Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 63

Chapter 63: There’s a Traitor! I will remember the way you looked when you were angry for my sake.

The distance between Pingluan and Huailing was much shorter than the trek to Luzhou. Lv Shuyao used a Thousand-Mile Sound Transmission and quickly received a reply from Qinzhu.

“Young Master!” Qinzhu was very excited. “Where are you guys? Was the journey smooth? Are your injuries healed? Is the Second Young Master’s leg better?”

Lv Shuyao patiently answered each question. “We are in Pingluan Town. The injuries are healed, and there’s been a breakthrough with the Second Young Master’s leg. However, his spiritual veins are currently unstable, so he can’t transmit voice to you over such a long distance.”

“You don’t use the Transmission Spell often; don’t say too much at once, or you’ll choke.”

“Can you choke using spiritual power? I feel fine!” The girl’s voice chirped like a sparrow. “Young Master, we’ve learned all the food you taught us to make. You must come and try it next time; it’s guaranteed to be delicious!”

Lv Shuyao’s smile was audible. “Good, I’ll definitely go.”

“Remember to bring the Second Young Master!”

Lv Shuyao instinctively glanced at Su Cheyue beside him. Su Cheyue easily sensed his gaze: “Are they asking about me?”

“Yes, they said they want to invite you to dinner when there’s a chance.”

“Are you going?”

Lv Shuyao said: “Of course.”

Su Cheyue nodded: “I can go.”

Lv Shuyao transmitted back: “The Second Young Master agreed.”

“That’s great!” Her joy was palpable even across a thousand miles.

Lv Shuyao said: “Before that, there is something I need your help with.”

He informed Qinzhu about the situation with the He family’s Spirit Treasure Shop. On the other end, she spoke indignantly: “It’s about time someone dealt with them! He Zixuan used to come to our Palace all the time, using visits as an excuse to constantly ask…”

She paused.

“…Ask Jiang Zhiqing for the treasures in the Palace. Jiang Zhiqing turned him away every time. I heard that the items in their shops are incredibly expensive. Some cultivators have to work in their mines day and night for a month just to buy a single pill…”

“If we really catch them, we should use the Zhuohua Palace’s official punishments! The ones the former Palace Master made up to scare us can finally be put to use—”

Lv Shuyao said: “Keep He Zixuan alive. As for the other servants just following orders… just keep them confined. Even captives have the right to be treated well.”

Qinzhu: “Oh…”

Lv Shuyao cut to the chase: “I will follow He Zixuan over there. As for the Palace—”

“Young Master, are you coming over immediately? Will the Second Young Master come too?”

“The Second Young Master’s leg hasn’t fully recovered; he won’t be coming with me on this trip.”

“That won’t do!” Qinzhu seemed to be shaking her head vigorously on the other end. “The Second Young Master cannot be without you.”

Lv Shuyao froze for a second. “…Is that so?”

The man himself certainly didn’t say that.

“Young Master, don’t worry, I can handle the mere He clan!” She seemed to be thumping her chest. “Didn’t you say we have to become independent eventually?”

Lv Shuyao still felt uneasy.

“If there’s any problem, I’ll transmit to you at any time, okay?” Qinzhu said. “Young Master, you really don’t need to come personally. Stay in the town and take good care of the Second Young Master! If you come, I’ll get nervous, and if I’m nervous, I won’t perform well! I don’t want outsiders saying Zhuohua Palace has to rely on a Young Master from Xifeng Ferry to survive…”

Lv Shuyao couldn’t win the argument and agreed: “Fine.”

“If anything unexpected happens, you must contact me.”

After cutting off the transmission, He Zixu said in surprise: “I didn’t expect your private relationship to be so good. The outside world says that you, Lv Shuyao, have seized the power of life and death over Zhuohua Palace.”

Rumors truly fly! He was so elegant and approachable; how did he get a reputation for being fierce and wicked?

“It’s a long story.” Lv Shuyao didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Now, it’s up to you, Young Master He.”

“That part is easy. I only need to spread some news, and Second Brother will surely take the bait. By comparison,” He Zixu looked at the two of them, “it seems harder to hear you call me ‘Zixu’.”

…That’s because I haven’t found a way to save you yet, Lv Shuyao thought silently.

…

The black-clad girl led the servants into the West Wing.

“Young Master, Tao Xuanxuan is here.”

He Zixuan stood up, opening his fan. “A rare guest.” Seeing Tao Xuanxuan’s somber face, he smiled fawnishly: “Who provoked our Young Mistress? You look so upset.”

He reached out to touch her baby-face. “Like an apple, and all dirty too. Let me wipe it for you.”

Tao Xuanxuan slapped him across the face.

“Young Master!” The confidant stepped forward, but He Zixuan stopped him. “Eh.”

He touched the corner of his mouth, looking as if he enjoyed being hit. There was a greedy playfulness in his eyes: “Is this how you treat my fifth brother?”

“No wonder he’s head over heels for you. Even I am becoming enchanted.”

He Zixuan pressed his fan against the side of her face. “What’s the good in staying with him as a ‘living widow’? Come to my side; I can give you anything you want.”

Tao Xuanxuan gave a cold smile, her reflection like an apple on the white fan: “I want you dead.”

He Zixuan was shameless: “Sure. If it’s in bed…”

Utterly disgusted, Tao Xuanxuan threw off his hand. “Get out.”

He Zixuan laughed loudly. “You think that with just you and these mediocre servants, you can really kick me out?”

“Where is Lv Shuyao? What, he’s unwilling to help you?”

“Arson in a residence—you should be taken to the town yamen to be dealt with.”

He Zixuan laughed until he clutched his stomach. “Tao Xuanxuan, are you really Tao Zhongran’s child? You actually think you can punish me with mortal laws? It’s laughably naive.”

Tao Xuanxuan said: “There is nothing wrong with being a mortal.”

“That’s because He Zixu can only be a piece of trash now, a mortal-like piece of trash!” He insulted his brother as if he were a stranger. “Tao Xuanxuan, you are a famous figure in the cultivation world. You shouldn’t fall into ruin with him!”

Tao Xuanxuan clenched her fists, her spiritual power surging.

He Zixuan watched and teased: “You are no match for me.”

“Young Master!”

Another confidant rushed in, whispering in his ear. He Zixuan’s expression changed slightly. “Is the news certain?”

“A scout from Huailing reports it’s likely true. The Fourth Young Master has already set out.”

“The current Palace Master of Zhuohua is just a slip of a girl…”

He Zixuan weighed his options for two seconds, then glanced at Tao Xuanxuan. “Babe, I have urgent business now. I’ll come back to see you in a few days.”

Tao Xuanxuan ignored him and struck out with a palm of spiritual power, which He Zixuan caught firmly. “I told you, you’re no match for me. Are you trying to throw yourself into my arms, Tao Xuanxuan?”

“You had better not show your face again,” Tao Xuanxuan glared at him. “Otherwise, I have a hundred other ways to kill you.”

He Zixuan showed no fear. As he passed her, he whispered: “I will definitely show up again… I hope by then, the shops in Pingluan can be our wedding gift.”

As they hurried out, a confidant asked: “Young Master, should we take him with us?”

“No need,” He Zixuan said. “Didn’t he just discover Su Cheyue’s secret? That’s also a peerless treasure. Let him stay here and keep a close eye on it for me.”

…

Five days later.

Lv Shuyao was in the West Wing when he received a transmission from Zhuohua Palace. He stepped into He Zixu’s room. “Qinzhu?”

“Young Master!”

“How is it going?”

Qinzhu was high-spirited: “Young Master, it went very smoothly! They led a raid on Zhuohua Palace overnight. I purposely left a gap in the barrier. Just as they were about to attack a junior disciple to force information out, I appeared and caught them red-handed!”

“Guess what? They started fighting each other first! The second and fourth brothers were accusing each other of giving out fake news! Young Master, this was my first time fighting; it was so satisfying!”

Lv Shuyao couldn’t help but laugh. “No one was hurt, right? I mean, on our side.”

“No, don’t worry! I’ve captured them all! How should we deal with them now?”

“Has the Bounty Order been issued?”

“Yes. Many rogue cultivators heard about it and gathered at Zhuohua Palace today. By tomorrow at the latest, the whole world will know about the dirty deeds they did in the past.”

Lv Shuyao nodded in satisfaction; the girl was very capable.

“Keep them. They’ll still be of use to your Second Young Master.”

“Okay, okay! Young Master, did you tell the Second Young Master about my heroic performance?”

Lv Shuyao said: “The Second Young Master has been receiving treatment these past few days and is resting. When he’s feeling better, I’ll tell him everything.”

To keep Tao Xuanxuan steady, and because Lv Shuyao was truly worried about Su Cheyue’s health, he had been urging Tao Xuanxuan every day to continue the needle treatments for Su Cheyue.

“Got it, Young Master. But there’s one more thing that’s a bit strange…”

“What?” Lv Shuyao and He Zixu exchanged a look.

“When I caught He Zixuan, his panic was very brief. He even said something like, ‘So Fifth Brother knows how to play the double agent game too,’ and ‘So what if the Bounty Order is missing? There are even better treasures in this world’…”

Lv Shuyao realized something was wrong and lowered his voice: “I understand. You all protect yourselves. Do not let your guard down.”

The transmission cut off again. After hearing Lv Shuyao’s recount, He Zixu immediately seized the key point: “Double agent?”

“What does that mean? Does it mean there’s one of his people near us?”

Lv Shuyao couldn’t help but feel anxious. “Do you know who it is?”

He Zixu lowered his eyes in thought. “Second Brother didn’t know I was in Pingluan Town initially. Although he followed you, he couldn’t follow too closely, so he found the He Manor several days after you did. How did they find it?”

Lv Shuyao said: “I can’t think of it.”

“And the location of the arson—why did it start specifically in the East Wing? You are the biggest threat in his plan. At that time, only by luring you away could he be certain of killing me and Zhouzhou. So he chose the Second Young Master’s room.”

“But the Second Young Master wasn’t there when he appeared that day. How did he know exactly where the Second Young Master was in such a short time?”

Lv Shuyao suddenly remembered the servant who opened the gate for He Zixuan that day. The servant hadn’t even asked where the guest came from; at the first sight of him, the servant had bowed and stepped aside.

“The lanterns,” He Zixu recalled. “A-Tong was the one who went to buy the lanterns. It was New Year’s Eve; Second Brother purposely commissioned lanterns with the character ‘He’ on them to ‘wait for the rabbit.’ He lured A-Tong into approaching out of curiosity, and then induced him to betray us.”

He Zixu’s tone grew cold. “Where is he now?”

When he realized no one was answering him, he looked up and saw that the tall figure who had been standing by the bed had already vanished.

…

The East Wing courtyard was very quiet in the afternoon. Equally quiet was Su Cheyue, who lay on the bed with his eyes closed. This was the scene Lv Shuyao saw as he burst into the room. It was rare for Su Cheyue to sleep so soundly; even though the moment Lv Shuyao pushed the door open, he kicked up a cloud of dust, Su Cheyue didn’t wake despite the commotion.

This was very wrong.

A youth with double buns stood in attendance by the side, looking at the person sleeping on the bed. His expression was indifferent.

“Su Cheyue? Su Cheyue!”

No matter how much Lv Shuyao called, Su Cheyue wouldn’t open his eyes. He suddenly turned his gaze toward A-Tong.

A-Tong met his gaze. The ferocity in Lv Shuyao’s eyes was impossible to hide, yet A-Tong showed no fear. Instead, he looked more puzzled: “You…”

“What did you do to him?” Lv Shuyao stood up, approaching him step by step.

A-Tong’s eyes flickered. “I…”

He looked quite stunned. As Lv Shuyao pressed closer, he could only retreat, looking up with effort. Backed into a corner with nowhere left to run, he looked at the wall helplessly, then looked back. His lips pressed together, showing a hint of dissatisfaction: “Lv…”

Lv Shuyao grabbed him by the neck.

A-Tong’s eyes widened, his pupils a deep brown.

“Speak!”

A red mark quickly appeared on A-Tong’s neck, his breathing half-stifled. The pulse under Lv Shuyao’s palm was racing. A-Tong propped his hand against the wall, instinctively wanting to close his eyes. Lv Shuyao lifted his thin eyelids, his thumb pressing against A-Tong’s jawbone: “Keep your eyes open.”

The brow of the person pinned to the wall twitched slightly, as if he found it hard to endure, yet also as if he were dangerously enjoying it. He suddenly opened his eyes and gave a meaningful smile.

Lv Shuyao was startled.

But immediately, remembering what he was doing, he continued to tighten his grip: “I asked what you did to him!”

“Do you… care that much?” A-Tong asked.

Lv Shuyao’s eyes were like a dark moon, his voice terrifyingly deep. “Who are you to think you’re worthy of touching him?”

“I… am not worthy. But then… why did you hand him over to someone else?”

“I don’t have time for your nonsense.” The killing intent in his usually clear puppy-dog eyes overflowed. He choked him until his face was flushed: “I’ll count to three. If you don’t speak, I’ll kill you.”

“One.”

The person under his palm was forced to tears. A thin layer of moisture brimmed from his eyes, wetting the corners like a handful of overflowing morning dew clinging to the edge of a tender bud, refusing to fall.

Lv Shuyao’s eyes narrowed, his heart racing restlessly.

He didn’t have a deep impression of this youth’s appearance, but the confrontation at such close proximity stirred a strange heat in him—it felt like playing with and destroying a familiar yet fragile beloved object.

And he felt a bizarre pleasure from it.

But right now he was saving someone; it was for Su Cheyue’s safety. He cast aside these stray, groundless thoughts.

“Two!”

A-Tong grabbed his wrist, his gaze tender. His lips parted slightly as he swallowed with difficulty, his Adam’s apple rolling against Lv Shuyao’s palm like a deer’s hoof scratching against the wall of his heart.

Lv Shuyao suppressed his emotions: “Three.”

A-Tong released his wrist and voluntarily raised both hands, pressing them against the wall.

Lv Shuyao let go: “Speak!”

“I’ll speak.” His chest heaved as he panted, the moisture in his eyes receding, but the corners of his mouth hooked upward.

“I will remember the way you looked when you were angry for my sake.”