After he changed his clothes and cleaned the room, he left the classroom, his mask already kept back.
Just as he walked a few steps, he met Teacher Bai, standing there with his cold and aloof presence, as if he had been waiting for him to come out. He wore a dark blue robe, his hair brushed in a meticulous manner. His expression was cold and firm, like the moon itself. His grey eyes pierced forward as though he could see through multiple walls.
I have killed people... so it's my turn to die, right? With Teacher Bai's expression, Mengxuan couldn't tell if he already knew. Something like that couldn't be hidden from a great cultivator, could it?
He slowly walked toward him, his heart beating frantically.
Why am I afraid? This is the path I chose. I'll take the blame for every decision I make.
"I greet Teacher Bai," he said calmly, bowing his head slightly.
As expected, Teacher Bai didn't reply to his greeting. He went straight to the point.
"What matter do you have with that empty class I saw you coming out from? Have you forgotten there is a rule against entering a class no longer in use?" His tone was cold. Teacher Bai had been doing his inspection rounds and happened to pass by just as Mengxuan came out.
Mengxuan knew that if he didn't defend himself quickly, the wailing whip might be the next thing to greet him.
How many fucking rules do you want me to keep in my brain? he cursed inwardly.
"Teacher Bai, would you believe me if I said I was feeling... emotional?" Mengxuan finally said in a low, heavy tone.
Emotional? Teacher Bai's expression flickered. How had the matter of him entering an empty classroom turned into him being emotional?
"I can't even predict what you're about to say next," Fiend Monk's voice echoed in Mengxuan's mind, sardonic as always. "Just like the devil."
Mengxuan let out a dry cough, his eyes gradually moistening as he clenched his fists. He spoke with heartfelt weight.
"While I was coming back from the field after training, I suddenly remembered my late mother. It was painful to think of losing someone you love, so I went into that empty class to cry. I didn't want others to see me in that state."
His actions and expression synced perfectly with his words.
"Teacher Bai, you should be able to understand my feelings," he finally said, staring at the floor. This was not a complete lie. The pain for his mother was real, even if his reason for being in that classroom was not.
Teacher Bai sighed inwardly before speaking. "I understand. You can go back for now." His tone carried no emotion.
Did he really believe the excuse I just made, or is he planning to check the classroom after I leave? At my level, hiding something from a powerhouse like him might be impossible.
Since his mother and Teacher Bai had known each other—her even saving him once—bringing her up was his best choice. But for Teacher Bai to simply let him go without even the sting of a whip was strange. His discipline was said to be top-notch.
Mengxuan bowed slightly before leaving toward his residence.
Teacher Bai stared at the departing figure like the sun sinking into the horizon, his thoughts unreadable.
...
Back in his residence, Mengxuan decided to prepare a tasty dish to calm his raging mind.
The dish he chose was crimson meat buns, known for their juicy flavor. They were best enjoyed with red boar wine, commonly called red blood wine. But his recent expenses in the underground night market had limited him to just the ingredients for the buns.
After mixing a special crimson flour with water, he pummeled it into a red, sticky substance. He added spices and other ingredients, finishing the preparations in about ten minutes. Soon the pot sizzled like a steam train, releasing a sweet, mouthwatering aroma that teased his nose. He could only swallow down his saliva as he waited the long twelve minutes for it to fully cook.
He was confident in his cooking. Living with his sick mother for four years had forced him to learn, and before she succumbed to her love trauma, she had taught him well.
While waiting, his thoughts wandered back to what happened earlier. He had ended the lives of two unlucky beings. If those students vanished without a trace, an investigation would surely follow. Their alibi might place them outside the school before disappearing, but if not... his safety would be at risk. The academy housed many high cultivators, even special-tier experts hidden in the shadows, waiting for threats.
Teacher Bai already had his eyes on him. If anything surfaced about those two, he would be the first suspect. At that point, he might have no choice but to flee to another city. He could only pray the matter wouldn't be investigated.
He had killed five people in total. The more he thought about it, the more he felt how little that number was. His bloodlust only grew stronger with each kill. Still, Fiend Monk was right: he had to master his flaw, not let it master him. If he could channel it as a weapon instead of a curse, he would remain in control. Killing those two adulterers had been an act of free will, not a slip into madness.
Just as he was about to serve himself, a knock came at his door.
Don't tell me Teacher Bai is here. His heart raced, but he quickly forced himself calm. He was only a suspect, not the criminal. No one would easily believe someone like him capable of killing two cultivators.
He opened the door, and the tension inside him faded.
"Xiao Long? What are you doing here?" he asked in surprise.
The beautiful girl entered, her emerald eyes blinking as she spoke. "Mengxuan, judging from your expression, I can see you're both happy and surprised to see me, right?"
"Yeah," he admitted without denying it.
"Are you not supposed to be preparing for academy class?"
She hopped inside, tugging him away from the door, her nose twitching as she inhaled the aroma of the buns.
"I came at the right time. Go on, serve me some of that delicious food you just made," she teased playfully.
Mengxuan smiled. "As you wish, my little dragon."
The two of them sat and began eating the crimson meat buns.
Xiao Long munched slowly, savoring every bite. The juicy flavor spread through her mouth, creeping down her throat, each bite feeling like an entirely new dish.
"I hate to admit it, but your cooking is better than mine," she said with a chuckle.
"And I have to admit your beauty is better than mine."
She didn't blush. Instead, she grinned, used to his habit of praising her whenever he had the chance.
"Mengxuan, I have a request," Xiao Long said after another bite.
"Your loyal buddy is ready for you anytime," he replied casually, knowing this was her real reason for coming.
"Loyal friend indeed," she chuckled. "Would you mind accompanying me to Feng Roulan's twentieth birthday at the Feng manor? It'll be fun, I promise." She blinked her eyes playfully.
Mengxuan froze for a brief moment.
Feng Roulan was the daughter of Count Feng Zhaoxi, a respected clan elder in Jade City. Since Jade City was the capital of Jade Province, a count there was bound to be a top figure with countless connections.
Feng Roulan herself was the daughter of a two-star cultivator. She was beautiful, well-mannered, and unlike the pompous children of nobility he knew. Jiao San, for instance, was the very definition of arrogance.
Mengxuan remembered the days he had crushed on Feng Roulan. Back then, he was weak, blinded by illusions, reaching for something far beyond his grasp. But that was then.
"Aren't you afraid you're ruining your image by keeping a cursed boy like me at your side?" he asked casually, though he already knew her answer.
"There's nothing about my image to ruin. Don't worry, I'll protect you from those dog shits." She winked at him.
Mengxuan nodded. But I think I'll be able to protect myself this time, he thought inwardly.