Chapter 71#

One Day, We Shall Drink Our Fill#

No wonder that from ancient times to the present, no mystic had ever reached the summit of the Celestial Realm. It wasn’t that none had achieved it, but rather that everyone who did had been erased by the System.

The fact that Shen Tu came to kill him suggested the demon race believed the System was a Dharma treasure similar to a puppet or a star array. If they knew the System resided within Su Ruhui’s mind, he would likely face a fate far more terrifying than being imprisoned in the Immortal’s Cave. Given the savage nature of these demons, they might very well slice open his head to search for it.

The System spoke: [I am sorry. “Celestials Must Die” is a core law of this world. Just as an apple must fall downward rather than fly toward the sky, and a duck quacks rather than barks, once a mystic reaches the “Celestial Realm,” they will inevitably be obliterated by the Law.]

Su Ruhui didn’t blame it. Clearly, his father had understood the consequences of ascending to the Celestial Realm himself. That man could have avoided this fatal end by suppressing his cultivation level, yet for the sake of revenge, he had resolutely chosen this path of no return. At this moment, Su Ruhui finally understood him. After ten years of bitter cultivation and trekking ten thousand miles, his mettle didn’t lie in fussing over insults like “pretty boy” or “useless person,” but in the solitary courage of marching ten thousand miles toward his death.

Unfortunately, Su Ruhui would never again be able to wait for the man returning home through the snowy night.

What about me? Su Ruhui asked the System. If I reach the Celestial Realm, will you kill me too?

The System replied: [This law does not apply to you.]

Why?

[The trigger for “Celestials Must Die” must satisfy the following two criteria: First, the subject is in the “Celestial Realm”; second, the subject’s race belongs to the World Species Set. When I perform a judgment, I extract the racial affiliation from the target’s background data. If the target belongs to any race such as human, demon, cat, or dog, and simultaneously meets the first condition of being in the “Celestial Realm,” the Law will kill them. For example, Su Guanyu’s race was “Human.”]

What do you mean? Su Ruhui was puzzled. Does your “World Species Set” not include “Super Grade-One Flesh Puppet”? So even if I reach the Celestial Realm, I won’t meet your second condition?

[No, the “World Species Set” includes all races in this world, including “Super Grade-One Flesh Puppets.” However, according to my data scan, your racial information consists of more than just being a Super Grade-One Flesh Puppet. There is one piece of information that has yet to be unlocked.]

Su Ruhui understood. He currently lacked the authority to unlock this secret intelligence.

[Correct. Keep up the hard work on your missions, Host!]

Unable to upgrade his permissions for the time being, Su Ruhui stopped paying attention to the System. He squatted down to face Shen Tu and said, “Alright, now tell me, what method exactly are you using to plot against the mortal realm?”

Shen Tu remained silent.

“It’s not hard to guess,” Su Ruhui said, crossing his arms. “Over the years, you must have been looking for ways to infiltrate the Mystic Sect, planting countless moles. You first assigned your kin to replace Mystic Sect military officials, but unfortunately, your transformations were exposed, and your kin were hunted down. However, that wasn’t your only path, nor your most important one. My Uncle has controlled the world for many years, and the forty-eight prefectures have long harbored disloyal thoughts. You sought alliances with the Great Clans; the Jiang Clan of Yunzhou is one of them. Am I right?”

Shen Tu covered his mouth with both paws, maintaining a posture of refusing to speak even if it meant death.

Beside them, Sang Chiyu silently activated his mind-reading technique.

Su Ruhui continued smoothly, “The demon race attacked the refugee camps with the intent of inciting conflict between Black Street and the Mystic Sect. You want Black Street to be your pawns and assassinate my Uncle during the Grand Assembly. Once he is dead, the Mystic Sect will fall apart, the mortal realm will be thrown into chaos, and you can take advantage of the void. However, there’s one thing I don’t understand. You said yourself that your Royal City is too far from the mortal realm for an army to march south, not to mention the barrier of the Snowy Great Wall. Of course, you could open Formless Gates to sneak in. But even for a mystic in the Pilgrimage Realm, opening a gate only lasts about ten breaths, and they can open it at most five times a day. As for those below the Pilgrimage Realm, opening it three or four times would make them cough up blood. It’s impossible for an army of tens of thousands to pass through the gates. How do you plan to solve this problem?”

Shen Tu grumbled, “I don’t know. His Highness said my brain doesn’t work well; any secrets rated Grade B or higher aren’t shared with me. Even if I did know, I wouldn’t tell you. Kill me or skin me as you wish. But before I die, could you let me eat a meal of your braised pork?” As he spoke, saliva dripped down.

Su Ruhui caught an important word. “His Highness?”

Shen Tu realized he had slipped up and simply buried his head in the snow. But his thoughts exposed the answer; amidst Shen Tu’s chaotic mind, Sang Chiyu saw the fellow wearing a sesame pancake paper bag over his head.

Sang Chiyu spoke the name: “Bai Ruoye?”

Shen Tu snapped his head out, eyes wide. “How did you know?”

Sang Chiyu said calmly, “Your demon race originally had seventy-two tribes. Su Guanyu slaughtered most of them, and now only eleven remain. This ‘Bai Ruoye’ is the son of the King of Luofu and the last bloodline of the Snow Fox tribe.”

Su Ruhui looked at Sang Chiyu, then at Shen Tu. Seeing Shen Tu’s shocked expression, it seemed what Sang Chiyu said was true. But Sang Chiyu had lived in the mortal realm since he was a child; how did he know so much about the demon race? In a flash, Su Ruhui remembered Su Gou’s secret technique—“Mind Reading.” That day, Su Gou had suddenly kicked the bucket, and he had thought the little demon died so quickly. Now it seemed that Sang Chiyu, who was disguised as Su Yu at the time, must have absorbed its essence.

Su Ruhui broke into a smile and said leisurely, “Shen Tu, don’t try to hide anything from us. We know much more than you think.”

Shen Tu was stunned for a long while before calming down, lazily flipping onto his back to sun his belly.

“Kid, don’t waste your breath on me. I don’t know much. What His Highness’s current identity is, what he looks like, whether he’s male or female—I know none of it. I only know he wants to kill you, so I came.” Shen Tu gazed at the vast sky. “Your mother is dead, Su Guanyu is dead, and many more will die in the future. Su Ruhui, if you want to live, stay in the Snow Realm. Don’t go back to the mortal world.”

Su Ruhui looked up at Sang Chiyu, who gave a slight shake of his head.

Shen Tu truly knew nothing. The only useful information gleaned from the mind-reading was that fellow wearing the ridiculous paper bag. Sang Chiyu sketched the shape of the oiled paper bag in the snow. Su Ruhui studied it but couldn’t find any clues. He would just have to wait until he returned to Biandu to see his Senior Sister and report this to her, letting her investigate the customers who bought those pancakes.

As the sun set and darkness approached, Su Ruhui hooked his pinky finger around Sang Chiyu’s hand. “Sang-ge, it turns out my father died in the Demon Royal City. I’m so sad. I want a kiss, I want a hug.”

People were coming and going around them; thugs from the Bliss Pavilion were digging ditches with hoes, and monks from the Great Compassion Hall were huffing and puffing while clearing snow. As soon as Su Ruhui’s words came out, they immediately drew the attention of several people. Su Ruhui was thick-skinned, but Sang Chiyu was usually very dignified. Su Ruhui was just talking, teasing him out of habit, not expecting him to actually kiss him. To his surprise, Sang Chiyu embraced him, pressed his right hand against the back of Su Ruhui’s head, and gently brushed his lips against his. Once again, Su Ruhui smelled the chilly, snow-like scent on Sang Chiyu. Though cold, it was inexplicably reassuring.

Their lips parted, but Sang Chiyu continued to hold Su Ruhui.

Su Ruhui whispered, “Actually, I’m not that sad.”

“I know,” Sang Chiyu’s steady voice rang in his ear.

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“Then why did you still kiss me?” Su Ruhui looked around. “There are so many people here, they’re all watching us.”

“Ignore them,” Sang Chiyu said.

“You’ve changed,” Su Ruhui said. “Your skin has gotten thicker.”

“Mhm. Learned it from you.”

Bullshit, Su Ruhui laughed inwardly. This fellow’s previous proper and polite behavior was all an act. He was a demon; what kind of etiquette did he care about?

“Do you want to ask Shen Tu about your parents? He might know more than Su Gou did,” Su Ruhui suggested.

Sang Chiyu shook his head. “There is no need.”

Su Ruhui looked at him sideways, wondering, Is this kid really not even curious about his own parents?

Shen Tu looked up at the two of them, tugging at their pant legs with his paws. “What are you two doing hugging? Do you feel cold? Mortals are truly fragile. If it were midwinter, would you even be able to endure it?”

Sang Chiyu asked Su Ruhui, “Are you going to keep this dog?”

Shen Tu protested, “I am a wolf!” He stared at Sang Chiyu’s chin for a long while before saying, “Ah, I remember now! You’re the one who sent me to that dog…”

Sang Chiyu’s bone-chilling gaze fell on Shen Tu. The demon shuddered violently and covered his mouth with both paws.

Su Ruhui said, “Of course. I’ll raise him as a guard to watch my front gate.”

“You have me,” Sang Chiyu said.

“Then will you come back to Biandu with me in a bit?” Su Ruhui asked with a smile. “It’s almost dark, my Senior Sister’s people should be coming to pick me up soon.”

Sang Chiyu was silent for a moment before saying, “Apologies.”

Su Ruhui froze. “Why? You’re not willing to go back to Biandu with me?”

Sang Chiyu patted his head but didn’t speak.

Su Ruhui broke free from Sang Chiyu’s embrace, his brows furrowed. “Just why, Sang Chiyu? Where have you been these past few days, and why are you hiding it from me? Don’t lie to me, I already know—you haven’t slept at the Great Compassion Hall at all.” Su Ruhui sized him up. “Do you have some ‘wild man’ on the side that you’re hiding from me?”

Sang Chiyu remained silent, his expression flat. He knew Su Ruhui was trying to provoke him into telling the truth.

“If you don’t tell me where you’ve been, I won’t tell you about the collar,” Su Ruhui threatened.

“It matters not.” Sang Chiyu patted his head again.

This guy was completely impenetrable. If Sang Chiyu decided to be a “sawed-off gourd,” no one could pry his mouth open. Su Ruhui gave up. “Are you really that comfortable leaving me alone in Biandu?”

“Biandu is safe.” Sang Chiyu pressed Su Ruhui’s shoulders and turned him around.

In front of Su Ruhui, a Formless Gate opened. A sorcerer under Jiang Xueya’s command bowed respectfully to him.

“Go,” Sang Chiyu said.

“Sang Chiyu,” Su Ruhui said gloomily, “it seems you won’t miss me at all.”

His voice was low and his eyes downcast; he didn’t seem to be deliberately provoking Sang Chiyu, but rather truly believed it. Su Ruhui was indeed harboring a sense of resentment. He couldn’t understand why Sang Chiyu was unwilling to return to Biandu with him. They had only just clarified their feelings; could Sang Chiyu really bear to be separated from him? If two people loved each other, shouldn’t they be stuck together at all times?

Sang Chiyu frowned slightly. “Don’t overthink things.”

Su Ruhui glanced at him, shouldered his bag, and walked slowly toward the Formless Gate. His dejected appearance made him look like an abandoned puppy, radiating a gloomy resentment from head to toe.

Su Ruhui reached the Formless Gate and looked back at Sang Chiyu one more time. Sang Chiyu stood in the snow, his tall figure as straight as a cedar. His face looked as if its color had been swept away by the frosty wind, cold and white like a jade disk. Such a beautiful person had looked like a celestial child since he was small, like someone who had fallen from the clouds. Unfortunately, he was just a bit too cold, hanging high in the sky, making it impossible for anyone to get close.

Su Ruhui suddenly ran back and hugged him tightly. “I can’t bear to leave you.”

Sang Chiyu looked down at him. “You could choose not to go back.”

“Forget it,” Su Ruhui said, looking like a frost-bitten eggplant. “I don’t dare disobey my Senior Sister’s orders; she’s terrifying when she loses her temper. And Baobao is still at home. I have to go back and feed her; eating nothing but dried fish isn’t good for her health.” Su Ruhui asked with no small amount of resentment, “When are you coming to find me?”

Sang Chiyu thought for a moment and said, “As soon as possible.”

That answer was as good as none. Su Ruhui lost his temper and left with a crestfallen expression.

Stepping into the Formless Gate, the scenery shifted. When he looked back, it was already nighttime in Biandu. The city walls were silent, the empty streets piled high with fallen snow, and Sang Chiyu was nowhere to be seen.

Su Ruhui asked the System: Am I being too good to him? He doesn’t cherish me at all.

[Sang Chiyu is a half-demon and can be controlled with a collar. It is suggested that the Host put a collar on him and drip candle wax on his abs.]

Su Ruhui: “…”

This trash System is so lewd.

Fine. He kicked a pebble and took out his compass to check. It had been quite a while since he left, yet Sang Chiyu hadn’t sent a single message. Very well, Su Ruhui thought secretly, if that bastard doesn’t send word before midnight tonight, he can look forward to staying single. Su Ruhui’s teeth itched with annoyance. Such a smart, virtuous, and wealthy man like himself—Sang Chiyu couldn’t find another like him even if he searched with a lantern!

On the other side, Sang Chiyu watched Su Ruhui leave through the Formless Gate, then turned to call Anan over.

“Open a gate to Biandu’s South Street,” Sang Chiyu commanded.

Anan was baffled and asked, “Master Sang, wasn’t the place Master Su… Madam Sang went just now Biandu? Why didn’t you go with him?”

Sang Chiyu didn’t answer. Anan didn’t dare press him further, rubbing his bald head and thinking that perhaps this was just the “interest” of a young couple—something he, as a monk, wouldn’t understand. He found a Formless Gate mystic from the Great Compassion Hall to open the gate for Sang Chiyu.

Before leaving, Sang Chiyu glanced at Shen Tu on the ground and said, “Keep an eye on him.”

With that, Sang Chiyu stepped into the gate.

Su Ruhui was taken to Jiang Xueya’s residence. Upon entering the study, he found Jiang Xueya sitting in a chair holding a hand warmer. The curling smoke from the gilded Boshan incense burner blurred her features. Her once bright face was now clouded with gloom, and her expressionless demeanor was somewhat unnerving. Su Ruhui felt an inexplicable pressure, as if dark clouds were gathering, so he asked, “Senior Sister, are you in a bad mood?”

Jiang Xueya glanced at him and gestured toward the desk with her chin. “Hurry up and draw the map.”

“Oh.” Su Ruhui sat down, picked up a brush, and began sketching the star chart for the Black Street Star Array.

“I went to your house; I didn’t see the cat,” Jiang Xueya’s voice came.

Su Ruhui frowned. He had clearly shut the doors and windows tightly when he left. Had Sang Baobao run out?

“I left a bowl of dried fish; it’ll eat if it gets hungry,” Jiang Xueya said. “What were you doing running off to the Snow Realm with nothing better to do?”

“Chasing my wife.”

“Caught him?” Jiang Xueya looked at him sideways.

“I caught up, but he won’t come back to Biandu with me no matter what. I was just short of kneeling and kowtowing to beg him back.” Su Ruhui fiddled with his communication compass. After all this time, that bastard still hadn’t sent a message. Su Ruhui suspected the compass was broken, so he pried out the spiritual stone and put it back in. Nice one, Sang Chiyu. Just you wait; see how I settle the score with you later. Su Ruhui rested his chin on his hand, feeling restless. The atmosphere on Jiang Xueya’s side was also low, so Su Ruhui asked with a frown, “Senior Sister, have you run into some tricky business?”

A mocking smile played at the corners of Jiang Xueya’s mouth. “What tricky business could I possibly run into?”

This state is clearly not right… Su Ruhui felt a cold sweat.

“Did my Uncle bully you? Do you want me to help you beat him up?” Su Ruhui asked tentatively.

“It’s none of your business,” Jiang Xueya brushed him off. “Finishing your chart is the biggest help you can give me.”

Su Ruhui knew it must be his Uncle who had saddened her. Alas, love was the most difficult puzzle to solve. Hadn’t Su Ruhui himself been trapped in it for all these years?

Su Ruhui twitched the corner of his mouth. “My Uncle bullies you, yet you’re still working yourself to death to help him. Senior Sister, do you really like him that much?”

“You don’t need to worry about me,” Jiang Xueya said, examining the star chart against the light. “After the Grand Assembly, I will stop working for him.”

Su Ruhui was taken aback. “You’re going to resign?”

“Something like that.”

Su Ruhui sighed and said no more. After sitting for a while, Jiang Xueya grew more and more restless and simply went out for a walk. Knowing that “the one who tied the bell must untie it,” Su Ruhui waited for her to walk away before putting down his brush and opening his communication compass to contact Tantai Jing.

“What is it?” Tantai Jing’s voice answered.

Su Ruhui said, “Uncle, Senior Sister said she’s going to resign after the Grand Assembly. You should figure it out yourself.”

There was a long silence from Tantai Jing’s end before he said, “I understand.”

Su Ruhui cut the connection and focused on drawing. The complex star chart gradually took shape under his brush. With this chart, by employing a few hundred laborers to dig ditches overnight, the star array could be set up in a single night. An hour later, Jiang Xueya returned from her walk, and the chart was finished. Su Ruhui blew the ink dry and handed it to her.

“Good work.” Jiang Xueya patted his shoulder. “A-Hui, you’ve really been a huge help this time.”

Su Ruhui’s face was full of gloom. “Maybe I should still just help you beat my Uncle up.”

Jiang Xueya took a deep breath and looked up at the falling snow outside, her shimmering eyes hazy in the snowy light. She smiled and said, “A-Hui, if there’s a chance, one day we shall drink our fill together again.”

Somehow, Su Ruhui detected a sense of helpless sorrow in her words. He didn’t know what had happened between her and Tantai Jing, so naturally, he couldn’t comment. Moreover, Jiang Xueya was a very stubborn person; once she made up her mind, no one could change it. Since she had already made her decision, there was no point in trying to persuade her further. Su Ruhui packed up his writing tools. “By the way, Senior Sister, I met a demon in the Snow Realm, and he told me…”

Just as Su Ruhui was about to tell Jiang Xueya about the “oiled paper bag,” he suddenly caught sight of a sesame pancake bag pressed under a stack of scrolls in his peripheral vision. Su Ruhui froze and lightly pushed aside the scrolls; the five ink characters “Wu Dalang’s Sesame Pancakes” came into view.

The author has something to say:

Shen Tu: Do you dare let me eat a bite of braised pork?