Slag Shou Cultivating Manual Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Worldly Demon King

After losing all his senses, it took a while for He Lang to realize he could use his body again. When he opened his eyes, a young boy’s face greeted him.

The boy’s features were already well-formed, showing a hint of handsome sharpness, yet still carrying a touch of youthful roundness. His brows and eyes were filled with arrogance, and his dark pupils were incredibly clear.

Giving the boy a quick glance, He Lang instinctively surveyed his surroundings. The exquisite decorations and the majestic palace in the distance made him recognize that this was undoubtedly some part of a deep palace.

Elegantly crafted furnishings were scattered about, and nearby stood a grand palace. The ancient architecture resembled that of his own world. He couldn’t help but think he was still in his original world.

“Hey, this prince is talking to you. Why are you staring elsewhere, you blockhead?” The boy’s annoyed voice brought him back to the present, and He Lang examined the young boy before him closely.

The boy was dressed in a narrow-sleeved, slim-cut brocade robe, with a golden hairpin just above his eyebrows. The pattern on his lower garment depicted a coiling dragon, indicating his distinguished status. The boy’s gaze, looking down on him, was imposing and intimidating.

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Gp qsa bkxplzq, Tl Nydt oyp olyakdt y rzykd czwl zsdt ascl okvb y pvydekdt nszzya, xyel sq bktb-iwyzkvu pkzj, yde blze y qszekdt qyd kd bkp byde. Tl yrrlyale vs cl y pnbszya sq psavp, pwttlpvkdt bl blze y alprlnvyczl rspkvksd.

Fllkdt Tl Nydt’p tygl qkdyzzu alvwad vs bkx, vbl csu yanble yd lulcaso. “Eyp obyv vbkp rakdnl pyke fwpv dso kdnsaalnv?”

“Kwpv dso?” Tl Nydt aykple bkp blye kd y eygl. Jkvp sq xlxsaklp awpble cynj, yde bl pvyavle vs rklnl vbkdtp vstlvbla. Tl dyvwayzzu alrzkle, “Mbkp kp vbl oyu rypple esod qasx swa ydnlpvsap vs twkel y awzla.”

Mbl csu pllxle ynnwpvsxle vs blyakdt pwnb ablvsakn yde nswzed’v blzr cwv pbso ekpeykd sd bkp qynl. Tl pdllale, “Mbkp Vakdnl eslpd’v clzklhl kv. Rv’p bursnakvknyz.”

Gxwple cu vbl csu’p czlde sq nbkzezkjl yrrlyaydnl yde xyvwal elxlydsa, Tl Nydt nswzed’v blzr cwv qkde kv qwddu. Gzvbswtb bl eked’v iwkvl wdelapvyde obyv vblu olal vyzjkdt ycswv, bl qszzsole vbl csu’p zlye, pxkzkdt tldvzu, “Rq vbl Vakdnl eslpd’v clzklhl kv, vbld esd’v. Gp zsdt yp sdl byp y nzlya nsdpnkldnl, kv’p ldswtb.”

Mbl csu pzsozu qkmle bkp tygl sd bkx, piwkdvkdt bkp lulp yp bl pvyale, yrrlyakdt xwnb szela vbyd bkp ynvwyz ytl. Tl saktkdyzzu kdvldele vs rashsjl Tl Nydt yde tlv bkx yzz akzle wr ps bl nswze pyvkpqu bkp alclzzkswp dyvwal. Jwv bl eked’v lmrlnv vbl pvwqqu sze Rxrlakyz Mwvsa vs sqqla pwnb yd wdlmrlnvle alprsdpl, zlyhkdt bkx qllzkdt zkjl bl bye rwdnble nsvvsd okvb ds pyvkpqynvksd yv yzz.

Tl takvvle bkp vllvb yde piwkdvle bkp lulp, lmyxkdkdt Tl Nydt okvb y rashsnyvkhl rspvwal, oykvkdt qsa bkp alynvksd, osdelakdt kq bl oswze tlv ydtau sa qzwpvlale.

Bdlmrlnvlezu, Tl Nydt fwpv zssjle cynj nyzxzu, pbsokdt ds qlya, yde pvkzz bye y qykdv pxkzl sd bkp qynl, zkjl oyax oyvla kd y pwxxla zsvwp rsde cyvble kd cakzzkydv pwdzktbv, pxkzkdt ps clywvkqwzzu vbyv kv oyp kdelpnakcyczl.

The boy choked on his breath, coughing several times and blushing on his cheeks.

As memories flooded back, He Lang began to form a rough impression of the young boy before him. He learned that the boy’s name was Zhen Pu Yang, the ninth prince of the current Emperor, who had just turned twelve years old.

In this world, his name was He Lang, not too different from his original name.

An attending maid noticed that both of them fell silent and softly advised Zhen Pu Yang, “Your Highness, spare Imperial Tutor He Lang and stop teasing him. Lady Lin will call you later for dinner.” Her words offered him a way out, allowing him to retreat gracefully.

In truth, Zhen Pu Yang had already lost interest in provoking He Lang. Since the servant mentioned it, he nonchalantly responded, “No need. Tell Mother Empress that I’ll dine with him tonight.” He gestured casually towards He Lang.

The maid was surprised by his words but complied with Zhen Pu Yang’s command and left to inform Lady Lin.

Seeing that Zhen Pu Yang didn’t spare him a glance, He Lang understood that he wasn’t truly intending to dine with him. He assumed he was just using him as an excuse. When the maid left, He Lang bid farewell to him, but unexpectedly, Zhen Pu Yang called him back.

“Why are you in such a hurry? I said we’d dine together,” Zhen Pu Yang stated.

He Lang had just arrived in this world and was trying to organize his thoughts when he suddenly found Zhen Pu Yang approaching him. He could only bow respectfully and decline, “As a humble official, I’m afraid I am not qualified to dine with Your Highness.”

Although Zhen Pu Yang was rejected, he seemed satisfied with his response, muttering to himself with a feeling of magnanimity.

“The Imperial Tutor is a high-ranking official, barely qualified to dine with this prince. Moreover, once this prince speaks, it’s hard to take back. Or is it that you don’t want to dine with me?” As he spoke, the young boy glanced at He Lang, as if threatening him.

Indeed, He Lang felt a little troubled. After contemplating for a while, he hesitantly nodded.

Zhen Pu Yang’s mouth curled up, revealing half a small tiger tooth. A faintly mischievous and innocent smile flashed in his eyes, as if he were just a child. For some reason, Imperial Tutor He Lang suddenly didn’t annoy him today. The more he tried to shake him off, the more he wanted to cling to him and see the distressed expression on his face.

Originally, He Lang thought they would have dinner at the palace, where he could simply go through the motions and be done with it. However, Zhen Pu Yang insisted on dining at his residence.

“Imperial Tutor’s residence is humble, incomparable to the palace. I’m afraid the hospitality won’t be up to par,” He Lang rejected again.

Zhen Pu Yang was stubborn and, seeing He Lang’s refusal, became even more determined. He expressed concern, “What’s the matter? Is the salary of a high-ranking official too little? How about I tell Father Emperor another day?”

“…” He Lang stared at him, and the young boy smiled back at him playfully.

“It’s my honor to have you here,” He Lang replied, but his mind faintly recalled that Zhen Pu Yang was known as the Worldly Demon King within the palace.

As expected, this little demon king insisted on coming to his residence. As soon as he entered the main gate, he looked around with a mixture of disdain and curiosity. He turned to He Lang and asked, “Are there really courtyards this small in the world?”

He Lang looked around at the exquisitely decorated buildings and spacious landscaped gardens, finally gaining insight into the high favor the prince enjoyed.

Upon hearing that the Ninth Prince had arrived, the kitchen in the residence promptly prepared top-quality ingredients. Several maids were assigned to serve Zhen Pu Yang, who remained surrounded by attendants.

Although Zhen Pu Yang showed signs of disgust, his mood seemed unaffected. Perhaps he was delighted that he could cause chaos in He Lang’s residence.

Before the meal was ready, He Lang had to take him around for a stroll.

“Why is your residence so shabby?” The young boy walked into the main hall carelessly, looking around as he pushed over a few chairs and knocked the tea set on the table to the ground. The maids nearby looked flustered and rushed to clean up the mess.

Helpless, He Lang watched him and knew he couldn’t stop him, lest it upset him. So he calmly observed the scene of disorder and said, “As long as you like it.”

Surprisingly, He Lang didn’t reprimand him. Zhen Pu Yang hesitated in his mischievous actions, his smile growing wider. He casually sat on the main seat, crossing his legs and effortlessly throwing down the paintings and calligraphy on the walls. “Put them away, they’re all ruined. This prince will reward you with even better ones another day.”

“Hmm…” He Lang hesitated, then pondered, “Then I’ll thank Your Highness in advance for the reward.”

Wasn’t this stubborn old-fashioned man always the most rigid and upright? Why was he so different today, so provoking? Zhen Pu Yang smiled faintly, bored with the empty main hall, and proposed to visit somewhere else. “Let’s go to your bedroom.”

He Lang had already prepared himself for the destruction of his bedroom, but Zhen Pu Yang surprisingly refrained from damaging anything. Once inside, he just curiously looked around, carefully inspecting even the corners of his tables and tea cups.

“Is this where you sleep?” Zhen Pu Yang spoke with a lighter tone.

The bedroom was simply decorated but not plain. The desk was filled with various calligraphy works and an array of brushes, exuding a strong literary aura, just like him.

Zhen Pu Yang lost interest, casually pulling a chair and sitting down. This room was filled with his unique aura, like the scent of bamboo leaves, clear and slightly bitter. Zhen Pu Yang couldn’t help but take a deep breath, feeling a refreshing sensation deep in his heart.

Perhaps the room was too quiet, and the tranquil literary atmosphere was overwhelming. Zhen Pu Yang didn’t act as roughly as he did in the main hall; he only flipped through He Lang’s scrolls without going too far.

Zhen Pu Yang wanted to tease him and tried to smudge the ink painting on his desk. However, when he dipped the brush into the ink, he found himself unable to proceed under He Lang’s silent gaze. He couldn’t understand why he felt hesitant like this, as he had never experienced such a feeling of retreat before. Frustrated, he angrily dropped the brush.

“This Prince is hungry. Is the food in the Imperial Tutor’s residence always this slow?!” Zhen Pu Yang called a maid to hurry up the kitchen. He Lang couldn’t figure out why this little demon king suddenly started ordering everyone around, especially when he didn’t stop him from smudging his painting earlier.

During the meal, He Lang noticed that Zhen Pu Yang was very picky, even refusing to eat meat and vegetables. The kitchen didn’t know his preferences and only prepared exquisite and precious dishes, to which Zhen Pu Yang managed to not show his discomfort. But as soon as he saw the meat he disliked, he immediately pushed it away.

“Don’t you want to eat?” He Lang couldn’t help but ask. As an ex-prince, he was used to a different lifestyle and found such wastefulness uncomfortable.

Zhen Pu Yang decisively shook his head.

He Lang glanced at Zhen Pu Yang’s slender figure, feeling a mix of sympathy and pity, and softly remarked, “No wonder…” His slender physique explained it all.

Although Zhen Pu Yang was the most favored prince, and his living conditions must have been the best, he didn’t look very robust. In fact, he seemed a bit thin, all because of his picky eating habits.

“You!” Zhen Pu Yang’s chopsticks paused midair, feeling like He Lang was mocking him, and he shot an annoyed glare at him.

He Lang was about to retort, perhaps saying something about how a scholar like him wouldn’t understand, but then he noticed that the Imperial Tutor was actually a tall and well-built man. While not as burly as a warrior, he was certainly not weak either. He swallowed his retort and angrily stuffed a few bites into his mouth, thinking that he was above arguing with this penniless scholar.

However, a thought started forming in his mind: One day, he would grow taller than the Imperial Tutor… then let’s see if he still dared to laugh at him like this.

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