The Demon Lords

"Why does Chang'e keep so many rabbits?"

"Because she likes to eat braised rabbit heads."

"Oh, really? I've never heard that part of the story. Do you people from Yan State have such detailed accounts of Chang'e's flight to the moon?"

"It was the Barbarians who changed the story when they spread it in the desert."

"Ah, I see. Barbarians, indeed. They don't have a sense of humor. It's such a pity. I originally planned to visit Chahe Village, have a couple of bowls of noodles, and then head through Yan State to see the desert. Unexpectedly, the village was gone, so I thought I'd come to Yan State, kill you, and then go see the desert. But alas, I lost a leg."

"Once I've taken Huahua and the others, I'll have to return to Qian State to get them settled. Without a leg, it's inconvenient to ride a horse, so I probably can't make it to the desert."

When Mr. Chen mentioned losing his leg, there wasn't a hint of resentment in his tone, as if he were discussing something utterly ordinary.

He had come to Yan State to seek revenge for two bowls of noodles.

And for three girls he barely knew, he had spared Blind Bei and Xue Three, the very ones who had caused his dismemberment.

Zheng Fan believed he himself could not possibly act that way, and he was sure most people in the world couldn't either.

"Which sect in Qian State are you from?"

"I don't belong to any sect."

"Self-taught?"

"I fell off a cliff when I was little but didn't die. I found a Sword Manual in a gully and trained myself."

"..." Zheng Fan was speechless.

I have a feeling the carriage I'm in belongs to the 'protagonist' of this world. And this protagonist... is trying to kill me.

"Where's that Sword Manual?"

"Why do you ask? You're about to die anyway."

"Just curious."

"I gave it away."

"You... gave it away?"

"Years ago, many people came asking for the Sword Manual, threatening to kill me if I didn't hand it over. It was just a Sword Manual, so I gave it away. I later heard from them that it was a very ordinary one."

"Many didn't believe me at first and thought I'd given them a fake, so they came after me again, trying to capture and kill me. I had no choice but to kill them."

"Afterward, they probably realized my swordsmanship wasn't anything special and finally believed me."

"They were probably just terrified of you by then."

"That Sword Manual truly was very ordinary. I once studied in the Sword Pavilion of Jin State and saw many exquisite Sword Manuals. Only then did I realize that the one I'd originally found was indeed quite commonplace."

So, this is talent?

"It's a pity. When I came to Yan State, I found that people here don't really like to carry swords."

"I believe I mentioned the reason before."

"But that reason doesn't convince me."

"A man who sells spring onion pancakes will believe that spring onion pancakes are the most delicious thing in the world."

"Ah, I understand."

"Actually, swords aren't really suited for combat, unless you're a Sword Cultivator like yourself."

In the most chaotic times, there wasn't much distinction between swords and blades; they were often grouped together. However, with advancements in forging technology, the practicality of blades began to surpass that of swords.

Now, the sword is more symbolic, aside from its use by Sword Cultivators like Mr. Chen.

The two men sat in the carriage, chatting intermittently, like old friends.

After a long while, Mr. Chen said, "Green Willow Fortress should be just ahead."

"Oh," Zheng Fan responded.

"I've changed my mind."

"You're not going to kill me?"

Then I can change my mind too.

"You still have to die. But after I kill you, I can dig you a grave and put up a tombstone."

"Heh, thanks."

"You're welcome. You're quite an interesting fellow. If I ever come to Yan State again, I can find your grave and chat with you some more."

"Good idea."

「The stars above Green Willow Fortress twinkled brightly.」

A Ming and Liang Cheng sat on the fortress wall, playing Chinese chess.

The cold wind howled, but they paid it no mind; after all, they were both "cold-blooded creatures."

"My lord hasn't returned yet," A Ming said.

"Perhaps he's so pleased to reunite with Comrade Deep Sea that he was persuaded to stay the night," Liang Cheng replied.

"You only dare to gossip about My lord like that behind his back."

"I was a human showerhead for a month! Every time I drank water, it felt like taking a bath. Is it so wrong to gossip a little?"

"Not wrong."

"See? That's what I thought."

"But I'm still worried something might happen to My lord," A Ming said.

"It's fine," Liang Cheng said. "If something happens to My lord, there are only two outcomes. Either we're sitting here, chatting and playing chess, then we suddenly look at each other and drop dead together. Or, nothing happens at all. We go back, sleep in our coffins, and it's a brand new day."

"And then?"

"If we both just drop dead, well, that's acceptable. No pain involved. If nothing happens, it means Fanli's original proposal was correct, and we'll all... be free."

"It's your turn," Liang Cheng said.

"I'm not playing anymore. I've lost," A Ming conceded.

"Hmph. Playing chess with you is really boring."

"Then why don't you go play with Blind Bei?"

"Playing with him is even more boring."

"True. Blind Bei playing chess is probably even better than Alpha Dog."

"Hmm? Did you hear something?" Liang Cheng asked suddenly.

A Ming listened intently, then shook his head. "No, nothing."

"No, there's definitely a sound. I'm sure of it."