This Play is Really Hard to Perform

In the cave, Li Siyi was tied up, unable to move or speak.

Su Luo stood beside Li Siyi, ready to play one of Hong Guang’s little games.

Hong Guang took out his beloved weapon, a small knife, tossing it from his left hand to his right, then back to his left.

Finally, he pointed at Li Siyi and said, “Listen up. You like her, right? If you do what I say in this game, I’ll let both of you go.”

“What do I have to do?”

“Kiss her.”

“I would never stab—wait, what did you say?”

“You heard me. Kiss her.”

“No, you must have misspoken. You surely meant for me to stab her with that knife in your hand, and then we can leave, right?”

“No, no, no! Why would I do such a thing? And what are you even saying? Why would I ask you to stab her out of nowhere? I don’t have any grudge against you.”

Hong Guang was starting to sweat.

Damn it, kid, are you trying to get me killed? If she loses even a single hair, I’m done for.

And what’s with your reaction? This proposal is in your favor! What’s there to complain about?

Su Luo was also speechless at Hong Guang.

Hey, hey, hey, where’s your dignity as a demonic cultivator? And what’s this about having no grudges? This isn’t how you’re supposed to act. Your demonic mindset shouldn’t lead you to suggest such a game.

What’s the point of kissing Li Siyi, especially in front of you? I can’t make sense of this.

The two of them fell into a tacit silence, both thinking the other was acting strangely.

Hong Guang didn’t know what to do. It should have been a simple matter, so why had it become so complicated?

This kid is useless. I need to think of a way to make him defeat me.

“Oh no! I dropped my knife. Without it, my strength is reduced by a third. Damn it, my foot just kicked it over to you.”

Hong Guang cried out in panic, “If you pick up that knife, and with me already injured, I might not be your match. How unfortunate!”

Though his face showed fear, his tone was clearly encouraging Su Luo to step up, come forward, and win!

Su Luo: “......”

What’s going on? Why is this minor character so out of character? This isn’t how your role is supposed to play out.

It’s fine. I’ll just act like an idiot. As long as I make a fool of myself, it’ll have the same effect. Li Siyi will lose hope in me.

Su Luo also pretended to panic, “No, you’re definitely doing this on purpose. That move just now proves you’re way stronger than me. If I pick up the knife, you’ll kill Siyi first, then me.”

“You’re giving me the knife so I’ll play your little game. You want me to stab Siyi once, and then you’ll let us go. Fine, I’ll do it. I hope you keep your word and let us leave afterward.”

Hong Guang was about to lose his mind.

Are you serious? I never said any of that. Stop thinking about stabbing her! Do you have some grudge against her?

If you stab her, I’m dead for sure.

Seeing Su Luo actually pick up the knife and move toward Li Siyi, Hong Guang was so anxious he wanted to kick Su Luo away.

Wait, maybe I should just take the stab myself. Getting stabbed once is better than losing my life, and it’ll look like I’m saving her.

It’ll end a bit quickly, and it won’t feel natural, but I can’t worry about that now. This kid is really going to stab her.

Hong Guang dashed in front of Li Siyi, ready to “accidentally” take the stab.

Su Luo reacted quickly. Seeing Hong Guang blocking his path, he immediately dropped the knife, covered his head, and crouched down, “Don’t kill me!”

Hong Guang quickly adapted, leaning his face toward Su Luo, completely defenseless.

“What’s wrong? Weren’t you so confident just now? Why can’t you do it now? Hit me! Hit me!”

“No, I’ve realized my situation. Please spare me. I don’t want to die.”

Su Luo, trembling in fear, kept backing away, even tripping over a rock and falling on his backside. Still, he continued to scramble backward.

Hong Guang’s fists clenched. Seriously, I’ve put my face right in front of you. Hit me! Just one hit, and I’ll go down.

But you’re so useless.

Hong Guang couldn’t understand. How could anyone like such a coward?

Oh, wait, someone does. Hong Guang noticed Li Siyi’s displeasure.

He almost wanted to cry. He understood. If Su Luo kept humiliating himself like this, he wouldn’t be the one losing face—he’d be losing his life.

Desperate to survive, Hong Guang came up with a new idea.

“Kid, seeing how pathetic you are, I’ve decided to play a game of chance with you. See this knife? I’ll spin it, and whoever it points to has to take a stab.”

“No, I’m scared.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

Hong Guang spun the knife on the ground and waited for it to stop.

The first spin pointed to Hong Guang himself.

Without hesitation, he slashed himself with the knife.

“Alright, let’s go again!”

“No...” Su Luo was stunned. Why was this guy hurting himself so casually?

The second spin also pointed to Hong Guang.

Without flinching, he slashed himself again.

“I don’t believe this.”

Hong Guang didn’t give Su Luo any time to stop him, spinning the knife again immediately.

The third spin still pointed to Hong Guang.

He picked up the knife, but this time, he hesitated.

“Maybe we should stop.”

“Stop? I can take it.” Hong Guang gritted his teeth and slashed himself once more.

Su Luo thought the guy must be insane. This wasn’t about being able to take it or not. You’re bleeding all over. Can you even last until Lin Xuan arrives?

Instead of playing a simple game of humanity, you’re doing this Russian roulette nonsense, losing three times in a row. Just quit the demonic path already.

Hong Guang didn’t care. He went for a fourth spin.

Once again, it pointed to him.

Even for someone as tough as him, this was getting too much. One last stab, and he should be able to collapse convincingly.

“Hah!”

After four slashes, Hong Guang couldn’t hold on any longer.

He fell to the ground, looking at Su Luo with feigned frustration, “I didn’t expect you to be so weak, but your luck is incredible. You were the first to come here to save her, and now you’ve beaten me four times in a row.”

“Fine, fine. I was wrong to underestimate you. With your luck, you’re destined for greatness.”

“Kid, be braver in the future. You’ve got real potential. Keep it up.”

“Lastly, a hero deserves a beauty. You’ve earned her.” Hong Guang pointed at Li Siyi and theatrically said, “Release!”

“There, her bindings are undone. You can leave now. Take good care of her.”

Hong Guang closed his eyes.

It’s over, it’s over. This act was exhausting, Hong Guang thought, relieved.

You think I wanted to stab myself? It’s all because this kid is so useless.

I’m so mad. He didn’t even try to fight back. What a waste.

But somehow, this waste has won her over.

Whatever. This time, I’ll count it as bad luck. Next time, I’ll make sure to humiliate him in front of her.

She should be satisfied now. If I hadn’t come up with this plan, who knows how this useless kid would’ve won?

What? You don’t actually think he’s lucky, do you? I controlled it all.

I even controlled it four times in a row, just to praise his so-called luck. What else could I praise him for? He’s a complete waste. I don’t get what she sees in him.

Handsome? Sure, but looks don’t last in the cultivation world. Only strength is eternal.

Hong Guang secretly vowed to become stronger.