A Demon Lord’s Peculiar Proposal

“The Qianyu Sect is truly a wonderful place, isn’t it? The spiritual energy is abundant, and it’s nestled between the mountains and the water.” Dan Fusheng took a sip of tea, letting out a heavy sigh before lowering his gaze to observe the layout of the sect below.

He and Meng Lei sat on the Immortal Gazing Terrace on the back mountain of the Qianyu Sect. Dan Fusheng would come here every afternoon to sit for a while.

“I’m truly sorry, my child. I roughly know where your Master is, and I’ve even looked for him,” Dan Fusheng gazed at Meng Lei, his eyes filled with helplessness. “However, I don’t understand their Yu Kingdom cultivation methods, and I fell into their trap.”

Chen Gui, who was seated behind Dan Fusheng, silently shifted his gaze after hearing this, turning to admire the scenery instead of looking at his senior brother’s performance.

“I understand. The Yu Kingdom’s ruler is old, and Master… he might not want to return.” Meng Lei paused slightly as he spoke. “Is the Master who remembers his past life still the Master I knew?”

“I haven’t met the Master you speak of, but Si Fenglang isn’t simply reincarnated.” Dan Fusheng pulled a biscuit from his pocket and offered it to Meng Lei. “I’ll do my best to help you, but if it ultimately doesn’t work out, the Qianyu Sect might have to rely on you, its senior disciple.”

Meng Lei offered a helpless, bitter smile. “My cultivation isn’t sufficient. How could I possibly bear such a responsibility?”

“I do have some understanding of the Qianyu Sect’s cultivation methods. If you don’t mind, I can help you,” Dan Fusheng cut straight to the point.

Bai Yu, squeezed between them, silently sipped his tea. Upon hearing Dan Fusheng’s words, he inwardly thought, ‘This is not good.’

‘Is he exposing his true motive to steal the sect so directly?!’

“Re-really?! You don’t mind?!” Meng Lei stammered, his voice filled with surprise.

Bai Yu was puzzled. After all this time, had Meng Lei truly not discovered Dan Fusheng’s real intentions?

Chen Gui’s spiritual message echoed in Bai Yu’s mind. “No one would suspect him. He is the Demon Lord.”

‘Why would the Demon Lord need to be so roundabout just to acquire a piece of land?’ Bai Yu realized.

Moreover, when Dan Fusheng offered help, he genuinely meant it; he would indeed assist Meng Lei in organizing his cultivation methods. Thus, it was even more impossible for Meng Lei to suspect him of foul play.

Dan Fusheng had no intention of seizing the land by force. He merely wanted to build good relations with his future neighbors, then wait for the old neighbors to pass on and the new ones to grow up.

“The cultivation methods of the old Yu Kingdom are quite sinister, and in this era, the path of slaughter is no longer viable.” Dan Fusheng produced a notebook from his storage artifact. “I’ve observed your cultivation, so I have a decent understanding of your current method’s operation. This is my compilation of the old Yu Kingdom’s methods, integrated and adjusted with your current ones.”

This was not difficult for Dan Fusheng—akin to a mathematician turning to grade a second-grade math problem. He merely did it out of convenience, yet this ‘convenience’ provided immense help to Meng Lei.

“Thank you, Senior,” Meng Lei said, standing up and bowing deeply to Dan Fusheng.

“Alright, alright, none of that.” Dan Fusheng waved a hand dismissively. “I’m eating your food and living here; I ought to help out.”

Bai Yu subtly raised an eyebrow.

Dan Fusheng’s so-called ‘land grab’ was simply for a better living environment. Moreover, he was merely following the natural course of things—a ‘since I’m already here, I might as well claim a plot’ approach.

The benefits of this ‘land claim’ were limited for Dan Fusheng. It offered no aid to his cultivation, nor was this a true blessed land. He was literally just establishing a small vegetable garden. Yet, his presence here offered tangible benefits to Meng Lei and the others.

Bai Yu cultivated alongside Dan Fusheng and Chen Gui, and their casual guidance alone could cause his cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds. The same principle applied to Meng Lei and his companions. Dan Fusheng claimed he was taking their land, but in reality, both parties were entirely willing.

It was… quite a good deal.

However, Dan Fusheng had painted Sikong Fang as a cunning, great villain, seemingly possessing some ancient secret art that greatly suppressed him. They had almost forgotten that Sikong Fang was originally killed by Dan Fusheng in the first place.

Oh, perhaps they hadn’t forgotten, but people tend to overthink. They probably conjured up a myriad of hidden circumstances, effectively ‘patching up’ Sikong Fang’s abilities in their minds.

Bai Yu’s cultivation wasn’t high, but he simply felt that Sikong Fang wasn’t that formidable. Alright, Sikong Fang’s strength was certainly far superior to his own, and his cultivation method was bizarre. Yet, this bizarreness didn’t evoke much mysterious danger; Bai Yu merely felt that Sikong Fang practiced dark arts.

Upon returning to their small courtyard, Bai Yu specifically asked Dan Fusheng about it.

“Dark arts? I wouldn’t say so.” Dan Fusheng genuinely hadn’t figured out exactly how Sikong Fang revived, though he had made some guesses. “I once wiped out the Yu Kingdom’s royal family, which was like severing a plant’s roots. Can’t a rootless plant still survive for a while if soaked in water?”

“Is it because you didn’t destroy Si Fenglang and their physical bodies back then?” Bai Yu still didn’t understand.

“Their stems and leaves are not their physical bodies.” Dan Fusheng was very clear on this; he had worried about such issues and thoroughly cleaned up any corpses. “Perhaps there was some ‘national treasure’ I didn’t find, something likely related to the Yu Kingdom’s inherited cultivation methods.”

To know all the secrets, Si Fenglang and Si Chen were not qualified.

“Where is Si Fenglang, anyway?” Bai Yu asked again.

“Si Fenglang is always in my…” Dan Fusheng blinked, looking somewhat surprised. “Did you forget?”

Bai Yu: “…”

Bai Yu pinched the bridge of his nose. He really had forgotten. Dan Fusheng had acted so convincingly; Bai Yu had subconsciously assumed Dan Fusheng was merely unwilling to search for the missing sect master. He had completely forgotten Dan Fusheng had shoved him in the closet.

“He’s making a ruckus inside my barrier right now. Do you want to go see?” Dan Fusheng asked him.

“I can?!” Bai Yu exclaimed in surprise.

“Of course, as long as you don’t betray me.” Dan Fusheng led Bai Yu into the barrier.

Inside, Si Fenglang charged forward the moment he saw them, intending to attack Dan Fusheng, but he was quickly immobilized.

Dan Fusheng reprimanded him, “You claim to love me, yet the moment I enter, you try to punch me?”

Si Fenglang attempted to struggle, but his body remained utterly motionless. “Let me out! You’ve trapped me here, wearing down my spirit! And you occasionally let your junior disciple in to beat me! I love you?! Bah! I wouldn’t love a dog, let alone you!”

“Don’t discriminate against demon beasts!” Dan Fusheng said, exasperated. “I didn’t intend for my junior disciple to beat you; that was an accident. Besides, how am I wearing down your spirit? Haven’t I even bought you comic books and sent them in?”

“I even sent you a discounted fast-food combo meal.”

“Comics?! Who wants to read that stuff?! And why did you send me early childhood education comics?!” Si Fenglang demanded, his voice hoarse.

“To cultivate self-discipline and inner peace.” Dan Fusheng shook his head helplessly. “It’s just that you can’t comprehend it.”

Early childhood education comics? Bai Yu recalled that those were gifts from Dan Fusheng’s five-year-old friends. Indeed, Dan Fusheng truly spent not a single coin on entertainment for Si Fenglang.

Dan Fusheng then asked Si Fenglang, “Did you not taste a senior’s care in that combo meal?”

“You dare to act like a senior in front of me?!” Si Fenglang scoffed. “I burned it! Disgusting!”

Dan Fusheng continued to sigh. ‘With such a rebellious senior disciple, Sikong Fang must be sad.’

Dan Fusheng introduced his captive to Bai Yu, “Look, this is the former Crown Prince of the Yu Kingdom. Shall I change his clothes for him, and you can make a record?”

“Change his clothes for what?”

“To make him look more like someone from two thousand years ago.” Dan Fusheng reached out and touched Si Fenglang’s face. “Many people in your official organization have the authority to know his information, don’t they?”

Bai Yu nodded.

“If I opened a private VIP museum, and charged fifty yuan for entry to my barrier for a close-up view of the Yu Kingdom’s Crown Prince, do you think it would be a good idea?” Dan Fusheng wanted Bai Yu to help him spread the news.

Bai Yu: “…”

Dan Fusheng added, “There’s also a certain chance to see the Yu Kingdom’s Crown Prince curse loudly, which is quite interesting.”

“If you have the guts, just kill me!” Si Fenglang roared.

“He even says harsh things, incredibly spirited,” Dan Fusheng continued to pitch.

“Listen to me, you bastard!”

“For extra money, I can even stage an ‘unrequited love’ play.” Dan Fusheng’s tone shifted, full of dramatic emotion. “The high and mighty Crown Prince of the Yu Kingdom fell in love with the Demon Lord of the demon race.”

Si Fenglang trembled.

“The Demon Lord’s laughter, the Demon Lord’s tears, are all deeply etched into his heart.” Dan Fusheng patted Si Fenglang’s chest. “Beneath an unfeeling exterior lies a heart yearning to be close to the other.”

Dan Fusheng clasped his hands together. “Ah! Secret love!”

Si Fenglang: “Aaaah! Just let me die! Please!”

Bai Yu silently covered his face. “Let’s just drop this plan.” It was far too inhumane.

Dan Fusheng was very disappointed. He glanced at the despairing Si Fenglang. “Well, no choice then. Let’s talk about serious matters.”

Si Fenglang gritted his teeth. “You and I have no serious matters! Either you kill me, or I kill you! Demon! You shouldn’t even be alive in this world!”

Dan Fusheng ignored him. “I asked your Master if he intended to kill all the mixed-bloods. He didn’t directly answer my question; he was evading it, and you also—”

“You’ve seen my Master?!” Si Fenglang’s voice drowned out Dan Fusheng’s. “Demon! What did you do to him?! If you dare to kill him, I’ll make sure you die a horrible death!”

Dan Fusheng: “You first—”

Si Fenglang: “You’re not worthy to touch him! You’re not worthy to see him!”

Dan Fusheng: “That—”

Si Fenglang: “Whatever you have, direct it at me! Demon! One day I will slice you into a thousand pieces!”

Dan Fusheng took a deep breath, and then he laughed.

Si Fenglang: “What are you laughing at?! You still have the nerve to laugh?!”

“Laughing at your secret love for me.” Dan Fusheng lightly tapped Si Fenglang’s nose with his finger.

That single sentence silenced Si Fenglang instantly.

Dan Fusheng continued, “This impossible love will forever be hidden in your heart. When did it begin, I wonder?”

“Ah~ What did the Crown Prince think every time he saw the Demon Lord?” Dan Fusheng’s voice stretched out, becoming syrupy sweet and teasing.

Si Fenglang began to tremble again.

“I’m very curious.” Dan Fusheng snapped his fingers.

Chen Gui suddenly appeared within the barrier.

Si Fenglang’s pupils contracted in horror.

Chen Gui, puzzled, asked, “Demon Lord, what are you doing?”

“Junior Disciple, when do you think our Crown Prince here fell in love with the Demon Lord?” Dan Fusheng asked.

Chen Gui frowned. “I don’t know; I’m not familiar with your past.”

“No matter, I’ll tell you our story, and you can analyze it?” Dan Fusheng offered readily.

Chen Gui thought for a moment, then nodded. “Alright, but be detailed.”

Si Fenglang: “…I-I’m sorry.”

“Our second meeting, you see~” Dan Fusheng’s voice trailed off, rising high in a theatrical tone.

Si Fenglang: “Please, I was wrong.”