qi Ye found himself thinking: I must save a lot of money in the future, so I can buy all the best things in the world for Shen Qingzhuo.

Even if Shen Qingzhuo might not actually need them.

Their room on the third floor was a premium suite spacious, well-equipped, and filled with natural light. The only minor drawback was that it contained only one bed.

Once inside, Shen Qingzhuo closed the door. Qi Ye followed behind and asked, “How, how long will you stay here?”

Shen Qingzhuo shook his head. “I don’t know. Perhaps three to five days, maybe longer. We’ll stay here until your injuries are fully healed.”

Qi Ye caught the key word. Shen Qingzhuo had said “we,” not “I.”

Shen Qingzhuo had released his hand. Qi Ye gripped his own hem tightly, trying to confirm his hope. “Will you… will you take me with you afterward?”

As he spoke, his heart was in his throat, and he was consumed by nerves.

Shen Qingzhuo hadn’t been sure if the boy would agree to leave with him, and seeing this reaction, he nodded with a light heart. It seemed the protagonist was willing to follow.

With Qi Ye trusting him and agreeing to stay, Shen Qingzhuo would have more opportunities to watch over him and help. The thought made him feel a bit like a villain luring away an innocent child.

Well, so be it, he thought happily. He was only doing this for the protagonist, and it wasn’t as if the boy disliked him. He truly liked Qi Ye; the more he looked at him, the more pleased he was.

Even though Qi Ye was nearly his height and only two years younger, Shen Qingzhuo felt like a protective older brother around him. Their interactions felt effortless and pleasant.

“Are you willing to follow me?” Shen Qingzhuo asked.

Qi Ye nodded repeatedly. “I won’t be a burden. If you need me to do anything, I will. And if you don’t want me following, I’ll leave immediately.”

He lowered his head. “I won’t cause you any more trouble.”

Shen Qingzhuo found his nervousness adorable. He walked to the edge of the bed and stood there. “Come here.”

Qi Ye obeyed, removing his shoes and climbing onto the bed as instructed. Anticipating what might come next, he clenched his hands.

Shen Qingzhuo stood before him and raised a hand, a surge of pale blue profound energy flowing from his fingertips. He reached toward the boy.

Before his fingers could touch him, Qi Ye reacted instantly, seizing Shen Qingzhuo’s hand.

“Can we, wait a few days?” The youth’s face was flushed with exertion and panic; his palms were icy and slick with cold sweat.

He couldn’t let Shen Qingzhuo look. If he did, the man would know everything.

Shen Qingzhuo was surprised. “Don’t you want to become strong as soon as possible?”

Qi Ye bit his lip and remained silent.

Shen Qingzhuo withdrew his energy, assuming the boy was simply afraid of the pain involved in reshaping a spirit root and needed more time to prepare. “Alright. Tell me when you feel ready.”

With the spirit root repair on hold, they had more time for other things. “Shall I check your wounds again?”

Qi Ye nodded anxiously and released his hand.

With the boy’s permission, Shen Qingzhuo leaned down and began to gently unfasten his robes. The scars were exposed, but the youth was a fast healer; they were no longer as hideous as they had been the night before.

As Shen Qingzhuo applied the ointment, he looked up and saw the boy biting his lip so hard it was nearly bleeding. His eyes were darting everywhere, unable to find a place to rest.

Shen Qingzhuo paused. “Does it still hurt? I’ll be even more gentle.”

Caught in his thoughts, Qi Ye grew even more flustered, feeling like he’d been caught doing something wrong. He shook his head hurriedly. “No, it doesn’t hurt anymore.”

It truly didn’t; that level of pain was nothing to him. He simply felt that Shen Qingzhuo shouldn’t be looking after him like this it felt too inappropriate.

The man’s hands were long and slender, with a soft touch; Qi Ye felt those hands shouldn’t be wasted on applying medicine to him. He was so lost in thought that he didn’t realize the task was finished until Shen Qingzhuo closed his robes and those slender fingers touched his forehead. Qi Ye snapped back to reality with a start.