The entire scene fell silent.

The disciples of the Yeyou Mansion stared dumbfounded, their fingers stiff, unable to continue playing their instruments.

Mu Qiniang and Zhuang Tian stared wide-eyed at each other, momentarily forgetting how to control their spirit beasts.

The disciples of Yuntian Shuijing subdued the mad disciple. After hearing Yin Wuhui's words, they were all stunned.

It took Mei Cailian a long time to find her voice. "Wh-what did you say?"

"Hua, Hua ge?" Mu Rongsa exclaimed in alarm, "Yin Wuhui said... you're his..."

"Hua Qingkong is Yin Wuhui's son!?" Among the crowd, the Master of Chiyao Sect shouted at the top of his lungs, causing everyone to snap out of their daze, stunned by this earth-shattering revelation.

"What's going on here?" Mei Cailian could hardly believe her ears. "Hua Qingkong, Zhuang Tian, can you explain this?"

Zhuang Tian didn't know where to begin. All he knew was that Hua Che came from humble origins; his mother was a courtesan, and he had a tough upbringing. As for his father... that was a mystery no one could solve.

After all, Hua Mei’er was a courtesan who had Hua Che with some wealthy young master. Who would have guessed it would be Yin Wuhui of all people!

But it shouldn't be Yin Wuhui!!!

After everyone suddenly snapped back to reality, they all looked at Chu Binghuan.

Hua Che's father was the Demon Lord, and his future husband was the young master of Yuntian Shuijing. This... this relationship was just too damn complicated!

Hua Che didn't care about the whispers around him. After all, in his past life, his identity had been exposed under the scrutiny of the public eye. Repeating it in this life was nothing new; it was just happening several decades earlier this time.

Ignoring the noisy questions from below, Hua Che stared at Yin Wuhui and pointed to the crazed disciple of Yuntian Shuijing, asking, "What's the deal with that person?"

"It's not possession, just a puppet curse," Yin Wuhui said casually. With a snap of his fingers, the convulsing disciple suddenly quieted down, staggered, and passed out.

Yin Wuhui smirked strangely. "Father promised you something. How could I break that promise? Since you didn't want me to touch Yuntian Shuijing, Drunken Mansion, and Lingxiao Palace, then as you wished. In order to give a gift to Master Xie, I had to use a disciple of Yuntian Shuijing and present the head of that chubby kid. Oh, rest assured, it was your father who killed the chubby kid himself. I didn't let those poor disciples of Yuntian Shuijing get their hands dirty with blood."

Yin Wuhui slightly narrowed his eyes. "Actually, I should have killed the disciple of Yuntian Shuijing and had that Chu fellow, the medical cultivator, personally carry the head of his fellow disciple to present to Master Xie. Hahaha! Now that would have been thrilling! But alas, I promised my son not to harm Yuntian Shuijing at all. Ah, the show didn't quite go as planned, but looking at it now isn't bad either! Master Xie's expression upon discovering the tragic death of his closed-door disciple is simply marvelous!"

Before Hua Che could respond, the Master of the Wuji Sword Sect pulled out his sword and shouted at Hua Che, "Are you really the son of that great demon Yin Wuhui?"

Instead of answering, Hua Che countered, "Even if I said I'm not, would anyone believe me?"

The Master of the Wuji Sword Sect was horrified by all the possibilities running through his mind.

Why was Yin Wuhui causing such a scene at the Yeyou Mansion without any preparation or support?

That was because he had an insider! Who said he was alone? There was his own son inside!

When Yin Wuhui had just spoken, Hua Che didn't seem particularly surprised, indicating he had known about this for a long time.

So what did it mean for him to join Lingxiao Palace? Did he also become the leader of the Martial Arts Tournament, gaining control over the rising stars of the Immortal Dao, preparing for the future battle between immortals and demons?

Yes!

Hua Che was indeed a spy planted by Yin Wuhui in the Immortal Dao!

More sinister than Lu Yao, more malicious than Lu Yao, and more chilling to think about than Lu Yao!

The Sup Wuji Sword Sect Master grew increasingly fearful. Without further ado, he raised his sword and charged fiercely towards Hua Che.

Unexpectedly, before his blade could reach, a blazing whip coiled fiercely around the sword, forcing the Sword Master to halt mid-air and return to the ground, gasping for breath as he shouted, "Chu Tianyu! Are you trying to shield him?"

Mei Cailian's heart raced. "Binghuan, don't be foolish!"

The Burning Soul hung at Chu Binghuan's feet, bouncing joyfully, flames on its whip crackling.

Chu Binghuan's eyes gleamed with a chilling intensity. "Who dares touch him again, don't blame me for being rude."

"You!"

The Sword Master shuddered with fear. If Chu Binghuan hadn't held back earlier, that Burning Soul whip would have left him incapacitated for months.

As the Supreme Sword Master of the Wuji Sword Sect, being humiliated like this by a younger generation made it impossible for him to hold his head up. Filled with rage and jealousy, he couldn't help but vent all his grievances on Hua Che, "Since he is the Demon Lord's son, joining the Lingxiao Palace must be part of a scheme!"

"What scheme?" Stunned for a moment, Wen Yuan said dumbly, "Is Lingxiao Palace so poor and miserable?"

"...," Zhuang Tian couldn't hold back his laughter after a tense moment.

The Wuji’s Sword Master blushed, neck stiff, "He is definitely a spy from the Fen Qing Palace, Yin Wuhui's insider! Don't forget, it was he who brought down Lu Mingfeng!"

Chu Binghuan said coldly, "Then why didn't he join the Shangqing Immortal Sect? That's the number one sect in the Immortal Dao."

"Just a moment!" Hua Che, who had been silent for a long time, interrupted, landing back on the ground from mid-air. "The way you say it, Wuji’s Sword Master, it sounds like I wrongly accused Lu Mingfeng, like exposing his evil deeds was my scheme?"

"This..." The Wuji’s Sword Master was at a loss for words.

Above them, Yin Wuhui sneered, "Immortal cultivators, indeed a bunch of worthless goods! My son, quickly return with me to the Fen Qing Palace. That's where you truly belong!"

Before Hua Che could retort, Chu Binghuan stood in front of him.

This young man who hadn't yet reached adulthood faced the mighty Demon Lord who had slaughtered countless, and said in a calm voice, "Hua Che upholds benevolence and will never associate with bloodthirsty demons like you!"

A bloody light flashed in Yin Wuhui's eyes. "Insignificant vermin! Who gave you the right to speak here!"

As the demonic mist enveloped everything, Chu Binghuan was about to defend himself when Hua Che unexpectedly embraced him tightly from the front.

Hua Che almost wrapped Chu Binghuan like an eagle protecting a chick, shouting loudly amidst the swirling black mist, "You dare touch him!?"

Yin Wuhui's chilling voice cut through the mist, "No one can threaten me, not even if you're my son!"

Yin Wuhui was mad, estranged from kin, perhaps truly capable of parental child homicide.

Unmoved, Hua Che didn't even furrow his brows. His eyes shone eerily, filled with pride and dignity. "Then you'll have to kill me too!"

Chu Binghuan's heart suddenly pounded.

But alas, born together, buried together; his desire for a lover's sacrifice ultimately remained unfulfilled.

This ill-fated pair of mandarin ducks staged a tragic opera, only to be jointly destroyed by those with intent—Zhuang Tian, Mu Qiniang, Xie Wanting, along with True Person Chi Yao, together pushed back Yin Wuhui's deadly attack.

With a momentary gap, Chu Binghuan summoned the Listening Spring Sword and soared into the wind.

The snow on the ground was stirred up by sword qi, fluttering up into the air. Every snowflake turned into a sharp weapon, spreading towards Yin Wuhui as Chu Binghuan's true essence burst forth, causing a dense flurry of snowflakes.

Liu Feng Ting Xue.

Yin Wuhui initially didn't take it seriously, but the sword qi unexpectedly carried a bone-chilling cold that pierced his flesh. Caught off guard, the snowflakes turned into ice, piercing his body and reaching deep into his soul!

" Nascent Soul Realm?" Someone in the crowd exclaimed in disbelief, " Nascent Soul Realm at eighteen years old, this... how is this possible?!"

While everyone marvelled at this sword technique, another fierce light shot straight into the sky. The aura of departing winter and arriving spring, so familiar, would be recognized by any cultivator who participated in the Martial Arts Tournament. It was a technique used by someone in the final battle.

Ji Yue Qing Feng.

The ice and snow instantly dispersed, the frosty chill vanished, and the sunlight shone brightly.

The ice that had invaded Yin Wuhui's body turned into mist under Hua Che's sword qi, swiftly dissipating throughout his limbs and bones.

In fact, Flowing Wind Soul burning and Clear Moon Gentle Breeze complemented each other. Back then, Hua Che had comprehended them after seeing Flowing Wind Soul burning. Flowing Wind Soul burning led, and Clear Moon Gentle Breeze assisted, enhancing the damage caused by the former.

Simply put, it was like someone being poisoned: as long as the toxin didn't spread too quickly, death wouldn't come immediately. By quickly sealing the blood and qi, one could slowly detoxify and recover.

Hua Che's swordsmanship happened to spread the poison, unleashing Chu Binghuan's sword technique to a terrifying degree.

Despite the injuries, Yin Wuhui, the mighty Demon Lord, found it ridiculous to be nearly killed by two youths who hadn't even reached adulthood. He merely suffered a loss, one of the few he had in a thousand years.

And it was at the hands of his own son and son-in-law.

Far from being angry, Yin Wuhui was rather excited.

Yin Wuhui summoned demons with his fresh blood; Soul Devouring Bats flew chaotically in the sky, Headless Birds flashed their wings to suck human blood. His sinister gaze swept over the chaotic Yeyou Mansion. Suddenly, he paused and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh?"

The Nine-Tailed Fox retreated, Zhuang Tian tried to summon another spiritual beast, and Mu Qiniang floated over to block a group of Heart-Eating Evil Spirits, asking, "Where's your Immortal Crane?"

Zhuang Tian replied, "Jixiang? It's just a mascot, can't fight."

Mu Qiniang was dumbfounded, "So your lifelong spiritual companion is... just a mascot that can't do anything?"

Zhuang Tian not only didn't feel ashamed but also found Mu Qiniang's surprise hard to understand. "But it's very obedient and cute!"

Mu Qiniang: "..."

Obedient my foot!

A Beast Tamer's lifelong spiritual companion, bonded through a contract, serves its master for eternity. Just like a cultivator's spiritual instrument, as long as the soul persists, no matter where in the world, with a command, it will immediately arrive and even sacrifice itself for its master in critical moments!

As for the Nine-Tailed Fox and the Three-Tailed Cat Demon Zhuang Tian summoned earlier, they were all temporary workers! Controlled by blood curses, they ran away as soon as ordered, totally unreliable.

That's why when nurturing spiritual beasts, Beast Tamers start from birth, much like Lin Yan's Heavy Ming Bird. This is absolute loyalty and absolute strength.

Who would have thought Zhuang Tian was so unreliable, actually raising an immortal crane, and one that... served absolutely no purpose!

Damn it, no wonder Lingxiao Palace had been in decline for so many years. With the Sect Master acting like this, how could they expect their disciples to excel?

If it weren't for Hua Che and Chu Binghuan stepping in, heh, Lingxiao Palace wouldn't have stood a chance for another ten thousand years!

Wen Yuan rushed to Zhuang Tian's side with his sword in hand. "Master."

"What are you doing out here?" Zhuang Tian grew anxious. "Go back inside and stay there! Don't let Xiao Yan run around!"

Wen Yuan seemed to feel scolded for doing something wrong, lowering his head in grievance. "I'm worried about you, Master..."

Zhuang Tian felt touched by his words.

Meanwhile, Yin Wuhui alternated between anger and laughter, speaking incomprehensible words to Hua Che. Finally, he drifted ghost-like behind Hua Che and coolly said, "Today you protect them, but in the future, they will tear you to pieces. You will regret it. Don't you understand the principle of 'different hearts among different clans'? My son, why won't you listen to your father?"

Hua Che shivered involuntarily. With a swift backhand, he swung his sword. "Stop calling yourself 'father'!"

Yin Wuhui smirked provocatively. "Are you thinking of patricide?"

Hua Che's voice turned cold. "Isn't father also thinking of filicide?"

Yin Wuhui suddenly burst into laughter. "Ah, Che'er, by saying 'father' like that, are you admitting that I am your father?"

Hua Che looked at him with a dumbfounded expression.

Yin Wuhui jubilantly continued, "Come back with me to the Fen Qing Palace. Become the supreme overlord, and together, father and son will unify the Nine Provinces. It's just a matter of time!"

Watching Yin Wuhui's mad and manic expression, and thinking of Hua Meier's suffering, Hua Che's anger burned fiercely. Full of grief and indignation, he didn't hesitate to thrust his sword towards Yin Wuhui.

Yin Wuhui easily dodged and laughed wildly. "Hahaha, you've been deceived by the Immortal Path, but I don't blame you. When you're rejected and driven out by the Immortal Path, you'll have nowhere else to go but back to the Fen Qing Palace, kneeling and begging your father!"

Chu Binghuan flew to Hua Che's side, grasping Hua Che's wrist as if declaring sovereignty, staring directly at Yin Wuhui. "Hua Che has me to take care of him. There's no need for the Demon Lord to worry."

Hua Che was momentarily stunned.

Chu Binghuan's gaze held a near-obsessive determination. "And furthermore, he won't be driven out by the Immortal Path, because Yuntian Shuijing will always stand by his side."

Hua Che's breathing stagnated, lowering his head slightly.

He didn't know why. Even though he had started over in this life, even though he had let go of everything, hearing these words still hurt his heart.

"I might be overstepping my bounds by saying this, but Hua Qingkong is my disciple. Even if the Demon Lord seeks him, he should ask for my permission, shouldn't he?" Zhuang Tian appeared beside Hua Che at an unknown moment. Perched on his head was a mountain pheasant summoned from who knows where. The sentient mountain pheasant looked around, its claws tapping on Zhuang Tian's head before plopping down to sit, ready to hatch eggs.

"That's right!" Mu Rongsa followed up, his momentum vigorous. "Hua Che is the ge of this young master,. Dare you bully him? Do you know who I am? Do you know who my father is?"

Mu Qinian: "..."

Lin Yan was clearly trembling with fear, but still clung to the Ruyi Bird and said, "I-I-I-I-I-I, I will protect, Eighth Senior Brother!"

Mu Qinian sighed, helpless against his elegant son, and said, "Hua Qingkong, with his clear and noble character, I trust him."

Xie Wanting smiled gently, "Young Hua saved my life. It's only right to repay him."

Hua Che looked at everyone in disbelief.

How could this be happening?

Were they defending him? Were they standing on his side?

How could this be possible? Shouldn't it be like in his previous life, feared, despised, besieged, and expelled by others?

Hua Che's mind was in turmoil, uncertain: "You all..."

"Don't be afraid." Chu Binghuan reached out and placed his hand on Hua Che's shoulder, embracing him gently. "I'm here."

 

Translator: DarNan