NOVEL NEXT Chapter 137: The Proposal of Madness
(Arc: The Evil Path Exchange Program)
The Azure Sky Sect was rarely silent, but today, it was so quiet that even the spirit cranes were pretending to meditate.
At the top of the Grand Hall, Sect Master sat cross-legged with the solemnity of a man about to commit a great sin — or at least, a very poor administrative decision.
Before him stood Li Ming, looking as he always did after breakfast: calm, polite, and faintly suspicious of reality.
The Sect Master cleared his throat.
"Li Ming… you've heard of the Evil Path Alliance, yes?"
Li Ming nodded. "The group that publishes self-help manuals like 'Seven Habits of Highly Effective Villains'? Hard to miss."
A cough rippled through the elders.
Sect Master Xuan pressed on. "They've… extended an invitation. A cultural exchange between righteous and demonic sects. To promote mutual understanding."
Li Ming blinked slowly. "So, a diplomatic suicide pact?"
"Essentially," the Sect Master said. "We're sending a small delegation."
He gestured to the elders, who all simultaneously avoided eye contact — the universal sign of people volunteering someone else.
Elder Wu coughed. "We thought perhaps someone… mature, intelligent, and calm could represent us."
Li Ming frowned. "So you're sending me because I don't punch first."
Elder Lin added quickly, "And because you come back alive when you should be dead."
There was a long pause.
Li Ming sighed. "You're all trying to get rid of me for a month, aren't you?"
The entire hall suddenly became fascinated by the ceiling.
---
By evening, the decision was official.
Li Ming stood at the sect gates with his usual traveling bag, a faint headache, and a small, overly enthusiastic companion: Bai Guo, perched smugly on his shoulder.
"Think of it this way," Bai Guo said. "A vacation! Free food! Evil women with good skincare routines!"
Li Ming squinted. "You're not coming to flirt with anyone."
"I'm coming for research," Bai Guo insisted. "I want to understand demonic bird culture."
"You are demonic bird culture."
"Then I'll feel right at home!"
Lei Shan bounded out of nowhere, tail crackling with lightning. "Papa, can I come too?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because last time you called someone 'inferior lightning trash,' we had to rebuild a mountain."
Lei Shan huffed but obediently sat down, sparks spelling the word unfair in midair.
Li Ming patted his head. "I'll bring you something evil."
---
The journey took three days, through mountains so dark even the moonlight paid rent. By the fourth morning, black banners appeared on the horizon — the unmistakable crest of the Evil Path Alliance Academy.
The academy was, to Li Ming's surprise, beautiful.
Black marble towers rose in elegant curves, wreathed in faint crimson mist. Spirit lanterns floated like ghostly koi through the air. There were fountains — actual fountains — shaped like hands offering skulls full of tea.
It was tasteful, in a profoundly questionable way.
At the gate stood a group of students dressed in matching obsidian robes, each embroidered with blood-red lotus patterns. Their posture was perfect; their expressions were… trying too hard.
The lead disciple bowed with flourish. "Welcome, honorable guests, to the Academy of Elegant Malevolence."
Li Ming paused. "That's your real name?"
"Yes," the disciple said proudly. "Our motto is carved into every heart: Conquer Hearts. Crush Souls. Get Good Grades."
Bai Guo muttered, "That's actually catchy."
Li Ming closed his eyes briefly. "I already regret everything."
---
Inside, the academy bustled like a darker mirror of Azure Sky Sect. There were sparring fields, lecture halls, and training arenas. But instead of serene meditation music, there was ominous flute playing that somehow rhymed with... murder.
Everywhere he looked, students were practicing things like "Artful Betrayal," "Emotionally Strategic Crying," and "Dramatic Robe Swishing."
Li Ming watched one student practicing slow-motion evil laughter in front of a mirror.
Another group was arguing over whether black or slightly darker black looked more intimidating.
"This place," Li Ming whispered, "is a theater with swords."
A teacher glided over, her robes trailing dark mist. Her smile was razor-perfect.
"You must be Li Ming of the Azure Sky Sect," she said. "Our headmaster has arranged quarters for you — and of course, full access to our curriculum."
Li Ming inclined his head politely. "Much appreciated. And you are?"
"Professor Yueya," she said with a bow. "I teach Intermediate Backstabbing and Facial Expressions."
Bai Guo wheezed. "Do you grade on subtlety or style?"
She ignored the bird. "You'll find our academy values elegance in all things — even in deception."
---
That evening, in his luxurious guest quarters (with black silk curtains and suspiciously comfortable coffin-shaped furniture), Li Ming found a welcome gift: a silver plaque that read,
'Guest of Honor: Prince of Silent Ruin.'
He blinked. "...Prince of what?"
Before he could object, a servant burst in and bowed. "Your Highness! The banquet is ready!"
"Wait, I think there's been—"
"Please, this way, my lord!"
---
The banquet hall was a vision of gothic excess — obsidian floors reflecting crimson torches, tables laden with delicacies that looked sinful and probably were.
Every student stared in reverence as he entered.
Someone whispered, "That must be him — the heir of the Underworld Empire!"
Li Ming froze. "...The what now?"
The teacher beside him leaned closer. "We are honored that your demonic lineage graces our humble halls."
Bai Guo snorted audibly. "Oh this is going to be so good."
Li Ming smiled faintly. "Ah, yes. My… lineage. Very humble. Terribly underworld-y."
A hush fell as a girl approached from the head table — strikingly beautiful, with black hair like liquid ink and eyes that gleamed with mischief barely disguised as courtesy.
She bowed gracefully. "Welcome, Prince of Silent Ruin. I am Yin Qing, top student of the academy."
Li Ming returned the bow with equal formality. "Li Ming. Professional accident."
She blinked. "Pardon?"
"Long story," he said smoothly. "Involves Heaven, paperwork, and several explosions."
To his surprise, she smiled — a small, genuine curve of the lips that didn't match the practiced demonic demeanor of everyone else.
"I see," she said. "You must feel at home here, then."
"Honestly," Li Ming admitted, looking around at the dramatics and posturing, "I've seen worse in righteous sect meetings."
She laughed — softly, but real — and the entire hall went silent in horror.
The Prince of Silent Ruin had made someone laugh.
Bai Guo whispered, "You've just declared war."
---
Later that night, as Li Ming lay back in his overly grand coffin-bed, he sighed.
"Alright," he murmured, "let's review.
Day one: I've been mistaken for a demon prince, made friends with someone who might assassinate me, and I'm sleeping in a box with pillows."
Bai Guo, perched on the edge, looked smug. "See? Vacation."
Li Ming turned his head slightly. "If this vacation ends with me becoming Student Council President of Evil, I'm blaming you."
The bird yawned. "You say that like it's not going to happen."
Li Ming stared at the ceiling. Somewhere outside, a chorus of demonic students practiced synchronized ominous chanting.
He exhaled slowly.
"...Yeah," he muttered. "It's going to happen."
---
To be continued...