章 10: You're a better guy than I expected

It took a while but eventually, Zhang Wang was finished with tending to the girl and tucked her into the corner of the makeshift shack. Her breathing was deeper now, even. Though she'd yet to gain consciousness, it was good to see that the pill Zhang Wang had fed her earlier was taking effect.

And when he was done, he poked at the fireplace, regretting not stocking up on more food at the village. There were still a few buns that he bought and brought along with him. So he shared those with Yu Yanlin who ate next to him in silence.

There was only the pitter-patter of rain outside that was held back by barriers, preventing water from penetrating all the nooks and crannies in their little shelter. The fire crackled and Zhang Wang shuffled his feet against the dirt ground. It was quiet, peaceful.

"..."

Argh!

He couldn't take it anymore, it was too damned awkward! The Immortal of a Thousand Blossoms shot the demon king an accusing glare, "Why are you so quiet? The awkward silence is killing me already! And you keep giving me a weird look. Like, if you have something to say just say it to my face will you?"

Yu Yanlin jolted, surprised that he was suddenly being called out and scolded. His eyes were wide. Though the shimmering crystal blue color was dulled down to a normal deep brown tone they were still so charming and captivating. "Oh, I assumed that you did not want me to speak unnecessarily."

Zhang Wang really did say something like that, didn't he? But no normal person would have taken his words so literally and followed along like an obedient slave! This was too much. And made him feel like a bully, dammit.

"That doesn't mean you can't talk at all! Ah seriously, it's so damned awkward I can't take it anymore." He tried to scoff, keep his body language casual, and not too accusing.

"I'm sorry."

He threw up his arms in defeat, "I don't want your apologies! Just talk okay? Don't be so weird about it. We're already stuck with each other…anyway, I know there's something on your mind. You can spit it out already."

"I am not certain what you mean by being weird…? Was I acting strange? Perhaps your human customs are different," Yu Yanlin frowned, he seemed genuinely confused and victimized here! Ahhhh, Zhang Wang was really a playground bully after all, pushing around the young kids that didn't even know any better.

But wait a second! There was no way Yu Yanlin was older than him. This was the demon king for heaven's sake! How could he have this little awareness?

"Whatever. So why were you glaring at me earlier huh? You still haven't answered that."

"...Hm, I just couldn't help but feel that what you have done back at the village was not wise."

Zhang Wang rolled his eyes, "Oh geez. Not you too. Well then, Mister Mighty Demon King, what do you think I should have done?"

"...In truth, I cannot understand why you saved the child. She is indeed one of demon descent and thus she is your natural enemy. But things like compassion I…do not understand well. So I will trust that you did the right thing."

Was his patience being tested here? Hah, Zhang Wang wasn't against proving just how patient of a motherfucker he could be! "Yeah? Then what's the big problem?"

"Your declaration at the end felt a little unnecessary, don't you think?" Yu Yanlin charred the steamed bun on the fire before wolfing it down with just two large bites. He left crumbs on the corner of his lips. Zhang Wang did his best to reign back his OCD, preventing himself from reaching over to wipe those crumbs off. "You even named yourself and your sect. What if there will be trouble later on?"

"Urk." It wasn't as if Zhang Wang hadn't thought of the possible repercussion of announcing himself so openly in that situation.

But at the moment he really couldn't help it! After all, what was he doing wrong? Saving an innocent child? Zhang Wang was definitely accumulating some good karma here so why were people so pressed? "It's not a problem. If my sect thinks it's a problem I'm just going to bat my eyelashes at my pervy sect leader and hide behind Sikong Ren and call it a day."

"Pervy…?" The demon king did not understand this term and Zhang Wang only shrugged at his confusion without giving any further explanation. "You've mentioned Sikong Ren a few times now. He is that Master of the Strayed, is he not? Hm, he is a formidable foe who has caused great trouble to my generals and myself. I do miss facing that man. He was always so vigorous and honest on the battlefield."

Zhang Wang groaned in distaste, "Yeah, yeah, he's that cool guy, isn't he? I'm sure you can't forget about him even now. No one can. You know all the women that I've had such a good feeling with? Well each and every one of them got stolen from under my fingertips by that Sikong Ren."

"Is that so?"

"Yes!"

"Ah, but why? The Master of the Strayed is amusing but he's not nearly as enigmatic and charming as yourself. I believe those women are missing out."

A piece of steamed bun went down the wrong pipe and Zhang Wang was thrown into a ceaseless coughing fit, tears beading at his eyes. Yu Yanlin scooted over to rub comforting circles in his back but Zhang Wang wasn't at all comforted!

How the heck was he supposed to be comforted!? Hearing these kinds of words from a man. From the damned demon king of all people! No, he felt miserable. And the warmth that bloomed inside his chest definitely was not pride or happiness or joy at this secret little victory over Mister Protagonist.

And of course, he wasn't going to be happy with a man massaging circles in his back either, telling him sweet encouraging words about taking it easy and that it's okay. Zhang Wang's luck was cursed! And how the hand spread along his back was so long and wide, strong but gentle at the same time. Meanwhile, women have always both marveled and complained about how his fingers were so slender and soft and matched their own for elegance.

Zhang Wang didn't want to think about that! So he forced his mind to double-back. Even if he couldn't beat this Yu Yanlin, at least there was…

When the coughing finally quelled, Zhang Wang couldn't help himself and gazed up at the demon king that still had his hand on Zhang Wang's back. "You think I'm better than him right?"

Yu Yanlin's head tilted slightly, he looked uncertain. "Yes?"

Great! "You're a better guy than I expected!"

"Is…that so?"