Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points-Chapter 35: Refocusing

Hundred Flowers Mansion is truly incomparable to Xiongshan County.

Since Li Xuan participated in the academy exams, he has kept a low profile, later on receiving invitations to various gatherings to integrate himself into certain circles within Hundred Flowers Mansion, providing opportunities for advancement.

The path of the officialdom is essentially one of mutual assistance.

If Li Xuan were to be proud and alone, no matter how talented he is, even if he excels in the examinations, he would not be utilized much, nor would he gain access to the core secrets of this largest current power.

Even if he managed to enter the core circle, if he remained alone, any plan he tries to implement would surely face opposition; even if he achieves some merit, he would become a target of jealousy, encountering endless troubles, facing overt and covert demotions.

Conversely, if he had backing, he could truly become a "one who does a bit of work, claims much credit, and reaps full benefits," or even be "an outsider who can still gain credit" – a wealthy, idle person.

The "Way of Survival" is actually akin to the "Way of Seclusion."

The small-minded survive in the wild, the medium-minded survive in the market, the big-minded survive in the court.

Li Xuan is very clear about what he needs to do.

The world is chaotic now, demons are rising up, his father might uphold the past the Li family, but he cannot uphold the present and future Li family.

A mere young demon could completely destroy the Li family, what could his father possibly do?

The future of the Li family requires him to take the helm.

He doesn’t care about power, but... he doesn’t want to see his loved ones die tragically, disappear, nor does he want to die himself.

Besides, amid careful fear, he also harbors some expectations towards the supernatural.

Who wouldn’t want to live a few more years?

With the supernatural, could it potentially extend lifespan?

Could it possibly lead to... immortality?

...

The carriage wheels rolled, moving from the outskirts near Qing River, toward the inner city.

As dusk descended, the inner city streets bustled with activity.

Li Xuan lifted the curtain to observe briefly, seeing an area ablaze with lights and lively with activity, he had Wei Yao steer the carriage over.

The restaurant was named Immortal Gathering Restaurant, but there was not a vacant space in front, several servants stood with sedans waiting for their masters, while further away there was an accompanying horse shop.

Wei Yao intended to wait in the carriage for Li Xuan, but Li Xuan pulled her off the carriage, leaving it at the horse shop, where an attendant fed the horse grass.

They entered the restaurant, where familiar young masters were accompanied by friends.

"Isn’t this Master Li? Yesterday we parted, today by fate we meet again, come, come... let’s share a table." The young master in Cao Wen’s circle spoke very politely to Li Xuan, he too attended yesterday’s banquet at Taohua Dock.

Wei Yao, seeing this, said: "I’ll take a stroll outside."

With that said, she stepped outside.

Outside, the spring breeze carried various scents, clouds of smoke drifted from food and alcohol stalls, at the booths of meat, fish, pastry shops and others were groups of three or five people.

Those walking the night market were seldom alone.

Li Xuan called out to Wei Yao: "Join us."

The friend beside the noble young master frowned slightly, obviously recognizing Wei Yao’s identity, feeling displeased that Li Xuan invited a servant to dine with them.

But the noble young master remembered how strong Wei Yao was blocking Lin Jieniu yesterday, leaned over to whisper a few words in the friend’s ear.

The friend’s expression changed immediately.

Someone who can slay demons and eliminate evil, this is more esteemed than the Grandmaster’s identity, naturally eligible to dine with them.

Li Xuan saw Wei Yao still trying to leave, suddenly reached for her.

Wei Yao felt a gust of force approaching, her palm flipped, ready to evade.

But Li Xuan’s grab was "a serious catch."

Wei Yao failed to evade.

Their hands clasped.

Wei Yao’s body felt like a current of electricity passed through, numb and shocked, like a startled rabbit, she tried to pull her hand away quickly.

But Li Xuan held firm, fingers interlocking with hers, pulling her over, then smiled and introduced her to the noble young master: "My humble wife, though her martial abilities are strong, she is quite shy."

The noble young master and his friend paused for a moment, hastily stood and apologized, because... initially they thought Wei Yao was either a maid or guard, now it seemed she was a concubine.

Wei Yao also paused, originally wanting to explain, but knowing it would embarrass the young master, so she bit her lip and kept her head down without speaking.

Soon, the wine pot and cups arrived, warm wine poured into bowls.

Fruit and vegetable dishes, appetizers arrived quickly too.

Li Xuan and the two young masters exchanged toasts, speaking with enjoyment.

After a while, the stew and dishes with fish and meat arrived on the table. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Wei Yao was very restrained, she endured without rising, yet the young master relentlessly picked dishes for her, displaying "marital affection."

She wanted to accept it all, yet feared immensely.

In her heart, the dark image of the demon revealed a sinister smile in the shadows, desires burning fiercely.

She glanced outside again.

Outside were groups of people walking together, friends, couples, families of three.

The market was vast, the roads wide, much wider than Xiongshan County, yet such wide paths oftentimes held little space for lonely souls.

But at the young master’s side, she wasn’t lonely.

Wei Yao gradually gave up resistance, started obediently eating the food Li Xuan picked for her, whispering internally: ’Just this once...’

After the banquet, Li Xuan wanted to pay, but the noble young master refused, so Li Xuan casually threw a ingot of silver to the shopkeeper, saluted the young master, then departed.

Holding Wei Yao’s hand.

Wei Yao’s face flushed.

She staggered dazedly until they reached the horse shop, got on the carriage, finally sobering up, raising her elegant brows, scolding: "Young master shouldn’t act like this, allowing me to quietly guard by your side is the best choice."

Li Xuan responded with a "Hmm."

Wei Yao sighed softly, yet in her heart, a strong feeling of loss grew.

The carriage returned to Yulan Hall.

At midnight, Li Xuan, upon the bed, suddenly cried out in pain.

In the next room, Wei Yao, who had been watching over him, heard the noise, swiftly grabbed her weapon, rushed to Li Xuan’s door, knocking repeatedly, anxiously asking: "Young master, young master, what’s wrong?"

Seeing nobody open the door, Wei Yao feared something had happened, in haste, she charged forcefully at the door.

The door being damaged needed compensation, but she couldn’t care about that now.

Her brain rapidly analyzed what might be wrong.

Could it be those two secretly poisoned him today, right under her nose?

No... she hadn’t noticed anything.

Just as she wondered, she had already collided forward.

Expecting a loud crash from breaking the door, no such sound occurred, instead there was a sensation of crashing into air.

She looked up, discovering the door somehow opened.

Behind the door, the young master smiled at her.

Yet she couldn’t stop herself, charging straight toward Li Xuan.

Li Xuan embraced her, taking the lady warrior, using the momentum to leap back, hooking the boot mid-air, the door slammed "bang" shut.

They landed on the bed together, rolling over twice.

Wei Yao struggled anxiously, Li Xuan rolled further.

As they rolled, Li Xuan finally turned to pin her down, pressing tightly, preventing any movement.

Suddenly, an ambiguous atmosphere began to permeate.

Wei Yao’s cheeks flushed red, she turned her head and closed her eyes.

The night... began to turn gentle.

...

...

The next day.

The sky had yet to brighten.

Wei Yao awoke in Li Xuan’s embrace.

The armor she wore beneath her clothes had long been peeled off and was thrown under the bed, while her shoes were scattered messily on the ground.

"I’m sorry." Wei Yao suddenly said softly.

Li Xuan opened his eyes; in the dim light, their gazes met.

"I’m sorry." Wei Yao said again, "Last night... I shouldn’t have lost control.

I have been afflicted by magical blood, I’m practically half-demon now...

I... I should still..."

Li Xuan abruptly interrupted her: "Do you think you’re the only one who’s practiced Secret Martial Arts?"

"Ah?"

Wei Yao widened her eyes; from such a close distance, she could even see her own reflection in Li Xuan’s pupils.

Li Xuan jumped up and sat cross-legged on the bed, with the magic blood of the "Mist Prowling Phantom Panther" in his body.

His form transformed, his eyes gleamed coldly, he was enshrouded in mist and cloud patterns, and pale fog seemed to drool from the corners of his mouth, exuding an indescribably vicious aura.

Wei Yao’s little mouth also gaped wide.

"This..."

Li Xuan clenched his fist and said: "This is my Secret Martial Arts, is it ugly? So ugly it doesn’t even look human?"

Wei Yao shook her head repeatedly, saying: "No, no."

Li Xuan laughed self-deprecatingly, saying: "Actually, I’ve always been afraid to tell you, fearing you’d hate me, distance yourself from me."

Wei Yao felt the young master’s words seemed familiar at the moment, but she couldn’t quite think of it, and as if to prove herself, she suddenly hugged the transformed Li Xuan tightly, saying: "Never.

No matter how young master changes, I will never hate him!"

A moment later, Li Xuan returned to his original form.

Wei Yao no longer resisted.

Because in her heart, a certain barrier between her and the young master seemed broken.

But in the next moment, she suddenly remembered something.

Wasn’t the cloud pattern on the young master’s body the same pattern that was on the demon panther before?

The young master is probably influenced by the magic blood even more significantly?

It was that day.

That very day!

"It’s my fault..."

"If... if at that time, I could have been a little stronger, perhaps, young master wouldn’t have been touched by the magic blood, wouldn’t have turned this way."

"It’s all my fault...my fault! My fault..."

Wei Yao’s pupils slowly reddened, she murmured repeatedly, full of self-blame.

Li Xuan held her tightly, gently stroked her hair, and softly said: "It’s not your fault.

If it weren’t for you, I would have died long ago, how could I have turned misfortune into a blessing?"

"Blessing?" Wei Yao smiled bitterly, is this Secret Martial Arts truly a blessing?"

Li Xuan said: "This world is changing, demons are starting to appear among humans, and only by mastering this kind of strong power can we protect the ones we cherish."

"But..."

"No buts.

All things in the world are intertwined with fortune and misfortune.

To gain strong power, how is it possible without risks?"

Li Xuan softly said: "We are only just getting into Secret Martial Arts.

To foster demons through desire and thus lose control is not what we wish to see.

But there must be other ways.

The young master will accompany you in finding them."

Wei Yao was silent for a long time before finally showing a smile, she leaned into the young man’s arms and softly replied: "Mm."

At this moment, what lies ahead in the future is no longer important.

She closed her eyes, enjoying the joy of the moment.

The air fell silent for a while...

Wei Yao asked in the young man’s arms: "Young master, where do we go during the day, are we going to the Canal Gang to read books?"

Li Xuan shook his head, saying: "Today, we will dress up a bit and leave from the west gate of the city.

I... want to see how Lin Jieniu is doing at the Luoshi Sect."

Lin Jieniu?

Luoshi Sect?

Wei Yao was taken aback for a moment, fell quiet for a while, then suddenly asked: "Was the County Captain of Chiyue County eaten by the demon panther... because of young master’s deliberate action?"

Li Xuan chuckled and nodded.

Getting confirmation, a difficult-to-describe warmth rose within Wei Yao’s heart.

Because, that County Captain... Li Xuan killed entirely for her.

...

...

In the afternoon, two people wearing cloaks and straw hats, whose gender couldn’t be distinguished, stood on a desolate mountain northwest of the Hundred Flowers Mansion.

The two were not holding weapons, or perhaps the weapons were hidden within the cloaks.

Wei Yao asked: "Are we just going to wait like this?"

Li Xuan nodded, saying: "From this place, we can see the surrounding roads, if anyone goes between Luoshi Sect and Hundred Flowers Mansion, we are bound to see them."

Before departing, he had probed a little and knew Lin Jieniu hadn’t returned, that’s why he came here, finally finding a good spot.

Whether he would see anything, he wasn’t too hopeful.

Li Xuan waited for a while, seeing no one, then said: "Ghost King, help keep watch, I’m going to practice on the side."

As for the name "Ghost King", it was derived by taking half of the characters from "Wei Yao".

Since they were masked and concealed outside, a pseudonym was necessary, otherwise, if someone were to overhear their real names, would you need to silence them?"

"Yes, young master." Wei Yao replied.

Li Xuan ran to a slope away from the road and began practicing the Evergreen Unwithering Skill.

Being out traveling, having someone you trust lend a hand is indeed nice.