Translated by Eve

　　Edited by Wuxian

　　Although Zhao Xihe had already hung up Ning Ze and beaten him a countless number of times, in reality, he could only grit his teeth and firmly resist this impulse. It was just a pity that some people would court death in all sorts of ways after being born. Hence, when the heavy curtain fell on the chaotic birthday banquet, and the injured, surviving guests left in a gloomy mood, Ning Ze had already quickly made his way to Sui Yuan and Nan Gongyi, lending an arm in support. Soon after, he seized the pale faced Da s.h.i.+xiong into his arms.

　　Sui Yuan："………………"

　　Zhao Xihe："………………"

　　Nan Gongyi："………………"

　　After a moment of silence, the first to explode was not Zhao Xihe, who could no longer control himself and reached for his concealed weapon, but Nan Gongyi, who was devoted to his s.h.i.+xiong and wanted to protect him eagerly. After being shocked for a moment, Nan Gongyi immediately jumped up, both eyes shooting flames as he glowered at Ning Ze. Alert and fretful, he said, "Hey! What do you want to do with my Da s.h.i.+xiong?"

　　Nan Gongyi's ruffled kitten appearance piqued Ning Ze's interest. He had to admit that his family's Chief Protector's eye was not bad. This kind of innocent, pure, lively youth also quite suited his taste. If it wasn't for Yu Hao having already called the youth and the fact that Yu Hao had yet to become hostile with him, he wouldn't be able to help but want to get a share of the action and have a taste of this fresh piece of meat.

　　Only…after thinking it over, Ning Ze swept a glance at Sui Yuan in his arms, who was trying to resist him. Unfortunately, his injury made it so that he was incapable of struggling. At this time, the interest he had in Nan Gongyi instantaneously dissipated. Obviously, compared to the underripe Nan Gongyi, the beautiful, banished immortal (谪仙 refers to immortals that were banished from heaven. Used to praise people for being talented and outstanding) was even more unforgettable to him.

　　While he used all of his skills to suppress Sui Yuan, Ning Ze looked at Nan Gongyi with an especially sincere expression, "Hero Nan Gong need not fret. This lowly one only saw that the two of you were injured and wanted to help out. I absolutely do not hold any wicked intentions."

　　Nan Gongyi was quite hesitant. He had just entered the Jianghu and was a youngster who was not well-versed in the ways of the world. He was also pure of mind, so he was naturally confused by his exceptional acting. The anger somewhat rescinded, and he seriously thought that the other had only seen that he was injured and yet still laboriously tried to support his s.h.i.+xiong, so he warm-heartedly came to help them out of the kindness of his heart.

　　——However, even if he was just doing it out of the kindness of his heart, it was really irksome for other people to be this intimate with his family's s.h.i.+xiong, ah!

　　Just as Ning Ze was about to redouble his efforts and increase Nan Gongyi's and Sui Yuan's goodwill towards him, he suddenly felt that his arms were empty. The person who had originally been leaning against him had already switched places—he was taken away forcibly by his family's Chief Protector.

　　Seeing Yu Hao's unmasked hostility and possessiveness, the sharp Ning Ze stared blankly for a moment before naturally coming to understanding everything.

　　He realized that his family's Chief Protector had deliberately misrepresented the facts and allowed the peach to dry up in place of the plum. Ning Ze simply wanted to 'hehe'. He really hadn't known that Yu Hao's thoughts were unexpectedly deep and his acting ability so high. He had completely fooled him.

　　Was he afraid that his weak spot would be exploited, forcing him to submit? Or, was he concerned that he would s.n.a.t.c.h away his beloved? Did he have the ambition and the will of wolves? Or was it done purely out of a man's vigilance against possible rivals-in-love? Ning Ze's phoenix eyes slightly narrowed as he examined the neither haughty nor humble, silent Yu Hao before him, thoughts whirling around in his head.

　　"…Hey, that…" Ning Ze's and Zhao Xihe's auras lashed out. At this moment, they opposed another, t.i.t for tat, not at all restraining themselves, and making it impossible for anyone to approach these four people. Sui Yuan, whose back leaned against Zhao Xihe, didn't feel pressured. However, Nan Gongyi, who had accidentally gotten mixed up with them, almost couldn't hold up. He licked his lips and dully interrupted them, reminding the others that even if they wanted to cause trouble, they should look at the time and place. Furthermore, they shouldn't implicate the innocent—quickly let my family's Da s.h.i.+xiong go!

　　Who knew if he was awoken by Nan Gongyi or if they had achieved some sort of unspoken tacit understanding? Zhao Xihe and Ning Ze rescinded their gazes at the same time. One took Sui Yuan by the arm and a.s.sisted him, straightforwardly and efficiently turning around and taking him away. Although he wanted to carry him in his arms, he was really harshly rejected, the other saying that 'enough was enough'! The other faced Nan Gongyi and smiled, raising his hand to gesture, 'please'.

　　Although Nan Gongyi did not want to go with these two strange fellows, his family's Da s.h.i.+xiong was in their hands! He knew that his own martial arts weren't good enough, that he basically could not win against them. Consequently, he let out an annoyed 'hmph', having no choice but to move forward unwillingly, following Sui Yuan and Zhao Xihe from behind.

　　Ning Ze unfolded his fan and lightly fanned himself. Although his smile was peaceful, bright, and clear, the truth is, his heart was covered by densely packed dark clouds. He felt especially unhappy.

　　His family's Chief Protector was full of ambition. He had always coveted the seat beneath his b.u.t.t. Because he had an early premonition, even though Ning Ze felt terrible, it did not affect his mood too much. After all, The Demonic Cult was a place where the strong were respected, where it was the survival of the fittest. Even though he was the Cult Leader, he could not ask his subordinates to be completely loyal and devoted, to have no selfishness. Furthermore, as a Cult Leader who didn't want to be chased out of his position, Ning Ze naturally had his own arrangements. As long as Yu Hao dared to revolt, he would dare to kill the other.