Li Xuanxiao became a protector of the demonic sect.
Well, he had not expected things to develop this way.
A dignified, upright Shushan Disciple like him had actually become a protector of the demonic sect.
Li Xuanxiao comforted himself that this was merely an expedient measure to stay alive.
As a protector, he was certainly not there to protect Di Nüfeng.
Had anyone ever seen an ant protect an elephant?
His main duty was to serve Di Nüfeng well.
Pouring tea and water, that sort of thing~
Fortunately, Di Nüfeng was not fond of feeding on pure yang energy.
After several days of observation, Li Xuanxiao discovered that Di Nüfeng's previous injuries had not fully recovered.
Thus, she spent most of her time resting inside the cave dwelling.
The dignified leader of a demonic sect had but one pleasure: playing chess with Li Xuanxiao all day.
And she was a shameless rascal who loved to cheat.
She would casually take back moves, secretly use spiritual power to shift the pieces...
Li Xuanxiao could only pretend not to notice any of it.
After all, Li Xuanxiao understood perfectly well.
The moment he got serious, Di Nüfeng might very well grab the chessboard and beat him to death, claiming victory beyond the board.
He would not become lightheaded and float among the clouds just because of Di Nüfeng's attitude toward him.
Did she think this was some dating game?
"Through the mortal world, waves break beneath two vast skies; enduring humiliation with gentleness is the wondrous way. The hard crossbow's string is always first to snap; since ancient times, a steel blade's edge is easily chipped. Men perish first for greed of wealth; birds die early for fighting over food.
"No matter how cunningly you seize and scheme, in the end you cannot escape being buried beneath yellow scorched earth!"
Li Xuanxiao slapped the wooden block and spoke in a ringing voice.
"Today's story did not happen in the present day. No one could say exactly which dynasty it was; it happened long, long ago. This segment is called Officialdom Strife..."
Across from him, Di Nüfeng gnawed on a fragrant fruit, listening with rapt attention.
She sat with one leg crossed over the other, lazily reclining against an exquisite cushioned seat that seemed woven from clouds.
Those clear, bright eyes like autumn water were currently gleaming with keen vitality.
The guards nearby shot Li Xuanxiao looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred.
Ever since this man arrived, he had taken all of the sect leader's attention.
The sect leader no longer summoned them to play games.
Naturally, there were no more rewards either. Everyone knew that accompanying Sect Leader Di Nüfeng at play was an exceedingly easy and pleasant task.
They only needed to coax her, yield to her at every turn, and make her happy.
Di Nüfeng was generous with her gifts. With a casual wave of her hand, she could bring them endless benefit.
Di Nüfeng was extremely pleased with Li Xuanxiao and took him everywhere she went.
Of course, that attitude was more like the way she treated a pet of her own.
Or rather, all the cultists in this demon's lair were Di Nüfeng's pets.
Di Nüfeng also kept several human dogs.
What were human dogs?
They were, in fact, people—and all of them had once been formidable experts who stirred the winds and clouds.
Now, Di Nüfeng had crippled their cultivation, kept them in the demon's lair, and trained them into dogs.
She chained them at the entrance. Whenever Di Nüfeng passed by,
the two human dogs would bark ingratiatingly, then stick out their tongues.
Di Nüfeng treated them rather well too. When she was happy, she would toss one of them a fruit or a pastry.
Watching them scramble over the food, she would reveal a delighted smile.
Of course, Di Nüfeng also had times when she was unhappy.
For example, one day, while recovering from her injuries, the pain made her bare her teeth and grimace.
When she stepped outside again, saliva from one human dog accidentally splashed onto the hem of her clothes.
Expressionlessly, Di Nüfeng crushed that human dog's head beneath her foot.
Li Xuanxiao, serving at her side, took in every bit of it.
The next day, Li Xuanxiao discovered that the dead human dog at the entrance had already been replaced with a new face.
"..."
Di Nüfeng lazily reclined against the couch, one jade foot held high while the other swayed lightly.
She wore a luxurious brocade gown, its skirt spreading like flowing clouds, further accentuating her graceful figure and elegant bearing.
Li Xuanxiao, meanwhile, sat respectfully below Di Nüfeng, gently holding her jade foot in both hands as he carefully began to massage the sole.
His movements were practiced and delicate. As Li Xuanxiao massaged her, a satisfied smile gradually surfaced on Di Nüfeng's face.
Her narrow phoenix eyes slowly narrowed, and every turn of her gaze overflowed with charm and allure.
Di Nüfeng smiled as she gazed at Li Xuanxiao. "Being this Venerable One's subordinate is far better than being a Shushan Disciple, isn't it?"
"Of course. It is my honor to follow the boss."
Li Xuanxiao understood perfectly well what that look meant.
Unfortunately, he did not want to become a dog.
He was a Shushan Disciple!!
"..."
That day, Li Xuanxiao, deeply favored by Di Nüfeng, once more came to the prison to visit Zhang Tianxin.
At the request of our many readers, we now offer ad-free VIP membership.
Click to view.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, you have suffered greatly!!"
Zhang Tianxin glanced at Li Xuanxiao's gold-and-silver-adorned attire and said rather resentfully,
"Why do I feel like you are thriving like a fish in water?"
"This is all a false appearance to deceive them! I have already obtained a map of the entire demonic sect. Tonight, the two of us can escape!"
"Oh?" Zhang Tianxin was delighted. "Truly?"
"Of course. At Three Geng tonight, I will come find you."
Li Xuanxiao lowered his voice.
Zhang Tianxin nodded heavily, tears filling her eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Li, I misunderstood you."
Just thinking of her earlier suspicions made Zhang Tianxin want to slap herself.
I truly deserve to die!!
How could I have doubted Fellow Daoist Li? Even now, Fellow Daoist Li is still striving and enduring humiliation while bearing a heavy burden.
That night, at Three Geng.
Li Xuanxiao left Di Nüfeng's bedchamber.
Di Nüfeng was sound asleep.
Li Xuanxiao placed the Sound Recording Stone, which contained his voice, on the table.
The Sound Recording Stone continuously played the voice Li Xuanxiao had recorded beforehand.
Then Li Xuanxiao went to the cells, lured away the guards, and opened the cell door with a key he had copied earlier.
Everything went extremely smoothly.
Hope appeared in Zhang Tianxin's eyes.
"Fellow Daoist Li, where should we go now?"
Li Xuanxiao smiled confidently. "I have discovered many secret passages within the demon's lair. These passages are tangled and intricate; the slightest carelessness could trigger mechanisms and bring eternal damnation.
"However, I have obtained a map from Di Nüfeng. The two of us only need to slip away through the secret passages."
Zhang Tianxin hurriedly nodded in agreement.
What are we waiting for? Let's go already. I cannot endure another day of this life.
Yet they had barely walked out when the footsteps of demonic sect disciples sounded behind them.
"They're over there!"
"Quick, chase them!"
Zhang Tianxin's expression changed. "Fellow Daoist Li, this route seems wrong. We've been discovered."
They seemed to have entered a dead end, while demonic sect disciples were now charging in from their sole escape route.
Zhang Tianxin did not mean to blame Li Xuanxiao and merely sighed softly.
"Fellow Daoist Li, it seems Heaven will not aid us.
"So be it! So be it!
"Since we are to die, then we shall die fighting! We'll take several down with us as burial companions."
Zhang Tianxin tore apart the clothes on her body, revealing firm, powerful muscle lines as sharply defined as carving.
Her broad shoulders, thick arms, and taut abdominal muscles all displayed her formidable physique.
"Fellow Daoist Li, we shall meet in the underworld!"
Zhang Tianxin looked toward the charging demonic sect disciples, her eyes brimming with resolve.
"Zhang Tianxin of the Golden Thunder Sect shall fight you lot to the death today!"
The next second, Li Xuanxiao sent her flying into the wall with a massive kick.
What followed was a merciless barrage of punches and kicks.
"You unrepentant prisoner! You still dare attempt an escape? Brothers, beat her!!"
The pursuing demonic sect disciples charged over without hesitation and began kicking Zhang Tianxin in a circle.
Once they had beaten her enough, Li Xuanxiao stopped them.
A Golden Core Stage disciple said angrily, "Come! Lock her in the Heaven-class cell and let her have a taste of it! We'll see if she still dares escape!"
"Yes."
At once, demonic sect disciples dragged Zhang Tianxin—beaten beyond all recognition—toward the Heaven-class cell.
Zhang Tianxin barely forced her eyes open, looking at Li Xuanxiao as her lips moved.
"Wuwuwu, I ***** your mother."
Li Xuanxiao wiped away the beads of blood splashed onto his head. "Why do I faintly hear someone sending greetings to my mother?"
"..."
The Heaven-class cell.
Zhang Tianxin lay on the floor, more dead than alive.
Compared with the torture Zhang Tianxin had endured before, the Heaven-class cell was child's play.
Here, she could experience the cruelest torment in the human world.
It could make her remember even the memories of her previous life.
Di Nüfeng might look a little foolish, but she had never shown mercy in her methods toward enemies.
Otherwise, Heavenly Fiend Hall would never have become the most notoriously brutal demonic sect in the Central Continent.
At that moment, Li Xuanxiao appeared again.
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, are you all right?"
Zhang Tianxin:...
You tell me?
"Fellow Daoist Zhang, our plan has already succeeded halfway!" Li Xuanxiao said.
Before you continue