Villainous Junior Chapter 25
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 25: Protective Return
It must be a dream. Xue Lang thought.
But this was something he didn't dare to hope to hear even in his dreams.
He felt that in this moment, the entire world fell silent, with only the thudding of his own heart echoing in his ears, each beat more rapid and forceful than the last. He knew he should have retorted with something like "Who cares about you," but when he opened his mouth, what came out was a single "Okay."
He simply decided to go along with the mistake, boldly indulging his heart's desire for once. "You said it yourself, no going back on your word."
A hint of a smile seeped into Meng Chen's eyes. "Mm. Won't go back on my word."
Looking at those gentle, smiling eyes, he felt his cheeks burning intensely, almost to the point of pain. "Then... then from now on, you have to listen to everything I say!"
"Alright."
Xue Lang immediately seized the opportunity. "Then that whatever-it's-called 'Xuanjue Technique', you're not allowed to practice it anymore!!"
Meng Chen hadn't expected this to be his first demand and hesitated slightly for a moment. Seeing this, Xue Lang immediately became anxious. "How can you be like this!? You just agreed to listen to everything I say! You know how harmful that Xuanjue Technique is, why are you in such a hurry to improve your cultivation? And that Bone-Melting Soul-Consuming Incense, didn't you say it was confiscated from demonic cultivators? Why are you burning it yourself!? Don't tell me you think it smells good and you're using it as regular incense!!"
Meng Chen slightly pursed his lips, quietly shifting his gaze away, casually landing on a small pebble on the ground nearby.
Xue Lang had noticed that whenever this person didn't want to say something or wanted to hide something, he would show this expression.
"It doesn't matter if you don't want to tell me the reason, but you absolutely cannot practice that technique anymore!" Xue Lang said fiercely. "If you don't listen, I'll, I'll—"
He "I'll—" several times, unable to think of what he could do to this person. Just as he was feeling rather awkward, stuck in the middle, he heard Meng Chen say, "Alright. I won't practice it anymore."
Xue Lang immediately became overjoyed. "Really?"
Meng Chen made an "mm" sound and said softly. "Really."
After his rebirth, he understood that strength was the only way to control one's fate. He had practiced the Xuanjue technique without hesitation, thinking only that even if he ended up with no way out and perished together with those people, he would never again be at the mercy of others.
As for not living to old age, he didn't care. After all, he had been alone from beginning to end, and there was nothing worth lingering for.
But now he realized that there was actually someone he couldn't let go of.
Xue Lang's appearance made his thoughts less extreme, secretly rekindling a glimmer of hope for this malicious fate and world. If possible, he didn't want to die so early anymore, letting this body rot in the ground for nothing. He wanted to, after getting his revenge, still have a relatively healthy body left, so he could leave Taixuan Sect with Xue Lang and see different sights in this world.
He had heard that the plum blossoms in Meihua Valley were as fierce as fire, and the waterfall in Dayan Bay was as brilliant as the Milky Way. There was snow that never melted at the peak of Kunlun Mountain, and the peach blossom wine at Guiyuan Inn could make one forget a thousand sorrows with one drink.
In his previous life, during the short twenty-some years, half was spent struggling and striving desperately to survive in the mundane world, and half was trapped on this mountain, unable to glimpse the outside world again until death.
This time, he wanted to walk out.
He wanted to walk out together with Xue Lang.
"Really." He repeated once more, "I won't practice it anymore."
Xue Lang finally couldn't help but break into a smile, looking as if a heavy burden had been lifted. As they were speaking, Meng Chen gradually recovered. He supported himself on Xue Lang's arm and sat up from his embrace, asking, "How did you think of coming to find me?"
Xue Lang looked at his empty arms, suppressing a hint of reluctance and disappointment in his heart. He was too embarrassed to admit that he had been constantly thinking about him, so he simply said, "Your paper crane led me here."
After all, that was the truth, so it wasn't really a lie.
Meng Chen understood. The paper crane he had given to Xue Lang wasn't an ordinary communication talisman. It had a trace of his own divine consciousness attached to it. His original intention was to protect Xue Lang, but he never expected to be saved by him instead. Thinking of this, he took out the mermaid silk robe he had obtained in the cave earlier. Xue Lang also recognized this treasure and asked, "You came to Black Water Pool for this?"
Meng Chen made an affirmative sound and handed the mermaid silk robe to Xue Lang.
Xue Lang didn't take it, staring blankly with wide eyes. "What for?"
"It's for you," Meng Chen said. "Wear it on your body. It can resist blades and spears, protect against water and fire, and withstand magical artifacts. It could come in handy at crucial moments."
At least when encountering people with ill intentions who strike to kill, it could save one's life.
"I don't want it!" Xue Lang immediately said. "My skin is thick and tough. I can take a beating. I don't need this."
Meng Chen looked at him for a few moments, then suddenly reached out and touched his face.
Xue Lang's soul almost flew away at the touch. The heat that had just subsided came rushing back with double intensity.
"It's quite soft," Meng Chen touched him a couple more times, even giving a little pinch, and seriously evaluated. "Not rough at all."
Xue Lang was nearly driven crazy by him. "How, how can you touch me without warning!!"
"You're not a young lady, why can't I touch you casually?" Meng Chen discovered he had a new amusement - he enjoyed seeing the young man's flustered reaction. He deliberately said, "Then if I give you a warning, does that mean I can touch you?"
He said this as he reached out with both hands, placing them on the young man's cheeks and rubbing vigorously a few times.
Meng Chen had always liked cleanliness and tidiness, reluctant to have excessive physical contact with others. But as he cupped Xue Lang's face, he didn't feel any aversion at all. Instead, he felt his palms were warm and hot, as if he was holding a small sun.
Xue Lang felt that what was in Meng Chen's palms was not his face, but his heart.
That heart was already excited and agitated beyond measure, and now it was being held and kneaded by the very person who caused it. It was about to reach its limit at any moment, ready to burst into a shower of fireworks.
Fortunately, Meng Chen finally stopped tormenting him and directly stuffed the mermaid silk robe into his arms. Before Xue Lang could speak, he said, "My cultivation is higher than yours, I have the ability to protect myself. There are many dangers in the secret realm. If something happened to you and I had to rescue you again, it would just add an extra layer of trouble."
He knew how to phrase it to make Xue Lang accept. Sure enough, Xue Lang didn't refuse again and silently put on the mermaid silk robe.
Meng Chen looked at the young man's gloomy expression mixed with a hint of grievance and sadness, and added, "However, I don't mind this kind of trouble."
Xue Lang paused, his eyes brightened, and the corners of his mouth secretly turned up again.
So easy to coax, Meng Chen thought.
But, so cute.
****
After a brief rest, the two prepared to leave this place. Xue Lang glanced at the person beside him who was only wearing a snow-white undergarment. He took off his outer robe and handed it over with one hand.
"Here, borrow it to wear," he said dryly. "Who told you to be so lightly dressed and lose your clothes? If you catch a cold from the wind—"
"It would bring shame to the sect if word got out," Meng Chen calmly finished his sentence while accepting the outer robe. "Then many thanks, Junior Brother."
For this entry into the Taixu Secret Realm, fearing that he might dirty his school uniform in battle and combat, Xue Lang had worn a pure black outer robe. The colors Meng Chen most often wore before were green and white, this was the first time he wore black clothes. His skin was already fair, and now with the black as a contrast, he looked as if he were made of ice and snow. Paired with his flawless features, he was as beautiful as a spirit that had walked out of the dark night, every movement making it impossible to look away.
Xue Lang stared blankly for a while, then suddenly reached up to cover his nose. When he felt that it was dry underneath, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
...Thankfully, he hadn't embarrassed himself!
The two left Black Water Pool, and Meng Chen asked, "Did you come alone?"
Xue Lang startled, suddenly remembering the group of companions he had left behind. He quickly led Meng Chen to the place where they had been gathering herbs earlier, but found that his companions were already gone.
"They probably got tired of waiting and left first," Xue Lang felt a bit guilty, but had no way to contact them. He could only continue along the current path with Meng Chen, hoping they might be lucky enough to run into them again.
However, after walking for a while, they didn't encounter their previous companions, but instead ran into another group of people.
As soon as Xue Lang saw a certain face among them, his expression immediately darkened. The other person, however, didn't even notice him, their gaze instantly and unerringly falling on Meng Chen. Their voice changed with excitement. "Senior Brother Meng!!"
The six or seven people before them were all disciples from Yuhua Peak. They were all delighted to see Meng Chen and came forward to greet him. Meng Chen nodded in response, then continued walking forward with Xue Lang.
"Senior Brother Meng, could we trouble you for some help?"
Hearing someone call him, Meng Chen turned back to see a plump, kind-looking young man speaking. The youth's eyes were fixed on him unblinkingly, his expression barely containing his excitement.
Meng Chen had a vague impression of this person. He seemed to be called Tong Zhong.
"The flame crystals in the Flame Lion Cave are excellent materials for forging hidden weapons. We're currently learning to make Wind Thunder Cones, which happen to require flame crystals. But the Flame Lion Cave requires at least Golden Core cultivation, and none of us have high enough cultivation," Tong Zhong requested. "Could we trouble Senior Brother Meng for a moment to help us retrieve a piece of flame crystal?"
Lending a hand to fellow disciples was a common practice, and a Flame Lion wasn't difficult to deal with. Meng Chen agreed without much thought and was about to enter the Flame Lion Cave when Xue Lang reached out to stop him.
"I'll go," he said. "You wait for me outside."
Although Meng Chen's outward appearance showed no abnormalities now, he had suffered great damage to his spirit earlier in Black Water Pool. Xue Lang was still worried and wanted him to rest more.
Golden Core cultivation was sufficient to deal with a Flame Lion. Meng Chen thought it would be good for Xue Lang to get some practice, so he nodded.
It was only then that Tong Zhong recognized Xue Lang.
His gaze shifted back and forth between Xue Lang and the black outer robe on Meng Chen for a moment. The smile on his face gradually froze, his expression twisting strangely.
"Senior Brother Meng," Tong Zhong suddenly spoke up. "Let me go with Xue Lang. We can look out for each other if anything happens."
Xue Lang glanced at him but didn't say anything.
Meng Chen didn't think much of it either. After all, disciples were free to act on their own in the secret realm, and he had no right to interfere. So he casually agreed.
He waited outside the Flame Lion Cave with the other Yuhua Peak disciples. About half an hour later, they saw the two come out - but something seemed wrong. Xue Lang was dragging Tong Zhong out by one arm.
The Yuhua Peak disciples were startled and immediately surrounded them. "Tong Zhong, what happened to you!?"
"He's injured!" Someone with sharp eyes noticed the blood on Tong Zhong. "What happened? Was it the Flame Lion?"
Tong Zhong coughed heavily, gritted his teeth and looked at Xue Lang, saying in a trembling voice. "It was Xue Lang who harmed me! We had already gotten the flame crystal and were about to retreat, but he suddenly struck me from behind with his palm, pushing me in front of the Flame Lion. I was bitten by the Flame Lion. If I hadn't run fast enough, I would have lost my life!"
Upon hearing this, Xue Lang immediately exploded. "Say that again, you bastard!?"
After he had obtained the flame crystal, he had signaled for retreat. But this Tong fellow had ignored it and instead rushed towards the Flame Lion like a madman. Xue Lang hadn't forgotten what this person had done before and was disgusted and furious with him. But he couldn't just watch him be bitten to death by the Flame Lion, so he had reluctantly gone forward to rescue him and drag him out.
And now this person was turning around and accusing him, saying that he had pushed him!!
Meng Chen also frowned and asked Tong Zhong. "What did you say?"
Hearing Meng Chen speak to him, Tong Zhong's eyes lit up. He immediately said, "Senior Brother Meng, Xue Lang tried to harm me! He struck me from behind!"
After saying this, he lowered his head and bent over, letting everyone see his back. A Yuhua Peak disciple carefully lifted his outer garment, revealing a blue-purple palm print on Tong Zhong's back. Judging from the force of the mark left, it was indeed caused by someone with Golden Core cultivation.
There were only the two of them who had entered the Flame Lion Cave, and Xue Lang was indeed at Golden Core cultivation. If it wasn't him, who else could it have been?
"Xue Lang, you are really deceiving people too much!" The disciple from Yuhua Peak glared at Xue Lang and angrily said, "Last time, you beat up Tong Zhong for no reason, causing him to be bedridden with serious injuries for a full seven days. This time you actually want to kill him directly! How can you be so vicious!"
Meng Chen's eyes flickered. So the person Xue Lang beat up when he was in confinement was Tong Zhong?
Xue Lang was practically laughing at these people who were twisting black and white and shifting blame. He no longer paid attention to them, only turning to look steadily at Meng Chen, saying, "I didn't beat him."
Meng Chen: "I know."
Xue Lang was startled. Although Meng Chen always protected him, the other person was actually someone with extremely strong principles. Looking at the current situation, this incident really seemed like something he had done. He thought Meng Chen would at least ask a couple of questions before making a judgment, but didn't expect the other party to believe him without hesitation.
His chest felt unbearably hot, and his original anger and irritation immediately dissipated.
Meng Chen patted his shoulder and started walking towards Tong Zhong. As Tong Zhong saw him getting closer and closer, his breathing involuntarily became more rapid. Then he watched helplessly as Meng Chen waved his hand gently, retrieving a talisman from inside Tong Zhong's clothes from a distance.
"Energy storage talisman." Meng Chen held the used talisman between his fingertips, his expression cold. "This was probably given to you by a disciple at the Golden Core stage for self-protection, wasn't it?"
The energy storage talisman was a mid-level talisman that could store spiritual power and techniques for emergencies. Of course, the stored power was limited and could usually only be used once. It was mostly given by masters to disciples or by seniors to juniors for self-defense.
Tong Zhong froze instantly.
"The handprints on your back are even, indicating that the person who struck you has a steady and profound aura, mainly practicing palm techniques. They must be from Wuzhao Peak," Meng Chen said. "As far as I know, there are no more than ten people on Wuzhao Peak who practice palm techniques. Do I need to find them and confront you?"
Tong Zhong was covered in cold sweat, his lips trembling violently, unable to utter a single word.
"Malicious intent, framing a fellow disciple, deliberately falsely accusing," Meng Chen said coldly, his voice carrying an inhuman severity. "After leaving the secret realm, go to the Disciplinary Hall to receive your punishment."
The other Yuhua Peak disciples hadn't expected such a turn of events and hurriedly pleaded for their fellow disciple.
"Senior Brother Meng, Tong Zhong was just confused for a moment. Please forgive him this once!"
"Yes, Senior Brother Meng, you don't know, but Tong Zhong has always admired and respected you the most. He borrowed books you've read, copied characters you've written, mentions your name to us every day, and even has a painting of you practicing sword techniques hanging in his study room, saying he wants to follow you forever—"
Meng Chen: "Do these things have anything to do with him framing and falsely accusing a fellow disciple?"
Those Yuhua Peak disciples met his gaze and suddenly felt a chill in their hearts, a sense of fear rising abruptly. They couldn't say another word.
"Besides, I don't need anyone to follow me," Meng Chen said coldly. "And I especially don't like people hanging any paintings in their rooms without my permission."
The air was dead silent, everyone was as quiet as a cicada in winter, and Tong Zhong fell to the ground, his face as pale as death.
Even Xue Lang hadn't expected him to speak so harshly, and for a moment, he was too stunned to react. Meng Chen glanced at him, intending to signal him to leave together, but saw that the young man was standing there foolishly, completely missing his cue.
Meng Chen had no choice but to walk over and take his hand, leading him away.
