Hu Sibai dared not go into the city no matter what, so he hid in the mountains.
Xu Liang arrived full of ambition, only to find that this place was a gathering place for scholars and poets from all over the world, with talented people everywhere. He no longer dared to dream of becoming the top scholar, but only hoped to be listed among the successful candidates.
He would occasionally go out of the city to find Hu Sibai, subtly inquiring whether he could help. Hu Sibai didn't understand and said that this matter should be sought from the God of Literature, as he was just a little demon who hadn't even taken human form and was powerless to help.
This shows that Xu Liang has actually changed, or perhaps he changed even earlier.
He often attended literary gatherings among students, and the money he brought was quickly spent. He then went to Hu Sibai for help, and the latter used the same trick to help him capture a wanted criminal.
After the imperial examinations, Xu Liang was not on the list and couldn't help but complain about Hu Sibai's incompetence.
He was reluctant to leave the bustling capital, and he didn't know how he would face his expectant mother and fiancée when he returned, so he stayed there for more than a month.
In his despondency, he heard that the second young lady of the Grand Commandant's family had fallen ill with a strange disease. The imperial physicians were helpless, and the Imperial Preceptor said that a demon's inner elixir was needed as medicine. He had an idea and went to find out what was going on.
I heard that the second young lady was so beautiful that fish could sink and geese could fall from the sky, and that the moon could hide and flowers could blush. Moreover, she was of noble character and pure and elegant, and was known as the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Her father held the high-ranking position of one of the Three Dukes, and her mother was the emperor's younger sister, making her of extremely noble status. However, just as she came of age and was preparing to be married, she suddenly fell ill with this strange disease and became bedridden.
Xu Liang, while remembering Hu Sibai's kindness, was also reluctant to give up the wealth and honor that was within his grasp. After much hesitation, he decided to stay in the capital and wait and see.
The Grand Commandant had only two daughters and one son. He cherished his youngest daughter dearly. When he heard nothing from her for a long time, he became anxious and declared that he would marry his youngest daughter to whoever could offer him the inner core of a demon.
Xu Liang's inner balance was completely tilted. He went to find Hu Sibai, tricked him into drinking some wine, hesitated for a night, and finally endured the pain to draw his knife and cut open his abdomen to remove the pill.
Having lost his inner core, Hu Sibai lost all his demonic power and soon his breath disappeared, turning into ashes.
As for Xu Liang, the Grand Commandant saw that he was not even a tribute student and intended to break off the engagement. Xu Liang was annoyed, but he knew there was no turning back. He could only pretend that he did not dare to aspire to such a high position and left the capital to return to his hometown with heavy thoughts.
When the second young lady woke up, she felt that she could not break her promise, so she sent someone to chase after him and informed him in writing that if he did not marry her, she would be willing to marry him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
