After Betraying the Whole World, You’re Telling Me They Were All Real? - Chapter 3:

Chapter 3: A Man and a Woman Alone at Midnight

If there was still anything that could save Ling Qi, it would be that medical tome. And now, that medical tome was in the hands of the Demon Sect’s female demon.

If Ling Qi wanted to survive, he had to go find her. That suited him perfectly. After all, that female demon happened to be one of the women he planned to win over.

“Ye Youluo, huh?” Ling Qi smiled.

So… he still had a chance. His opportunity rested in Ye Youluo’s hands. That meant he had to meet the woman who made the entire Great Yan Empire feel helpless… that female demon!

Chu Xinyue said, “Since she’s one of your targets anyway, going to her now is just right!”

Ling Qi suddenly said, “You look prettier when you smile.”

Chu Xinyue instantly stopped smiling. We’re discussing something serious—why say that now?

Ling Qi smiled and said, “You’re one of my targets too.”

Chu Xinyue glared at him. You actually dared to say that out loud?

“We’re just friends!” Chu Xinyue said seriously. “You already have the Princess. What are you thinking about me for?”

Ling Qi raised his wine cup and said, “People need goals in life.”

Chu Xinyue looked at him and said, “But you might not live much longer.”

He was the only cultivator at the Supreme Limit Realm, yet now he was on the brink of death. For the human race, for the entire world, that was undoubtedly a major loss.

Ling Qi replied with full confidence, “As long as there’s still a way to survive, I absolutely will!”

That medical tome was his only path to survival. As long as he handled Ye Youluo, he could live on. And when it came to dealing with women, he had absolute confidence. Even if they were real people instead of NPCs, what difference did it make? It was all the same strategy. There wasn’t a single one he couldn’t handle.

Chu Xinyue raised her cup and said, “Then I wish you luck in conquering that female demon.”

Ling Qi clinked his cup with hers and smiled, “Then the only one left will be you.”

Chu Xinyue glared at him again but didn’t speak. She would make Ling Qi understand that she was the hardest one to conquer. She would make it clear that between them… they could only ever be friends. And she’d show him that she was nothing like the Empress or that female demon.

Ling Qi stood up and said, “I’m leaving. See you.”

Chu Xinyue smiled faintly and asked, “Going to accompany your little Princess now?”

Ling Qi didn’t deny it and turned to head for the imperial palace. But after just one step, he turned back and asked, “By the way, the things your Chu family left behind… do you want them?”

Jiang Ling had already opened that door and retrieved the contents. If Chu Xinyue wanted them, he could help her get them back.

Chu Xinyue thought for a moment, then nodded gently. “Yes.”

Of course she wanted to know what cultivation method was hidden inside. She also wanted to see if that cultivation method could help her reach the Supreme Limit Realm.

“Alright! I’ll give it to you tomorrow.” Ling Qi smiled softly, then added, “Good night!”

With that, he turned and left, closing the door behind him.

Inside the room, only Chu Xinyue remained.

“Good… night?” she muttered, repeating his strange words, a faint smile curling on her lips…

…

In the imperial palace, under the darkness of night, inside Jiang Yao’s sleeping quarters, Ling Qi soon walked in from outside.

Seeing him, Jiang Yao’s maids all looked completely dumbfounded. Why was this man here in the middle of the night? What was he planning, coming into the Princess’s chambers?

They had no idea that Ling Qi had spent the previous night with Jiang Yao.

As soon as Jiang Yao saw him, she ran up and happily grabbed his hand. “Imperial Sister said there’s still hope! As long as we find Divine Doctor Bai’s master, that old Medical Immortal can save you!”

Ling Qi shook his head and said, “That old Medical Immortal is already dead.”

The moment those words fell, all the hope in Jiang Yao’s eyes instantly shattered, and her large eyes began to well up.

What? How could that be possible? That Medical Immortal had merely retired years ago. How could he be dead?

If even that Medical Immortal was gone… then what about Ling Qi? What would happen to him?

Jiang Yao nearly burst into tears again. Was there truly no one left who could save Ling Qi’s life? Was he really just going to wait for death?

Ling Qi gently raised his hand and stroked her soft cheek. “Don’t worry, there’s still a way. That Medical Immortal poured all his life’s knowledge into a medical tome. As long as I find that book, I can survive.”

“Really?” A new wave of hope lit up Jiang Yao’s desperate face. “Where is that medical tome? I’ll have someone search for it right away!”

“It’s in the Demon Sect. I’ll go get it myself. Don’t worry—I’ll get it.” Ling Qi smiled.

Aside from him, no one else would be able to retrieve it.

Jiang Yao hugged him tightly and pressed her face against his chest. “Everything will be fine. You’ll definitely survive this.”

Ling Qi gently wrapped his arms around her and looked at the stunned maids nearby. “What are you looking at? Get out.”

“Uh…” The maids were completely confused. You barged into the Princess’s sleeping quarters, and now you’re telling us to leave?

Who’s going to ensure the Princess’s safety if we leave?

Jiang Yao said softly, “Leave us.”

Of course, she wanted to be alone with Ling Qi.

“Yes!” the maids replied and finally nodded, then left together and closed the door behind them.

Once outside, they began whispering to each other. “Who is that guy exactly? Has he already gotten that close to the Princess?”

“A man and a woman alone at midnight, and the Princess even allowed it?”

“When did she get involved with this man?”

Inside the room, once the maids had all left, Ling Qi finally released Jiang Yao. He held her delicate face in his hands and looked at her with a smile.

“You… what’s wrong?” Jiang Yao looked at him in confusion. He seemed… different.

He was indeed different. He had become gentler than before.

Ling Qi smiled and said, “I didn’t realize before that you’re actually quite likable.”

He had treated her like an NPC before, so he hadn’t paid much attention. But now that he knew she was a real person, his feelings naturally became much deeper.

Jiang Yao glared at him. When had she ever not been likable?

Suddenly, Ling Qi picked her up in a princess carry and walked toward the bed.

Jiang Yao looked at him and said, “You… you’re seriously injured. Maybe… take it easy?”

“If I can’t do this and can’t do that, then I might as well die right now,” Ling Qi said, dismissing her concerns.

Then he gently laid her on the bed…

…

Meanwhile, in Jiang Ling’s sleeping quarters, she had already retrieved what she wanted.

It was a metal box engraved with a large character: “Chu.”

Clearly, it belonged to the Chu family.

Under the dark sky, Jiang Ling slowly raised her jade-like hand and pressed it against a hidden mechanism on the box.

With a faint clicking sound, the mechanism shifted and the box gradually opened, revealing the item inside—a secret manual.

Its title: Nine Dragons Sword Technique.

On the cover, the same “Chu” character remained.

Seeing this, Jiang Ling looked a bit disappointed.

She had heard rumors that the former Emperor had left behind a method within that forbidden land that could help one reach the Supreme Limit Realm.

But she hadn’t expected it to be a cultivation technique manual.

How could a manual possibly allow someone to reach the Supreme Limit Realm?

All such manuals merely increased one’s combat strength, not their cultivation realm.

Clearly, this wasn’t what she was hoping for.

In truth, perhaps nothing in this world could grant what she desired.

Jiang Ling slowly reached out, took the manual, and after a moment’s thought, placed it back into the box.

She didn’t want it.

She was the Empress, ruler of the Jiang Empire, and she had her pride.

How could she practice something passed down by another family?

“Someone come.”

Her voice rang out.

Two shadows flashed in the night and knelt on one knee. “Your Majesty!”

These were her hidden personal guards, both possessing Heaven-Revering Realm cultivation. They rarely showed themselves under normal circumstances.

“Take this item to Ziyun Pavilion and deliver it to Heroine Chu. Also… offer her an apology on my behalf.”

Jiang Ling placed the jade pendant into the box, then closed it.

She could already imagine how Ling Qi had managed to get this jade pendant from Chu Xinyue.

He must’ve offended her.

So, it was only right to return it to her intact, as a gesture of goodwill.

She didn’t want to be enemies with Chu Xinyue. She hoped they could maintain peaceful relations. After all, Ling Qi was by Chu Xinyue’s side.

And Ling Qi… had once saved the entire world without anyone realizing it.

That sword, once it had formed, was meant to be the key to the Demon Sect uniting all the monsters of the Forbidden Demon Region for a full invasion of the human race.

It was supposed to bring about an unprecedented catastrophe.

But Ling Qi had ventured into the Forbidden Demon Region alone and forced those monsters to unleash the sword prematurely.

The sword broke, and the demon race no longer dared to act recklessly.

Ling Qi had stopped the disaster, or at least… postponed its arrival.

For someone like Ling Qi, Jiang Ling had only one thought now.

He could only be an ally—never an enemy!

No matter how she looked at it, that was the only path.

“Yes!” the two guards nodded and departed with the box for Ziyun Pavilion.

…

At Ziyun Pavilion, Chu Xinyue had been about to sleep when there was a sudden knock at the door.

She opened it and saw two of the Empress’s personal maids, holding a box.

“This was entrusted to us by Her Majesty, and she also asked us to offer you her apology,” one of the maids said, presenting the box respectfully.

Chu Xinyue’s brow furrowed slightly. What was Jiang Ling up to? And what was in the box?

Could it be… the item from the forbidden area?

She immediately accepted the box. The two maids didn’t stay long and quickly vanished into the night.

Chu Xinyue placed the box on the table and opened it. Inside was the jade pendant and the secret manual.

Now she understood Jiang Ling’s intention.

Jiang Ling had taken the contents but hadn’t cultivated them. She returned them intact, acknowledging they belonged to Chu Xinyue.

Was it Ling Qi who convinced Jiang Ling to do this?

That guy really had some skills—even Jiang Ling would listen to him?

Although thinking about it now, if Jiang Ling hadn’t listened to him, he would have just forced it. What could Jiang Ling have done about it? Just like how he had once forced himself on Chu Xinyue!

And Jiang Ling actually apologized to her?

Heh, this Empress… really knew how to make people willingly submit.

Chu Xinyue then picked up the jade pendant and wore it around her neck. After that, she took the Nine Dragons Sword Technique that belonged to the Chu family.

Time to test if this cultivation technique could really help her reach the Supreme Limit Realm…

…

The next morning, the imperial kitchen had already prepared breakfast.

Jiang Ling and Jiang Yao were eating together, and naturally, Ling Qi was there too.

By right, no one other than Jiang Yao should have been allowed to eat at the same table as Jiang Ling. But Ling Qi didn’t care about such things. He had never seen himself as beneath anyone—even the Empress.

And Jiang Ling didn’t mind it either. Because Ling Qi had the qualifications.

“Where’s Xiao Chan?” Jiang Ling asked while eating.

Why wasn’t she around? Don’t tell me he figured out she had once deceived him and… killed her?

“Ziyun Pavilion,” Ling Qi replied, then asked, “You didn’t cultivate the Chu family’s inheritance, right?”

“You’re quite good at guessing,” Jiang Ling didn’t deny it. “You know what was inside?”

“She told me. A cultivation technique manual,” Ling Qi smiled. “And I also knew, with your pride, there’s no way you’d practice something inherited from another family.”

She was the Empress. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. If she insisted on taking it, he would have fought her for it—because Chu Xinyue needed it.

“I had it sent back to her last night,” Jiang Ling said. “Ling Qi, I’ve decided not to be enemies with her. But… if she dares dig up past grudges from the previous dynasty, I won’t go easy on her.”

“Don’t worry. She has no intention of taking your throne,” Ling Qi smiled, then looked at Jiang Ling and said, “She even said last night… you’re doing a great job as Empress, and you’re the most suitable person for it.”

Chu Xinyue could attract many followers with her personality. But if the world knew she was a descendant of the tyrant from the previous dynasty, people would definitely look at her differently.

She wasn’t fit to be Empress, nor did she intend to reveal her identity. As far as she was concerned… all of that was in the past.

Hearing this, Jiang Ling smiled softly. Was that really how she thought?

If that were true, it would be ideal. To bury the grudges of the previous generation in theirs.

“She never had ill intentions. At first, she only cooperated with you to retrieve her Chu family’s inheritance,” Ling Qi continued, “Unlike you, who actually wanted to kill her.”

As soon as he said that, Jiang Ling put down her chopsticks, her brows tightly furrowed as she glared at Ling Qi.

What’s that supposed to mean?

So she’s the good person, and I’m the monstrous tyrant?

When neither side knew each other’s intentions, how could I have known what she was planning?

To be safe, of course I had to strike first!

“Imperial Sister… you wanted to kill Heroine Chu?” Jiang Yao was shocked.

Naturally, with her simple mind, she had no idea about any of Jiang Ling’s schemes.

“It was just a precaution. Since she means no harm, I won’t do anything to her,” Jiang Ling picked up her chopsticks again. “If possible, I’d rather be friends with her.”

“Oh.” Jiang Yao softly nodded.

“The martial world is indeed deep and treacherous these days, but don’t worry, it won’t drown your empire,” Ling Qi said with a smile.

“I know. Because you’re standing by my side,” Jiang Ling also smiled faintly.

Ling Qi had promised to help her secure the empire for all eternity. With someone at the Supreme Limit Realm backing her, peace would endure for generations.

But the problem now was… Ling Qi was dying.

They had to find a way to keep him alive. From every perspective, he could not die.

“You look beautiful when you smile too,” Ling Qi suddenly said.

The expressions on both Jiang Ling and Jiang Yao’s faces froze.

Jiang Ling knew well her beauty was unmatched in the world, but no one had ever dared say such things to her. Even if it was a compliment, saying such a thing to the Empress was still considered coveting and disrespectful.

Jiang Yao pouted, “What nonsense are you spouting?”

You’re my man, and you’re saying that in front of me to my sister?

“It’s just the truth,” Ling Qi poured himself some wine.

“Truth my foot! Some things, even if they’re true, you shouldn’t say—don’t you understand?” Jiang Yao glared at him, hinting with her eyes.

That’s the Empress, my sister. Can’t you watch your words?

Jiang Ling didn’t want to affect Ling Qi’s relationship with her sister because of her, so she changed the subject, “Do you know what you actually did in the Forbidden Demon Region?”

“Of course I know!” Ling Qi smiled. “Isn’t that obvious?”

“I mean… do you know what kind of impact your trip to the Forbidden Demon Region had?” Jiang Ling asked.

“Impact? Aside from affecting myself, you think I affected others too?” Ling Qi shook his head.

“Yes, not only others… you affected the entire world,” Jiang Ling said seriously.

“Oh?” Ling Qi raised a brow. “Go on, tell me. What kind of impact?”

Jiang Ling took a deep breath and slowly stood up. “The old state preceptor of the Great Yan Empire once divined the nation’s fate.”

“And because he revealed secrets of the heavens… he lost his life.”

“Before his death, he predicted that the Forbidden Demon Region would bring a thousand-year catastrophe to the Great Yan Empire and the entire world.”

“He couldn’t determine the exact time, but he foresaw someone would delay this catastrophe… by ten years.”

“Now do you understand the influence your trip had?”

The monsters of the Forbidden Demon Region had long been plotting to destroy the human race. That sword was their ultimate trump card.

It had already been forged, but Ling Qi’s unexpected intrusion forced them to bring it out early.

As a result, their plan was delayed. It would now take another ten years for them to reforge the sword.

That’s why the catastrophe was delayed.

“Oh?” Ling Qi chuckled.

So he had unintentionally saved the entire world?

He had extended the timeline of a disaster, giving humanity a chance to breathe?

Originally, he didn’t care about saving the world. He had always treated this world like a game.

But now… he had actually saved a real world.

“Guess I’m not entirely a bastard after all,” Ling Qi said, finishing his wine in one gulp.

“What do you mean bastard? How are you a bastard?” Jiang Yao frowned.

You’re my man. I won’t let you insult yourself like that.

Ling Qi only shook his head with a smile. One day, they might understand. He had done plenty of bastard things in the past.

Words like scoundrel, rake, pervert, bloodthirsty devil—any of those could describe him.

“You’re a hero,” Jiang Ling said, “You stopped a disaster that should’ve already happened. And the price… is that your life is running out.”

“So that means… the Forbidden Demon Region will still wage full war on the human race in a few years?” Ling Qi asked.

“Yes. In ten years,” Jiang Ling nodded.

“Then it’s not really ten years,” Ling Qi shook his head with a smile. “I went to the Forbidden Demon Region seven years ago.”

That made both Jiang Ling and Jiang Yao frown.

Seven years?

So only three years remained before the catastrophe?

“You reached the Supreme Limit Realm seven years ago?” Jiang Ling asked.

He didn’t look that old.

“Once you reach the Supreme Limit Realm, your youth and lifespan extend. Time becomes meaningless,” Ling Qi explained.

In theory, he was already immortal—unless he sought death himself.

Unfortunately, he had treated this world like a game and brought this upon himself.

“Then… how old are you really?” Jiang Yao asked curiously.

“I forgot,” Ling Qi shook his head.

He had even forgotten how long he’d been in this world, let alone his actual age. To him, age was something he had long stopped caring about.

“The real issue now is… in three years, the demon race will make their move,” Ling Qi continued. “We have to find a way to stop it.”

“If the fully recovered you were around, we’d have a fighting chance,” Jiang Ling said, sitting back down as her golden eyes locked on Ling Qi. “So the real issue now is… you must survive.”

Ling Qi was the human race’s top combat power, but now he was barely hanging on.

He had to live. He had to recover fully.

Only he could deter the demon race.

“That’s why… I advise you not to act against the Demon Sect for now,” Ling Qi said with a smile.

“Why?” Jiang Ling frowned. “What does that have to do with the coming catastrophe?”

She had planned to deal with the Demon Sect because of their bloodthirsty tyranny. It was about securing her empire and removing threats.

What did that have to do with a war three years away?

“My life… might be in Ye Youluo’s hands right now,” Ling Qi said suddenly.

Jiang Ling’s brows furrowed even tighter.

What did that mean? How could Ling Qi’s life depend on that female demon?

“Divine Doctor Bai’s master is dead,” Jiang Yao explained. “And that old Medical Immortal’s life’s work is all in a medical tome… now in the Demon Sect.”

Hearing this, Jiang Ling’s expression grew grim.

That really was troublesome.

If they made a move now, who knew if that female demon might destroy everything out of spite?

Then Ling Qi’s only hope would be gone.

“So… what’s your plan?” Jiang Ling asked.

“I plan to head to the Demon Sect headquarters and meet Ye Youluo,” Ling Qi said calmly.

“I’ll go with you,” Jiang Yao stood up. “We’ll bring reinforcements.”

“Why are you coming with me? To hold me back?” Ling Qi ruffled her hair.

The Demon Sect headquarters wasn’t a place ordinary people could go. If the Empress’s sister went, would Ye Youluo spare her?

It was best if he went alone. At most… he could bring Xiao Chan.

“Let me ask you something,” Ling Qi looked at Jiang Ling. “Where did you first meet Xiao Chan?”

“Outside the Forbidden Demon Region, near the Great Wall,” Jiang Ling replied. “A few months ago, I went to scout the demon tribe’s activity and happened to run into her.”

She had been working for years to prepare for the inevitable catastrophe. So she built a great wall across the border, facing the Forbidden Demon Region.

She often went there to observe any demonic movements.

Hearing this, Ling Qi’s eyes narrowed. “That girl lost her memory. And she’s a demon. I’m afraid… she’s not so simple.”