Chapter 575: Reverse Strategy 34

He turned over, continued to close his eyes and rest, only waiting to hear the demon slave's commotion, then he and his brother would leave the Yaogong.

Langnian didn't notice; facing the matter of leaving Jin Chen's side, he wasn't as sad and heartbroken as he imagined.

After Erlang left here, he returned to his own room to prepare some things.

Upon leaving, he bumped into Si She.

Si She's gloomy snake eyes scanned Erlang's entire outfit, his tone harsh.

"I advise you not to act rashly."

"I won't hurt the Great King." Erlang merely said that, knowing Si She had seen through his thoughts.

"What's the difference between hurting him and hurting the king?"

"Xiao Nian needs me to kill him."

Erlang's resolve was firm; at that moment he would have no further hesitation, brushing past Si She as he left.

"Idiot."

Si She cursed under his breath, his peripheral vision catching Wu Lu also heading toward the sleeping hall, intending to report the matter.

He quickly walked over and grabbed his arm.

"It's getting late; we can report the matter tomorrow."

"Ah……?"

Wu Lu glanced at the darkening sky, thought his words made sense, and immediately threw all the scrolls in his hands at Si She.

"I'm so tired…… this period has been so busy, so busy."

He sighed, turned and walked back, saying, "You say you haven't seen Da Hu and them lately, and you don't know whether that stupid tiger has figured out the intentions of the San Shi."

"Difficult."

Si She remained terse as ever.

As he was about to walk away, he turned his head again to look toward the Yao King's sleeping hall.

"The weather is about to change."

——

Chenshu heard some unusual noises.

At this hour, Jin Chen should not have returned yet; he ought to be handling affairs in the Study.

He rose from the soft couch, adjusted his cloak, and went out to check.

"Erlang?"

Looking at the person standing motionless outside the door, the corner of his mouth twitched, "You came here to act as my door god?"

Erlang ignored him, merely reaching back to set up a barrier.

Chenshu's eyes shifted slightly, sensing something amiss.

"Ah…… I understand, you've come to avenge Langnian."

He seemed to feel no imminent danger of fighting, leisurely smoothing his cuff as he warned, "You'd better think it through—raising a hand against me is no different from angering A Chen."

"I will apologize myself."

Erlang finally spoke; the next second his form flickered, and he brandished a wolf-hair sword sharp as a needle.

Chenshu sighed, blocked the incoming attack head-on, and they began to fight.

Ever since he learned that Erlang had once saved Jin Chen, he had no desire to let this demon reach this point.

He merely underestimated the importance of Langnian to Erlang.

He kept a reserve in each move, but could also see that Erlang's every strike was a killing blow; Chenshu was no soft persimmon, and after a few exchanges he began to push Erlang back, inevitably leaving wounds on him.

"You can't beat me; before A Chen returns, you'd better withdraw in time."

Chenshu gave his final advice.

"You're so talkative; save your kindness for yourself."

"Tsk, what a pain."

Chenshu tilted his head, quickly sped up his movements; after just a few rounds he had Erlang trapped in his techniques, yet inexplicably felt something.

Although Erlang was using killing moves, it felt as if he wasn't exerting his full strength.

Could it be that this demon doesn't actually want to kill him?

Just then, a surge of monster power ripped open the barrier, an attack carrying silver mist striking Erlang's abdomen.

He spat out a mouthful of blood, was blown back two meters, and collapsed to the ground.

"Erlang, you've got a lot of nerve."

Jin Chen immediately shielded Chenshu in his arms, his gaze toward Erlang icy and bone-chilling.

"I'm fine, not a scratch." Worried he'd worry, Chenshu hurriedly reported his condition.

Hearing that, Jin Chen's expression eased a little, but his attitude toward Erlang remained harsh.

Failed.

Erlang lay flat on the ground, gazing at the now-dark sky.

A slight thought stirred, and he detonated the minor formation he had set up outside the sleeping hall.

A tremendous boom sent the demon slaves scattering in all directions, filled with screams.

"What is this for again?"

Chenshu looked on puzzled, his gaze shifting from the blast point to Erlang, feeling it was like a…… reminder?

【Master, Langnian has already slipped out of the room amidst the chaos.】

As expected.

He clicked his tongue; it seemed Erlang had no intention of retreating unscathed.

No wonder I didn't need to use my full strength just now.

Jin Chen curled his fingers into hooks, seized Erlang's throat in midair, and the overwhelming pressure left him unable to struggle.

He also had no intention to struggle.

"I've stressed many times, don't try to move against Chenshu."

"Do you only understand when faced with death?"

"Great King... I have something to say."

Erlang forced a sound from his throat but did not struggle.

Chenshu shook Jin Chen's arm.

Speak.

Jin Chen threw him to the ground and stared coldly.

Erlang propped himself up and knelt on the ground.

"I know my sins are deep and I have repeatedly overstepped your bounds, but when I once saved your life, you gave me a jade pendant, promising to grant any request that does not exceed the limit."

He trembled with his injured arm, drew the jade pendant from his bosom; though hundreds of years have passed, it remains flawless, revealing the owner's meticulous care.

He lifted the jade pendant above his head with both hands.

"My request is that the Great King spare Langnian."

"As long as he can leave the Yao clan's territory unharmed, I am willing to atone with my life."

Jin Chen glanced at the jade pendant and fell silent for a moment.

"You can use this jade pendant to have me spare your life."

Erlang shook his head: "I have made mistake after mistake; even I cannot forgive myself."

"I beg the Great King to agree."

He trembled as he kowtowed.

Jin Chen did not respond.

Erlang's monster core was damaged by the earlier attack; he spat another mouthful of blood, set the jade pendant on the floor before him, and kowtowed again in deep respect.

His tone remained stubborn and unyielding.

"I beg the Great King to agree."

Chenshu frowned, not knowing what he was thinking; his fingers curled, tightening his grip on Jin Chen's sleeve.

"A Chen..."

Jin Chen patted his hand and held it in his palm.

Enough.

He said this to Erlang: "I promise you, I will let Langnian leave safely."

Only then did Erlang stop kowtowing.

At this point he was swaying on the brink of collapse, lacking even the strength to stand.

His beast ears and wolf tail also appeared as his spirit became unstable.

He struggled to rise, finally offering his thanks to Jin Chen as his vision began to blur.

"Thank you, Great King, for granting this."

"I will find a place to kill myself, so as not to defile your bedchamber."

After saying that, Erlang looked toward Chenshu and bowed again.

"Sorry."

Chenshu curled his lips: "You didn't use your full strength earlier because you already foresaw this outcome."

Erlang's posture remained unmoved, his eyes still full of loyalty and stubbornness.

"You cannot die, and I cannot kill you either."

He is a close aide of the Yao King; one cannot kill the one the Yao King loves.

Yet one cannot watch one's beloved die.

Suicide is the only solution.

Having said all that, he stumbled backward and turned to leave.

Jin Chen took a deep breath, his expression inscrutable, as he led Chenshu into the bedchamber.

The sky had already turned completely dark.

—

Side note:

I saw everyone's comments! In the end, this world is just psychologist Jin Chen and mind-reading autistic tyrant CEO.

Everyone wonders whether Erlang will finally die, and where Langnian will go from here.

(Stroking his beard) If you want to know what happens next, stay tuned for the next installment.