Chapter 14: Just Kill That Fish

Chapter 14: Maybe We Should Just Kill That Fish

Xie Xiyi said cheerfully, "Glad to hear it. Today is a joyous day—it's only right to be happy."

Chi Yu: "..."

You're the only one happy here!!

Chi Yu put the earring back on and asked the question that had been on his mind: "Boss, how did I suddenly reach Foundation Establishment? That Nascent Soul cultivator clearly wasn't killed by me."

He had only been counterattacked when the cultivator tried to attack him.

Chi Yu immediately suspected the curse Xie Xiyi had placed on his tongue.

Xie Xiyi saw no need to hide this, so he replied casually, "The Forbidden Curse on you was just activated. Whoever attacks you will have the damage reflected back, and their cultivation energy will also flow into you. So, how about it? Not a bad curse, right? You can lure cultivators to try and kill you, and in no time, you’ll reach Nascent Soul. Though it has a time limit and will need to be replaced eventually."

After saying this, he added with a hint of emotion, "Cultivation—who knew it could be this simple?"

As he finished speaking, the black mist swallowed Ling Tian’s corpse on the ground. "Can’t let the body go to waste. It can still be used to sow more Forbidden Curses."

He said these terrifying words in an extremely casual tone.

Chi Yu: "..."

Chi Yu tried hard to ignore the deeply unsettling implications and continued, "Boss, how did you get here so quickly? Did you add a tracking spell to the Forbidden Curse?"

"You're quite clever." Xie Xiyi laughed. "That's right. I added twelve different curses to the Forbidden Curse on you. Some will kill you if triggered—depending on your luck. Hope you don’t trigger them."

Chi Yu: "6."

Forbidden curse.zip

As expected of you, villain...

At this moment, Ling Tian wanted to say something, but Ling Hezhou quickly covered his mouth and transmitted mentally, "Senior Brother, don’t say anything reckless. You’ve seen how ruthless he is. Chi Yu already has a difficult enough time surviving under him. If you anger him, he’ll reduce you to ashes immediately."

Ling Tian had no choice but to keep quiet and transmitted mentally back, "What is Chi Yu to him?"

Ling Hezhou then explained everything about Chi Yu to Ling Tian. Ling Tian fell silent for a moment before transmitting mentally, "If we get a chance to return to the Tianyan Sect, I’ll ask the Sect Leader to take him in as a direct disciple."

Ling Hezhou said bitterly, "Senior Brother, you have to tell people to stop trying to rescue us. If this keeps up, our Lingyun Peak will lose its lineage."

Ling Tian: "..."

While they were talking, Chi Yu boldly continued his conversation with Xie Xiyi. "Boss, you said that Nascent Soul would be used as a lamp for me—is that true?"

Xie Xiyi said, "I’ll give it to you after it’s processed."

Chi Yu pressed on courageously, "Then once it’s gifted to me, it’s mine, right? Can I ask you to release him?"

Xie Xiyi paused, then laughed heartily. "What reason would you give me to release him?"

Although he was laughing and seemed amused, Chi Yu could sense the sharp murderous intent radiating from him. His hair stood on end, his body entering a fight-or-flight response—a clear warning.

Chi Yu swallowed his words and immediately said with false conviction, "No reason, really. Boss, you should just refine him into a lamp. I’m afraid of the dark when I sleep at night."

Since he couldn’t save him, there was nothing else to do.

Chi Yu’s hair slowly settled back down. Unable to resist, he asked Xie Xiyi, "Boss, why do you kill people everywhere? And massacre cities? Aren’t cultivators supposed to fear karma? And won’t killing too many people make it hard to pass Heavenly Tribulations?"

Xie Xiyi found it perplexing. "Why do you always ask such questions?"

Although Chi Yu’s questions crossed a line, Xie Xiyi was in a good mood today and decided to indulge him. He said leisurely, "Every person in this world reeks unbearably foul."

Chi Yu’s eyes widened in shock. "Huh?"

The laughter in Xie Xiyi’s voice faded, replaced by a cold tone. "The higher their cultivation, the stronger the stench. When I see them, all I want is to slaughter them all."

Chi Yu recalled overhearing cultivators in the tavern talking about how Xie Xiyi didn’t kill mortals or those in the Qi Refining stage, so he couldn’t help but ask, "What about those with low cultivation? Do they smell too?"

Xie Xiyi said with a smile, "You really ask a lot of questions."

But since he was in such a good mood today, Xie Xiyi decided to be lenient and not hold it against him.

So he continued, "Some do, some don’t. They can be nurtured a bit longer, until they reach Foundation Establishment—then it’s fine to kill them."

Chi Yu: "..."

Wait, are you farming them like chives?

Chi Yu hesitated before asking, "What about me? You don’t kill those with low cultivation, so why did you kill me several times?"

Xie Xiyi asked in a baffled tone, "Wasn’t that what you asked for? I was just obliging you."

Chi Yu: "..."

The villain really has principles.jpg

For a moment, Chi Yu didn’t know what to say. The answer felt absurd, yet there was a warped logic to it.

《Divine Path》 should be renamed! Change it to "We Still Don’t Know Why the Villain Turned Out This Way"!!!

Chi Yu felt completely lost. His righteous stance was also in jeopardy—after all, Xie Xiyi had committed countless evils, and he, as his underling, was now openly affiliated with him. His villain status was now cemented, firm enough to pass inspection.

He never expected his role to be not the heroic protagonist, but the public enemy number one.

No, he had to steel his resolve! Paths are made by walking!

The villain’s spirit sword was secretly communicating with him, and he gained a portable old grandpa +1+1—uh, given Xie Xiyi’s methods, his future with the Soul Pearl might just be +1+1+1...

Chi Yu: "..."

I don’t want that kind of future!

Chi Yu rallied himself. Long Aotian started out in a difficult situation too—he had to maintain his moral compass!

If he said he was Long Aotian, then he was Long Aotian!

Chi Yu was still too inexperienced to conceal his emotions, so his ever-changing expressions were all noticed by Xie Xiyi.

Under his mask, Xie Xiyi’s lips curled into a smile. He found it quite amusing.

He thought to himself—might as well keep him around for now. After all, he’s quite entertaining.

That evening, Chi Yu found a tavern to stay at, and Xie Xiyi accompanied him.

Chi Yu automatically paid for Xie Xiyi’s lodging as well.

Then he found the time, took the Memory Orb from the Spatial Ring, did some slick moves, wiped the sweat off his brow, straightened his back, and knocked on Xie Xiyi's door.

Xie Xiyi remained seated on the bed without moving; black mist snaked out from around him like vines and opened the door.

Chi Yu walked in and said to Xie Xiyi in a cheerful tone, "Boss! Check this out, please take a look."

Although the scene was brutal and bloody, Chi Yu was mentally strong, and it didn’t faze him much.

As he spoke, he handed the Memory Orb to Xie Xiyi with both hands.

The black mist wrapped around the Memory Orb and activated it.

Soon, the footage of Xie Xiyi battling the nine Nascent Soul cultivators appeared. What was even more novel was that, as the images played, an intense piece of music accompanied it. Every time the sword light flashed and heads rolled, it perfectly matched the drumbeats of the music, creating a weirdly harmonious and intense vibe.

(Imagine a raging electric guitar soundtrack)

Xie Xiyi had never seen a Memory Orb used like this. After the footage ended, he remained silent and simply played it again.

Replay.jpg

"So, how is it? Boss, do you like it?" Chi Yu asked, killing the vibe.

The black mist swallowed up the Memory Orb. Xie Xiyi’s voice was clearly filled with satisfaction, "Very good. Did you compose this music?"

Chi Yu quickly waved his hands and said honestly, "No, no, I didn’t compose it. I just thought it matched your awesome moves perfectly, so I found it to accompany the footage."

Xie Xiyi hummed the tune but couldn’t quite get it right. He said thoughtfully, "It’s an instrument I’ve never seen before."

Chi Yu nodded like a chick pecking at rice, "Yes, yes, this kind of instrument doesn’t exist anymore."

Xie Xiyi said, "Very good. You always surprise me. I’m kinda starting to like you now."

Chi Yu cautiously glanced at his expression. Of course, Xie Xiyi was wearing a mask, so no expression was visible, but his words clearly conveyed his satisfaction.

So, Chi Yu, seeing an opening, he pushed his luck: "Boss, since you like me now, could you take off your mask and let me see what you look like?"

Xie Xiyi: "You wanna die?"

Chi Yu laughed, the dimple on his left cheek deepening, "Hahaha, I was just joking, Boss. Really, you’re so serious for a grown-ass man."

Xie Xiyi’s crimson demonic eyes stared at him like hellfire.

Chi Yu: "..."

He swallowed and then said, faking cheerfulness, "Boss, if you like it, should I make a few more versions for you?"

Xie Xiyi laughed, his voice soft and pleased, "Go for it."

Chi Yu: "Alrighty!"

Chi Yu backed out.

After he left, Xie Xiyi softly hummed the tune again. Hmm, it was quite difficult—he didn’t succeed.

Xie Xiyi’s interest got him hooked, and he reopened the Memory Orb.

Phantom Lightning sneaked off, and he didn’t pay it any mind.

Soon enough, Phantom Lightning showed up at Chi Yu's.

Chi Yu gave it a quick rub—though there wasn’t much to rub. Today, Phantom Lightning had slain eight Nascent Soul cultivators, and its aura reeked even more of blood. Besides the bloodlust, there was a creepy vibe that made Chi Yu’s hair stand on end again upon seeing it.

Chi Yu thought for a moment and brought out a big pot.

Phantom Lightning hopped right in.

Ling Tian finally spoke, somewhat puzzled, "What is the demon lord’s sword doing?"

Ling Hezhou said in a complex tone, "De-funking itself."

Ling Tian: "..."

Ling Tian stared at the demonic sword that had slain several Nascent Soul cultivators and said sternly, "You need to blanch it in boiling water to remove the fishy smell. Just adding green onions, ginger, and garlic won’t work."

Ling Hezhou: "Senior brother, you—"

Chi Yu suddenly understood: "Oh, right!"

Soon enough, hot water was boiling in the pot. Not only were green onions, ginger, and garlic prepared, but other seasonings were sliced up as well.

(Caption: Human-scorpion soup, anyone?)

After Phantom Lightning got cleaned up, it slipped back to Xie Xiyi’s side.

Xie Xiyi soon caught the scent of steamed green onions, ginger, garlic, Sichuan pepper, angelica root, cardamom, fennel, cumin, nutmeg, and other spices emanating from it.

Xie Xiyi: "..."

Maybe I oughta just off that fish, he thought.

Author's Note:

little puppy fish: What, you like me now? Then I’m gonna go all in.

A little opportunist who climbs every ladder he spots.