Chapter 48

Luo Binghe’s voice was cold. “I believe I warned you not to lay a hand on this face.”

Sha Hualing hung suspended in midair, her complexion flushed crimson, choking as she struggled to speak. “This time… truly… it was not done intentionally by this subordinate…”

…He really holds a grudge! Shen Qingqiu was stunned.

It had been five years since that person’s death, and even now, the mere sight of someone with a similar appearance could provoke such fury. It seemed he really had left Luo Binghe with deep psychological scars.

Suddenly, a violent pain tore through Shen Qingqiu’s abdomen, as if countless needles and silver threads were piercing his organs.

No amount of spiritual power could help him now. Darkness swam before his eyes, and he spat out a mouthful of hot blood, scarlet streaked with black.

The air around Luo Binghe grew heavy and oppressive. The look in his eyes was that of someone gazing upon a dead thing. Xin Mo Sword trembled excitedly at his waist, humming as if eager to leap from its sheath.

With one hand, Luo Binghe pressed down hard on the hilt. A tide of blood-red surged in the depths of his eyes.

Shen Qingqiu wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, momentarily taken aback.

Logically, after entering the demon realm arc, Luo Binghe should have reached a relatively stable state. Draining a person dry each month was more for consolidation than necessity.

So why did it feel like the balance within Luo Binghe was growing increasingly unstable now?

It felt more turbulent and volatile than even the state Shen Qingqiu had suppressed with his self-destruction.

Sha Hualing was hoisted higher and higher. Seeing Shen Qingqiu cough blood, she knew Luo Binghe had stirred his killing intent and was manipulating the Heavenly Demon’s blood within him. Desperately, she cried out, “My Lord… you must not kill him… Tonight is the full moon—he will certainly be useful. No one is more suitable than him…”

It wasn’t that she truly cared whether Shen Qingqiu lived or died. But if Luo Binghe, in his rage, killed this strange man, even if he didn’t lose his mind to a surge of demonic energy, the next step would not bode well for her either.

Sha Hualing’s voice grew hoarse with strain. “Even if that doesn’t matter… think… think of that place of yours…” She steeled herself and raised her pitch sharply. “Think of the Sacred Mausoleum!”

At those final two words, Luo Binghe’s movements stilled slightly.

Shen Qingqiu also froze.

The Sacred Mausoleum was the resting place for generations of the demon race’s highest rulers.

Aside from the current supreme ruler, no one else was permitted to enter. Violators were executed on sight.

Over generations, the mausoleum had accumulated a vast, staggering number of burial treasures—magical artifacts and spiritual tools of rare quality. No one could resist coveting them. Legend had it that within the tomb lay a heaven-defying divine artifact capable of reviving the dead.

In the original work, with Sha Hualing’s assistance from within, Luo Binghe successfully rose to power, infiltrated the Sacred Mausoleum, and all those treasures ended up in whose pocket? Everyone knew. By mentioning the Sacred Mausoleum now, was Sha Hualing reminding Luo Binghe that he couldn’t afford to lose her yet?

Regardless, she had clearly struck the right chord.

After hearing those two words, though the crimson light still flickered in Luo Binghe’s eyes, Sha Hualing’s body abruptly dropped a good distance, her toes now barely brushing the ground.

“The Sacred Mausoleum.” Luo Binghe’s fingertips slowly stroked Xin Mo Sword, soothing its restless form. He murmured, “That’s right. There is still the Sacred Mausoleum.”

Just as Sha Hualing was about to catch her breath, she heard Luo Binghe ask, “Are you threatening me?”

Sha Hualing felt her soul nearly flee her body. “This subordinate wouldn’t dare!”

…How tragic. To think she was one of the two main female leads—how had she fallen to such a state!

Before Shen Qingqiu could finish his internal lament, he heard Luo Binghe snort coldly.

Suddenly, it felt as if an invisible force yanked at his chest, dragging his entire body forward.

His vision blurred. An instant, icy coldness pierced his heart.

He looked down. Luo Binghe’s palm was pressed directly against the center of his chest, over his heart.

The sensation was like being shot point-blank with a cannon—the ammunition pure black demonic energy that exploded inside him, spreading violently through his spiritual meridians to every limb and pore.

The System’s prompt, now sharp and clear, drilled painfully into his mind:

【Touch verification successful!】

【Connecting to main energy source. Charging in progress!】

【System self-check complete. Operational status normal. Thank you for your continued use!】

Wasn’t this touch verification a bit too advanced?!

The spiritual power within Shen Qingqiu’s body, originally like a full reservoir, was drained by more than half in that single connection.

Yet the depletion lasted only a moment. The flesh body forged from Luhua Zhi quickly began to replenish the spiritual power. And the returning energy was absorbed even more rapidly by Luo Binghe.

Shen Qingqiu felt like a portable power bank, roaring internally: Just how much money did I owe Luo Binghe in my past life?!?!

Luo Binghe made a soft sound of surprise and withdrew his hand. “It really works.”

This body was different from previous vessels used for energy transfer. Even after having most of its spiritual power drained and being flooded with a massive amount of demonic energy, it could still rapidly refill itself.

It seemed Sha Hualing’s great efforts and determination to capture this man had their reasons.

As soon as he finished speaking, Sha Hualing collapsed to the ground.

Having narrowly escaped death, she was still shaken. Ignoring her trembling knees, she hurriedly assumed a proper posture, kneeling on one knee.

Luo Binghe said indifferently, “I don’t care whether it was intentional or not. Remember—I don’t want to see him wearing that face.”

Sha Hualing hastily bowed her head. “Understood!”

With a casual swipe of his hand, Luo Binghe tore open a spatial rift and stepped through. He left just like that—so effortlessly, it was almost infuriating—abandoning the two of them in the wilderness, seemingly unconcerned with Shen Qingqiu’s whereabouts.

Then again, he didn’t need to be concerned. Shen Qingqiu had now consumed his blood. No matter where he fled, it was futile. With a mere thought, Luo Binghe could appear before him whenever Shen Qingqiu was writhing in agony.

Shen Qingqiu suddenly realized: So now he was essentially one of Bing-ge’s underlings?!

At least Luo Binghe hadn’t recognized him. If he worked hard and followed well, maybe there was a promising future ahead! [Yeah, right.

So it was just once a month?

He’d get used to it!

As Shen Qingqiu’s thoughts spiraled, Sha Hualing suddenly made a grab for his face. He blocked with two fingers. “What are you doing?”

Sha Hualing gritted her teeth. “Didn’t you hear? He just said he doesn’t want to see this face again!”

Shen Qingqiu stared at her, then suddenly reached out and tore a strip of cloth from her sleeve.

Sha Hualing shrieked, “Why are you tearing my clothes?!”

Shen Qingqiu poked two holes in the gauze and draped it over his face, leaving only his eyes exposed. “My own clothes are ragged enough. I’m borrowing yours. Is clawing at someone’s face your only solution to everything? Wouldn’t covering it with a cloth suffice? Must you resort to disfigurement?”

If not for the fact that Luo Binghe would need to use this man once a month and required him unharmed, Sha Hualing would have sliced him into a thousand pieces on the spot.

Then again, even if Luo Binghe despised imitations, he probably wouldn’t want to see this face covered in blood either. Swallowing her anger, Sha Hualing snapped, “Let’s go!”

Fine, they’d go. At this point, anywhere was about the same. He might as well take it one step at a time and observe. Shen Qingqiu calculated that once Luo Binghe fully suppressed Xin Mo Sword, he probably wouldn’t need him anymore. By then, a clean farewell shouldn’t be too far off. He just had to be careful in all things and avoid letting Luo Binghe discover he’d used Luhua Zhi to pull off a golden cicada shedding its shell.

Shen Qingqiu adapted to his new role with astonishing speed and followed through the rift. Sha Hualing entered last, and the tear slowly closed behind them.

Thinking that this man would now be half a colleague, she asked, “What’s your name?”

Beyond the rift was a long corridor, its walls intricately carved with blooming flowers, though the light was dim. The place felt vaguely familiar to Shen Qingqiu. He answered offhandedly, “Peerless Cucumber.”

“Peerless Cucumber?” Sha Hualing repeated, then flared up in anger. “Are you mocking me?!”

Shen Qingqiu studied the surroundings more closely. Even if he hadn’t been here before, he had at least heard it described. Preoccupied with his next steps, he ignored Sha Hualing entirely.

Receiving no response, she huffed angrily. “No matter your origins, now that you’ve consumed the Heavenly Demon’s blood, you belong to the Lord. If you harbor any rebellious thoughts, death without a whole corpse would be a light punishment.”

After turning a corner and passing several disciples wearing familiar pale-yellow robes, Shen Qingqiu finally confirmed it.

This was Huan Hua Palace. Luo Binghe’s stronghold in the human realm.

But it was vastly different from the Huan Hua Palace he remembered.

Huan Hua Palace should have been magnificent, resplendent with gold and jade. Every timber and stone was meant to display the height of luxury. Yet the place before him could only be described with one word.

Lifeless.

Past palace masters had all favored extravagance, and Luo Binghe was no exception. Only, what he lavished was darkness. Even the lanterns lining the corridor seemed perpetually on the verge of extinguishing.

In the blink of an eye, Sha Hualing changed into the attire of a Huan Hua Palace disciple. Without deliberately releasing demonic energy, she looked no different from an ordinary, beautiful young woman. The two of them followed at a distance as Luo Binghe, seeming almost in a trance, passed through layer after layer of halls before taking a seat in a main chamber.

Shortly after, a disciple entered to report, bowing respectfully below the dais. “Palace Master. During your absence, that Liu Qingge came twice. Not finding you here, he smashed the Linghua Division once and challenged the Jinhua Division another time.”

Shen Qingqiu’s heart tightened.

Was Liu Qingge… seeking revenge on his behalf?

He felt he had already caused this Junior Brother enough trouble and resolved to find an opportunity to communicate with him later.

Luo Binghe said, “Let him smash. Anything else?”

Such an “I don’t care, I’m loaded” attitude of absolute confidence!

The disciple glanced at him cautiously. “Also… the Young Palace Master… wishes to see you.”

Shen Qingqiu had expected Luo Binghe to summon his beloved consort with a doting smile. Instead, the man wore the same indifferent expression, looking too weary for words as he dismissed the matter with a tired wave.

The disciple hesitated. "But—"

"But I'm already here!"

That voice made Shen Qingqiu's teeth ache and his skin crawl.

The Young Palace Mistress swept into the hall. A single glance brought a flicker of surprise. She should have been in the bloom of youth, yet she looked worn, the faint blush on her cheeks seemingly painted on with powder.

She lifted her chin, meeting Luo Binghe's gaze directly. "You're back."

He looked at her but said nothing.

"Did you find my father?" she demanded.

"The former Palace Master has retreated to wander the world. His whereabouts are unknown."

The answer was textbook—and utterly devoid of sincerity.

Moreover, in Shen Qingqiu's experience and the default logic of every drama and novel he knew, the person sitting on the throne who uttered such words was usually the very culprit responsible for making the previous leader's "whereabouts unknown."

The Young Palace Mistress gave a cold laugh. "That again. Fine. Forget my father. Let's talk about me."

Her voice sharpened to a point. "If I don't come looking for you, you won't come to see me?!"

Impossible!

Since when was Luo Binghe the type to let potential conquests go to waste?!

Don't insult the dignity of a harem novel's male lead!

Luo Binghe, however, seemed to have no interest in such dignity. Several Illusory Moon Palace disciples approached, their words soothing but their actions firm as they took the Young Palace Mistress by the arms to escort her out. She shouted and struggled all the way.

Sha Hualing remarked, "The Young Palace Mistress has wanted for nothing all these years—fine silks, rich foods. Aside from the occasional confinement, she's hardly been mistreated. Why does she carry on as if she's been so wronged?"

"And what are you?" the Young Palace Mistress shrieked back. "How dare you speak to me like that in my own home?! The way he treats me, what difference is there from raising a pig?!"

In the past, Shen Qingqiu had observed female rivalries from a safe, respectful distance. Today, he had no heart for it.

A startling realization had dawned on him.

He counted on his fingers, seriously tallying the score:

Sha Hualing: Not taken as a wife, but as a subordinate. Worked to the bone with poor compensation. ❌

Liu Mingyan: Not even a token of affection, like a sword tassel, had been exchanged. ❌

Ning Yingying: After adolescence, she'd shown none of her youthful, ignorant infatuation for the male lead. Her love-sickness seemed to have cured itself. ❌

Young Palace Mistress: Had just stated Luo Binghe treated her like livestock. ❌

Qiu Haitang: The promised joyous NTR after pulling Shen Qingqiu down had never materialized. ❌

Qin Wanyue: …Where was Qin Wanyue? Shouldn't she be a central figure here in Illusory Moon Palace? ❌

The Three Daoist Nuns: Not a shadow of them. If they were around, there'd be no need for Shen Qingqiu to serve as a spiritual vessel at all. ❌

…

Looking at it this way, Luo Binghe really was… doing pitifully poorly!

O great harem novel protagonist, are you even functional anymore?!

What a magnificent rear palace, reduced to such a dismal state!

Shen Qingqiu hastily tapped the System to check the values. He was stunned to find the "Coolness" metric had skyrocketed to over 900 points!

Many values seemed to have been added during his dormant, offline state, so no notifications had chimed. He poked open the new point breakdown log (when had that been added?) and scrolled through a list of historical records.

[Ning Yingying: Reverse Pursuit Failed. Coolness +100]

[Ming Fan: Reverse Idiot Antagonist. Coolness +50]

[Liu Mingyan: Reverse Breakup. Coolness +150]

…

The ubiquitous reverse-pursuit by female leads and the idiot cannon-fodder antagonists were classic elements of a trashy harem novel. Now, the female characters weren't throwing themselves at the male lead, and the supporting cast's IQ/EQ seemed to have risen. Naturally, the "Coolness" score increased. Shen Qingqiu understood that.

But the fact that Luo Binghe hadn't scored with a single girl, and the System hadn't deducted any "Satisfaction" points… that defied all logic!

Had the male lead's "Satisfaction" metric been unlinked from him?

Or had the male lead's… "satisfaction"… shifted to something else entirely?

This… Shen Qingqiu couldn't help but lift his eyes to Luo Binghe's brooding, gloomy face. A sudden, overwhelming sense of awkwardness washed over him.

Sins, oh sins, he thought with a mental wince. Have I somehow raised a perfectly good harem novel protagonist into… a eunuch?!