Chapter 270

“Xie Yu is not considered strong among the demon lords, but he is well-known for his striking looks, especially during the war between the immortals and demons.”

Meng Jue said casually, “He’s well aware of this and knows how to take advantage of it. He’s used that face of his to gain quite a few benefits.”

The midday sun was blindingly bright as Yonggui rubbed his bald head, which shone like a light bulb. He looked up, batting his eyelashes, and asked, “Benefits?”

Among them, only Meng Jue had experienced the war firsthand.

After a night of rest, the group gathered in the Zhou family’s backyard to exchange information.

“The cultivation world is full of noble ladies and female cultivators, and Xie Yu is a master of using his charms. His favorite trick is weaving unforgettable love stories with them.”

Meng Jue was disdainful of such behavior, a lazy sneer hanging from his lips.

“He takes advantage of their vulnerability, either stealing their cultivation techniques or gathering military intelligence. He even earned himself the title ‘The Affectionate Lord.'”

Affectionate? In reality, he was the most heartless.

Xie Yu passed through a field of thousands of flowers without getting a single leaf touched, but the women who were touched by him—at best, lost all their cultivation; at worst, their families were destroyed, and they died without a burial place.

Just like Pei Ji’s mother.

She had given up the rest of her life for him, only to be betrayed.

Her trust in him had led the demon forces to attack the city, leaving the people in ruin.

Once a noblewoman, she had to flee from place to place, eventually hiding in a desolate village just to survive.

To Xie Yu, she, like all the other women he deceived, was nothing more than a disposable tool.

There was no real affection or sincerity.

By the time she lost her usefulness, the infamous demon lord probably couldn’t even remember her name.

Such a pathetic existence.

In Xie Yu’s life, the only thing that truly mattered was his dramatic, love-hate relationship with Zhou Yimei.

The only part of his past that anyone cared about was that blood-soaked story.

Just like how the spotlight in romance novels always focuses on the male and female lead, the stories of the other characters, no matter how significant, are destined to be forgotten.

Ning Ning felt a tinge of sadness.

She rubbed her cheeks, trying to make herself look more alert.

In the distance, birds chirped, and she squinted in the harsh sunlight as a thought crossed her mind.

She looked curiously at Meng Jue.

“Senior brother, you mentioned before that Miss Zhou seemed familiar. Have you figured anything out?”

Ever since Meng Jue had made that offhand comment, Ning Ning had been paying closer attention to Zhou Yimei.

Her first thought was that, in this Futu realm full of melodrama, maybe Zhou Yimei was related by blood to someone present, just like in those family dramas.

She thought about it long and hard, almost turning the whole thing into a guessing game, but other than the fact that she and Pei Ji shared a similar tear mole, there was nothing else suspicious.

If she ruled that out, and if Zhou Yimei really was the one who sent Xie Yu to the Demon-Refining Tower…

Could it be that she had crossed paths with Meng Jue before?

As soon as the idea popped into her head, Ning Ning’s heart skipped a beat.

That would make sense.

Meng Jue had a sharp mind—legend had it that when he was a student at the academy, he could read ten lines at once and never forget what he read.

The fact that his memory of Zhou Yimei was so vague suggested they must have met many years ago.

And, conveniently, Meng Jue had experienced the war between the immortals and demons.

—In other words, in this tangled web of love and hate, Zhou Yimei didn’t end up as Xie Yu’s helpless, clinging vine. Not only did she avenge her clan’s blood feud, but she also survived the raging fire that burned the mountain and saved her own life.

“Speaking of that, it’s actually quite interesting.”

Meng Jue smiled gently, as if recalling something amusing.

“You’ll never guess what I found out about Miss Zhou…”

Ning Ning listened intently, her curiosity piqued, but just as he was about to continue, another male voice suddenly interrupted.

Xie Yu arrived with his troublesome little spirit, Gu Zhaozhao, clinging tightly to his arm.

Seeing this, Ning Ning couldn’t help but think:

“Back when I volunteered at the orphanage, helping frail, elderly people walk, I saw the same thing. Thanks, Demon Lord, for reminding me of my youth.”

“Fellow cultivators.”

Though a demon cultivator, Xie Yu was arrogant and sinister to his core.

He didn’t bother hiding his disdain for these traitors, but because he needed information from them, he forced himself to endure and act friendly.

It was all just a performance, something Xie Yu excelled at.

Though there was a smile on his lips, his eyes were cold and indifferent, his voice rich and magnetic, like fine wine: “Thanks to the intelligence provided by Elder Tian Xianzi, the demon forces achieved a great victory at the front lines last night.”

He glanced at Meng Jue, his mocking smile deepening.

“The Demon Sovereign has summoned me to Luan City tonight to discuss plans, so I won’t be seeing any of you for a while.”

Tonight.

That meant Zhou Yimei had to act before tonight.

Ning Ning’s eyes filled with a bit of pity as she looked at him.

Look at how happy the child is.

She hopes he’s just as cheerful when Miss Zhou stabs him with a sword later.

As the saying goes, speak of the devil.

Just as Zhou Yimei’s name crossed Ning Ning’s mind, she spotted her in the distance.

Xie Yu was merciless in his humiliation of her.

He knew her right hand was crippled, yet he still forced her to do endless menial labor, living a life harder than any servant of the Zhou family.

To put it nicely, he is vindictive, but to put it bluntly, this man is narrow-minded. What he had on his shoulders wasn’t a head but a festering tumor.

Ugh, so disgusting.

Zhou Yimei held a broom with her left hand.

She glanced at them briefly before lowering her head and continuing to sweep.

Ning Ning asked curiously, “Demon Lord, if you’re heading to Luan City, what will happen to Miss Zhou?”

“Her?”

Whenever Zhou Yimei was mentioned, Xie Yu’s expression turned even more impatient.

He scowled and deliberately raised his voice.

“She’s just a toy. Look at what she’s become. Do you really think I’d take her with me?”

Zhou Yimei remained indifferent, continuing to sweep.

“With her right hand crippled, who knows what future awaits her? And now that the demons occupy Chongling, once I leave, she’ll have no one to rely on…”

He seemed annoyed by her indifference and added angrily, “If she really wants to survive, all she has to do is crawl to me in tears, begging, and maybe I’ll take pity on her and bring her out of Chongling.”

It was a blatant hint.

Despite his disdain for her, he clearly still cared about her in some hidden way.

But unfortunately for him, no matter how much he hinted, Zhou Yimei remained utterly unmoved, not sparing him even a glance.

Ning Ning pressed her lips together, trying not to laugh.

Though a bit mean, from her point of view, the scene unfolding in front of her…

Really looked like a dog barking at a robot vacuum cleaner.

Xie Yu, suppressing his anger, took a deep breath.

He had probably been treated coldly by her many times before and had developed a bit of resilience.

Even though his pride was being trampled, he only managed to grit his teeth and say, “Acting all high and mighty? You’ll cry one day!”

Gu Zhaozhao, wrapped in the alluring scent of tea (green tea bit*h scent), gently caressed his arm and spoke in a soft voice as instant noodles cooked for an hour:

“Don’t be angry, Ah Yu. You know what she’s like… Cold and ungrateful. We both always looked out for her, but she never appreciated it. Always distant and aloof.”

“My master’s precious white moonlight always tried to get close to me, but who doesn’t know what disgusting scheme she had in mind?”

Ning Ning popped a peanut into her mouth and said to Pei Ji, “Always ask yourself if you’re worthy first. My mom told me not to play with idiots. Why would I even bother with her?”

Gu Zhaozhao’s face twitched for a moment.

After a mental struggle, she decided to ignore Ning Ning and kept sweet-talking Xie Yu: “She caused you so much pain before. Let’s not think about her anymore. Let’s leave. If you’re unhappy, I’ll feel heartbroken.”

Ning Ning stared up at the sky, reminiscing, “She likes to pretend so much. Must be exhausting. Heartbreaking, really.”

Gu Zhaozhao could finally hold back no longer, and with one angry step, she rushed forward.

“You…!”

Pei Ji quietly gripped his sword.

Xie Yu frowned. “Zhaozhao, what are you doing?”

“Miss Gu, what’s wrong?”

Feigning surprise, Ning Ning shrank behind Pei Ji.

“I was talking about my master’s white moonlight, not you… You and the Demon Lord are a perfect couple. Shouldn’t you be joining me in condemning that bad woman?”

Gu Zhaozhao’s lips twitched again.

“I’m sorry, was it something I said? Did I upset Miss Gu? I don’t talk to others often, not like you—you’re so skilled at it. You can say anything, so impressive.”

Ning Ning looked hurt, taking a deep breath before turning to Xie Yu.

“This is all my fault, Demon Lord. Please don’t take it to heart. It’s not that Miss Gu has a bad temper. It’s just that I don’t know how to talk properly.”

Gu Zhaozhao’s lips started twitching uncontrollably.