In the Celestial Realm, at Carefree Pavilion, Qingchen placed the final stone. The game was decided.
Sifan stared at the wreckage of his position and groaned. “Why do you drive me into a dead end every single time?”
“Because your skill is inferior.” Qingchen sipped his tea and tapped the stone table. “Why did you summon me again?”
Sifan sighed. “Some things can be concealed for a while, but they have noticed again.”
“They want you to persuade me?”
“What do you think?”
Everyone in the Celestial Realm knew that Qingchen had become a different man after the demons were destroyed a thousand years ago. He had once possessed some human warmth. Afterward, no one could approach him.
Even when his own master ordered him to release the past, Qingchen merely replied, “Forgive me. I cannot obey.”
“You understand the pain of loss better than I do, don't you?” Qingchen smiled bitterly. “Someone smiles and causes trouble beside you one day, then becomes a corpse the next—nearly vanishing forever.”
Compared with losing her, having his heart carved out and his bones torn free would have been nothing.
Sifan's expression changed. “I did not call you here to persuade you. I only want to remind you that if you have chosen this path, you must prepare completely.”
“The Celestial Realm is not alone in sensing her. The remnants of the Silent Demon lineage are also hunting for her whereabouts.”
“You cannot hide her forever. She must cultivate faster.”
Qingchen only smiled. “You worry more than I do.”
“Let them come and try. I will settle old and new debts together.” Killing intent surfaced in his eyes.
“Put that bloodlust away. My spirit pets cannot bear the fright,” Sifan said, looking helplessly at the suddenly silent birds and beasts.
“My apologies.” Qingchen's face held none.
“Ow! Which wretched demon did that? You nearly killed your grandaunt!”
Ling Wu hauled herself from the ground with one hand on her waist, teeth bared in pain. She angrily kicked the stone that had appeared beneath her feet—and hurt herself even more.
It had begun when she entered the city that morning. Under the principle that dark and windy nights were best for saving lives, she had decided to scout the city by day and practice medicine after sunset.
In truth, the city was livelier during the day, and Ling Wu loved excitement.
Unfortunately, crowded places also bred evil. The moment she sat down at an inn, she noticed something wrong with a waiter. Darkness clouded the space between his brows, his body was gaunt, and his steps weak and floating. He was obviously possessed.
Perhaps it sensed that she was unusual, because the waiter never appeared again.
This was Ling Wu's first encounter with such a thing, and she could not let it escape. Subduing evil earned merit. She had to act.
Guided by a talisman, she chased it all the way beyond the city. Dense trees blocked the light and a sinister wind blew. Though it was noon, cold sank into her bones.
Behind her lay a mass grave.
Yin upon yin. My life is over.
A wise hero did not fight when the odds were poor. Ling Wu decided to handle the plague first, only to be tripped after taking two steps.
Her temper exploded. This insult could not be endured. Today, she would teach the evil creature a lesson.
“Come out! Don't hide there in silence! You have the courage to trip me but not to face your grandaunt? Come out, kowtow twice, and shout, ‘Great Ling Wu, I was wrong!’ Then I may forgive you!”
A sinister laugh drifted from the graveyard.
“What an amusing little Daoist. Weren't you the one who chased me?”
Black vapor gathered and dispersed. The waiter appeared and approached. His face was shriveled, skin stretched over bone without a trace of life. The parasite inside him had drained his essence.
Ling Wu's cultivation was insufficient to tell whether it was demon or ghost.
“Monster! Why come to the mortal realm and harm people?” she demanded with an imposing air.
The waiter sneered. “Do you imagine your pitiful cultivation can defeat me?”
Oh no. It noticed.
Ling Wu maintained her mysterious expression. “I alone am enough to subdue you.”
She immediately drew a prepared talisman and flung it.
“Divine thunder of the Nine Heavens, heed my command. Descend!”
Clouds swallowed the blazing sun. Thunder rolled, and several deafening bolts struck the creature directly.
The mortal shell withered and collapsed. Black vapor flew out and formed a snarling woman. Two ears atop her head revealed a fox demon—though an unusually ugly one.
Clearly, she had not cultivated her appearance with care. Her strength was another matter: the thunder had left her unharmed.
Ling Wu began to worry. Could she truly win?
The fox demon glared. “You dare display such paltry tricks before me? Die!”
Her claws swept viciously. Ling Wu barely dodged the first strike before another came. Gritting her teeth, she used a second talisman to erect a crystalline shield.
The demon could no longer reach her.
Thank goodness she had accepted Eldest Senior Brother's talismans before descending. Her own half-baked craft would already have made her another dead soul.
She could handle ordinary evil, but a demon cultivated for years deserved caution.
Unable to break the shield, the fox demon licked her claws. “I have never seen such a cowardly Daoist. I finally found a body that could contain me, and you destroyed it. Then repay me with yours! Such tender flesh should last much longer. Once I harvest enough yang energy, my cultivation will soar!”
She laughed wildly and chanted. Black energy thickened around her. Her expression was so hideous that her already unimpressive face became unbearable.
As Ling Wu prepared to reinforce the shield, several tails erupted behind the demon.
Tails plus claws—even an immortal would struggle to dodge!
A violent gust swept past. Ling Wu landed gracefully facedown again.
Heaven curse this! My ancient arms and legs!
Perhaps her senior brothers had not merely feared she would embarrass Kunlun. Perhaps they feared she would die outside.
The fox demon smiled more seductively. “Do not be anxious, little Daoist. I will send you to the Yellow Springs. Cultivate properly in your next life.”
She's so impatient! What do I do? If this fox eats me, my lifelong reputation will be ruined!
While the demon's guard dropped, Ling Wu hurled another talisman at her vital point. It struck and burned away a lock of hair.
Ling Wu seized the opening and ran.
Human legs could not outrun a fox. A tail quickly smashed her down again.
“Since you love running, I will cut off your legs first!”
White light flashed in the demon's hand. Ling Wu squeezed her eyes shut, but the expected pain never arrived.
She cautiously opened one eye. A man stood before her.
“You dare attack her? Die.”
“Demon Lord! I was wrong! I didn't know she belonged to you! Spare my life, I—”
Before she finished, the man lifted one hand. The fox demon disappeared.
Whether she had entered reincarnation or been annihilated, no one knew.
“Too much nonsense.”
He turned toward Ling Wu, finally revealing his face. He was enchantingly beautiful, with phoenix eyes full of tenderness and skin almost translucent. Like a gorgeous flower, he made one want to pluck him.
But the fox had called him Demon Lord. Ling Wu probably could not pluck this one.
“Ah-Wu,” he called softly.
Ling Wu jolted. How did he know her name? She had never even visited the Demon Realm.
That fox had spoken nonsense. Since when did one rescue mean she had to give herself away?
“You truly don't remember me, Ah-Wu.” Hurt crossed his face. Then he murmured, “Never mind. Seeing you again is enough.”
“You have mistaken me for someone else. I don't know you.”
“My name is Yizhen.”
A fragment flashed through Ling Wu's mind—the same place, the same person, speaking those exact words. Her brows drew together almost imperceptibly.
“Ah-Wu, I missed you.” Ignoring her wariness, Yizhen pulled her into his arms with enough force to press her into his bones.
How rude! How dare he take liberties with me? Demons truly become more troublesome one after another!
Breathing in the fragrance of her hair, Yizhen's face filled with longing.
I finally waited until you returned.
Had he known their last meeting would be farewell, he would have dragged her back to the Demon Realm. They were the true pair ordained by heaven.
Ah-Wu, how long before you finally see me?
“You are outrageously rude! I said I don't know you!” Ling Wu shoved him away, retreated, and raised a talisman defensively.
Yizhen chuckled. “It is not too late to meet now. I have told you my name.”
He stepped closer. “Are we friends now?”
“Who wants to be your friend? Righteousness and evil have opposed each other since ancient times. I intend to ascend and become an immortal! That monster called you a lord of the Demon Realm. You and I are naturally incompatible!” Ling Wu declared nobly.
“However...” Her tone turned awkward. “Since you saved me, I will not make trouble for you this time.”
In truth, she could not beat him and wanted no share of the fox's fate.
Yizhen laughed again. “Your nature has never changed.”
Still adorable. Still fond of empty bravado.
Does this demon not understand human speech?
Ling Wu turned to leave, but Yizhen blocked her.
“Are you finished?” she snapped.
He pointed the other way. “You mean to go to Seven Bridges Town. It lies in that direction. If you leave now, you can arrive before dark.”
Ling Wu stared blankly. Wasn't this Seven Bridges Town?
“This place is called Seven Bridges City. It stands between yin and yang. At night, ghosts roam and dangerous demons emerge. The Ghost and Demon Realms govern it together.”
“The fox you saw harmed too many mortals. I imprisoned her in the Demon-Locking Tower, where she was soon to be destroyed. But a traitor helped her escape here with another demon. I am still searching for that one.”
Ling Wu's scalp tingled. She feared only two things: Master's punishment and ghosts of the underworld. The reason was simple—she was a coward. Plenty of demons were beautiful. She had never heard of a beautiful ghost.
Thank goodness she had not entered the city last night. She quietly exhaled. It seemed she had misunderstood Yizhen.
“How did you know I was going to Seven Bridges Town?”
“Your bag is full of immortal plague medicine. I saw it when you drew your talisman.”
What an honest demon.
Ling Wu adjusted her satchel and bowed. “Thank you, Demon Lord. It is late and I have a mission, so I will leave first.”
Without waiting for his reaction, she summoned an auspicious cloud and fled. Only when Yizhen vanished from sight did she sprawl comfortably upon it.
No wonder the city had looked prosperous. She had thought the plague had spared it, never imagining she had gone to the wrong place.
Next time she must ask for exact directions and steal Eldest Senior Brother's Guiding Cauldron. Life was bitter for someone with no sense of direction.
Yizhen watched her disappear for a long time.
“How much longer will you stare?” teased a man's voice.
The newcomer wore black, possessed mismatched eyes, and had long earrings that enhanced his bewitching air. When Yizhen ignored him, he walked over to stand beside him.
“What did I say? Her memories are gone. You could meet ten more times and she still might not recall the past.”
Yizhen frowned. “She will remember.”
“Wishful thinking. Instead of placing hope in her, tell her who you are, how you met, and how she died.” The man smiled. “I wonder what happens when she remembers. Will she choose you, him... or me?”
“Are you finished?” Yizhen's face darkened. “With such love of speculating about hearts, why aren't you the Arbiter of Fate? Being Ghost Lord wastes your talent.”
Guyuan bobbed his head. “I agree. Overthrow the Celestial Realm someday and make me Arbiter of Fate. I excel at melodrama.”
Yizhen looked at him like a fool. “Your brain is waterlogged. If you crave a celestial post, go beg for one. That person above would surely agree after seeing you grovel.”
“You shut up too!”
He was the mighty Ghost Lord. Others knelt to him, never the reverse.
“Tell your subordinates not to frighten Ah-Wu in the future,” Yizhen said. “Especially the ugly ones.”
“Yes, yes. I won't release the handsome ones either, lest Ah-Wu take a fancy to them.”
Yizhen fell silent.