Fatal to Pretend With a Cheat | Chapter 22 | The Blood Demon's Betrayal | Novela.app

The shadow guards of the Night Walk were never considered cheap. Every ten years, three peak practitioners would be selected and bestowed with titles: the Night Hidden Mist Sovereign, the Night Monarch Imperial Emperor, and the Night Rakshasa Blood Demon. Each was valued at ten thousand gold. Qin Kezou had scraped together every penny he owned, even selling off his meager possessions, to gather seven hundred taels. He carried this sum carefully as he entered the gates of the Night Walk. He couldn't even afford an ordinary shadow guard, yet he walked home with a Night Rakshasa. Qin Chenyuan was struck with disbelief: "Seventh Brother, where did you get that kind of money?" He replied: "I caught them during a clearance sale." The ranking of shadow guards was transparent, with prices clearly marked. The exceptional ones were in high demand, while those left unchosen were considered a disgrace; consequently, their price would be halved for every year they remained unsold. This was the fourth year the Night Rakshasa had held his title while remaining alive, and his value had plummeted from ten thousand gold to a mere six hundred and twenty-five taels. Even so, he remained shelved, with no one showing the slightest interest. Looking at the price tag that was so low it seemed out of place, Qin Kezou asked, "This man holds a title; why is he so cheap?" The Night Walk replied: "The Night Rakshasas of every generation have been steeped in too much slaughter. Most die from qi deviation, and there have been several precedents of them murdering their own masters. As a guard, one must exercise caution." Qin Kezou stroked his chin and said, "He doesn't look the type to me. I'll take him." The day Qin Kezou died was supposed to be his wedding day. The woman the Seventh Young Master of the Qin family was to marry was named Gu Ciqu. It had not been an easy match. Gu Ciqu was a legitimate daughter of the Taihang Ravine. She had met the Seventh Young Master once in their youth and had been smitten ever since, devoting her entire life to the thought of him. Unfortunately, the Qin Ridge and the Taihang Ravine had always been at odds, nursing a century-old blood feud. The marriage prospects were grim. Yet, Gu Ciqu, a mere woman, managed to withstand the pressure of two great clans. She campaigned tirelessly, arguing that if this marriage were realized, the two families could turn their swords into plowshares. It would not only be a beautiful tale of romance but would also allow them to support each other, granting them a much greater voice in the martial world. The Taihang Ravine was traditionally extremist, while the Qin Ridge was steady. Gu Ciqu won over the elders from both sides who harbored desires for peace, and slowly, they were all persuaded. Once the matter was settled, the martial world was shaken. Both were the most favored youths of their respective families, so the wedding preparations were exceptionally grand, and the timeline was naturally long. Seeing that there was still time, the Seventh Young Master continued his travels as usual, making many friends across the land. After a year of wandering, he returned to the Qin Ridge and suddenly announced that he no longer wished to go through with the marriage. He made this statement during a family banquet, shocking the elders to their core. His sworn brother, Yun Bizhi, whom he had brought back with him, suddenly jumped up and smacked him on the head. Yun Bizhi offered a compensatory smile to the elders: "He's drunk and talking nonsense. Of course the wedding is happening. I'll go give him a lecture." With that, he dragged him away. After that, Qin Kezou indeed never mentioned it again, but joy was rarely seen on his face from that day forward. He spent his days doing nothing but practicing swordplay with Yun Bizhi; when they finished, they would lie on the roof. Neither dared to touch alcohol, instead clutching pots of plain tea and drinking through the night. On the wedding day, the Qin Ridge held a massive feast for the guests. Qin Chenyuan sat at a table with several brothers of similar age, and Yun Bizhi was among them. As cups were exchanged and toasts made, at some point, that taciturn shadow guard—who had never shown his face before—sat down beside Yun Bizhi. Qin Chenyuan knew the guard was usually strictly disciplined. Seeing him at the table now, he assumed it was by the master's command. Qin Chenyuan never put on airs, and given the festive occasion, he didn't treat the man as an outsider, even offering him a few cups of wine. For every cup Qin Chenyuan offered, the shadow guard accepted, though he remained silent to every question. Soon, Qin Kezou, dressed in his wedding robes, stumbled in drunkenly to offer toasts. He was in high spirits, laughing boisterously. When he reached their table, however, he snapped in anger: "Night Rakshasa! You are a lowly wretch; how dare you sit at the same table as my noble guests?" Following his shout, the guests all turned to look. Qin Chenyuan was stunned, realizing only then that the Night Rakshasa's presence at the table had not been commanded. The Night Rakshasa remained seated, his head unbowed, offering no reply. Qin Kezou was heavily intoxicated, swaying as if he could barely stand. He suddenly smashed the cup in his hand, splashing the dishes from the table all over the Night Rakshasa. He grabbed the guard by the neck and slammed him violently against the wall, shouting a string of incoherent insults. Qin Chenyuan knew his brother must be severely drunk, as his words were slurred. He rose to stop him. Just as he stood, he saw Qin Kezou collapse against the Night Rakshasa. A three-foot length of shimmering steel immediately erupted through his heart. The shock was instantaneous. Among the hundreds of guests in the hall, not a single person remembered to cry out. In the dead silence, only the Night Rakshasa's voice could be heard, calm and indifferent: "Qin the Seventh, you dared to humiliate me so publicly. Watch as I grind your bones to ash." He moved like a phantom. Before his words had even faded, he had snatched up the corpse and vanished out the door, disappearing into the vast, dark night. In that lightning-fast moment, only Yun Bizhi reacted with god-like speed, letting out a thunderous roar as he gave chase. To reclaim the Seventh Young Master's body, the Qin Ridge pursued and clashed with the guard for half a month. Alas, the Night Rakshasa's cultivation was terrifying. They reached a stalemate, and eventually, they were forced to let him escape, losing his trail entirely. The hope of reconciliation between the Qin Ridge and the Taihang Ravine died that day. However, since both families had lost their beloved kin, they did not come to blows. Three years had passed since then, and the matter had gradually settled. Only Qin Chenyuan remained, searching to this day to bring his brother home.