Chapter 258

Since Chongling was destroyed by a mountain fire and no one survived, and the Demon Lord Xie Yu disappeared without a trace, who was it that sent him into the Demon Refining Tower? What caused the mountain fire, and who was responsible for it?

The more she thought about it, the more confused she became.

When she looked back at the host’s seat, she noticed that there was now a strange woman sitting next to Xie Yu in the mistress’s position.

The woman was petite and delicate, with bright eyes and white teeth.

Compared to the melancholy Zhou Yimei, she seemed to have risen from the dead to the living world, now smiling as she fed Xie Yu some pastries.

Well, this certainly lived up to the expectations of a sadomasochistic romance—it didn’t disappoint her and Bai Ye. The malicious female supporting character had finally appeared.

The love triangle, after all, is the most stable shape.

Ning Ning had a very poor impression of Xie Yu and maliciously thought that the way the two of them were positioned reminded her of a zookeeper feeding a monkey, and in front of all the tourists no less.

As more and more onlookers gathered, she shifted her gaze from the three of them and noticed that Pei Ji had somehow moved behind her, quietly shielding her from the crowd.

He had always been silent, and since hearing about Xie Yu, he hadn’t spoken a word.

Ning Ning knew Pei Ji was difficult to read and couldn’t guess what he was thinking or how to comfort him in such a situation.

Too many words would be rude, so she just poked Pei Ji’s arm and asked softly, “Are you okay?”

He let out a low “hmm” from his chest, and the warm breath he exhaled swirled down onto her head.

Ning Ning pressed her lips together and reached out her right hand to grab his sleeve.

This was a gesture meant to convey acceptance and comfort.

Pei Ji’s hand moved slightly, as if he wanted to hold her wrist.

However, the movement quickly halted midair, and the boy’s right hand, hidden in his sleeve, hesitated for a long moment before he withdrew it.

He recalled his mother’s hysterical words: “You’re just like him; what kind of thing are you?”

Pei Ji lifted his dark, brooding eyes and looked at the handsome young man on the stage.

The bloodthirstiness and violence of demons were inherited traits.

If he, too, carried such filthy blood… what kind of person did that make him?

At that moment, a soft warmth suddenly enveloped his palm.

Ning Ning stood directly in front of him, and since they were back to back, Pei Ji couldn’t see her expression.

All he knew was that she must have noticed his hesitation and resignation as her fingers, which had been holding onto his sleeve, moved up and wrapped around his hand.

First, a single finger gently pressed down, followed by her entire hand fitting snugly into his.

Like water, her touch was cool and barely tangible.

Even though she was the one making the first move, her hand was so small that when it was fully clasped, it seemed as though she had been ensnared by Pei Ji.

He was at a loss, wondering if Ning Ning would do this with others as well.

When she laughed and joked with He Zhizhou, when she chatted with Meng Jue, when other disciples from different sects shyly asked for her communication details—

Even seeing these scenes would make him feel inexplicably agitated.

He didn’t want her to get too close to other men.

He didn’t want her to touch anyone else’s hand… but his.

The chaotic thoughts in his mind grew like wild vines.

His long lashes drooped, hiding the stormy clouds brewing in his eyes.

Pei Ji allowed her to hold his right hand and slowly took a step forward.

They were very close now, and as he stepped closer, he nearly enveloped Ning Ning in his arms, leaving only a small gap between them.

The girl was momentarily stunned but didn’t pull away.

When she looked up at him, he could smell the floral scent in her hair.

“Sorry.”

Pei Ji’s expression remained unchanged, and his voice was calm: “It’s too crowded back here.”

In other words, this wasn’t his intention.

The crowd was a convenient excuse.

Ning Ning gave him a knowing look, and at the same time, the noise from the stage and audience grew louder.

Someone shouted, “It’s starting!”

She also smiled and whispered, “Pei Ji, it’s starting.”

=====

Most of the girls who came here did so reluctantly.

After all, no one in their right mind would want to stay by the side of a capricious, bloodthirsty demon lord.

What’s more, Miss Zhou was a clear example, right in front of them.

But they had no choice. Xie Yu had ordered that if anyone disobeyed, their entire family would be killed.

Demons were already despised, and his insane actions naturally triggered a rebellious spirit among many girls.

The concubine selection scene was shrouded in gloom; some girls tried to make themselves look ugly, others went through the motions indifferently.

To an outsider, it might have looked like a funeral procession gathered here to mourn.

Another beautiful girl, soft as a jellyfish, finished her dance and exited the stage. Xie Yu was furious, nearly jumping out of his chair in anger: “Take this seriously! If the next one isn’t up to standard, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Ning Ning whispered to Pei Ji, “The next one is in for trouble.”

But as soon as she said it, her expression froze, and she stood rooted to the spot.

On the utterly silent arena, a sudden burst of golden light erupted.

A figure gracefully soared through the air, with an incredibly conspicuous, shiny bald head radiating a soft yellow glow. The figure spun and spun again mid-air, with robes billowing and golden light spreading all around, resembling a freshly bathed, beautiful egg.

Ning Ning felt an urge to applaud.

Little Master Yonggui even made his entrance resemble the grand flying fairy from the Dunhuang murals, so there was no doubt the upcoming performance would not disappoint.

(T/N: Dunhuang Mural was found in the Dunhuang Cave located in Gansu province, China. The murals in the Dunhuang Caves are among the finest examples of Buddhist art in the world. They depict various aspects of Buddhist teachings, religious rituals, and the daily life of the people of that time.)

So dedicated, truly dedicated.

His eyes met Xie Yu’s from afar, with a gaze full of unspoken words and deep affection, which was even more moving than outright sentiment.

This forced Xie Yu to choke on a mouthful of pastry, rolling his eyes as he coughed and rasped, “What the hell is this?”

“Little monk Yonggui, here to present a song to the Demon Lord.”

Yonggui clasped his hands together and smiled, saying, “I hope the Demon Lord won’t find it displeasing.”

Xie Yu’s mouth visibly twitched: “Fine.”

Ning Ning, watching from below, felt her expression change slightly.

With Little Master Yonggui’s habits, what other “song” could he be referring to?

But it was too late to stop him.

Yonggui focused his mind, furrowed his brows, and let out a low growl from his throat before speaking tenderly.

“Om Mani Padme Hum, Om Mani Padme Hum.”

“From the beginning until now, it has never changed; Xie Yu is the brightest star in my heart. Om Mani Padme Hum, the Demon Lord’s face is so elegant, Om Mani Padme Hum, your status is always the most important—oh! Om Mani, I only care about you, Padme Hum; when will you understand!”

Ning Ning was stunned.

What a genius it must take to create an EDM rap version of the Buddhist mantra, surpassing the current ten versions of musical interpretation! The cultivation world had really hit the jackpot!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqPzzVfA1m8

(T/N: Example of  EDM (Electronic Dance Machine) Rap Song.. hehe..probably this is how yonggui sings his song)

The crowd below was equally stunned.

The monk looked like a madman, babbling away like he was possessed by an evil spirit, as his features gradually twisted into a hideous expression.

White foam and sparks flew from his mouth.

Yes, sparks!

—Help, this is so scary! His mouth is spitting sparks as he mutters and grimaces! How, how could this be!

Yonggui’s speed of speech increased, so fast that his lips sparked from friction, and the sparks connected in the air, forming a small heart that hovered right in front of Xie Yu.

The scene was beyond words, leaving Ning Ning gaping, unable to form a single thought.

Don’t ask, just accept it—he’s a high-level Buddhist disciple, unbound by worldly conventions.

The sparks mixed with the white smoke, blurring all other scenery.

In the misty haze, only the two flapping lips could be seen, like two mudskippers on land, blossoming with the purest beauty at the end of their lives.

When the song ended, silence fell all around.

Yonggui smiled and blinked, shyly looking at Xie Yu.

Xie Yu’s face was cold and indifferent, as if he had just undergone a profound life experience, staring back at him quietly.

Xie Yu: “Guards, get him out of here.”

Yonggui was in disbelief.

He had expected that after singing this carefully crafted song, the Demon Lord would cry and beg him to be his right-hand man, securing the top position in the harem.

But of course, the aesthetics of a demon are vastly different from those of an ordinary person; they can’t be measured by common standards. Seeing his plan about to fail, the little monk quickly exchanged a glance with Bai Ye, who was waiting in the wings.

Bai Ye gestured “two” with his fingers, signaling the backup plan.

And so, all the spectators witnessed another shocking scene.

The seemingly possessed monk suddenly erupted with energy, his body trembling violently, his eyes bloodshot like a mad bull’s, and as he bowed down, he muttered frantically, “You won’t keep me? You won’t keep me? You really won’t keep me?”

The guards drew their swords, and Xie Yu prepared himself, while Ning Ning watched in horror and used a voice transmission to ask Bai Ye, “What are you planning?”

“Our backup plan is to play the emotional card and beg him to take us into the harem.”

Bai Ye was at a loss for words, looking up to hold back tears: “That’s how it’s written in the stories; as long as you ‘tremble all over, with eyes slightly red, and murmur humbly,’ the other party will have a change of heart.”

Ning Ning: …

Oh, in that case, no problem.

Little Master Yonggui was doing quite a good job, though it had turned into “convulsing all over, with bloodshot eyes, and crazily questioning.”

Perhaps because Yonggui’s humble murmuring resembled a psychotic patient who had lost it, or perhaps because Xie Yu’s remaining patience had run out.

With a muffled thud, the little monk’s thin body was sent flying through the air, knocked off the stage by the demonic energy, with sparks and blood flying from his mouth.

Bai Ye was horrified: “Little Master Yonggui!”

“The little monk is doomed; it’s all up to you now. Look at the beautiful scenery around you; it’s my encouragement for you.”

Yonggui took a deep breath and gave his companion’s right hand a high five: “Next… it’s up to you.”