The Villainous Shizun Is As Beautiful As A Flower

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In the main hall, a young lady in a light gauzy dress, with a stunning appearance, heard the commotion and turned her gaze in that direction. Her eyes landed on the person behind Xu Xingchen, and without a second thought, she rushed over.

She threw herself at the person in front of her, sobbing with a hint of a crying tone, “Big Brother.”

Shen Liuxiang recognized her as Nan Xiang. He was about to greet her when she leaped at him with tears in her eyes. Swiftly, he extended his arm and pulled the person in front of him by the waist, effectively using them as a shield.

Xu Xingchen felt a sudden pressure around his waist and staggered a step, his gaze falling onto the person in his arms.

He was silent for a moment, his temples throbbing.

“Shen Liuxiang!”

Xu Xingchen’s voice made her shiver. Realizing she had latched onto the wrong person, she quickly released her grip. Tears welled up in her eyes, and she was visibly frightened.

“Here, here,” Shen Liuxiang, who had been smiling just moments ago, suppressed his laughter upon seeing Xu Xingchen grit his teeth and turn his head as though he wanted nothing more than to solve him. He quickly collected his expression, patting Xu Xingchen’s shoulder soothingly. “It was just a reflex action, don’t be angry.”

He spoke with seriousness, “I just felt that you, Second Brother, are extremely reliable, so I hid behind you. I wouldn’t bother with anyone else.”

Xu Xingchen narrowed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and then flicked his sleeve with a pout.

“Don’t do it again next time.”

Shen Liuxiang nodded, “Alright, alright.”

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Xu Xingchen’s expression eased a bit. He looked at Nan Xiang and frowned. “Speak properly; as a young lady, you should be more reserved.”

Nan Xiang was scolded, and her cheeks turned slightly red. “Okay, okay.”

Shen Liuxiang asked, “What’s the matter?”

Nan Xiang’s eyes welled up with tears again as she sniffled, “Xiong You has been ignoring me lately, he’s changed.”

Shen Liuxiang handed her a silk handkerchief to wipe her tears and consoled her, “You still have Che Baisu.”

Nan Xiang shrugged her nose slightly. “That’s what I was going to say. That night, Lord Che disappeared after we parted ways. But I still feel like he’s silently watching over me.”

Shen Liuxiang: “…”

If Su Baiche was truly doing that, he believed it was true love.

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Nan Xiang continued, “Don’t doubt me. I saw his shadow on Xiong You’s body.”

Shen Liuxiang furrowed his brows and suddenly realized something was amiss. He had allowed Nan Xiang to take him to find Xiong You. Everyone at Xiong You’s residence recognized Nan Xiang and let them pass, but when they inquired about Xiong You, they all said he hadn’t returned since the previous night.

As they exited the estate, Nan Xiang’s beautiful face turned pale, and she seemed unsteady on her feet.

Shen Liuxiang caught her. “What’s wrong with you?”

Nan Xiang wiped her tears and sniffled. Anxiously crying, she said, “Has he found someone else outside? Is he tired of me, just a little vixen? Damn it, does Qilin City have a more attractive vixen than me? They are going to call my cousin here!”

Shen Liuxiang choked on his comforting words. He sent her back to her residence, instructing her to inform him when Xiong You returned.

Nan Xiang took out a package of spices from her sleeve. “I’ve carefully prepared these; they’re for you, Lord.”

After a brief consideration, Shen Liuxiang thanked her and accepted them.

Two days passed, and as the Blood Moon was about to descend in the evening, Nan Xiang hadn’t come to see him. Shen Liuxiang was immersed in alchemical research, setting this matter aside temporarily.

On that night, as the last bit of light disappeared from the sky, a pitch-black curtain enveloped everything.

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The crimson full moon gradually rose, and clouds and mist drifted by, revealing an eerie color under the moonlight.

The entire demon realm was in a frenzy.

Shen Liuxiang pushed open the window and saw the streets adorned with lanterns and decorations, more festive than ever before. Demonic cultivators roamed the streets, their faces filled with overwhelming joy.

Some demons stood on rooftops, worshiping the Blood Moon.

Shen Liuxiang went downstairs and outside. Zhou Xuanlan arrived promptly, while Xu Xingchen took his sweet time. When he finally emerged, both Shen Liuxiang and Zhou Xuanlan stared at him in surprise.

His purple and gold crown was already incredibly luxurious, and now it was adorned with three dazzling jade beads. His robe glimmered like flowing water in the night, giving off a radiant sheen. His belt was embroidered with golden threads and adorned with exquisite jade ornaments. From head to toe, even his boots had an air of opulence.

Shen Liuxiang asked, “…Haven’t you ever been outside?”

Xu Xingchen snorted, then walked ahead with a flick of his sleeve. “It’s impossible to communicate with you guys.”

As the First Son, he represented the Imperial Palace’s prestige and couldn’t afford to appear disheveled in public. Even if these demons didn’t recognize him, he needed to take precautionary measures.

The three of them appeared on the street and immediately drew many curious gazes.

Shen Liuxiang scanned the surroundings and noticed that most people had conspicuous demonic patterns on their faces. He glanced at Zhou Xuanlan. “Where are your demonic patterns?”

Zhou Xuanlan replied, “The demonic energy from the Blood Moon is too overwhelming. They can’t control their patterns, which is why they’re showing.”

Shen Liuxiang remarked, “Your self-control is impressive.”

Zhou Xuanlan lowered his eyes. “It’s not strong.”

It is too weak to dare to get too close to Master.

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The streets were bustling, but wherever Zhou Xuanlan appeared, the surrounding demons instinctively stepped back. Under the shroud of the Blood Moon, the aura of a Great Demon doubled its intimidation, making no one dare to confront him.

Shen Liuxiang saw colorful lanterns hanging ahead and was about to walk over when a waft of liquor scent reached him.

Turning around, he saw a wine shop with tables and chairs stretching across the street, filled with people.

“Ascension Wine! Ascension Wine! Drinking this tonight will allow you to transform from a demon into an immortal tomorrow!”

Shen Liuxiang knew about this wine, one of the oldest in the demon realm. It originated from the fact that demons found it difficult to ascend, and this wine represented their greatest desire.

Shen Liuxiang’s interest was piqued. “Let’s try it.”

As luck would have it, a table became available just as they were about to leave. They sat down, and the wine arrived shortly after.

Xu Xingchen glanced at the coarse wine bowls and made a disgusted expression. He took out three exquisite wine cups from his storage pouch.

Shen Liuxiang said, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Ascension Wine should be drunk in big gulps.”

So Xu Xingchen and he exchanged glances of disdain. After hesitating for a moment, Xu Xingchen raised his hand as if to offer a cup to Zhou Xuanlan.

At that moment, Zhou Xuanlan said, “I won’t drink.”

Shen Liuxiang had just taken a sip of wine. Sighing, he remarked, “It’s quite tasty. Won’t you have a sip?”

Zhou Xuanlan remained firm. “I can’t drink.”

Shen Liuxiang didn’t try to persuade him further. Seeing Zhou Xuanlan hesitate, Xu Xingchen seemed to be holding a handle against Zhou Xuanlan, humming with a smile, no longer finding a need for a wine cup, and just took a big gulp from the bowl.

“You can’t even drink wine, huh.”

Zhou Xuanlan wanted to say something, but held back. As a fragment of Zhou Xuanlan’s soul, he wasn’t supposed to consume alcohol.

Shen Liuxiang narrowed his phoenix-like eyes, turning to him. “It’s better that you’re not drinking. If I get drunk, you’ll still be able to carry me home.”

He remembered back in Qingling Sect when he often sought Ling Hua to drink with him. Ling Hua would dissipate the alcohol’s aura with spiritual energy, and each time he left after drinking, he would pass by a peach blossom forest and always find a young man in black clothes waiting for him there.

As Shen Liuxiang was lost in his memories, Xu Xingchen interrupted with a cold laugh. “If you get drunk, it must be an act! How can a Harmonization stage cultivator get drunk?”

Shen Liuxiang replied, “I said ‘if.'”

Xu Xingchen persisted, “It’s impossible.”

Shen Liuxiang didn’t bother to argue with him. He picked up a bowl and offered it to Xu Xingchen. With a snort, Xu Xingchen raised his hand, and their bowls clashed on the table, producing a crisp sound.

Suddenly, Zhou Xuanlan regretted his decision.

He lifted an untouched bowl and clinked it against Shen Liuxiang’s.

Shen Liuxiang asked, “I thought you weren’t drinking?”

“A little won’t hurt,” Zhou Xuanlan said. After taking a sip, he immediately put the bowl back on the table without indulging further.

Shen Liuxiang picked up a peanut, popped it into his mouth, and was about to drink another bowl of wine before something unexpected happened.

There was a sudden weight on his shoulder.

Shen Liuxiang was momentarily taken aback. He turned his head in confusion, only to be forcefully pulled into a tight embrace by a strong arm that wrapped around his waist.

Zhou Xuanlan gently closed his eyes, burying his head at Shen Liuxiang’s neck. The closeness allowed him to sense the heat radiating from him, and he could feel the warmth of Shen Liuxiang’s breath against his skin, tainted with the scent of alcohol.

“Master has such a pleasant fragrance.”

Feeling Zhou Xuanlan’s warmth like a furnace, Shen Liuxiang’s body heated up. He immediately asked, “What’s wrong with you?”

“How could he?!”

Xu Xingchen slammed his wine cup onto the table with a bang, frustration and anger evident on his face. He summoned the Xuanhuang Sword, agitatedly and indignantly exclaiming, “This audacious playboy!”

What was the point of a dignified Demon King acting like this? He was actually pretending to be drunk!

Shameless!