My Arch-Nemesis is the R-Rated Male Lead - Chapter 40

“Your Majesty, I know this puts you in a difficult position.” Lu Fang felt that his suggestion was, in truth, a completely useless one.

The Emperor had always kept his distance from women—how could he possibly engage in spiritual cultivation with someone?

Then he heard his abstinent Emperor ask, “Is spiritual cultivation really possible?”

Lu Fang was utterly stunned. Had he actually taken the suggestion seriously?

“It’s feasible.” Lu Fang nodded, then thought for a moment and added, “If it doesn’t work the first time, you can try several more times.”

Zhou Li glanced at him and said nothing further on the matter, instead asking, “Are you waiting for me to return to the Demon Realm?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. My mission is to remain by your side—to never leave, never abandon you!” Lu Fang said respectfully, kneeling on one knee once more.

Zhou Li looked at him with lowered eyes and could tell that Lu Fang was truly a guileless person.

Just like Lu Rong—clear-eyed.

“I’ve been gone for so many years. Would the people of the Demon Realm still want me back?” A ruler who has lost power is the last person who should appear.

“Your Majesty! No one can shake your position!” Lu Fang said hurriedly.

Zhou Li sneered. “That’s what you think.”

He had no interest in the Demon Realm. He didn’t want to become a puppet of any power—whether the Demon Realm or the Xuan Yang Sect.

No one could bind him.

With his hands clasped behind his back, Zhou Li said, “You can seek another master. I don’t want to be any emperor.”

Lu Fang said aggrievedly, “Your Majesty, you can look after yourself alone and let millions of Demon Realm citizens be tormented by miasma until they go mad or even have no home to return to.”

“What do they have to do with me?” Zhou Li replied coldly. He had always been a heartless person. “Did they ever save me?”

Lu Fang fell silent. Those people had never saved Zhou Li—on the contrary, they had even persecuted him.

Zhou Li had always seen through human nature with clarity.

“Lu Fang, in the entire Demon Realm, you’re the only one who wants me to go back.” He punctured Lu Fang’s one-sided wishful thinking.

Lu Fang retorted, “The Demon Realm has been searching for you all these years.”

“Oh?” Zhou Li asked meaningfully. “So that black snake in Luo City, with such intense killing intent toward me, was also searching for me?”

“Black snake?” Lu Fang’s expression changed. “Your Majesty, I’ll return immediately to investigate.”

Lu Fang was about to leave when Zhou Li stopped him. “No need. If you go ask, you won’t come back.”

After saying that, he walked out alone. Lu Fang was loyal, but a bit slow-witted.

Seeing his Emperor leave, Lu Fang hurried after him. “Your Majesty, where are you going?”

Zhou Li pointed in a direction. “Go scout ahead.”

Lu Fang agreed and flew off in that direction, while Zhou Li stepped onto Bing Lie and headed straight the opposite way.

Bing Lie, having been tricked like this many times before, fell silent. This tactic felt painfully familiar.

Curiously, it asked, “Master, are you going to find Lu Rong?”

Zhou Li replied flatly, “Don’t ask.”

“Master, I’ve noticed that these days you only think about two things: cultivation, and Lu Rong.”

“…No,” Zhou Li said.

“Impossible! Master, I know all your thoughts!”

“Oh?” Zhou Li lightly lifted his foot and kicked Bing Lie straight out.

All the Xuan Yang Sect saw was a streak of light cutting across the sky, leaving them momentarily baffled as to why a meteor had appeared in broad daylight.

By the time Bing Lie flew back on its own, Zhou Li was already gone.

***

Lu Rong was currently visiting the residence of the city lord of Nan’an City.

As the foremost sect, the Xuan Yang Sect always made a point of visiting the local authority wherever they went, first communicating and explaining their purpose to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.

The Nan’an city lord’s residence was exceedingly grand. Pavilions and towers spread across vast grounds, and there was even a small hill within the estate, atop which stood a resplendent, gold-adorned goddess temple.

When Lu Rong entered earlier, she immediately spotted the golden temple on the hill, bright enough to nearly blind her.

She couldn’t help but marvel—this place practically wanted to install a goddess in every corner.

Qiu Ling and Lu Rong were seated opposite the young city lord of Nan’an, Nan’an Yuan, drinking tea. Qiu Ling handled most of the negotiations, while Lu Rong rested her hands beneath the table, her gaze drifting instead to the peach tree outside, heavy with fruit.

It was the first time she had seen peaches growing on a tree anywhere other than Wuhui Ravine.

In the past, she had thought Zhou Li’s peaches were nothing special aside from being sweet. Now, compared with the one outside, the peaches Zhou Li grew were not only better-looking, but larger as well.

Thinking of Zhou Li, she subconsciously glanced at her jade token and reached out to touch it, wondering whether he might send her a message.

As she lowered her head, a gentle voice sounded. “Miss Lu, I notice you seem distracted. Did I say something improperly?”

Lu Rong hurriedly looked up. “No, no—don’t mind me. Just talk things over with my Senior Sister Qiu Ling.”

She took an awkward sip of tea, thinking to herself, Why was this man suddenly paying attention to her?

Qiu Ling took the opportunity to transmit to her, “That kid’s been secretly watching you this whole time.”

“???” Lu Rong replied. “Did I forget to wash my face?”

“Miss, don’t give me that face,” Qiu Ling shot back.

“That won’t do—my parents gave it to me,” Lu Rong replied with a smile toward Qiu Ling.

Almost immediately, she felt someone’s gaze land on her.

Lu Rong withdrew her smile at once, pretending nothing was amiss. She stood and said, “I have something to take care of. I’ll step outside—you two continue.”

After that, she turned and left, mainly because she felt a creeping unease.

The look Nan’an Yuan had given her just now was eerily similar to the look an innkeeper had once given her.

Greedy—tinged with wicked desire.

It was as if she were a delicacy about to be consumed.

Lu Rong stepped outside and lifted her head to look at the glittering golden buildings on the mountain.

Though the sunlight was dazzling, she inexplicably felt a sense of chill.

She clasped her hands before her, took out a jade token, and sent a message to her father.

[Lu Xiaorong: Dad, why are there so many statues of the Goddess in Nan’an City?]

[Head of the Xuanyang Sect: The Goddess once saved all the people of Nan’an City. It is only proper that she be worshipped.]

Reading her father’s explanation, Lu Rong felt it made sense—after all, it was a life-saving grace.

The doubts in her heart eased slightly. She turned back inside, leaving Qiu Ling alone there wouldn’t be right.

After she sat back down and met Nan’an Yuan’s gaze, he merely smiled and said slowly, “The two of you have traveled thousands of miles with more than a dozen people—it must have been exhausting. The inn is humble and may not provide adequate hospitality. Why not stay at my residence? I will ensure you are properly taken care of.”

“No need,” Lu Rong refused. “That would be too much trouble for you.”

“This isn’t trouble—it’s a blessing,” Nan’an Yuan said with a smile, a trace of piety visible in his eyes. “The Goddess taught us that we must revere those who cultivate the Dao.”

As he spoke, he made a gesture, pressing it to his brow, and murmured something.

Lu Rong and Qiu Ling exchanged glances, both wondering what exactly this man was doing.

“My apologies—we perform these rites daily,” Nan’an Yuan said with a smile. “I’ve already made the arrangements. The two of you really shouldn’t refuse, or my father will scold me for being unable to handle even such a small matter.”

Those words left them at a loss for how to decline.

At last, Qiu Ling said, “In that case, we can only trouble you.”

“It is Nan’an’s blessing.” He performed the ritual once more, his sincerity unmistakable.

After they arrived, Nan’an Yuan said that a banquet would be held that evening.

The moment she heard the word “banquet,” Lu Rong was reminded of the last one—when she had sprayed Zhou Li with tea.

Every single one of them was a Hongmen Banquet*.

(*TL’s note:鴻門宴(Hóng Mén Yàn)—This phrase comes from Han Dynasty history, recorded in Records of the Grand Historian. The meaning is a “friendly” invitation that’s actually dangerous)

There was still some time before evening, so the two of them took twelve children out of Nan’an Prefecture to stroll through the streets.

A study tour, after all, meant wandering around, having fun, and only occasionally studying.

“Senior Sister, can we move around freely?” someone asked.

Qiu Ling tossed twelve bracelets from her bosom to them. “Wear them properly. If you lose one, I won’t be able to find you.”

All twelve children obediently put them on. When Lu Rong saw the small golden bracelets on their wrists, she felt a strange sense of familiarity.

“A’Ling, I feel like I’ve worn this bracelet before.”

“Of course you have. You should’ve worn one when you went on a study tour with your father as a child.” After Qiu Ling said this, Lu Rong was still blank. “I went on a study tour with my father.”

“Yes—when you were about eight. You fell sick for several days after coming back, and your father was worried sick.”

But Lu Rong couldn’t remember any of it.

“Zhou Li was with you back then. When you were ill, he stayed by your bedside. You don’t remember anything at all?”

“I don’t remember anything.”

“Then maybe that last high fever left you muddled.” Qiu Ling slung an arm over her shoulder. “Otherwise, why do I always say Venerable Jian treats you differently? When you were sick, he stayed with you for days without eating or drinking. I think he treats you extremely well.”

But Lu Rong had no recollection of any of this.

She didn’t even remember ever going on a study tour.

“That was all from when you were little—you’re forgetful.” Qiu Ling patted her shoulder and called to the twelve behind them, “Go play. If there’s a problem, call Senior Sister Lu or me.”

The twelve children ran off on their own, leaving Lu Rong still feeling a little dazed.

She was forgetful, yes—but surely she wouldn’t forget something from when she was eight years old.

She wasn’t stupid.

Her father had the ability to erase people’s memories. Could it be that he had erased hers?

“Come on, let’s go have some fun too.” Qiu Ling tugged her along.

“Where are we going?” Lu Rong asked curiously.

“I hear there’s a very interesting restaurant in Nan’an City.”

“What do you mean by ‘very interesting’?” Lu Rong was intrigued.

Qiu Ling smiled mysteriously. “If I’m taking you there, relax. You’ll know when we arrive.”

Lu Rong wasn’t entirely reassured. When they reached their destination, she saw an elegantly decorated three-story restaurant—and on the second-floor terrace stood handsome men, more than one of them.

“What kind of good place did you bring me to?” Lu Rong asked, dragging Qiu Ling inside.

“This restaurant is said to only serve women.” They had barely stepped in when a refined-looking man approached them with a smile. “Are you two ladies here to drink?”

“Yes,” Lu Rong replied. She hadn’t seen many handsome men back in Luo City, but here she was getting more than her fill.

Their looks were not inferior in the slightest—there wasn’t even a hint of femininity about them. They all appeared distinctly masculine, and even their clothes were worn properly.

Just as that thought crossed her mind, she saw a woman at the table opposite accidentally spill wine onto the man accompanying her. The next moment, his clothes actually turned transparent.

Lu Rong’s eyes went wide.

Good—good clothes.

No, good material.

She thought this was the perfect place for reference material, a paradise for drawing, and almost wanted to whip out her brush and start sketching on the spot.

“Let’s order drinks first.” Qiu Ling took the drink menu and ordered three jugs. When she turned back, she saw Lu Rong sneakily drawing erotic sketches.

“What are you doing?” Qiu Ling asked.

“Inspiration struck—let me draw!”

Lu Rong lowered her head and worked furiously on the scene she’d just witnessed. Qiu Ling shook her head and stood up to see if there was any other food available.

But she hadn’t gone far when the lively atmosphere around them suddenly fell silent.

She instinctively turned back and saw someone walking in at an unhurried pace.

Her eyes widened as she looked at Lu Rong, who was still completely absorbed in drawing. Covering her face, she thought, Lu Xiaorong, could you at least look up?

Lost in her artistic world, Lu Rong sensed someone standing beside her. Assuming it was Qiu Ling, she casually asked, “Isn’t this drawing really sexy?”

Zhou Li looked at the man in the drawing. Where the clothes remained dry, everything was tightly covered—but where they were soaked, eight-pack abs were clearly revealed, along with a V-line trailing downward, exposed enough to set the imagination running wild.

He lowered his head, deliberately leaning close to her face, and asked softly,

“Who is this?”

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