Upon hearing Ming Yue’s words, Jiang Xuan turned his half-painted face sideways with an exaggerated excited expression and said, “Ming Yue Lady, are you sure you want me to turn around? I was actually planning to take a rest; my robe’s been untied already.
Wait, does this mean you want to… bestow upon me your favor? Oh my, finally, there’s a chance for me to repay Lady Ming Yue with my life…”
As Jiang Xuan’s words faded away, Ming Yue noticed the loose robe on the floor and froze for a moment.
Thinking of Jiang Xuan’s plain face, she immediately lost interest.
She waved her hand hurriedly and said, “Xuan Jiang, don’t turn around. I don’t find you interesting. Anyway, since you’re about to rest, let me not disturb you. See you tomorrow.”
With that, Ming Yue quickly shut the door as if fleeing from something.
Realizing Ming Yue had left, Jiang Xuan sighed in relief.
[Could it be she’s starting to doubt me? Otherwise, why would she suddenly check my room?
Looks like this average-looking face will have to stick. Well, at least it gives me a sense of security.]
After making up his mind, Jiang Xuan smeared the other half of his face with moisturizer.
The System had assured Jiang Xuan that this lotion made him undetectable, even by a Martial Emperor, and its effects lasted three hours.
Jiang Xuan even applied it before sleeping, aiming to avoid any surprise attacks from Ming Yue.
Only this plain appearance could give him enough safety in the demon clan’s stronghold.
—
In another scene, in the main hall of the demon clan’s headquarters, a purple figure appeared directly in front of Ming Yue.
“When the spiritual energy was surging, did my attendant leave the room?”
“Answering Her Highness, when I was hiding in the courtyard, I didn’t see him leave the room. Also, the vast amount of spiritual energy indeed vanished from his room.
I secretly investigated, and when the energy disappeared, he was sitting cross-legged as though meditating, but his aura showed no change—very strange.
If he absorbed all that energy, there wouldn’t be such a noticeable lack of change.”
After hearing the report, Ming Yue looked thoughtful, then shook her head.
“It seems the disappearance of the energy has little to do with my human attendant.
If he were a genius, he couldn’t merely remain a martial artist.
Continue to monitor him. Report any unusual actions immediately.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
—
On the other side, Jiang Xuan lay on his bed, deep in thought within the system space.
Deciding to make this System useful rather than useless.
In a world teeming with danger, relying solely on himself wasn’t enough.
He regretted indulging the System until now.
Back in the system space:
“System, what do you think is your first responsibility?”
“Ping! Providing top-notch services to the host.”
“Wrong, very wrong. Your thinking is too outdated.
Do you know what the most esteemed systems prioritize?”
“Ping! Please enlighten me.”
“Good. It shows you’re still salvageable. Now, the best systems believe their primary function is to protect the host at all costs.
Now, what’s different between this and what you thought?”
“Ping! The host is right. We’re bound together in life and d*ath.”
“True. But it’s not just pretty words. So, how would you protect me if you’re a scanning system?”
The System fell silent.
“Don’t you see your own potential? That’s why you’ve become so useless. Before I give examples, tell me under what conditions might the host encounter danger?”
“Um, basically… If I keep my original appearance and maxed-out charm, I shouldn’t be in much danger…”
Jiang Xuan: “?????”
“System, clearly you misunderstand danger. Now, here are my demands. Listen closely. This isn’t a suggestion; it’s a command.”
“Ping! Within my capabilities, I’ll fulfill the host’s wishes.”
“First, keep an eye on anyone nearby who has hostile intentions towards me, and alert me instantly.
Second, anytime someone close to me experiences a significant change in attitude toward me, report it.
Third, if any of the bad women I encountered get too close, immediately notify me.
These three points must be done correctly. They ensure my safety.”
“Ping! Understood. Expanding detection radius.”
“Ping! Enemy detected outside host’s room. Host’s favorability rating is -666.”
Jiang Xuan: “?????”
Snap back to reality, and he stated simply,
“System, feedback the enemy details.”
“Ping! Information delivered.”
Name: Ming Jiu
Species: Dark Mystic Phoenix
Title: Third-stage Martial King (Beast King)
Affiliation: Dark Mystic Phoenix Clan’s Guard
Bloodline: Dark Phoenix bl**d
Current Favorability Rating: -666
System Tip: Watch out; this one is skilled in stealth and assassination due to their special bloodline.
Seeing this, Jiang Xuan inwardly sighed,
[Well, well, well. Not only did educating the System pay off unexpectedly, but it also revealed some truths.
That little ancestor trusts me in public and watches me in secret. How crafty!
Looks like she really distrusts me. Sigh, this hits hard.
My life won’t be easy in the Demon Clan territories.
Oh well, for now, I’ll rest. If an opportunity arises to escape from the headquarters, I’ll plan accordingly.
Ah, if my cultivation didn’t cause so much commotion, staying here wouldn’t be too bad—this face sure is safe.]
—
Elsewhere, Ming Yue, who had been resting, dreamt strangely.
In the dream, the Dark Mystic Phoenix Clan faced an impending catastrophe. As the princess of the Dark Mystic Phoenix Clan, she fell victim to an ambush by foreign demonic cultivators.
Exhausted of spiritual power, ready to commit seppuku, a silver-masked man appeared before her. As she reacted, he slowly put away his black blade, causing all foreign cultivators to disintegrate instantly.
Ming Yue was left stunned.
Then, his voice rang out, melodic and familiar, “Xiaoyue, long time no see…”
Before she could investigate further, she woke up, muttering to herself,
“How is this possible? Why am I dreaming such bizarre things and why does his voice sound so familiar…?”
