I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 17

Noticing the tension in the boy’s voice when he asked the question, Shen Qingzhuo countered, “Are you unwilling for me to return to the Shen household?”

“No!” Qi Ye tightened his grip on him. “You said you would take me with you. Wherever you go, I will follow!”

Hearing this, the irritation that Huangfu Ying’s name had caused Shen Qingzhuo’s heart began to clear. He felt as though he had successfully abducted a pure, innocent child one who was entirely willing to be led away.

“We aren’t going back just yet, but we likely will in the future. You needn’t worry; my grandfather and mother rarely show their faces, so no one can interfere with us,” Shen Qingzhuo explained. “Besides, once they meet you, I’m sure they will like you.”

From what he knew, this marriage arrangement had been the idea of the original Shen Qingzhuo’s mother. This suggested that, at the very least, she was fond of Qi Ye.

Yet, for some reason, Shen Xihuan had never once visited Qi Ye in all the years since his birth. Shen Qingzhuo mused that perhaps, given her indifferent and detached nature, she simply assumed that with the substantial dowry her handmaiden had taken with her, Qi Ye would be living a comfortable life.

Shen Qingzhuo still hoped Qi Ye could recover his abilities quickly. While the Shen family possessed high-level alchemists, pills alone would not be enough to allow someone who had lost their Profound Spiritual Root to cultivate again.

He suggested, “I’ve received word that some high-quality items have appeared at the Underground Market. Shall we go have a look? We might encounter something useful.”

The Underground Market, also known as the Black Market, was a venue for clandestine transactions. It was a melting pot of various characters where divine artifacts and legendary medicines were sometimes sold at exorbitant prices. It was a favorite haunt for the scions of many prominent cultivation families.

Qi Ye nodded obediently. “Mm, I will do as you say.”

Considering Qi Ye lacked any magical power, Shen Qingzhuo refrained from using his own. They traveled like ordinary people, making their journey much slower than usual. However, Yun City possessed highly developed cultivation resources; since teleportation arrays were established between distant locations, the trip didn’t actually take much time.

Still, Shen Qingzhuo wondered if he had imagined it he thought he saw a flash of pain cross Qi Ye’s face when they entered the array. But when he looked closer, the youth seemed perfectly fine, asking him what was wrong with an innocent, wide-eyed look.

Shen Qingzhuo shook his head. Fearing that someone might cause a disturbance and separate him from Qi Ye, he naturally reached out and took the boy’s hand.

He realized he was becoming increasingly comfortable holding Qi Ye’s hand, often doing so without even needing a reason. Qi Ye, for his part, never pulled away or refused his touch. Shen Qingzhuo attributed this to Qi Ye’s kind nature and good temperament, convincing himself he was merely doing it to protect the protagonist.

The Underground Market had specific areas for handovers, so one didn’t necessarily need to sell items in person.

In the distance, Qi Anning was walking with Lin Sheng, full of praise for a five-colored magical robe. Qi Anning had initially come alone with a few servants for protection, of course.

Recently, he had performed many “good deeds” for the citizens of Yun City, quickly amassing a sterling reputation. Even in the market, people recognized him and stepped forward to offer praise. Qi Anning reveled in this public adoration.

Lin Sheng had spotted him later. Since Lin Sheng had hovered around the Qi family gates several times before, they had spoken on a few occasions and hit it off immediately this time.

Qi Anning’s only real asset was his face; consequently, he was obsessed with his own beauty and had a particular fondness for exquisite clothing. His wardrobe was packed with two large cabinets of beautiful, flamboyant outfits.

However, his primary purpose for coming to the Underground Market today was to auction some items. He had brought ten monster cores all of the sixth and seventh rank which his father had brought back as gifts for him. There was even one that Qi Anning found particularly beautiful, which he had threaded onto a gold cord and tied around his ankle.

Aside from the ten monster cores, Qi Anning had also brought a stalk of “Seven-Leaf Jialan.”

Yes, the Seven-Leaf Jialan.

Nearby, Lin Sheng was showering him with compliments. “You’re truly incredible. Such a precious item, and Master Shen gave it to you just like that! Heh, everyone in Yun City knows you’re destined to be the Crown Princess. Do you think that Master Shen likes you too? Heavens, those are the two most outstanding men in the city!”

Qi Anning covered his mouth with a shy smile. “Don’t say such things. It’s not certain if the Crown Prince will marry me. And as for Master Shen, the man already has a marriage contract.”

As he spoke, Qi Anning seemed to recall something and added, “However, as for my younger brother who is engaged to Master Shen… Master Shen likely won’t marry him anymore. I told you, I saw with my own eyes that night that Qi Ye had turned into a monster. He even tried to kill me to silence me; I was terrified.”

Qi Anning smiled sweetly, mentioning these things as if they were trivial matters. He then asked, “Brother Sheng, do you think I really look good in this magical robe? Is it too ostentatious? My cultivation base is poor, and my Profound Strength is inferior to others… is it a waste for me to wear it?”

By the end, Qi Anning purposely feigned sadness, making Lin Sheng’s heart ache with longing. He quickly comforted him, “Not at all! You are so beautiful; only you are worthy of this robe. Besides, who says those with low cultivation can’t wear fine clothes? It’s precisely because your cultivation is low that you need a magical robe for protection!”

With that, he turned and declared grandly, “Boss, wrap this robe up. I’ll take it!”

Lin Sheng pulled out all the money he had. He had been saving it for a long time, intending to buy a gift for his father at the upcoming family ceremony so that his father who usually ignored him might pay him more attention. Now, he was giving it all up just to buy a dress and win a beauty’s favor.

To his dismay, the clerk told him it wasn’t enough; the money he provided only covered one-tenth of the price.

Lin Sheng steeled his heart. “I am the Sixth Young Master of the Lin Family of Yun City. Do you know the Lin family? I didn’t bring enough cash this time, but just put it on my tab. Go to the Lin house for the money later. Wrap it up!”

His father was extremely strict and had never liked him. Lin Sheng knew that once the bill arrived, he would inevitably face another brutal beating. But he did it anyway. He felt that the Qi Anning standing before him was the most beautiful creature in the world an angel. What was a beating compared to making Qi Anning happy?

Besides, he wasn’t home yet! It would take some time before someone went to his father for the money!

Qi Anning feigned surprise and was moved to tears, using both hands to accept the beautifully packaged five-colored robe.

“Thank you, Brother Sheng. You are truly too kind, just as wonderful as Master Shen. Sob… when Master Shen gave me the Seven-Leaf Jialan later, he also said that as long as I was happy, it was enough.”

Shen Qingzhuo stood there, utterly perplexed. Still holding Qi Ye’s hand, he had listened to every word of their conversation and wondered if he should offer some sort of explanation.

His movements slowed as he gradually turned his head to look at Qi Ye.

Heaven was his witness—ever since that palace banquet, he had been with Qi Ye every single moment. He had never even met Qi Anning before the banquet. There was only one stalk of Seven-Leaf Jialan, and he had long ago ordered someone to give it to Qi Ye.

He’d had no previous impression of Qi Anning, and after hearing these words, his impression was even worse. To prevent Qi Ye from thinking the one he received was a fake, Shen Qingzhuo decided he had to explain himself.

Suddenly, as if struck by a sudden fright, Qi Ye grabbed onto Shen Qingzhuo’s arm, his expression full of panic.

Qi Ye hadn’t expected to run into Qi Anning again here. The moment he heard Qi Anning’s first words, he wanted to drag Shen Qingzhuo away to a place where they couldn’t see him. However, when he stole a glance back, he saw that Shen Qingzhuo had stopped, appearing interested in what Qi Anning was saying.

Qi Ye didn’t dare move, his heart filled with terror. “Don’t believe him…” Qi Ye pleaded again, seeing that Shen Qingzhuo was looking at him with an expression more somber than ever before.

He held Shen Qingzhuo’s arm tightly, thinking that this way, the man couldn’t push him away.

Shen Qingzhuo was stunned. Belatedly, he realized that not only was Qi Ye not questioning him, but the boy seemed far more nervous than he was.

Qi Ye continued to murmur repetitions, looking quite pitiable. “Don’t believe…”

The sound caused Qi Anning and Lin Sheng, who were not far away, to instinctively look over. Other disciples and staff in the market also turned their gaze toward them.

Lin Sheng was shocked. “I’ll be… speak of Master Shen and he appears! But the one beside him… is that Qi Ye? I’ve never seen Qi Ye act like that with anyone. If he could show me a bit of weakness just once, I wouldn’t hate him so much.”

Lin Sheng continued, “But didn’t you say that Master Shen saw Qi Ye turn into a monster and wouldn’t marry him anymore? Why is Qi Ye still standing next to him?”

Every family, large and small, had been invited to the palace banquet that night, so Lin Sheng had naturally attended. However, his seat had been in some far-off, forgotten corner. Even then, the Qi Ye he saw was arrogant and world-weary it had made him furious. He didn’t know why, but he simply couldn’t stand seeing Qi Ye do well, and he hated it even more that even when Qi Ye wasn’t doing well, he still maintained that air of pride.

Qi Anning clearly hadn’t expected to run into Shen Qingzhuo here. The look of shock on his face was no less than the night he had seen Qi Ye three days ago.

Still oblivious, Lin Sheng whispered excitedly in his ear, “Look, Master Shen is coming toward you! He must really like you!”

Qi Anning forced a stiff smile. For a moment, his limbs trembled violently, and the packaged five-colored robe fell to the ground with a thud.

He could only pray that Master Shen hadn’t heard what he just said. Although he had followed his father’s instructions and decided to marry Huangfu Ying to become the Crown Princess, Master Shen was still within his considerations. Qi Anning thought that if Master Shen ever had a change of heart, he could always choose between the two.

What Qi Anning also didn’t understand was why, after seeing Qi Ye that night, Shen Qingzhuo could still stand so intimately with him.

Qi Anning was jealous. Did Master Shen not see Qi Ye that night? That’s impossible; I saw with my own eyes that Qi Ye was heavily injured, unable to even stand!

Moreover, Qi Ye seemed to be very afraid of Master Shen.

Could it be that although Master Shen is keeping him around, he has actually punished Qi Ye? The thought suddenly occurred to Qi Anning. In this Underground Market, everything was available; occasionally, cultivators would auction off living people. Such people were no different from slaves or livestock, bought to be used for pleasure, torture, or the cultivation of dark arts.

Surely many cultivators would be willing to pay a high price for a man who could turn into a monster.

Is Master Shen going to sell Qi Ye?

Qi Anning suddenly felt less panicked, even experiencing a flicker of joy. If that were the case, he could be considered to have done a great service, and his lie about Master Shen would be nothing in comparison. Perhaps Master Shen would even be grateful; even if he didn’t truly give him the Seven-Leaf Jialan, he might offer some other form of compensation.

Qi Anning daintily held his skirt and crouched down to pick up the five-colored robe. He then gave Shen Qingzhuo a sweet greeting. “Master Shen.”

Shen Qingzhuo was brief and to the point. “I heard that I gave you the Seven-Leaf Jialan? Can you take it out so I can see it?”