After Transmigrating as the Villain's Subordinate and Rebirthing, I’ve Become a Total Salted Fish - Chapter 2

Xu Xing had just finished packing his meager belongings when a voice sounded from outside the door.

“Sect Leader, the carriage is ready.”

Xu Xing recognized the familiar voice—it was Liang Heng. In his past life, he and Liang Heng were essentially He Sitao’s left and right hands. Though, if he was being honest, he was the one He Sitao favored more!

He Sitao glanced at Xu Xing. “Let’s go.”

Xu Xing hummed in response and followed him out. Once inside the carriage Liang Heng had prepared, Xu Xing leaned back against the cushions with a sense of cozy satisfaction.

Strange, he thought. These cushions are softer than any carriage I’ve ever sat in.

He Sitao entered as well. Noticing Xu Xing’s relaxed posture, he arched an eyebrow. “Is the seat uncomfortable?”

Xu Xing shook his head. “It’s very comfortable.”

Good.

He Sitao withdrew his gaze and signaled toward the outside. The wheels began to turn slowly as the party escorted the carriage toward Luanhe Mountain, the home of the Changtang Sect.

In the martial world, Luanhe Mountain was known as “Ghost Mountain” because of the presence of a “Living Yama”—He Sitao.

The Changtang Sect didn’t exactly have a sterling reputation; they dealt in businesses both “clean” and “dirty.” As long as one could pay the price, anything could be bought there: information, secrets, even lives. For a long time, they were snubbed by both the righteous and demonic factions, until a young He Sitao made a name for himself in a single battle, simultaneously defeating the Saint of the Demonic Cult and the senior disciple of Biluo Mountain.

From then on, the sect’s fame skyrocketed, and business boomed.

In his previous life, Xu Xing was in charge of the “Thousand Machines Branch,” which handled the trade of information. Unlike the brutal business of assassination, selling secrets involved dealing with difficult buyers and sellers. Xu Xing had practically worried himself gray-haired doing that job. Even though he met a tragic end, he considered himself a very responsible “employee.”

He wondered if, in his last life, He Sitao had bothered to avenge him after hearing of his death.

Thinking of this, Xu Xing stole a glance at He Sitao. In the original ending of the book, the Changtang Sect was wiped out by the protagonist’s party, and He Sitao was knocked off a cliff, his fate unknown. He wondered if that was how it ended last time, too.

To describe He Sitao’s looks with Xu Xing’s shallow literary skills: dashing. If it weren’t for his terrifying reputation, women would have been throwing themselves at Luanhe Mountain in droves. Yet, despite having such a face, Xu Xing had never seen He Sitao indulge in a profligate private life. It wasn’t until last night that he realized the man was a cut-sleeve.

No wonder!

He Sitao was resting with his eyes closed. Sensing Xu Xing’s gaze, he opened them.

Xu Xing immediately looked away, feeling guilty. He lifted the window curtain and stared outside. Far-off green mountains rolled by, shrouded in mist.

This was a world of “fast-paced vengeance.” When Xu Xing first arrived, he struggled to adjust. Just as he finally had, he became a victim of that very vengeance. He could only say… you never know which comes first: tomorrow or an accident.

This time, he wanted to live day by day. He didn’t want to work hard to please He Sitao; he just wanted to survive. As for how long he’d last, that was up to God. In modern terms: he was going to “lie flat.”

“It’s still early. Sleep a bit more,” He Sitao suddenly said.

Xu Xing turned to him, realizing he meant there was still a distance to go before they reached Luanhe Mountain. “Oh.”

Seeing him lie down to sleep, He Sitao couldn’t help but ask, “Aren’t you going to ask why I’m bringing you back to the sect?”

Xu Xing: “…I already told the Sect Leader I don’t know how to do anything.”

What else would you bring me back for? To warm the bed! Do I really need to ask? Xu Xing inwardly rolled his eyes, swallowing a bellyful of sarcasm.

He Sitao looked at the silhouette of Xu Xing’s back as he lay on his side. His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he wasn’t angry. “I don’t need you to do anything.”

Xu Xing nodded politely. “Thank you, Sect Leader.”

By the time they reached the base of Luanhe Mountain, disciples had already sent word ahead that the Sect Leader had returned. Outside, Liang Heng rode alongside the carriage with a cold, indifferent expression.

Xu Xing watched him through the window. If he were the Xu Xing of his past life, he would be out there, riding alongside Liang Heng. But this time was different. He was lying inside the carriage.

He glanced at He Sitao, who was still resting. Before long, the carriage stopped, and Liang Heng’s voice drifted in.

“Sect Leader, we’ve arrived.”

He Sitao opened his eyes and stepped out. Xu Xing followed. When his feet hit solid ground, he looked up to see where they were.

Tianya Residence.

Isn’t this He Sitao’s private living quarters?

Two attendants ran out and knelt before He Sitao. “Welcome back, Sect Leader.”

He Sitao: “Take the luggage from the carriage and move it into the main house.”

The luggage? My luggage? Xu Xing grabbed a corner of his bag and looked at He Sitao for confirmation. “Sect Leader, I’m staying here?”

He Sitao nodded. “Mhm.”

He wants me to live with him?

Xu Xing couldn’t process this. This reaction was wrong. Even if he hadn’t “eaten his fill” of Xu Xing yet, shouldn’t he have placed him in some remote courtyard and summoned him when needed? Moving him directly into his own quarters was beyond Xu Xing’s understanding.

“You don’t want to stay here?” Seeing him still clutching his bag, He Sitao frowned.

Xu Xing: “It’s not that…”

“Sect Leader, about this assassination attempt…” Liang Heng leaned in to whisper a report.

He Sitao nodded and looked back at Xu Xing. “Rest in the room for now.” With that, he led Liang Heng away in another direction.

Xu Xing watched them disappear. “Isn’t that the direction of the water dungeon?” He muttered. Probably going to interrogate someone.

The two attendants finished moving the luggage. “Young Master, everything is set. You…” They gestured respectfully toward the house.

Xu Xing knew these two: Sitong and Sanwei. They were He Sitao’s personal attendants. He Sitao hated having too many people in his space, so it had always been just these two.

“What are your names?” Xu Xing pretended not to know them.

“I am Sitong.”

“I am Sanwei.”

Xu Xing nodded and entered the main house. In his past life, he only came here for emergencies. The decor was exactly as he remembered it—spartan and unchanged for years.

“If a jade Ruyi were placed here, and a purple coral there, it would definitely look better,” Xu Xing murmured, pacing the room. In his previous life, his own residence had been the height of luxury. If one is going to be a corporate slave for the Changtang Sect until death, one might as well enjoy some material comforts.

Tianya Residence, by contrast, was so low-key and simple that an outsider wouldn’t believe the Sect Leader lived here. But even when Xu Xing had been “above tens of thousands,” he wouldn’t have dared suggest interior design tips to He Sitao, let alone now as a mere “favorite.”

He took a quick look around, went into the bedroom, cleaned himself up from the journey, changed clothes, and collapsed onto the bed. In his past life, he’d be in the water dungeon right now helping with the interrogation. But today was different.

He was tired. He wanted a nap. In this life, he was a salted fish. He Sitao could forget about exploiting his labor.

When Xu Xing woke up again, the sky outside was dark.

“What time is it?” he asked, but no one answered. He got out of bed and pushed open the door barefoot. He heard faint, shuffling footsteps nearby but no voices.

“Is someone there?” Xu Xing called out.

He Sitao appeared before him almost immediately. “Awake?”

Clearly, He Sitao knew he had been slacking off and sleeping all day. Xu Xing smiled weakly. “Yes. I didn’t know the Sect Leader was back. How rude of me.” He paused. “What’s everyone busy with outside?”

He Sitao said nonchalantly, “Nothing much. Just moving some things.”

Since he said it was nothing, Xu Xing didn’t give it a second thought.

“Hungry?” He Sitao reached out and brushed a finger against Xu Xing’s cheek, like he was petting a cat.

Xu Xing nodded. He was actually starving.

Attendants brought food into the room, and the two ate dinner together. Afterward, Xu Xing assumed He Sitao would go to another room to rest, but the man showed no sign of leaving.

“Where will the Sect Leader be resting tonight?” Xu Xing asked tactfully. He didn’t actually know the layout of the inner rooms.

He Sitao looked at him with an amused, knowing smile. “This is my bedroom.”

No wonder! Xu Xing looked around the room again. No wonder it was bigger than the one he used to use.

“Then I…” Xu Xing looked at him blankly.

He Sitao teased, “I hear that in noble households, the attendants who serve the master sleep on the footstool by the bed.”

Xu Xing looked at the hard, wooden footstool. Is he joking?

He Sitao continued, “Of course, I wouldn’t have the heart to make you sleep on the floor…”

Xu Xing immediately cut in: “Thank you, Sect Leader!” He definitely didn’t want to sleep on the floor.

He Sitao didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, he asked, “Where do you want to sleep?”

Xu Xing followed the path of least resistance: “On the bed.”

Xu Xing had zero experience sharing a bed with anyone in either of his lives. He had spent the last few nights with He Sitao out of pure exhaustion or lack of choice on the road. But now, refreshed by his long afternoon nap, he found himself wide awake with a case of insomnia.

That night, as he turned over for the umpteenth time, a heavy, iron-like hand landed on his waist, locking him in place.

“Can’t sleep?”

The deep voice rumbled right above his head. Xu Xing was almost happy. “Sect Leader, you can’t sleep either?”

See? Sharing a bed causes insomnia! Xu Xing hoped He Sitao would realize this and go find another room.

But the warm breath against his ear told him He Sitao had a very different idea.

“Since you can’t sleep… let’s do something else.”