Villainous Junior Chapter 34
Translated by Sylver (ko-fi)
Chapter 34: Answer
The scene became very awkward for a moment.
Xue Lang tremblingly pointed at the wooden comb in Meng Chen's hand. "You... you..."
Meng Chen instinctively put the hand holding the wooden comb behind his back.
Then he realized this gesture was completely foolish, so he silently brought his hand back.
Alright, now it could be confirmed that the surnamed Xue bandit encountered in the illusion was undoubtedly Xue Lang himself. The boss probably saw they came together, so very thoughtfully put them in the same illusion.
However, this didn't seem to be the focus at the moment... Meng Chen found his thoughts were unusually jumbled, and didn't know how to deal with the current situation.
"I- I have a stomachache!" Xue Lang suddenly turned and ran out, "Going to the latrine first!!"
Meng Chen watched the young man's fleeing figure, about to call out but stopping himself. He rubbed his temples with his fingers and sighed with a bit of a headache.
He waited at the door for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, and saw Xue Lang slowly coming back.
Unlike when he left, he now wore a fox mask on his face. It was cute and a bit silly.
Meng Chen: "..."
This meant he was too embarrassed to show his face?
"I- I saw it over there, thought it looked nice, so I bought one," Xue Lang's voice came from behind the mask, slightly stammering. Meng Chen made an "mm" sound, noticing that the round jade pendant at the other's waist was now gone.
Meng Chen had also already put away the small wooden comb. The two seemed to have tacitly forgotten about the previous incident and continued to wander around Xianle City. However, the atmosphere was eerily silent, with neither speaking a word for a long time.
Fortunately, the street was crowded and lively enough that their silence didn't seem out of place. A pointed building on the right side of the road was particularly popular, with a long queue outside its door and people continuously streaming towards it.
Continuing to walk would only make things more awkward, so they might as well find something to do. Once again, without prior agreement, the two walked towards that place. Xue Lang tapped the shoulder of a cultivator and asked, "Brother, may I ask what this place is for?"
The cultivator pointed to the sign hanging above the main entrance of the building, which bore the large characters "Portrait Studio". "This is a novel place. Inside, there's a divine artifact called the 'Portrait Pearl' that can permanently preserve images inside it, which can be viewed at any time. Although we cultivators have long lives, gathering and parting are common occurrences, and life and death are uncertain. If one could carry the image of a cherished person with them at all times, it would be something to remember them by."
Xue Lang listened and seemed to be lost in thought for a moment, then asked Meng Chen. "Do you want to go in and take a look?"
Meng Chen had never heard of such a novel magical artifact and was also eager to see it, so he readily agreed. Although there were many people in line, the queue moved quickly, and soon it was their turn. The two entered the building and found a pale purple round pearl emitting a crystalline glow in the center. The owner of the portrait studio stood beside the pearl, smiling at them and saying, "Are you two taking a portrait together? Just stand directly facing the pearl and keep smiling. The immortal friend on the right, please remove your mask."
Xue Lang: "...I'll keep it on."
"How can that work?" This was the first time the owner had encountered such a customer, and he was somewhat exasperated, "We're capturing your image. If you cover your face with a mask, what's the point? Ask your friend beside you, I'm sure he won't agree either."
Meng Chen glanced at him and also said, "Take it off for now."
Xue Lang hesitated for a moment before slowly reaching up to remove the fox mask. However, his eyes completely avoided contact with Meng Chen's, and his cheeks were still somewhat flushed.
The owner had initially thought Xue Lang was reluctant to remove the mask due to an unsightly appearance. He didn't expect to see such a handsome young man, and immediately praised, "Friend, with such good looks, why hide behind a mask! Alright, would the two immortal friends please stand closer together so I can capture the image."
Xue Lang shifted slightly towards Meng Chen.
"Still too far! A bit more intimate!"
Xue Lang moved again.
"Young immortal friend, keep your head straight, don't let your eyes wander!"
Xue Lang stiffly brought his gaze back.
"Smile! Smile! Your expression is too serious!"
Xue Lang stiffly raised the corners of his mouth.
The owner: "..."
Seeing that Xue Lang and the owner were about to drive each other mad, Meng Chen couldn't bear to watch anymore. He quietly reached out and pinched Xue Lang's waist.
Xue Lang's whole body shuddered, and he suddenly widened his eyes to look at Meng Chen.
Meng Chen didn't look at him, his gaze fixed straight ahead at the portrait pearl, and said softly, "Look at the pearl, smile."
Xue Lang immediately turned his head, stood straight, and instinctively smiled.
"Good!" The owner indicated that the portrait was complete. He tapped the portrait pearl and took out a small, shiny purple pearl from underneath, walking up to the two and saying, "This is the sub-pearl. The image is stored inside. Rub it three times to play it back."
As he spoke, the owner rubbed the pearl, and sure enough, an image was projected into the air. It was the moment when Meng Chen pinched Xue Lang's waist, and Xue Lang stared back with wide, shocked eyes.
Xue Lang: "...How did this get captured too!?"
"Because it's very lively. Much more interesting than when you were stiff-faced, immortal friend," the owner said. "The one below is also good."
The one below was the portrait of the two of them looking directly at the pearl. Meng Chen's eyes were clear, with a faint smile, while Xue Lang's smile, though still a bit unnatural, was much better. However, his handsome features carried a strong air of silliness that was immediately amusing.
Looking at the silly-smiling youth in the image, Meng Chen's gaze couldn't help but soften.
Because the portrait pearl was very precious, the owner only gave them one sub-pearl. After leaving the portrait studio, Xue Lang touched the pearl, then handed it to Meng Chen. "You keep it."
Meng Chen: "You keep it."
"No, I'm careless. Such a small thing, I might lose it any day," Xue Lang said. "You keep it."
Meng Chen hesitated for a moment, but still reached out to take it and put it away safely.
Xue Lang picked up the mask and was about to put it on again when Meng Chen softly spoke, "Isn't it hot? Don't wear it."
The weather was mild, and the street was bustling. Wearing a mask would indeed be stuffy. Xue Lang's movement froze, then he obediently lowered the mask and gently wiped the beads of sweat from the tip of his nose.
The two wandered around the city for most of the day, until the sun was setting in the west, before going to the "Xianlai Inn" to arrange lodging.
Taixuan Sect had given the disciples a three-day holiday, so there was plenty of time. Many disciples chose to stay in Xianle City for two days, enjoying themselves fully before returning. This Immortal Guest Inn was doing brisk business. When Meng Chen and Xue Lang went to book rooms, they were told that only one room was left.
"Immortal friends, I'm really sorry," the inn attendant said. "There have been especially many immortal guests coming to Xianle City for fun these past two days. Several inns in the city are fully booked, with basically two or three people sharing a room. Since you two know each other, why not share a room?"
Xue Lang didn't dare speak, keeping his eyes down and waiting for Meng Chen to decide. Meng Chen thought for a moment and said, "Then we'll take this room."
The two took the room token and went up to the third floor of the inn.
The room was large, with clean and spacious beds, more than enough for two people. Logically, it wasn't the first time the two had slept together, so there shouldn't have been anything to hesitate about. But now when Meng Chen saw the bed, two words inexplicably began to swirl in his mind—
[Bridal chamber.]
His temples began to throb faintly again.
"I won't sleep at night, I'll meditate and cultivate," Xue Lang said, walking over to a long bench by the window and immediately closing his eyes to enter meditation.
Meng Chen looked at him for a moment but didn't say anything. He simply cleaned up a bit and lay down on the bed fully clothed to sleep.
But when he closed his eyes, his mind became increasingly alert, without a trace of sleepiness.
Although they had been pretending nothing had happened, some things had indeed occurred.
In that "Peach Blossom Spring," although Meng Chen had also said some outrageous things, that was because he had to say them to complete the "script" and leave the illusion as soon as possible.
But how could Xue Lang's actions be explained?
Even if there was a script and character setting, the will of those who entered the illusion was free and not bound by any constraints. And Xue Lang, under his own free will, had tied him up on the mountain and said those things...
Meng Chen wasn't stupid. He couldn't possibly not understand what this meant.
He had actually noticed long ago that Xue Lang easily blushed and became shy when facing him, but he had always thought it was because of the youth's sincere and simple personality. He never imagined that the other harbored... such thoughts.
Thinking of this, Meng Chen silently sighed again.
Xue Lang was the most important and cherished person in his life. It was impossible for him to distance himself from Xue Lang because of this incident.
But even if they didn't avoid each other, could they really interact without any barriers like before?
Of course, he could pretend to be confused while knowing the truth, like they had during the day, pretending nothing had happened. Xue Lang probably wouldn't bring up this matter on his own initiative either. But if they did this, wouldn't it be too unfair to Xue Lang?
Before, when he didn't know, it wasn't an issue. But now that he knew the other's feelings, to continue pretending to be unaware and act as close brothers - this was something Meng Chen couldn't do.
But if he were to respond...how could he respond?
Moreover, with an uncertain future and dangers lurking everywhere, it wasn't the time to consider these matters.
The more Meng Chen thought, the more his head hurt. His thoughts were in chaos, so he simply forced himself to cut off his thoughts, took a deep breath, and slept.
Behind him, Xue Lang, who was meditating, quietly opened his eyes and gazed for a long time at the white figure on the bed with its back to him. His eyes were filled with countless thoughts. After a while, he closed his eyes again.
****
Meng Chen was awakened by a tremendous noise.
Xue Lang also immediately jumped down from the bench, opened the window, and looked out intently. He then quickly turned back and said, "The sound came from the city center."
The two immediately went downstairs and left the inn. It was not yet dawn, and the sky was dark. Many people had heard the loud noise and were pouring onto the streets, asking anxiously, "What happened? What was that sound just now?"
As they were speaking, another loud noise came from the city center. At the same time, the ground trembled slightly, and a powerful gust of wind swept through. Everyone's expressions changed as they hurriedly formed defensive barriers. Those who reacted slowly couldn't defend in time and were affected by the wind, immediately coughing up blood and fainting.
Everyone felt the terrifying energy wrapped in the gale—
It was actually the power of the Mahayana Realm!
"A Mahayana Realm venerable? Who is it!?"
"There's only one Mahayana elder in Xianle City, and that's in the direction of the City Lord's mansion. Could something have happened to City Lord Li?"
As they were guessing, they saw several people flying over on swords from the horizon. They seemed to be severely injured and, lacking strength, suddenly fell from their flying swords. Everyone hurriedly caught them. Judging by their attire, they seemed to be attendants from the City Lord's mansion.
"Quick... run!" One attendant said while coughing blood, "City Lord Li has gone mad!"
Gone mad!?
Everyone was shocked. Li Chen was one of the few Mahayana Realm venerables in the cultivation world. How could he suddenly go mad!?
The attendant, recalling the scene from not long ago, still had terror in his eyes. "Madam Li and the young master of Fengyue Pavilion were having an affair. They were caught by the City Lord. He killed them on the spot, and then fell into a state of madness... Now the entire City Lord's mansion has turned into ruins. If we hadn't run fast enough, we would have died in there too!"
Everyone was stunned by this massive amount of information.
"Madam Li and the young master of Fengyue Pavilion... had an affair!? Weren't she and City Lord Li known as the immortal couple of the cultivation world? How could she do such a thing!?"
"Exactly! I heard that this Xianle City was specially built by City Lord Li for her. A man's love for her was so deep, yet she betrayed City Lord Li. I say she deserved to die!"
As everyone was filled with righteous indignation, a female voice was heard crying, "It's not like that..."
Meng Chen looked towards the voice and saw it was the yellow-dressed young girl he had met twice during the day. She was obviously injured too, her face pale, but her eyes were swollen from crying. With a sorrowful expression, she said, "The Madam wasn't that kind of person! I was by the Madam's side when I was in Yuehua Palace. I witnessed with my own eyes how the Madam and City Lord Li were in love and became Dao companions. After marriage, they were very affectionate, until one day, City Lord Li said he had obtained some 'heavenly secret'..."
Meng Chen's pupils suddenly contracted!
"He said the heavenly secret told him that Madam Li would one day betray him and leave him. At first, the Madam thought he was just joking and didn't take it to heart. But as time passed, we all noticed that City Lord Li had changed," the yellow-dressed girl said tremblingly. "He began to be suspicious all day, sending people to watch the Madam's movements. The Madam patiently explained to him, swearing she would never do anything to betray him, but it was of no use. The City Lord later became increasingly irritable and obsessive, even going so far as to restrict the Madam's movements, not letting her leave the City Lord's mansion, and not even allowing her to see any strangers except for us trusted servants... This has been going on for three years."
Everyone was stunned listening to this.
"The Madam was confined for three years, and her mental state began to deteriorate. Every day she was either in tears or screaming madly. I often heard her say in her dreams, 'Li Chen, I hate you, you are the person I hate most in this life'..."
"So, the Madam didn't betray the City Lord," the yellow-dressed girl cried out in pain. "She was using this method to take revenge on the City Lord, and also to seek her own release..."
Just as everyone was absorbed in the girl's words, unable to react, another tremendous noise was heard. This time the sound was closer, and they could even hear the sound of buildings collapsing and crumbling—
Evidently, the maddened City Lord Li was rushing this way!
"Run quickly!"
Someone immediately shouted, flying away on their sword towards the outside of Xianle City. If the power of a Mahayana Realm cultivator lost control, it would be nothing short of a disaster. All the people present combined probably wouldn't be enough for Li Chen to kill!
In an instant, Xianle City turned into a hell. Countless people mounted their swords, fleeing towards the outside in a panic. Xue Lang tightly held Meng Chen's hand in the crowd. The two only stopped their flying swords along with others when they had flown far beyond Xianle City, standing in the clouds and looking back.
Looking down from high in the sky, the scene of Xianle City was even more shocking—exquisite and luxurious palaces and pavilions, all kinds of leisure and entertainment venues, more than half had already turned into charred ruins. They could faintly see a person with disheveled hair, wailing loudly while frantically striking out palm after palm, leveling all the surrounding buildings to the ground.
Everyone felt a chill in their hearts and couldn't help but say, "That's Li Chen..."
That was Li Chen, the Mahayana Realm venerable who had dominated the cultivation world for over 400 years, renowned throughout the land.
Yesterday, countless people were still envying his realm, his wealth, and his deep love with his wife.
But today, he had killed his wife with his own hands, destroyed Xianle City which he had spent countless treasures, effort, and time to create, and become a madman.
Were the affairs of the world truly this unpredictable?
While countless people were feeling deeply moved by Li Chen's fate, Meng Chen's heart turned cold, and he couldn't help but have a terrifying thought.
Li Chen had glimpsed the heavenly secret, saying that Qu Ying would betray him, and in the end, he was indeed betrayed, losing his sanity and killing his wife with his own hands.
Zhongli Jing also received a heavenly secret, saying that he, Meng Chen, would ruin his Path of Ruthlessness, causing Zhongli Jing in his previous life to determine to kill his disciple to attain enlightenment.
It seemed that there was cause and effect, and the mandate of heaven truly could not be defied.
But what if it was viewed the other way around?
If Li Chen had never received the heavenly secret from the beginning, he wouldn't have suspected Qu Ying, and Qu Ying naturally wouldn't have used betrayal to take revenge on her husband. They might still be that immortal couple envied by everyone;
If Zhongli Jing had never received the heavenly secret, he wouldn't have rescued Meng Chen on that snowy night. Meng Chen might have frozen to death that night, or perhaps had other opportunities, but in any case, he wouldn't have had any connection with Zhongli Jing—Zhongli Jing wouldn't have had him as a disciple, his Path of Ruthlessness wouldn't have been shaken, and he would have remained the desireless Immortal Lord Zhongli for his entire life.
But as it happened, they all received that "heavenly secret," and then step by step, walked towards their destined end.
Meng Chen looked at Li Chen kneeling and howling to the sky in Xianle City, furrowed his brow, raised his head, and gazed deeply at the mysterious and vast sky.
This so-called heavenly secret...
What exactly was it?
****
With Xianle City destroyed and a generation's respected venerable fallen, those who witnessed everything felt incredibly heavy-hearted and naturally couldn't stay here any longer. They all departed on their flying swords.
The Taixuan Sect disciples, who were originally given a three-day holiday, had no choice but to return to the sect early.
Meng Chen and Xue Lang returned to Tianji Peak. Because Meng Chen had things on his mind, he was immersed in his own thoughts the whole way. It wasn't until they were parting that he realized there was still one matter unresolved.
"Xue Lang," he steadied himself and said to the youth, "wait a bit longer."
Xue Lang looked at him, blinked, his expression somewhat confused.
Meng Chen didn't explain much, just waved his hand and turned to enter Qixue Residence.
The words you spoke in the illusion, the careful expectation hidden in your eyes, wait a bit longer.
Wait until everything settles...
I will give you an answer.
