I Faked My Death After Choosing the Wrong Protagonist - Chapter 8

As they walked, many onlookers remained bewildered. Word had traveled fast after Shen Qingzhuo left the palace banquet; it was now common knowledge across Cloud City that he had rejected the Crown Prince.

Seeing what they were seeing now that Young Master Shen had not only failed to annul his engagement to the “trash” Qi Ye but was seemingly in love and out on a noodle date with him was a puzzle that neither royalty, nobility, nor commoners could solve.

Shen Qingzhuo, however, paid no mind to the gossip. His only concern was whether the youth would distance himself or grow repelled by his presence. Fortunately, the boy did not.

Once they were back on the street, Shen Qingzhuo produced a Sound-Transmission Spirit Cylinder. Shaped like a section of bamboo, it was a rare communication spiritual tool. “Take this,” he said. “With this, we can reach each other anytime.”

The youth accepted it with careful, trembling hands, though the light in his eyes dimmed imperceptibly.

“Are you leaving?” Qi Ye asked, looking up at him with a lingering gaze.

Shen Qingzhuo shook his head. “Not quite.”

“But we must part eventually, and having this will make things much more convenient,” he added with a casual smile. To avoid making the protagonist suspicious, he didn’t mention that he was perfectly willing to stay by his side indefinitely if allowed.

In the Nine Provinces, medicinal pills and spiritual tools were scarce resources, making the professions of Alchemist and Craftsman incredibly prestigious. A communication tool like this was not common, and Shen Qingzhuo had gone to considerable lengths to obtain it.

Knowing the youth was shy and likely wouldn’t volunteer information about himself, Shen Qingzhuo took the initiative. “Do you have any plans for the future? Or is there anything you want? If it’s within my power, I will help you.”

His voice was as gentle and clear as a mountain spring, sounding almost like a sacred vow.

Qi Ye shook his head.

Shen Qingzhuo was treating him so well that he found it difficult to distinguish reality from a dream. A dark thought crossed his mind: Is he testing me? If I show greed today, will he leave me immediately and cut all ties?

He couldn’t think of any other logical explanation. After all, who would be this devoted to a person they were essentially strangers with?

Qi Ye looked up. They were still within Cloud City, but the area was now deserted, overgrown with weeds and thickets. The Shen family’s main estate was also in Cloud City, but it was in the opposite direction and a considerable distance away.

It had been light when they started their walk, but now night had fallen. It would take Shen Qingzhuo quite some time to return home.

Suddenly, a rustling sound came from the nearby bushes. Less than thirty feet away, a massive Spirit Tiger emerged.

The beast glared at them, its eyes glowing with an eerie green light in the pitch-black night. Qi Ye instinctively stepped in front of Shen Qingzhuo to shield him. Then, he remembered that Shen Qingzhuo’s kindness likely stemmed from the belief shared by everyone that he had no cultivation.

If he discovers the real me, will he still be this kind?

So, acting the part of the frightened victim, he took a half-step back, pressing himself directly against Shen Qingzhuo.

Qi Ye was startled; he hadn’t intended to initiate physical contact, assuming Shen Qingzhuo would move away. This was the closest he had ever been to the man. For the first time, he caught a faint, ethereal scent of cedarwood wafting from behind him.

At that moment, the tiger roared and lunged.

Shen Qingzhuo grabbed Qi Ye’s wrist and pulled him behind his back. He didn’t even have to let go of him; while the tiger looked fierce, its tier was low far easier to handle than the python from a few days ago.

Since Shen Qingzhuo had to protect the boy while fighting, constant physical contact was unavoidable. Within the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Qi Ye’s heart had nearly leapt out of his chest multiple times.

Shen Qingzhuo, assuming the boy was terrified, recalled that he hadn’t shown fear against the Tier 8 python. Though he found the discrepancy odd, he offered comfort: “Don’t be afraid. I’m here. From now on, I will protect you.”

Shen Qingzhuo remembered that while the youth had been efficient in the forest, he truly hadn’t seen him use any magic. He also knew for a fact that Qi Ye’s spirit root had been destroyed three years ago.

Shen Qingzhuo felt a sudden pang of regret. Why didn’t I transmigrate two years earlier? I could have found him before the accident and prevented him from losing his power.

The youth’s panic hadn’t fully subsided, but luckily it was dark, so Shen Qingzhuo couldn’t see how red his ears had turned.

Faint lights began to flicker in the distance as voices approached.

“Is that the man-eating tiger that’s been terrorizing us? Heavens, a kind cultivator must have passed through and killed it!”

“The wall it knocked down at my place isn’t even fixed yet. I was so afraid it would return tonight, this is wonderful!”

The villagers were overjoyed. Their once-peaceful village had been tormented daily ever since the beast appeared. Being far from the capital’s reach, they had no one to help them. They had resorted to locking their doors at sundown, clutching whatever weapons they had, and despairing that the whole village was doomed.

One villager kicked the tiger’s carcass repeatedly, suggesting they bring it back to roast the meat as revenge for their suffering.

By the time they looked around to thank their savior, the person was already gone.

Qi Ye’s heart hammered as he followed behind Shen Qingzhuo. He didn’t understand why he was acting so strangely. He knew someone as wonderful as Shen Qingzhuo could never truly belong to him, yet he couldn’t stop harboring forbidden fantasies. He was afraid of getting too close, yet he longed for even more proximity.

The night grew darker. Surely, he must leave me now, Qi Ye thought.

A white paper crane flew toward them. Shen Qingzhuo extended a finger, and the crane landed on it, unfolding into a written message.

The Priest of Yun could perceive the secrets of heaven and used paper cranes to communicate. Before his “accident” three years ago, Qi Ye had also cared about world affairs. He used to believe that even if Qi Yannian didn’t care for him, there was still plenty of kindness in the world.

He had been wrong.

Shen Qingzhuo unfolded the note, and a look of hesitation crossed his face. “My cousin knows I’m back. He’s sent word that he wants to see me,” he said.

He wasn’t worried about being exposed by the Shen family. During his year at the academy, he had learned enough about his background. His grandfather, the old Patriarch, was the strongest man in the kingdom and ranked in the top three in the Nine Provinces. His mother, Shen Xiwan, was reportedly a refined and legendary beauty who looked half her age; her father doted on her, and by extension, cherished Shen Qingzhuo. The High Priest, Shen Shuangyi, was his cousin. Within the Shen family, everyone deferred to him.

The original host was a peerless genius of the Nine Provinces and the pampered “Little Prince” of the Shen clan.

His only worry was when he would see Qi Ye again and how he could make it happen naturally.

Qi Ye, meanwhile, was terrified that he would never see Shen Qingzhuo again. Was his kindness just a passing whim? Will we go back to being strangers? Will he laugh with others later and say he was just playing with me?

The thought made Qi Ye’s mood plummet. Shen Qingzhuo’s dagger was still on his person, and he found himself darkly unwilling to return it. If he kept it, he would have at least one more reason to see the man again.

“How about this: I’ll walk you home first, then go see my cousin?” Shen Qingzhuo proposed.

Qi Ye looked up. Seeing that Shen Qingzhuo was actually asking for his permission and didn’t seem eager to use the message as an excuse to flee he felt a surge of hope.

Qi Ye nodded as if possessed, only to remember a moment later: he didn’t really have a home.

The Qi Estate was not a home to him. Qi Yannian didn’t dare remove his name from the family register, but Qi Ye had long since ceased to consider him a relative. He had no one in this world. But he had no intention of telling Shen Qingzhuo that.

Elsewhere, Qi Anning was in a fit of uncontrollable rage. He had smashed half the items in his room but still felt unsatisfied. He grabbed an iron spike, intent on destroying Qi Ye’s long-abandoned courtyard.

The servants were terrified. “Second Young Master, you mustn’t! The Master ordered that no one is to go near that courtyard!”

Anning grew even angrier, swinging the spike at them. “You lowly slaves! Do you not understand my orders? Who does Qi Ye think he is? Even you are defending him? I’ll beat you to death!”

Why did everyone see Qi Ye and the Young Master holding hands in the street? It’s just because Qi Ye is better at manipulation! The Young Master couldn’t truly love him! Since Qi Ye never even stepped foot in the Qi Estate anymore, Anning was determined to make his father kick him out for good, erasing every trace of his existence.

Qi Yannian arrived to find his adopted son weeping and berating the servants. He rushed over and took Anning into his arms. “What is going on here? Why are you all gathered here instead of working?!”

“Master ” a servant stammered. “The Second Young Master, he said he wanted to tear down the First Young Master’s courtyard.”

Anning’s eyes were red, and he sobbed even harder. “Father, I.”

At that moment, the butler arrived to report that Qi Ye had returned. And he wasn’t alone. Young Master Shen was with him.

Anning stopped crying instantly, his mouth falling open and his eyes widening in shock. Qi Yannian was equally stunned and hurried to the gates personally.

So, the Young Master truly takes the engagement seriously? Who said he came back to break it?

Qi Yannian bowed deeply to Shen Qingzhuo. By age, he was the elder, but by status… well, while both families were prominent, anyone with eyes knew that other clans were nothing compared to the Shens.

Qi Yannian calculated quickly. If he could please Shen Qingzhuo today, the rewards would be immense. The wealth and resources brought by his late wife were nearly exhausted; if the Young Master could grant him even a fraction more.

“Master Qi, there is no need for such formality,” Shen Qingzhuo said, gesturing for him to rise. “I am very satisfied with your son. Time is short today, but I shall return again soon.”