Chapter 19: I Actually Want to Be a Good Person

Su Yi poured a pill from the porcelain bottle, pinched it between his fingers, and flicked it so that it rolled to a stop in front of Zhou Kuian.

“Drink this tea and swallow it,” Su Yi commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.

Zhou Kuian dared not hesitate. He picked up the pill and, without a second thought, stepped forward, grasped the teacup, and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

The moment the pill reached his stomach, a gentle warmth rose from within. Zhou Kuian couldn’t help but speculate: perhaps this masked man had given him medicine for his injuries.

Feeling that his life had been spared, Zhou Kuian’s nerves eased a little, as if he had been given a talisman of reassurance.

“I have yet to introduce myself,” Su Yi finally spoke from his seat of honor. “I am from the Primordial Demon Sect.”

With a crisp crash, the fine porcelain teacup fell to the floor. Zhou Kuian dropped to his knees on the spot, while Widow Li, a simple woman of the streets, stood rooted in astonishment, not comprehending the gravity of the moment.

Are you trying to get yourself killed?

Sweat poured down Zhou Kuian’s face, his knees trembling. He quickly dragged the bewildered Widow Li to kneel beside him, his voice quivering. “I was blind and ignorant—please, my lord, forgive me.”

Though he had spent most of his life on the fringes, Zhou Kuian had more knowledge of the world than the average commoner. As the saying goes, even if you haven’t eaten pork, you’ve at least seen a pig run. The so-called healing pill he had just swallowed was nothing of the sort—it was unmistakably a gut-rotting poison!

The Primordial Demon Sect, an unyielding force in the martial world for centuries, was a name known to all. Among the righteous sects, none—be it the Sword Washing Palace, the Temple of Heavenly Sound, or Bright Valley—could compare to the sheer power of the Primordial Demon Sect. Three hundred years ago, it alone had crushed half the martial world by its might!

Though its influence had waned over the past century, and its disciples were seldom heard of, even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. No one would dare claim the sect was no longer among the most formidable powers in the land.

Zhou Kuian feared death, but he was no fool. He knew the masked man before him could end his life with a mere flick of the hand; poison was quite unnecessary. So what did this man want? The answer was clear.

Since he still had some use, Zhou Kuian quickly adapted, assuming the role of a humble servant.

Su Yi was a little surprised. Despite Zhou Kuian’s coarse appearance, he was evidently quick-witted.

“You… are not bad,” Su Yi said calmly.

The words made Zhou Kuian breathe a silent sigh of relief. He knocked his head to the floor, bowing deeply.

“Thank you, my lord, for sparing my life! I will serve you with unwavering loyalty, even unto death!”

Whatever dignity he had left was in shambles, but Zhou Kuian couldn’t help feeling a trace of bitterness and melancholy. Ah, it seems I have no choices left. I’d wanted to be a good man.

Still, he wondered at the strange things this lord had said since his arrival. People of the Demon Sect truly were unpredictable and inscrutable. He would have to be careful, for his own sake and for Xiuniang’s.

After affirming his loyalty, Zhou Kuian lay flat on the ground, unmoving until Su Yi’s voice sounded in his ears again.

“I came to Jiangting for a purpose,” Su Yi announced.

Zhou Kuian listened intently.

Su Yi rose to his feet, hands clasped behind his back, and spoke words that struck like thunder.

“Since my arrival, all I have seen are ruffians bullying the innocent, villains forcing good women into brothels, criminals running rampant like fish in a river. I will restore the honor of the Primordial Demon Sect: these evildoers shall be cleansed from this land, and the world shall be returned to its rightful order.”

Clueless, Widow Li covered her mouth in awe, her eyes shining with admiration. To her, this was the very image of a hero—one who fought for the people and the nation. She didn’t notice that Zhou Kuian beside her had turned to stone.

What… what… what? Zhou Kuian felt dizzy, unable to believe his ears. Was this man truly of the Primordial Demon Sect, or was he some compassionate monk sent to deliver the suffering?

If not for the fear Su Yi had instilled in him and the poison in his belly, Zhou Kuian might well have leapt to his feet and cursed him as a lunatic.

Driven half-mad, Zhou Kuian then heard Su Yi continue, “What I gave you was the Demon Sect’s own ‘Heart-Devouring Doom Powder.’ There is no cure but our own antidote. In a month, without it, your innards will rot, your body fester, and you’ll die bleeding from every orifice.”

A shudder ran through Zhou Kuian. Whether this man was mad or not, he had no choice but to obey, unless he wished to die.

Even Widow Li now understood: this wasn’t some hero, but a demon! Only, his ambitions were so extraordinary as to be terrifying.

“My lord’s righteousness is admirable! I am at your command.” Zhou Kuian’s face was ashen, his voice hoarse. He wondered uneasily whether he, too, was among those who deserved to be swept away.

“I hear you’re one of the old hands in Jiangting. Surely you know who the true wrongdoers are, and who supports them from behind the scenes. Write out everything you know in detail—I will judge the truth myself. If you are not mistaken, I will see them sent to their graves.”

Zhou Kuian listened carefully, not daring to miss a single word, his whole body chilled. The methods of the Demon Sect indeed inspired terror—even their way of rooting out evil carried an air of utter annihilation.

“I will remember your orders, my lord. When do you require the list?” Zhou Kuian asked respectfully.

“You’ll write it now. You have one hour,” Su Yi commanded.

“Very well. I’ll return later to collect it.” With that, Su Yi strode out of the hall.

“Respectfully seeing the lord out,” Zhou Kuian intoned, following at a careful distance.

Only when he saw Su Yi’s figure vanish over the courtyard wall did Zhou Kuian collect himself and turn to Widow Li. The day’s events had been one dizzying upheaval after another, but at least he had seen the true heart of Xiuniang. Unintentionally, tenderness welled up in his eyes.

“Xiuniang, I’m sorry for making you worry,” he said, taking her hand.

“Old Zhou, are you really all right?” Li Xiuniang’s voice trembled with concern.

“It’s all right, don’t worry. You heard him—he may be of the Demon Sect, but he seems determined to set things right. If I serve him, perhaps I can atone for my past misdeeds.” Zhou Kuian could not help a self-mocking smile.

“Come, let’s get to work.” He patted his beloved’s soft waist, drawing a surprised cry from her, and with a jest broke the heavy mood.

“Bring me paper and brush, and grind the ink.”

“You rascal, every time you come here it’s for something ridiculous—where am I supposed to find those things?”

“Then hurry and go buy them…”