Hmm? He sees through everything. Like tearing silk, he stripped away every layer I built to protect myself…
Am I truly this transparent? This weak?
No… No! I... I can't be this transparent that anyone can see through me.
Did this for Ye Chen?
No, for myself! To stop needless bloodshed, to keep him alive… because he still has a chance… a hope I lost long ago.
It's my humanity that led me here.
But why did I even do it... Isn't he just another wandering person?
But could it be true?
But why… why does it feel like I'm the one exposed?
Like I've sacrificed something more than just dignity?
He speaks like he holds no desire, like he's above it all… and yet, his words cut deeper than any blade.
So what if I lack talent? So what if I bowed before my fate? Is that such a sin?
Everyone isn't blessed like him, what's the sin in not being talented?
I never claimed to be a genius. I only ever wanted… peace.
To stop the suffering. To be seen as more than a pawn in my father's plans.
Ye Chen was… free. He chased stars with broken wings. And I...
Wait, Ye Chen, Ye Chen, Ye Chen... Why am I always bringing him.
Gosh! I'm naked not in body, but in soul.
Hahaha, Young Master could see through my inner self that even I didn't knew existed.
Maybe he is right… maybe I am just a foolish woman, dressing cowardice in the robes of righteousness.
But does he think he's any different? Surrounded by power, feared by all, alone in the heavens… does he not see the chains around his own neck?
If this one is a hypocrite in white silk, then he is a tyrant draped in indifference.
We are both broken... just in different ways.
However, I can't show any weakness to him.
I am not weak, I do not bow in front of power meaninglessly.
--
She scoffed, cold and sharp like frost on a blade.
"Young Master thinks you understand me? Young Master knows what drives me?"
Her voice trembled not from fear, but from the storm churning inside her.
She felt a strong pressure yet her mind remained clear.
She could feel a strong sense of confidence coming from within.
"Perhaps you're right… perhaps you do see fragments of my heart. But comprehension? True understanding?" She lifted her chin, eyes glinting like a sword unsheathed.
"You speak as though you're above it all, untouched by emotion. But aren't you just another tyrant with too much power and too little empathy?"
"You use your clever words like weapons, piercing, precise, cruel. You look into me and claim to see the truth, but tell me, Young Master…" She leaned slightly forward, defiantly close.
"Do you truly see me? Or just a reflection of your own coldness? A chess piece in your game of control?" Her lips curled into a bitter smile.
"If I am foolish… then so be it. I'd rather be a fool with a heart than a devil without one,"
..
[Ding... Wuu, Host, she is a tough one, she refused to bow even after the truth was revealed barefoot ]
The mechanical voice rang inside Young Master Zhao's head.
She refused to bow?
That's just another layer of defensive mechanics she created to protect her beliefs.
People are always like that.
Once they have a set worldview they will cling to it, even after it is exposed to its core.
That's why religion, cultural views, and morals exist.
They will stick to their principles believing they are correct, breaking the grey world into back and white, right and wrong.
The religion of sacred light, Buddhist sect, nirvana sect, righteous cult what haven't I seen during my lifetime?
All hypocrites, they slaughter the beasts in the name if righteousness yet call other evil for doing the same.
Yet, they call this venerable, A cultist, a low life, the sinned being.
...
Young Master Zhao has the title of Devil's incarnation but none knows that it's actually true.
Young Master Zhao is the reincarnation of the first Demon Emperor, who fought against multiple heavenly sects and religious figures.
Not only was he reincarnated with the most powerful talent, he even possessed the protagonist slaughtering system.
Another major force that is against the traditional laws of the heavens.
[So Host, what will you do? Will you kill her?]
[The System is surprised at your ability to bypass the law of luck ]
Kill her?
What a stupid thing to do... Such a fine maiden, she has many uses.
Ones doesn't know me, the true creator of Dual cultivation and master of the demonic path.
One needs to turn the event of time and they shall see this venerable one at the top of a list containing: cultured Daoists, lewd scholars, lustful sages, and sinful constellations.
[Ding! You are one true Debauched Emperor, are you going to turn her into your little dual-cultivating furnace?]
...
Ignoring the words of the system, like an autumn breeze ignoring the helpless soul, Young Master Zhao pinched her chin.
"Hah~ I rather be a fool with heart... "
Clap* Clap* Clap*
He claps his hands.
"What a noble philosophy... Yet, I am not impressed,"
"This young master finds it utterly meaningless, such a well-developed body yet such an underdeveloped mind," He says sliding his fingers through her curves.
"This Zhao is very picky when choosing wives and concubines, and sad to say, you don't fit the criteria to be my concubine... the sea is filled with rare and talented fish, the fisherman couldn't care less about a regular fish,"
"But worry not, with your talent bring my foot washing maid, is still in reach,"
With just a single touch, her fairy robe disintegrated into shimmering dust, scattering like stardust across the floor.
"Eesshh..." Her breath hitched as her face flushed red with shame.
Humiliation.
Utter soul-crushing humiliation.
She wanted to run, to scream, to disappear.
But she couldn't move, she was helpless.
All she could do was act strong, a dying flame clinging to its last flicker of pride.
"So... Young Master just wanted to humiliate me in the end?" she said through gritted teeth, her voice trembling yet sharp.
"All those grand words, all that wisdom were meaningless. Just a facade,"
She glared at him, venom burning in her eyes.
"You're no sage… no master of insight. Just another beast hiding lust behind a mask of wisdom and power. A barbaric animal!"
Thuu~
She spat directly onto his face.
Young Master Zhao didn't flinch.
He didn't even wipe it away.
There was no anger on his face, just a smirk.
With his strength, if he wanted the saliva would have turned into dust before even touching his dustless face.
"How interesting..."