Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 61

Now that Ao Li had awoken, it was time to resume overseeing the sect and reassign various positions within the sect.

With the position of the Left Protector vacant and no arena matches possible for the time being, Ao Li decided to select from among the loyal members who had been in the sect for many years.

The Demon Doctor, who had long been frustrated and waiting for an opportunity, immediately recommended himself.

Everyone agreed without much objection. The Demon Doctor had been with the sect for many years, following the previous leader, and had treated numerous injuries and illnesses with sincere dedication.

Seeing that no one opposed, Ao Li nodded in approval.

With a new Left Protector appointed, the old Right Protector seemed to have lost his significance. Given that the leader had previously valued the Right Protector highly, and the Right Protector had remained steadfast during the tenure of the former Left Protector, it was surprising that Ao Li now seemed indifferent.

It was feared that Ao Li might have forgotten the hardships of his previous time in exile, and after recovering from one bout of amnesia, he had lost another segment of memory. However, no one dared to question him at this moment.

The Demon Doctor guessed that Ao Li had not yet fully recovered his memory and quietly comforted He Lang, telling him it was not a major issue and that Ao Li would eventually remember him.

Despite this, when faced with Ao Li’s indifferent and wary gaze, and his apparent reluctance even to look at him, He Lang couldn’t help but feel frustrated, as if his efforts had been in vain.

The whispered conversation between the two protectors displeased Ao Li, and he shifted his gaze to He Lang. Seeing an unfamiliar face, he turned to the Demon Doctor and asked who this person was.

The Demon Doctor hesitated and the others were visibly sweating. “This… Shu Lang is your Right Protector.”

Ao Li was highly skeptical of this explanation, noting the young age of the man and questioning why someone like him would be appointed as the Right Protector. He tilted his head, displaying an air of laziness, and asked, “Why aren’t you kneeling and greeting me?”

Everyone exchanged glances, recalling that the previous Right Protector rarely performed such formalities, and the leader had granted him an exemption. However, it seemed that things had changed.

He Lang frowned, uncomfortable with Ao Li’s attitude, and inadvertently murmured “Li Li.”

He was accustomed to calling him that, and at that moment, did not realize how out of place it sounded in such a formal setting. The crowd gasped, impressed by his audacity.

Ao Li interpreted this as an insult and immediately showed a look of disgust. Suppressing the urge to act, he erupted in anger, “Be quiet! Who gave you permission to address me in such a manner? If you don’t understand the rules, leave the Sect of Mixed Yuan immediately. The position of Right Protector will be replaced.”

Seeing the situation deteriorate, the Demon Doctor stepped forward and gently pulled the astonished He Lang aside, advising him quietly, “The leader is currently suffering from amnesia and has forgotten you! Moreover, you were not supposed to be so close to the leader… Alas, I won’t say much more. I advise you to humble yourself, kneel, and beg for forgiveness!”

Despite the kind advice, He Lang felt heavy-hearted. He knew that Ao Li wanted to see everyone submit to him. Thus, he had no choice but to temporarily set aside his dignity. He nodded to the Demon Doctor, took a deep breath, lowered his head, and knelt down, almost pressing his forehead to the ground, performing a deeply respectful bow.

Although his posture was respectful, it did not carry any hint of flattery.

The onlookers were slightly surprised; they had never seen the Right Protector bow before, let alone in such a ceremonious manner.

However, the sight of He Lang kneeling seemed to make Ao Li’s face grow paler. Though it was a customary demand to see submission and loyalty, the act of He Lang kneeling caused an unexpected pang in Ao Li’s heart. He felt a sharp pain and had an urge to go to He Lang, embrace him, and check if his forehead was hurt.

He Lang, having completed the bow, stood up, returned to his previous demeanor, and stepped back to a rear position, hoping Ao Li would not see him and cause him further trouble.

At that moment, Ao Li felt like a sword without a sheath—unrestrained and dangerous, relying solely on his whims.

Unable to see the figure in green, Ao Li withdrew his gaze, feeling a pang of melancholy and pondering why his chest felt tight.

He suddenly felt that this person should be cherished and held close, rather than just being addressed as “the leader” and then distanced. The separation made his heart feel strange.

Ao Li took a deep breath, his thoughts jumbled, and he was convinced he must know this person; otherwise, he wouldn’t have such a strong reaction.

—

Night had fallen, and the entire Sect of Mixed Yuan was in slumber, except for He Lang.

He had used a sleeping incense in Ao Li’s room, carefully observing his breathing before sneaking in. He gazed at Ao Li’s sleeping face, but in the darkness, could only make out his outline.

He Lang was not too concerned. He took out a manual from his chest, stroked it carefully, hesitated for a moment, then placed his index and middle fingers on Ao Li’s forehead and closed his eyes.

Soon, a sense of drowsiness overcame him, as if he were about to fall asleep himself. His thoughts were pulled into a dream, and his body became a spectral form drifting through the dream.

He intended to find out which memories Ao Li had lost to find a way to restore them. However, he inadvertently stumbled upon some of Ao Li’s childhood memories.

In young Ao Li’s mind, the most prominent figure was a middle-aged man in a black robe. He Lang deduced this man was the former leader and founder of the Sect of Mixed Yuan, Ao Sheng.

He heard Ao Sheng rambling about his youth and even mentioned Ren Bozhong’s name.

It turned out that Ao Sheng and Ren Bozhong were once fellow disciples and competitors for the position of the head of the Xuan Kong Sword Sect. However, Ren Bozhong, envious of Ao Sheng’s faster cultivation due to his innate devilish body, falsely accused him of being a calamity star and persuaded their master to expel him from the sect.

When Ao Sheng was expelled, he lost all his martial skills, and his years of hard work were destroyed.

Upon discovering that his son, Ao Li, had inherited his devilish body and even had greater talent, Ao Sheng harbored thoughts of revenge. He confined Ao Li to Pingling Mountain from a young age, training him as a soldier to oppose the Xuan Kong Sword Sect.

Young Ao Li, introverted and strictly disciplined by Ao Sheng, practiced martial arts day and night as instructed.

He Lang, observing the tiny figure tirelessly wielding a heavy sword, felt a pang in his heart. He realized that Ao Li’s unparalleled martial skills were not solely a gift of the devilish body.

Despite Ao Li’s current cold and ruthless demeanor, he had once been terrified and trembling when ordered by his father to kill the first intruder to the mountain, unable to even lift his sword.

The betrayal of the sect was not the first, and it occurred under Ao Li’s softer moments, resulting in severe reprimands from his father.

In one scene, Ao Sheng, with a fierce and distorted face, admonished Ao Li, “Do you think people have feelings for you? No, since you are the devilish body, you are a calamity star destined to bear these sins. If you refuse to carry this bloodshed, you will be the soul beneath others’ blades.”

Every word was powerful and struck He Lang’s heart, making him speculate on the impact of Ao Li’s childhood environment and the resulting brutality.

Ao Li’s mother, unwilling to be caught up in the conflicts of the martial world, left the Sect of Mixed Yuan on her own.

After the news of his mother’s death, Ao Sheng left in pursuit of his beloved wife, leaving the sect to Ao Li.

Young Ao Li stayed at Pingling Mountain, waiting for his parents to return, but they never did.

Having seen this part of the memory, He Lang’s heart stirred. He opened his eyes to see Ao Li’s face contorted in discomfort. Not wishing to continue, He Lang adjusted the blanket for him. As he turned to leave, Ao Li weakly grabbed his sleeve in the dream, pleading for him not to leave.

He Lang sighed softly, careful not to wake him, and gently pried Ao Li’s fingers off before disappearing.

Though he didn’t wake him, it was clear that Ao Li’s condition was poor. Soon, Ao Li broke into a sweat, his back cold, and he sat up abruptly on the bed, anxiously searching for someone’s presence but finding no one.

The next morning, the Demon Doctor was summoned early to the sleeping quarters.

Observing Ao Li’s poor condition, his eyes bloodshot, suggesting a sleepless night, the Demon Doctor anxiously inquired about his health.

Ao Li, with a tense expression, suddenly exclaimed, “I remember now… I remember…”

The Demon Doctor felt relieved, “Leader, that’s a good sign!”

“But he… that person… he…” Ao Li dismissed the maidservants and revealed a dejected expression.

The Demon Doctor, familiar with Ao Li’s situation over the years, quickly reassured him, “Don’t worry, the young man is not one to hold grudges. Just explain things clearly, and he won’t be angry with you.”

The Demon Doctor waved his hand to immediately send someone to summon the Right Protector, intending to act as a mediator. If the young man could appease the leader, their situation would be better.

Thinking that the Right Protector would arrive soon, Ao Li’s nerves relaxed slightly, and he calmed down.

However, after a while, the disciple returned, stammering that he couldn’t find the Right Protector anywhere. He then mentioned that he had seen the Right Protector registered for an outing at the gate, claiming he was on a mission.

As he spoke, the atmosphere around Ao Li twisted. The Demon Doctor inwardly cursed and quickly dismissed the young disciple, wondering why the Right Protector would silently leave at such a critical moment. This was not helping their situation at all.

**Author’s Note:** Guess where Lang Lang went?