I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 31

The Old Master of the Shen family had emerged from seclusion. Qi Ye couldn’t defeat him, and Shen Qingzhuo might not even want to see him.

But now, he had money!

Qi Ye arrived at Yue Shang Shao carrying hundreds of thousands of Profound Stones. This place was a massive teahouse frequented mostly by cultivators; Qi Ye thought it was beautiful. The owner was a wealthy merchant from the Cloud Kingdom who had eventually embarked on the path of cultivation, though his aptitude was poor, leaving his level stuck at the lowest realm. Over the decades, he had decorated the teahouse with magnificent splendor and was naturally unwilling to sell.

Qi Ye held a blade to his throat.

With no other choice and knowing his connections couldn’t save him from immediate danger the merchant signed the contract, transferring ownership of Yue Shang Shao to Qi Ye. Merchants valued credit; though reluctant and ignorant of the buyer’s identity, he handed over full sovereignty, adding only one condition: that Qi Ye must treat everything in Yue Shang Shao well, never use it for illicit business, and never damage the building.

Once the thumbprints were pressed and the recording stone captured the evidence, the merchant tremblingly collected the roomful of stones, unsure if he had gained or lost. These stones are enough to live lavishly for decades, but… what is money for? The one thing I’ve never lacked is this damn money. He consoled himself that without the stress of management, he was free to travel the Nine Provinces once the city’s lockdown was lifted.

The Shen Residence

Shen Qingzhuo had been imprisoned by the Old Master for nearly seven days.

For seven days, he sat in absolute darkness. His spiritual artifacts were neutralized, leaving him ignorant of the outside world, save for a sliver of light from high above used to track the passing time. Xuan Yi had tried to sneak in to see him several times, feeling the Master’s treatment was excessive and wanting to rescue him. But every effort was in vain; the Old Master had placed a seal on the room that simply would not break.

By the end, Shen Qingzhuo was in despair. The Old Master hadn’t mistreated him the food and amenities were top-tier but he was trapped and unable to communicate with the world. What has happened to Qi Ye? Shen Qingzhuo’s heart was full of dread as he repeatedly checked his unresponsive spiritual transmitter.

Suddenly, the crisp sound of a lock shattering echoed, and the door swung open. He thought his grandfather had arrived, but to his shock, the person standing there was different. “Cousin?”

“Mm. Go. You should be free.”

Shen Shuangyi stood there in a dark robe with white crane patterns, his aura cold and somber as he offered a smile. Shen Qingzhuo desperately wanted to leave, but he knew this wasn’t the Old Master’s intent Shen Shuangyi had acted on his own.

Shen Qingzhuo felt uneasy. “What about you, Cousin? If Grandfather finds out you let me go, will he punish you?”

“He won’t,” Shen Shuangyi replied dismissively.

Shen Qingzhuo didn’t linger. He offered a respectful bow in thanks and bolted for the exit. He had no idea where Qi Ye was. During those days, he had imagined the worst that Qi Ye was back in Huangfu Ying’s hands, being tortured to the brink of death. But it doesn’t matter. As long as he’s alive, I’ll bring him out, Shen Qingzhuo thought.

Qi Ye was the protagonist. No matter what happened, he wouldn’t die, or the world would collapse. Besides, he had demonic blood. Shen Qingzhuo had read that demons couldn’t be killed, only sealed. Eight hundred years ago, after a massive war, the four ancient artifacts had been used to seal the entire race away into a deep slumber.

Shen Qingzhuo stepped outside. The first heavy snow in the city had finally stopped, leaving a world of pure white that matched his own robes and cold elegance. The morning sun spilled over him, the wind catching his long hair. A green hairpin held his locks in place. His skin was so pale and translucent it rivaled the snow.

His soft brows furrowed. The lockdown had tightened, and the royal patrols were more numerous. This meant Qi Ye wasn’t currently in Huangfu Ying’s hands. But there were so many other factions hunting him. I hope he’s okay.

Shen Qingzhuo pulled out the Mirror of Rebirth. The figure that appeared in the mirror was wrapped tightly in black. Even Shen Qingzhuo almost didn’t recognize him. The background seemed to be… Yue Shang Shao.

Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t help but smile. It seemed the boy wasn’t as silly as he looked; he was quite clever when it counted. But what is he doing there?

Yue Shang Shao was the grandest teahouse in the city and the tallest building, standing ninety-nine stories high. It was famous even beyond the borders of the kingdom a legendary landmark for both cultivators and mortals. He had once taken Qi Ye to its peak to tell him that whatever he wanted, Shen Qingzhuo would find a way to get it for him. He hadn’t realized that Qi Ye’s influence over him was growing stronger.

He headed toward the teahouse with desperate urgency.

The high tower was bustling with people entering and leaving. Huangfu Ying’s legions were also there, searching every corner and confirming the “Demon Seed” was not inside.

As Shen Qingzhuo arrived, a youth in a black hooded cloak was emerging. Qi Ye’s head was lowered. Aside from the “negotiation” with the former owner, he hadn’t spoken a word, holding the two contracts that named him the new master of the teahouse.

Suddenly, as he looked up, his eyes met Shen Qingzhuo’s. The papers in his hand nearly slipped. He had wanted to see Shen Qingzhuo so badly, but he never expected it to be here. Shen Qingzhuo had clearly recognized him.

Qi Ye, acting with caution, suddenly removed his hood. He walked toward the man step by step, looking dazed.

“Master…”

Qi Ye didn’t know why those words came out. But his current state truly felt like a puppy raised by a master, terrified of being unwanted.

Shen Qingzhuo had initially felt a wave of relief. But seeing the boy suddenly shed his disguise and walk toward him so brazenly, he panicked. A fool is a fool after all. The whole city is hunting him—isn’t this just walking into a trap?

Yet Qi Ye continued to walk.

There were many people at Yue Shang Shao today, and all eyes turned toward them. The royal knights, just finished with their search, spotted Qi Ye and leveled their spears at him. Qi Ye acted as if they weren’t there, brushing past the sharp weapons to continue toward Shen Qingzhuo. Eventually, he broke into a run, like a dog finally finding its master at home.

“Master Shen, kill him!” an outcry suddenly erupted from somewhere in the crowd.

“Such a beast! A demonic blight! He took the lives of a hundred soldiers, heavily wounded Prince Huangfu, and nearly killed Master Qi his own father! Such a soulless creature will surely commit a massacre later. Master Shen is kind and treats him well, but this demon will surely bite the hand that feeds him and harm Master Shen!”

“Yes! Kill him!”

“No, this monster is too powerful and his methods are cruel! Master Shen, stay away don’t let him attack you!”

As Qi Ye ran, hearing the voices from all directions, he suddenly slowed down. A massive pain hit his head; he nearly crouched to the ground, gripping his head with both hands. Two black demon horns poked through his fingers.

He stopped, his run becoming a heavy, slow walk. Though the pain made it hard to keep his eyes open, he kept his gaze fixed on Shen Qingzhuo, determined to see if the man would retreat and cast him aside.

I ate the Seven-Leaf Jialan, and now my tail is beautiful. Shen Qingzhuo hasn’t even touched it yet.

In the daylight, against the pale walls and thick snow, Qi Ye’s black form became the focus of the entire scene. His scarlet eyes looked as though they would drip blood with a single blink.

Shen Qingzhuo stood there, and at some point, the Frost Sword had appeared in his hand. Before he could react, the Old Master’s voice echoed in the void: “My grandson, kill him!”

Qi Ye ignored Shen Qingzhuo’s weapon, continuing his approach step by step, each one careful as if fearing the man would run. Finally, he reached him and tentatively grabbed the hand holding the sword.

Yue Shang Shao erupted in an uproar again at the sound of the voice. People looked around in wonder. “Master Shen? Is the Old Master Shen here?” “Wonderful! Finally, someone who can subdue this Demon Seed!”

Shen Qingzhuo’s mind was in a whirl, his brows furrowed. Then, with Qi Ye’s hands holding his own, the sword was driven deep into Qi Ye’s heart.

The strike was incredibly deep, the entire blade passing through the center of his chest. Quickly, blood flowed along the hilt and onto Shen Qingzhuo’s hand and clothes. Shen Qingzhuo’s white attire was stained red.

“Master…”

Qi Ye’s body hadn’t healed, and he could no longer support himself, falling to his knees. His eyes, however, were piteous as he looked up. Shen Qingzhuo was terrified; he pulled the sword out and threw it to the ground, crouching down to support him. He didn’t even care what Qi Ye called him. He grabbed the boy’s shoulders. “You…”

Qi Ye had lost too much blood seven days ago; there was very little left to shed.

“I’m sorry, Master…”

He didn’t know what was happening. The first time he called him “Master” it was unconscious, but afterward, he found he liked calling him that. He wanted Shen Qingzhuo to be his master. Just like the little dragon in the dream. What happened to that dragon? Did he grow up? Did the Master ever kiss him?

Qi Ye felt as though he were dying. The last of his blood flowed from his mouth. He struggled to retrieve the discarded sword and handed it back with both hands. “I’m sorry. I killed people, and I ate your Seven-Leaf Jialan. You can kill me…”

He also handed over the two blood-stained contracts for Yue Shang Shao. “And these. I want to give them to you.”

“I didn’t steal them. I earned the money myself, Master…”