When the heavy eyelids were raised again, the world before him was dark. It took Shen Wumian a while to gradually adapt to the dark environment.
Opposite him stood a figure in trance.
The damp and decayed smell of not having any exposure to the sun filled his nose. The familiar environment instantly evoked some memories in Shen Wumian's mind. He however didn't give up. He tried moving his arms but found that his arms were bound above him by two thick chains. Even if he could move, it was no more than an inch.
The same scene as his previous life, the same treatment. The only difference was that this time, he wasn't dying and could still stand and talk to the person in front of him.
Along with his movements, the sound of metal clanging sounded in the small and cramped room. Ever since he opened his eyes, Chen Yi's expression hadn't changed. He was vey calm. It was hard to tell whether he was angry or happy.
After Shen Wumian stood up, the chain originally holding his arms up dangled down. There were also another two around his feet. The length of the chain was very short, only enough for him to move around near the wall. It was however much better than his last life where he had little room for activity so he could only remain bound to the wall like a bereaved dog.
When Shen Wumian raised his hand to check the chains, Chen Yi who was standing opposite him suddenly spoke.
"I sent Shen Sixteen away."
Shen Wumian's actions stopped. He raised his head, the expression on his face unclear.
Chi Zhao didn't care what his reaction was. He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixated on the grey-black stones on the ground. In fact, he didn't know what the colour was because it was too dark. He couldn't see anything. Even Shen Wumian who was close to him was somewhat unclear.
It was better this way. It made it easier for him to say the next lines.
"Imperial Doctor Xun returned to his hometown. I let him go with him. Doctor Xun said that Shen Sixteen has a good aptitude for medicine and he would take him to a quiet place to teach him and also seal his memories of the past. Once he stops being another person's shadow, he should live well in the future."
In the original plot line, after Doctor Xun returned to his hometown, Shen Wumian couldn't find him. It could be seen how deeply he had hidden. It was also because of this that Chi Zhao decided to hand Shen Sixteen to him. Chi Zhao had told Doctor Xun that as long as he took Shen Sixteen away with him, he would agree with Doctor Xun's request to return to his hometown.
Theoretically speaking, Doctor Xun's personality wasn't one Chi Zhao could easily get a good understanding of but for some reason Doctor Xun only thought for a moment after hearing Chi Zhao's offer before promptly agreeing.
No one knew whether Shen Sixteen would really become a top doctor. It was enough as long as he could live as an ordinary person.
The most innocent person in the past and present life was Shen Sixteen. Letting him go was not only done to fulfil his desire to compensate him but to also cut off Shen Wumian's act of revenge.
After a long silence, Shen Wumian's voice finally sounded in the quiet room. His voice sounded a little strange, "Why let him go?"
Why did you let him go?
Don't you like him? Weren't you unable to forget about him? After finally getting him, why did you let him go?
Chi Zhao frowned, "He is after all someone who saved my life. I can't let him continue being a prisoner. He also looks a lot like you. Staying here won't be good for him."
Those words were impartial, just like the words of someone with the intentions to repay someone for their kindness. Shen Wumian was stunned for a moment, "...Just that?"
What else then?
Chi Zhao almost blurted out this question, but he then remembered that in the past life he had never experienced, the original owner had always loved Shen Sixteen. Shen Wumian still strongly believed this and that was the reason he asked that question.
After a moment of silence, Chi Zhao replied in a low voice, "My love is not that cheap and casual. I wouldn't fall for someone just because they saved me."
The life saving act was just an introduction. Whether it was for the current Chi Zhao or Chen Yi from the previous lifetime, they only liked the person in their heart, not some life-saving grace.
Chen Yi not liking Shen Wumian, that was very obvious based on his actions. Shen Wumian felt that the Chen Yi who didn't know the truth treated him well but in fact, after he knew the truth, he treated Shen Sixteen even better. Despite thinking that he liked Shen Wumian for several years, he never even considered the thought of getting together with him but after Shen Sixteen appeared, the thing he wanted to do the most was to marry Shen Sixteen.
Please read this from kk translates
Onlookers see more than the players themselves. Shen Wumian couldn't see what was going on, but Chi Zhao did.
Chi Zhao's thoughts travelled over to the previous life, but Shen Wumian was still staring blankly at him.
He didn't understand what Chi Zhao said just now. What did he mean? Was he saying that he doesn't like Shen Sixteen?
Then....who does he like?
Before Shen Wumian could ask this question, the Chi Zhao in front of him had already returned from his thoughts. He took a deep breath and continued, "Your men are all confined in Dali Temple. I have sent the people away from Dali Temple last night and the remaining guards are very week. It probably won't be long before your men escape and come to rescue you."
Without looking at Shen Wumian's eyes, Chi Zhao said in one breath, "The jade seal and zhen's imperial degree is left in Qinzheng Hall. After you get out, you can take it yourself. I don't like being the Emperor and I don't like being the king with the power to determine another person's life and death. You have always wanted the throne, so I'll give it to you. I just hope that you can do it better than me, even if it's only a little bit."
"In the past few days when I was in power, there have been countless deaths and casualties in the capital and blood flowed in the rivers. An Emperor should bring blessings to the people but I, as the Emperor, only brought death. Shen Wumian, after you become the Emperor, don't be like me, okay?"
After Chi Zhao finished speaking, he finally raised his eyes. In an instant, he was met with Shen Wumian's deep and cold eyes. Chi Zhao instinctively stiffened. For some reason, the current Shen Wumian was very scary. Although he wasn't moving, Chi Zhao felt like he was about to kill him.
Shen Wumian indeed wanted to kill him. He has this urge almost every day but every time, he couldn't do it. Sometimes when he forced himself to be cruel, he wished that he could kill himself instead.
The young Emperor's words were straightforward and calm. Anyone could understand it. Shen Wumian however couldn't believe his ears let alone believe that those words had just come from Chen Yi's mouth.
He didn't feel the joy of finally getting the throne nor did he feel the joy now knowing that Chen Yi had no intentions to kill him and may possibly even like him. All he could feel right now was tight constriction around his chest, as if a python was tightly wrapped around it.
Shen Wumian took a step forward. The chain immediately stretched taut. He didn't let any of the small emotional changes on the young Emperor's face escape his eyes and stared at him firmly as he asked through gritted teeth, "What about you?"
The young Emperor averted his eyes. He rubbed the joints of his fingers and said while acting nonchalant, "You don't have to worry about me. The sky is big, and the land is wide, there will always be a place for me. As long as I am not the Emperor, I will be happy wherever I go."
Since he woke up, the young Emperor's body had always been leaning slightly to the left. Even more so now, almost half his body was blocked. Shen Wumian furrowed his brows and looked over at the blocked left arm. Chi Zhao sensed his gaze and immediately lowered the right hand that was holding his left hand and tried to divert Shen Wumian's attention.
"Before your subordinates come, I should leave." Chi Zhao looked at Shen Wumian. He still wanted to say something but after thinking for a long time, he found that he had nothing to say, "....That's all. I'm leaving now."
With the help of the main system, Chi Zhao harvested a wave of abuse points over just fifteen days. According to the main system, Chi Zhao should continue the abuse until the end, cast himself as a failed Emperor and wait for Shen Wumian to fight back. Once that is over, he should quickly commit suicide and die appropriately as a perishing royal.
But from the very beginning, Chi Zhao had no intentions to listen to the main system.
Abusing until this point, he had done everything that had to be done and he had also done everything that shouldn't be done. Wasn't it just abusing him? He had already abused, and he had already inflicted harm, but for the sake of making sure that Shen Wumian's life wasn't so miserable and to also give himself a peace of mind, he still wanted to salvage it somewhat.
He wanted Shen Wumian to know that, in fact, he wasn't that bad, nor did he hate him that much and that his show of sincerity wasn't futile. In some inconspicuous place, some of his sincerity was concealed. If Shen Wumian looked carefully enough, he should be able to see it.
Chi Zhao couldn't explain what his current state of mind was. He didn't like Shen Wumian but he also couldn't let him go. The main system was right. Leaving early was the best for him and his body.
Chi Zhao turned around. Shen Wumian who was still motionless until now finally moved his wrist slightly. The sound of metal colliding with each other was mixed with a mocking sneer.
Chi Zhao's footsteps stopped. The room then became very quiet. The voice behind him reached his ears very distinctly.
"What about me?"
"You're happy wherever you go, then me, do you think I would be happy if you leave me behind?"
Chi Zhao didn't move forward but he also didn't turn back. Shen Wumian looked at his back and words that seemed to contain his own blood and tears poured out, "Can't you just once!—– Just think about me a little?! Why are you always so self-righteous? If you thought about my thoughts and my feelings before doing this, you wouldn't have said any of those things to me!"
Please read this from kk translates
The seemingly obedient young Emperor had in fact never opened his heart to Shen Wumian. He silently bore with it, silently accepted it and silently planned. In his eyes, there was only himself in his future. Shen Wumian was never there.
He was right. Chi Zhao thought about it himself and felt that it was indeed the case. In this world, he was probably a true "slag shou".
Closing his eyes, Chi Zhao took a step forward. Seeing that he was still heading out, there was a crack in Shen Wumian's mask, "Chen Yi!"
That shout didn't have any effect but after hearing the lines following it, Chi Zhao suddenly stopped and turned back in panic.
"If you go one step further, I will die together with you. As for how the Chen Empire turns out, I have never cared."
Compared to the shout earlier, the lines following that were spoken quite calmly but it made Chi Zhao turn back. What he saw were a pair of red eyes and protruding veins on Shen Wumian's temples. Chi Zhao could no longer maintain a calm expression. He opened his mouth and could only force out the next few lines with much difficulty, "I'm not planning on dying! Are you crazy? Didn't you always want to be the Emperor? You've got what you wanted now, what else are you upset about?"
Shen Wumian didn't answer him. His line of sight once again returned to Chi Zhao's left sleeve. Chi Zhao subconsciously covered the sleeve and soon following that, the person on the opposite side revealed a mocking expression. When Chi Zhao saw this, he pursed his lips and his expression turned ugly.
Hidden in the sleeve was poison he had asked a guard for. It was said that one would ascend to heaven in less than a second after taking it. Yesterday's knockout drug was also given to him by a guard. Chi Zhao had originally planned on going to a hidden place after this to wait for the system's return and once it's back and the pain shield was on, he would happily send himself off. Unfortunately, Shen Wumian saw through him.
"Shouldn't you already know what I really want?"
Shen Wumian's eyes were red. He asked this with each word emphasised. Chi Zhao pursed his lips and didn't answer. Inside he was still trying to think of countermeasures. Shen Wumian's words earlier were most definitely serious. If he died, he would immediately retaliate by killing himself. Shen Wumian was just that kind of ruthless person; ruthless to others and also ruthless to himself.
Chi Zhao didn't think about how his proclamation to die with him showed how much Shen Wumian cared about him. He just wanted to quickly resolve this matter. He couldn't let Shen Wumian die. It could be said that Shen Wumian's words just now caught him by his weakness.
Chi Zhao still stubbornly persisted. Suddenly, he heard a strange noise which sounded like the wall breaking. Chi Zhao subconsciously looked up and his eyes widened at the sight.
At some point, Shen Wumian had started to exert his strength. In short, when he looked over, the wall had cracked. As long as there was a crack, the rest of the job was easier. And so. Chi Zhao watched as Shen Wumian pulled the chain off the wall, the chain around his wrist leaving a bloody, crimson mark. Chi Zhao stared at him dumbfounded and even forgot to escape.
After pulling his arms free, it was easier for his legs. Shen Wumian managed to break them off with his bare hands. Chi Zhao was finally able to witness what this world meant by having strong fighting abilities but wasn't in the mood to clap his hands.
Shen Wumian's reflection in his eyes grew larger and larger. Chi Zhao finally reacted and made an attempt to run but Shen Wumian grabbed him. Paying no heed to his struggles, he tore Chi Zhao's left sleeve.
A small porcelain bottle fell out, shattering instantly the moment it hit the ground. Following that, a round object also fell out. That object wasn't ceramic but the sound of it hitting the ground was clearer.
Shen Wumian looked at the ground with a frown. Chi Zhao stiffened and suddenly started to struggle even more forcefully. Shen Wumian was taken aback, allowing Chi Zhao to actually successfully break away. Chi Zhao immediately bent down to pick up the object on the ground and then silently looked at the broken jade pendant in his hands.
Chi Zhao was squatting on the ground so Shen Wumian couldn't see his expression. He could only see that the fingers holding the jade pendant had turned white.
Chi Zhao was very angry. Very, very angry. He had lived for so many years and had experienced so many things. Even when he learned that he would die pathetically, he didn't feel like how he did now, like his intestines are about to explode.
"What are you doing?!"
Chi Zhao suddenly stood up. He looked like he was about to eat him out of anger, "What does my death have to do with you?! What right do you have to over what I want to do? You should just be grateful that I didn't kill you. Why are you interfering with what I'm doing? What qualifications do you have?!"
That was a very harsh statement, with no chance to interrupt. Chi Zhao usually has a good temper, but it was also because he usually has a good temper that it can get very terrible the moment he loses it. This very moment was probably the worst in his entire lifetime because he had also used this opportunity to vent the anger he had held back for a very long time, for several hundreds of years.
Shen Wumian who was opposite Chi Zhao was startled at first, but he soon calmed down.
He allowed Chi Zhao to continue reprimanding him. No matter how deep the knife was plunged into his heart, he acted like he didn't hear anything and just continued to stare at the jade pendant held tightly in his hands.
When Chi Zhao shouted until his throat became hoarse, he raised a hand that was still bound by chains. The heavy chains rested at his wrist, making his movements somewhat awkward. Chi Zhao maintained the expression from earlier and watched Shen Wumian with a frown. When the latter placed his hand on the back of his neck, he stiffened for a moment and then sent out a kick.
"Let me go! You should be glad that I'm not good at cursing. If I could, I would have cursed you to death! Don't touch me. Do you understand human speech?! I fucking—–"
The rest of the words were blocked by Shen Wumian's sudden kiss that was filled with ferociousness. In response to this, Chi Zhao became even more angry. He kicked and kicked and even bit the tip of Shen Wumian's tongue, causing the taste of blood to invade his mouth. Together with this metallic taste, there was also slight saltiness.
Chi Zhao suddenly opened his eyes. Right in front of him was Shen Wumian who also had his eyes closed. There were obvious tear streaks down his face.
I fucking———-
I fucking———-
I fucking———-Why am I so fucking useless.
Chi Zhao's throat suddenly released a cub-like whimper and then he stopped struggling. When Shen Wumian noticed this, he held him even tighter in his arms.
On the other end, the system who had successfully passed the preliminary round returned after completing the handover procedures. It had heard that Chi Zhao had done everything properly and that all the tasks in this world had been completed so it just needed to go and pick up Chi Zhao. As the system happily returned to Chi Zhao's mind, it was met with this almost soon to be censored scene.
System: "....."