Evil Mage Cultivation: The Immortal Enslavement Path Chapter 61

Under the night sky, the devil offered his deal to the heroine.

"Going out?" Luo Lan asked, confused. What did he mean by that? Was it really what she thought it was?

"I mean dating. Officially," Wu Han said. "Like becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. Something like an engagement, but unofficial."

He paused, then his eyes lit up as another idea struck him.

"Wait. Maybe we should make it official too. We can ask permission from your father."

If it went that far, then she would be his. Officially.

"Why?" Luo Lan’s heart trembled. "You mean... like lovers?"

"Yeah." Wu Han nodded. "You get it, right?"

Even as innocent as Luo Lan was, this was something she understood.

For a moment, her heart stopped.

Her? Having a real lover?

She had been engaged once, to Wu Han’s cousin, Wu Yaoshi. That had been nothing more than a repayment of a blood debt their families owed each other. A ceremony at most. No feelings involved.

Then there was the second time, when the elders informed her that a prince from the imperial family had taken interest in her. She had been given no choice in that either.

But here.

Right now.

She could choose whether she wanted this or not.

That was the cruel part.

The man asking her was someone who planned to wipe out her home.

Her town. Everyone in it.

"I can’t. Not with someone like you."

Luo Lan shoved him away and scrambled to her feet, forcing herself to stand.

"Aren’t you curious why I’m going to kill everyone?"

His question made her stop.

He walked toward her slowly.

"And what kind of man could come up with such an absurd idea?"

His words made her hesitate.

He was a liar. A pretender. A mass murderer in the making.

And yet... he had a point.

If he were truly nothing but evil, why go to such lengths to convince her? Why bother asking at all?

"Good and evil are social constructs," Wu Han said, seeing the confusion on her face.

"If you think about killing your elders, then by that logic, you’re evil too."

"I... am I?"

Luo Lan had thought about it before. Killing the elders. Running away. They had used her like a mule, forced her into relentless training, carved her life into a tool.

Sometimes, she had imagined gambling away her remaining days just to taste freedom once.

Freedom...

"Learn about me, and you’ll see what true freedom looks like," Wu Han said. "Or you can stay chained to what you were born into and never feel it."

His voice softened slightly. This was not a threat. It was an offer.

"Even if you refuse, I’ll still heal you. Going out with me is just a bonus."

Luo Lan fell silent.

She thought about her life up to this point.

She thought about how being obedient, being good, had led her here.

She reached a conclusion.

"If being good will only lead me to death," she said quietly, "then I will accept your offer."

Wu Han smiled.

It was the happiest smile she had ever seen on anyone.

Her heart skipped a beat.

So that’s what a genuine smile looks like?

"Then let’s go back," Wu Han said lightly. "And announce the good news."

Back at the Luo clan.

"Marriage?!!"

Every elder, including Luo Chen, shot to their feet. None of them could believe what they had just heard.

"Yes," Wu Han said calmly. "After talking for some time, I decided to continue the engagement my cousin failed to uphold. And she agreed."

"D-Did you?" Luo Chen’s voice faltered.

Before this, Luo Lan had only agreed to marry Wu Yaoshi because she believed her days were numbered. It had been a repayment of a blood debt her grandfather owed to the Wu clan warriors.

They had once fought together against a beast tide in the north.

But now, that debt no longer existed.

The destruction of the Wu clan had already been confirmed. Wu Han was practically without family, little more than a wanderer.

"Yes, Father," Luo Lan said quietly but firmly. "I’ve decided."

"Nonsense!" Luo Fai snapped. "You’re already engaged to the Third Prince. You can’t do this!"

"Calm down," Luo Phen said suddenly, cutting her off. "The Miracle Doctor’s disciple must have an explanation. Let us hear it first."

He looked at Wu Han with expectation, as if waiting for something.

"Thank you, sir," Wu Han replied politely.

He stepped forward as the hall was sealed shut.

"We all know her condition is at a critical stage," Wu Han began. "Even my master, with all his ability, cannot permanently cure her."

"Really?" Luo Chen’s face drained of color.

When Zhong had eased his daughter’s condition, it had felt like a blind man who had spent his life digging through stone had finally seen sunlight.

Now it felt as if the tunnel had collapsed, trapping him back in darkness.

"Yes. But—"

Wu Han paused, then continued with calm confidence.

"While a full cure is impossible for now, as long as someone with my skill remains at her side, I can prolong her life indefinitely."

The words sent shockwaves through the room.

Everyone reacted.

Except Luo Lan.

She knew it was a lie.

And yet, she chose to remain silent.

"And since then, my master encouraged me to visit this place and try getting along with her," Wu Han continued.

He took Luo Lan’s hand, holding it firmly.

She could feel it immediately. The words were false, but the intent in his grip was real.

"And it turns out, we have a lot in common."

Wu Han smiled as he looked at her. By now, he understood her personality and her way of thinking better than anyone else in that room.

"I grew up as the eldest grandson," he said. "All I ever wanted was to be happy. I know my past is stained with many things, but I swear I changed after meeting my master."

He tightened his hold slightly.

"And after she told me about her life... I decided I’m willing to spend my entire life with her."

He spoke without hesitation.

"And someday, I will find a way to cure her."

A lie, that is.

"Fools!" Luo Bo shouted. "This isn’t about your feelings. This is a deal with the imperial family. Can you take responsibility for that?"

"I can’t," Wu Han replied. His expression was stern and unyielding. "But we can run."

"Junior, you dare!?" Luo Bo roared.

He unleashed the full might of his ninth-stage cultivation, a crushing force that surged through the hall.

It lasted less than a breath.

Luo Chen’s aura descended like a mountain.

Luo Bo was slammed back into his seat, unable to lift his head, his body pinned by overwhelming pressure.

"Are you really that determined?" Luo Chen asked.

The question was not meant for Wu Han.

It was for his daughter.

"Yes, Father."

Luo Lan’s voice wavered, but she did not look away.

She loved him. She truly did.

But she had already chosen.

She wanted to live.

And now, she finally began to understand his view.

If she accepted what was waiting for her, she would become just a thing.

Something carried along by the world.

As much as she hated to admit it, saying no to the elders felt... good.

"You— you whore!!" Luo Fai screamed, trembling with rage.

"You think you can just leave us like this?!"