NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Battle with the Demon King
Chapter 25: Battle with the Demon King
A few days passed quickly, and Wei Changtian’s daily schedule remained unchanged. He continued his morning sparring, afternoon martial arts practice with Xu Qingwan, calligraphy practice if he returned early, and telling the four girls and a dog the story of the Monkey King in the evening.
His days were indeed fulfilling, but lacked the essence of a villain.
As for Xiao Feng, Wei Changtian was certain he was hiding somewhere in the capital. However, despite the Mirror Division’s relentless investigation, no trace of him was found, and the search had to be temporarily shelved, with most of the search personnel withdrawn.
Nonetheless, Wei Changtian noticed a significant increase in security around the Wei residence, including his own. Although Wang Er was the only visible guard, there were countless hidden sentinels around, ensuring 24-hour surveillance.
Oh, and there’s one more noteworthy thing recently.
After some diligent research, Wei Changtian finally completed his first invention since his transmigration.
…
“Call the Demon King!”
“Rob the Demon King!”
“Don’t rob!”
“I’ll rob…”
Around the right-immortals table in the pavilion, Wei Changtian, Lan Jingyao, and Qiu Yun each held a stack of hard paper cards, chanting the rules.
This was Wei Changtian’s creation—Battle with the Demon King!
After all, “landlord” didn’t carry any negative connotations in this world, but “Demon King” had a much stronger appeal.
As soon as “Battle with the Demon King” was introduced, it caused a sensation in the Wei residence, becoming as popular as TikTok in his previous life, surpassing drinking, gossiping, and cricket fighting to become the most favored pastime.
The servants and maids in the mansion were especially fond of this game, which could be played even by illiterate people. They often played until late at night, causing the consumption of candles, lamp oil and other items in the Wei Mansion to increase dramatically recently.
In a way, Wei Changtian had enriched their spiritual lives.
In the pavilion, Lan Jingyao, who had just become the “Demon King,” reached out and took the three base cards, frowning in thought before slowly placing down a sequence of cards.
“Three to eight, a straight.”
“Young Master…”
Qiu Yun, the next player, looked at Wei Changtian. Upon seeing him shake his head, she immediately said softly, “Pass.”
“Haha! Perfect! I can beat that!”
Wei Changtian shamelessly slapped down six cards: “Four to nine!”
“You, you two!”
Lan Jingyao widened her eyes, biting her lip in frustration, “”You two are secretly colluding!”
As expected of a noble lady, even her scolding was so refined.
“Colluding? We’re openly working together!”
Wei Changtian smirked and urged, “Are you playing or not? Hurry up! Yaun’er and Qiaoling are waiting!”
“Hmph! Pass…”
Lan Jingyao muttered in frustration, casting an unhappy glance at Qiu Yun.
Qiu Yun lowered her head in embarrassment but felt no regret in her heart.
Between the lady and the young master, she naturally sided with the young master.
“If you pass, then I’m playing!”
“A single three!”
“A single eight.”
“A single Inner Guards!”
“…”
With Wei Changtian and Qiu Yun’s close “cooperation,” Lan Jingyao soon lost.
According to the agreed-upon rules, she should now “step down” and let Yaun’er “take the stage.”
But perhaps because of the unfair loss just now, the usually well-mannered and literate lady started acting “unreasonably” this time.
“It Doesn’t Count! I… I Want to Play Another Round!”
“What do you mean it doesn’t count?!”
Wei Changtian impatiently waved his hand, “A loss is a loss!”
“You… you’re bullying me…”
Lan Jingyao couldn’t hold back her tears, her eyes instantly welling up.
Seeing this, Qiu Yun quickly tried to mediate, “Young Master, let Yaun’er replace me. The Lady…”
“Don’t worry about her!”
Wei Changtian had no sympathy for women and was about to chase Lu Jingyao away when he suddenly heard a shout from behind him.
“Brother Wei! Brother Wei!”
Judging by the voice, it must be Li Yang.
“Brother Li, why are you here?”
Wei Changtian glanced at Lu Jingyao and stood up. He looked at Li Yang, who was full of joy, and was a little surprised: “What good thing happened to you that makes you so happy?”
“Haha, of course, it’s great news!”
Li Yang ran over but was quickly distracted by the cards on the table.
“Huh? Brother Wei, what are these?”
“These are playing cards… I’ll explain later.”
Wei Changtian stepped out of the pavilion, “Brother Li, let’s talk inside.”
“Oh.”
Li Yang, though curious about the cards, followed him inside.
Qiu Yun served tea to the two and then left. Shortly after, the courtyard was filled with the sounds of “Call the Demon King, Rob the Demon King” once again.
Wei Changtian cleared his throat and asked, “Brother Li, what’s the great news?”
“Ah!”
Li Yang finally snapped back to reality, grinning ear to ear, “Brother Wei, after my relentless persuasion these past few days, my father finally agreed to help me annul my engagement with the Zhang family!”
“Huh?”
Wei Changtian was stunned, recalling that Li Yang had left abruptly that day to annul his engagement.
Could it be that Li Yang’s fiancée was very unattractive? Or did he have a new love interest?
It couldn’t be that he, like Wei Changtian, had a nemesis “protagonist” trying to steal his fiancée!
Although this question wasn’t very important, Wei Changtian asked casually, “Brother Li, I had never asked before, but why do you want to annul the engagement?”
“Oh, it’s just…”
Li Yang initially wanted to say, “It’s because seeing your miserable situation, Brother Wei,” but thought better of it and gave a knowing look instead.
“Brother Wei, why ask when you already know?”
What?
Why ask when I already know?
Are you playing riddles with me?
Wei Changtian assumed it was due to some unknown matter and didn’t pursue the topic further.
“Well… Brother Li, what about the matter of visiting your esteemed father that I mentioned last time?”
“I was about to mention that.”
Li Yang said seriously, “My father was busy with a case these past few days and only got free today.”
“If you’re available, you can come with me now.”
“That’s fine.”
Wei Changtian thought for a moment and nodded, “Give me a moment to prepare a gift.”
“Alright.”
Visits between prominent families required proper etiquette, so Li Yang didn’t decline. After a few sips of tea, he remembered the colorful cards again.
“Brother Wei, those cards…”
“Oh, it’s just something I came up with to pass the time.”
Wei Changtian replied casually, “If you’re interested, I can have a maid explain it to you.”
“Alright, thank you, Brother Wei…”
…
One incense stick’s time later.
Qiu Yun looked at Li Yang sitting opposite her and asked softly, “Young Master Li, did you understand? Should I explain it again?”
“I understand,”
Li Yang frowned, “But I really don’t see what’s so fun about this.”
Qiu Yun covered her mouth and laughed, “You’ll understand once you play a round.”
“Really?”
Li Yang was skeptical but nodded, “Alright, I’ll play a round.”
“This way, Young Master…”
…
Another incense stick’s time later.
Wang Er had already loaded the gifts onto the carriage, while Wei Changtian found Li Yang in the pavilion, engrossed in the game.
“Brother Li, we can go now.”
“Huh?”
Li Yang turned his head, looking excited, “Brother Wei, wait a moment! Let me finish this round!”
“Boom!”
“Three with one!!”
“Hahahaha, can’t beat that, can you? I only have three cards left!”
Wei Changtian: “…”
Seeing Li Yang’s enthusiastic expression, Wei Changtian couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. This card game he invented was clearly addictive.
It seemed that no matter the world, some forms of entertainment were universally appealing.