Transmigrated as the Villain and Driven Crazy by the Vengeful Male Lead - Chapter 71

Chapter 71: The Brow-Stroking Kill — With such a simple yet peculiar gesture…

Even though a light breeze brushed his face outside the hall, Lyu Shurao felt his face flush instantly.

…So, it wasn’t just him who remembered that night; Su Cheyue had remembered it all along too.

Yet, he felt an unspeakable sadness. He had viewed that night as an offense, a betrayal; he only dared to hide it in his heart, not daring to forget it, unable to forget it, but even more so not daring to bring it up or think about it.

But Su Cheyue didn’t seem to care at all; he could even treat it as a joke.

Lyu Shurao knew that after Su Cheyue returned, he would become someone who did whatever he pleased. Because he had no misgivings, he didn’t care; he treated everyone and everything with the same indifference.

Whether he was the one who helped resolve that night’s issue, or Tao Xuanxuan, or someone else—just as Su Cheyue himself had said, no one was that important. Anyone would do; it was all the same.

He was the male lead destined to look down upon the cultivation world with his sword; he wouldn’t be affected by such trivial personal desires. Once a dalliance was over, it was over. Besides, it wouldn’t be the only time; countless people would beg for him, and there would be thousands of such times in the future.

“A-Yao…?” Seeing his complexion worsening, Lyu Qingsong whispered, “It’s understandable for the Second Young Master to seek a better match. I never intended for you to waste your whole life by his side. But Su Xun’s divorce letter speaks far too harshly! I’m going in…”

“No need, Father.”

Lyu Shurao felt he was overthinking, being a bit temperamental, yet he didn’t know exactly what he was being temperamental about.

He just didn’t want to listen anymore. He quietly left the doorway and walked away dejectedly.

Can I please have some backbone? Do something productive.

For example, before the system finishes calculating the actual Hatred Value… go take another look at the Baoshan Sect’s medical hall.

He had been unable to let go of the cellar from that night. He heard that the young man he rescued had disappeared in the chaos. Before he left, he had to confirm that the Baoshan Sect was okay and safe.

He wasn’t sure where this obsession came from, nor did he want to delve deep into it. To him, transmigrating here and eventually back was just like completing a to-do list. He had arbitrarily added the Baoshan Sect matter as the final remaining task on the list. Once he checked it off, the list could be cleared and erased from his memory.

Lyu Qingsong accompanied him to the medical hall.

During the day, two medical cultivators were on duty. Seeing the Lyu family, they offered no pleasant expressions.

“Fellow cultivators, could you let me go in and take one more look?” Lyu Shurao offered a friendly smile.

“The Sect Master has ordered that no idle personnel are allowed to intrude upon the medical hall.”

“I’m not idle personnel,” Lyu Shurao said with extreme innocence, pulling open his belt to reveal his upper body covered in blood-stained bandages. “I’m injured. When a healer sees a wound, they must apply their art. Is that not right?”

The two medical cultivators exchanged looks. One seemed ready to compromise and took a step forward, but was stopped by the other: “No. Have you forgotten Senior Brother Li An’s instructions?”

Turning back to Lyu Shurao, he said: “Evil paths and heterodox ways are even less permitted inside.”

Lyu Shurao was truly infuriated. How was he an “evil path” again? The Stalactite Terrace had tortured him for three days—was that not enough?

Lyu Qingsong said, “A-Yao, forget it. Since they are so ungrateful, we don’t need to interfere in another sect’s affairs.”

Lyu Shurao harbored doubts. As the setting sun slanted to the side, he thought of coaxing Lyu Qingsong back first and returning to investigate at night when no one was around.

He cupped his hands and smiled at the two medical cultivators: “Thank you both for your high regard. Farewell.”

The two of them supported each other back to the Moon-Resting Pavilion, but the owner was still nowhere to be seen. Just as Lyu Shurao was about to see Lyu Qingsong back to the neighboring guest courtyard to rest, he heard him say: “A-Yao.”

“Tell me, what is really going on with your spiritual energy?”

Lyu Shurao was baffled by the question. This problem had bothered him for days, along with other matters, twisting and tangling in his heart into a terrible mess.

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about, Father.”

“The moment you strike, your spiritual energy is ghostly purple. Do you know what ghostly purple signifies?” Lyu Qingsong’s brow was tightly knit. “Twelve years ago, the Ghost Prison burst open, and many ghosts escaped to harm people. The power they released was eighty to ninety percent similar to yours now.”

Lyu Shurao was stunned for a moment.

“When you were young, your spiritual energy wasn’t pure blue. I only thought your spiritual root was different and didn’t take it to heart. But now…” He hesitated. “It’s too obvious to hide anymore.”

“A-Yao, our only option now, before the entire cultivation world finds out, is for you to return to Xifeng Ferry with me. We’ll have our own medical cultivators look at you and find out where the problem lies…”

“Brother.”

Before he could finish, Lyu Qingcheng’s voice came from behind them.

“Didn’t I tell you to go back first?”

“Brother,” Lyu Qingcheng stood far from the two of them, her eyes calm. “I have something to say to you.”

“What can’t be said in front of A-Yao? We are family.”

Since his younger son’s marriage, Lyu Qingsong had often pointedly reminded her that they were family, and there could be nothing else between them—she and Lyu Shurao could never be together.

But they also couldn’t become distant or estranged.

“I understand what you mean.” Since A-Yao returned and had a deep talk with her, she seemed much calmer. She treated her nephew with proper boundaries, which was exactly what Lyu Qingsong wanted to see.

“Wait until I finish talking with Brother, then Brother can decide whether he still wants to say such words.”

Lyu Shurao sensed something was slightly off, but he didn’t dwell on it. His mind was entirely occupied with the present and future of the Baoshan Sect, so he urged his father to go.

The neighboring courtyard door closed, as if shutting away the setting sun as night fell.

Lyu Shurao sighed. He didn’t enter his courtyard but headed back in the direction he came from.

The Moon-Resting Pavilion wasn’t particularly close to the medical hall. Su Cheyue had specifically chosen a remote location, leaving the area around the medical hall for building disciple dormitories so they could be treated promptly for any injuries or illnesses.

Yes, a good man who cares for others.

Lyu Shurao walked at a moderate pace. Just as he passed the long wall of the Moon-Resting Pavilion, his sleeve suddenly stirred, and the Duan-you whip extended out like a willow branch.

Lyu Shurao raised an eyebrow. “What now?”

“It’s not time for a fight yet. Don’t show your face unless I tell you. Don’t be in a hurry.”

Duan-you completely ignored him, coiling around his wrists and ankles, yet without any force, as if it were merely a shadow cast by moonlight staying on him.

“Hey…”

Someone embraced him from behind, bringing him back against the long wall. The person turned him around, pinning him against the wall, but without pressing or touching him. Instead, the person raised a hand near his ear and stroked his eyebrow.

Lyu Shurao: …

One look at this gesture and he knew who it was. One look at Duan-you’s reaction and he knew who it was.

Lyu Shurao said softly, “Second Young Master.”

The person didn’t respond.

Lyu Shurao was slightly taller than him. When he stroked his brow, he had to look up slightly and stand on his tiptoes.

Lyu Shurao, for some reason, relaxed his shoulders and shifted his legs out from the base of the wall, inconspicuously adjusting for the height difference.

It was as if he wanted to make it more comfortable for him to stroke.

Su Cheyue’s fingertips were warm, with a perfect hint of roughness, rubbing against Lyu Shurao’s brow. It brought an indescribable sense of comfort.

It was very quiet, very silent. With this simple yet peculiar gesture, both of them seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Until an unbearable heat surged in Lyu Shurao’s chest again.

“…Second Young Master…”

“Call me by my name.”

“Su Cheyue… Eh?”

Su Cheyue pressed down on his brow bone with slight annoyance.

What? What’s wrong now? Why is his temper almost the same after recovering his cultivation as it was before? I don’t see any hint of joy…

Su Cheyue said, “Lyu Shurao, how many times has it been?”

How many times what?

“You don’t stay in your room when you’re injured—where are you trying to escape to this time?”

“I… I wasn’t trying to escape.”

To be honest, he couldn’t get used to Su Cheyue’s sudden assertiveness. Before, when he was in a wheelchair, Lyu Shurao had served him with a smile, but in his heart, he knew who was strong and who was weak. Back then, if he had really wanted to do something to Su Cheyue—beat him up, or humiliate him—Su Cheyue wouldn’t have had the strength to resist.

It was only because he was kind-hearted and didn’t kick a tiger when it was down.

But now…

While Su Cheyue might not kill him with one strike, he could surely subdue him with a few more moves.

Subdue…

The original body’s tragic ending—throat-slitting and being cut into pieces—popped into his mind again.

No way, right? Is the system actually reliable? What is the Hatred Value now?

At the thought of this, Lyu Shurao’s legs grew weak. The slight restlessness brought on by Su Cheyue’s touch instantly vanished.

“Is that so?” Su Cheyue suddenly grabbed his face. “You clearly want to escape every single second.”

With his chin held in Su Cheyue’s hand, Lyu Shurao’s teeth chattered slightly, and his lips parted involuntarily. Su Cheyue’s deep gaze shifted downward, staring silently for a moment before he leaned in—

“No kissing!”

With his hands and feet restrained by Duan-you, he could only resist with his mouth. The moment the words left his mouth, he wished he could find a hole to crawl into.

As expected, Su Cheyue stopped at a very close distance, and a smile actually appeared on his lips again: “Who said I was going to kiss you?”

“…” Lyu Shurao was overwhelmed with shame. “It’s better if you weren’t.”

“Why?” Su Cheyue asked.

“Because you’ve already divorced me.”

Dammit! Did I bring my brain with me tonight?! The moment the words were out, Lyu Shurao began to curse himself inwardly. Why was every sentence so off and so embarrassing!

This was definitely not what he wanted to say! Definitely not!

Su Cheyue’s eyes flickered. “You heard?”

“…Yes.”

“How much did you hear?”

How much could I hear? I heard you read the divorce letter once, and you didn’t forget to use that night’s events to lash out at me!

Lyu Shurao turned his head: “Let go of me.”

Su Cheyue said, “Duan-you is your spiritual weapon.”

“But it listens to you, not me!”

Su Cheyue seemed indifferent. “If you don’t like it, you can throw it away.”

“…”

“You can’t do this, Su Cheyue.” He suddenly felt aggrieved. He had done so much for him, worked so hard to make Su Cheyue better—how could he turn around and toy with him like this?

Binding him, teasing him, kissing him…

Yes, he was the male lead. Whether he showed pity or trampled on someone was entirely up to his whim. After all, everyone loved him, everyone was willing to bow down to him, be his devoted follower, or his plaything.

But Lyu Shurao wasn’t willing. He wasn’t willing.

“You can go find Tao Xuanxuan, go find Lyu Qingcheng, go find any of your other fair maidens or handsome companions, just don’t find me.”

Once emotions flared, his words became childish and illogical, completely disregarding others’ feelings. He just didn’t want Su Cheyue to treat him this way.

Su Cheyue looked at him for a while and said, “Are you jealous?”

Lyu Shurao was stunned. Jealous of what? Jealous of whom? What did being jealous mean?

“I don’t know why you mentioned Lyu Qingcheng. From the day you, Lyu Shurao, came to the Su family, I have had nothing to do with her. As for Tao Xuanxuan,” Su Cheyue usually spoke steadily and slowly, but now his speed was fast, “I forced my spiritual power to accelerate the healing process to rush back from Pingluan. She was worried my body hadn’t fully recovered, so she followed me. He Zixu is heavily poisoned; she won’t stay long and will set off shortly.”

Lyu Shurao listened for a long while and caught one key point: “…Why did you force the acceleration?”

Su Cheyue looked at him and said, “Do you want to know?”

Lyu Shurao: “…”

If you want to tell me, tell me. If not, then don’t. Why keep testing me? If I didn’t want to know, why would I ask?

What a strange question, and a strange Su Cheyue.

“So, you are jealous.” Su Cheyue seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “It’s not hate.”

“What hate?—Pah, wait, it’s not jealousy either!”

“Hating the kiss.” Su Cheyue helped him stand straight, looking up at him slightly. “Or perhaps hating a kiss between men.”

He had never forgotten Lyu Shurao’s physical reaction when seeing the intimacy between Chang and Jiang in the illusion of Zhuohua Palace.

At that time, he felt Lyu Shurao was repulsed. So after falling in love, he had been cautious, not daring to reveal his feelings or get close. Aside from the self-deprecation caused by his leg injury, a large part was due to Lyu Shurao’s avoidance.

He always remembered how Lyu Shurao avoided him like he’d seen a ghost after New Year’s Eve. He knew, so he didn’t want to force him. He thought he could refrain from forcing him.

Until Lyu Shurao left without saying goodbye, leaving cleanly and decisively. Even though Su Cheyue had sealed his own spiritual points to try and keep him, he still left at his most painful and weakest moment.

Su Cheyue didn’t even want to recall how agonizing those thirty-three days of separation were. It was as if a newly bloomed bud had been thrown into a cold, damp rain, leaving him lost and dejected.

Because it had just bloomed, it was so fragile it couldn’t bear even a hint of loss.

Fortunately, he found him.

Su Cheyue closed his eyes slightly, pushing away the damp feeling of heartbreak from the past thirty days.

“Do you hate it?”

He asked once more.

Until the second before Su Cheyue asked this question, Lyu Shurao hadn’t realized it.

When Su Cheyue kissed him, he seemed to have forgotten everything he used to detest—Lyu Yizhou and Azhou, Chang Huaichen and Jiang Zhiqing. He had unilaterally hated all relationships and sexual orientations that ruined his childhood and life.

He shouldn’t have forgotten. This kind of relationship had brought him nothing but humiliation, resentment, and harm.

Why? Why did he have no such thoughts when Su Cheyue kissed him? Why was he only realizing it now?

He should have found it unacceptable.

But Su Cheyue was looking at him. Under the watery night, his eyes were more shimmering and moving than the starry curtain.

So, the word “hate” reached his lips, but was melted into “don’t like” by the warmth of the person before him.

“…Yes, I don’t like it.”

Su Cheyue’s gaze dimmed for a moment, and he took a step back. Duan-you promptly slipped back onto Lyu Shurao’s wrist.

“Very well,” Su Cheyue said. “At least if you don’t like it, you will say it now.”

He turned around, but Lyu Shurao reached out and pulled him: “Where are you going?”

“Are you concerned about me?” Su Cheyue looked back.

Lyu Shurao said, “Eh? No… I know you don’t need my concern or care now. I just…”

“Just what?”

Just what? Hurry up and find something to say, you stupid mouth!

“I just wanted to tell you… I accidentally broke the Stalactite Terrace with the whip… destroyed it…”

Upon hearing this, Su Cheyue’s face suddenly went cold.

Seeing his cold face, Lyu Shurao thought he was angry again, feeling half-nervous and half-miserable.

This is the Su Cheyue from the original book—he gets angry whenever things don’t go his way, and when he’s angry, he starts a fight, treating everyone and everything the same.

Su Cheyue asked, “Who made you go to the Stalactite Terrace?”

“Was it Uncle?”

Lyu Shurao nodded, then shook his head. “Not entirely. They all said there was something wrong with my spiritual energy, so I thought I’d go to the Stalactite Terrace to purify it before seeing you…”

“What’s wrong with your spiritual energy?”

“I don’t know.” Lyu Shurao thought for a bit and added piteously: “Don’t be angry.”

Su Cheyue stood there, looking at him for a while. Lyu Shurao felt uncomfortable under his burning gaze and lowered his head slightly, but he didn’t let go of the hand he was holding.

Su Cheyue turned back, his tone cool and clear: “Then you kiss me.”

Lyu Shurao: Ah?

“Aren’t you always afraid of me being angry? You kiss me.”