I Just Wanted To Live but I Somehow Became Better Than the Protagonist

“Ye family, Ye Wen, here to pay respects to His Majesty,” he declared, though he had a good relationship with the Emperor of the Great Zhou Dynasty, the formalities still had to be observed.

Upon hearing it was someone from the Ye family, the guards’ expressions softened considerably, and soon a designated minister came forth to greet them.

The minister was slightly plump, with a serene countenance, dressed appropriately.

Welcoming carries several layers of meaning. First, to confirm the true identity of the visitor. Second, to ensure there are no suspicious figures aboard the ship. Third, only after confirming identity and the absence of any dubious characters does the genuine welcoming commence.

The guards were young, their cultivation not particularly high; many powerful beings of the Great Zhou Dynasty had reached the Transformation stage, yet it was impossible for them to have encountered every one of them. The minister who came to greet them was different—centuries old, a Nascent Soul, and an old friend of His Majesty. Though he had not visited the imperial capital in two hundred years, Ye Wen’s appearance had not changed, and the minister recognized him immediately.

“Lord Ye Wen! It has been a long time!” The minister swept his gaze over Ye Wen with spiritual eyes—not out of offense, but to ensure he wasn’t wearing a human skin mask. Ye Wen understood this.

“It has indeed been a while. You must be Liu Xi, if I recall correctly?”

“Indeed! To think Lord Ye Wen remembers me! I am truly fortunate, immensely honored!” Setting aside the background of the Ye family and the disparity in their cultivation levels, just the fact that he was an old friend of His Majesty was enough for Liu Xi to shower him with praise.

Ye Wen showed little expression; there were many who fawned over him: “Though it is quite late, could you take me to see His Majesty?”

“Of course! His Majesty will surely be delighted to know of your visit.” Liu Xi stepped onto the flying vessel, having noticed Ye Yong earlier—a striking figure who seemed to radiate light, impossible to miss even for a blind man.

“Could this be…?” Liu Xi, perceptive as he was, quickly guessed Ye Yong’s identity. However, as a minister, he had to speak with subtlety; knowing the answer didn’t mean he could state it outright—ambiguity was preferable.

“I am Ye Yong, a junior.” Ye Yong performed a respectful gesture typical among cultivators.

“Indeed, it is Young Master Ye Yong!” Liu Xi hurriedly returned the gesture, then proceeded to shower Ye Yong with compliments, praising his youthful achievements and courteous demeanor, and so on.

Qin Shiming had already dispelled her aura-enhancing artifact; here in the imperial city, she maintained a “low profile.” It was easy to be mistaken for someone with ulterior motives. After introducing herself to Liu Xi, she too was met with extravagant praise.

At that moment, the flying vessel glided slowly into the palace, guided by soldiers riding spirit beasts. The palace was heavily guarded, with a sentry every five steps and a watch every ten.

Once Liu Xi finished flattering his guests, he shifted his focus to the Fifth Elder of the Blood Flame Sect.

At this moment, the Fifth Elder lay like cargo in a corner of the flying vessel, still in a deep coma.

Though he was gravely injured, a Transformation stage cultivator was not so easily killed. His body, tempered by spiritual energy, was robust enough that even a mid-stage Nascent Soul, without the aid of high-level magical artifacts, might struggle to inflict any harm upon him.

“Who is that?”

“Unknown, but it can be confirmed he is from the Demon Sect, at the third level of Transformation.”

Liu Xi’s slightly plump body jolted; this was serious. He scrutinized the Fifth Elder’s features for a moment, but he did not recognize him. There were countless demon cultivators, and Liu Xi could not possibly know the appearance of every one.

He refrained from asking further, leaving it at that, for when they met His Majesty, Ye Wen would say what needed to be said.

As the welcoming minister, Liu Xi was adept at finding topics of conversation, ensuring the guests did not feel bored. He spoke of recent happenings in the imperial city and amusing tales from the surrounding areas. Before long, the flying vessel, under the guidance of the soldiers, arrived at a grand hall.

—

One by one, they descended, and Ye Wen stowed away the flying vessel as they stepped into the grand hall.

The hall, designed to host guests, was a perfect manifestation of royal aesthetics and wealth, its environment speaking volumes without need for words.

Liu Xi had already informed the imperial kitchen with a sound stone, and no sooner had Ye Yong and the others taken their seats than an array of exquisite dishes and fine wines was laid before them.

“The Emperor will arrive shortly. For those who have traveled far, please enjoy some refreshments.”

About ten minutes later, a voice announced the Emperor’s arrival from outside. In strode a man clad in a dragon robe, appearing to be of similar age to Ye Wen, around thirty, his brow exuding an imperial aura. Following him were several high-ranking officials.

Liu Xi and the surrounding attendants quickly knelt in reverence, welcoming the Emperor and his ministers.

Ye Wen rose, offering a slight bow, as did Ye Yong and Qin Shidream. As members of a cultivation family, they were not technically subjects of the Great Zhou Dynasty and were not required to perform grand gestures of respect.

Each noble family held its own territory, and the same went for sects. The Great Zhou Dynasty, existing above the kingdoms, did not truly govern a third of the Eastern Continent as claimed; the continent was vast, and even a third of it housed countless nations, sects, and families. How could the dynasty possibly manage such a multitude? It had emerged from the era of kingdoms, its long history and deep roots allowing it to rise to prominence millennia ago, becoming a dynasty that offered protection to smaller kingdoms, families, and sects, solving troubles that could not be resolved otherwise—like a big brother shielding his younger siblings.

Families like the Ye, with no lack of Transformation Realm experts but an abundance of Divine Transformation masters, clearly surpassed the overall strength of the Great Zhou Dynasty. The dynasty had no right to shield the Ye family; even the Qin family’s strength barely matched it. Ye Yong and the others performed minor gestures of respect, and none dared to voice dissent.

“What brings you here today? Choosing to come at dawn, no less.” Zhou Suren regarded Ye Wen. Though his expression was stern and his tone cold, those familiar with him knew the Emperor was in good spirits.

“I caught a little something and came to trade for some coin.” Ye Wen gestured toward the Fifth Elder, carelessly tossed in a corner.

“Oh?”

Without needing Zhou Suren to say a word, a Divine Transformation official swiftly seized the Fifth Elder and brought him before the Emperor.

There were officials specifically tasked with identification, and the moment one recognized the Fifth Elder’s face, an elderly man with white hair exclaimed, “It’s the Fifth Elder of the Blood Flame Sect! Mei Renxing!”

At this revelation, the ministers present collectively gasped.

The Blood Flame Sect, while not a top-tier demonic sect, was perilously close. They had committed a horrifying act, annihilating a major sect with an early-stage Divine Transformation master, refining all disciples into a blood pool.

Demonic sects acted with ruthless hearts, obliterating humanity, doing no good and committing every evil. This alone was enough to trouble the righteous path, but what truly vexed them was the sect’s hidden nature; they remained shrouded in darkness, their base unknown, striking at will.

In terms of overall combat strength, some noble families and kingdoms did not fear demonic sects, but the issue lay in the shadows—they were hidden while you were exposed, striking and fleeing before you could react. Aside from the frustration and impotent rage, all one could do was issue a bounty list. And the Fifth Elder of the Blood Flame Sect was clearly on that list, with a notably high ranking.

—

Old Friends

“How did you manage to capture him when the actions of the Demon Sect are so hidden?” It was not that Zhou Suren doubted Ye Wen’s strength; rather, he found it far more difficult to capture a member of the Demon Sect alive than to kill them. After all, those from the Demon Sect knew that falling into the hands of the righteous would lead to a grim fate, and most would choose to take their own lives. The simplest methods of suicide, aside from poison, were self-detonation.