"Stop your nonsense!" Chu Binghuan shouted sharply.

Hua Che didn't expect Chu Binghuan's reaction to be so strong. He wasn't teasing intentionally but genuinely felt he wasn't behaving properly.

Hua Che encouraged, trying to lift the mood, "Doctors are accustomed to life and death; you'll get used to it."

Chu Binghuan grabbed Hua Che's wrist and placed his hand on Hua Che's forehead.

"No wonder you're talking nonsense, you have a fever."

"Oh," Hua Che accepted gladly, not taking the fever seriously. Instead, he urged, quite solemnly, "Hurry, get paper and pen. I'm not strong enough to do it myself. You'll have to write for me!"

Chu Binghuan didn't catch on, "Write what?"

Hua Che said solemnly, "Write down your likes and dislikes, to give to your future destined lady! Hurry up, hurry up, I might forget later."

Chu Binghuan: "…"

He didn't want to argue with a delirious patient!

"Who is the arsonist?" Chu Binghuan, not wanting to dwell on ‘his destined lady’, changed the subject, his voice low and deep, "Did you see them?“

"No. But…" Hua Che looked at the dark clouds, mysteriously chuckled, "I can probably guess who it is."

Chu Binghuan didn't ask further; the priority was Hua Che's health. He reminded, "Relax."

Hua Che knew Chu Binghuan wanted to explore his spiritual essence, so he didn't resist.

Exploring the spiritual essence meant the practitioner entering the other person's inner world with their own spirit. They could perceive the other person's spirit, consciousness, and core essence. During this process, the practitioner could cast curses, extract the other person's spirit, seize their core essence, or even attempt to take over their body.

Similarly, the practitioner faced risks. For example, if the target resisted, a backlash might occur. If the flow of energy was too forceful, the practitioner might suffer the consequences. If they failed to extract the other person's spirit, they might be trapped inside the other person's inner world, their own spirit devoured.

Chu Binghuan, being cautious, entered Hua Che's inner world to make sure he hadn't been cursed with any hidden malice before feeling relieved.

When Chu Binghuan came out, he found Hua Che with closed eyes, his head tilted to the side, breathing peacefully, asleep.

*

Hua Che didn't sleep well, experiencing many dreams, fragmented and disconnected.

At one moment, he was with Hua Mei’er, embroidering under an oil lamp. Her embroidery skills were excellent; the lotus she embroidered was vivid and pure, while the plum blossom bloomed proudly, resilient and untainted. As she embroidered, she spoke to the child leaning against her knees, "Mother's favorites are lotus and plum blossoms. One perseveres through hardship, standing alone in the cold; the other rises from the mud unstained, elegant and pure, truly noble among flowers."

"Che'er, your name is like the lotus, pure and untainted, free from impurities. Your mindset should be as vast and free as the clear sky, without dark clouds or sorrowful rain, forever gentle and clear."

Hua Che lifted his chin to look at the poetry collection spread out on the table. Just learning to read, he particularly enjoyed showing off, reciting each word meticulously, "How blue the autumn rain, the mountains lean against the clear sky."

His mother caressed his head.

Her touch was warm as sunlight.

At another moment, he dreamt of Lu Mingfeng who was on the highest palace, receiving the worship of ten thousand immortals.

With a millennium of cultivation, he was solemn and dignified, highly respected, and reserved.

All cultivators in the world revered him; to have the fortune to be his disciple was a blessing accumulated over ten lifetimes.

Hua Che once thought this blessing was something he couldn't obtain, it would definitely belong to Chu Binghuan. Who would have thought Lu Mingfeng would directly bypass Chu Binghuan and choose him?

It was said that this greatly angered Mei Cailian, who specifically went to Shangqing Immortal Sect to seek justice.

Elder Qianyang also found it difficult to understand. After all, everyone could see Chu Binghuan's aptitude. Although Hua Che was also talented, why didn't they accept them both at once? Wasn't having outstanding disciples good? In the future, when the Immortal Dao Martial Arts Assembly took place, and their disciples dominated the top ranks, wouldn't it bring them honour?

Of course, such words couldn't be spoken. Elder Qianyang was grateful to have a good disciple; he was already overwhelmed with joy. He just feared Lu Mingfeng might suddenly change his mind!

As for Hua Che, who had stumbled upon good fortune, he naturally felt grateful. His master was very good to him, very kind, although usually strict, he was warm inside. He never hesitated to treat his disciples well.

Spiritual artifacts, elixirs, immortal herbs, various precious lingzhi mushrooms, baths to enhance cultivation… This made other disciples of the sect both envious and jealous.

Hua Che’s talent was truly exceptional. Even though he chose the path of swordsmanship to conform to Shangqing Immortal Sect, he still excelled. He was unparalleled in both literary and martial arts within the sect.

Very few within the sect knew about his background. They only knew he came from poverty, endured hardships, refused to yield, and persevered against all odds.

Every four years, the cultivation world held a grand event called the "Immortal Martial Assembly". Disciples from various sects gathered at Shangqing Immortal Sect to exchange martial skills, compete, and select talents. It was a friendly exchange between immortal sects and an opportunity to test the new talents of the Immortal Dao, selecting outstanding individuals.

To rank in the top three was not only a personal glory, becoming famous overnight, but it also brought glory to their sect and ancestors.

However, everything changed in that moment.

Any disciple who had practiced for more than a year and was under thirty years old could participate in the Immortal Martial Assembly.

That year, Hua Che faced challenges fearlessly, demonstrating his prowess with the sword. His swordsmanship traversed fourteen regions, and he boldly claimed the top spot.

At the age of only seventeen, before reaching adulthood, he enjoyed unparalleled glory. No one could resist his valorous and heroic figure; no one could resist his unparalleled charm.

This youth was as radiant as the morning sun above the nine heavens. No one could overshadow his brilliance. He was destined to become a few dim stars, merely accompanying him.

For three consecutive Immortal Martial Assemblies, he seemed destined for the top position. Each time, victory was effortlessly within his grasp. He secured the top position three times in a row, while the second place inevitably belonged to Chu Binghuan. Others could only compete for the third position.

There were feelings of envy, admiration, and even jealousy.

"He's too dazzling. Standing next to him makes me feel insignificant. Sometimes I wish he would stumble and fall hard, never to rise again!"

These were words spoken by Lu Yao, words Hua Che overheard long after.

Perhaps it was youthful recklessness or not understanding his own popularity, but his brilliance made him unlikable. He thought he was bringing honour to his sect, his master, and himself, but his fellow disciples didn't see it that way.

Finally, the tide turned against him.

Hua Che's excessive excellence finally drew the attention of his biological father.

During another Immortal Martial Assembly, under the gaze of countless eyes, it seemed deliberate on the part of a certain Yin family member. He appeared blatantly and acknowledged Hua Che as his son in front of all the immortal cultivators.

He mentioned Hua Che's mother's name and recounted his youthful escapades with Hua Mei’er.

With such a big mystery about his background exposed, how could the various sects still have the mood to compete?

Hua Che, Hua Qingkong.

His birth mother was a courtesan who served thousands, and his father was a demon condemned by tens of thousands!

Yin Wuhui, Hua Che's so-called biological father, was the Lord of Fen Qing Palace, the supreme monarch of the demonic path! The countless souls that died by his hand, the cities and villages he annihilated, were all ordinary occurrences for him!

Hua Che, the famous senior-apprentice brother of the Shang Qing Immortal Sect, Lu Mingfeng’s pride?

Hehe, with such a bloodthirsty demon as his father, could his son be a good person?

From the highly praised Shangqing Immortal disciple to the despised demon, the transition often happened in an instant.

Immortal cultivators loathed demonic cultivators. After all, their relatives and friends all perished at the hands of demonic cultivators. They couldn't distinguish right from wrong; all they knew was that demonic blood flowed in Hua Che's veins! They said, "A crooked beam will produce crooked offspring," and "Like father, like son." Who knew if Hua Che would later practice demonic cultivation?

Who knew what Hua Che's purpose was in joining Shangqing Immortal Sect?

Who knew if Hua Che, being accepted by Lu Mingfeng, had some sinister plot?

Who knew if one day Hua Che would conspire with Yin Wuhui to massacre Shangqing Immortal Sect?

They didn't want to gamble, nor did they dare to gamble.

Different hearts in the same clan lead to divergent paths.

With myriad voices, spitting words at him one after another, Hua Che was overwhelmed. He couldn't catch his breath and didn't understand why things had turned out this way.

How innocent he was, how unjustly treated!

What Demon Lord, what biological father! He had never seen his biological father since birth, and never heard a single word about him from Hua Mei’er. Compared to Yin Wuhui, Hua Che felt closer to the brothel madam at the Drunken Tavern!

He had thought he would be publicly executed to counter the arrogance of the Demon Lord. However, to his surprise, Lu Mingfeng, who always detested demonic cultivators, spoke up. What surprised Hua Che even more was that his stern master would step forward and vouch for him.

"This is my disciple, I trust him. He will never fall into the demonic path, let alone consort with Yin Wuhui! Che understands right from wrong, and I stake my life on it!"

When the top cultivator of the Immortal Dao spoke like this, even if others harboured doubts, they couldn't say anything further.

And Hua Che remembered these words for a lifetime.

Dreams came intermittently.

It was the back mountain of the Fen Qing Palace Hall, secluded but not desolate. He lay on a soft couch in the bamboo pavilion, already the newly appointed emperor of the Demon Realm.

Ghosts bowed in worship, and demons bowed their heads.

He intentionally dressed in a revealing manner, resembling a charming and lowly monarch. He had almost given up, trying all sorts of ways to seduce Chu Binghuan.

But the upright gentleman remained unmoved. When he couldn't take it anymore, he scolded sternly, "Have you no shame?"

Upon hearing these words, Hua Che couldn't help bursting into laughter. He grabbed Chu Binghuan's collar and looked down at him, saying, "What is shame? Worth a few spirit stones? Yunmiao Immortal Lord, have you lost your senses in your cultivation? How dare you talk about shame with me, a Demon Lord who kills without mercy? Are you childish?"

Hua Che leaned down, attempting to kiss Chu Binghuan's lips, but Chu Binghuan turned his head aside.

Hua Che halted, a mocking smirk playing on his lips. "Truly, forced affections taste bitter. In the Fen Qing Palace Hall, people queue up every day to climb into my bed, yet you, you reject the offer even when it's presented to you."

Chu Binghuan, provoked by some unknown words, suddenly flipped over, causing Hua Che to feel dizzy. Their positions reversed, with Chu Binghuan now pressing him down. Hua Che was enveloped in Chu Binghuan's unique aura, a scent that could make him drop all defences and willingly succumb.

As pure as bamboo in the snow, as ethereal as flowers in the mist, with a hint of medicinal fragrance.

"Why do you have to do this?" Chu Binghuan gritted his teeth.

Hua Che seemed much more relaxed and content. "In the mortal world, even emperors scheme to climb into bed for glory and wealth, let alone me, who reigns over the demonic path."

Chu Binghuan's eyes sharpened. "That's not what I meant!"

Hua Che's smile faded. He naturally understood what Chu Binghuan meant.

A cold wind blew in from the window, extinguishing the burning candles on the table, plunging the room into darkness. Yet Hua Che's eyes remained clear and bright.

The moonlight shone, reflecting his stunning and breathtakingly beautiful face, with mesmerizing phoenix eyes and a gathering of chilling hostility. He chuckled, as if suppressing his emotions for a long time.

His voice was harsh and fierce. "Born of a courtesan, inherently lowly, born after a Demon Lord, inherently bloodthirsty! With the blood of a Demon Lord running through my veins, tainted throughout, I deserve to be hated by everyone. They say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, they say different hearts in the same clan lead to divergent paths. So, I'll show them what a demonic cultivator is like! I will let them know that whether I cultivate the immortal or demonic path, they will still be trampled underfoot by me!"

Hua Che suddenly laughed. When he was cold and stern, he sent shivers down one's spine, but when he smiled, he exuded a sly and soft charm. "The facts prove just that. Even you, an esteemed immortal cultivator, are detained in the Fen Qing Palace. Who else can they rely on? When the time is ripe, I will command the demons to invade the immortal path. We will target the Shang Qing Immortal Sect first, followed by the Feng Ming Valley and Ye You Prefecture, and finally, your Yuntian Shuijing. We will unify the Nine Realms and Six Territories, establishing dominion for a thousand generations!"

"Is this your true intention?" Chu Binghuan, who had been quietly listening, spoke indifferently, still maintaining his icy demeanour. "Hua Qingkong, is this truly what you believe?"

"And what if it is?" Hua Che stretched out his arms, ambiguously wrapping them around Chu Binghuan's neck. "I am also a man. I also have ambitions to conquer the world."

A provocative glint flashed in Hua Che's eyes as he smiled cunningly. "If you don't want blood to flow like the sea across the entire world, why don't you kill me now? For the sake of justice."

He leaned closer to Chu Binghuan's ear, half-jokingly, half-seriously. "I would gladly die by your hands."

Chu Binghuan pushed him away and left without looking back.

Feeling empty, Hua Che felt a sense of weightlessness. The smile on his face gradually faded. "Since you were brought to the Fen Qing Palace by me, this is the first time you've said so much to me."

Chu Binghuan stopped in his tracks.

Turning around, Hua Che reclined on the soft couch, watching the other man with anxious eyes as his smile turned somewhat bitter and forced. "Little Ice Cube, could you... give me a hug?" This was the last request Hua Che made to Chu Binghuan.

After Chu Binghuan departed without a backward glance, Hua Che remained on the ice-cold couch throughout the night. Constantly feeling the piercing pain as if stabbed by a thousand knives.

In reality, even if Chu Binghuan didn’t take action against him now, Hua Che knew he wouldn’t survive much longer anyway.

The next day, at the break of dawn, the guardians came to report that the immortal army had reached the foot of the mountain.

Dry wood lay in the fire pit, occasionally emitting crackling sounds.

*

Hua Che opened his eyes, not knowing which day it was, feeling an overwhelming sense of sorrow.

The person in front of him was still the same, just younger.

"Awake?"

"I'm a bit cold."

Hua Che absentmindedly looked at him and smiled bitterly. " Little Ice Cube, can you... hug me?"

Chu Binghuan seemed stunned.

Well, for someone as reserved as him, who disliked physical contact, asking for a hug right away was indeed shameless.

Just as Hua Che was about to smile bitterly, he suddenly saw Chu Binghuan leaning in. He took off his coat and wrapped it around Hua Che, then pulled him into a warm embrace.

Still, there was that familiar scent of medicine, not bitter, but rather tranquil.

 

Translator : DarNan