This Villain Ch.82

Chapter 82: Feng Kuo: You guys eloped this far?

Outside the room, the two Ming family members who had been thrown out scrambled to their feet. Hearing the tense exchange inside, they were deeply worried, fearing for both their own spirit demon and the potential consequences if anything happened to the Feng family’s spirit demon within their home.

Fortunately, it wasn’t long before the tightly closed door opened, and the ancestor, along with the Feng family’s spirit demon, walked out together.

The ancestor’s face didn’t look too well, but there was nothing wrong with his aura, which greatly relieved the two of them.

“He’s in the guest courtyard. I’ll trouble you to accompany me there.”

“Hmph, let’s go.”

One wore a slight smile, while the other harbored a hint of anger, as they walked towards the guest courtyard together, keeping a distance of over a meter between them.

Two middle-aged men followed closely behind, accompanying them and carefully trying to find out what had happened.

But no one answered them; Ming Tang’s face only grew colder.

A young man from the Ming family, carrying tea, saw the approaching group as he stepped out of the guest courtyard. He quickly bowed and stepped aside.

Ming Tang noticed the young man’s awed gaze directed at Feng Xuexiang, which only deepened his displeasure.

Despite his dislike for Feng Xuexiang, Ming Tang still cared about the younger generation of his family. After some consideration, he reluctantly agreed.

The moment Ming Tang saw Yu Shi, he thought, ‘It’s just a minor water ghost’s yin energy. A healthy person should be able to recover with some rest for ten days or so. Yet, they’ve brought him to me to personally dispel this trivial disaster. What an overreaction.’

But upon taking a closer look at the young man on the bed, Ming Tang’s thick, white brows slowly furrowed.

When Feng Xuexiang saw Yu Shi, his expression naturally softened and became more genuine. Noticing Ming Tang’s serious expression, he asked, “Is there something wrong with his condition?”

Ming Tang bluntly replied, “This person bears the mark of an early death.”

Feng Xuexiang’s expression changed instantly. Just moments ago, despite Ming Tang’s harsh words under threat, he hadn’t reacted much. But now, because of this single sentence, he almost couldn’t contain his temper.

“What do you mean by that?”

Ming Tang wasn’t intimidated by Feng Xuexiang’s dark expression and continued to look at Yu Shi’s tightly shut eyes, saying, “Judging by his appearance, he should have died long ago.”

“You’re the one who should die,” Feng Xuexiang’s shadow twisted beneath him, and even the floor around them began to warp.

Yu Shi opened his eyes.

He hadn’t been in a deep sleep; when the two of them opened the door and started talking at the entrance, he woke up.

The Ming family’s symbols were pasted all around the place, and since he arrived here, his mind had felt much clearer.

Feng Xuexiang suddenly met Yu Shi’s gaze, and his anger faltered. He quickly restrained his ugly and fierce expression and walked to the bedside, asking casually, “Are you still feeling unwell?”

Yu Shi looked at his face, pausing for some reason before replying, “I feel much better.”

Ming Tang was surprised to see Feng Xuexiang so gentle and caring towards this young man, but he continued to observe Yu Shi closely.

He had rarely seen such a strange fate; it was somewhat unclear, but what he could discern…

Ming Tang suddenly said to Yu Shi, “Let me give you a piece of advice: stay away from Feng Xuexiang in the future, or you will surely meet your end because of him!”

Feng Xuexiang had been merely angry before, but now his gaze turned venomous. However, as he helped Yu Shi sit up, he didn’t let his emotions show as he had earlier.

Yu Shi’s expression remained calm and peaceful as he looked directly at Ming Tang.

“Sir, you must be the Ming family’s spirit demon, correct? Why do you say that?”

Ming Tang, noticing Yu Shi’s upright demeanor and good attitude, formed a favorable impression of him and explained, “I have a pair of mystical eyes that can see a person’s fate. You should know that I don’t speak lightly.”

Sensing that Feng Xuexiang’s hand was trembling slightly as he supported him, Yu Shi quietly placed his hand over his.

“Given that you have such an ability, you must be confident. Although I’m just an ordinary person without that ability, I, too, have confidence.”

Yu Shi replied slowly, “I believe that I can act according to my heart and that I won’t regret any choice I make. Since that’s the case, whatever the outcome in the future, it will be what I sought.”

“At your age, you should be able to see things more clearly. Do you still judge life so simply based on life and death?”

Ming Tang was momentarily at a loss for words. He was a highly respected figure, both within the Ming family and outside, where his words were considered authoritative. Yet, he had been subtly challenged by a young man.

He frowned slightly, “Life and death are of great importance. I see you facing a deathly tribulation and kindly remind you. Am I wrong in doing so?”

Yu Shi shook his head, “I certainly appreciate your good intentions; it’s just that I have a different perspective.”

“If I were truly facing a so-called death tribulation, then it would be my own tribulation and shouldn’t be simply blamed on others.”

Feng Xuexiang’s gaze flickered slightly as he tightly grasped Yu Shi’s hand.

“If, according to your thinking, avoiding him would solve everything, then it would hardly be considered a tribulation, right?”

Ming Tang found himself unable to refute this. He had advised others to avoid tribulations more than once, but upon reflection, very few could truly avoid them. Even if one did manage to evade them, new tribulations often emerged.

Despite knowing in advance, most people only became more anxious and restless, sometimes even making things worse with their own cleverness.

Seeing the old man’s troubled expression, Yu Shi said no more and apologized, “If my words were offensive, I apologize.”

“Do as you wish.” Ming Tang left with a hint of weariness, turning away with a thoughtful expression.

Once Ming Tang had gone, Feng Xuexiang suddenly chuckled, affectionately nudging Yu Shi’s shoulder. “You’re amazing, making him so uncomfortable with just a few words!”

Previously, Ming Tang had been displeased by Feng Xuexiang’s threats, but he remained proud and stubborn, his anger simmering inside. Now, however, he seemed deflated, like a punctured balloon, and he would likely brood over it for some time.

What pleased Feng Xuexiang even more was that Yu Shi’s words were meant to protect him.

“I was just speaking casually,” Yu Shi said helplessly. “He’s an elderly man, and it wouldn’t be right to deliberately anger him. It could cause trouble.”

Feng Xuexiang replied, “It’s alright. His health is very good.”

Unlike Feng Xuexiang, who had a different kind of protective item, the Ming family’s spirit demon was associated with a longevity lamp. Each spirit demon lived a long life and was usually benevolent and kind-hearted, and the Ming family members genuinely respected and cared for their spirit demon elders.

As they exchanged a few words, someone knocked on the door and delivered a box containing a bracelet with eighteen beads.

Feng Xuexiang took it and put it on Yu Shi’s wrist.

“What is this?” Yu Shi felt warmth spreading through his previously cold body, and his strength seemed to return.

“It’s a special protective charm from the Ming family. Wearing it will prevent you from falling ill due to encountering unclean things,” Feng Xuexiang said with satisfaction as he admired the bracelet on Yu Shi’s wrist.

Yu Shi guessed, “Is it something very valuable? What did you trade for it?”

“It’s not valuable,” Feng Xuexiang replied, holding his hand with a smile. “You don’t need to worry about what I traded. Just let the Feng family send them a small gift.”

Yu Shi recalled the pile of gold charms he had been forcibly given at Jingshi Mountain and took it seriously.

“I’ll carry a gold charm with me from now on,” he said. “I shouldn’t leave them all in the suitcase.”

Feng Xuexiang said, “Don’t worry about it. Lie down and rest for a while longer.”

Yu Shi asked, “Do you and the Ming family not get along well? I’m already feeling much better, so we should leave soon.”

Feng Xuexiang responded nonchalantly, “Don’t worry, they won’t dare to disturb us.”

Yu Shi wasn’t afraid but felt it was overly presumptuous to stay in a place where relations were tense, especially with the spirit demon.

At Feng Xuexiang’s insistence, they stayed another day to ensure Yu Shi was completely recovered before leaving.

“Ashi, where else would you like to go?” Feng Xuexiang asked.

“With only one day left of the holiday, it’s not worth going too far. We might as well head back,” Yu Shi replied. The sudden illness had delayed them by two days and disrupted his travel plans. Other places he wanted to visit would have to wait for another time.

“Don’t worry about the holiday. We can go wherever you want, and I’ll come with you,” Feng Xuexiang said, seeing the regret on Yu Shi’s face.

“You’re still willing to travel with me?” Yu Shi asked, unsure of Feng Xuexiang’s intentions.

Feng Xuexiang, having set aside his recent satisfaction, carefully asked, “Is that alright?”

Yu Shi pondered for a moment and then asked, “Do you have any place you want to visit?”

“Since we’re traveling together, we should choose somewhere we’re both interested in,” Yu Shi said.

Feng Xuexiang was momentarily taken aback but relaxed under Yu Shi’s warm gaze. He said, somewhat dreamily, “I’d like to see snow.”

Yu Shi quickly understood why. In the southern regions, snow was rare and usually only fell after the winter solstice, and since Feng Xuexiang hibernated during that time, he likely hadn’t seen much snow.

“This month, some places have started to see snow,” Yu Shi suggested. “How about Jinxi Snow Mountain?”

Jinxi Snow Mountain, located in the Gedenta area, wasn’t a popular tourist spot and had only recently gained some recognition. The road to Gedenta was difficult and not frequently traveled, but the pristine snow-capped mountains were quite beautiful.

After reaching a consensus, the two headed west.

The fastest way to reach Gedenta was by train, which took a full day and night and passed through vast stretches of wilderness.

Feng Xuexiang sat on his small bed, watching Yu Shi, who was resting opposite him. He felt that Yu Shi had been a bit gentler towards him over the past two days.

Yu Shi had actively bought a lot of food that Feng Xuexiang hadn’t tried before, purchased a travel pillow for him at the station, and even asked if he was comfortable on the train—questions he had never asked before.

Despite his happiness, Feng Xuexiang felt uneasy. Given Ming Tang’s warnings, it seemed strange that Yu Shi was now even kinder.

In reality, Yu Shi felt a bit guilty. He remembered how he had treated Feng Xuexiang as his eldest brother when he was sick, asking him to carry him around and even mistaking him for his second brother, requesting that he make porridge for him.

Yu Shi had never liked troubling others, and aside from family, no one had had the chance to care for him.

Now that he had inconvenienced Feng Xuexiang, he wanted to make it up to him by being a little more considerate.

During the night, feeling the temperature drop, Yu Shi got up, rummaged through the newly bought suitcase, and pulled out a down jacket to cover Feng Xuexiang.

Before getting off the train the next day, he pulled out a new sweater for Feng Xuexiang to wear, and even prepared a scarf and hat.

Feng Xuexiang was both pleased and hesitant.

“I’ll help you put it on,” he said, picking up Yu Shi’s down jacket and trying to help him wear it.

Yu Shi, puzzled by his overzealousness, chuckled at the sight of Feng Xuexiang acting like a bumbling puppy. “I can put on my own clothes.”

“I’ll tie your scarf for you,” Feng Xuexiang said.

The scarf Feng Xuexiang tied was quite unattractive, and Yu Shi couldn’t stand it. He untied it and re-tied it himself.

Feng Xuexiang took both suitcases and felt somewhat reassured, thinking he was still of some use.

After getting off the train, Yu Shi kept a close watch on him.

“How are you feeling? Are you okay? Aren’t you cold?”

“I’m not cold,” Feng Xuexiang replied, with his face partially covered by the fluffy scarf. His eyes were bright, and he seemed to be in good spirits.

Yu Shi thought that Feng Xuexiang’s winter hibernation wasn’t due to cold, but for other reasons.

Gedenta was a large county, but to reach Jinxi Snow Mountain, they had to travel further into a small village called Apu.

There were no regular vehicles from Gedenta to Apu Village, so Yu Shi looked into renting a car for the drive.

Turning around, Feng Xuexiang nearly fell for a scam when a black car outside the station tried to lure him in.

“He said they have a car that can take us to Apu Village.”

“…That’s a scam car. We shouldn’t take it.”

Gedenta was already on the border, and the local customs weren’t very straightforward, which was one reason tourism wasn’t very active there.

Feng Xuexiang wasn’t worried. If they wanted to rob or extort them, he could… Anyway, it was enough for them to leave the car.

But Yu Shi insisted it wasn’t acceptable, so they wouldn’t take it.

Feng Xuexiang, with a bright smile, followed Yu Shi to rent a car.

There was only one car rental shop in Gedenta, and it was small. Two other people were there, negotiating prices with the owner.

Feng Xuexiang noticed a man sitting by the open car door, smoking and exhaling clouds of smoke.

Though the man looked familiar, Feng Xuexiang chose to ignore him and shifted his gaze.

The man, upon spotting Feng Xuexiang, was so shocked that he dropped his cigarette, burning a hole in his down jacket.

He quickly snapped back to reality, cursing under his breath and brushing the ash off his clothes as he got out of the car.

Yu Shi noticed the man and was momentarily taken aback. He greeted him, “Seventh Master Feng, what a coincidence.”

Feng Kuo walked over, his face full of amazement as he said to Yu Shi, “I didn’t expect you to have some nerve. You actually dared to bring him out here.”

He glanced between the two of them, not seeing any other Feng family members nearby, and speculated, “So, you’ve eloped here, haven’t you?”

<< _ >>