Chapter 24

Chapter 24

Yunzhou, bordering the capital, is bustling with trade and brimming with peaceful inhabitants; countless caravans enter and leave its gates daily.

As the trio caught sight of the city gates from afar, Mu Jian Shu reined in his horse, slowly trotting to join the queue entering the city before dismounting.

With one hand on the reins, he stretched out his arms to help Xue Fu Guang off his horse.

Xue Fu Guang glanced at him and, gripping the saddle, eased himself down from the horseback.

As his feet touched the ground, a fleeting sense of weakness washed over his legs.

Mu Jian Shu supported his shoulder, leaning in to ask softly, "My lord, are you alright?"

Xue Fu Guang, clenching his teeth, responded, "Teach me to ride on the way to Dingzhou."

Mu Jian Shu paused briefly, then asked, "Is my lord no longer afraid of horses?"

Xue Fu Guang shook his head, his lips a pale shade, and murmured, "Let's speak within the city."

Shao Jing followed behind them, leading the horses, as he pulled Xi Jin out of a sack. He dressed him in tattered linen and smeared mud over any visible parts of his body to disguise him as a little beggar.

It was his first time undertaking such a task, and he was nervous, eagerly seeking a sense of security from Xue Fu Guang.

He saw Qu Wu, the handsome-faced guard who had removed his mask, looking indifferent despite being the lord’s shadow guard, yet seemingly brotherly in presence.

Shao Jing muttered under his breath, "Just because he's more handsome, doesn't make him any more remarkable."

Xue Fu Guang turned and instructed Shao Jing in a low voice, "Later, stick to the story I told you and don't panic."

Shao Jing nodded repeatedly; comforted by his master's words, he cast aside any lingering unhappiness, almost ready to thump his chest in assurance to Xue Fu Guang.

Entering the city went very smoothly.

Mu Jian Shu's bearing was quite intimidating, the spitting image of someone from a highborn family; his silent, expressionless stance alone was enough to cow the city guards into reticence, fearful of offending someone above their station.

Once inside the city, the trio found an inn to settle down in.

Shao Jing and Mu Jian Shu went out to arrange meals and plan for their departure the next day, while Xue Fu Guang ordered the inn's errand boy to bring up a bucket of hot water for washing.

They would have to take a shorter route to reach Dingzhou before Xue Hong Wen’s party, for there would be few chances to cleanse themselves before entering the city.

He undressed, his brows furrowing slightly as he slipped off his undergarments.

Looking down, he saw a startling patch of red.

A palm-sized piece of skin had been rubbed raw, revealing the bloody flesh beneath, oozing with traces of blood – a ghastly sight to behold.

As Xue Fu Guang peeled away the undergarments stuck to his wound, he couldn't help but inhale sharply from the pain.

Tossing the bloodied garment aside, he gritted his teeth, stepped into the bath, cleaned himself thoroughly, and then applied a bruise balm to his wounds.

After tending to his injuries, he changed into clean clothes.

With a "click," the door opened.

Mu Jian Shu entered.

The bath had already been removed.

The table was laid with the items prepared earlier for disguise.

Mu Jian Shu's skill in disguise was one of the reasons Xue Fu Guang dared to leave the capital.

Walking out with his current appearance would draw even more attention than Mu Jian Shu’s conspicuous presence; if not concealed, they'd hardly leave Yunzhou before his royal father could dispatch men to capture him.

Xue Fu Guang, holding the materials Mu Jian Shu had provided, looked them over for a while, somewhat at a loss on how to begin.

Mu Jian Shu’s gaze slowly swept around before he stepped forward in a low voice, “My lord, put on your coat to avoid the chill. Allow me to assist you.”

Xue Fu Guang nodded and said, "Alright." He casually draped a coat over himself and settled back at the table. Seeing that Mu Jian Shu had readied the items in his hands, he instinctively closed his eyes and tilted his head back to face Mu Jian Shu, making it easier for him to work.

The light from outside the window was still present, casting scattered orange hues that draped over the young man's figure within the room.

Xue Fu Guang's body was still enveloped in the mist of his recent bath. His damp, jet-black hair hung loosely behind him, and his porcelain face, flushed from the hot water or perhaps tinted by the sunset, had a captivating warmth to it.

His chin slightly raised, the open neckline of his pure white undershirt revealed a stretch of slender, snowy neck and the subtle protrusion of his collarbone, becoming all the more alluring.

His dense eyelashes cast shadows on his delicate skin, and his hands rested obediently on his knees, waiting patiently for Mu Jian Shu to proceed.

Completely unaware, his appearance of full-hearted trust was incredibly difficult to resist.

Mu Jian Shu's throat was dry; he clenched his fingers, tightened them, then released, repeating the process to suppress his intense, surging desire and impulse. The emotions in his dark eyes broke through like ice shattering, as if taking advantage of the other's closed eyes to greedily survey him without restraint.

Just as Xue Fu Guang was about to open his eyes due to Mu Jian Shu's prolonged inactivity, Mu Jian Shu's fingers touched his cheek.

The rough calluses on the fingertips grazed his jawline, inching along to measure the dimensions of his facial features. The slight tickle made Xue Fu Guang's eyelashes flutter.

Mu Jian Shu's exploring on his face was gentle and excruciatingly slow. Xue Fu Guang, after a long wait, felt the fingers tracing his lips move towards the corner of his eyes, lingering there, failing to climb over the brow bone, prompting a slight furrow in his brow, "You can be quicker, no need to be so exceedingly cautious."

In a hoarse voice, Mu Jian Shu replied, "Yes."

The voice was so soft that it gave Xue Fu Guang the false impression that Mu Jian Shu was very close to his ear.

After being urged, Mu Jian Shu indeed sped up his pace, determining the position of the brow bone and the temples, releasing his hand just before Xue Fu Guang opened his eyes, and added, "Applying the mask may feel slightly uncomfortable, if my lord finds it unpleasant, you can wait to apply the face skin until we depart in the morning."

Hearing this, Xue Fu Guang half-opened his eyelids only to close them again, "No need, we'll leave as soon as the city gates open tomorrow morning; let's prepare everything tonight."

After speaking, he remembered something he had forgotten and said to Mu Jian Shu, "Shao Jing has two masks; go and ask him for them later. I had him bring them out when we left."

The fingers pressed against his face suddenly exerted more pressure, and Mu Jian Shu's voice was laden with deep emotion, "Thank you, my lord."

"I had thought, after speaking out of turn that day, I had angered my lord."

He was referring to the time Xue Fu Guang thought he was pitying himself.

Xue Fu Guang pulled his coat closer around himself, "Not at all. The masks were already planned; the shop had just finished them when we left—why are you so talkative today?"

Mu Jian Shu closed his mouth and did not speak again, and Xue Fu Guang felt an uneasy silence.

He gently pressed his arm above his abdomen, and after a moment, propped his palm on his leg, his mouth corners taut.

The wound on the thigh felt uncomfortable the moment it brushed against the undergarment.

There was also a significant discomfort in the stomach.

This body is truly undependable, yet isn't it unfortunate that after surviving all sorts of ordeals post-exile, it would succumb to such frailty?

Xue Fuguang was angry at himself, his mood oppressively somber, and the body that was already suffering felt even worse.

All these slight movements did not escape Mu Jian Shu’s watchful eyes.

As Mu Jian Shu busily worked on his face, and the mask was about to take shape, Shao Jing also returned.

He carefully shut the door and came over to marvel at the young master's greatly altered appearance, exclaiming in astonishment, "My lord, with this new face, you could walk out, and even if the prince came himself, he wouldn't recognize you. I never knew Qu Wu had such skill."

He chuckled heartily, genuinely praising Mu Jian Shu: "Amazing! Could you also craft a mask for me that looks like our lord's? It doesn't have to be as handsome, just better looking than I am, hehe."

In front of Shao Jing, Mu Jian Shu reverted to being a man of few words, taciturn as ever: "No."

Shao Jing: "?? Why not?!"

Mu Jian Shu brushed aside a stray lock of hair from Xue Fuguang's temple and stepped back slightly: "My lord, it is done."

Xue Fuguang opened his eyes, explaining to Shao Jing, "Being too attractive draws attention. This time it’s for a task, another time when we go out for leisure, then I’ll let him craft a handsome mask for you."

Shao Jing looked smugly at Mu Jian Shu: "Thank you, my lord!"

"By the way, I have ordered some food from the tavern, it will be brought up shortly. Is there anything specific my lord would like to eat?"

Xue Fuguang shook his head: "Just remember to tie up Xiu Jin securely, make sure he doesn't wake up and escape."

Shao Jing nodded repeatedly.

Mu Jian Shu, who was packing up the leftover materials at the side, went downstairs and soon returned with a bowl of fish soup: "My lord’s medicinal tonic."

Xue Fuguang, well aware of the burdens his body carried, took the bowl and slowly sipped until it was empty.

……

In the evening, Mu Jian Shu stayed in Xue Fuguang’s room, while Shao Jing kept watch over Xiu Jin in the next room. Even during sleep, he tied Xiu Jin’s arm to his own with a rope, exceedingly vigilant.

This marked the first time Xue Fuguang ventured far from the royal residence since his rebirth.

Wearied by the relentless journey by boat and carriage, he slept profoundly, his exhaustion weighing him down.

He was utterly unaware that the man guarding his room silently leaned over the bedside after he fell asleep, gingerly lifting his undergarment to apply ointment to the scars on the insides of his thighs.

The extensive scars stretched across the pristine flesh, a jarring and harrowing sight.

The man's movements were meticulous as he replaced the undergarment, his gaze growing intense when he touched the scars on Xue Fuguang's calves and knees, and after a moment, he bowed his head, bestowing kisses meticulously, inch by inch.

The human skin mask had a limited duration, especially the ones crafted by Mu Jianshu, which would show flaws within three days at most, risking detection.

The next morning, at the break of dawn, the trio departed from the inn.

Meanwhile, four carriages left the city one after the other, each heading in a different direction.

Such tricks could only deceive for so long; they needed to spur their horses on to reach Dingzhou swiftly.

Xue Fuguang still remembered that he had to learn horseback riding; with the rampant banditry in Dingzhou, it could prove useful should an emergency arise.

He was always harsh on himself, even if terrified of falling from the horse or being jolted uncomfortably, he rarely asked Mu Jianshu to slow down.

Fortunately, Mu Jianshu proved to be a capable instructor indeed.

Over the course of several days, Xue Fuguang had actually picked up some equestrian skills; by any means, he was now barely able to guide the horse by himself.

He tied a soft pad to his thigh, which eased the chafing considerably; skin that broke the previous day would heal by itself upon waking the next.

Xue Fuguang attributed this to the daily consumption of medicinal herbs.

With such a plethora of tonics ingested, there surely had to be some effect.

On that day, in late May, the weather grew increasingly hot.

Xue Fuguang finally shed his heavy garments in favor of lighter clothing, though still thicker than what most would wear.

Leading his horse by the reins, Xue Fuguang proceeded through the woods, the horse's hooves clopping rhythmically.

The sky was overcast, with a downpour imminent, darkening the woods as if dusk approached.

Mu Jianshu followed close behind, supporting Xue Fuguang's waist with one hand and resting the other on the reins, just in case.

Xue Fuguang inquired, "It has been over half a month; elder brother should arrive in Dingzhou in two or three days. When will we be able to get there?"

They were few in number, not requiring a large encampment for rest, and Mu Jian Shu had taken shortcuts; they should arrive in Dingzhou earlier than Xue Hongwen and his party.

Mu Jian Shu responded, "We are nearing Dingzhou now; we can enter the city before dusk. A heavy rain is coming, and with the large number of troops, their pace will be much slower than ours, my lord need not worry."

Xue Fuguang nodded, “Good.”

He turned his head to look at Shao Jing.

More precisely, his gaze was on Xiujin, who was tied up behind Shao Jing.

Over the past half-month, every time Xiujin awoke, he was forcibly fed gruel to barely sustain his life before being knocked unconscious again.

Shao Jing was whimsical but vigilant enough to heed Xue Fuguang's commands, staying close at all times, ensuring that even Xiujin's protagonist's aura didn’t afford him a chance to escape.

Now, it was time for his "protagonist" aura to play its part.

Xue Fuguang commanded, “Shao Jing, untie him and leave him under that large tree ahead.” The impending rain would wash away their tracks, conveniently discarding him here.

Without a word, Shao Jing untied the sack and dropped Xiujin from the horseback.

“Let’s go.”

Shao Jing expressed his concern with slight apprehension, “Master, if we leave him here and he encounters bandits, what if he dies?”

It wasn’t that he was worried about the troublesome Xiujin, but rather the potential trouble for his master if the crown prince were to investigate Xiujin's death.

Xue Fuguang chuckled.

As if on cue, the dark sky suddenly tore open with a crack of lightning, as though the heavens themselves were split asunder.

The bright white light illuminated Xue Fuguang’s face, the mirth in his dark eyes flickering, his countenance utterly alien to his usual demeanor yet still exuding an intimidating beauty, “Don’t worry, he won’t die. Even if everyone else on this earth were to perish, he would survive.”

Having said that, he pulled the reins and continued towards Dingzhou.

The heavens returned to darkness, with the rumbling of thunder rolling in like the roar of a colossal beast.

In the text, Xiujin had no conflicts with the crown prince nor had he attempted to flee the palace.

However, the issue of Dingzhou's bandits was intricately linked to him.

His elder brother, Xue Hongwen, was lauded as the War God of Jingguo. At seventeen, he triumphed in his first battle and seldom faced defeat thereafter. His title as the War God was well-earned.

The people of Jingguo grew up on the stories of him defending the northern borders, their reverence for him immense. Even the mountain bandits of Dingzhou were subjects of Jingguo; though outlaws, their respect for Xue Hongwen was undiminished.

Moreover, Xue Hongwen was neither rash nor heartless, not one to mercilessly strike at bandits, driving them to desperation.

For various reasons, even the troublesome bandits of Dingzhou were unlikely to cost Xue Hongwen his life.

They should have never made an attempt on Xue Hongwen’s life.

Yet the fact was that Xue Hongwen was dead.

Killed by the very people of Jingguo whom he had sworn to protect.

All because there was a strategist among the bandits, a master of manipulation.

This strategist, named Feng Wenhua, was one of Xiujin’s mad dogs. The crown prince, seeking to eliminate a rival in love and to vent for Xiujin, had invited him to conspire, leading Xue Hongwen to his doom.

Round and round it went, but it always came back to Xiujin.

Whenever Xue Fuguang thought of the cause of his elder brother’s death, he couldn't help but laugh.

If it weren't for the script’s twists, how could a man like his brother have ever fallen for Xiujin?

Let alone become an irrational mad dog, scrambling frantically with a crowd?

This time, he personally delivered Xiujin into the hands of Feng Wenhua.

With Xiujin out of the picture, he was curious to see whether the crown prince would continue his alliance with Feng Wenhua or turn against him.

*

When Xiujin awoke, he found himself in a crude room.

He vaguely saw a man's figure by the bed and, frightened, clutched the bedding tightly, shrinking into the corner: "Who are you!?"

Feng Wenhua turned abruptly, his face alight with joy, "You’re awake!? It’s me, Feng Wenhua. Three years ago in Dingzhou, you saved me on the street and even gave me all the money you had on you, remember?"

Xiujin was stunned, unable to recall the man before him, but it didn’t prevent a sigh of relief, "I'm sorry, I don't remember. But it’s good you’re still alive. By the way, was it you who rescued me? Do you know who kidnapped me?"

Feng Wenhua’s smile was gentle, "My men found you in the mountains outside Dingzhou city and saw no trace of others. Don’t you know how you got here? If you can describe something about your captors, as long as they haven’t left Dingzhou, I can help you find them."

Xiujin shook his head blankly, "I don't remember. They blindfolded me, and every time I woke up, they would force-feed me a bowl of porridge and then knock me out again. I just remember that they seemed to be on the road constantly… Ah, there’s no need to search for them. I’m still in one piece, which means they didn’t intend to harm me. You needn’t go to the trouble, Brother Feng."

He gave a shy smile, "Thank you, Brother Feng. If not for you, I might already be fodder for the wild beasts in the mountains."

Feng Wenhua tucked him in, comforting, "No thanks are necessary. Without you, Feng would have long been dead. Rest well here, and if there’s anything you need, just let me know. Don’t worry."

Xiujin nodded, curling up under the covers, and soon closed his eyes to sleep.

Feng Wenhua left the room, his gaze ominously dark.

On the move...? I should check who has been traveling to Dingzhou in the past two days and conduct a thorough search.

His naïve and kind-hearted little Xiujin needs the protection of others, to show those who covet him that he is not someone they can harm at will.

*

The rain poured down in torrents.

The three of them made it to the main road before the heavy rain, taking shelter in a roadside tea pavilion.

Rainwater gathered at the straw pavilion's eaves, cascading like a waterfall, splattering mud as it struck the ground, forming little pits.

The tea pavilion was crowded with people seeking refuge from the rain.

The proprietress of the tea pavilion served hot tea and loudly offered snacks, "Dear guests, it's a bit cramped here, but this rain should let up in no more than an hour. Rest your legs here; there's still time to reach the city once it stops."

Xue Fuguang and his companions sat side by side on the same long bench.

The pavilion was so crowded with those seeking shelter that people were squeezed together on the benches and tables.

A few people sitting opposite surveyed them: "Are you gentlemen also heading into the city?"

Xue Fuguang nodded: "I am visiting Dingzhou with my elder brother to have a look around."

One of them immediately responded with a smile, "Are you gentlemen from the north? Rare travelers? Well, Dingzhou is the place to be. Our city’s culture and sentiments are quite distinct from the rest of Jingguo, sharing a border with Ying Dynasty and bustling with trade. You can find all sorts of curiosities here, and the ladies are beautiful too. A handsome young man like you might even take a lovely bride back home!"

Xue Fuguang replied with a smile, "Really? That's certainly worth experiencing. I've always heard that the women of Dingzhou are exceptionally spirited, and they don't fancy a man without substantial merit."

Upon seeing that Xue Fuguang was approachable and easy to talk to, without any airs about him, the man immediately opened up, "There's something to be said for being headstrong. What's the fun in always being restrained and following the rules? Isn't that right, young master? Our girls in Dingzhou, they first and foremost adore a formidable man, and secondly, a handsome one. From what I see, both you and your elder brother fit the bill..."

Before he could finish, a sharp clang announced the presence of a sword on the table, drawn from the belt of the tall man beside the young master.

“……”

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"After the Failed Rescue of the Young Demon Lord"

Synopsis:

Before entering the book, the system informed Ren Xi that his mission was to save the young Demon Lord—starting from his childhood, by exposing him to the world’s love and warmth, in order to prevent his descent into darkness.

The system vowed with confidence: It's just like raising a child, no difficulty at all!

After entering the book, Ren Xi opened his eyes to find himself transformed into a vegetable.

And the Demon Lord, whom the system said to start with as a child, had already been through every imaginable torture and torment, falling into a chasm seething with demonic energy, so thoroughly darkened that he was but a step away from the full infusion of demonic essence.

Tears of frustration streamed down Ren Xi’s face.

What happened to the promise of taking care of a child?

To alleviate some of the antagonist's pain and to lessen the extent of his corruption, Ren Xi had no choice but to toil daily in cultivation, absorbing demonic energy and using his own sap to ease the Demon Lord's pain and heal his wounds.

He worked hard for over half a year and finally managed to heal the Demon Lord's injuries.

Then, the system brought him some good news, filled with joy: Headquarters had secured a body for him; he no longer needed to stay at the bottom of the cliff and continue being a vegetable!

Ren Xi: Is such good fortune even possible?

*

The once chaotic demon realm suddenly welcomed a new Demon Lord, whose thunderous methods unified the scattered factions into one, challenging the long-dominant celestial cultivators on equal footing.

This Demon Lord was perennially shrouded in pitch-black demonic energy, his true face hidden from all. Rumors about him flew across the demon realm.

It was said that the Demon Lord fed on flesh and blood, killed without batting an eye, and possessed a fierce visage with three faces and six arms—his greatest pleasure being to devour plant-based sprites.

Yet, he was extremely picky; none of the sprites offered by the demons met his approval. In their efforts to please the new Demon Lord, many a demon was so anxious they nearly lost all their fur.

Rumors from the celestial realms spoke of a spiritual plant, which, after a millennium, had finally cultivated a human form. A single whiff could broaden one's spiritual awareness, and a single bite could lead to the Great Dao. It was coveted by all.

The demons rejoiced wildly, scrambling to dispatch a horde to secure this rare plant for their Demon Lord.

After enduring untold hardships, they managed to seize the young boy from the celestial cultivators and presented him to the Demon Lord's palace.

The Lord of Demons, shrouded in dark miasma, revealed his exceptionally handsome face as he crouched before the boy, pinching his chin, "Transform back to your original form, let me have a look."

The young boy's eyes brimmed with tears, "Wuu wuu."

#The rumors of the Demon Lord having three heads and six arms are false!#

#But it's true that the Demon Lord favors plant-based sprites!#

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