Chapter 69 - 2#
Though she expressed it simply, Xiao Xun seemed to glimpse that scene through her brief words alone.
He could almost imagine Xue Jingci’s serious expression, unable to prevent a smile from crossing his face.
Yet very quickly, Xiao Xun recalled everything that had happened that day.
He remembered going to find Lu Chengquan, threatening him with the little bell to do things for him—one of which was to accept him as a disciple at the upcoming master-disciple ceremony.
At that time, he’d believed Xue Jingci had tampered with his life’s fate, yet didn’t dare confront him, fearing they’d break their relationship.
But Xiao Xun also couldn’t bear to see the person he loved suffer such cruelty, so he wanted to do something to cause Xue Jingci pain.
In his view, if Xue Jingci suffered, they’d be even, and he could pretend not to know, continuing to interact with him as before.
Yet he never imagined—it was all his misunderstanding of Xue Jingci.
That person wasn’t trying to harm him. He only wanted to change his fate, letting him live a fortunate life.
Xiao Xun’s eyelashes trembled. Anguish flashed in his eyes as he raised his hand to touch the wound on his shoulder.
He knew Xue Jingci hated him. Let it be then—continue to hate him, treat him as an enemy… At least the master would know of his existence.
Sensing Xiao Xun’s strange expression, little bell couldn’t help but wave her hand before his eyes, trying to recall his thoughts.
Xiao Xun forced a smile, gripping the grass-woven little cat tightly.
Little bell, seeing Xiao Xun sitting motionless, asked again: “Today is his death anniversary. Aren’t you going to pay respects?”
Xiao Xun suddenly came to his senses, murmuring: “Brother won’t let him die again.”
Little bell’s words instantly pulled Xiao Xun back to those days when Xue Jingci’s fate hung in the balance… It was precisely then that he learned the truth—Xue Jingci had never wanted to harm him.
For the first time, he wavered. For the first time, he regretted what he’d done.
Xiao Xun had always been someone who, if he wanted something, would exhaust all means to grasp it tightly. Even if everyone thought he was unscrupulous, he didn’t mind.
But Xue Jingci was the sole exception.
He thought he’d exhausted all methods yet couldn’t obtain even a fraction of this person’s favor. He didn’t know that actually, without doing anything, this person had already given him the very best.
They could have been the most perfect master and disciple pair…
Xiao Xun gradually recovered his senses. He patted little bell’s shoulder: “He’ll return very soon.”
Little bell blinked, not understanding how the dead could come back to life, but knowing Xiao Xun was the most capable person in this world, she obediently nodded.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly felt discomfort in her chest.
Perhaps it was a parent-child connection. Little bell instinctively lifted her head to look into the room, asking: “Brother, have you seen my papa?”
Hearing her mention Lu Chenyuan, Xiao Xun’s eyes narrowed. He lowered his gaze, gently tugging the puppet strings in his palm, and shook his head.
Little bell wanted to say more, but Xiao Xun stood, taking her hand to leave: “Alright, brother still needs to cultivate. Go play by yourself.”
After sending little bell away, Xiao Xun returned to the main hall. He reached up and pressed a mechanism on the wall.
The floor instantly cracked open. He leaped down, landing in a dark, damp dungeon.
Lu Chengquan was now ravaged by demon worms, his breath barely clinging to life, flesh and blood a mess. Only his eyes remained fixed on the crevice above, seeming to search desperately for little bell’s figure.
Just now, little bell and Xiao Xun’s conversation had reached his ears. Learning his daughter was temporarily safe, Lu Chengquan sighed in relief, but deeper despair followed.
He knew Xiao Xun couldn’t tolerate betrayal. Yet if he died, what would become of little bell?
Xiao Xun was unpredictable—today treating little bell kindly, but perhaps tomorrow flipping his face. Worse, his daughter had a pure nature, always believing Xiao Xun was a good person.
The more he thought, the more desperate he became, even considering self-detonation here to destroy Xiao Xun along with him.
But if he couldn’t kill this person, he’d face even worse revenge.
Xiao Xun read Lu Chengquan’s expression clearly. He laughed coldly: “With your current cultivation, you still want to harm me?”
Lu Chengquan’s secret exposed, his expression changed. Finally, he softened and pleaded: “I’m willing to become the family head’s puppet. Just spare my daughter…”
Xiao Xun watched Lu Chengquan quietly. Such deep father-daughter love stirred a malicious impulse in him to destroy it.
Yet ultimately, he suppressed this emotion.
Xiao Xun pointed a finger. The chains binding Lu Chengquan loosened instantly.
He said flatly: “This time I won’t kill you. But only this once.”
Lu Chengquan couldn’t believe his ears, yet quickly found his limbs could move freely. Disbelief flashed in his eyes.
Xiao Xun had truly spared him?!
Legend had it that Xiao Xun once had a younger sister, half-sister from the same mother. She died at a young age.
Such a person had actually shown mercy to little bell…
Just as Xiao Xun was about to leave the secret chamber, Lu Chengquan took a deep breath and cried out loudly: “Family head, you cannot tamper with Xie Zheng’s fate!”
Xiao Xun’s footsteps paused. He turned, staring coldly at him without speaking.
Lu Chengquan urgently said: “There’s always been a rumor in the upper realm—within a hundred years, the Heavenly Gate array will break open. When it does, the demon race emerging will plunge the world into chaos. Only Xie Zheng can save everything.”
“If you tamper with his fate now, who knows what calamity you’ll invite!”
Lu Chengquan knew Xiao Xun didn’t care about the world’s safety, but in a overturned nest, no egg remains whole. If the array breaks, even great clans like the Xiao family couldn’t protect themselves.
This prophecy was no stranger to Xiao Xun. Without it, how could Xie Zheng, a rootless cultivator, become a peak leader? How could he part ways with Xue Jingci?
Xiao Xun’s lips curled in a mocking, disdainful smile: “You really think the Heavenly Gate array…”
He stopped mid-sentence, realizing this shouldn’t be mentioned to others. Ignoring Lu Chengquan’s surprise, he turned and left the chamber, heading toward the Sand Demon assembly hall.
Several Xiao family members were already waiting there, seeking Xiao Xun.
Xiao Xun naturally knew their intentions.
He’d managed to bring the Sand Demon race under his control so quickly precisely because of his Xiao family family head status.
In the demon realm, this wasn’t really a secret.
The so-called Sand Demon lineage was originally a Xiao family branch, exiled for wrongdoing, then hidden in the demon realm developing power in secret.
Most demon realm cultivators were disorganized. Those like the Xiao family with complete family inheritance were anomalies, quickly earning a name.
Though now they held high status here, many secretly looked down on the demon realm as a desolate place, wanting to return to the upper realm’s Xiao family, to be noble family children again.
Xiao Xun grasped their hearts, promising to bring them back to the upper realm Xiao family.
Within short time, he’d controlled this demon realm power in his hands.
Yet from start to finish, Xiao Xun never intended to take them back—merely deceiving them.
Xiao Xun sat at the head seat, tapping his fingertips lightly on the table, pondering how to delay this matter.
Pei Huang becoming demon lord, though only a year, would create many variables.
The demon realm needed to be his eyes and ears.
He couldn’t break with these people, yet had to coax them into serving him. He needed a complete plan.
Yet before Xiao Xun could speak, someone said: “Family head, during your absence, we discussed together and decided to remain in the demon realm.”
Xiao Xun felt some surprise. These people always previously hinted, directly or indirectly, wanting to return to the upper realm soon.
Now they’d changed their minds, wanting to stay in the demon realm?
Xiao Xun set down his tea cup without expression, asking: “You suddenly changed your minds. Did something happen while I was away?”
Someone said: “During your time in the upper realm, a new cultivation technique spread through the demon realm. Written by your… your master Xue. The Water Demon race established a teaching platform, and we learned that technique too. After practicing, our vision cleared and our previous madness faded!”
Suddenly hearing Xue Jingci’s name, Xiao Xun straightened up, his expression turning especially serious.
Another approached to refill his tea, saying: “If we returned to the upper realm, we couldn’t practice demon techniques anymore. But in my view, this technique is most suitable for us demonic cultivators.”
“Though the Xiao family is good, practicing demonic techniques here is freer.”
Everyone spoke over each other, praising that technique.
Yet Xiao Xun only understood one thing. He urgently asked: “While I was away, my master came here? And taught you cultivation?”
“Yes, he stayed for two full days before leaving.”
Mentioning Xue Jingci, the group opened up like floodgates, not stinting in praise.
They could all see that Xiao Xun’s attitude toward this person was quite unusual.
Moreover, the demon realm valued strength. That Xue Jingci could produce such a technique meant his status changed fundamentally, even without Xiao Xun’s connection.
Xiao Xun clenched his fists tightly, almost unable to hide his inner turmoil.
He’d originally brought Xue Jingci to the Sand Demon territory, assuming his master would never set foot here again.
Yet he actually came.
If the Lingxu Sect’s sect master hadn’t urgently summoned him to the upper realm, he wouldn’t have left at this time, missing his master by chance.
Damn it!
…
The river spirit guarding near the Sand Demon territory immediately detected Xiao Xun’s movements upon his return.
He could freely possess water. Today, with rain falling, he hid in standing water, overhearing Xiao Xun’s confrontation with Lu Chengquan.
The river spirit immediately went to find Pei Huang, telling him everything he’d heard.
Pei Huang’s brow furrowed. He hadn’t expected Xiao Xun to persist in changing Xue Jingci’s fate. He’d even targeted Xie Zheng!
He even wanted to spread news that Xue Jingci hadn’t died, luring Xie Zheng to the demon realm.
Pei Huang naturally didn’t want Xue Jingci to see this troublesome renegade disciple again.
Moreover, as the newly appointed demon lord, he didn’t want Xie Zheng, the Lingxu Sect’s leader, coming to the demon realm to cause trouble.
Pei Huang pondered briefly, then told the river spirit: “These days, stop watching Xiao Xun. Instead, carefully observe whether Xie Zheng has appeared in the demon realm.”
The river spirit nodded, then suddenly recalled something: “Xiao Xun said something else that seemed meaningful to me.”
“Lu Chengquan, for righteous causes, advised Xiao Xun not to tamper with Xie Zheng’s fate. Xiao Xun said something like: ‘You really think the Heavenly Gate array…’ Then he seemed to realize something and didn’t continue.”
Pei Huang fell into thought. Could there be a problem with the Heavenly Gate array?
He recovered his thoughts, looking at the river spirit: “Xiao Xun isn’t simple. When you gather more information about him later, be careful.”
The river spirit reached out to Pei Huang, saying in a deliberately lighthearted tone: “Don’t you trust my work? But since he’s so complicated, you owe me more spirit stones. Asu’s grown up now, eats much more than before—nowhere near as easy to raise as when young.”
Hearing him mention Asu, Pei Huang recalled his own childhood.
When East Village met disaster, only Asu survived. When Pei Huang arrived, he found Asu’s throat already cut, hanging by a thread.
He’d used the spiritual medicine and stones Xue Jingci gave him, barely saving Asu’s life, yet didn’t know how to raise a half-grown child.
Finally, the river spirit took over this problem, carrying Asu on his back daily and feeding him.
Whenever they went underwater collecting corpses and retrieving valuables for money, they’d put Asu in a wooden basin, floating him on the water surface.
Once they found something good at the bottom, accidentally forgetting Asu, the child drifted downstream in the basin. The river spirit searched long before finding him in a pile of water grass.
That night, Asu couldn’t sleep. The river spirit put him in the basin, transformed into water, gently rocking him to sleep.
This way, Asu was raised by them. To Pei Huang’s heart, these two were like family.
Pei Huang pulled spirit stones from his pocket to give to the river spirit. Just as the river spirit reached for them, Asu jumped through the window.
Asu pushed the stones back, gesturing: For the immortal brother’s upkeep.
Then, looking at the river spirit, he gestured: Don’t need you to support me. I can support you.
Pei Huang’s eyes moved between them, suddenly understanding something, his expression showing revelation.
He hesitated: “You two…”
The river spirit coughed: “Originally worried you’d be lonely. Now that you have a master, in future, no need to visit us often.”
Pei Huang was about to speak when footsteps sounded outside.
The river spirit moved, disappearing instantly with Asu, as if they’d never appeared.
The visitor was the right protector of the Fire Demon clan, a powerfully built man.
Upon entering, he hugged Pei Huang’s arm, crying out: “Lord, that Water Demon clan clearly has no good intentions! They built a demon palace where the last competition was held, wanting you to move there. They’re clearly trying to drive a wedge between us!”
Pei Huang withdrew his hand: “The Fire Demon territory is remote. Having others visit me for consultations is inconvenient. Moving would be better.”
Building the palace was actually something he’d privately negotiated with the Water Demons.
That territory had abundant demon qi and, unusually, cultivated many rare medicinal herbs. Xue Jingci would be more comfortable there, his body recovering better.
The man, thinking it over, realized it made sense. Pei Huang’s status was different now—not just Fire Demon lord but the entire demon realm’s lord. Living here did look unbecoming.
He sighed reluctantly: “I’ll gather some brothers to help the lord move.”
Pei Huang thanked him and went ahead to the newly completed demon palace.
The newly built palace needed many attendants. Now people from various factions came hoping for luck.
Pei Huang hadn’t intended to personally oversee this, yet unexpectedly found an old acquaintance among the applicants—Shangguan Yao.
“You’re… Jar?” Pei Huang approached the chubby boy, studying him, somewhat uncertain.
Shangguan Yao nodded: “It’s me. You know my cooking is decent. I came to beg a meal from you.”
Pei Huang was delighted. In his youth, he’d “robbed the rich to feed the poor” with Jar, naturally knowing this man came from a famous imperial kitchen family with excellent culinary skills.
Xue Jingci had been going around teaching with Fu Yin these days, establishing platforms and giving lectures. Today he went to the Thunder Demon territory—the last place to visit.
He’d been away for a full seven days. Finally, he was about to return.
But according to Fu Yin, teaching techniques wasn’t day’s work. Afterward, Xue Jingci would need to frequently give lectures like this.
If there was good food, he should come home more often…
Pei Huang immediately decided to keep Jar, giving him no rest before shoving him into the small kitchen to prepare delicious food.
At that moment, Xue Jingci didn’t know an entire table of delicacies awaited him tonight.
He was sitting with Lin Heng and Shu Mo, chewing dried biscuits.
Lin Heng, watching Xue Jingci eat the biscuit, suddenly recalled those bombastic words he’d spoken at the competition:
“Doing pretty well.”
“Managing five or six people under me.”
“Follow me and you’ll eat your fill.”
He now felt covered in cold sweat.
How could he have known that in just ten years, Pei Huang would leap to become demon lord, and Xue Jingci would become his master?
Seeing Xue Jingci still gnawing biscuits, Lin Heng felt embarrassed and fidgeted: “I heard today Pei Huang is moving to the newly built demon palace. You should return early too. I’ll escort you.”
Lin Heng felt reluctant. He had so many hidden weapons he hadn’t shown Xue Jingci, so many words left unsaid.
But thinking that Xue Jingci going to the palace would have better food and living conditions than the Thunder Demon territory, he wished he’d leave sooner. Besides, Xue Jingci would come back to Thunder Demon territory again later.
In time, there was always time.
Only those who’d experienced loss understood the weight of these four characters.
Lin Heng suppressed his emotions and forced a smile: “Let’s go.”
Xue Jingci swallowed his biscuit and nodded, following Lin Heng.
Thinking of soon seeing Pei Huang, Xue Jingci felt an unusual sensation in his heart.
It had been days since seeing Pei Huang.
During daytime lectures it was manageable, but once night fell and he rested, his heart felt strangely empty.
Xue Jingci raised his hand, pressing his chest, finding this feeling peculiar.
He couldn’t help recalling these days—Lin Heng constantly clinging to him, speaking of his ten-year longing.
Xue Jingci didn’t quite understand such feelings, even finding them excessive and affected.
But now, thinking of Pei Huang unseen for seven days, his footsteps involuntarily quickened, unaware himself.
The demon realm had less light than the mortal world. Lin Heng carried a lantern, lighting the way. He suddenly thought of something and turned: “I heard that in the old days when the demon race hadn’t split, newly appointed demon lords had to endure the King Seal’s power. I wonder if Pei Huang needs to.”
Xue Jingci raised an eyebrow questioningly: “King Seal?”
Lin Heng scratched his head. As a righteous cultivator, he only knew demon realm rumors vaguely.
Shu Mo, previously silent, suddenly spoke: “Among the great cultivators who initially set the Heavenly Gate array, one was a demon cultivator. The King Seal contains part of his power. If able to withstand three attacks and gain the seal’s approval, one could enter the Heavenly Gate array’s interior for investigation.”
Xue Jingci, now knowing Shu Mo was actually a demon race spy sent to the upper realm, wasn’t surprised by his knowledge of demon secrets.
He only wondered how this person ended up with Lin Heng. If he remembered correctly, Lin Heng had once bullied Shu Mo quite badly.
Seeming to notice Xue Jingci appraising him and Lin Heng, Shu Mo calmly said: “I also bullied him. We’re even now.”
Hearing the word “bullied,” Lin Heng swatted Shu Mo, but seeing Xue Jingci seemed not to notice anything wrong with the word, he sighed in relief.
Surely someone like Xue Jingci, untouched by earthly dust, wouldn’t understand such worldly desires.
Xue Jingci truly hadn’t thought much of it. He simply continued asking: “How did previous demon lords withstand the attacks?”
Shu Mo continued honestly, serving as the demon realm encyclopedia: “The previous demon lord endured two attacks before his blood reversed, finally struggling through the third with cultivation regressing. The one before him was more fortunate—his dao companion was a physical cultivator. The two enduring together naturally found it easier than one alone.”
Xue Jingci keenly caught the key detail.
The King Seal could apparently be endured with a demon lord and his dao companion together.
But Pei Huang didn’t have a dao companion yet… How would he endure the King Seal’s power?
Meanwhile, in the demon palace.
Pei Huang walked about the palace, now thinking the vases were asymmetrically placed, now thinking the floor dirty needing another wipe.
Once everything was arranged impeccably, impossible to fault further, he finally quieted. He gazed eagerly at the doorway, wondering when Xue Jingci would return.
From afar, Xue Jingci caught the distinct aroma of unique dishes and quickened his pace, entering the house where he immediately saw Pei Huang.
Today he differed from usual, wearing a demon lord’s dark brocade robe, making his form appear even more upright and tall.
The next second, Xue Jingci met Pei Huang’s gaze.
Those eyes once full of ferocity were now fixed straight on him, just like a small dog waiting by the home’s gate for the master’s return.
Where was his intimidating demeanor?
Xue Jingci couldn’t help seriously calculating in his heart—how many days exactly had he been gone?
It wasn’t particularly long, really.
Before, when he and Pei Huang separated, it was years of separation.
Had Pei Huang waited for him like this back then?
An indescribable feeling stirred in Xue Jingci’s heart, silently deciding that in future, when going out, he should return early.
Pei Huang stared intently at Xue Jingci, confirming his gaze remained on him, inexplicably swelling with pride, as if an invisible tail behind him stood high and wagged.
He’d had Jar prepare an entire table of dishes—all Xue Jingci’s favorites.
But Xue Jingci hadn’t glanced at them once.
He was only looking at himself.
Though an insignificant matter, Pei Huang felt days of unbearable longing smoothed away, unable to help but smile.