Chapter 22#
The formation shattered, and subtle changes appeared in the sky. The wind blew more urgently, scattering birds from the branches.
Xue Jingci looked toward Pei Huang: “Can’t take it anymore?”
Pei Huang’s face flushed red, unsure if from anger or embarrassment, glaring at Xue Jingci: “It’s your fault!”
Xue Jingci frowned, confused: “How is it related to me?”
Pei Huang said nothing and turned to leave.
Not until he could no longer hear Xue Jingci’s cool, clear voice, nor smell the fresh snow-like scent from his body, did Pei Huang’s tense form relax.
He entered the dense forest, quickly reaching a small river. He crouched down and splashed clear water on his face.
The transparent water suddenly began to ripple, as if boiling, splashing onto Pei Huang’s body.
Pei Huang stood up in disgust as the water slowly took the form of a man. He pressed it back down.
“Don’t come out. There are people nearby.”
The river spirit could only show his head, asking with a grin: “You finally found him, yet you had the nerve to have a tantrum?”
Pei Huang was stunned, only then realizing his departure seemed like he was still angry.
Actually, he had long learned to hide all emotions, not letting others see his hand. But facing Xue Jingci, he always lost composure and couldn’t keep secrets.
Yet precisely because of this, he wouldn’t have realized that Xue Jingci could speak so gently while coaxing him.
The river spirit’s smile faded: “However, you really should go back and find him. When I snuck into the southern river, I overheard the demons discussing a surprise attack from the water route at the southern stronghold at the Hour of the Rat.”
Pei Huang glanced at him and pulled a spirit stone from his pocket, tossing it over: “Thanks.”
He retraced his steps and saw Xue Jingci still near the formation, bending down to collect everything used for the formation.
Given the scarcity of supplies, the materials for this formation had been pooled from several cultivators. Every bit saved counted.
The river spirit, following Pei Huang, couldn’t help but sigh: “So conscientious, truly knows how to manage a household.”
Pei Huang’s expression changed: “Don’t talk nonsense.”
The river spirit pursed his lips to stifle his laughter.
Though he was a demon, he cared little about the conflict between humans and demons. He just wanted to earn a little money and live well. Coming to relay the message today was merely to watch Pei Huang’s drama unfold.
Knowing Pei Huang all these years, he’d watched this person transform from a spirited, lively youth into someone deeply scheming. Even he sometimes couldn’t guess Pei Huang’s true emotions.
Only when matters concerning Xue Jingci came up did Pei Huang show some vitality, making him easy to read.
For instance, right now, Pei Huang told him not to talk nonsense, but what he thought in his heart was probably the same.
Sensing the movement behind him, Xue Jingci picked up the formation flags and looked toward Pei Huang.
Pei Huang smoothly took the items from his hands and solemnly relayed the river spirit’s message. The two returned to the stronghold together to find Jiang Chengyi.
Unable to reveal the river spirit’s identity, Pei Huang said he’d discovered this information while scouting the demon camp himself.
If anyone else had said this, Jiang Chengyi would have doubted them.
But today, Pei Huang had single-handedly charged into the demon army and taken the leader’s life. His courage and ability were truly admirable.
He didn’t hesitate and decided to personally go to the southern stronghold immediately with the information.
Before leaving, he glanced at the bed and said to Pei Huang: “If you have nowhere to stay tonight, sleep here. I won’t be back for a while.”
Pei Huang didn’t refuse. For the first time, he carefully examined Jiang Chengyi.
Seeing him studying Jiang Chengyi, Xue Jingci recalled that Pei Huang had recently asked who Xiao Xun was, so he offered a brief introduction: “His name is Jiang Chengyi. He’s an inner sect senior brother.”
Pei Huang, staring at the bed, even praised him: “This person is good.”
Xue Jingci thought Pei Huang was referring to Jiang Chengyi’s strategic talents and nodded in agreement.
The system swished its tail, curious: “This little boy is actually capable of praising others! I thought he always believed he was the most capable?”
Xue Jingci rubbed the system’s head and thought: “He truly is quite capable.”
Today’s battle with the wolf-spider—if Pei Huang hadn’t appeared, even if the sect disciples won, the losses would have been severe.
Xue Jingci lowered his head and saw Pei Huang had already lain on Jiang Chengyi’s bed on the opposite side, even removing his outer robe.
He extinguished the light, intending to meditate until dawn as he had the previous few days. But somehow he suddenly felt sleepy and lay down instead.
Xue Jingci rarely slept deeply, but in the middle of the night, urgent military horns woke him.
He didn’t wake Pei Huang. Instead, he set up a sound-isolating formation so he could rest undisturbed.
Thinking for a moment, he also tucked the system into the formation to prevent them from fighting later.
When Xue Jingci left the military tent, Pei Huang opened his eyes, staring at the formation in a daze.
All the noise outside was blocked by the formation. Pei Huang’s heart gradually calmed, and his gaze toward the cat softened somewhat.
Unlike the warmth and peace inside the tent, outside was a gathering storm.
Jiang Chengyi rarely showed anger, his voice colder than ever: “The southern stronghold has been completely breached. Everyone, pack your things and withdraw to defend Yan City.”
The disciples had just awakened from sleep, still somewhat dazed: “How was the southern stronghold breached? The demons were all repelled during the day yesterday, weren’t they?”
Jiang Chengyi was so angry he could barely speak: “Last night I received intelligence of a demon surprise attack from the water route at the southern stronghold. But when I went to warn them, no one took it seriously. Everyone was only focused on collecting treasures that fell during yesterday’s battle.”
“But Senior Brother Jiang, the southern stronghold fell, yet our eastern stronghold remains safe. If we just hold out until tomorrow morning, won’t we complete the task? Why leave in such a hurry?”
Jiang Chengyi shook his head, too angry to respond, and looked toward Xue Jingci: “Xue junior brother, explain to them why.”
Xue Jingci said flatly: “Our task is to protect the strongholds, but we protect them to defend Yan City. Now that the south is breached, demons can march directly on the main city…”
The disciples from other strongholds finally sobered up.
They finally understood why Lingxu Sect had insisted on supporting the east.
No matter which stronghold falls, the mission fails.
On a battlefield, it’s one for all and all for one.
Everyone no longer hesitated and rushed back to pack. They withdrew to defend Yan City through the night.
Xue Jingci returned to the tent and woke Pei Huang, informing him that the southern stronghold had fallen.
Pei Huang showed no reaction on his face, though he internally sneered—the sect disciples were indeed useless. Without his help, they probably couldn’t escape this realm.
The two packed quickly and followed the main army back to the city.
The night was peaceful. For some reason, the demons didn’t press their advantage, giving everyone a chance to breathe.
But when they woke the next day, they discovered the city had almost no remaining grain.
If it had been a few days ago, missing one meal wouldn’t matter. But now with their storage bags locked and spiritual energy suppressed, they were barely stronger than mortals.
Without breakfast, by noon the cultivators were so hungry they felt faint and their legs went soft.
Finally, at noon, someone brought thin rice porridge and pickled vegetables, barely enough to fill their stomachs.
Xiao Xun saw the porridge was too thin to be filling and brought several dried persimmons to find Xue Jingci.
Xue Jingci didn’t accept them and asked suspiciously: “Where did these dried persimmons come from?”
Xiao Xun explained that Jiang Chengyi had sent many disciples to requisition grain from the townspeople. An elderly woman had insisted on giving him these persimmons.
“Master, that elderly woman said she hopes that eating these persimmons will bring us good fortune, and that we completely drive out those demons.”
Xue Jingci seemed thoughtful but still refused the persimmons, saying to Xiao Xun: “There will be a fierce battle tonight. I’m not hungry yet. Keep them.”
After being refused, Xiao Xun didn’t leave but remained outside. He noticed a figure flash inside—there was more than just Xue Jingci in the room.
He realized it was that person called Pei Huang again, and killing intent flashed in his eyes. He suppressed his thoughts and turned to leave.
Pei Huang had deliberately revealed himself to prevent any fools from bothering him. He was about to say something when someone knocked on the door outside.
Lin Su called loudly: “Xue junior brother, are you there?”
Before Xue Jingci could respond, Pei Huang swallowed his words. Seeing he was busy, he didn’t stay long. He leveraged the window frame with his hand and nimbly slipped out.
After Pei Huang left, Xue Jingci opened the door and asked: “What is it?”
Lin Su brought a sword manual and spoke directly: “You saved me and Lin Heng. I don’t know how to repay you. Since you also love swords, I took the liberty of bringing this manual. It contains the insights from my years of sword practice.”
Xue Jingci became interested and opened the manual to read, saying: “Thank you.”
Lin Su suddenly remembered something: “I’m good with my left hand, so my sword technique is different from yours. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can ask me.”
Xue Jingci didn’t respond. Lin Su realized he’d been too forward and quickly added: “Or you could ask that friend of yours. He usually uses his left hand too, probably similar to mine.”
After Lin Su left, Xue Jingci stood stunned.
Pei Huang hadn’t been left-handed before.
But thinking back these past few days, he had indeed been using his left hand.
Even when he jumped through the window just now, he unconsciously used his left hand on the frame.
Xue Jingci walked back to his room. Outside the window came rustling sounds.
Pei Huang was about to leverage the frame to jump in when Xue Jingci suddenly walked over and “snap”—closed the window.
“Use the front door from now on.”
Pei Huang thought Xue Jingci wouldn’t let him in. He didn’t expect this instruction to use the front door. Hearing that “from now on,” his heart felt inexplicably happy.
He was holding a grilled fish from who knows where. He casually walked around to the front door and entered.
Xue Jingci stared at Pei Huang’s left hand holding the fish, his expression changing. He took a step forward and heavily closed the door.
Now the door was tightly shut, the room dark and barely visible.
Pei Huang was about to present the fish proudly: “You don’t like those persimmons, but this fish is pretty good, try…”
Before he finished, he was pushed into a chair against the wall from behind by Xue Jingci.
Pei Huang raised his left hand, and Xue Jingci quickly placed the fish on the table.
Xue Jingci said nothing, just gripped Pei Huang’s right arm and pressed it from his wrist upward.
He only pressed lightly, yet Pei Huang’s hand trembled.
This person remained silent, only his visible hand showing tense veins, giving no hint of where the injury was.
When Xue Jingci applied slightly more pressure, reaching the scapula, Pei Huang finally let out a light hiss.
This must be it.
Without hesitation, Xue Jingci brightened the candles with one hand while using the other to expose Pei Huang’s clothing.
Pei Huang, like a stepped-on wolf, struggled and howled: “What are you doing!”
Xue Jingci pressed his other shoulder, restraining him as easily as he had in childhood, saying coldly: “Don’t move.”
The suddenly bright candlelight left Pei Huang’s flushed ears with nowhere to hide. Fortunately, Xue Jingci was focused on examining his back injuries and didn’t notice.
Xue Jingci stared intently at Pei Huang’s back.
It was crisscrossed with scars. Several wounds were at vital points. Going a bit deeper, a bit further to the side, could have been fatal.
Perhaps there had been many times when this person nearly died.
They would never see each other again.
Xue Jingci lowered his eyes in silence, looking at the old scar on Pei Huang’s right shoulder.
It looked like it had been cut by a curved blade. The person who wielded it had probably been at the early Nascent Soul stage.
The outer part of the wound had thick scabs, suggesting it had healed before but was recently torn open again.
Xue Jingci quickly understood.
When first entering the realm, Pei Huang’s right arm had been strapped with a sleeve arrow because that arm had an old injury, making it unusable. He could only switch to such a light weapon.
But at that time, his right hand still had strength and could raise his arm to aim the sleeve arrow at him.
Not until Pei Huang used a sword against the wolf-spider did he tear the old wound open again, after which he never used his right hand.
Xue Jingci was silent for a long time. Pei Huang felt uncomfortable and struggled again, wanting to pull his clothes back.
“This wound is fine. I’ll have A’su apply some medicine later.”
Hearing his casual tone, Xue Jingci pressed firmly on the wound: “You’re truly courting death, keeping poisoned blood on the wound without treating it.”
Pei Huang nearly bit his own tongue from pain, taking a long time before complaining: “You’re so fierce.”
Xue Jingci didn’t speak, releasing spiritual energy from his fingertips to absorb the poisoned blood from Pei Huang’s wound.
His fingers were ice-cold, moving across Pei Huang’s shoulder and back.
Pei Huang tensed like he’d been electrocuted, his hands clenching into fists on his knees, not daring to breathe heavily.
Xue Jingci asked: “Does it hurt that much? Then I’ll be gentler.”
With that, his touch became even softer, almost like caressing Pei Huang’s back.
Xue Jingci used a sword, and his fingertips had thin calluses. The sensation of rough skin against flesh spread, almost making Pei Huang jump up. His heart pounded so hard it was like muffled thunder hitting his eardrums.
Pei Huang gritted his teeth: “No need to be gentle.”
After a long time, Xue Jingci finally finished treating Pei Huang’s right shoulder wound. The moment he released his hand, Pei Huang quickly put his clothes back on, completely covering the scars on his body.
He didn’t dare look at Xue Jingci, his eyes darting toward the fish on the table: “The fish is getting cold. I’ll… I’ll take it out and grill it again.”
But Xue Jingci didn’t let him leave, pressing: “Did you make enemies at the Nascent Soul stage? Who?”
Pei Huang hadn’t expected Xue Jingci’s eyes to be so sharp, inferring so much from just the wound.
Knowing Xue Jingci was only at the Gold Core stage, he casually said: “My enemies are numerous. Who knows which reckless ghost this one is.”
Xue Jingci didn’t pursue further, just took the fish from Pei Huang’s hand and sat down to eat.
Pei Huang, looking at the empty chopsticks, simply sat down too, watching Xue Jingci eat fish by candlelight.
Seemingly feeling his gaze, Xue Jingci turned his head to look at him.
Candlelight reflected in Xue Jingci’s light-colored pupils. Those eyes were excessively beautiful, and now held a gentleness rarely seen by others.
Pei Huang’s heart suddenly skipped a beat.
These years he’d always thought of Xue Jingci, remembering their meals together in East Village.
Back then, his heartbeat would often skip like this for no reason.
Young Pei Huang had thought it was because the old maple tree outside the window had lost its leaves, or because Xue Jingci had rarely made his favorite sweet and sour ribs.
Only now, separated by candlelight much like back then, did he finally understand what that youthful palpitation meant.
Pei Huang lowered his head and pulled out a round pearl from his pocket, placing it on the table: “This is the wolf-spider’s demon core. Though the demonic power is gone, you can still exchange it for military merit. It should be about enough for you to exchange for an elder token, right?”
Xue Jingci was stunned.
Seeing Xue Jingci not taking it, Pei Huang directly pushed the pearl into his palm.
Then he held Xue Jingci’s wrist and looked straight at him: “Protect yourself.”
With that, Pei Huang stood up. This time he didn’t jump out the window. He lit a black talisman with his fingertip and vanished.
The system jumped onto the table to eat the leftover fish.
Xue Jingci rubbed its head, staring blankly at the door.
A day passed with no sign of Pei Huang. By evening, when Xue Jingci returned to his room, he saw A’su dozing in a chair.
Hearing the footsteps, A’su’s head suddenly snapped up, his expression guarded and cold.
After confirming it was Xue Jingci, he slowly relaxed, obediently pulling out white paper to write: Big brother said I should come help you defend the city.
Xue Jingci nodded, then asked: “He didn’t say anything else?”
A’su always answered Xue Jingci’s questions honestly.
He carefully recalled every detail and finally wrote: Big brother said not to wash his hands for three days.
Xue Jingci looked confused.
Unable to figure it out, he felt somewhat disgusted.
Just then, a military horn sounded outside summoning personnel.
Though late by a day, the demon army was finally attacking the city.
Xue Jingci walked outside, with A’su following closely.
The military warehouse was noisy with voices. A’su felt uncomfortable and gestured to Xue Jingci before jumping into a tree and curling up on a branch.
Upon entering the warehouse, Xue Jingci smelled a strong fragrance of rice.
Upon inquiring, he learned that Jiang Chengyi had sent many disciples into the city to requisition grain. He’d been prepared to trade with silver, but the common folk refused payment. They said only if the soldiers had full bellies could they drive away the demons, and a few days of hunger was nothing.
Ever since Xue Jingci saved him, Lin Heng would stick to him, treating him like a second older brother.
“Today Senior Brother Jiang sent everyone to requisition supplies from the city. I thought those common folk would definitely refuse, so I prepared plenty of silver. Who knew that with just a few words, they brought out all their remaining grain without accepting a single coin, just hoping we’d win the battle.”
Lin Heng sipped hot rice porridge, admiration and emotion evident in his eyes.
He’d witnessed the desperation of refugees fighting over food and knew how much they valued it.
These past days he’d been so hungry his eyes saw stars. If someone had asked him to give up his food, he’d probably have fought immediately.
How could these mortals be so generous when even he couldn’t do it?
Lin Heng looked at Xue Jingci and asked: “I really can’t understand why the people of Yan City are so generous.”
Xue Jingci said plainly: “Because what they want isn’t a comfortable life of good food and clothing. They just want to live.”
Lin Heng fell silent. Upper realm cultivators fought over merit and benefits, willing to fight to the death for minor cultivation resources. Yet these mortal commoners only wanted to survive.
After eating, everyone rushed to the four directional towers, holding weapons and waiting for the demon army’s approach.
At the second watch, brilliant flames suddenly lit up in the darkness. Arrows trailing fire shot toward the city like heavy rain, instantly burning several soldiers into living torches.
The demon vanguard descended without warning, their wings spread wide as they forced their way up the southern gate.
On the tower, many soldiers couldn’t even react before their weapons were snatched away and they were forced into brutal hand-to-hand combat.
Outside the eastern gate, the demon main force in black armor advanced like dark clouds, with demons that had hardened exoskeletons. They transformed into their true forms, fiercely charging at the earthen walls, causing the entire structure to shake.
“Report! The east gate can’t hold! The city wall shows signs of collapse!”
“Report! The south gate has fallen…”
Hearing reports from all directions, the general defending Yan City looked toward Jiang Chengyi: “Should we withdraw to the inner city?”
Jiang Chengyi asked him: “When will reinforcements and supplies arrive?”
The general replied: “At dawn.”
Jiang Chengyi was silent a moment: “No need to withdraw. I’ll send disciples to the front lines to receive them. If we can get the supply reinforcements first, we might turn the tide.”
He dispatched soldiers to relay orders to each gate. Soon all sect disciples received orders to hold their ground until dawn.
Meanwhile, Medicine Sect disciples and medical cultivators from various sects climbed the towers with hastily prepared pills.
Learning that some disciples would need to jump from the tower to clear a path for the supply transport, Yin Xinyao gripped her jade ruyi: “I’ll go too.”
Lin Heng immediately pulled her back, trying to persuade: “You’re a girl. How can you go to such a dangerous place? Stay here and watch me slay demons.”
With that, Lin Heng valiantly leaped into the demon horde.
But being deep in enemy territory was completely different from defending your own stronghold.
For the first time, Lin Heng understood what it meant to be isolated. Facing endless demons, his legs unconsciously weakened, and he thought he would die here.
At the critical moment, a pair of hands lifted him up and threw him back onto the tower.
Lin Heng hugged Lin Su’s leg, crying: “Brother, you scared me! Scared me…”
Lin Su slapped him: “You had guts in the quicksand that day, but today you’re a coward. Open your eyes and see who just saved you!”
Lin Heng looked down and saw Yin Xinyao and Song Jue fighting in the demon horde.
The small demon leader was a transformed wolf demon who had stolen a soldier’s clothes and was playing dead. When Yin Xinyao wasn’t paying attention, it transformed its hands into claws and ripped open her belly.
“Senior Sister!”
Now Lin Heng forgot his fear and clawed at the wall wanting to jump down again, though his legs still trembled.
Lin Su lifted him up: “Let’s go.”
The two jumped down together to support Yin Xinyao and Song Jue, eventually killing the wolf demon and fighting free.
Only then did Yin Xinyao have time to look at her belly wound. She casually pushed the intestines back in and quickly pulled out a needle to stitch it up.
Seeing a wound on Lin Su’s arm, she paused with her needle: “Should I stitch that too?”
Lin Su stared at the gleaming, oversized silver needle and quickly shook his head: “Just a small wound. I’ll manage.”
Yin Xinyao didn’t force it and put the needle away: “Alright.”
The three avoided the demon army and reached the agreed meeting point, quickly encountering Xue Jingci.
Seeing wounds on Xue Jingci’s hand, Yin Xinyao’s expression suddenly changed. She urgently pulled out a needle thin as a hair from her needle pouch.
“Xue junior brother, have Song Jue fly us. I’ll stitch your wound.”
Xue Jingci glanced at his own hand. Though the wound looked fierce, it hadn’t reached the bone, so he shook his head: “Just a minor wound.”
But this time Yin Xinyao wouldn’t let it go easily. She was unusually firm, directly grabbing Xue Jingci’s hand to stitch it properly.
Such a beautiful hand couldn’t be allowed to scar!
Xue Jingci uncomfortably tried to pull his hand back, but remembering Pei Huang’s serious eyes when he told him to protect himself, he let Yin Xinyao proceed.
Lin Heng finally came to his senses. He noticed Yin Xinyao was incredibly attentive toward Xue Jingci and quietly nudged Song Jue: “Didn’t you like Senior Sister? She’s treating Xue…”
Song Jue shook his head: “Senior Sister just likes beautiful people. Besides, Xue junior brother…”
Lin Heng was very curious about Xue Jingci’s affairs: “What?”
Lin Heng and Lin Su were originally disciples of the inner sect’s Sword Peak. They’d been demoted to the outer sect for fighting with disciples from other sects. Having been here less than half a year, they naturally knew little about Xue Jingci.
Song Jue then told the story of Xue Jingci and Xie Zheng—from sending clothes that were refused, to doing three years of thankless tasks just to see Xie Zheng once, to having his storage bag discarded.
“At first, I thought Xue junior brother was someone trying to climb the social ladder. But now I think he and Senior Brother Xie probably have a deeply moving past that drove him to such lengths.”
Lin Heng was shocked speechless.
On the other side, Yin Xinyao finished stitching Xue Jingci’s wound and handed him a scar-removal salve, instructing: “Xue junior brother, remember to use it every day!”
This time Xue Jingci readily thanked her, holding the scar-removal salve and thinking of something.
The five flew quickly and soon encountered the supply transport team, protecting them all the way back to Yan City.
At the city gates, A’su appeared like a ghost, with a trail of gruesome demon corpses behind him.
He gestured to Xue Jingci: This way, path’s clear.
Lin Su, unfamiliar with him, was cautious until Xue Jingci mentioned he was Pei Huang’s younger brother. His expression immediately softened.
A’su led everyone dashing through the night. Soon they saw…
A dog hole.
Everyone fell silent. But Xue Jingci was the first to crouch and squeeze through. Lin Heng had crawled through dog holes countless times since childhood, and Yin Xinyao had learned medicine surrounded by corpses, so she naturally didn’t mind.
Only Lin Su’s face turned purple.
“It’s just… a hole.”
Lin Su gritted his teeth and followed, emerging directly into the Medicine Sect Young Master coming to receive them.
Lin Heng was about to say something when Lin Su clapped his hand over his mouth.
The transport team filed through like fish, and seeing the piles of grain and weapons, Lin Heng’s eyes reddened. He forgot all about teasing his brother for crawling through a dog hole.
After holding the line for so long, everyone finally had support and supplies.
Jiang Chengyi ordered a counterattack. By dawn, the demon army was driven back fifty li.
After a brief rest, Xue Jingci called out to A’su: “Where’s Pei Huang?”
Today demons were attacking the city with dangers everywhere. He didn’t know if Pei Huang would be in danger.
A’su shook his head blankly, gesturing simply: Don’t know.
Xue Jingci pressed: “He doesn’t tell you where he goes?”
A’su didn’t gesture this time. Instead, he took out paper and wrote: He won’t. Big brother never tells me where he goes or what he’s doing.
The system jumped into Xue Jingci’s embrace and sighed: “This A’su, when did that little boy sell him out without him knowing.”
While the two were talking, Xiao Xun came to invite Xue Jingci to a bonfire celebration in the city.
His gaze swept across A’su with a hint of wariness, but he said nothing.
A’su didn’t like crowds. Seeing Xue Jingci was safe, he found a dark corner and went to sleep.
He’d barely slept when someone shook him awake.
That hand was very familiar. A’su didn’t resist, lazily opening his eyes in confusion, silently asking: Big brother?
Pei Huang gestured several questions, all concerning Xue Jingci.
Learning that Xue Jingci had crawled through a dog hole, Pei Huang fell silent for a moment.
An uncontrollable laugh echoed from the trees. The river spirit’s form was blurry, a thin mist approaching: “Shame, what a shame! If I’d known, I’d have stayed with little A’su instead of going to that gloomy ghost place with you.”
A’su, hearing this, knew the mischievous river spirit wanted to laugh at him. He stared at him unhappily.
During the battle, Wu Huai and Pei Huang must have gone somewhere dangerous. But A’su never asked questions, just gestured to relay what Xue Jingci had asked.
Xue Jingci wanted to know, but Pei Huang didn’t want to say.
But both were important to him, so he let his brother decide whether to tell.
Pei Huang’s lips curved slightly, thinking that Xue Jingci was so eager to know where he’d been after just disappearing for a day.
Wu Huai, staring at him meaningfully, said: “That place opens in another hour.”
Pei Huang already knew about the bonfire celebration in the city. Hearing this, he waved to Wu Huai: “Find me again in an hour.”
“Wait!” Wu Huai called: “You’re going like that, all dusty and dirty?”
Pei Huang looked at his hands, covered in dirt, his clothes similarly stained.
Wu Huai gestured and suddenly water fell on him. Just as Pei Huang was about to wash his hands, A’su stopped him.
A’su gestured: Big brother, you forgot. You said not to wash your hands for three days.
Pei Huang hadn’t expected A’su to remember and repeat his offhand comment in front of others.
The river spirit laughed till he fell over and used magic to wash Pei Huang’s hands anyway, saying to A’su: “You’ll understand when you grow up.”
Pei Huang said nothing. He threw a spirit stone hard at Wu Huai’s hand and disappeared into the alley at incredible speed.
He was practically fleeing in panic.
He soon found Xue Jingci in the crowd. Xue Jingci was holding a cat, sitting on a stone by the bonfire, lost in thought.
Firelight danced on him, making him look warm and comfortable, just like the kitten in his arms.
Pei Huang gracefully leaped onto the tall tree behind Xue Jingci.
This time he didn’t deliberately make noise. He just silently watched Xue Jingci until an hour had passed, reluctantly pulling his gaze away.
He had his own things to do here in the realm, and it was a dangerous path. He could die without a sound at any moment.
But when it came time to leave, Pei Huang felt unwilling. Finally, he carefully plucked a tree leaf and warmed it in his palm.
Then he flicked it down, landing on the system’s head.
“Meow!”
Both the system and Xue Jingci looked up, but saw only wind-blown shadows, no one there.
“What demon wind!” the system complained.
Xue Jingci picked up the leaf, about to discard it when his eyes changed.
His palm was always ice-cold. Yet this leaf was warm.
The bonfire burned through the night, finally nearly burned out.
Disciples from each sect quieted from their revelry, gathering around the flames to talk.
After this blood-soaked battle, everyone seemed to share something different—a bond. The cultivators who’d defended the south took the initiative to apologize, saying they shouldn’t have neglected defense while searching for treasures.
Jiang Chengyi’s tense expression finally eased somewhat.
He waved out the bonfire. In the darkness, watching eyes that shone brighter than before, he declared loudly: “After sunrise, everyone take up weapons. We march directly on the demon stronghold.”
The crowd cheered, then quieted, sitting in meditation to prepare for tomorrow’s great battle.
Lin Su and Lin Heng spoke quietly, hoping to slay the enemy commander tomorrow.
Yin Xinyao distributed pills, returning to her usual gentle and serene demeanor.
At dawn, everyone stood up, radiating heightened momentum, running out of the city with weapons.
Xue Jingci fell to the rear. Seeing everyone’s high spirits, he knew today’s counteroffensive would surely succeed.
He had no interest in seizing merit. Calculating his points, with that demon core, he had just enough to exchange for an elder token.
Xue Jingci casually killed a passing demon soldier and reversed through the crowd to return to the city.
In this battle, the sect disciples proved overwhelming, sending demons into steady retreat. Eventually, Song Jue, Lin Su, and Jiang Chengyi all accumulated enough points to exchange for elder tokens.
Only Chen Zhao, not using his true weapon in combat, didn’t earn enough.
Today was the last day everyone would spend in the realm.
The victorious disciples couldn’t sleep. They gathered at the military warehouse to exchange rewards, waiting for dawn to leave the realm.
Their harvest was substantial. Not only did they obtain many treasures, but their mindsets had transformed completely.
Xue Jingci returned early, quickly exchanged everything, and was sleeping in his room, not mingling.
But he’d barely fallen asleep when his door moved, and a familiar figure snuck in.
Pei Huang tiptoed inside, moving fishlike to the bedside, appearing ready to climb up.
“Haven’t slept on a bed in ages. Mind if I sponge off one night?”
Xue Jingci scooted in, making space.
Pei Huang used the same excuse as last time, but this time Xue Jingci asked seriously: “Have you really not slept on a bed for that long?”
“Of course not.”
Xue Jingci lay on his side watching him. Pei Huang felt his gaze, his heart trembling slightly. He simply lifted the blanket and slipped inside, closing his eyes and quietly saying: “I came to protect you.”