With a mix of coaxing and intimidation from Hua Che, even if Chu Binghuan wanted to rebel, he didn’t dare to anymore.

It was best to purify the inner demons as soon as possible. Hua Che didn’t have time to bring Chu Binghuan back to the main base of the Immortal Dao to expel the demons. Instead, the two of them simultaneously chose the ice spring in the rear mountain of Fen Qing Palace.

Chu Binghuan, being a healer, could cleanse his soul and purify his body without anyone's guidance. He knew what to do on his own.

Hua Che, not needing to give instructions, set up a barrier and then sat cross-legged outside it to guard him.

Ever since he left the Water Jade Purple Mist, something had been off. He felt an unusual power surge within him, like a baby forced to recite the Four Books and Five Classics.

Hua Che meditated, trying to integrate that strange power rather than expel it.

He didn't know how long he had been sitting until he heard a familiar voice. Awakening as if from a deep dream, he opened his eyes and saw that it was indeed Chu Binghuan.

Looking at him, the blood mark on his forehead had disappeared, but the lingering black aura around him seemed reluctant to dissipate.

Hua Che, somewhat panicked, asked, "What time is it?"

Chu Binghuan didn't answer that. Instead, he asked anxiously, "Are you feeling unwell?"

Hua Che shook his head. Other than feeling a bit dizzy, he felt nothing else. The initial weakness had now vanished completely.

Chu Binghuan managed to relax a little.

Hua Che exhaled and said seriously, "Forget about me. Hurry up and purify your inner demons."

Chu Binghuan complied and soon entered a state of meditation.

*

Nearly a year passed in a flash.

When Chu Binghuan woke up again, the demonic aura had dissipated. He looked at Hua Che, his heart filled with guilt, unsure of how to begin. The esteemed first grandmaster of the dignified Immortal Dao felt like an infant having just learnt to speak.

One gazed at the sky, the other stared blankly, until Hua Che, looking at the solitary moon, murmured unconsciously, "Ice cube, the Water Jade Purple Mist showed me many things."

Chu Binghuan stepped out of the barrier, sat beside Hua Che, and took his wrist to check his pulse while asking, "What things?"

"The Red Lotus."

Chu Binghuan's hand froze, the colour draining from his fingertips. "You, you know?"

Hua Che looked back at him. "The Water Jade Purple Mist is truly a magical item."

Chu Binghuan started, almost unable to face Hua Che. "Do you blame me? Do you blame her..."

Hua Che: "Is this 'her' Mrs. Mei?"

Chu Binghuan didn't confirm, nor did he deny it.

"She broke us up, so of course I resented her, but..." Hua Che smiled calmly. "The past is the past. Let’s not dwell on it in this life. Did she give you 'Red Lotus' in this life? No, she didn’t. And with your past experience, you definitely won’t let Mrs. Mei succeed again. No one can restrain you now, and no one can stop you."

Chu Binghuan felt endless bitterness and tenderness in his heart. He lovingly held Hua Che in his arms. "No wonder you're Sect Master Xie’s son."

Gentle, magnanimous, cheerful, and free.

Pure and unblemished, untainted by the world, like a clear sky, wide and free, without clouds or rain, always gentle and bright.

Leaning in Chu Binghuan's embrace, feeling his presence, Hua Che found it a scent he was deeply attached to.

In his mind, he couldn't help but hear Chu Binghuan's near-desperate cry: "I just want Hua Che. Why is it so hard?"

"It's not hard." Hua Che wrapped his arms around Chu Binghuan's waist. "In this life, no one can interfere with us anymore."

Chu Binghuan felt a sting in his nose, almost bringing tears to his eyes. He hugged Hua Che tighter. "We’re both past twenty now."

Hua Che closed his eyes. "Yes."

Chu Binghuan gently kissed Hua Che's eyes. "Once the matters of Fen Qing Palace are settled, we will get married."

A pleased smile spread across Hua Che's lips. "Okay."

"To avoid getting lost on our wedding night, let's recognize the place first."

"Huh?"

Before Hua Che could react, Chu Binghuan pressed him down onto the bed without any explanation.

Chu Binghuan had thoroughly checked Hua Che’s health, making sure he was perfectly fine, so he dared to act this way.

This kiss was different from the gentle one in Huale Pavilion; it was extremely intense.

Both had endured for a long time, thirsting for each other through two lifetimes. Finally understanding each other, they couldn’t be stopped.

Such intense kissing and embracing had happened in their previous life, but at that time, Hua Che had been in a position of coercion and temptation, while Chu Binghuan had been in a state of hesitant fear. They both had their own worries and barriers between them, making their love flawed.

But this time was completely different. There were no reservations, no barriers, and they accepted each other openly.

Just when it was about to reach the point of no return, Chu Binghuan stopped.

Hua Che expected this!

Chu Binghuan had some issues with his thinking. Even though they were cultivators, he was still so conservative, insisting on waiting until they were formally married before doing anything further.

He called it respecting Hua Che, not prematurely plucking the fruit.

Hua Che was very displeased!

"If you weren't going to follow through, why did you tease me?" Hua Che sulked as he went to take a cold shower, secretly planning to not let Chu Binghuan touch him on their wedding night, intending to frustrate him to the extreme!

Hua Che, having finally calmed his inner turmoil, stood lost in thought under the waterfall. Through the water curtain, he saw a figure slowly approaching.

Without needing to see clearly, just from the aura, Hua Che knew who it was: "What's the matter? Want to go another round?"

Chu Binghuan, behind the water curtain, froze mid-step and coughed dryly: "Nonsense."

Hua Che decided not to tease him further: "Why are you looking for me? Has the battle between the immortals and demons been decided? Or has Yin Wuhui gone mad again?"

"No." Chu Binghuan took a step closer, finally voicing the words that had been weighing on his heart for so long, "I'm sorry."

Hua Che was taken aback.

"Sorry for what?"

Chu Binghuan clenched his fists tightly, his voice hoarse: "In our previous life, I caused your death."

This time, Hua Che had to take it seriously: "What are you talking about?"

Chu Binghuan felt as if he were being cut to pieces, enduring heart-wrenching pain as he spoke: "In our past life, because of my heartlessness, you, you lost hope..."

"Stop, stop!" Hua Che walked out from behind the waterfall in large strides, water droplets clinging to his body as he stood before Chu Binghuan. "Yun Miaojun, are you misunderstanding something? You don't think... that I committed suicide because of you, do you?"

Chu Binghuan's heart trembled, looking at Hua Che in panic.

Hua Che nearly coughed up blood: "What are you thinking? Do you think I'm so emotionally fragile that if you don't love me, I'll die?"

Chu Binghuan found himself suddenly at a loss for words.

Hua Che, both amused and exasperated, pressed firmly on Chu Binghuan's shoulders, speaking earnestly: "Listen carefully."

He then explained the situation involving Lu Mingfeng, Lu Yao, and the symbiotic curse in detail to Chu Binghuan.

Chu Binghuan's reaction shifted from initial shock to eventual respite, and finally, he let out a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Hua Che hadn't died because of him... He wasn't the cause!

Hua Che laughed: "Stop overthinking, okay? In our past life, I didn't even get to have your body. Do you think I'd just give up and die?"

Chu Binghuan: "..."

 

Translator: DarNan