Chapter 546: Reverse Strategy 05

Are you the Yao King…

Chenshu trembled from his fright, yet he still restrained himself from crying out, merely asking in a hoarse voice.

Jin Chen rubbed his forehead, the beast ears in his hair slowly retracting, feeling as if his head had swollen from crying.

You little brat, so noisy—could it be that those people sent you as food for me?

His expression wasn't exactly pleasant, yet his tone was deeply meaningful, his peach-blossom spring-water eyes repeatedly scanning Chenshu's face.

Or… are you actually in league with those people?

This thoroughly frightened Chenshu; he shook his head repeatedly, then, overwhelmed by the great shock, his throat tightened—clearly he wanted to explain, but he was so anxious he couldn't utter a single word.

His tear‑stained starry eyes resembled autumn ripples, the corners reddening as he covered his chest and sobbed softly.

No… no, it's not like that—they sent me here to offer the formation.

A living sacrifice deepens the seal.

A dangerous glint flashed in Jin Chen's eyes, killing intent surfacing.

The Demon‑Slaying Sect really is audacious.

Just slapping a seal on me while I slept would be fine—at most I'd lose a bit of face returning to the Yaogong.

Now it seems the Demon‑Slaying Sect must be eradicated, otherwise humanity could never tolerate the existence of the demon horde.

Don't look at me like that… I don't want this either.

Chenshu scrambled backward in fright from his gaze, unable to see the room's furnishings; when Jin Chen glanced back, the boy nearly knocked his head against the dusty tea table.

A fluffy silver‑white fox tail suddenly unfurled behind him, sweeping the boy up before him, lifting his chin to admire the beauty's tears.

When did I ever say I'd kill you? Why be so afraid?

The man's voice, like strong liquor, was intoxicating; his fingertips lightly brushed the boy's cheek, 'Since you've come to offer the formation, you should know that once daylight breaks, the Killing Formation General will be drawn.'

You don't look like a cultivator at all—by then there'll be nowhere to run.

He spoke gravely, and the boy instinctively clutched the silk clothing on his body, pleading in a faint voice.

Yao King, if I were devoured by the Killing Formation General, wouldn't that make it… even harder for you to leave the seal?

Please, don't cast me out.

Chenshu's voice, with the clear, soft sweetness unique to a youth, greatly pleased Jin Chen.

He gave a low, muffled chuckle, pressing meaningfully against Chenshu's vital point at the center of his face, 'Do you realize that although you haven't cultivated spiritual arts, your sea of consciousness is quite vigorous?'

I'm unable to break this damned formation because I'm in a languid period; if I wanted to end it early, I'd just need to eat you.

Chenshu trembled again.

He was terrified, dare not cry out again, fearing that if the Yao King grew displeased, he would swallow him whole.

A crystal‑clear tear hung, poised to fall, at the rim of his slightly reddened eyes; he pursed his lips and looked up at Jin Chen with a pitiful expression.

Then, at the right moment, he rose into a crouch, revealing his bare arms through the torn sleeves.

Jin Chen soon noticed, grabbing the boy's thin, weak arm, observing the wounds and bloodstains covering it, a dark light flickering in the depths of his eyes.

Are you a servant of the Chen Family? How did you end up like this?

No… the head of the Chen Family is my father." Speaking of this, Chenshu felt wronged, his long lashes fluttering pitifully, "but they despise me as a good‑for‑nothing.

Something seemed to stir his heart; the ancient demon, who for a thousand years had never known what it meant to be moved, furrowed his brows and unexpectedly felt a pang of pity.

And yet it was aimed at a human raised in a Demon‑Slaying clan.

【Detected target task triggering Heartbeat Value, Strategy Value ahead: 10.】

Chenshu's lip twitched up, then he quickly hid it, his slender fingertip latching onto Jin Chen's finger, 'My lord, please don't kill me, okay?'

Everyone says the fox tribe is born with a bewitching heart; after assuming human form their looks are outstanding, they are especially amorous and promiscuous—particularly the Yao King, leader of the myriad demons, who in the demon realm is famed for his countless affairs, leaving love wherever he goes.

Jin Chen said everyone's just talking nonsense.

Born king of the demon race, he has always been pure‑hearted and desireless—only his good looks have invited gossip.

Were it not for the precarious demon horde now, he would have long since wandered freely across mountains and rivers.

Yet today he came to know what a racing heart is, what pity is.

This made the thousand‑year‑old old demon quite delighted and novel.

He lifted Chenshu's chin, carefully examining that face which even a demon would find handsome.

Since you're so pitiful, I'll spare you for now.

Hearing this, his starry eyes brightened slightly; the boy clung on tighter, as if grasping the sole lifeline he could trust.

Thank you, Great King.

He seemed finally to have seen hope; his emotions, which had been tugged back and forth on the brink of death, now relaxed, and he could no longer hold back the mist in his eyes, sobbing as he flung himself into Jin Chen's embrace.

I finally don't have to die…

Jin Chen stiffened; his first instinct was to push away this clueless human child, but the hand he lifted froze when he saw the boy's tear‑reddened cheeks.

All he could do was helplessly pat the boy's head, 'You little brat, you cry far too much.'

If those little fox demons of the Yaogong cried this much, they'd be punished with confinement in the Gloomy Forest Pass.

Who would have thought that hearing this would make Chenshu cry even harder; he clung tightly to Jin Chen's neck, tears streaming as they soaked his clothes.

Jin Chen had never learned how to comfort anyone; he could only awkwardly pat the boy's thin back.

If you cry again, I'll eat you right now.

This threat was clearly effective; although Chenshu was still sniffling, he soon stopped his tears, and instead of withdrawing as fear would dictate, his body leaned closer into the embrace.

The Great King said he wouldn't eat you—you must keep your word.

The boy in his arms was soft‑bodied, merely a bit too thin; Jin Chen didn't push him away, yet every piece of clothing within sight was filthy, utterly unsuitable for the boy's appearance.

He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing for a moment, then pulled the person from his arms and feigned anger.

How bold, to dare wear such filthy clothing and even sleep on my jade bed.

Actually, that's not the case; the clothes are not only not dirty, they've been washed until they're whitish, just a bit worn out—only when compared to the garments on Jin Chen's body do they look utterly unacceptable.

Chenshu awkwardly tugged at their clothes, a pink hue showing at the corners of their eyes, 'I… I have no other clothes to wear; this is the best I have.'

As soon as the words fell, Jin Chen waved a hand; after a faint silver light flashed, an ice‑blue gauze robe, pure as moonlight, appeared in Chenshu's arms.

Put it on; from now on, following me, you can't be too shabby.

Jin Chen still looked disdainful, but Jin Chen's gaze was probing Chenshu's expression, as if trying to see from Chenshu's face whether Chenshu liked it.

Thank you, Great King!

Chenshu held the robe and smiled happily.

Chenshu was truly happy.

Only heaven knows how long Chenshu has endured this outfit; the chafing made their skin sore, and it's hard on the original owner to wear it so preciously.

Chenshu, relying on the darkness of night, also thought Jin Chen couldn't see anything, and carefully moved back a few steps, using the pillar as cover to take off their own clothes.