Chapter 11: Sudden Dead End
As Young Master Sang stepped out of the prison, he left behind a dazed and pale Yan Rouwan, slumped on the ground with a vacant gaze.
She looked like she had lost her mind.
Joyfully, Young Master Sang cradled two adorable kittens in his arms as he descended the mountain, mentally asking, “System, what’s the update?”
【Yan Rouwan Affection Progress: Seventy-five percent】
Whoa, did it jump up that much all at once?
Although this was already a lot faster than the previous snail’s pace, Sang was still dissatisfied.
“What about the remaining twenty-five percent?”
“System, got any other crazy tricks up your sleeve?”
【System recommends a plan…】
After hearing what the system detailed in his mind, Sang blinked in surprise.
He mulled it over briefly and then smacked his lips, showing a hint of hesitation for the first time.
“Is it… a bit too extreme?”
The system fell silent.
The message was clear: You’re the host. It’s your choice on how to proceed.
This system did answer questions, but it wouldn’t help if you didn’t ask something specific.
Sang started to waver.
“What’s the success rate for this plan?”
【Based on current analysis, the possibility of the host winning over Yan Rouwan is zero percent.】
Sang: “?”
Why did it suddenly drop to zero?
Didn’t I already reach seventy-five percent?
“Reason?”
【The host will die today, and cannot continue to improve affection levels.】
Die today?
Sang froze for a moment, then suddenly realized.
He stopped in his tracks.
Right then, he was at the foot of Demon Cult Mountain.
His place was just a mile or two away. A shortcut through the woods would get him there in no time.
But now, Sang was staring ahead into the dark, dangerous woods under the setting sun, plunged into silence.
“…No way.”
He forced a bitter smile. “What a stroke of bad luck.”
The system kept quiet again.
The nearby air grew increasingly still.
In the distance, crows took flight.
Unbeknownst to him, a cold, sharp blade was already pressed against his throat.
The chill seeped down the blade and into his very bones.
“Sang Zhe, right?” A soft, melodious female voice came from behind him.
“Where is Yan Senior Sister imprisoned? How many guards are there? You’d better comply.”
“I’ll give you a peaceful death.”
Her voice was icy.
Sang felt a twinge of familiarity, but he couldn’t recall who it was.
He thought for a moment and asked, “Is there an option that doesn’t involve dying?”
“As a demon cultivator who has committed countless heinous acts, even if I don’t take you down, heaven won’t let you live.”
The woman behind him spoke with righteous indignation, her voice laced with hatred.
Sang pondered for a long time.
The worst thing he had done was deceive Yan Rouwan’s affections.
Though he didn’t understand why telling a couple of lies warranted the death penalty.
But he didn’t want to die.
“System, do I have any chance of surviving against her?”
【Shi Qingyan, a first-tier disciple of the Water Moon Sect’s Qingning Hall, early stage of Transformation.】
【Host’s survival probability: 0.076%】
… Essentially none.
Sang sighed.
What rotten luck. Tang Yubbing’s bad luck boomerang really hit me this time.
Who would have thought the sect would attack demon disciples and not spare even a nobody like him?
Truly insane.
But thanks to the system’s reminder, Sang recalled that cold and stunning senior sister from the Water Moon Sect.
Shi Qingyan…
If he remembered correctly, she went by the nickname “Ice Plum,” right?
Sang vaguely recalled that there would be dedicated disciples in the Water Moon Sect set up as “Dark Guards.” They were usually composed of loyal and exceptionally skilled disciples.
They did the dirtier, tougher jobs for the sect.
Shi Qingyan was one of them. Not only was she a rare female cultivator in the Dark Guards, but she was also an unparalleled beauty.
Sang’s only impression of her was that she always had a gorgeous, frosty face, hurrying past without giving anyone a glance.
Aside from thinking she was beautiful, there had been no interactions whatsoever.
“Dying at the hands of a beautiful sister is still a kind of fortune,” Sang sighed. “But I really don’t want to die.”
Behind him, Shi Qingyan instinctively frowned, seemingly repulsed by his flippant tone.
She pressed the cold blade harder against Sang’s throat, drawing a thin line of blood.
“I don’t have any extra patience.”
“Die cleanly, or die a painful, shattering death. Choose one.”
“I’ll ask you one last time: Where is Yan Senior Sister imprisoned?”
Sang remained silent.
Shi Qingyan’s beautiful eyes flashed with disappointment, and she huffed. “You’re asking for it.”
As her blade began to slice down, a sudden burst of sharp sword light forced her to spin around nimbly, blocking an incoming attack with one hand.
Zhang Xiaoying, dressed in maid attire and as quick as a swallow, silently approached.
Her dagger was clean and vicious, as if she intended to take Shi Qingyan down with her.
Shi Qingyan seemed unaware of how Zhang Xiaoying had appeared nearby.
She was forced to abandon Sang and face Zhang Xiaoying’s assault.
Upon freeing Sang, Zhang Xiaoying wasted no time leaping away to stand in front of him.
“Little Ying?”
“I’ll hold her off.” Zhang Xiaoying didn’t turn back, her beautiful eyes locked intensely on the woman ahead. “Master, hurry back. Call someone to protect you.”
Seeing Zhang Xiaoying suddenly, Shi Qingyan hesitated for a moment.
“You again…”
“You’ve already harbored ill intentions towards my Master twice.”
Zhang Xiaoying’s voice was cold, her beautiful eyes filled with ice-cold killing intent. “You deserve to die.”
“I don’t understand.”
Shi Qingyan slowly shook her head. “Why would a ten-thousand-fold sinner like you be so devoted to him?”
“Is it true that his brainwashing skills are as legendary as rumored?”
Zhang Xiaoying simply looked at her calmly.
“I said.”
“I’m here of my own accord.”
“Master is the only one who’s ever been good to me.”
“My life was saved by him,” she blinked, “everything I have belongs to him.”
Shi Qingyan fell silent for a long time.
Finally, with complex emotions swirling in her beautiful eyes, she slowly raised her blade.
“I’m sorry.”
“I have to kill him.”
Zhang Xiaoying whispered, “Master may not be able to hold her off for long.”
“You must run as far away as possible. Don’t hesitate.”
Sang silently shook his head after a moment.
“I’m not leaving.”
Zhang Xiaoying grew anxious, her eyes reddening as she said, “Master can’t get hurt. I’m not worth you dying alongside me.”
“First of all, you’re my only maid.”
“Secondly,” Sang raised his hands helplessly, “who told you she’s alone?”
Zhang Xiaoying stared blankly for a moment.
The next second, a light and playful voice rang through the woods:
“Huh? You actually found me?”
“Looks like you’re not as useless as I thought.”
A girl stepped out from the forest, wearing a smirk full of mockery and teasing.
“…A bunch of betraying scum.”
