"Get lost."

"Stay away from me."

"Don't touch me!"

"We are sworn enemies."

"Have some shame!"

The memory of that aloof and solitary Immortal merged with the present Chu Binghuan, who looked at him with affectionate eyes.

Hua Che felt a chilling suffocation.

Once, he deeply loved Chu Binghuan. He sought attention with jokes and antics, hoping for Chu Binghuan's smile, even if it meant trying his best to be funny.

After a long, long time, Chu Binghuan did smile occasionally, but very rarely.

Yet, Chu Binghuan had never once said the words "I like you."

It wasn't possible back in Shangqing before, and it was even less possible then in the Fen Qing Palace.

"Enough with the comforting words," Hua Che retorted. It was already good that Chu Binghuan didn't drag him down with him.

After Lu Yao's suicide, knowing his own end was near, he pleaded with Chu Binghuan to stay with him, to hold him, even if it meant saying a false word of affection, anything to avoid his own cold death.

Would he repeat the mistakes of his past life in this one?

Even if Chu Binghuan couldn't read minds, judging by Hua Che's expression alone, he probably had a good idea.

A dull ache filled his heart.

Chu Binghuan stepped forward, enveloping Hua Che in his arms. "Give me a chance, please?"

Hua Che's heart raced, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

Was it because he was too attached to Chu Binghuan's embrace?

Even after being reincarnated, a simple hug like this still affected him so deeply.

Chu Binghuan was too aloof, inaccessible to others, and suffered from cleanliness, avoiding contact with anyone else. Even in their past lives, the times Chu Binghuan touched him could be counted on one hand. The precious embraces were only during battles, supporting each other in flying to the sky, which did not count.

Full of love, the embrace was Hua Che’s action after being the demon king.

In the end, Chu Binghuan forcefully pushed him away.

The immortal departed in anger, leaving Hua Che to face the cold wind alone.

It was all enough, truly enough!

He had believed he had won Chu Binghuan's heart, but what came of it in the end? A hollow sense of joy.

Hua Che didn't want to endure such emotional ups and downs anymore. He admitted that even if he lived a thousand lifetimes, his feelings for Chu Binghuan would remain special.

How could someone who had secretly loved him for over 300 years in a past life simply forget?

Reflecting on his enduring love, Hua Che was taken aback by his own persistence, feeling almost like a lovesick fool.

He chuckled wryly, "An immortal who shuns the human world's delights dares to utter such sentimental and flowery words." Regaining his composure, he gently freed himself from the embrace he once yearned for.

Chu Binghuan, oblivious to the concept of "retreating after knowing difficulties," asserted earnestly, "I mean it sincerely."

Unmoved, Hua Che sneered, "Let's not forget our different backgrounds. You're the esteemed scion of a renowned family, while I am the offspring of a demon and a courtesan, with filthy blood flowing through my veins."

"I am immune to all poisons," Chu Binghuan murmured, softly touching Hua Che's chin, examining his features under the candlelight. "Even if you were the deadliest poison, I wouldn't fear."

With an uncommon grace that blended feminine beauty with masculine handsomeness, gentle as jade yet resolute in supporting the weak and opposing the strong, Chu Binghuan was destined to be his Daoist partner.

Why hadn't he realized this sooner?

Why did everything have to come too late after he had awakened?

Chu Binghuan cradled Hua Che's face with one hand and pulled him close by the waist with the other, passionately kissing his lips.

Hua Che's entire body froze in an instant!

Fortunately, Chu Binghuan only lightly touched his lips. Although they had kissed before, it was always Hua Che, the demon king, who took the initiative. Chu Binghuan would then retaliate against him, adding a taste of revenge. This time was different; Chu Binghuan initiated it, and there were no flaws—just a pure, gentle kiss.

"Where is the filth? You're clearly clean," Chu Binghuan suddenly smirked mischievously. "And quite sweet too."

The small kiss made Hua Che blush deeply. He gasped for breath and hastily avoided Chu Binghuan's increasingly eerie gaze. "No, you have no shame!"

Chu Binghuan chuckled lightly, "We already have a marriage agreement, it's only natural."

"...," Hua Che imitated Chu Binghuan's past self, only to be coldly countered, which was quite embarrassing.

His mind raced, and suddenly he brightened up. "Our statuses are incompatible. My father is the Demon Lord. We are destined to be at odds, not under the same sky."

"Okay," Chu Binghuan hugged Hua Che contentedly, "then let's ascend to the heavens and be eternal immortal companions."

Hua Che: "..."

Goodness, didn't you, Mr Immortal, abstain from worldly temptations, avoid impropriety, and disregard even the most chaste love stories?

How can you spout such nauseating lovey-dovey lines???

Where did this kid learn all this mischief?

In the end, Hua Che fled in dismay.

He left Chu Binghuan, who had confessed his feelings, in the Huale Pavilion, and hurried off to find Zhuang Tian. He self-righteously immersed himself in cultivating enlightenment under the guise of studying the Qingxin (NT: pure heart) Scripture late at night, diligently practicing, setting a good example for the Lingxiao Palace!

With the imminent rescue of Wen Yuan, Chu Binghuan didn't want to push Hua Che too hard. Besides, Wen Yuan's fate was uncertain at the moment, and rescuing his senior brother was urgent; other matters could wait.

Initially, Hua Che planned not to tell Chu Binghuan and simply leave. However, Chu Binghuan, as if foreseeing everything, caught him red-handed.

He didn't nag excessively, knowing well that Chu Binghuan didn't appreciate verbosity. He only embraced Hua Che affectionately and advised him, "Take care of yourself."

Zhuang Tian watched with restrained curiosity, utterly perplexed. How did the relationship between these two seem even closer overnight?

Their public displays of affection were simply inappropriate!

*

The disciples split up: Chu Binghuan led the group through a small gate, entering a crimson maple forest that seemed idyllic but concealed a deadly maze.

Mu Rongsa followed Chu Binghuan but returned shortly after, almost thinking he was hallucinating. "Wait, Chu Tianyu, why are you so familiar with the Fen Qing Palace?"

Chu Binghuan smiled knowingly.

After residing there for three years, how could he not be familiar?

On the other side, Hua Che entered through the front gate openly. The demon realm was chaotic, with various factions vying for power. However, they all knew one thing: the notoriously temperamental Demon Lord had recently acknowledged a new son.

To be precise, his lost son had been found and brought back, making the Fen Qing Palace add a young sovereign—definitely someone not to be provoked.

With a halo of determination above his head, Hua Che encountered no obstacles and soon arrived at the Fen Qing Palace.

As if knowing he would come, the Ten Directions Master didn't stop him, and the demon cultivators of Fen Qing Palace remained motionless. Left Guardian Shang Chimei personally led Hua Che to see Yin Wuhui.

At this moment, Yin Wuhui sat on the throne, smiling with malicious glee, "Finally rejected by the immortal path and back to cry to your father?"

Hua Che replied frankly, "You're thinking too much."

"Oh?"

Hua Che crossed his arms, "The Demon Lord captured my senior brother. Could I not come to see?"

Yin Wuhui sneered, "Yes, you've come to demand his release for me."

Just seeing Yin Wuhui made Hua Che itch to strike, especially hearing his sarcastic tone. He restrained himself, reminding not to act rashly or anger the other party, barely suppressing his rage.

Yin Wuhui laughed loudly, "A mere junior cultivator has come all this way to Fen Qing Palace. If I had known it was so easy, I would have simply captured the entire Lingxiao Palace. Then wouldn't you have stayed here forever?"

Hua Che clenched his fists, "Do you really wish for me to stay in Fen Qing Palace?"

Yin Wuhui raised an eyebrow.

A chilling determination flickered at the corner of Hua Che's lips, "Fine, abdicate immediately and hand over the position of Demon Lord to me. Let Fen Qing Palace undergo a change of regime. You can enjoy your leisure as an ex-emperor, and I assure you, with my power, I can unify the Nine Provinces and fulfill your lifelong unattained wishes."

Shang Chimei's face instantly turned pale! He looked at Yin Wuhui in horror.

The hall fell eerily silent.

No one knew how long passed before a cold, sardonic laugh emerged from Yin Wuhui's throat. He stood up abruptly, dragging his flowing black robe across the jade steps, "You aim to seize power?"

"You willingly abdicate," Hua Che calmly asserted, "If you can't bear to part with the position of Demon Lord, spare me the empty words! If you want me to support you, use me as your tool for conquering the world and discard me afterwards, think again!"

Yin Wuhui's eyes flashed with ruthless fierceness.

Hua Che returned a cold, heartless smile, "It's not always advantageous to have such an outstanding son. Threats to your supreme position must be eliminated. Just like earthly emperors, you, as a Demon LOrd, are after all just a common man."

Shang Chimei broke into a cold sweat, wanting to interject several times but unable to. Seeing Yin Wuhui on the verge of fury, he risked his life to shout, "Young Master, be cautious with your words!"

Ignoring him, Hua Che's tone turned icy, his smile on the verge of cruelty and mockery, "You can't let go of the insignificant Fen Qing Palace or the mere position of Demon Lord. Such narrow vision, yet you dare dream of ascending to immortality? How ridiculous!"

"You dare!" Yin Wuhui was repeatedly struck where it hurt, finally losing his temper. He reached out and grabbed Hua Che by the throat, "How dare you speak to me like this!"

Hua Che struggled to breathe, managing to choke out, "Hypocrite, disgusting—no wonder my mother didn't want you!"

"Shut up!" Yin Wuhui roared in madness, pushing Hua Che away forcefully, pacing wildly across the hall, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!"

The most paranoid are often plagued by inner demons.

If at this moment, he were to use Hanyue's life-threatening technique... Hua Che could almost imagine what Yin Wuhui would become.

However, harming the enemy at the cost of oneself—Hua Che's current cultivation was so low that if Yin Wuhui went mad, he was sure he would be the first to die.

So Hua Che gave up on using Hanyue and enjoyed watching Yin Wuhui lose his mind.

This excruciating moment for Shang Chimei felt like hell and lasted for five hours. Finally, Yin Wuhui pointed at Hua Che and said, "Take this rebellious son to the water dungeon and imprison him!!!"

Shang Chimei hesitated, "This..."

Hua Che had a tracking charm given by Zhuang Tian on him, and Zhuang Tian could always track Hua Che's location. Of course, Hua Che wanted to go to the water dungeon; maybe Wen Yuan was there.

Just as Hua Che was about to follow Shang Chimei, a demon cultivator hurried into the hall. His anxious expression gave Hua Che a bad feeling.

"My Lord, it's bad news! Yuntian Shuijing, Yeyou Mansion and Feng Ming Valley, the three major immortal sects have launched a joint attack on the Demon Realm. They are heading towards Fen Qing Palace right now!"

Yin Wuhui's face suddenly changed drastically!

Hua Che was stunned and suddenly felt... a bit amused and exasperated.

Crazed Yin Wuhui probably couldn't understand. He had only captured an insignificant little kid out of nowhere. How did it lead to a joint assault by three major immortal sects?

That was because Yin Wuhui didn't realize how many hidden talents were in Fen Qing Palace right now.

Chu Binghuan was there, Mu Rongsa was there, and even Xiao Pang’s blood debts were there.

For their sons, for their disciples.

How could they not come!

 

--

The author has something to say:

This book is indeed not very long, so don't be too surprised! (Mainly because I don't want to pad it out, don't want to dawdle, and don't want misunderstandings, hahaha)

Although the countdown to completion is on, there are still more than ten chapters left. All loose ends will be tied up, so don't worry, and then...

 

Translator: DarNan