Within the camp, disciples of the Yuntian Shuijing Sect were bustling around, attending to the severely injured cultivators being continuously brought in. Fortunately, with Chu Changfeng overseeing things, order was maintained despite the busyness. Moreover, with Chu Binghuan also present, the efficiency in treating the wounded was outstanding.

The camp was far from the Fen Qing Palace, yet the astonishing mystery of Hua Che's birth seemed to have spread somehow, and people had been discussing it all along.

"So, Hua Qingkong's father isn't Yin Wuhui, but Xie Wanting?"

"Unbelievable! From being the son of a demon to suddenly becoming a young master of one of the three major immortal sects."

"Hua Qingkong's mother was originally a courtesan in the brothel, right? How did she get to know Master Xie?"

"Hahaha, don't you know? That Hua Mei’er was originally named Hua Sijin and was also a daughter of nobility. Later, her family suffered from Yin Wuhui's extermination, and she was taken in by Xie Wanting. By the way, Xie Wanting and Hua Sijin were already engaged, so they naturally ended up together."

"Goodness, fellow Daoist, where did you hear all this from?"

"It's circulating from the Fen Qing Palace. Can't say if it's true or false."

"If they were together, why did they separate later?"

"Well, who knows? It probably has something to do with Yin Wuhui!"

"Wait, wait, wait. If that's the case, then Yin Wuhui is Hua Qingkong's enemy! His maternal grandmother's whole family was killed by Yin Wuhui!"

"Oh dear, it seems like Hua Qingkong was almost fooled by that Yin Wuhui, dazed and confused, thinking he was his son."

"Indeed, thank goodness the truth has come to light."

An elderly man who had been seriously injured was now much better after treatment. Seizing the opportunity, he didn't forget to jest and tease the medical cultivator who had treated him, "Hua Che and Chu Binghuan, talented and handsome, destined by heaven, and they even had an engagement in their early years. I initially sincerely blessed this pair of beautiful lovers. Who would have thought about Yin Wuhui's involvement later? I truly worried they couldn't be together despite their mutual affection. Now, seeing you, the young master of the Yuntian Shuijing Sect, and him, the young master of the Yeyou Mansion, your families match so perfectly. Lady Mei must be satisfied, right?"

The physician didn't dare to speak carelessly; he only focused intently on treating the illness.

Meanwhile,

Chu Changfeng looked at Hua Che's situation, feeling helpless: "The restriction placed by Yin Wuhui could only be opened by himself, and currently, we can't find any cultivator stronger than Yin Wuhui. So, regarding your..."

Hua Che didn't care much about the sealing of his Golden Core. In just half a day, he had learned too many shocking things—Wen Yuan's identity, Chu Binghuan's rebirth, and the relationship with Xie Wanting—each matter disturbing his soul and causing fatigue.

He glanced towards the inner room, trying to find something to say: "When I first came in, I saw Senior studying something. Is it a method to deal with Yin Wuhui?"

Chu Changfeng smiled knowingly: " You really guessed it indeed."

Hua Che hadn't expected to guess right with a casual remark. He followed Chu Changfeng into the inner room, and sure enough, there was something on the table covered with a red brocade cloth.

"It's this object." Chu Changfeng didn't feign mystery and openly uncovered the cloth.

Hua Che jumped in surprise: "The Water Jade Purple Mist?"

"At Master Xie's birthday celebration, this treasure was swapped by Yin Wuhui. Yesterday, my disciples and I infiltrated the Fen Qing Palace. Though the process was fraught with difficulties, we were fortunate to successfully retrieve the Water Jade Purple Mist," Chu Changfeng explained. "Regarding its legend, I believe Hua Che is also familiar."

Hua Che nodded, saying: "Playing the Water Jade Purple Mist can reverse day and night, and turn back time."

Chu Changfeng nodded in agreement.

Hua Che couldn't believe it: "Is this object truly so miraculous?"

Chu Changfeng replied: "It's only a legend, unverified by anyone. Besides, ordinary people cannot unleash its true power. Mastery of music theory and deep cultivation in music are necessary for a skilled musician."

Hua Che asked without hesitation: "Are you referring to Master Xie?"

Upon hearing those words, Chu Changfeng smiled knowingly: "Hua Che, don't blame me for being well-informed. After all, this matter has caused quite a stir. Master Xie is indeed your biological father. After this battle, I believe he will announce to the cultivation world and formally acknowledge you."

Hua Che didn't display overwhelming joy; he remained calm and said, "To be honest, Senior, this is all too sudden. Moreover... with the current war between immortals and demons, discussing the future feels premature."

"I understand," Chu Changfeng empathized. "We also don't know if we can survive this ordeal."

"Master Xie is still in the Fen Qing Palace and won't return for a short while. How about Hua Che tries first?" Chu Changfeng gestured towards the zither, "In terms of musical theory, everyone admires Hua Che."

"You're too kind, Master Chu." Hua Che took a couple of steps forward. Whether it was a misperception or something else, he suddenly felt dizzy.

After steadying himself, Hua Che approached cautiously.

After all, legends were just legends. At least, Hua Che didn't find this item particularly miraculous up close. According to reason, such a treasure should exude an aura of immortality, with just its presence commanding respect and awe.

But this zither didn't.

Hua Che chuckled at his own nerves. As he reached out to touch it, he asked Chu Changfeng, "Is Master Chu planning to use this to manipulate time and go back to eliminate Yin Wuhui?"

Chu Changfeng neither confirmed nor denied, "Hua Che, your insight is sharp. You can see through my intentions with a glance."

A treasure that could change the past?

It sounded audacious. Could it be that celestial laws allowed such things to exist in the world?

The phrase 'turning back time' plunged Hua Che into deep thought. If this treasure truly possessed such divine power, how could a mere cultivator control it as they wished? What if someone didn't want to return to the past, but instead pushed time forward ten years or reversed day and night, inviting cataclysmic destruction?

No one had verified such an item, so its arrival could either bring hope or disaster—no one could guarantee.

Lost in thought, Hua Che's hand brushed against the zither. Suddenly, his vision blurred, his heart sank, feeling as though he had fallen into an abyss with no bottom, endlessly plummeting.

In his daze, it seemed a figure ran towards him from afar, calling his name in panic.

Was it Chu Binghuan?

Everything went dark, and Hua Che lost consciousness.

*

He wasn't sure how long it had been when he groggily woke up to the sight of... Yuntian Shuijing?

Hua Che was astonished and attempted to sit up, only to find he couldn't move. His view was unusually low, occasionally seeing someone's thighs passing by, which startled Hua Che fully awake.

He wasn't human.

He had become an object—more precisely, a lifeless thing!

Hua Che struggled to move his vision and finally saw what he had become.

Water Jade Purple Mist. He had turned into the Water Jade Purple Mist!

No, wait—it was possession!

His soul had been sucked away by the Water Jade Purple Mist. But that wasn't the point—why had he woken up in Yuntian Shuijing?

Had the war between immortals and demons ended?

Where was Chu Binghuan?

Hua Che suddenly realized that the person who had passed by him just now was... Mei Cailian.

Shortly after, a female disciple in green clothes came in to report various matters of the sect, ending with, "Young Master is still in a coma."

Mei Cailian looked worried, pressing her temples while asking the disciple to leave.

For the next five hours, Mei Cailian leaned against the soft couch, eyes closed in meditation until dawn. She had no idea what nightmare had disturbed her, suddenly waking up and gasping for breath, shouting, "Someone, quickly!"

Immediately, a maid rushed in response, and Mei Cailian grabbed her hand, trembling as she asked, "Has Tianyu awakened? Is he awake?"

The maid hurriedly reassured her, "Madam, the young master suffered backlash from the Upper Clear Illusion Formation. It will take a few years of recovery before he can awaken. It won't be so soon."

Hua Che was stunned.

Could it be... could this be a previous life!?

Mei Cailian, physically and mentally exhausted, said, "Go check the Cold Pond quickly. If he wakes up, inform me immediately."

Though he didn't understand what was happening, Hua Che remembered the scene before he fainted. He had merely touched the zither, not played it, and yet it had triggered this situation.

Legend had it that the zither could travel back in time and even change the future. Now, it seemed this legend was false.

Conversely, the zither could draw the soul of the player away, leading them to various inexplicable worlds across different timelines.

Hua Che currently had no way to escape. Three days passed in a blink.

Because the zither had been kept in Mei Cailian's room, he could only see and hear what happened inside her room. He had no idea about the situation outside.

Mei Cailian often sat alone lost in thought, or meditated, or didn't return for half a month.

Days went by, and three months passed like this. Just as Hua Che was deep in sleep, a stern shout suddenly rang out: "Stop!"

Startled awake, Hua Che opened his eyes to find Mei Cailian in the room, glaring fiercely at none other than Chu Binghuan, who had woken up just seven days ago.

Mei Cailian fumed, "Hua Qingkong is dead, executed by the Shangqing Immortal Sect. You still want to go find him? Are you out of your mind?"

Chubing Huan's eyes turned icy and cold, "He was wronged."

"I think you're the one who's gone mad!" Mei Cailian shouted, "Not only did he kill Lu Mingfeng, but he also falsely accused Lu Mingfeng of cruelly killing his own disciple. He and Yin Wuhui joined forces to slaughter over five thousand disciples of the Shangqing Immortal Sect. Such madness and cruelty—why are you defending him?"

Chu Binghuan's expression darkened, heavy as thunderclouds, "Are you all so biased against him? Why transfer your hatred for Yin Wuhui onto him? Isn't he innocent? If someone else came forward today to accuse Lu Mingfeng, if it were me instead, do you think those who accuse Hua Che of framing and harming others would look at me with the same eyes?"

Mei Cailian was momentarily speechless.

"Was I born noble?" Chu Binghuan laughed self-deprecatingly, "I was lucky with my birth advantage! What about Hua Che? Before the incident with Yin Wuhui, wasn't he respected and admired, shining like a bright moon as an esteemed senior of the Shangqing Immortal Sect?"

Provoked by this questioning, Mei Cailian grew furious and embarrassed, "Has he bewitched you?"

"Is he truly as unforgivable as the books say?" Chu Binghuan asked coldly, "Why did Drunken Mansion disappear overnight in Hangzhou? Why did Granny Jiang disappear? Why, despite my search across the world, can I find no trace? Why does the cultivation world keep silent about these two incidents? Is it out of guilt, because someone's methods are too dirty, afraid that even demonic cultivators would scoff if the truth were revealed?"

"You dare!" Mei Cailian slammed her hand on the table, raising it to slap Chu Binghuan across the face. After the slap, she realized her mistake and couldn't help but regret it. Just as she was about to console him, Chu Binghuan, with an unchanged expression, said, "A person as indomitable as him, why would he kneel and submit? Why would he kneel on Kunlun Mountain?"

Mei Cailian became nervous, "Binghuan..."

"Those people used some means to capture Hua Che. They know what they've done. Don't pretend to be saints in front of me, preaching justice," Chu Binghuan turned his back and walked away with long strides, "It sickens me!"

Hua Che: "......"

So, this was what Chu Binghuan thought back then.

He believed in me and stood by my side.

A long, long time passed after that. Darkness was all around him, and someone was repeatedly calling his name. From the voice, it sounded like Chu Changfeng. He thought he was finally freed from the Konghou, but unexpectedly, Chu Changfeng's voice suddenly disappeared, replaced by a blinding light.

I was still inside the Konghou, and what he saw was Chu Binghuan's angry figure.

His attire was completely different now. He still wore that immaculately white robe, but now he had the jade crown unique to the head of Yuntian Shuijing. His steps were somewhat unsteady, and after finally steadying himself, he coldly questioned, "What exactly did you do to me?"

Hua Che was a bit dazed. He cautiously guessed that at least a hundred years had passed, and Chu Binghuan had inherited the position of sect leader.

"You’re thinking of him again?" Mei Cailian, sitting on a soft couch, said indifferently. "Those twenty-six families were just wiped out, and you're already thinking of him?"

Hua Che was shocked; it had actually been three hundred years.

Mei Cailian slowly stood up, her kind face showing concern. "Don't worry, child. Mother would never do anything to harm you."

Chu Binghuan's face was frighteningly dark. "Why does my true essence stagnate whenever I think of Hua Che?"

Mei Cailian said without blinking, "Just don't think about him."

Chu Binghuan: "Tell me the truth."

"Alright." Mei Cailian's gaze flowed over Chu Binghuan's face like water. "To prevent you from doing something irrevocable in the future, Mother will be honest with you. It's for your own good, and also for Hua Qingkong's good."

Given Chu Binghuan's current cultivation, he could guess the gist of it: "You put a curse on me?"

"Yes," Mei Cailian admitted frankly. "It's somewhat similar to Yin Wuhui's Heartburning Gu, but different. When you think of your beloved, your cultivation will merely be hindered, without harm to your body. But..."

Mei Cailian turned around, her red lips curving into a bewitching smile. "This curse is called 'Red Lotus.' When love is shallow, it harms you. When love is deep, it harms him. Think carefully."

Chu Binghuan's expression changed dramatically, more than "shocked" could describe.

Hua Che was also stunned.

He had read about it in the ancient books preserved in the Fen Qing Palace. Because it was too cruel and ruthless, it was classified as a forbidden technique.

The Red Lotus curse was specifically used on people with affection.

When one became emotional, their true essence was blocked, and their cultivation stagnated, making it difficult to progress further.

If one embraced or kissed their beloved, they would suffer the backlash of the Red Lotus, experiencing excruciating pain throughout their meridians, with their heart feeling like it was being fiercely clenched.

If love deepened, and they engaged in intimate relations, the Red Lotus would transform into a venomous snake, emerging from the cursed person's body and entirely backfiring on the beloved, causing their cultivation to collapse and them to die in ashes.

In other words, if Chu Binghuan slept with him, he would die!

It is said that one should dismantle ten temples rather than ruin a single marriage. This curse harboured too much resentment, hence it was strictly forbidden. Only those who aspired to cultivate the Dao of Heartlessness would use it on themselves to forcefully achieve their ultimate path.

Chu Binghuan's gaze was as cold as a blood-stained sword: "You, when exactly did you..."

"Three hundred years ago, after you suffered backlash from the Shangqing Illusion Formation, I planted it while healing you," Mei Cailian said calmly. "After three hundred years, the 'Red Lotus' has long since merged with your bloodline. You cannot break this curse. Moreover, I cut off half of my own soul to cast this spell on you. If you forcefully break through, I will die as well."

Chu Binghuan trembled all over: "Why? Why did you do this!"

Mei Cailian: "Even if you didn’t say it, I could guess what you encountered in the illusion array back then."

"You were bewitched by that boy!" Mei Cailian added through gritted teeth. "Why was it only that time you couldn't escape the illusion? Because of Hua Qingkong. You fell in love, deeply trapped in the illusion and unable to extricate yourself! He will eventually harm you; he is your destined calamity!"

"You were lucky to escape the Shangqing Illusion Formation alive. What if there's a next time? How many lives do you have to play this game? His father is Yin Wuhui. Are you going to risk defying the world to stand with him? I absolutely cannot allow this to happen!"

Mei Cailian's tone suddenly softened. She grasped Chu Binghuan's arms and earnestly said, "Binghuan, Mother is doing this for your own good! Without Hua Qingkong, you would have reached the peak by now. You would be preparing for ascension, joining the ranks of the immortals!"

Mei Cailian's attitude was almost pleading: "Don't think about him anymore, forget him, Binghuan. You two are not meant to be! There will be no good outcome for you two! Focus on your cultivation, follow your own path!"

Chu Binghuan remained silent for a long time. Suddenly, he chuckled: "I have already made Yuntian Shuijing the number one sect in the immortal world. What more do you want?"

"Binghuan..."

"You may be my biological mother, but you don't even know what I truly want…"

"… All I want is Hua Che. Why is that so difficult?"

 

Translator: DarNan