Coming out of Yuntian Shuijing, Hua Che felt refreshed and relaxed. A second chance at life, no more entanglements, no more attachments, to spare both individuals from suffering.

In the previous life, Hua Che was infatuated with Chu Binghuan, from the initial awe-inspiring encounter to gradually becoming familiar and affectionate, ultimately leading to unwavering commitment until death. Even to the extent of capturing him and imprisoning him in the Demon Realm, forcing him into a marital bond, all justified by Hua Che's profound cultivation.

Looking back now, it was indeed quite despicable.

If Chu Binghuan had willingly accepted, it might have been different. However, he was reserved and persistent, possessing a stubborn and resolute nature. Even if Hua Che made advances, he would rather die than yield, behaving like a chaste and heroic woman ready to bite her tongue and commit suicide. Hua Che, even if tempted by confusion, couldn't bring himself to act.

He didn't want anything willingly offered, indicating how much Chu Binghuan despised himself.

Many people desired to climb into the bed of the supreme, but they couldn't. Hmph!

Hua Che got into the carriage, smiling self-mockingly.

Considering things from another perspective, if there was an infatuated man obsessed with himself, loving to the point of madness, sealing the golden core at the slightest disagreement, imprisoning in various ways...

A chill ran down his spine.

Sorry, Chu Binghuan!

Forcibly trying to make a stolen melon sweet won't turn out well, that's the truth.

After traveling for two hours, Hua Che got off the carriage, instructing Nany Jiang to return to the manor.

" Young Master, aren't you coming back with this old servant?" Nanny Jiang looked at him with worry. With no support from in-laws, what would become of the young master in the future?

Hua Che naturally understood Nanny Jiang's concerns, nonchalantly smiling, "I...cough, my health is precarious. Ignoring it might lead to an early death."

"Little Master, don't speak nonsense." Nanny Jiang, unusually stern, stared at Hua Che for a while. Finally, unable to maintain the facade, she sighed with a sorrowful expression. "I had hoped to use the influence of the Chu family to help cure your condition. Yuntian Shuijing is renowned for its medical and cultivation practices. Even the famous Shang Qing Immortal Sect has a disciple with an incurable disease. The disciple had to specially seek medical treatment in Yuntian Shuijing. Young Master, with difficulty forming some connections, even if you don't establish a marriage, you should at least mention it for the sake of your health, right?"

Hua Che followed the rhythm of the horse's mane, saying, "What connections? It's just an oral agreement. In the current era with a new emperor and policies, not to mention it's an affair from the last generation. Can we expect someone to adhere strictly to the commands of their elders? Besides, in my situation... I have some self-awareness. There's no need for a toad lusting after swan's flesh."

Nanny Jiang felt a pang of sadness, "Young Master..."

"Enough!" Hua Che waved his hand, "I think things are fine as they are now. Entangling relationships with those large families may not be a good thing. Alright, alright, there are plenty of medical practitioners and cultivators in the world, not just Yuntian Shuijing. I plan to find a sect and apprentice myself to enhance my body and health."

Nanny Jiang thought about it and felt it was a good idea. She said, "Since you want to join a sect, naturally, you should choose the best one. Does the Young Master wish to go to Shang Qing Immortal Sect?"

The smile on Hua Che's face froze.

Yes, in the previous life, he did go to Shang Qing Immortal Sect, and then... a whole bunch of things happened.

"No, the sect is too large, with too many conflicts. It's uncomfortable," Hua Che said. "Let's find a small and insignificant place. I don't want to stand out and make a name for myself. Just go with the flow and wait for death! Haha, with some luck, I might even become an elder or a minister."

Nanny Jiang knew that Hua Che had made up his mind, and there was no use in persuading him further. Besides, living an ordinary life might not be a bad thing. At least, he could be happy without shouldering any responsibilities.

"Young Master, please take good care of yourself. Don't get involved in unnecessary disputes with those high-ranking officials. I know you're passionate and detest evil, but we can't compete with those people. So, you should..." Nanny Jiang was interrupted as Hua Che suddenly hugged her.

Nanny Jiang was taken aback. The young Master had been mischievous and lively since he was a child. He would cause trouble if one blinked for a moment, making Miss Mei worry a lot. As he grew older, he became more unruly, carefree, and rarely had such quiet and sentimental moments.

Taking a deep breath, Hua Che, other than his mother, considered Nanny Jiang the best person in the world to him.

Without saying anything, Hua Che slowly released Nanny Jiang, giving her a grin, "When I snatch my junior sister from the sect, I'll bring her back to show my filial piety to you immediately."

Nanny Jiang chuckled, "Still not behaving properly."

Just trying to make his old lady happy. In any case, he was destined to grow old alone.

Watching Nanny Jiang leave, Hua Che pondered about where to go. Fengming Valley and Ye You Prefecture had good reputations, ranking alongside Yuntian Shuijing as the three major immortal sects. It was good, but he couldn't go there.

Forget it, just find a place close to home, with food and lodge covered.

Helpless, Hua Che became more depressed about his ghostly body. He wasn't a premature baby, and having a frail and sickly body was quite strange. There were no old injuries or illnesses, so who knows why he ended up with this state after the rebirth.

Perhaps, his rebirth wasn't entirely cost-free, and perhaps God had quietly taken a small tip for his services?

Sighing, Hua Che had initially wished to find a quiet countryside village, where he could stroll with cats and play with dogs, living a carefree life until his eventual death. Little did he know, fate had other plans.

To avoid succumbing to a common cold and repeating the tragic demise of his previous life, Hua Che found himself compelled to step the same path that had led him to cultivation in his first life.

Despite possessing the experience of his past life, Hua Che could technically cultivate without joining a sect. However, after spending a hundred years cultivating the ghost path and another hundred years as a demonic cultivator, he had long forgotten the immortal cultivation techniques he had once learned at the Shang Qing Immortal Sect.

Now reborn, Hua Che was reluctant to return to the demonic path unless absolutely necessary. He decided to attempt guiding spiritual energy into his body, the fundamental skill shared by both immortal and demonic cultivators.

This process, depending on innate skill and talent, could take anywhere from three days to three years for cultivators. In his past life, Hua Che had managed to achieve it in just half a day, earning admiration and envy from everyone.

Given his previous experience, it took Hua Che a mere four hours to succeed in guiding spiritual energy into his body in his current life.

 

*

Opening his eyes, the night was already deep.

Suddenly, a tender moan reached his ears.

Hua Che thought he misheard and ignored it.

The girl who had been hiding behind a rock for a while lost patience. After making sure her fox ears were well-hidden, she limped out, her lively eyes filled with tears. She pitifully cried out, "Help, young master, save me!"

Hua Che looked left and right and finally pointed at himself, saying, "Call me? Apart from you, who else is here in the middle of nowhere!"

The fox spirit, crying like a pear blossom in the rain, tripped over something unknown under her feet. She fell just a step away from Hua Che and pleaded, "Save me, young master."

Hua Che asked, "What's wrong? Is someone chasing you?"

How about helping me up first, you jerk! The fox spirit was indignant. This was her three hundredth prey. As an adept hunter among demonic cultivators, she was confident she had captured her target this time!

However, this young man was quite good-looking, even more so than the prince of some country she had eaten a few days ago. The fox spirit stared at Hua Che with her charming eyes, almost drooling.

"Yes, there's a bandit chasing me. Young master, please save me. Sob, sob, sob..."

This lady was a devastating beauty, capable of causing the downfall of a nation! The fox spirit didn’t believe this guy could stay unaffected!

“Is that so?” Hua Che stood up, extended his hand, and helped the seemingly pitiful girl to her feet, saying gently, "Miss, don't be afraid. I..."

The fox spirit thought, He's about to help me up, this jerk!

Hua Che stood up, and with precise and swift movements, he cut open the young girl’s dantian1.

Caught off guard, the fox spirit widened her eyes, looking at Hua Che in disbelief.

With a slight surge of true energy in his palm, Hua Che skillfully targeted the injured dantian of the girl. He reached into the empty space and pulled out a sparkling and colorful golden core.

Under the brilliance, Hua Che's phoenix eyes shone with colorful light, "I'm scarier than a bandit."

 

Fox Spirit: "You! You..."

Hua Che stored the core away, genuinely smiling, "Thanks."

The fox spirit died with grievances.

It shouldn't be like this. I remember observing him from the shadows at sunset; he was clearly just an ordinary person!

How did he, in the blink of an eye, become a cultivator with true energy?

Moreover, the attack was so ruthless, so fierce and decisive!

"Stop!" A young man shouted as he descended from the sky. After landing, he didn't even care about his sword and hurriedly checked the fox spirit that had returned to its original form.

"Darn it, it's gone!" The young man's eyes widened, glaring at Hua Che and reaching out, "Give it to me!"

Hua Che: "Give what?"

"Its core! Don't play dumb with me, did you take it?!" The young man was infuriated, his eyes turning red. "I spent seven days and nights following her. Never thought you'd intervene. Quickly hand over the hundred-year core!"

Hua Che smiled, "Interesting. I killed the demon, and I extracted the core. It's right here in my pocket. Do you have any qualifications to share the rewards? What entitles me to share?"

The young man retorted, "Just because this fox is my prey! Everything should follow the rules of first come, first served, right? I chose her first."

Hua Che shrugged, "Chose her, but couldn't capture her even in seven days? Brother, your speed..."

"I'm adept at understanding my enemy and winning a hundred battles. What do you know? I warn you, if you don't hand over the demon core, I'll..."

Hua Che's face changed drastically. He quickly pulled the vigorous young man over, stuffed him behind a rock, and then followed suit, hiding himself.

The young man was puzzled, "What are you doing?"

Hua Che firmly covered his mouth and gestured for silence.

The young man, baffled, thought the old fox spirit had sought revenge after being killed, leading to his mysterious actions. He couldn't help but feel a bit of schadenfreude, "You got what you deserved. Just hand over the demon core, and I'll take care of it for you!"

Hua Che's complexion was not good. Rather than panic, there was more... embarrassment.

The young man was eagerly anticipating the old fox spirit giving Hua Che a hard time. He impatiently peeked out to watch.

Not to mention the fox spirit, not even a trace of fox fur was left. Instead, walking out from the depths of the forest was a man, tall and with an extraordinary aura even from a distance.

Hua Che's heart raced.

The man stepped into the moonlight.

Dressed in white, he was cold and ethereal, with a flawless and handsome face. Three thousand strands of black silky hair were tied up with a hairpin, and his clear eyes reflected the myriad stars. Holding the Listening Spring Sword, he walked gracefully, blending with the clear moonlight. If one didn't know better, they would think a fairy from the Guanghan Palace (NT: Palace of the moon, inhabited by the goddess of the moon – Chang’e, the Jade Rabbit and the woodcutter Wu Gang) had descended.

The young man stared in shock, dumbfounded for a while before suddenly realizing, "Isn't that... Yun... Yun... omph"

Hua Che wished he could poke his finger into the young man's mouth!

No matter how much he hides, it's always Chu Binghuan.

What a doomed fate!

 

Translator : DarNan