MD Ch 2 Part 7

Since Wang Duoju declared his unwavering loyalty to Yu Ke in front of me, I should trust him for now. I had a rough idea of what would happen later. With him by my side, I could at least gather more information.

For instance, the scrawny Domain Lord of the Bone Domain, Jiang Gui, was a minor character in my novel, barely mentioned. He was simply a vanguard during the attack on the Celestial Realm. Utterly insignificant and with no interaction with the protagonist, he was merely a character who would excitedly attack at Yu Ke’s command. I never wrote whether he lived or died.

Wang Duoju claimed that Jiang Gui was secretly plotting something significant, like a rebellion.

As the saying goes, “Better to wrongly kill three thousand than to let one go.” Whether he was plotting or not, I figured I would encounter Jiang Gui at the Heavenly River boundary in ten days.

Actually, Wang Duoju’s attitude was more perplexing than this matter. Shouldn’t those who climbed to power from humble beginnings resent someone like Yu Ke, a natural-born demonic body and nobleman? His display of loyalty was surprisingly touching.

Wang Duoju was the first person I felt safe around in this world. Despite his gaudy attire, his insincere words and actions, his fluctuating emotions, and his eccentricity, he seemed genuinely sincere.

Song Qiyuan was a threat, and I couldn’t fathom Gu Jincheng’s intentions. It was truly tragic that Wang Duoju was the only one I could rely on.

Song Qiyuan… that bastard! Song Qiyuan! I’ll kill you in ten days!!! You truly infuriating bastard!

Of course, I didn’t intend to actually kill him. After symbolically eliminating him and throwing his body into the river, things should proceed smoothly. But could I really deceive those sharp eyes that have seen through everything for centuries?

Moreover, having just become Yu Ke, how to wield the power within this body was another challenge. I wasn’t worried for nothing; what if I couldn’t control my strength and accidentally killed him?!

But considering past events, perhaps I was overthinking it.

I was a transmigrator who replaced the original owner of this body. Even if I followed the original plot and schemed, the world wouldn’t collapse if the protagonist died.

Suddenly, fear gripped me.

For a brief moment, I considered killing Song Qiyuan, but ultimately dismissed the thought.

However, if someone else, someone unfamiliar with the novel and without any feelings for Song Qiyuan, had transmigrated as ‘Yu Ke’ and been targeted by Song Qiyuan, they would have killed him without hesitation upon arriving.

Could all of this be planned? A chilling sensation washed over me as if I had fallen into an ice house. Mere speculation wasn’t enough to convince me.

Was this world truly unfathomable?

Damn it! I’m just a writer, why am I so unlucky? I scratched my head in frustration and sprawled out on the bed. My head ached, and my body was filled with unrelenting fatigue and anxiety.

The ceiling of the main hall was covered with black and red stone slabs painted with ink washes. I stared at them absentmindedly for a while, then my heart skipped a beat as I realized the ink patterns had slightly changed. As I tried to examine them more closely, hurried footsteps and urgent voices sounded from outside.

“Demon Lord! It’s terrible! Lord Vermillion Bird has gone to the Demonic Realm again!”

***

My name is Yu Ke.

I not only raise the Vermilion Bird, but also the cold-blooded demonic beasts he enjoys devouring.

The moment I arrived in this world and saw the cave where the beasts were kept, I anticipated this situation. Therefore, I wasn’t particularly nervous. Since I had to fabricate a lie about Song Qiyuan’s current condition in front of the continent’s experts, I was already planning to check on him.

I strolled leisurely toward the cave, ignoring the anxious expression of the attendant leading the way. I was preoccupied with figuring out how to get Ah Jiu to devour these unsightly beasts.

After sending Wang Duoju away, Gu Jincheng had left to relay my orders and wouldn’t return until tomorrow morning at the earliest. I had bought myself some time. At least, there was no need for immediate distress.

The Demon Palace was much more lively during the day than in the evening, but anxiety was evident on the faces of those passing by. Several people rushed towards me, falling to their knees. Their foreheads were drenched in sweat as they clasped their hands and spoke hurriedly.

“We couldn’t find the Protector, so there was no way to stop Lord Vermilion Bird. Please punish us, Demon Lord.”

The Protector they spoke of was Gu Jincheng. It was clear that Gu Jincheng usually handled all the minor matters in the Demon Palace, leaving Yu Ke to live in leisure without a care.

The number of people Ah Jiu obeyed could be counted on one hand: Yu Ke, and Gu Jincheng, who always stood beside him, naturally occupying a place of authority. Coincidentally, with Gu Jincheng absent, there was no one else capable of handling the situation. That’s why the attendants, who usually followed Gu Jincheng, were now bothering Yu Ke.

Yu Ke’s notoriety was well-established, his capriciousness legendary. He would kill on a whim, so it was understandable why these people were so cautious.

I composed my expression and, with my next words in mind, smiled.

“Could you possibly stop Ah Jiu? Forget it. This Lord will handle it. You are dismissed.”

I hurried past several people, quickening my pace. The cave entrance, which had been quietly guarded by two warriors last night, was now crowded with people of all ages and genders.

Before I could even approach, a delicate-looking woman in white rushed towards me. Stumbling, she fell right into my arms. Her fair, smooth shoulders were exposed through her disheveled robes, filling my vision. Not only this woman, but other women, and even handsome young men, were rushing towards me.

Were they trying to curry favor with Yu Ke to become part of his harem?

Yu Ke’s character was too promiscuous. While I wouldn’t mind indulging, I had to save the protagonist and didn’t have time for such distractions.

“Get lost!”

I coldly shoved the women away. Perhaps I used too much force, as the first woman, the delicate one, collapsed to the ground, completely dazed.

Though I felt a pang of guilt, I lifted the corners of my mouth 30 degrees and summoned a wooden fan with a flick of my wrist. I brushed off the places where the women had touched me.

“If you understand your mistake, then don’t block my path. Do you wish to incur this Lord’s wrath and hasten your own demise?”

Before I could even finish speaking, the surrounding crowd parted, each person kneeling one by one, revealing the entrance to the cave. With a flick of my sleeves, I walked past the kneeling figures and straight into the cave.

One truth I had just learned was that nothing was constant. These people trembled at a single word from the powerful Yu Ke, but later, they might secretly laugh at my suffering.

Here, I was a solitary soul, without family, friends, or worries. All I had was the infamous title of ‘Yu Ke.’ My only task was related to Yu Ke, and I had to utilize his authority.

Therefore, eliminating nuisances at the appropriate time wasn’t excessive.

With the commotion outside, Ah Jiu inside the cave must have noticed, yet there was no reaction. It seemed he was accustomed to Yu Ke’s usual capriciousness.

Dismissing the attendants who had followed me, I slowly entered the cave alone. The air inside was no longer damp and chilly as before. Now, it was strangely hot and dry, with a faint scent of meat wafting through the air.

Huh? The smell of meat?

I now understood the meaning of being caught between a rock and a hard place. Ah Jiu, did this guy actually roast and eat it? This was practically a BBQ!

The cave was eerily silent. The metal cages on the wall several dozen meters ahead were all open, and the demonic beasts inside were huddled against the walls, too frightened to even stick out their tongues.

The blue flames in the semi-circular brazier on the wall and the orange flames Ah Jiu was producing further ahead divided the space into contrasting colors of cold and warmth. Given Ah Jiu’s appetite, those creatures in the cages wouldn’t even be a snack.

The further I walked, the brighter the light became. I slowly approached until I could see the scene deep within, and I couldn’t help but burst out laughing in astonishment.

Wow, Ah Jiu was actually grilling demonic beasts! His skill and posture were that of a true BBQ master!