The Villainous Shizun Is As Beautiful As A Flower

Advertisement

Shen Liuxiang walked toward the main gate. At this moment, he saw a small figure with red hair quickly running past, hiding behind a big tree.

His footsteps halted.

Xiao Qi?

Wenren Qin’s face changed slightly, and he frowned, saying, “Amu, go back to your room.”

The child hiding behind the tree timidly called “Uncle” when he noticed him, but he quickly realized that the warning on Wenren Qin’s face was even stronger, so he hurriedly ran away.

Shen Liuxiang noticed that although the child wasn’t Xiao Qi, the look in his eyes was exactly the same as how Xiao Qi looked at other demons – filled with fear.

His heart twitched. “Is he a mixed-blood?”

Wenren Qin fell silent for a moment. “Yes, that’s why I never let him leave the manor.”

Shen Liuxiang asked, “Do you know Xiao Qi?”

“…I don’t.”

A strange expression appeared on Shen Liuxiang’s face. Since Wenren Qin could tolerate mixed-blood in the manor, he shouldn’t have such a strong aversion to them. If that’s the case, why did he allow his subordinates to treat mixed-bloods that way?

“You are the City Lord. If you tell the demon cultivators of Qilin City not to touch Amu, no one would dare to. What’s preventing him from going out?”

Advertisement

Wenren Qin’s expression became complicated. “It’s all my father’s will. I don’t have the power to change it.”

After saying that, he saw Shen Liuxiang’s skeptical look and let out a helpless smile. “Come with me, I’ll show you something.”

Shen Liuxiang followed him skeptically to a house separate from the mansion. Even before entering, he could smell a mixture of medicinal scents.

Wenren Qin pushed the door open, revealing the floor inside, which was covered with various pills. They were similar in color and size, and if not examined closely, it would be difficult to discern the differences.

“Do you know about the Illusory Pills?”

Shen Liuxiang squinted slightly and nodded.

The Illusory Pills were a kind of elixir that could alter a demon’s aura. However, the formula had been lost for hundreds of years, and it was nearly impossible to find one on the continent now.

He was surprised. “Are you saying you’ve been searching for Illusory Pills all along?”

Advertisement

Wenren Qin nodded. “With the Illusory Pills, the mixed-blood’s aura could be just like that of ordinary demons. Others wouldn’t be able to tell if he’s a mixed-blood or not. This way, they could live a normal life in the demon realm.”

Shen Liuxiang’s heart trembled slightly. Could he have misunderstood him?

As Wenren Qin spoke, he sighed, “Unfortunately, despite my considerable efforts, the Illusory Pills I’ve found were either incomplete or counterfeits.”

Shen Liuxiang narrowed his eyes and picked up a pill, giving it a sniff and a squeeze in his hand. “Since you have incomplete pills, why not consult a few more alchemists and come up with a new formula? That should do the trick.”

Wenren Qin said, “I’ve visited the best alchemists in the world. The only gain I’ve had over the years was a partial formula.”

Shen Liuxiang was stunned. If that were true, he must have put in a tremendous amount of effort.

Wenren Qin continued, observing Shen Liuxiang’s expression. “If we could find the Illusory Pills and give mixed-bloods a place in the demon realm, I’d spare no expense.”

Shen Liuxiang widened his eyes slightly. “Really?”

Wenren Qin nodded firmly. “Really.”

Shen Liuxiang said, “Then let’s make a deal. I’ll help you find the Illusory Pills, and you give me the scroll.”

Advertisement

Wenren Qin was momentarily taken aback, but then he smiled. “Sure.”

After the smile faded, he said earnestly, “If you can really find the Illusory Pills, I’ll give you the scroll.”

When Shen Liuxiang was in the Imperial Palace, an alchemist had taught him a few things about pills. After finding them relatively easy, he lost interest. Now that he had a chance to exchange the scroll, he wasn’t planning to go on a wild goose chase for the Illusory Pills. Instead, he intended to refine them himself.

He asked, “Can you lend me the partial formula for a look?”

Wenren Qin’s face showed surprise. “You can refine pills?”

Shen Liuxiang grinned. “I have a bit of talent.”

Wenren Qin pondered for a moment, left the room, and returned after a while, handing him a red handkerchief. “I’ve transcribed it on here.”

Shen Liuxiang found it strange. In such a large mansion, there were no pieces of paper? Why did it have to be transcribed on a handkerchief?

He accepted it, glanced over it, and intended to put it into his storage pouch.

Wenren Qin saw this and said, “I’m only giving you one copy. If you lose it, I won’t be responsible.”

Shen Liuxiang’s hand paused. After a moment of thought, he placed the handkerchief inside his jacket.

Keeping it close was the safest option.

Wenren Qin’s lips curled up slightly.

Leaving the Seventh King’s mansion, Shen Liuxiang pondered all the way about how to refine the Illusionary Pill. He didn’t notice the surrounding demon cultivators, their eyes wide open, half in disbelief and half excited, as they stared at him.

Once his figure had disappeared into the distance, the demons on the street began to buzz with excitement.

Advertisement

“It’s the aura of the City Lord!”

“Who is this demon? Could he be our future demon queen?”

“He came out of the City Lord’s mansion earlier, and his aura matches the City Lord’s!”

“But he had a different demon’s aura on him this morning.”

“Heh heh, the City Lord’s aura on him is much stronger than the other demon’s aura from this morning. I’m sure the City Lord noticed and got annoyed, so he brought the person back to the mansion to intimidate him.”

…

Shen Liuxiang returned to the Cloud Pavilion, and only then did the tension in his mind gradually ease. Being startled by the insects twice in a row had been too much excitement for him.

After returning to his room, he felt utterly exhausted. Rubbing his temples, he lay down on the bed and soon fell asleep.

By the time Zhou Xuanlan returned to the Cloud Pavilion, it was already afternoon. Pushing the door open, he saw his master reclining on the bed.

Lying on his side, the delicate and fair face had a few strands of dark hair scattered across his slender neck. His eyelashes were lightly curled, and his sleeping face looked peaceful and serene.

Zhou Xuanlan couldn’t help but step softly, his lips gently curved as he approached.

Suddenly, his nose caught a peculiar scent.

Zhou Xuanlan’s expression changed abruptly.

During the day, Shen Liuxiang’s sleep was quite light, and he vaguely sensed someone approaching. He slightly opened his eyes and saw Zhou Xuanlan. He relaxed and closed them again.

But not long after closing his eyes, he felt a strand of hair brush against his cheek.

A faint tickling sensation arose.

Shen Liuxiang was taken aback, blinked in confusion, and opened his eyes again, only to find Zhou Xuanlan’s head lowered, buried in his neck and shoulder.

A warm breath splayed onto him in an instant.

Shen Liuxiang’s body stiffened, and he instinctively pushed the person away. However, as he raised his hands to do so, he realized his wrists were already restrained, pinned down on the bed.

He struggled for a moment but couldn’t break free. “What are you doing?”

Zhou Xuanlan didn’t answer, his nose tracing along the graceful, slender neck, and he absentmindedly sniffed.

His increasingly heated breath splayed over the fair, porcelain-like skin.

It had a seductive charm.

After a while, he lifted his head.

His deep, ink-like eyes locked onto Shen Liuxiang, his voice chillingly low.

“Why does someone else’s aura cling to you, master?”