Originally posted on RBKTR Translations.
Author: The One Who Tells Stories Under the Bridge (天桥底下说书的).
Translated by: Yujuan
Each Betrothal Day, the Demon Lord would call up the most remarkable dancers to perform at his banquet – tonight was not an exception. With various jewellery obtained from the Demonic Palace’s treasury decorating the hall, the place glittered as they walked through the passage, so dazzling some were practically unable to keep their eyes open.
With the Demon Empress’ invitation, the two rested for a bit within the palace before following the crowds to the banquet once it started. Secretly making a quick sweep through the crowds, Ji Mo found Su Ge, who had been ignoring the Demon Lord all this while. He had also brought Qing Ye along with him as his attendant.
Qing Ye was merely a divine attendant, and someone with such a temperament was truly unsuited for dealing with this group of foxes. In the ordinary course of events, he shouldn’t have come to this event. Ji Mo didn’t know what Su Ge was planning, and secretly kept an eye out for him.
Ye Junhou’s ability was called the Heavenly Demon’s Bloodline, and in the novel The Legend of Darkness, the Heavenly Demons used their lineage to lead the numerous demons in the Desolate Chasm. They would arrive in the human world every century and bring ruin to the kingdoms on land, one after another – an ability truly suited for a villain.
The novel was far from being completed when Ji Mo was summoned to this world, with many secrets yet to be unraveled. All he knew about Ye Junhou was that he was a mixed descendant of a Heavenly Demon and a human from the modern times. After transmigrating, he was hunted down by humans due to the demonic scent on him. Backed into a corner, he awakened his bloodline and set off down the road to enslave humans ever since then. From a storyline perspective, the current Ye Junhou had gone through a similar experience, with different settings.
However, Ye Junhou’s price for awakening his bloodline in the novel was to completely sacrifice his human heart and emotions, becoming a genuinely cruel and merciless devil who only led a life of pleasure. There was still a slight gap between him and that. At the very least, Ji Mo was certain that a Ye Junhou under demonic influence wouldn’t spare a thought for his wife, nor allow a human to dine with him.
While Su Ge had come to the banquet, he was still acting standoffish towards Ye Junhou. In comparison, Chang Hui was constantly making small talk with the guests, and after a round of wine, smiled at Ye Junhou, “A stunning beauty has emerged in the Monster Continent of late, granted the title of North Sea Saintess by the Monster King after witnessing her pure heart and spirit. The Demon Prince is almost of age, would His Majesty be interested in arranging a fine marriage?”
If the two Continents were to be allied, a marriage of convenience would be the best guarantee. Ye Junhou had only one son who was still unmarried to this day, it was quite normal for the Monster Continent to set their sights on him. Ye Po was now sixteen years old, an age where one would be most curious about the opposite sex, but marrying a spirit was something a little out of the ordinary. Hearing this, he looked hesitantly at his most respected Royal Father.
Ye Junhou had no reason to refuse an offer of marriage from the Monster Continent, but when he glanced at his son’s expression, he placed down his cup and said casually, “What use for a wife does he have at this age? We’ll talk about it when he meets someone he likes.”
Never expecting to be rejected so directly, Chang Hui raised an eyebrow, “Your Majesty, that’s an odd thing for you to say.”
Everyone knew just how much the Demon Lord loved beautiful women, no one would believe it if a man with a large harem said that there was no rush for his son to marry.
Ye Junhou caught on to the sarcasm in his words. Since it was the truth, there was no reason to care, so he said with all his usual arrogance, “Piss off, don’t push all the ladies onto my son, come at this old man instead!”
Negotiating with Ye Junhou truly wasn’t a great experience. This was someone who did not know any formalities, who could even chop a visiting emissary into pieces when he was in a bad mood. And so, facing this rude and unreasonable answer, Chang Hui replied with a business-like attitude, “Since that is what His Majesty requests, we will respectfully present you with the Monster Continent’s most beautiful fox spirit tonight.”
The Demon Lord would never refuse a woman presented to him. In any case his blood had the ability of absolute control, no matter who it was, anyone who signed a blood contract with him would become his servant. In the end, he was free to do whatever he wanted.
But today, he secretly glanced at the woman sitting elegantly like a piece of fine jade beside him. Even after hearing such words, the Demon Empress looked completely unaffected, as if she had long since become used to this sort of thing.
Seeing her like this, Ye Junhou felt a little irked, but also felt that it was weird to be losing his temper about this, so he could only take out his anger on Chang Hui’s clone, saying disgustedly, “As long as you don’t come dressed up as a woman, if you ever offend my eyes again I swear I’ll break your legs!”
Hearing these words, Chang Hui tightened his grip around his wine glass, and said with a cold smile, “Surely you jest, Your Majesty. While the Shrine is full of cutsleeves and hundred-year-old virgins, I am already married. Naturally, I would have absolutely no interest in you.”
Chang Hui was eager to drag the others down with him, but Su Ge looked as cool-headed as ever. After all, God had once declared that all true wizards were virgins[1].
In comparison, Ji Mo was not as composed, as he had just been in the middle of peeling a tangerine for Ye Mingjun. Silently throwing the tangerine peels onto the table, he only had one thought in his mind— He was just peeling tangerines, not stripping Ye Mingjun’s clothes, how was this considered being a cutsleeve?
Wait a minute, why did he have to peel tangerines for Ye Mingjun? Because the immortal had spontaneously handed him a tangerine? Why did he have to peel something just because this person gave it to him, this didn’t make any sense!
Coming to a sudden realization he seemed to be responding to every single of the immortal’s requests without question, Ji Mo could almost sense the thick gay energy exuding out of the fruit. He then shoved the already-peeled tangerine into Ye Mingjun’s hand, saying indifferently, “Xianjun, you should peel the tangerines yourself next time.”
Hearing this, Ye Mingjun blinked innocently, “I wanted you to eat it.”
It was then that Ji Mo realized there was such an option. So, was he really alright, when his first reaction was to peel a tangerine for Ye Mingjun? Under normal circumstances, would a straight man really respond like that?
Just when Ji Mo tragically realized that he had become a Schrödinger’s straight man, a tangerine clove was suddenly placed near his lips. Lifting his head, he saw Ye Mingjun gazing at him, eyes filled with a glimmer of a smile. He asked gently, “Is it tasty?”
Opening his mouth to ingest it, his tongue inadvertently bumped into the immortal’s fingertips. Ji Mo turned away a little uneasily, subconsciously avoiding Ye Mingjun’s gaze, though he thought inwardly, The Demonic Palace’s tangerines are quite sweet.
Their actions were naturally observed by Ye Junhou, who felt his teeth ache each time he saw these two joined at the hip. Scrutinizing the plate of fruit in front of him, he leaned against his throne, placing his head on the Empress’ shoulder and said distastefully, “I can’t stand this pair of cutsleeves, who doesn’t have any tangerines to eat?”
Everyone was already used to his indolent attitude, and at this moment, the outside world lit up with fireworks. Following the sound of crackling, a gorgeous display of fireworks filled the night sky, illuminating the palace beneath it. Looking serenely at this beautiful exhibition brought by great craftsmanship, and as if she hadn’t heard what he said, the Demon Empress urged politely, “Actually, His Majesty does not need to go to such extravagant lengths for me.”
Alright then, he had no tangerines to eat!
Wait, no, who said he didn’t? He’d peel it himself!
Finally accepting things as they were, the Demon Lord indignantly lifted his hand, and all the fruits in the plate were cut into neat pieces by his tyrannical demonic energy, looking so much better than the tangerine Ji Mo had peeled himself. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he had lost all appetite, and with a dull wave of his hand, sent the plate of fruits flying to Ye Po’s table, “Son, eat more fruit.”
Not many had the luxury of eating the fruits personally cut by the Demon Lord. Ye Po was overjoyed, “Thank you, Father.”
Ye Junhou instantly felt much better upon seeing his son’s smile, and glancing at the Demon Empress, who looked as frigid as ever, he sighed helplessly, “Do you have to make such a fuss, just for a bunch of people who tried to kill me? It’s been thirty years since you addressed me by my name.”
This was a topic they hadn’t touched upon in the many years they had been distant with each other, and the Demon Empress rarely responded whenever such similar topics were brought up in the past. However, considering this might be the last time facing this question, she answered softly, “My family has never tried to persecute His Majesty.”
He hadn’t expected her to still remember those who had already passed on; Ye Junhou’s eyes instantly flashed with killing intent. Heavenly Demons were masters of the Desolate Chasm, and absolutely no one was allowed to question his decisions, only death to those who resisted. Although his innermost being was crying out, his reason told him that this woman couldn’t be killed.
Secretly suppressing his demonic blood which was boiling with anger at the offense, a trace of annoyance flashed across his face, “They were the Fei Kingdom’s loyal subjects who wished to be buried along with a good-for-nothing Emperor, how could I possibly stop them?”
You naturally couldn’t stop them. If not for your men murdering and pillaging the city, my Cheng clansmen wouldn’t have burned along with tens of thousands of our precious books lest they fall into the hands of robbers.
“Cheng Shuang, you are a traitor to the Fei Kingdom!”
As she thought of the patriarch’s furious cry just before he committed suicide on that night filled with flames, the Demon Empress silently gripped her fist.
She had known early on that the two of them was gradually growing apart, and the Ye Junhou of today was a cold-blooded man, who paid no mind to anyone other than himself. She was the person who understood him the most, but the more she knew him, the more he became unfamiliar. As time went on, she had unwittingly let go of any notion of reconciling with him.
She was very good at enduring, and since she had endured this for thirty years, she would naturally hold back on this very last day. At last, she respectfully chose not to argue, “I was rude, begging His Majesty’s pardon.”
“Forget it. Back in the days when the Fei Kingdom was going around hunting down Celestials, I would have died long ago if not for you. I have something good to show you tonight, it’ll definitely be something you like.”
Seeing her back down, Ye Junhou had no reason to continue talking about the past. He wasn’t sure if he would still be able to restrain himself if he was provoked any further, since he had never been much of a Demon Lord who knew tolerance or restraint.
He did not notice, however, the shift in the Empress’ expression upon hearing these words. Carefully pondering upon the hidden information in his words, she spoke blandly, “Is it a treasure from the Monster Continent? It isn’t easy to handle their requests.”
“While I don’t quite see eye-to-eye with that white donkey, the conditions he placed this time around were pretty convincing.”
Seeing her express some sort of concern for him, Ye Junhou’s expression became a little better. Thinking that there was no need to get angry with his own wife, he consoled her,
“That pigeon has always been an indecisive guy, and as long as that stubborn donkey Ren Qingya doesn’t come here in person, a single Chang Hui won’t be able to cause much trouble.”
Ever since he awakened his demonic side, he had lost his heart, he was no longer affected by the numerous cries of the people. It could even be said that he felt a little amused by the pitiful sight of such people. The more his cultivation improved, the more he grew into a demon, and he would become increasingly cruel and merciless as time went on.
But he still had his memories, he knew that this was the woman he used to love the most. While he had forgotten what sort of emotion it was, he knew that this woman loved him deeply, which was why he did his best to treat her well according to pieces of his memories.
But even if he no longer possessed any emotions, he thought that she might be a little happier with a son. So why did she always treat Ye Po so indifferently, why were women so troublesome?
A demon would never lie to himself, Ye Junhou clearly knew that he could only be happier by pillaging more cities and occupying more women. But whenever he was with Cheng Shuang, not only was he unable to gain any sort of sexual pleasure, he was constantly being angered by this woman’s words. It was a truly hollow feeling.
He didn’t know why he just had to keep this woman by his side. Was it because he hadn’t eliminated all of his human emotions when he awakened his demonic side? Or perhaps, it was because he just wanted to eat a single tangerine?
Smiling with slight irony, he suddenly recalled the terms given by the Monster Continent, and leaned lazily against the magnificent marten coat on the throne, saying dully to this troublesome woman, “I have some business to attend to tonight, I might be back late. You can go to sleep without me if you’re tired.”
The Demon Empress knew what he was about to do, and had already disclosed his movements to the Shrine ahead to time. She thought, if things went according to plan, this might be the last conversation to be had between the two of them. Although she had decided to give up sixteen years ago, she couldn’t help but gaze fixedly at him on this very last day. The man’s features had not changed much from when they had first met, and it was a shame his heart was no longer the same as before.
“Your Majesty, it’s cold outside, you should put on a few more layers when you go out.”
In the end, what came out of her mouth was a phrase like any other, something she commonly said to him in the past, which had not been spoken in the past thirty years.
TL Notes
[1]
God had once declared that all true wizards were virgins – refers to the 30-year-old virgin wizard internet legend where a person will become a ‘wizard’ if they are a virgin for 30 years.
Originally posted on RBKTR Translations.
Author: The One Who Tells Stories Under the Bridge (天桥底下说书的).
Translated by: Yujuan
Each Betrothal Day, the Demon Lord would call up the most remarkable dancers to perform at his banquet – tonight was not an exception. With various jewellery obtained from the Demonic Palace’s treasury decorating the hall, the place glittered as they walked through the passage, so dazzling some were practically unable to keep their eyes open.
With the Demon Empress’ invitation, the two rested for a bit within the palace before following the crowds to the banquet once it started. Secretly making a quick sweep through the crowds, Ji Mo found Su Ge, who had been ignoring the Demon Lord all this while. He had also brought Qing Ye along with him as his attendant.
Qing Ye was merely a divine attendant, and someone with such a temperament was truly unsuited for dealing with this group of foxes. In the ordinary course of events, he shouldn’t have come to this event. Ji Mo didn’t know what Su Ge was planning, and secretly kept an eye out for him.
Ye Junhou’s ability was called the Heavenly Demon’s Bloodline, and in the novel The Legend of Darkness, the Heavenly Demons used their lineage to lead the numerous demons in the Desolate Chasm. They would arrive in the human world every century and bring ruin to the kingdoms on land, one after another – an ability truly suited for a villain.
The novel was far from being completed when Ji Mo was summoned to this world, with many secrets yet to be unraveled. All he knew about Ye Junhou was that he was a mixed descendant of a Heavenly Demon and a human from the modern times. After transmigrating, he was hunted down by humans due to the demonic scent on him. Backed into a corner, he awakened his bloodline and set off down the road to enslave humans ever since then. From a storyline perspective, the current Ye Junhou had gone through a similar experience, with different settings.
However, Ye Junhou’s price for awakening his bloodline in the novel was to completely sacrifice his human heart and emotions, becoming a genuinely cruel and merciless devil who only led a life of pleasure. There was still a slight gap between him and that. At the very least, Ji Mo was certain that a Ye Junhou under demonic influence wouldn’t spare a thought for his wife, nor allow a human to dine with him.
While Su Ge had come to the banquet, he was still acting standoffish towards Ye Junhou. In comparison, Chang Hui was constantly making small talk with the guests, and after a round of wine, smiled at Ye Junhou, “A stunning beauty has emerged in the Monster Continent of late, granted the title of North Sea Saintess by the Monster King after witnessing her pure heart and spirit. The Demon Prince is almost of age, would His Majesty be interested in arranging a fine marriage?”
If the two Continents were to be allied, a marriage of convenience would be the best guarantee. Ye Junhou had only one son who was still unmarried to this day, it was quite normal for the Monster Continent to set their sights on him. Ye Po was now sixteen years old, an age where one would be most curious about the opposite sex, but marrying a spirit was something a little out of the ordinary. Hearing this, he looked hesitantly at his most respected Royal Father.
Ye Junhou had no reason to refuse an offer of marriage from the Monster Continent, but when he glanced at his son’s expression, he placed down his cup and said casually, “What use for a wife does he have at this age? We’ll talk about it when he meets someone he likes.”
Never expecting to be rejected so directly, Chang Hui raised an eyebrow, “Your Majesty, that’s an odd thing for you to say.”
Everyone knew just how much the Demon Lord loved beautiful women, no one would believe it if a man with a large harem said that there was no rush for his son to marry.
Ye Junhou caught on to the sarcasm in his words. Since it was the truth, there was no reason to care, so he said with all his usual arrogance, “Piss off, don’t push all the ladies onto my son, come at this old man instead!”
Negotiating with Ye Junhou truly wasn’t a great experience. This was someone who did not know any formalities, who could even chop a visiting emissary into pieces when he was in a bad mood. And so, facing this rude and unreasonable answer, Chang Hui replied with a business-like attitude, “Since that is what His Majesty requests, we will respectfully present you with the Monster Continent’s most beautiful fox spirit tonight.”
The Demon Lord would never refuse a woman presented to him. In any case his blood had the ability of absolute control, no matter who it was, anyone who signed a blood contract with him would become his servant. In the end, he was free to do whatever he wanted.
But today, he secretly glanced at the woman sitting elegantly like a piece of fine jade beside him. Even after hearing such words, the Demon Empress looked completely unaffected, as if she had long since become used to this sort of thing.
Seeing her like this, Ye Junhou felt a little irked, but also felt that it was weird to be losing his temper about this, so he could only take out his anger on Chang Hui’s clone, saying disgustedly, “As long as you don’t come dressed up as a woman, if you ever offend my eyes again I swear I’ll break your legs!”
Hearing these words, Chang Hui tightened his grip around his wine glass, and said with a cold smile, “Surely you jest, Your Majesty. While the Shrine is full of cutsleeves and hundred-year-old virgins, I am already married. Naturally, I would have absolutely no interest in you.”
Chang Hui was eager to drag the others down with him, but Su Ge looked as cool-headed as ever. After all, God had once declared that all true wizards were virgins[1].
In comparison, Ji Mo was not as composed, as he had just been in the middle of peeling a tangerine for Ye Mingjun. Silently throwing the tangerine peels onto the table, he only had one thought in his mind— He was just peeling tangerines, not stripping Ye Mingjun’s clothes, how was this considered being a cutsleeve?
Wait a minute, why did he have to peel tangerines for Ye Mingjun? Because the immortal had spontaneously handed him a tangerine? Why did he have to peel something just because this person gave it to him, this didn’t make any sense!
Coming to a sudden realization he seemed to be responding to every single of the immortal’s requests without question, Ji Mo could almost sense the thick gay energy exuding out of the fruit. He then shoved the already-peeled tangerine into Ye Mingjun’s hand, saying indifferently, “Xianjun, you should peel the tangerines yourself next time.”
Hearing this, Ye Mingjun blinked innocently, “I wanted you to eat it.”
It was then that Ji Mo realized there was such an option. So, was he really alright, when his first reaction was to peel a tangerine for Ye Mingjun? Under normal circumstances, would a straight man really respond like that?
Just when Ji Mo tragically realized that he had become a Schrödinger’s straight man, a tangerine clove was suddenly placed near his lips. Lifting his head, he saw Ye Mingjun gazing at him, eyes filled with a glimmer of a smile. He asked gently, “Is it tasty?”
Opening his mouth to ingest it, his tongue inadvertently bumped into the immortal’s fingertips. Ji Mo turned away a little uneasily, subconsciously avoiding Ye Mingjun’s gaze, though he thought inwardly, The Demonic Palace’s tangerines are quite sweet.
Their actions were naturally observed by Ye Junhou, who felt his teeth ache each time he saw these two joined at the hip. Scrutinizing the plate of fruit in front of him, he leaned against his throne, placing his head on the Empress’ shoulder and said distastefully, “I can’t stand this pair of cutsleeves, who doesn’t have any tangerines to eat?”
Everyone was already used to his indolent attitude, and at this moment, the outside world lit up with fireworks. Following the sound of crackling, a gorgeous display of fireworks filled the night sky, illuminating the palace beneath it. Looking serenely at this beautiful exhibition brought by great craftsmanship, and as if she hadn’t heard what he said, the Demon Empress urged politely, “Actually, His Majesty does not need to go to such extravagant lengths for me.”
Alright then, he had no tangerines to eat!
Wait, no, who said he didn’t? He’d peel it himself!
Finally accepting things as they were, the Demon Lord indignantly lifted his hand, and all the fruits in the plate were cut into neat pieces by his tyrannical demonic energy, looking so much better than the tangerine Ji Mo had peeled himself. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he had lost all appetite, and with a dull wave of his hand, sent the plate of fruits flying to Ye Po’s table, “Son, eat more fruit.”
Not many had the luxury of eating the fruits personally cut by the Demon Lord. Ye Po was overjoyed, “Thank you, Father.”
Ye Junhou instantly felt much better upon seeing his son’s smile, and glancing at the Demon Empress, who looked as frigid as ever, he sighed helplessly, “Do you have to make such a fuss, just for a bunch of people who tried to kill me? It’s been thirty years since you addressed me by my name.”
This was a topic they hadn’t touched upon in the many years they had been distant with each other, and the Demon Empress rarely responded whenever such similar topics were brought up in the past. However, considering this might be the last time facing this question, she answered softly, “My family has never tried to persecute His Majesty.”
He hadn’t expected her to still remember those who had already passed on; Ye Junhou’s eyes instantly flashed with killing intent. Heavenly Demons were masters of the Desolate Chasm, and absolutely no one was allowed to question his decisions, only death to those who resisted. Although his innermost being was crying out, his reason told him that this woman couldn’t be killed.
Secretly suppressing his demonic blood which was boiling with anger at the offense, a trace of annoyance flashed across his face, “They were the Fei Kingdom’s loyal subjects who wished to be buried along with a good-for-nothing Emperor, how could I possibly stop them?”
You naturally couldn’t stop them. If not for your men murdering and pillaging the city, my Cheng clansmen wouldn’t have burned along with tens of thousands of our precious books lest they fall into the hands of robbers.
“Cheng Shuang, you are a traitor to the Fei Kingdom!”
As she thought of the patriarch’s furious cry just before he committed suicide on that night filled with flames, the Demon Empress silently gripped her fist.
She had known early on that the two of them was gradually growing apart, and the Ye Junhou of today was a cold-blooded man, who paid no mind to anyone other than himself. She was the person who understood him the most, but the more she knew him, the more he became unfamiliar. As time went on, she had unwittingly let go of any notion of reconciling with him.
She was very good at enduring, and since she had endured this for thirty years, she would naturally hold back on this very last day. At last, she respectfully chose not to argue, “I was rude, begging His Majesty’s pardon.”
“Forget it. Back in the days when the Fei Kingdom was going around hunting down Celestials, I would have died long ago if not for you. I have something good to show you tonight, it’ll definitely be something you like.”
Seeing her back down, Ye Junhou had no reason to continue talking about the past. He wasn’t sure if he would still be able to restrain himself if he was provoked any further, since he had never been much of a Demon Lord who knew tolerance or restraint.
He did not notice, however, the shift in the Empress’ expression upon hearing these words. Carefully pondering upon the hidden information in his words, she spoke blandly, “Is it a treasure from the Monster Continent? It isn’t easy to handle their requests.”
“While I don’t quite see eye-to-eye with that white donkey, the conditions he placed this time around were pretty convincing.”
Seeing her express some sort of concern for him, Ye Junhou’s expression became a little better. Thinking that there was no need to get angry with his own wife, he consoled her,
“That pigeon has always been an indecisive guy, and as long as that stubborn donkey Ren Qingya doesn’t come here in person, a single Chang Hui won’t be able to cause much trouble.”
Ever since he awakened his demonic side, he had lost his heart, he was no longer affected by the numerous cries of the people. It could even be said that he felt a little amused by the pitiful sight of such people. The more his cultivation improved, the more he grew into a demon, and he would become increasingly cruel and merciless as time went on.
But he still had his memories, he knew that this was the woman he used to love the most. While he had forgotten what sort of emotion it was, he knew that this woman loved him deeply, which was why he did his best to treat her well according to pieces of his memories.
But even if he no longer possessed any emotions, he thought that she might be a little happier with a son. So why did she always treat Ye Po so indifferently, why were women so troublesome?
A demon would never lie to himself, Ye Junhou clearly knew that he could only be happier by pillaging more cities and occupying more women. But whenever he was with Cheng Shuang, not only was he unable to gain any sort of sexual pleasure, he was constantly being angered by this woman’s words. It was a truly hollow feeling.
He didn’t know why he just had to keep this woman by his side. Was it because he hadn’t eliminated all of his human emotions when he awakened his demonic side? Or perhaps, it was because he just wanted to eat a single tangerine?
Smiling with slight irony, he suddenly recalled the terms given by the Monster Continent, and leaned lazily against the magnificent marten coat on the throne, saying dully to this troublesome woman, “I have some business to attend to tonight, I might be back late. You can go to sleep without me if you’re tired.”
The Demon Empress knew what he was about to do, and had already disclosed his movements to the Shrine ahead to time. She thought, if things went according to plan, this might be the last conversation to be had between the two of them. Although she had decided to give up sixteen years ago, she couldn’t help but gaze fixedly at him on this very last day. The man’s features had not changed much from when they had first met, and it was a shame his heart was no longer the same as before.
“Your Majesty, it’s cold outside, you should put on a few more layers when you go out.”
In the end, what came out of her mouth was a phrase like any other, something she commonly said to him in the past, which had not been spoken in the past thirty years.
TL Notes
[1]
God had once declared that all true wizards were virgins – refers to the 30-year-old virgin wizard internet legend where a person will become a ‘wizard’ if they are a virgin for 30 years.