Because You Ruined My Life

Lu Ji took off his reading glasses and stretched. His aged body let out a series of creaks, like someone stepping on a long-neglected staircase.

"Tsk, I really am getting old." He mocked himself. "I can't even handle this little bit of work properly anymore."

"But this is the last time."

With that, he put his glasses back on and flipped through his shabby notebook, the very picture of a dedicated workaholic.

"This batch of relief grain is about the same quantity as twenty years ago... Tsk, things are clearly worse than before, yet the people above have no sympathy for the common folk. Looks like I'll have to submit another request."

"Two hundred thousand silver coins... Those grain merchants really are dreaming. They think they can take all this grain with an offer only three times higher? Do they take me for that little idiot Ulu? This is famine relief grain. Twenty years ago, it was already selling for ten times the price, and now they want it for just three times... Tsk, forget it. I can't be bothered arguing with them. Eight times it is. Better sell it off early."

"Ulu really is an idiot. Selling this many refugees all to one place—does he not fear the Hall of Judgement tracking him down? They should at least be split into five groups. And how can the old and frail be sent to do hard labor? Just hand them over to those Esoteric Sect bastards who perform living sacrifices. He really has no brains at all."

Lu Ji cursed as he worked, like a teacher grading a poor student's homework late into the night.

Only after everything was settled did he take off his glasses again and close the notebook.

"In the end, they still have to rely on me. Honestly..." Lu Ji looked at the closed notebook with some regret. "I really wish I could keep doing this for a few more decades. I really don't want to retire... Fortunately, this time isn't like before. There aren't any annoying people around to split my money. Once I collect this retirement payment, I can finally live in peace."

With that, Lu Ji raised his head and looked out the window.

It had still been evening when he began working, but now the sky was completely dark.

Only then did Lu Ji remember that he had something even more important to do tonight.

"That Guy Ulu should be here soon, too."

Muttering to himself, Lu Ji walked over to the mirror and began straightening his priestly robes.

Then he returned to his desk and took the Rhine Covenant from a drawer.

He gently brushed the dust from the book, held it against his chest, and looked into the mirror once more.

The Lu Ji in the mirror looked as though he were walking a pilgrim's path.

But he was not going on a pilgrimage. It was merely for the sense of ritual.

Lu Ji was someone who cared deeply about ritual. What he loved most was wearing priestly robes, holding the Rhine Covenant, and solemnly saying, "I represent My Lord in purifying your body and soul. You cannot refuse," while committing acts of desecration.

It thrilled him.

But he was getting old, and it had been a long time since he had done anything so exciting. On top of that, he was about to retire and leave behind his identity as a Father. It would only become harder to do in the future.

That was why he had decided to do it one last time.

Was this not a kind of ritual as well?

A proper ending to match the beginning.

Lu Ji felt that he truly was worthy of being a holy clergyman.

Just then, there was a knock at the door.

It seemed the child had arrived.

Lu Ji composed his expression, temporarily suppressing his anticipation. Then he walked to the door, opened it, and smiled. "Lovely child, I've been waiting for you..."

Before he could finish, Lu Ji sensed danger and immediately retreated. But he was still too slow. The person outside had already rushed in and stabbed him in the lower abdomen. Blood gushed out at once.

"Ulu!!!" Lu Ji naturally recognized the intruder. Shocked and enraged, he backed away and roared, "What are you doing?!"

"What am I doing?" Ulu sneered. "Of course I'm killing you, you old bastard!"

After stabbing once, Ulu quickly moved to stab again.

Lu Ji naturally continued backing into the room, roaring as he retreated, "Have you gone insane?!"

"Insane? I'm not insane." Ulu pointed the knife at Lu Ji. "Do you not know what you did to me?!"

As he spoke, he lunged after him again. Lu Ji dodged while frantically considering countermeasures. At the same time, he kept talking to Ulu, trying to stall for time. "Is this because of that grain money? Aren't we splitting it together?"

"Why should we split it? Did you give me a share twenty years ago? I'm a Father now. All of that should be mine!"

So it really was because of this!

Lu Ji cursed inwardly while pretending to regret it and beg for mercy. "If you wanted it all, couldn't you have just told me? It's such a small amount of money. Was there any need to take things this far? What kind of relationship do we have? Did we really need to fall out like this?"

"What kind of relationship do we have? You still dare mention that?" Ulu kept roaring. "Think about what you did to me!"

"What did I do?"

"You made me take off all my clothes and stand on a table reading the Rhine Covenant! And then, and then... Fuck, you ruined my life!"

Fuck, wasn't that voluntary? You did it willingly for a bite to eat, for the position of Father!

Lu Ji roared inwardly, but he did not dare say it aloud and provoke Ulu. He could only continue yielding. "It was my fault. I can apologize to you."

"Apologize? After doing all that, what use is an apology?!" Ulu glared furiously. "And do you think I'd believe your apology? You were still saying today that little boys taste better!"

"I also apo... Hm?" Lu Ji instinctively wanted to keep apologizing, but before the words left his mouth, he froze. "Which little boy did I mention? When the fuck did that happen?!"

"You still dare deny it?! It's something that's about to happen!"

Lu Ji: "???"

At this point, even Bai Wei could no longer stand listening.

These two old assholes arguing were way too inappropriate for children, so he coldly reminded them, "Enough nonsense. That old bastard is preparing a spell."

Preparing a spell?!

Only after hearing the warning did Ulu notice that Lu Ji had been hiding one hand while dodging.

This bastard really was preparing a spell!

He immediately threw the knife in his hand at Lu Ji. The blade grazed Lu Ji's arm, leaving behind a streak of blood.

But it was already too late.

Lu Ji's expression shifted from panic to a vicious grin. "You... useless trash!"

He raised his hand. Several magical sigils suddenly appeared in midair, and several Magic Chains shot out from them, instantly binding Ulu tightly from head to toe.

The situation reversed in an instant!

"You want to kill me?!" Lu Ji roared at Ulu. "You worthless trash?! You think you can kill me?!"