Slag Shou Cultivating Manual - Chapter 62

To be honest, the leader’s temperament was generally calm, but even a slight dissatisfaction could cause his anger to flare up like an ignited firecracker—volatile and explosive.

Consider this: who else but Ao Li could assign tasks to the Right Protector? Since the leader had just regained his memory, it seemed that the Right Protector had left Ming Yuan secretly, for reasons unknown.

With all attempts at persuasion failing, Ao Li, enraged, immediately summoned all the gatekeepers from that day and questioned them about why they allowed the Right Protector to pass.

The gatekeepers looked at each other in fear and cold sweat. They initially sensed something was amiss because the leader usually never allowed the Right Protector to leave his side, let alone assign him a distant task. However, they dared not anger the Right Protector and reluctantly let him go.

Without any information on his departure, Ao Li ordered all the disciples to search for him immediately.

He considered going personally, but since Ming Yuan had just been rebuilt, his absence could invite trouble from the Left Protector. Though he was not one to prioritize the big picture, he endured the situation under the watchful eyes of his subordinates, leaning back in his usual soft chair.

Normally, He Lang would stand by his right side, attending to him and managing various tasks. Now, finding the space beside him empty, Ao Li felt an indescribable sense of frustration. Even though his martial arts had fully recovered, he felt weak and powerless, as if he were under the effects of a locking powder.

“He’s gone… he’s gone…” Ao Li’s expression was dark and ambiguous, neither sad nor happy. He muttered repeatedly, convinced that the Right Protector was deeply hurt and unwilling to return.

This thought made him feel dizzy, pitying himself for having such naive, romantic emotions.

From the beginning, he had sensed the Right Protector’s complexity. Every step he took toward him was so tempting that he couldn’t bring himself to refuse. It was like standing on the edge of a cliff, knowing the abyss below was dangerous, yet seeing a sliver of light and jumping off with hope, without hesitation.

—

He Lang’s departure was not for any other reason but to find information about Ao Li’s parents and their final resting place.

After Ao Li let down his guard, he occasionally shared some childhood memories, though they were quite dull and mainly involved practicing martial arts. He never mentioned his parents or sent anyone to find them. He Lang feared this was a deep-seated issue for him and wanted to address it regardless.

Moreover, with Ao Li’s memory loss and likely harsh attitude toward him, He Lang decided it was best to leave.

Gua Tu informed He Lang that Ao Li’s mother, after leaving alone, contracted a severe illness and rushed back to Ming Yuan. Unfortunately, she passed away on the way, and Ao Li’s father, upon learning of her death, went mad with grief, abandoning all plans for revenge to search for his wife. He left without leaving any message and never returned.

From this, He Lang deduced that Ao Li’s mother likely died on one of the major roads leading back to Ming Yuan. With clues from Gua Tu and responses from travelers, he eventually found a place.

Ancient transportation was slow, and even though He Lang used lightness skills to replace some walking, the journey still took several days.

During these days, Ming Yuan, which had just settled down, fell into chaos again.

With the Right Protector no longer in favor, some ambitious disciples began to vie for the leader’s attention, leading to internal strife.

This power struggle made Ao Li furious, and he issued a severe warning, stating that no one else could ever hold the position of Right Protector.

One imprudent disciple muttered, “But the Right Protector is long gone. He might have been expelled and doesn’t want to return.”

This complaint, barely audible, reached Ao Li’s ears. His face changed, and he almost wanted to break the disciple’s neck. “What? Who said he left? Tell me again!”

The disciple trembled in fear, almost losing control, his face pale with terror. The elders also looked alarmed and hastened to persuade him.

Although Ao Li was the head of the demon sect, he had never been so ruthless with his subordinates. It was clear that his anger had reached a boiling point, even leading him to contemplate violence against his own people.

Ao Li’s pupils contracted slightly, regaining a bit of composure. Realizing his behavior was inappropriate, he released the disciple, turned, and collapsed onto the table, whispering through gritted teeth, “I can’t take it anymore! If he doesn’t come back soon, I’ll go mad!”

His voice cracked slightly, revealing his emotional edge.

The atmosphere in the hall became tense. Everyone’s nerves were on edge, unsure of what to do, as they could only blame He Lang and hope for his swift return. They hoped the disciples would be more resourceful and find any news of him to calm the now frantic leader.

As the Left Protector beside the leader, the Ghost Doctor was pushed forward by the others. Seeing Ao Li’s grim expression, he had no choice but to speak cautiously, “Leader, please stay calm. The Right Protector wouldn’t abandon Ming Yuan. Let’s wait a bit longer. Perhaps he has important matters and hasn’t had time to inform you?”

“Wait? How long do I have to wait?!” Ao Li’s eyes widened in anger, fearing that his wait might be in vain.

With a piercing gaze, the Ghost Doctor knelt and considered that if he were truly to leave this vicinity to do something, it would take at least half a month.

Clearly, this answer was unacceptable to Ao Li.

His throat moved, emitting a muffled sound of suppressed anguish before he spoke through gritted teeth, “Three days. I’ll wait three more days. If there’s no result, I will leave and search the world until I find him.”

At that time, he would personally ensure that the Right Protector was locked in Ming Yuan, never allowed to leave again, and no chance would be given for further mischief.

His decision was unquestionable, and everyone had no choice but to withdraw reluctantly.

Once the hall was empty, Ao Li took a sip of the oolong tea at the table, pretending it was made by the Right Protector. He rubbed the rim of the cup with his lips for a while, feeling how pointless his self-deception was, and then tossed the cup aside.

Listening to the sound of the cup breaking, Ao Li closed his tired eyes, leaning back lazily in his chair. His throat’s Adam’s apple protruded slightly, forming a smooth, elegant line.

His mind replayed similar scenes from years ago when his mother had left Ming Yuan quietly, and his father, who had promised to return, also disappeared without a trace.

Ao Li’s heart grew colder, struggling with the thought that everyone who left him never returned. Was it because he and Ming Yuan were inherently unlikable, causing people to want to escape?

That person was exceptional, gentle, eloquent, and skilled in many arts. He was someone everyone would like and admire.

Despite Ao Li’s temper, that person willingly endured his behavior, even if driven out awkwardly, maintaining a graceful demeanor that made him pitiful and left Ao Li at a loss for words.

He wanted to offer that person only tenderness to bring them closer, but at the same time, he wanted to hurt and push him away to test his limits of patience.

He despised his own conflicting nature but knew clearly that the person didn’t need to be in such a notorious demon sect, serving a moody and volatile master.

Perhaps this was why he acted like a child, appearing mature on the outside but fragile within, and thought that if the person left, he wouldn’t have to worry about when his tenderness would vanish or when he would leave.

But now, with the person truly gone and the emptiness around him swallowing him up, he realized his doubts and anxieties were unnecessary.

He wasn’t good at thinking, so he decided to be straightforward: he liked that person and wanted him.

Ao Li’s eyes grew warm, and he raised his arm to cover them.

**Author’s Note:** Wasted a chapter, feeling cowardly, running away.