The Demon Lord and I: Frenemies - Chapter 14

Chu Bingxiao had been walking for a long time, yet his posture remained upright, like an immovable stone. He glanced around at the frightened new disciples and began to reprimand them without mercy.

“Some of you have always been arrogant on the mountain, disregarding basic swordsmanship and techniques, and even treating this mission as a trivial matter. But now, just a mere group of Two Leaves Wind Howl Beasts has thrown you into disarray, leaving you battered before even reaching the town. Lotus Flower Sect has recruited so many disciples, but I’ve never seen a batch like this.”

Seeing his cold expression, everyone lowered their heads helplessly, staring at the mud on their shoes, not daring to speak.

Wind Howl Beasts are low-level Spirit Beasts; as long as you can Gather Qi and Condense Essence, you can basically handle them. Unfortunately, the disciples lacked experience. Once they fell into danger, their minds became chaotic, let alone breaking through the encirclement.

Chu Zaishuang watched her brother scold them with a stern face and added in her heart, “What my brother means is, this is the worst batch he’s ever led!”

Xiao Shi: [But hasn’t your brother only led this batch?]

“Exactly. So you could say it’s the best, or the worst. Truly perfect.”

[?]

“Sect missions are not a game. If today’s Spirit Beasts were stronger, those who fell behind would have already met their end here.” Chu Bingxiao looked directly at Lu Hewei. “Down the mountain, no one knows your background, and no Spirit Beast cares about your thoughts. All you have is the sword in your hand.”

Lu Hewei gritted his teeth, unable to lift his head.

“This is true cultivation. Put away unnecessary emotions and abandon the idea of relying on others. If similar situations occur again-if you ignore orders, delay, or fall behind-even if you’re in danger, I won’t save you.” Chu Bingxiao’s tone was indifferent, sounding heartless.

The group responded weakly, “…Yes.”

“Follow me ahead, we’re almost there.”

Chu Bingxiao continued to lead the team, no longer watching the ones behind, striding toward the distant lights without looking back. Along the way, the disciples were much quieter, not daring to dawdle, constantly alert to their surroundings.

As dusk fell, a single light in the dark forest drove away lurking beasts. Following the white-marked path, they saw smoke curling ahead. Though called a town where mortals gathered, it was more like a village.

The small buildings in the town were far less bustling than the Mortal Dust Marsh market. Occasionally, there were grass sheds with crossbars, hung with dried meat and bones. The animal pelts dried during the day had now been moved inside. The locals lived by hunting, collecting Spirit Beast hides, and selling them for a decent profit.

“Immortals, you’re finally here! You must have had a hard journey!”

At the town gate stood a middle-aged man, plain-looking and simply dressed, holding a Lotus Flower Sect token. Upon seeing the disciples in white, he hurried over.

“I am Chu Bingxiao of Lotus Flower Sect.” Chu Bingxiao accepted the lotus-patterned mission letter and apologized, “Sorry, we were delayed on the road and arrived later than agreed. Thank you for waiting.”

“Not at all! This place is remote, and we’re deeply grateful that immortals are willing to come!” The man led the way. “Please, come inside. I’ll take you to your resting place.”

Moments later, an unremarkable inn came into view. All the rooms inside were empty, prepared specifically for the disciples.

“Rest for tonight. Gather at the gate at dawn.”

After speaking, Chu Bingxiao left the inn with the man to discuss the details of the mission.

Li Jingjie watched the two leave and suddenly understood, “No wonder Senior Brother Chu was so angry-someone was waiting for us outside the town.”

“It’s just a mortal. What’s the big deal if he waits a bit longer?” Lu Hewei said disdainfully.

Chu Zaishuang nodded, “True, he’s just a mortal, but he wasn’t pecked by birds. Maybe he walked here faster than you.”

“Chu Zaishuang!”

Fei Wanghuai smiled, holding his fan, and smoothed things over, “Alright, everyone’s tired from the journey. Go check your rooms and rest early.”

After the ordeal with the birds, everyone entered the inn to tidy themselves up.

Su Hongli hesitated at the door, seeing the warm yellow light illuminating a girl and a boy standing side by side, talking about something. She lingered, unsure whether to go upstairs.

“What’s wrong?” Li Jingjie saw her standing still and curiously peeked out. When he saw who the two were, he wailed, “Are they at it again? Are they together again?”

Fei Wanghuai and Chu Zaishuang were inseparable, always together, now with their heads close again. Dressed in Cloud Water Robes, their white garments glowed in the warm light, like moonlight nestled in the night.

Su Hongli said, “I want to thank her.”

Li Jingjie waved his hand, “Forget it. Why rush over now? Wait until the day they’re not glued together, or you’ll ruin the mood!”

Su Hongli asked sincerely, “Will I ever see the day they’re not together? I’ve been waiting so long.”

“…” Li Jingjie was at a loss for words, comforting her, “We cultivators will always have a chance.”

Since entering the town, Chu Zaishuang’s eyes had been darting around, eager to explore. As soon as rest time arrived, she slipped out the door, wanting to take a stroll, only to be grabbed by someone.
Fei Wanghuai held a fan in one hand and pinched the back of her collar with the other, smiling as he said, “You aren’t wearing your sword – where are you going at this hour?”

Chu Zaishuang muttered, “I’m not going far, just taking a walk around here to see if there are any shops.”

“Mm, and then you’ll find a roast duck shop, settle down, and start loitering for free meals long-term.”

“?”

Pinned by him, Chu Zaishuang could only glare at him resentfully, unable to voice her anger. She wished she could unleash a lightning spell from her apricot eyes and zap him on the spot. She was truly childlike at heart-brilliant at chess, yet for some reason always more interested in playful, useless things.

Fei Wanghuai released her collar and tossed something to her. “Put this on. I won’t bother you anymore.”

A flash of silver passed by. Chu Zaishuang reached out and caught it, opened her palm, and saw a silver bracelet. She asked in confusion, “What is this?”

The metal bracelet was exquisitely crafted, covered in intricate floral patterns. When she wore it, it fit her wrist perfectly, leaving not a sliver of space. The silver possessed a cold, striking beauty, unlike the gentle warmth of jade. Beneath the mysterious designs, it seemed to conceal a hidden menace.

“A Sleeve Arrow. There’s a Cloud Brocade Rope attached to the arrowhead, so you can use it as a whip,” Fei Wanghuai explained. “You don’t have enough spiritual energy for a real sword yet. This is better suited for your training.”

What he didn’t say was that such Sleeve Arrows were his childhood toys. She hadn’t yet developed a cultivator’s heart; at her current level, she was truly like a child.

Upon hearing this, Chu Zaishuang immediately took off the Sleeve Arrow as if it were a hot potato. “Then I don’t want it.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t want to cultivate.”

He shot her a sideways glance. “Then at least keep it for self-defense. If you encounter another Spirit Beast, you might not be as lucky as today and able to find your way out like the townspeople.”

Of course, Chu Bingxiao had left a Tracking Butterfly on her, which was another means of protection.

“Why not?” Chu Zaishuang stared at the Sleeve Arrow in her hand, sneaking a glance at Fei Wanghuai, and suddenly asked, “Why do you cultivate?”

Fei Wanghuai was extraordinarily persistent in his pursuit of strength-one could say it was etched into his bones. Even his kindness to others followed the same logic: he always gave weapons that made others stronger. She was sometimes curious-what kind of experience had given him such an obsession?

“That’s what I should ask you-why don’t you cultivate?” Fei Wanghuai crossed his arms. “I’ve never seen anyone on Lotus Peak Mountain who doesn’t cultivate.”

“Who says everyone on Lotus Peak Mountain is cultivating? Do they even know what they’re cultivating for? To investigate principles and exhaust one’s nature-what principles are they seeking? To reach the heavens and become divine-what heaven are they reaching? I don’t think many people know. Can that really be called cultivation?”

Chu Zaishuang said crisply, “They call themselves immortals, but they are still just mortals, unable to escape the cycle of big fish eating small fish, the strong preying on the weak. Just having spiritual energy and calling it cultivation doesn’t make it any different.”

So she did not cultivate. She still hadn’t figured out what she was truly cultivating for.

If cultivation were the only standard in the world, then there must be something wrong with this world. There should be other ways to solve problems.

Fei Wanghuai paused, surprised by her words.

“Why do you cultivate?” She blinked, a little bewildered, and asked earnestly, “My brother treats those sixteen words as his lifelong standard, so he cultivates. Why do you?”

“I…”

Suddenly, the roaring of the Wangchuan River surged in his ears again. Above the river, flames soared sky-high, completely illuminating the night.

Blood, cold water, thick smoke, sharp arrows. Thousands upon thousands of sparks fell from the sky; the slaughter and wailing seemed as if they would turn his world to dust.

Amid the chaos, his mother’s high and desperate voice rang out:

“Ah huai, don’t look back! Follow the Huai River, follow the Wangchuan River, always downstream!”

“You are of the true Royal Family. When you set foot on this land again, every traitor must die – no forgiveness!”

Wanghuai. Wanghuai.

He looked at the Huai River from that year, never able to forget.

Facing her clear eyes, Fei Wanghuai felt as if he were looking into a bright mirror, reflecting countless emotions and leaving him at a loss. He suppressed his expression, touched the sapphire at his collarbone, and said quietly, “There is no reason. Or rather, it’s a reason you wouldn’t accept.”

Chu Zaishuang didn’t understand.

“You’re right. This world is just the strong preying on the weak, big fish eating small fish. So, like everyone else on the mountain, I want to become that big fish – to become strong through cultivation.”

She was left speechless.

“Remember to come back early. I’m going back to my room.”

After saying this, Fei Wanghuai, for once, did not follow her. He turned and left, returning to the inn to rest. His white figure gradually receded, his robe fluttering as he walked – like a kite with a broken string, drifting in the wind, inexplicably giving off a sense of fragility.

“Liar.”

Chu Zaishuang watched him go upstairs, lowered her eyes, and muttered, “He’s clearly smiling, but it looks like he’s about to cry.”