Xie Yi asked in confusion: 【Why aren’t you speaking anymore?】
Lin Zhiji weakly asked: 【…Host, don’t you think your answer might be a bit wrong?】
【It is a bit wrong.】 Xie Yi thought for a moment. 【A human stick seems to have more than four pieces. There is also a type of punishment in the previous dynasty…】
Lin Zhiji: …
He suddenly felt that the difficulty of the mission to save the villain was higher than he imagined.
Fortunately, not long after, Qing Li came in to report that the bathwater had been prepared.
The inner and outer rooms of the bath chamber were separated by a screen. Since Xie Yi did not need attendants, Qing Li placed clean clothes and bathing items inside, then closed the door and left.
Xie Yi walked behind the screen and slowly untied his belt.
Lin Zhiji instinctively turned his gaze away.
But he heard Xie Yi chuckle: 【No need to be so careful. Even if you look, it doesn’t matter.】
Really?
Lin Zhiji still remembered that when he first bound to Xie Yi, just accidentally seeing him bathing had gotten him tormented miserably.
He cautiously turned his gaze back a little and just happened to see Xie Yi’s fingers untying his inner robe, revealing a tight, powerful waist and abdomen.
Lin Zhiji immediately looked away again, and only after realizing Xie Yi truly didn’t care did he look back again.
Compared to the first time he saw him, Xie Yi now had several new fresh scars on his body.
The first time he saw them, they only felt wild and attractive, but now, he couldn’t help but think that Xie Yi must have been injured countless times to accumulate so many overlapping scars.
Xie Yi keenly sensed that Lin Zhiji’s gaze had stopped at his chest.
Steam in the bath filled the room, condensing into fine water droplets on his skin, slowly rolling down.
And Lin Zhiji’s gaze seemed to carry weight, making every place the droplets passed tense up unconsciously.
Xie Yi’s throat moved: 【What is it?】
Then he heard Lin Zhiji ask: 【Host, how did you get this wound?】
He was referring to the scar that crossed Xie Yi’s heart. Even now it was still shocking; it was impossible to imagine how dangerous it had been.
Xie Yi loosened his palm, unconcerned: 【I don’t remember.】
He had suffered too many injuries to bother remembering something so unimportant.
Lin Zhiji frowned slightly.
He did remember, though—for example, the wound on Xie Yi’s waist, which was from the night of their binding when he killed those Crimson Halberd Guards.
Xie Yi didn’t care at all. He didn’t even bandage it, let alone apply medicine. Fortunately, his terrifying healing ability allowed it to scab over quickly, leaving only a faint pink mark.
After a while, even those “minor injuries” would leave no trace.
A strange feeling suddenly rose in Lin Zhiji’s heart.
He impulsively said: 【Host, next time you get injured, tell me. I have special healing medicine.】
Xie Yi had already entered the bath, arms resting on the edge of the tub.
He half-closed his eyes, wet black hair clinging to his skin, his handsome face carrying a careless expression: 【Is this a daily mission?】
Lin Zhiji froze.
He hadn’t said this to make it a mission—but when he opened his mouth, he felt there was no need to explain.
After all, even special-effect healing medicine had to be exchanged with points in the end—it still meant doing missions.
So he only gave a soft “mm.”
Xie Yi’s lips curved slightly: 【Good.】
—
The next day, the Prince of Qi’s residence was still not unsealed.
However, the Prince of Qi’s side had finally reacted and begun making moves as well.
The Crown Prince, using the excuse of searching for assassins, fabricated charges and suppressed political enemies. In a short time, many officials aligned with the Prince of Qi were thrown into prison.
The Prince of Qi was not willing to be outdone either and immediately began targeting officials on the Crown Prince’s side.
In an instant, the entire capital of the Upper Jing was filled with tension; everyone was anxious and on edge.
Xie Yi had already achieved his goal, and since the situation only needed time to develop, he became free after that busy period.
Lin Zhiji’s daily task-grinding for points also officially began.
During this time, Lin Zhiji had not been idle either.
He sorted all the tasks in his mission list into categories.
One category was purely for entertainment—for example, “have the host hug the villain.” Lin Zhiji dragged these to the very bottom so he could ignore them out of sight.
Another category consisted of tasks that were too difficult or demanding; those were also pushed down.
What remained were tasks that were actually feasible.
He rolled up his sleeves, determined to earn several thousand points while Xie Yi finally had free time.
Who would have thought the very first task would already go wrong?
Lin Zhiji looked at Song Lü, who was kneeling in front of Xie Yi, trembling uncontrollably, and hesitated: 【Host, the task requires you to praise someone…】
Xie Yi: 【Am I not praising him?】
Lin Zhiji: …
Who praises someone like that—with such a cold tone?
You’ve practically scared him into kneeling!
Lin Zhiji hesitated for a moment, then cautiously suggested: 【Host, maybe you could make your tone a bit gentler?】
【Troublesome.】
Xie Yi frowned slightly, then looked down at Song Lü and said slowly, “I am praising you. Why are you shaking?”
The moment he finished speaking, Song Lü shook even harder, crying out: “My lord, this subordinate begs you to clarify what mistake I have made…”
Lin Zhiji: …
He was numb.
Xie Yi glanced at the trembling figure that looked ready to collapse at any moment and said in disgust, “Forget it. Leave.”
Song Lü immediately scrambled to his feet, apologized frantically, and fled the study at maximum speed.
Watching his retreating figure, Lin Zhiji had so many complaints he didn’t even know where to start.
Xie Yi, however, acted as if nothing was wrong: 【Did the task succeed?】
Lin Zhiji: 【…It succeeded.】
Xie Yi replied indifferently: 【Then that’s enough.】
But is that really right?!
Is that even considered praise?!
Wasn’t this task judgment way too abstract?!
Song Lü ran all the way into the courtyard. Only when sunlight fell on him did he feel like he had finally come back to life.
At that moment, Qing Li walked over carrying pastries. Seeing his state, she frowned: “Why are you so frantic?”
Song Lü immediately burst into tears.
Sniffling, he said, “Qing Li, if I die someday, go to my room and take out the wooden box under my bed. There are IOUs inside—those are from Frost Blade and the others. You must collect them for me… otherwise I won’t rest in peace…”
Qing Li frowned even deeper: “What nonsense are you talking about? Why would you die for no reason?”
Song Lü shook his head with a lifeless expression: “You don’t understand. I must have offended the lord without realizing it. I don’t know how he will deal with me…”
Qing Li: ?
She watched his departing figure and decided that in the future she should probably tell him to stay away from Frost Blade and the others—they were always studying interrogation methods, and it seemed to be affecting their brains.
As for offending the lord, she didn’t take it seriously at all.
They had followed the lord for so many years; no matter how ruthless he was, he was not someone who would casually execute his subordinates.
She knocked on the door, and only entered after hearing “come in,” bringing in the pastries.
Lin Zhiji quickly focused again.
He looked at the task progress showing (1/3), even though it had strangely completed one-third, and decided to improve the approach. They couldn’t just treat Xie Yi’s subordinates like disposable props just to finish tasks.
So he spoke carefully: 【Host, maybe you should just say what I suggest. Don’t keep scaring people half to death.】
Xie Yi replied meaningfully: 【You care quite a bit about Qing Li.】
Lin Zhiji: …
This is clearly care for you, the host!
I’m worried you’ll finish your tasks and end up completely alienated from everyone!
But he didn’t dare argue, and could only murmur: 【Isn’t she your subordinate?】
For some reason, that sentence seemed to calm Xie Yi slightly. His expression softened: 【Fine.】
Qing Li placed the pastries on the desk, changed the tea, and was about to leave when Xie Yi stopped her.
She lowered her head: “My lord, what are your orders?”
Xie Yi idly rubbed the teacup and spoke slowly: “The entire courtyard, inside and out, is managed by you. Though they are all trivial matters, they are not easy to handle.”
He paused, then added meaningfully, “You’ve worked hard.”
Qing Li: !
The tray in her hands nearly slipped, but she quickly steadied it.
Among those who served the lord, she was among the best in every regard. While others were gradually sent away to various regions, she remained in the general’s residence as an unremarkable third-class maid.
But Qing Li understood that this was precisely the most important position—reserved only for absolute trusted aides.
She was very satisfied with her current role, so who was trying to slander her in front of the lord?!
Cold sweat broke out on her back as she immediately knelt: “My lord sees clearly! This subordinate is absolutely loyal and has no resentment whatsoever!”
Lin Zhiji: !!!
What is happening?!
The words are exactly the same—so why does it sound so sinister coming from the host?!
Xie Yi set down his cup.
The sound of porcelain against wood was soft but heavy, as if striking Qing Li’s heart directly.
She lowered her body even further in respect.
“I naturally trust your loyalty,” Xie Yi said lightly. “You may leave.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Lin Zhiji looked at the task panel showing “Completed (2/3)” and was completely at a loss.
Xie Yi, however, seemed thoughtful: 【To manage subordinates, one must apply both pressure and relief.】
Lin Zhiji: …
Unbelievable.
I asked you to praise someone, and you turned it into intimidation instead?!
Xie Yi, you really are the villain.