Listen to My Fabricated Story

A young man's story.

"I'm telling you..." Chi Ji raised her voice, "I want to!"

Xu Xian picked at his ear with a look of distaste.

"Are you going to tell me or not?"

Xu Xian rolled his eyes. "Fine, fine. I'll make—no, I'll tell you."

Chi Ji tilted her head, her eyes filled with complex emotions.

He walked over to the table and sat down. He was calm, yet he projected an air of mystery. "You might not believe it once I say it."

Chi Ji suppressed her patience and snapped, "How do you know I won't believe it if you don't say it?"

Xu Xian remained silent...

Chi Ji felt numb. Was he really making it up on the spot?

Xu Xian finally spoke. He didn't blush, his heart didn't race, and his eyes didn't flicker as he spoke with a steady, flowing cadence.

"That night went like this. Weren't we stopped by Chi Yan? To ensure your safety, I drew my sword and fought a great battle against him. But unfortunately, that old fellow was too strong, and I was no match for him at all. Just as I was about to be slain by him, a divine light suddenly descended from the sky. A white-clothed deity stepped out from it. Without a word, he struck out with a sword toward the mortal world. That strike could destroy heaven and earth; it turned everything to dust."

"I was terrified out of my wits. My legs went weak."

"But I knew I couldn't fall. I had to save you. While that sword light was still raging, I decisively picked you up and fled as fast as I could."

"Later, I found that the immortal was actually chasing me. So, I left you by the side of the creek and set up a formation to protect you, then led that sword immortal away on my own."

"Unfortunately, I was still caught by that deity."

"I only took one look at him before I was knocked unconscious by his powerful pressure. By the time I woke up, two days had already passed."

"That is essentially the situation."

Chi Ji's eyes were wide and round, her green pupils darting back and forth as she stared silently at Xu Xian.

Xu Xian stared back. Unlike Chi Ji's dazed and bewildered look, Xu Xian's eyes were filled with sincerity, as if everything he said was the absolute truth.

"Bai Mang."

"Yeah?"

Chi Ji asked very seriously, "Do you think I'm stupid?"

Xu Xian said warmly, "Silly girl, how could I?"

Chi Ji furrowed her brows, her face darkening. "Listen to what you're saying. A deity? Do you even believe that yourself?"

Xu Xian said earnestly, "I do!"

Chi Ji continued, "Then do you think I believe it?"

Xu Xian said nonchalantly, "I already told you that you might not believe it, but you insisted I tell you."

Chi Ji was utterly defeated by his attitude. She was so angry she couldn't say a word, only stomping her foot in frustration. This was blatant deception.

But what could she do?

It seemed there was nothing she could do. The boy before her seemed to have read her mind; he was certain she wouldn't report him or do anything to him.

The more she thought about it, the angrier she got.

Immediately bringing up an old grievance, she said, "Then tell me, why did you knock me unconscious?"

"Uh..."

Xu Xian was stumped. Right, why had he knocked her out?

This was really hard to fabricate.

He braced himself and said, "If I said my hand slipped, you probably wouldn't believe that either, right?"

Chi Ji was truly speechless now.

His hand slipped.

Then why did you ask me if it would hurt? Why did you tell me to endure it?

She couldn't be bothered to argue about this matter with Xu Xian anymore. She understood that either the young man really didn't know who had delivered that sword strike, or even if he did, he certainly wouldn't tell her.

She had her own suspicions, but they were so bold they could be called fantastical. Even she found it hard to convince herself.

There was no deity; that sword strike was delivered by Bai Mang himself.

Or perhaps...

Bai Mang wasn't Bai Mang at all.

She poured a cup of water and drank it, calming her thoughts. The cup landed heavily on the table with a sharp clack. She asked, "Who are you, exactly?"

"Bai Mang."

Chi Ji took a deep look at Bai Mang. With a flick of her palm, a storage bag exclusive to the demon race appeared. She tossed it casually, and it landed right in front of Xu Xian.

Xu Xian was startled. "What is this?"

Chi Ji took a deep breath, her expression becoming exceptionally solemn. "Regardless of who you are, whether what you said is true, and even if I don't want to know what happened that night... there are some Shadow Soul Stones in here. Not many, only a few tens of thousands, but it's all I have. It's enough for you to live a life of wealth and leisure."

Xu Xian scratched his head, somewhat bewildered. "What do you mean?"

Chi Ji emphasized each word. "Take this money and leave. Get out of the Nether Capital, the further the better. If possible, it's best if you never come back."

Xu Xian suddenly understood.

To be honest, he was a little touched. He felt that although Chi Ji was a bit dim, she was indeed a person of integrity.

It hadn't been a waste of effort to save her.

Except...

He asked knowingly, "Wait, I don't follow. Why do I have to leave?"

Chi Ji looked at him resentfully and snapped, "Are you still acting?"

Xu Xian said innocently, "I really don't know?"

Chi Ji suppressed her impatience and explained, "I'm not joking with you. This matter is huge. That sword strike has already alarmed the Nether Hall. They are sending people to investigate. Even I was called in for questioning. If they find out about your existence, they definitely won't let you off. You can lie to me, and you can tell me stories, but they won't believe you. They will definitely perform a soul search on you. In the face of the truth, no one will care about the life or death of a third-class demon like you."

She said a lot in one breath. Xu Xian quickly processed and organized the information, picking up on the key points.

Simply put.

The people at the top of the Demon Abyss were looking for the person who had delivered that sword strike outside Ze Capital.

Furthermore, even the daughter of the Crimson Demon had been questioned, so the matter had definitely alarmed entities superior to the Crimson Demon.

The Nether Hall?

Martial Brother Lei had mentioned that above the Crimson Demon, it was likely those two—the High and Low Priests.

Judging by Chi Ji's expression and reaction, this matter was indeed serious.

However, it wasn't surprising when he thought about it. If such a sword strike occurred in one's own territory, anyone would be nervous.

If such a strike happened in the territory of the Wendao Sword Sect, the Shadow Hall would likely be working day and night to investigate.

How could one allow others to sleep soundly beside their own bed?

Xu Xian wasn't shocked or surprised; it was within the realm of reason.

He tested her, "Then they didn't perform a soul search on you?"

Chi Ji shook her head. "I have my father protecting me."

Xu Xian nodded thoughtfully. "Right. Then you didn't sell me out, I assume?"

Chi Ji glared fiercely at the young man and said resentfully, "Is that how you see me?"

"I didn't say anything."

Chi Ji had her own grievances. For the sake of Bai Mang, she had betrayed her faith and deceived the Demon Lord.

"No matter how overbearing and unreasonable I am, I still know right from wrong. You saved me after all, so how could I sell you out? Besides, if I had, would you still be sitting here talking to me?"

Xu Xian nodded in agreement. Undeniably, this girl had grown.

He said with relief, "Not bad. I knew I didn't misjudge you."

Chi Ji didn't want to banter with Xu Xian anymore. Even though she was reluctant to see him go, she still urged, "Alright, pack your things. Leave now."