—They're in!?
Ning Xian stared at him, her mind a momentary blur. Feng bit her lower lip hard, his tongue gently entwining with hers. The warmth of his palms seemed to smooth her tense skin, making her unconsciously want to relax, but the tension in her lower body remained unrelieved—
Mmm... How could sex be like this?!
Aaaaaah—you damn phoenix, you're still moving—!
………………
"Master, is this alright?"
"What's wrong with it?"
"But those two..."
"Aren't they a good match?"
"But the others..."
Dongfang Qingming chuckled lightly, "The others? The others are just too idle—it seems I haven't given them anything to do while I was sleeping, which has bored them. Come on, let's see just how idle they are. Breaking up a couple like this will get you struck by lightning." Dongfang Qingming turned to face the wind, his bamboo-green robe fluttering in the breeze, making his slender figure appear even more delicate. Yet, this pale, sickly-looking young man was someone no one dared to underestimate. Yu Lin quickly followed, constantly glancing at this leader whom she rarely saw—he had been with the Netherworld Sect the shortest of all the protectors. Although he often accompanied his father to the sect to play since childhood, and had often played with Ning Xian since then, he had never seen the leader. It wasn't until he formally joined the sect at twelve and succeeded his father as a protector at fourteen that he had the opportunity to interact with the leader—
Upon first meeting, Yu Lin was astonished by the leader's youth—the Netherworld Cult wasn't always the number one evil cult of the demonic path. It was said that due to various reasons stemming from the previous leader, the cult was in chaos and on the verge of disintegration. Just then, the former leader suddenly brought back Dongfang Qingming, entrusting him with the crumbling Netherworld Cult. Within a few years, under Dongfang Qingming's leadership, the Netherworld Cult turned its fortunes around, developing into the number one evil cult of the demonic path on the Cangming Ranking. Because of this, all the senior members of the cult held Dongfang Qingming in high esteem. And such a person was "not much older" than him—how could Yu Lin not be surprised?
It was only three or four years later that Yu Lin discovered the flaw in the "not much older" claim—the pale seventeen or eighteen-year-old Dongfang Qingming looked exactly the same as when he first met him, without any change whatsoever.
So, how old is the cult leader?
………………
As Dongfang Juehuang slowly entered the main altar, all eyes turned to him in near astonishment, and they hastily bowed. Long Jue turned and saw him, his brows furrowing slightly in confusion. He was clearly displeased by the sect leader's unusual lifestyle, which usually didn't signify anything good. He stepped forward to pay his respects, then said expressionlessly, "Sect Leader, your dinner isn't ready yet. I'll send someone to prepare it as soon as possible—"
—This means, why are you up before dinner? If you're hungry, go back to sleep after dinner, don't suddenly pop out of your hole and startle people.
“No rush,” Dongfang Qingming interrupted him, a calm, serene, and approachable yet dignified smile on his pale face. “I’m not hungry yet. I just woke up and wanted to see what everyone has been doing these past two years. Bring me the account books and files from the last two years.” …So he really has emerged from the cave?
"Yes, I'll go right away." Long Jue retreated expressionlessly. During the sect leader's hibernation, he slept for eight hours a day, and only got up for three hours to eat. Apart from eating, cleansing, taking walks, etc., he had very little time to check on sect affairs. Therefore, only a few important matters were presented to the sect leader, and all other matters were handled by several people.
This time, I had just woken up when I suddenly wanted to check the academic affairs office, but I don't know what kind of scheme I'm plotting to make things difficult for these people.
Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Cult Leader Awakens (from "The Story of My Wife Climbing the Wall") by Lian Zhi Qingting.
"The Xuanlang Sect has been quite arrogant lately."
Dongfang Qingming slowly closed the teaching manual, his gaze seemingly lost in thought.
Long Jue had nothing to say about this. Everyone knew about the Xuanlang Sect's repeated provocations and attacks over the past two years, yet no one had ever taken action to completely wipe them out. The reason was simple: the sect leader's attitude was too strange.
All sects that provoked the Netherworld Cult either submitted or disappeared; at the very least, they had to completely surrender to escape. However, Dongfang Qingming never issued any orders to retaliate against the Xuanlang Sect. Therefore, further discussion was pointless.
"Long Jue, give me a list of everyone who is currently in the Netherworld and the Blissful Heaven, including those who are unemployed, out drinking and carousing, sightseeing, or seducing respectable women, as long as they are not currently holding any official positions."
"What does the leader want to do...?"
"Let those who have nothing better to do go and pick on a few branches of the Xuanlang Sect. Don't spend all your time thinking about disturbing young people's love affairs." — Sure enough, this time it was just about "picking on a few branches," but there was no mention of attacking the Xuanlang Sect's headquarters. But... "love affairs?" He immediately thought of the recent rumors and the reason for the falling out between Youmingtian and Jiletian—"Ning Xian and Feng?"
"What, you don't agree?"
Long Jue did not respond immediately. Putting aside the matters of the Bai and Qiu families, since Ning Xian's marriage was not going smoothly, he naturally would not force her to return to Bai Mo's side. However, based on some things he had heard, Bai Mo seemed to be willing to improve their relationship. One was her husband, whom she had married through proper channels, and the other was a member of the same demonic sect but on opposing sides. There would probably be many people who would oppose their relationship. Long Jue could not judge which side was better for Ning Xian based on his own opinion, so he remained silent and observed how things developed.
Dongfang Qingming was born with a pair of sharp eyes that could see through people's thoughts, and although Long Jue always had a stern face, it was not difficult to guess what he was thinking. "Don't you think it's only natural for Ning Xian and Feng to be together? She and her husband are fundamentally incompatible; regardless of feelings, they can't be together. Are you expecting her to adapt to a life of staying indoors all the time, spending her free time drinking tea, snacks, and gossiping with her close friends? Hahaha—although I'd like to see how long Ning Xian can endure that kind of life, it seems unlikely. What reason do she and Feng have not to be together?—Both are members of the Demonic Sect, equally unrestrained and free-spirited; if they were truly interested in each other, there's no reason why they wouldn't be together. As for the conflict between the Netherworld and the Blissful Heaven, I think you, Long Jue, haven't worried about that—even if they cause trouble, would the ever-unconventional Feng really care?" His words left no room for argument; it seemed impossible for Ning Xian and Feng not to be together.
"...You seem to support both of them?"
Dongfang Qingming simply smiled, "Let your sister have her way sooner rather than later, so no one will call me a liar." "...?" — Brother Long Jue was completely bewildered.
…………
Ning Xian sneaked back while Feng was asleep, unsure how to face her. It seemed like everything had just happened naturally; the fight escalated to the point of being in bed, and in a moment of impulse, everything was over—impulse is the devil. Although it wasn't Feng's first time… compared to that "first time" she had no memory of, wasn't this her first time emotionally? Just like that, just like that, it happened…? She initially thought it wasn't a big deal, but now that it had actually happened, it still felt awkward. She hadn't even resolved her issues with Bai Mo, nor had she figured out how she truly felt about Feng—should she wave it off nonchalantly, saying nothing mattered, that life is like a play, and a play is like life, so why care?
Hmm... it seems I still can't quite manage it...
Before she even returned to the Netherworld, she heard people everywhere saying that the sect leader had woken up. She rushed to the main altar but didn't see him, so she went straight to Dongfang Qingming's courtyard. There, amidst the green bamboo, was a man leaning against a white jade stone table and chair. He was not surprised to see her. A faint, lingering smile appeared on his slightly pale face. "I guessed you would probably come to see me. Sit down."
Ning Xian sat down, frowning. "Could you please not always act like you know everything? It makes people feel insecure." Dongfang Qingming smiled noncommittally, but Ning Xian remained silent for a long time, unsure of what to say. So, Dongfang Qingming, who had been asked to "not act like he knows everything," spoke first, asking, "Do you feel lost?"
He nodded. "Should I settle things with Bai Mo before looking for a lover?"
"If that's the case, why bother having a lover? Since it's a lover, what does it have to do with whether you have a wife or husband? I think you should know this very well, and you don't need to care."
"I didn't care before... but it seems..."
"But when the time comes, you feel uneasy and can't be carefree? I guess you're still feeling guilty for getting together with Feng without fully understanding your feelings for him?"
Ning Xian glanced at him. "Can't you give people some face? I still remember what you said to me when you tried to recruit me into the cult, but... it seems like that's not the case at all..."
Dongfang Qingming's smile faltered for a moment. He tried hard to recall what he had said to her, but how could he remember clearly what he had said to a child? And who knew that a seven or eight-year-old child could remember it for so long?
Ning Xian still clearly remembers that she often accompanied her parents to the sect when she was young. She was seven years old when she first met the newly appointed leader, Dongfang Qingming, who looked like a frail fifteen-year-old boy. Given the state of the Netherworld Sect at the time, a young leader who appeared out of nowhere was not only difficult to convince the followers, but how could anyone believe he had the ability to save this half-collapsed sect? Therefore, Dongfang Qingming's early days were very difficult. He had to win back the hearts of the people, keep the sect afloat, find ways to raise money, and then desperately expand the sect and recruit new members—he was so busy that he didn't even have time to sleep, and it seemed no one ever saw him sleep; everyone only saw him busy, busy, and still busy…
So at that time, Dongfang Qingming regretted taking on this mess, yet sighed and continued. Then, just as the situation within the sect stabilized and he wanted to expand, he found it difficult to recruit the scattered old members and gather new ones. That day, he went out for some fresh air and encountered this little girl. He was just feeling down and had only gone to chat with her because he was so upset, not even sparing a little girl. Although she was still young, something was better than nothing; ten years later, she would still be a valuable asset.
"Hey little sister, whose child are you? Do you want to join the Demonic Cult?"
"No." The little girl refused bluntly, and his weary mind and body were dealt another blow. "My mother said that this dilapidated school has no hope, and there's no future for me here."
Severe blow...
He forced a smile and continued to coax, "Little sister, the situation here is only temporary. Isn't it getting better? In two years, it will become a famous sect in the demonic path. Then no one will dare to bully you."
“But my father said that it’s better to make money in business than in the Demonic Sect. He said that after he makes a few more big profits, he will retire and go into business. At that time, my family will have a lot of money, and I will be a young lady. No one will bully me.”
I'm furious! Who are this child's parents? They actually want to make money from teaching!
Patience, patience, they're just kids...
He forced a smile again and persisted in persuading her: "But being a young lady means you can't do whatever you want, it's very restrictive. You have to be dignified and reserved, you can't smile and show your teeth, you can't eat heartily, you can't go out, you can't talk to boys casually, and when you grow up you have to marry someone you've never even met. Isn't that boring?"
The little girl seemed intimidated by these words and pressed, "So, if I join the Demonic Sect, I can do anything?" "Of course! Once you join the Demonic Sect, you can do whatever you want, whatever you want to do, whether it's committing evil deeds, murder, arson… (…You're telling this to a child??) You don't have to care about any social norms, you're not bound by them, you can have as many lovers as you want, marry as many husbands as you want, or even marry someone you don't want to marry…"
Half an hour later, the little girl's eyes were shining, but she was still hesitant. "But what if everyone is from the Demonic Sect? What if they can do whatever they want and bully me too?"
"Don't worry, I'm the leader here, I guarantee no one will dare to bully you."
So the little girl tapped that wicked head hard, "I want to go in! Big brother, you have to keep your word, you can't lie to me!" "Of course, big brother never lies."
I just forgot about it afterwards.
So, four or five years later, the Netherworld Cult had grown stronger and was no longer to be underestimated. The young cult leader, who was praised by thousands, claimed that he was overworked and needed to rest to make up for the fatigue of the past few years. So he began to act as a hands-off leader, leaving the affairs of the cult to his trusted confidants, and he spent his days being lazy and sleeping.
Meanwhile, the girl named Ning Xian had already mastered the basics of martial arts and made some progress. She then followed her brother, who was already highly regarded in the sect, to the Netherworld Heaven. Later, she became the ninth member of the Netherworld Heaven's Eight Guardians.
Gradually, as time went by, everyone got used to the fact that the elusive leader of the sect was sleeping more and more excessively. He would often stay in seclusion for one or two years at a time, sleeping all day long. Anyway, he would "wake up" when he had enough sleep, and when he woke up, he usually didn't need to rest for a short period of time. So he would be full of energy and think of ways to torment others. This time became the most difficult time for the members of the Netherworld Sect.
After listening to Ning Xian's retelling of the words he had spoken when he lured her into the sect, Dongfang Qingming felt a little sweaty and wondered if she had been too tired to think straight back then, seriously talking to a child like that. Clearly, Ning Xian not only remembered her words from back then, but they had also had a significant impact on her later words and actions.
However, the influence of these years seems to have created a slight conflict with Ning Xian's true nature, leading to her current confusion. It's truly astonishing that those two old monsters of the Qiu family could have such a kind and gentle daughter.
Dongfang Qingming said, "This varies from person to person. You now have all the conditions to do whatever you want, but your hesitation comes from your heart. Although you can disregard etiquette, you still feel sorry for Feng—because you actually have a feeling that Feng is gradually liking you, but you don't know if you like him back."
Chapter 80 The Cult Leader Awakens (from "The Story of My Wife Climbing the Wall") by Lian Zhi Qingting
"It seems Mu Yuan was right; your nature is indeed not suited to be a member of the Demonic Sect."
Ning Xian really wanted to grab the cult leader and yell at him—he was the one who lured her into the demonic cult, and now he's saying she's not suitable!? "So…you should know where Mu Yuan is, right?"
"Huh?" Ning Xian paused, then shook his head and said, "I don't know..."
Think it through before you answer me.
"..." Then she decided not to answer. Hua Hua was ashamed that others knew he was injured, so surely he couldn't even tell the cult leader, right?
Dongfang Qingming glanced at her and already guessed: "Could it be that he was injured and embarrassed to come back?" Ning Xian looked up in surprise, forgetting to hide his expression, which already revealed that he had guessed correctly. Dongfang Qingming smiled and said: "Seeing that you are not worried at all after you came back, it seems that he is fine."
"Well...maybe."
The cult leader really knows Hua Hua well; she could even guess something like that—their relationship must be quite special, right? How could she not take this opportunity to gossip a little? She asked with a fawning smile, "Cult leader... you care so much about Hua Hua—no, I mean, Left Envoy Mu—and trust him so much. What... is your relationship?"
"I'm the leader, and he's the Left Envoy?"
"Tch—I haven't seen you treat the Right Envoy any differently. The Right Envoy does all the work, while Mu Yuan just wanders around all day. How can that be so unfair?"
"Because he was protesting and complaining that things were difficult, I naturally gave the work to someone else. The Right Envoy didn't protest at all and did a pretty good job."
"..."
This is the legendary "the capable do more work"... which is also bullying honest people - the cult leader is not kind.
Distracted by Dongfang Qingming, Ning Xian completely forgot why he had come to see him in the first place. Dongfang Qingming's smile was serene and quiet, but behind that smile, which no one else could perceive, he was secretly plotting something.
After Ning Xian sent her away, Dongfang Qingming leaned against the stone table, closed his eyes, and listened quietly to the sound of the wind rustling through the bamboo and the approaching footsteps.
"Master, you wanted to see me?"
He opened his eyes, smiled at the person who came in, and asked, "Have you been waiting long?"
"No, it was only for a short while."
"I need your help with something, Luo Hou."